The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-05-24
To Ministers of the Gospel.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE IL

ana The TRADES union are ON an
equality before the law i'll this re
spect. Furthermore, if the trades
union WAS to become incorporated
it would be Il comparatively easy
matter for an INSCRIPTIONS en-
plOycr to hire Il spy TO commit an
act of lawlc>SncSS which would i'll
volvc the destruction of property
whereby the entire union would
become involved \ successful
suit for damages would practically
disrupt the organization. If all
employers we're absolutely honest,
the incorporation of the union
might be insisted upon; but for the
reason given above. organized labor
is naturally cautious about taking
Il step which would bring it prlc'
ticnlly no advantage, while it
would lay itself open to the as
SaultS of its enemies.
The right To run ones business
'';ls he plc:ScS' must have its lin
itationS. Great changes in the
conception of personal and proper
ty rights have come as part of the
democratic evolution. In some
respects Il man can rII.I his business
as he plrstScS, but in other respects
public opinion, and frequently pub
lie law, steps in and limits his
exclusive control. In the matter
Of employment il is being rccog
nizcd that there are two parties
instead of one. \ man may do as
he plcaScs only in so far rs that
liberty docs not imjurc the well be
ing of his fellow man. One may
not set fire to his own house. nor
may he sell cigarettes or whiSkcy.
III some States because the cNcr-
else of that privilege might injurc
Somcbody.
RELATION or THE LABOR UNION TO
THE NON UNION MAN.
TIL" non union man by accept
ing lower wages and longer hours.
sets up the standard of living for
the entire craft. He may degrade
the men who required years of
hard work To bring themselves up
To their present social and cconom-
ic level. 1t is because of this fact
that wOrllingmcm object So strongly
to Chinese and Japanese immigI:l-
ton. But what about the non
union man who demands, and re
crivcS everything that the unioniSt
asks for! Surely. it may he said.
he is not degrading the working
men. That may he true. for the
present. The time may come.
however. when the workin%mcn of
his craft may have Il grievance
which will require Il united protest
against the unfair treatment of the
employer. Outside of the or@ani-
ZatIon. that non union man may
become Il menace To our interests.
even though he * receiving union
wages and working union hours.
lie may he used against us. Fur
thcrmorr. he is receiving the bcnc-
fit of the years of sacrifice and
hardship of his fellow wurkingmcm
without assuming amy OF the ohliy-
:ltlOnS of the union. lie * quite
willing To have others fight his
battles. without ~uhiccting him
self Ia the pcri!S of the warfare.
and frequently his considerations
N'lul'Ic> ;lS:iill>l joining the labor
union consist simply Of an unwiII-
ingncSS To assume these obligations.
"LlMrrATIuN or OUTPUT.
Limitations of output is some
times urged against the trades
Hnion. This is untrue but pr:lcti.
callN II" attention is given the rryll-
lar meetings of manufacturers and
dealers III which they openly dis
cilS> and aSrr" upon prices and the
limitation of their product in order
I" maintain these prices. This
applies /" practically every great
corporation. In some Industries
the producer will cut of the supply
of the dealer if he sells the product
cheaper than tn" price demanded.
Meanwhile the same concern W ill in
>lSt on the w"rlliu"man' : right toSpII
HIS labor for whatever price HE
pie;iScS. Every Storckecprr DIES
plNcS the merchant who cuts his
prices. but he will usually defend
the Nottingham who cuts his.
W" are sometimes accused of
limiting the number of apprentices