The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-06-06
"ANTl-UNION" TRADE UNIONS.

"ANTI-UNiON" TRADE UNIONS.
Newspapers of a certain type are
commenting approvingly upon two la
Dor organizations recently formed to
oppose the present methods of union
labor. Both of these organizations are
incorporated. One known as 1.-The In
dependent Labor League of America"
has recently been chartered by the leg
islature of New York. 1t promises "to
protect independent workmen in their
independence" to oppose strikes,
lockouts, boycotts, and blacklists; ;"
and to work for higher wages, shorter
hours and improved conditions.
Any established labor union can, and
does, proclaim d like creed. THE in
independence by becoming member
of 1.-The Independent Labor League
accepts the principles and benefits of
organization exactly as he would if he
Joined the union appropriate to his
trade-only in the latter case he would
have the advantage of an established
organization and experienced leader
ship.
The other independent organiza-
ton is started at Anderson, Ind, and
is called 1.-The independent American
Mechanics Union It's purposes as
set forth in the articles of incorpora-
ton are:
The object of this association shall
be to encourage industry, economy,
thrift and honesty among it's men,
bers; to maintain amicable relations
between employees and employers of
labor; to assist it's individual members
in obtaining the highest wages con-
sistent with the general good of all
concerned; to promote all forms Of
productive industry and increase the
employment of labor at good wages;
to prevent unjust and unreasonable
discrimination against any of its MEM
bers by any person, combination, or
conspiracy to prevent such members
from securing employment in any
branch Of industry. and to protect and
defend it's members against any and
all such attempts by any person or
combination of persons to atlidge the
inalienable right of all mankind to
work for such wages as shall be mu-
tually satisfactory to the Individual
workman and the employer.
Now, there is nothing in that pro-
gram to which the regular trade-union
man will not subscribe-unless it is
little "slickness' of language sug-
gestive more of smooth diplomacy
than Of frankness.
These two organizations may be
formed in good faith by workingmer
or they may have been created by en-
ployers as a sort of fire in the rear tc
demoralize the labor movement.
The warm approval with which the,
. have been greeted by that portion Of
the press usually hostile to union labo,
suggests the latter conjecture.
Those methods are the outgrowth Of
half century of struggle. They will
persist as long as the relations Of EN-.
ployer and employed remain, as to-
day, matter Of personal agreement
with no recognition of the rights Of
society as a whole.
Boycotts and strikes, lockouts an6
blacklists are approved by no one
sought by none, but they are the onl,
weapons in the labor warfare today
The so-called independent unions will
have to meet them and to WELD them
or disband.
Doubtless the strike or the boycott
has been ordered foolishly and unwar
rantably in certain instances, but thu
remedy is not to destroy labor unions
The newspapers that advocate Thu
policy do not demand that corpora
ttons be abolished because such hav,
applied the blacklist in an unjust, op
pressive and really criminal way.
True remedy is to seek a higher or
der of leadership for the unions. Thi
is not to be attained by making trade
unionism disreputable, or by breakin,
it down by the establishment of hostile
organizations. Indeed, pure histor,
has shown that the leadership of a ,1n
." ion has steadily gained in dignity an,
ability as the organization has game.
in strength. !
ONE UNIONS OLD AGE PENSIONS
A New York daily says several NOR