Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-07-13
LIBERTY AND LABOR.

There appears TO be- no break In thu
disunion between the contractor
aud the labor unions in this ety. An'
there is no clearly defined point Of DIFF
ference which the public can fully per
ceive and understand. one thing, how.
ever, Is pretty clear; that Is, that The
labor combinations desire to dictate the
employers as to whom they shall en-
gage to work for them, to this extent
at least, that they shall not give emf
ployment 10 persons who do not belong
TO labor organization.
We regard this determination as
wrong and vicious, oppressive and de-
trlmental TO the public welfare, There
does not appear to be any dispute as 10
the price or the hours Of labor. II II not
claimed. so far as we can learn, that
wages are too low or the hours OF work
too long. The trouble seems to be that
1ion-union men are occasionally en-
ployed, and the labor organizations
combine to prevent them from working
This. We are glad to say is not at
tempted here by acts OF violence, such
as disgrace the union people in many
other places, but by quietly withdrew
ing from work on buildings where non.
union wcrkmen are engaged
The probable effect of this, unless
better counsels prevail. will be that la
Dor viii be imported and home work.
men who are controlled by the
unions will be left out IN the
cold II an agreement should
be effected among contractors and
employers that no member OF labor
union shall be engaged, how would
union people regard the restriction
Would they not look upon II as arbitrary
and oppressive? Yet 1t would only be
Q reverse application of their own rule.
II would be wise on the part OF our
friends who belong to any OF those
organizations, to look at both sides OF
this employment question, and put
themselves In the place of the con-
tractors for the time being while they
make the examination.
We cannot view the position taken by
members Of the Church who belong to
a labor union. without great surprise.
How any one who has been at all inn
pressed by the spirit OF "Mormonsm,"
which is the spirit Of Divine light and
human liberty. can join In the move.
ment 10 prevent q brother from oh
taining employment because he does
hot see NJ to join labor union, Is
something beyond our comprehension |
II Is so contrary 10 that individual
freedom that our religion lnculcates
that II would seem as though no Lat.
ier-day Saint could possibly engage in |
such shameful proceedings.
In our opinion there are In this State,
aye, in this city, a sufficient number OF |
workmen in the various handi.
crafts to form combination, In
which they will pledge themselves
10 be free from dIctation by any walk.
ing delegate or union, or other person
or organization that interferes with the
liberty Of labor They need not refuse
10 work with union men. They need
not establish exclusiveness In any way.
They might simply declare their own
freedom and their willingness 10 recog.
nlze the rights OF Others.
We feel ashamed OF protested Latter.
day Saints who put themselves In bond.
age. such as that inwhich some OF
shem now find themselves. To be com.
PEELED TO pick up their tools and march
away from profitable work against
which they have no personal objection.
at the command Of some walking dele
gate or other union boss, Is too degrad-
Ing for any genuine Mormon And
Ahen the only excuse for Il is that some
Is employed who does not be-
ong to the union the shame becomes
ieeper for the act Is so despicable and
lowardly and subversve OF human
rights, that before God and Just men.
{ covers Its perpetrators with ineffable
gnorniny.
We are for the liberty Of labor. as
Ne are for human freedom IN every
ondition of life We do not want to dis
against any organization
shich really promotes the welfare
u working people We have
epeatedly announced that unions have
he right TO declare for their members,
hat they viii no, work except during
ertain hours and for a given scale OF
ages but that we dispute their right to I
orbid the employment Of workers who I
o not choose to Join with them In their {
equations or to bind themselves by
heir rules. That is our position today.
We hope to sec movement or move
rents inauguraied for the restriction OF ,
hose organizations which infringe upon I
'orking peoples rights. Such a move. /
'ent is doing well in England. The
Fanny Of the unions has occasloned II. I
reecom from their dictauon is desira. G
il among all workers in every branch {
human Industry. II ought to obtain s
this State II can be started and it '
~ be maintained, Employers and en- {
DYED can combine to set this State at I
oerty from the oppression OF labor v
at Is now threatening to injure every r
Az Of business, and our people above y
Others ought to throw on the miser. g
BE yoke and declare tbs, labor here "
AL hsnceforth be free! o