The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-12-03
PARRY DlscREDITs HIMSELF.

PARRY OlSCREDITS HIMSELF.
David M. Parry, credited by the dali
ly press with being the greatest foe
to trade unions, delivered his annual
address before the Citizens Industrial
Association in New York Tuesday
morning last.
AS usual the speech was filled with
gross misrepresentation of the labor
movement and it's purposes. The
burden of Mr. Parry's remarks was on
the open shop and violence during
strikes which he attributed to the
unions, and disclaimed any responsible
lily on the part of the employers whose
virtues and affection for labor he ex-
tolled.
Mr.. Parry gave as his opinion that
over 1000 industries in this country
had forced the open shop upon their
workmen. No statistics were furnish
ed, and the assertion may be taken for
what it is worth. Contrary to this
ago gave to the convention of the
American Federation of Labor some
statistics which tend to discredit the
claim Of Mr.. Parry.
In detailed statement Mr.. Comp
er's report shows that the labor
unions affiliated with the A. F. Of L.
enjoyed up to October 1st 1904, an
increase in membership Of 1885, S5.
More than this there were 1906 strikes
during the year. Of this number H.
1913 were won, 223 were compromised,
1914 were lost and 178 are still pend
ing.
If these figures be true, and there is
every reason to believe that they are
then Mr.. Parry's claim is unworthy of
consideration. At the same time we
are willing to admit that in some very
large institutions the open shop has
been secured by the employers, but
their victory is only temporary, for
when industrial activity is restored
unon labor will triumph.
Mr.. Parry boasts of maintaining the
personal liberty Of the individual
workingman, and he may succeed for
> time in leading a certain number Of
people to believe that his organiza-
ton is honest in it's pretenses, but
personal contact. with the working
men in the open shop will convince the
honest student that there is absolutely
no liberty there.
In the open shop trade u1ionisn
has no power. The individual worker
may go with hat in hand to his en-
ployec and complain Of existing con-
ditions, and he will be dealt with ac-
cording to the scruples of the en-
ployer He may be discharged out
right for being an "agitator." He
may be told to get back to his work.
or he would get his head beat off,
as Chicago employer put it but a
few days ago.
In the union shop the individual
would be given no such embarass-
ment. A committee from the union
would make the complaint, and every
last member Of the organization would
be protected by the entire member
ship should the employer arbitrarily
treat an employee for having the tim
1d1ty to ask for redress of wrongs.
The two foregoing illustrations in
dictate that the personal liberty of
the Individual can only be preserved
by the trade union in the union shop.
Mr.. Parry may bray on this, subject
to his hearts content, and the more
he brays the more evident will his de-
ception become.
MIR. Parry's defense Of Gov. Peabody
groves the inconsistency Of the man.
No individual In public OF private life
contributed more to the obstruction OF
personal liberty under the stars and
stripes than did the arbitrary Govern
or OF Colorado, and that he should re-
cefve the endorsement of the citizens
alliance. the compact Of which Mr.
Parry Is president, denotes the hypo-
cracy Of the organization. It's shout.
Ing for the preservation Of person
al liberty is sham. It has champion.
ed every movement since it's incen-
ton that has attempted to destroy the
independence of labor. The American
people are next to Parry and his cit
izens alliances. They have struck
their most affective blow. Their dis
solution will come next.