New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-01
INTERPRET OPEN SHOP.
FOR GOVERNMENT ONLY.
address from Federation Limits
Presidents Stand
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE Rrpr,r

la St
nights conference with the President. the execu
tive council OF the American Federation Of
Labor has issued an open letter 70 Tho 80 ,tzaa
labor of America. A large portion of the com
munication is devoted to expoundng the sospel
of union labor but. coming to the subject of the
conference with the President the council saws
that II urged on the President the desira biltv ~
the enactment by Congress of thu Eight Hour
bill that Mr. Roosevelt replied that HI. ..,.,a
toward this form of legislation had mt c,a,gs5
since ne was Governor of New-York and tho,
he was therefore favorable TO the passage Of
that act The council also urged the advisabilitv
of the anti-injunction bill. and the President
promised to give the subject careful considera-
ton.
with reference to the labor controversy pre
. cipitated by the William Miller case the letter
says:
The executive council brought n tbs pr.si
dents attention the manner in which bis do
cision had been quoted. and IN addition 70 tho
relationship or MI Miller TO the bookbinders'
union as brought forth in the charges against
him. the open shop idea was carefully consid-
cred. Replying to statements on the subject
President Roosevelt forth that in his decision
he had nothing in mind but a strict Compliance
with federal, including Civil Service law and
that he recognized a difference between employ
nent by the government, cirCumscrihed nv those
laws, and any other forms Of EMPLOYMENT and
that his decision in the Miller case should not
understood or inf
than affecting direct employment by the
government in accordance herewith He fur
thernlore made plain that in any form Of en-
ployment, excepting that circumscrbed, he
believed the full employment of union men was
preferable either to non-union or open shops"
While the councils view Of the Presidents
position goes much further than the official
statement issued from the White House last
night, there is nothing to indicate the authority
of the council in so interpreting the Presidents
firm stand for the open door policy 1t is
probable that organized labor will find consider
able soace in this Interpretation of the Presi-
dents views and motive.
Taken as a whole, the statement of the labor
leaders is characterized by moderation and an
absence of vindctveness which is the strongest
testimonial of their appreciation of justice of
the Presidents clearly enunciated policy.
The full text of the councils address is fol-
lows:
To Organized Labor of America. Greeting:
Dear Sirs and Brothers: The executive council
addressed organized labor by circular subjects
including bills, which will be introduced in the
the wage earners OF our country, and which were
the last American Federation of Labor
convention. Since then the executive council nas
MEASURES. the eight hour and the anti-injunction
bills have received our especial attention.
The eight hour day. because Of the wonderful i'm
provement in the methods of wealth production.
e ~ ca be in 0f Ro dsy Of gt
we demand It's enforcement not only in private EN-,
ment ne dT4ct Inv cnntTacf or bv siibcontrsct
While We seek to avoid and avert strikes and
industrial disputes, any attempt TO cripple the
right Of labor last resort to strike in de-
Tense OF our rights simply means labor's en-
slavement: for Industrial tranquility by agree
ment through the methods of Cancellation and
fair arbitration. is only possible ard attanahie
erty to exercise their CONSTITUTIONAL rights.
The writ of injunction in its proper spaere Is "a a
the purpose to which it is put in industrial sl
of any state or upon the statute books Of the
federal government a line upon which authority
such as have been issued in industrial disputes;
Il is not the use but the abuse by the courts 81
which is in direct conflict with the rights guaran-
teed people by the constitution OF our
The men in the organized labor movement are
no desire for immunity from the laws governing
Other citizens 9n5 fS anons of convict
ing men for acts which they have the legal righe
qa Refbf T u4 9o Of fhf their oP peTs
The American principle of equal justice before
the law is being violated day after day. The relics
of antiquated judicial tyranny are. belng reVlHeu
ing law as to thereby aim 10 financially ruin our
unions and muct or men ou OF 1ner nara a aside
their protection in middle or old age when me
employing class and society have no turther use
All really educated and honest men realize -, and
admit that thorough organization OF the w9rklhs
people render employment and means OF sup
]
table share of fruits OF their labor is the most
vital necessity of time. Without such oFgahlTa-
concentration even fair degree Of industrial peace
could be maintained. the wageworkers co G,
ton would be forced down TO the lowest posSlDIe
plane. their liberty would be crushed their man
hood and Intelligence stunted and the Intellectual
industrial commercial and political STANDING OF our
In spite of strikes here and there. organized labor
has established, and is establishing, greater de-
gree Of uninterrupted industrial peace by agreement
Win EMPLOYERS Such agreement implies the organi-
cation OF the WORKING people m IaCtoay s,Iop; mn
or mine. for an organized body OF WoTkmen can
only enter into an agreement win employers ah h
faithfully abide by and carry into execution the
Of an employer. at least in any given plant are all
members Of the union.
INTERPRET OPEN SHOP.
/ The so-caled open shop makes agreement with
the employers impracticab!e. if not impossible Tor
the union cannot be responsible Tor the non-unioA-
ISIS whose conduct often renders the terms OF the
agreement ineffective and nugatory. l.;e agree
ment. joint bargain OF organized 'aD up w, W.
employers depends for its success not only upot
the good will of the union ana ne enPqger r w the
irresponsibity or lack intelligence OF the non,
b besr the equal respcnsiby Of the unoniss
/ The right OF the non-unionist TO work Wheh
logical right of the unioniSt TO work or 10 IeluSii
. TO work when where and for what he pleasea' ana
To To y non-Inonist despite that which his advo-
Gates say l3T MN gUf me ' or 1cnnfri6uting to-
ward the establishment of more rlghtful relauotlS
force but that of persuasion and moral aad inteii
gent influence should be exercised q conyeIt, Jlte
but il is hurttu from every viewpoint: and TO
ayerv enlfghtened interest, to advocate the open
shop" As the immortal Lincoln said. This couh,,
try cannot long remain half free and mar Sld'r,
so say we that any establishment cannot long re-
main be successfully operated part UNION anu
In connection with the meeting Of the executive
counci! and by appoin tment conference wa itIn
with the President Of the United states l9f tlI0
purpose of discussing in portant labor legislation
The eghthodr bil considered at Length J Jnf
President stating that his mind had not CHANCES
legislation