New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-08
THE OPEN SHOP.
VIII Trade Unions Should Not
Oppose II.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The discussion az the open shop involves
the question whether the opportunity for employ
meut ard. consequently. the privilege Of earning a
livelihood. shall he accessible to al men, OF ne
confined TO those who are members OF uaue
union. This question is vital 10 o'ea"Wlt''eis
everywhere. Il goes directly 20 the neatlis'oiie'
J., determines for millions OF men :he right 10 i've
themselves and likewise. the right to support
those who depend upon them. Feeling deep con-
Germ for the welfare Of workingmen- ! have stead
fas;Iy advocated trade unions, believing them 10 DC
Instrumental in developing proficiency and main
tanning proper standard O. wages but INSIST
on the open shou." believing that trade unions II
conducted upon correct principles. cannot ne useo
to exclude from employment any worthy man VINO
may not he member.
In their origin trade unions were not intended to
establish . rule Of exclusion, or to apply an IN
hibitiou 20 men who should refuse 20 adopt trade
unionism as the basis Of labor organization
The guilds Of England-the precursors and found
ers Of trade unions-were organized upon the loea
that men in any particular branch OF labor could
more erectuary develop skill through combina-
ton. governed by definite rules Of training. than
by pursuing q trade regardless Of such rules The
guild was school Its leaders were teachers ard
its members pupils But there was no intention 10
exclude from honorable employment men who did
not enter the guilds ard lacked therefore. the ad
vantaess Of certain training, though possessed Of
sufficient skill. There was an open shop Cor
labor. and all worthy men were admitted Not
ur... recent period did the idea prevail that, as
20 employment, q discrimination should be drawn
he.vreeo the tnonist and the non-unionist despite
their equality as to qualification and character
This new idea. Of which Samuel Gompers is
prominent exponent. partakes chiefly of selfishness
and is propasated BY prescription 1t is hasrantly
un-Anerican In fact Il is an enemy Of free in
stitutions and Of free men everywhere.
Labor leaders should support the doctrine Of free
manhood in the pursuit less than in the choice
Of vacations, whether mental or manual No or
ganization can long endure that compels men to
Join IL nor can trade unions survive If they en-
force the principles Of prescription II this becomes
q public issue they who adhere to the rule Of
exclusion" viii lose the fight There will always
be overwhelming majority against them On
one side may be arraSed a few hundred thousands.
while on the other VIII be gathered ragged, but
rugged. millions hungry for bread The struggle
viii De bitter II will not be a conflict between
labor and capital Capital standing aloof, will be
averse 10 il The conflict will be between two
opposing forces or rabor. the larger force demand
ing justice-the open shop'-snd having the sym
patty % all mankind outside Of trade unions. An
organized attempt the para of the unionists to
make such issue will be equivalent TO an or
ganized movement TO lower the moral plane and
dwarf the Importance Of labor interests. inaSmuch
as the effects OF prescription oehtue and deoase
W6rilingmen commit a fundamental error in as
sumiuE that the rule Of exclusion is necessary to
taken BY President Roosevelt regarding the Miller
case in the Bureau OF Prntna Is eSsenuSi Iy cor
vice alike. The government Of the United States
the croNninE Development OF popular liberty
would lose much o. its glory were II 70 recognize
the rule which some labor readers would apply to
that case II would surrender its power and i'm
molate its spirit the altar Of greed. The gov
eminent could not preserve lis honor and Yet
virtually decree that vast majority of those who
toll for bread should either starve or join trade
unions. Such however. would be the logical Sc
cuence Of the attitude which the President was
asked 10 assume.
In proclaIn1ing the open shop. President Roose-
Welt was loyal 10 the duties Of his exalted place.
Ee upheld both the letter and the spirit Of our
institutions. He likewise saved the cause of labor
from its enemies lie announced a principle which
is not only sound. but a. impreEnabe as justice
itself awarding employment to labor without re-
gard 70 either the voice Of intolerance the edcts
Of rnisEuidinE leadership. Trade unions are to he
respected ia their sphere; they have noble and
important work TO do but they cannot be allowed
70 preempt the area Of wages and claim for them
selves the exclusive occupancy OF IL II this fact
10 recognized the 9th inst. by the annual
convention Of the Federation II Labor at Boston.
the cause Of trade unions will be vastly elevated
and brCadoncd In America GEORGE BABER.
washington. Nov. (. 1913.