Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-10-01
LABOR MAKES AN ISSUE.

|
question of "open shop" in the govern
ment departments. A statement was
issued last night by the council, which
is, in part, as follows:
"To Organized Labor of America
'The executive council Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor has recently
addressed organized labor by circular
on subjects including bills which will be
introduced in the forthcoming session of
Congress in the interest of the wage
earners of our country, and which were
committed to us by you through your
representatives at the last American
Federation of Labor convention. Since
then the executive council has held
several sessions and of all legislative
measures the eight-hour and the anti
Injunction bills have received our
especial attention.
o'The so-calIed open shop makes
agreement with the employers impracti-
cal. if not impossible, for the union
cannot be responsible for the nom
unionists, whose conduct often renders
the terms of the agreement inefiec-
tive and nugatory. The agreement, or
Joint bargain, of organized labor
with employees depends forts success not
only upon the good will of the union and
the employer toward each other, but
that neither shall be subject to the ire
sponsibility or lack of intelligence OF the
non-uuionist or his failure to act in con-
cert with and bear the equal responsible
ity of the unionists.
"The right of the non-unionist 70
work when, where and for what lie
pleases carries with it the logical right
of the unionist to work when, where
and for what he pleases and with whom
he pleases.
ITO non-unionist, despite that which
his advocates say for him, cannot be at
tributed the virtue of helping his fellow
workmen or contributing toward the es-
tablis hment of more rigbtful relations
between working men and their employ
ers. No force but that of persuasion and
moral and intelligent influence should be
exercised to convert the nOn-unionist to
membership in our organizations, but
it is hurtful from every viewpoint and to
every enlightened interest to advocate
the open shop As the immortal Lin
coin said. This country cannot long re-
main. or be successfully operated. part
union and part non-union.
'In connection with the meeting OF
the executive council, and by appoint
ment, a conference was held with the
President of the United States for the
purpose of discussing important labor
legislation. The eight-hour bill was
considered at length, the President stat.
ing that his mind had not changed on
that form of legislation since he had
favored it as Governor of New York
Slate, and, therefore, was favorable tc
the passage of the proposed act.
"On the anti-injunction bill, in re-
sponse to questions submitted, the Presi'
dent replied the subject would have
his most careful and earnest attention.
"Other important questions affecting
legislation, as per decision of the las
convention, were taken up, and, on be-
half of the International Bookbinders
Union. the Miller case was discussed
The executive council brought to thu
Presidents attention the manner il
which his decision had been quoted, and
in addition to the relationship of Mr.
Miller to the bookbinders' union, a
brought forth in the charges agains
| him, the open shop idea was carefully
c pnsidered.
"Replying to statements on the sub
iect. President Roosevelt set forth tina
| in his decision he had nothing in min,
| but Q strict compliance with federal
including civil service, law, and that h
recognized a difference between employ
ment by the government, circumscrlbe'
by those laws, and any other form o
employment, and that his decision II
the Miller case should not be understoo'
to have any other effect or intiuenc
than affecting direct employment by tn
government in accordance Herewith
He furthermore made plain that in an
form of employment, excepting that 81
circumscribed, he believed the full em
ployment of union men was preterabl
either to non-union or open shops
"In view of the publicity given thi
subject the executive council of tn
American Federation of Labor take
this opportunity to say that the trade
union movement stands for strictl.
union shop. experience having prove
l that where the 'open-shop' system ha
been tried reduction in wages and prof
has ensued, with general disaster to tn
industry practicing that system; anc
therefore, declares that the best interest
of the labor movement calls for the EN-
!. ployment of union workers and dis
courages in every way, shape and torI
the deteriorating effects which folio
the recognition Of the open shop.
p "The tOiling masses, and particular
the organized wage-earners, cannot
must not, and will not surrender one jc
L OF that which they have secured; mus
organize the yet unorganized, unite an