New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-30
OPEN IND CLOSED SHOP
Arguments for Both Before inner
can Economic association

Chicago Dec 2g-Ths afternoon session OF tns
American E,couOmic Association was devoted 70 a
iiscj ssion Of the open and Closed SHOP. pap<rs
being read and speeches made b. number or col
Iege professors business men ard deputies OF tns
trade unions.
Professor John r CONN ons. OF the University q
Wisconsin. discussing the Causes % the Union
Shop Policy. said.
The union shop is iaGors pT9se.t5s i3T u n5 =
found Wa - "a soy er11s,s eI''ii2E men, Sep 1
Tb ,f M ,iose,i Shoe t,.iiiygsy .ennpioy-
is similar. and the RAILWAY hro5 aFrno',l- az
scale Of wss, is ss-sc a. @ Senerai ordef ~ the
company. and applies 90 noI-'i5gli-'-. .iS "a ~, =.
PEELED protect itself 10y closed st'' sSr"eTTrf''
in general manufacture ue- makes "U.S open fhgi
the hands OF small cu-np~tuE eea5fS' tors tS ~ me
building and clothing trades tna Closed -1op =
necessary she uon-lui0n eo1tTaet"I- with cheap
- so - t,,giraeS H. rha -ro,-e frdf7sfrv b.
luminous coal mines and others The asfeements
associations are strong and willing enough % e.
force the agreement ON AT theIr MINORS NJ.
shop The crclnzJ Differ greatly in different
general principles. out must take the particular
circumstances into account
John Graham Brooks president OF the American
Social Science Association, road paper entitled
The Issue Between the open and Closed shop
He said in part
There IS little use discussing this subject apart
from the temper and purpose OF the parties in
closed shop principle and is weapons both brltally
and stupidity but plenty Of employers are using the
Gus 70 social welfare than the coarsest rtfhanisr
of the trade unions Side by side with the ex-
cesses We have open and closed shops. IN which
business is conducted with admirable and common
satisfaction. There Is not the slightest danger thar
the closed shop viii become universal In this coun
IL Weak and struggling trade Unions nay Sc.
temporary advantage that Is at the same TINE a
II the closed shop. brought about without any
violence and with The consent OF the employer As
lions willis outside the union there RACES a de-
structive conlpettion and many children are en-
ployed, IS It not groteSque 20 make words Ike
that kind OF haphazard competition? Liberty is not
adsqUateiy defined Il terms OK ne s12DloysEs Pc
which we are only beginning 70 learn
John Hibba-d. OF Chicago took as hss sactscs
The Necessity OF the open Shcp-an Employees
View To indicate clearly tia coalitions and ps-
cuIiar difficulties Of tia Situation hs made the >os-
lowing classification:
First-The CLOSED shop OF the union. In v1sca
union conditions prevail
Third-The zo-caIled open saor.- whs-s a nou1i-
there Is supposed 70 De no Intimidation o. coercion
Fourth-Ths true open shop possibly eztz-tar
IN theory only.
He continued
pIoyers' closed shop Is equally Illegal and uI-Arrsri-
can, and equally impossible
Inc open SHOP found to-day, results
n the closed shop. either the union
union men on account OF the failure OF or the
other the employer or the union 10 recognize their
contract. These open shops are steps IN the right
direction. however and with a strong organization
on both sides 10 restrain the arbitrary action OF
either may lead to more satisfactory conditions.
The true open shop while suggesting pOSsibflf-
ties OF wholly satisfactory relations. may be purely
theoretical The practical difficulties OF the agree
ment idea are illustrated by the failure OF the par
ties thereto realizing their obligations and that
such an agreement may peaceaoly provide for
changing conditions.
The employer o. to-day has been educated or
many social problems by unions and reduces wages
as last resort More education however, on The,
ployer and emDloye is needed make The tr,ia
open shop possible
T. X Webster. OF Chicago. an employer said in
part:
Theoretically, believe IN the closed shop Pr4r-
tcally, am for the open shop Could q union 81
organized and conducted on such business I.l sis
thai having entered into contract Fl could do
operated for the purpose Of furnishing manure,
urers with the best for the work required &
nave no question that the closed shop would be In
The interests OF the manufactures as well as ~
the men
The Theory OF Money was the topic discussed
this morning Professor J Lawrence IauEhTn %
the University OF Chicago David Ef-Iev OF TTIf-
no1s and A F1att Andrew Of Harvard. read uanars
arter which a discussion was opened ry william s
Scott. OF Wisconsin