Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-07-21
TaE LABOR PROBLEM.

The labor problem is being discussed
I'm every important part Of the civilized
world. It Is forced to the front by the
growth and cncroachment Of labor
unions These societies are not only
organized Tor the special benefit of The
several trades thereby represented, but
thy are matchmaking and fusing into
councils that seek to control labor IN
general, dictate to employers what
they shall or shall not do, order strikes
at win, and magnify a dispute which
personally affects only q contractor ana
workman, into an issue Involving all
the members Of all the unions thus
merged together. Thus the federation
OF unions has become a menace to busl-
ness. and has provoked hostility Of a
very serious and widespread character
From expressions Of approval that
have reached us from many different
points. we learn that the position on
this subject taken by the Deseret News
meets with very general approval. We
recognize the right Of workmen TO or
ganize for mutual benefit. but deny
that they have either legal or
moral right 10 force unwilling persons
to Join their societies, OF TO compel em-
ployers to reject non-union labor, or to
DO anything that infringes on the rights
OF any human being or lnterferes with
human liberty. That is the ground on
which the Deseret News has always
stood In the debates upon this question.
We notice by our Washington dis
patches, that the national government
occupies similar ground 1t has been
defined very recently by President
Roosevelt An assistant foreman In the
government printing Office. William II,
Miller was discharged because he had
been expelled from the local union Of
the Brotherhood Of Bookbinders He
complained to the civil service commits
sioner, and also to the President, who
decided that the removal was in vio-
iation OF law, and ordered his reinstate-
ment. In letter addressed to secre-
tary Cortelyou, which was sent also TO
the public printer. President Roosevelt
sald
In the face of papers presented, Mil
Ter would appear to have been removed
III violation of law. There is no OBJ
lection TO the employees Of the govern
ment printing office constituting them
selves Into a body II they desire so to
DO but no rules or resolutions OF that
union can be permitted Ia override the
laws OF the United States. which It
Is my sworn duty TO enforce"
The President subsequently called at
tentlon to the decision Of the anthracite
coal strike commission, which was
called to orbltrate the trouble between
the coal miners and their employers, on
March Is last, In which the following
paragraph appears.
1T IS adjudged and awarded that no
person shall be refused employment or
IN any way Disseminated against on
account OF membership or non-mem-
bershlp In any labor organization. and
mat there shall be no discrimination
against or Interference with any em-
ploye who Is not a member of any Ia
Dor organization by members OF such
union
That is the doctrine that must pre-
vail throughout the country. Labor
unions, II they are wise. win give heed
TO It and govern themselves thereby.
The President remarked further:
u heartily approved this award and
Judgment by the commission appoint
ed by me. which Itself included a mem
Der Of a labor union. This commission
was dealing with labor organizations
working for private employers. 1t Is,
OF course, mere elementary decency to
require that all the government depart
ments shall be handled In accordance
with the principle thus clearly and
fearlessly enumerated"
The discharged bookbInder was rein
stated on July l6, and thus notice was
served on every union having govern.
ment employees. that non-union work.
men win be protected in their rights
and liberties under the law. II ls cow
ardly in the extreme FOR masses OF men.
or women to combine against few IN
diyiduals to prevent them from gaining
a livelihood by honest labor because
they decline to join some union or So
clety TO which they do not choose to be-
long. II converts cannot he made by
light, truth. persuasion and reason,
force must not be employed IN any
form That may as well be understood
now, as at any time.
Labor organizations win have 10 stop
at the line OF their legitimate powers.
They have assumed an attitude that
proyokes strong resistance. II they
may refuse TO work with non union
people, employers may combine against
the employment OF union people. That
might cause much loss and inconveni-
ence for q time. but capital IS mighty
lnd might prevail. II would be far bet
ter for labor organizations TO call
halt each keep within Us own lawful
sphere and lei labor everywhere be-
tree TO unite with or stay out Of any
union IN the land For their benefit and
10 show the trend Of public sentiment
IN this important subject, We quote the
following from speech on the Tyranny
of the Unlons by ~ y, Thompson OF
Alabama. before the Industrial COM
mission on June Y, 1908.
Labor organizations are today the
greatest menace TO this government
thai exists inside W outside the pale OF
our national domain. Their influence
for disruption and dlsorganizatlon OF