The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
TIE krRrGGLE IN cnIcAo0.

CHICAGO, May 5.-Rarcly in the history
Of industrausm has a labor conflict ex-
hibited 90 strihnEly % docs the Chicago
teansters' strike the inherent evils Of trade
unlonism. Never has the warning been 10
clearly sounded for unlonism TO rcpudiate
praot ~ which, " continued, can result
only In disaster 10 organized labor. Neg
lsot Of the lesson presented by the present
situation here will hasten the day when an
abused and offended public will wipe that
kind OF unionism out Of existence. As the
Chicago Tribune said few days ago: .
There Is one union In Chicago more powerful
than the teAmsters' union. That "a the citizens
union. Everybody Is a member OF II except the
members OF the teamsierS' unon and somo OF
the disordsriy elements afillated with u.
The Chicago disturbance Of to-day was
born Of a sympathetic strike, and received
It's vitality through the boycott. It's prog
ress has been marked by sluEging and riot
ing and by q condition which comes 80
near to anarchy that hundreds Of leading
citizens have asserted tho inadequaoy OF
local police protection and have demanded
that the military DO called out for the res
toration Of order and the protection Of life
and property.
Meanwhile that distinguished publicist,
Mfr. Cornelius P. Shea, the president Of the
international Teamsters' Union, issues
proolamations and assures his followers
that they will win II they stand Arm and
remain loyal.
Win whati A few Of their number
struck for the reinstatement Of nine
teen garment workers In q local estao-
lishment. That was the original issue.
For that the teamsters went on strike. The
sggrieved nineteen were long since lost in
the shuf1e. VIII they win the hight to say
that no man shall drive team or wagon
In the streets Of Chicago unless Endorsed
and approved by the tsamSters' union as
q member Of that body in good and regu-
lar Standing' Not while Chicago remains
a part Of the United States. They will not
win moro wages, shorter working time
or any amelloration Of their condition.
Those issues have no place In the conflict.
They will win only that which they are
earning-publio condemnation.
Organised labor has leaders who can
talk. IL needs leaders who oAn think.
It needs the guidance Of men who are large
enough to sec that unionism can win moth
ing by methods which result in broken
heads and demands for State and Federal
troops. It needs men who can see the
difference between the alleged rights OF
labor and the actual rights Of organized
society.
When the attitude Of tho Employers
Association in the present struggle Is more
widely known, It is probable that there viii
be many TO criticize and condemn It's stub
born refusal 10 arbitrate, OF to Abate In any
degree It's inslstence that those who are
willing TO work shall be protected while
working. But the organization Is right.
II is not fighting unionism II il battling
against the tyranny Of the mob. II any
OF It's individual members see 1T TO hire
only union men, they are entirely at liberty
to do so. II protects against the boycott
as a weapon Of unionism. Replying to a
recent request for a definition Of Its posi-
ton, the Employers Association submitted
the following as It's platform:
1. where contracts exist With The tsamstsrs'
unions they must not be violated.
=. That there be no sympathetic strikes,
3. That the members OF the Employers Asso.
citation will not and do not discriminate against
any tesmStsr because be Is or Is not member OF
any union and insist upon the open shop principle
4. The Employer Association never did and
Il not now nghung or resisting labor unions, and
the best proof Of that fact L. that the members OF
the Employer Association arc now ready, as they
always have been, 20 OIL vacancies IN the ranks OF
their tcamsters without discrimination. regardless
OF whether applicants are union or on-union
Transfers.
g. Violence, intimidation and coercion on the
part OF members OF the teGmster' unions, their
associates and allies must cease.
This should be the platform Of organized
society. The association deserves the sup
port Of all in forcing unionism to accept
the terms thus laid down.