Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-05-29
THE MASTER PERIL.
IT Is THE PARRY iLK AND NOT THE
TRADES UNIONS. 81
Comments Cpon the Action Of the
Manufacturer Of Class Hatred and
the Breeders of Strikes at New Or
leans.

leans.
The address of David M. Parry, pres
ident of the National Association of
Manufacturers, in session at New Or
leans, would necessarily lead any man
of good sense and proper feeling to sup
pose that body so important had been
tricked into electing fool as it's chief
officer. This natural presumption is
mistake, however. Mr.. Parry in the
arrogant ignorance he shows in dealing
with the labor question and his brain
less ferocity of temper appears to be
thoroughly representative of an organ
iZation which is as far from represent
ing the intelligence of the American
business world as any riotous striker is
from typifying the American working
man.
According to Mr.. Parry, who SEEM
ingly has the full sympathy of the Ma
tional Association Of Manufacturers,
trades unionism is the master peril
now menacing not merely our indus
trial prosperity, but the life of the re-
public.
ut is impossible to hide our eyes to
the fact" he says, that large mass
of the people, forgetful of the, liberties
and blessings they now enjoy, are with
restless ardor striving to force the ma
ton to what must eventually mean in
dustrial disaster if not anarchy and
despotism."
Because workingmen want an eight
hour law and an end put to the abuse
Of the writ of injunction Mr.. Parry
sees the dread specter of socialism
'stealing upon US at rapid rate"
The rule that organized workingmen
seek to establish, President Parry as
serts, lis the rule of the least intelli-
gent portion Of labor" Its Readers "are
found to be agitators and de1nagogues,
men who appeal to prejudice and envy,
who are constantly instilling a hatred
Of wealth and ability and who in incen-
diary speeches attempt to seize by
physical force that which their merit
cannot obtain for them.'
The resolutions adopted by the assO-
citation setting forth it's attitude to-
ward organized labor were as whole
quite in keeping with its presidents
address.
Suppose that any important or"ani-
cation Of workingmen in this country
should express itself against the or
ganiZel manufacturers in the same
spirit. what would be thought and said
of them?
The narrow and bitter selfshness of
the National Association Of Manufac-
turers, their Grass incapocity to see
any other interest than their own. dem
onstrates the need of organza ton
among workingmen for self protection
against such employers.
The only kind of labor union which
President Parry and his associates re-
gard with favor is either one which
can offer no advantages to it's mem
bers or one whose declared object is to
war upon organized labor. The "scab,'
the strike breaker, appeals to these en-
ployers as the ideal workingman. But
much as the National Association of
Manufacturers hates and assails the
union principle among wage workers no
part of the New Orleans conventions
proceedings excited greater enthusi-
asm than the declaration that the as
ISOLATION should 60 on Strengthening it.
self for the benefit of it's members.
Every man who can think, whether
he can manufacture or not, is aware
that upon the prosperity of the masses,
of the people who do the country's
work, depends the prosperity of the ma
ton. The higher the standard of wages
the greater the consuming power of
the wage earners. That is truth so
obvious that it ought to be apparent
even to the grade of mind which has
been exhibiting itself at New Orleans.
Trades unions, above all other agen-
and maintaining the standard of
wages. Therefore while seeking their
own advantage they have conferred an
inestimable pubic benefit.
And the trades unions are continuing
to render this public benefit by their
natural efforts to bring wages into har-
mony with the enhanced cost of living
prosperity. Within a few years the
cost of living has advanced from 80 to
SO per cent. But general wages have
not gone up in anything like the same
proportion.
The workingman wants his reasona-
bic share of this prosperity.
If he can get it by mediation, concilia-
ton and arbitration he does it. If not
he strikes.
And he does quite right to strike
when other means fail.
The National Association Of Manu-
facturers, which happily contains but
a small percentage of American manu-
facturers, has condemned itself eco
nomically, and morally, too, for it is as
hard of heart as it is wanting in power
to think. Such men as Parry and his
sort war against industrial peace and
national prosperity. They are the worst
of strike breeders. Could they have
their way the wages paid the workers
of this republic would be the least
upon which the workers could live.