The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-02


lAbor lsad1fs and the folliss into which
they have led their followers have caused
o marked reyulsion OF public opinion
Some Of the friends Of labor have been
converted into enemies; many whose
sympathies are still with the iaborine
man have been offended by the schemes
and methods adopted by labor leaders
and many have even become deeply
suspicious Of the worth and merit OF the
so-called "oause of labor" in general.
Uniohism may have secured here and
there temporary increase In wages by
tho unlawful means which II has en-.
pleyed, but In such cases II has carried
its point At the cost Of the approval and
support Of the public. In the greater
number Of strikes during recent months
there has been not only failure to secure
the object OF the strike, but there has
been also the loss Of friends and friendly
countenanos.'
For this condition the primary cause
does not lie in the mere fact of or9ani-
xation. The legitimacy Of union and
united effort for proper purposes h in
disputahle. There remain as a possible
cause the methods adopted and pursued
by the organizations. For these there
Is little doubt that individual leaders are
to be held responsible, and the vital
lesson for unionism to-day concerns it's
choice Of leaders. While these have
been nominally chosen by members Of
the various unions, there is reason for
belief that In too many cases election
to leadership has resulted from the push
ing and soheming Of ambitious but un-
worthy candidates. The enthusiasm Of
the fanatic, the assertivenees, the volu-
bility, the intrigue of denagogue, bigot,
self-seeking schemer or ambitious In
capable may lift an unsuitable and
even dangerous man to place OF power.
Unionism has had a very fair crop Of such
cases In men Of the stripe Of MARTIN
IRONS, EuaENE DEBs, SAM PARKS and
the recent Mr.. WEINsEIMEB
Unionism may increase it's numerical
strength. may here and there force a
higher wage rate by means OF o strike.
Yet these may DO, in fact, signs OF failure
rather than evidence Of success, The
time has come for unionism to pull itsek
together and take serious counsel con-
corning tho future. Its aggressive and
often impudcnt belligerency has forced
a new factor into the held--the organ
lied opposition Of employers. This can
not be swept from the field by the inveo-
tive of union leaders. Their disregard
Of the rights Of society at large in the
clamor for their own advancement has
antagonized a large part of the general
public. This Is tho wrong track, and
pursuance Of the present policy means
destruction.
The experience and the policy of the
successful associations of railway en-
ployees stand as an object lesson for
the organizations affiliated with the
Federation of Labor. The members Of
those organizations are not taught to
regard their employers as their enemies.
The non-union engineer fireman or
brakeman who does his work like man
and draws the pay which employers and
employees have mutually agreed to be a
fair wage rate is not a 'seab,' viper"
traitor to his fellow men, That which
has been accomplished by the railway
employees Is possible for all labor or
CARNATIONS. In both cases individuals
have been primarily responsible for
policies and their execution.
Unionism is daily losing ground by
society. This may not yet be
realized by labor leaders, but 1t is never
theieSs fact Of which there ia plenty OF
evidence. IN no other country in the
world is organised labor so absolutely
dependent upon public approval as In
the United States. More than ever be-
fore society here is being forced to I'M
that it Ia q deeply interested
party In an industrial ntroversy, and
its present disposition Is undoubtedly
against the methods Of union
ism a. illustrated in recent strikos and
In the general attitude Of unionism. As
we'll for its own interests a. for the inter-
ests OF society at large, the time has
como for unionism to set itself right In
public opinion.