The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-03-10
MEN AND THEIR METHODS
BY JOHN EDWARDS.

BY JOHN EDWARDS. ....,
So tar as is possible the consumer
should purchase articles known to have
been made under proper conditions.
Such conditions imply the right to use
the union label, and it is Incumbent
On all good union men that they act
up to the moral obligation. They
should do as they would like to be done
by. 1t is unfortunate that this duty
weighs lightly upon large numbers of
otherwise good union men, who per-
sist In buying in the cheapest market
and thus aid in keeping up the con-
dittons in other trades that they have
been the bitter oponents of in their
own. This is an anomaly that is
passing strange in these days of mill
tant nionasm-militant because it has
to fight for what it gets.
There is no excuse for negleoting this
duty Of patronizing the man who uses
the union label or those who observe.
the rules and regulations of a trade in
places where the label is not in vogue
or where It is not feasible to use it.
Why clamor for union conditions fol
ones self and not aid in securing them
for the man who would like them?
Why give union made goods the go
by and buy things that tell by their
looks that they have been turned out Of
the sweat shops? 1t is a curious COM
mentary on the ways of human nature
that 1t requires protection for it's own
interests and is not willing to extend
similar help to others.
Theoretically the free trader should
be non -uhionist, but what do we find?
The union man who is free trader, so
far asconcernsthepolitic i
far as concerns the political econnmy
of this country, is the strongest advo-
cate Of protectionism when his wages
and hours Of labor are in question
Why? Because if he did not protec,
his interests his employer would seek
to buy his services for about one-third
or one-half what the union says he
must receive. It is up to the unionist
who is also a free trader that he shall
patroni7e his fellow unionist who may
favor protection in union and in poll
ttcal economy. There are many free
traders who are forced to acquisce in
the protection theory when the ques-
ton of wages arises. The open shop
will naturally tend to the cheapening
of labor, in which case we shall see
quick Acceptance of the idea that it is
better to have little protection in cer-
tain cases.
Preferential dealing means patroniz-
ing the man who can show the union
label. 1t may also be defined as the
practice of buying goods only from meh
who observe properly the standard
! VVl md 1R nh <14
OF course, the standard rates may oc-
casionally vary; they have been on the
upward path for the past fifty years,
and it is evident to all that in many
cases desperate efforts are being. made
!. to aforea thena.downss Asa a4eonsequen
it may be said that the standard regu-
lations for any one trade mean the best
| that can be obtained at a. certain time
| in particular locality. y
The Importance OF public opinion or
rather it's moral pressWe, Is generally
admitted, or should be! The influence
! of trade unions has been an important
and necessary factor In securing the
improvements that have been made. So
| has the labor legislation enacted in the
various states. But the efficiency of
these improvements depends in the
main upon the existence of we'll in
! formed public opinion which is in turn
| inspired by a sense of it's responsible
ties socially. How often do we not see
that this social force is lacking, or that
the chief requirements Of the condition
of things is that it should be exerted
actively SO that the laws should be
more thoroughly carried out. From
time to time evasions Of the law are
noted by the press evasions, which are
sometimes remedied, but more often
are not
The law and public opinion are no.
everything in these matters. The latter
can support the former. but in turn it
| asks that those whom it has helped by
it's support shall do the right thing by
others. In all the outcry about the evils
of the sweating system one thing
stands out clearly-the blame for the
| system lies upon the general body of
| consumers Consequently, it is indeed
strange-to say the very least-that
the upholders uf unionism should toll
crate and aid the system by purchas-
ing goods made in sweat shops. Il.
plain English such actions means kick
| ing your brother workman good and
hard when he is down, helping to keep
him down and also injuring the maker
and seller Of union made goods. Moth
ing can be palmer. Yet it is done every
week by the union man or by his bet.
ter half-who is satisfied that her l1us-
band shall get union wages but pro-
ceeds to buy in the cheapest market.
The good soul may have heard Of the
union label, but forgets all about it
when buying goods. There are plenty
Of stores whose proprietors observe the
standard rules Of the trades their en-
! ployes work at, and who consequent
ly deserve the first consideration from
those benefited by the unions, yet who
are passed by because others sell (non-
union) goods. cheaper.
The consumer who buys in the
cheapest market generally-One might