Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-07-04
LABOR UNIONISM
And Organized Capital
Use Same Methods of
Intimidation.

The anthracite coal strike of 1902 gave
employers sudden perception of the i'm
mense power OF unionism, and was fol-
lowed by tremendous movement to
ward organization of employers. This
new employers association movement is
discussed in the July MeClure's by Ray
Sta nnard Baker, in AT article entitled
"Organized Capital Challe nges Organized
Labor" Mr.. Bakers paper is an extra.
ordinarily interesting description of an
absolutely new condition, tor, before we
have realized it, both labor and capital
have multiplied their organized forces
enormously. The battle lines are long
and resemble each other.
Mr.. Baker brings out the singular
similarity between the labor unions and
the employers associations. They are
alike in methods of reasoning, plans of
campaign, in limitations. Both have
became inflated. There are "watered"
labor unions. One uses the strike; the
other The lockout. Both use the boycott.
Employers slfarpely criticize the sym
pathetic strike, and yet some of them
apply the sympathetic lockout against
the unions. There are "scabs" on both
sides. Employers force men to Join
them just as unions do. EMPLOYERS rail
against pcketing and themselves use
detectives and spies. Both rush to the
courts for Djunction-''judge-m made
laws"-the thing they violently late in
each other.
There are two general causes for the
present movement toward the organiza-
ton of employers; first, realization of
the power OF unious; second, the excuses
of the false power OF inflated unionism.
There are two kinds OF EMPLOYERS
associations-those who want to fight
the union, aid those who want to deal
with the unions. The first say: Eyes,
we believe in unionism. but damn the
unions" The others say: eyes we
believe in unions, but we want to deal
with them amicably."
Mr.. Baker gives detailed account OF
this secoIs.! type of employers assccia.
ton by telling the story of the Chicago
Metal Trades Association, and finanlly
sets down certain general conclusions
are most important.
1. Both sides have an equal right to
organize.
2. Employers Associations cannot
refuse to the unions the same rights and
the same methods of fighting which they
themselves exercise, and vice versa. If
one side deals fair it will get fair dealing
from the other side sooner or later.
g. Absolutely stable and continuing
conditions are not possible in industry
any more than in any other department
OF life; both sides must be prepared for
constant readjustment and for the at
tendant concessions.
4. The condition at present most
favorable to industry would seam to be
one Of strong, well-disciplined, reason
able organization on both sides. A great
disparity of strength always means the
abuse of power by the more vigorous
organization.
5. Organization always presumes
fighting force, as each nation has it's
standing army, but the prime object
should be peace.
6. The same qualities OF fair.dealing,
honesty, and personal contact required
in business generally are equally nee.
cessary in buying and selling labor-a
transaction which is, after all, neither
sentiment. nor warfare, nor speechifying,
but business.