The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-26
LET THERE BE CLASS Politics,
Hut 1t should he in the Name OF Labor
UniOnists," Not Of " Labor"


To THE EDfroR OF THE suN-Siri Up to
now political parties in this country have
divided on broad governmental theories and
have sought power for the purpose OF adj
ministerinR the Government accordingly.
The chief point OF difference has been as to
whether there should be q gradual centraliza-
ton of power at Washington or the control
OF local affairs should remain in the hands OF
the people at home. While special interests
have entered more or less into legislation
there has not been supposed to exist under
our system any such thing as classes. and
there have been no parties formed with any
class as a basis.
Now, however, the leaders OF the American
Federation of Labor, representing labor
unions said to comprise 1850. 900 members,
announce their purpose Of entering politics
on their W account. and put forward In a
very positive. not to say arrogant, fashion
certain demands which they require should
meet with prompt compliance. The most
Objectionable feature Of their pro gramme ts
the abolition Of what they call government
by Injunction. Since the beginning Of Eng
llsh law 1t has been fundamental that IT 10
better to prevent q wrong or an injury than
to have TO punish the offender or make good
the loss to the sufferer afterward. The
unions insist that the courts shall practically
surrender their ancient and unquestioned
SQulty JuTlbulCllOu, NhlCu ~ Idlbiy bVNh
exercised save In the cause OF justice ana
good order. 80 that in carrying their plans
into effect. II they wish to destroy property
or club those who resist, no matter how law
fully. they may not be prevented, and that
those who are wronged must look for redress
to organizations which are not Incorporated
and whose resources. II they have any, are
out Of reach Of the courts. They do not hesi-
tate to charge by implication that the courts
- tha Onrrttnf In trtNunAnta nf tho triIata md
corporations on the sole ground that at times
Of strikes attended with violence they have
occasionally lnterfered to prevent bloodshed
and the destruction Of property. If the
unions have no purpose Of doing wrong and
maintaining their position by unlawful meth
DDS why are they 30 anxious to cripple the
power of the courts? No one else complains
OF injunctions.
1t is doubtless we'll that, thin gs being as
they are, the labor unions should come out
into the open and stand by themselves. It
will relieve the other parties Of much embar-
~rassment, as their members can act when
once the diotation OF the unions is removed
from their councils without the fear Of UNI
pleasant consequences which has largely
dominated and swayed them.
Let the unions elect as many members Of
Congress as they can. No one disputes their
right to do 30, nor to organize for legitimate
purposes; but they should not assume the
name OF "the Labor. party" They represent
but q small minority OF the labor Of the ooun-
try, a minority which under the guise Of cham
pioning the rights OF labor constitutes In
reality one Of the most tyrannlcal trusts and
odious monopolles which exist. II others
combine to put up prices 1t Is rank wicked
ness; If they combine to put up wages and
consequently prices to the consumer 1t IL
always and under all circumstances just and
laudable. They deny the right Of any
one to work for a living without yielding
allie glance to their organization and sub
hitting to any regulations they may prescribe.
No other monopoly has ever been 80 exaotng
In Its demands or so ruthless I'm enforcing
them.
When the unions protesting and acting on
such principles, ,oonfessedly with purely
selfish motives, become a political organiza-
ton and enter the field of politics they can
be met, resisted and overthrow much moro
easily than when two o%ontending parties are
both going to dangerous lengths Of conoes-
sion to their unwarranted demands. in order
to secure their votes. AS a party by them
selves they will be impotent to effect harm
full legislation. Their power is In their Or
ganization. and should their dictatorial
methods and subversive measures be pushed
too far It will be found hat the great mass
Of law abiding citizens. the consumers, not
In accord with their views. whose convictions
they antagonize and whose interests they
threaten, will organize against them and
efrectually hold their untenable and arrogant
pretensions in check. CONSUMER.
WASHINGTON, April "a.