The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-02-17

British trade unions which has become
a byword in recent years. The report
shows that the Scotch term is as "ca
canny". war measure about seven
years ago, but it has generally been re-
pudiated and it is not countenanced by
any labor union in England today.
One conclusion reached by the in
vestigators is that the productivity Of
the worker is decreased during times
of industrial activity and increased dur
Ing times of depression. They con-
c1ude, therefore that competition
among the workers for Jobs has more
to do with the output than any union
rules and regulations, as the same con-
dltions were found to prevail in union
and in non-union establishments. On
that point tho report says in a sum-
mary:
1t Is also asserted by practically
every person interviewed, both employ
ers and workmen that the men will not
work as hard when they can get work
In other establishments as when they
feel that the chances for other en-
ployment are slim. This circumstance
AoS uAe1A0 ~ u "oI&oE OIL cALESN1C Oul.
ficulty to determine to what extent the
unions are responsible for the let down
in speed Of output during the recent
years, since their growth has been con-
temporaneous with greatly increas-
ing demand for labor.
"rhe president Of a great railway
system, three-fourths Of whose en-
n1nvoe. ~
serts that the reports OF the company
show a falling off Of about 10 per cent
in the efficiency Of tho labor force. not
wfthstanding an increase Of 10 per cent
in wages. Similar testimony will be
found in other industries in places in
this report, and SO frequent and en-
phatic have been the complaints Of en-
ployers on this score that it is evident
the conditions in q period Of prosper
ity constitute one Of the main factors
IN reducing the intensity Of exertion,
both of union and non-union workmen"
'"The report finds that the simplest
form Of speed by method OF pay
ment is payment by the piece or the
bonus or premium systems. It says
the investigation, wherever it was pos
sible to make comparisons, has shown
conclusively without restrictions the
speed is greater under piece work than
under day work.
Throughout the report the question
of restriction Of output is handled en-
tirely separate from the justification of
such restriction, two things which are
frequently confounded. The testimony
OF several union men shows that they
first deny that there Is any restriction
of output, and then advance good rea-
sons why some restriction is necessary.
A union miner in Illinois is quot
ed as saying to the Investigator when
questioned as to restriction in the BIZ
luminous coal mines., did you ever
think that God Almighty restricts the
output, Of sunshine 50 percent to give
the moon 4 chance" The miner ther
shows that the restriction of output in
In certain coal mines is necessary in
order to prevent four or five companies
owning mines whore they have natural
advantages in the depth Of the vein,
driving 275 others who have no such ad-
vantages out of business.
In the cigarmaking industry the re-
port shows the output is greater In
union shops than the non-union estab-
lishments, where the conditions are the
same. The conclusion is reached that
the Cgarmakers'- union does not at
tempt to restrict output.
The report deals at length with print
ing and publishing, iron and steel ma
chinery, and hardware. building trades
briokmaklng; bituminous coal mining,
anthracite coal mining, ready-made
clothing. cigarmaking, boot and shoe
making, glass industries, potteries, and
slaughtering and meat packing in Am
erica and with general engineering and
shipbuilding in Great Britain.
Nowhere is there any proof that the
trade unions restrict production, aside
from the windy assertions Of greedy
employers, and that is no reliable testi-
mony. ..--
But even If the union people did
restrict production they would be doing
no worse than the respectable trust
magnates who close mills and raise
prices. Furthermore, those who do the
work have more right to say what shall
be done than the lazy, parasitical
money grabbers who clip coupons and
perform no useful service to society.