The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25
NATIONAL UNION or WORKERS.
Started by q Spokane Engineer, and Open
TO BOSSES ms Well as Employees.

There's an engineer named George y.
Weaver out in Spokane Wash. who has
been fighting the union way Of doing things
by getting up a non-union union. Now
he's making an effort to get his union and
all the other non union organizations in the
country together.
Engineer Weaver. from all accounts. ia a
hustler Like San Francisco. Spokane has
had lot Of union rule-more than most
people wanted. II was when the unions
were declaring strikes and boycotts right
and left that Weaver and some of his friends
pendent Workmen. They didn't get very
many members al first In fact, the small
club with the big name had struggle for
existence.
Things in Spokane are however, not just
what they used to be Here is what one of
the members of the league writes in a letter
which was received here the other day
we are growing fast, and We have got
the unions on the run. They have under.
taken five strikes in this city this year and
they have failed in every case.
We are now building more buildings
with non union than with union men in this
city
Weaver's organization hits at about every
thing that union rule has made objection
able TO lovers of liberty. One of its objects
is to furnish opportunity 10 apprentices,
Another is "to compel the labor unions 10
observe the laws" Another il by arbitra-
ton "to prevent boycotts and sympathetic
strikes Employers are as welcome TO
membership az the employees. The second
article OF the constitution provides that
all American citizens over 10 years of age,
of good moral character, who shall declare
their adherence to the principles and the
laws of this corporation, shall be eligible
to membership" In connection with the
work of the league, President Weaver says:
"We believe that every American citizen
has a right to work for whom he pleases.
when and where he pleases, and under the
Constit. ton of the United States no man
or body Of men has a right To dictate 10
him, We do not discriminate against
union men. On the contrary, we insist
that all laboring men be on an equality
and that all have the same right to work in
any workshop"
President Weaver is working day and
| night to get up a national convention OF
| the non-union bodies Of workmen. His
/ plan is to hold it in some central city, pos
sibly Indianapolis, as soon after Jan. as
| is possible.
So far he has had reports which he con.
siders very hopeful. There are lots OF
| non-union orga MIA tons around the coun-
try. When the work of all Of these Is shown
| in one lump to the public Mr.. Weaver and
|
objects will have been accomplished.
It is their idea that many workmen-
many Of them enrolled In the unions-havt
been afraid to do more than sympathi:'
secretly with the plan of letting every mar
do what work he wants to do. When their
il a national organization confidence 4
felt that many Of these sympathizers vii
declare themselves.
Perhaps they won't do IL right away.
! said one Of the non-union enthusiasts Of
this city the ether day. -but the organiza
ton can't hep having its effect sooner OF
later. 1t may take months and months
before we make much Roadway, but | an
Just enough of an American to have greai
faith in the honesty of the average work
nan.
Where you have honesty it's an easy
thing TO build up independence. Union
rule has done it's best to stamp that out
but its methods can't prevail forever. Al
any rate, this work will 20 on and on.
am sure of the result
From all over the United States Mr.
| Weaver has received letters praising hlf
course. Many of them come from indi-
vidual workmen who would like to join
his movement.
In Indiana he has found several organi-
cations which we're built on plans similar
to those advanced by the Spokane league
| Marion. Anderson and Muncie have already
got their start. President ID. M. Parry OF
, the National Association Of Manufacturers
has done valiant work in assisting these
non-union bodies.
In some cases the Indiana non-union
unions have had to fight fire with fire when
the inevitable boycott was started hut
they have fought with such sturdiness as
70 gain wholesome respect
All Of these organizations have declared
themselves against strikes, boycotts and
walking delegates.
New York State has one such body that at
Elmira- the independent Labor League.