The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-04-08
The New Union al Caruthers.
BY ARTHUR F. BLOOMER,

] principles of unionism the members
must do 50, too ~; 50
I'VE will be very glad to have you
, address the meeting" said" President
Phelps, 'and will cause such notice
| to be sent out that every member will
be there. I am totally in the dark as
to our shortcoming, but the union will
hear you with pleasure"
The news that Mr.. Strong had some
thing to say to the union brought every
member out, and after the routine bus
mess was transacted he was invited
from the anteroom, where he had been
| waiting.
Gentlemen" said President Phelps
you are all aware that Mr.. Strong
has stated his desire to address our
union. have no need to introduce him.
You all know him., and such has been
| his interest in our movement that
believe he knows every one of yous We
will now hear him.
Mr.. President and gentlemen Of the
! union," began Mr.. Strong, II will not
tire you with long Introductory words.
I was gratified when you formed your
union, for am believer in trade
| before many of you ever saw the in
side Of a workshop. When you pre-
scented your scale of wages to me, as
the president Of the company, I cheer
! fully signed it. But I signed it with
the announced reservation that would
not feel bound by it unless you comport-
ed yourselves as true union men. You
have not done so.'
A sensational buzz ran around the
room.
Among the requirements of your
union is one that we shall not employ
none but union men. Is it not SOP
Yes, yes!'' came from all parts Of the
ROOM
| you refuse to handle material that
comes from non-union shops. Am I
right?"
Yes, yes!" again came from the az
sembled men.
you will neither work with nom
union men nor use the product Of nom
union men in working for the COM
pany''
mo, MOI"
"Mr. President, will you step here a
moment?'
Mr.. Phelps wonderingly walked to
the open space in VIII Oh Mr.. Strong
stood.
Mr.. President" said Mr.. Strong, as
he turned back Mr.. Phelps coat and ex-
amined the inside pocket, II do not
find the union label. Was that suit of
clothes made by a union tailor?'
Mr.. Phelps Redeemed and returned to
his seat
mr.. Secretary, that is a handsome
pair of shoes you have, but, looking
closely, they have no union LABEL
The secretary's feet were hastily TAX
en- from the top of the desk, where
their position had added much to his
comfort.
while waiting in the, anteroom
examined many Of the hats that saw
hanging there, and though found a
few with union labels, feel sure they
are there without the owners knowl-
edge. Who among you has a hat with
the union label In it22.' t 49,: III .,
l. A young man rose, IT: tn nix my hat
has the union LABEL he said
you think!' The sarcasm in Mr..
/ strong's voice caused the hopeful young
man to seat himself suddenly.
Most of you use tobacco in some
form,'' continued the speaker IT did
as workman and do as an employer,
and so am not here to condemn the
practice. Which Of you can show me
piece Of union made tobacco? Who Of
you smoke blue-label cigars?'
Guessing was too hazardous. Nobody
rose.
II have looked into the matter at
the stores patronized by most Of you,
and I have found no indication that
any of you ever asked for union made
goods of any kind. Is it not sop
There were able debaters in the union,
but none of them rose to combat him.
''Some of the bakeries In this city are
union and some are not. Have you sup
ported your fellow unionists and with
held support from non-unionists? You
have not!"
The general uneasiness was distinct
ly noticeable.
trial. You are unionists only so far
as your own wages are concerned.
might go into this a good deal further,
for I have thoroughly investigated it;
but have shown enough to convince
; any fair-minded man that you are not
union men. You don't know the mean
ing of the term!"
One might have knocked the whole
assemblage over W tn a feather
You demand that we shall employ
union labor while you spend your union
, wages for the product Of scabs. You
will not work with a scab, but you buy
what he produces on equal terms with
union goods. You will not work with
scab made material, but you will wear
it and eat it and smoke it.. You require
| the employer to boycott non-union labor
while you encourage it.. I must not en-
ploy a scab, but must compete with
his employer for your trade. You de-
mand union conditions in the way of
comfortable and sanitary shops, and
you support the sweat shop and tene-
ment house producers. And you call
yourselves union men! Pah! I am
l oh 10 tA.I W.T.