The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-23
AsToRIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
THE DUTY OF THE LABoRING MAN.


In an address to college men at reception given
BY the Brooklyn University Club last week. President
Eliot, of Harvard, discussed with much intelligence
the subject of presentday combinations on the part
of labor and capital. Such combinations, he said
have decided tendency to menace true liberty Dis
honest labor organizers eonnve with equally dishonest
capitalists TO exact such prices they fit for build
inc, and it was stated by President Eliot in his adj
dress that there is today less real liberty in Boston
than there was in l775 when the American patriots
rebelled because King George would not grant them
enough freedom.
King George never dreamed of such interference
with the eolonsts as the free citizens of the United
States and the commonwealth Of Massachusetts, and
Of every other commonwealth in the land daily en-
dure at the hands of irresponsible combinations which
have usurped the power of telling them who may
build their houses and at what price, whom they may
employ and at what wages" says the New York
Tribune discussing President Eliots address. 1T
has become well known fact that in many cities the
workers and their employers in the building trades
are in combination to defraud and tyrannize over
the citizens When house is to be built corrupt
circle decided who lis to bid for it an exorbitant
price and what bogus bids to be put in to support
it. The owner is helpless. If he rebels he can find
no other contractor to do the work, or, If ne dogs
a strike will put stop to the endeavor."
The warning thus sounded has been previously
uttered but conditions have not been bettered. To
the contrary, there has been increased coercion as
result Of the combinations of combines and in many
cities thousands Of men have been thrown out OF EN-
ployment because of strikes following refusals to
Submit to extortion.
Labor is confronted by grave danger-a peril
far more to be dreaded than the financial combina
tons which brought into existence the labor unions.
This peril does not threaten the designing capi-
talists who plnder at the expense Of the misguided
men who make up the labor unions. Such instances
as that cited by President Eliot destroy public
fdence in the labor organizations, and, if the cOer
con continues, it will not be long until the unions
bring upon themselves the lasting hatred Of the peo-
ple Of the entire nation Within the month the city
council Of town in the middle east actually voted
an appropriation to assist large corporation in
breaking strike among the employees.
Nothing can endure but that which is right. Labor
unions ought to be blessing to the nation, and in
deed will be if their avowed aims carried out.
They should seek to make their members proficient
workmen 50 that there win be nooppostion to their
demand for honest wages. They should strive to
make themselves absolutely indispensable to the EN-
ployer who desires expert assistance in the conduct
Of his business Unions, instead Of destroying in
dividuality, should more fully develop it. just as a
republican form Of government should and does ele-
vate the standard of all its citizenship
1t is to be expected that dishonest men will be
found among the labor unions as well elsewhere,
bpt it is certainly not to be expected that dishonest
motives will actuate entire organizations, that to
uphold plan to rob the middle man, the laboring
strength of great city will be forced to idleness.
There is plain duty before the laboring man, and
if he be alive to his own interests and to the interests
of those who are to follow him he will strive with
might and main to weed from his union the element
that is bringing upon it the discredit which will re-
duce him to servility.