The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-05-30

'oi Neuiaitu lot better pay ana
more reasonable houIS. instead of
compelling understand the full
meaning of this word-courts to
sustain them in forcing their en-
ployeS To serve them ut longer
hours and less pay!
millionaire Phobia' was the
SUBJECT you were recently called
upon to speak on, and | am curious
TO know why you did not take up
the text. Instead, if YOU are cor
rectly reported-my informunts
being the general press, the open
shop, and ant-unlon papcrs-you
stood before your auditors as the
logical allcnlSt defending million
aires against the charge that they
are insancly opposing labor's lust
demands and asserting, III effect
not proving-by all the power of
your speech, i'll which | looked for
sparkling purity, brilliant diction
and rounded periods, that .sthe
poor" the laboring man, trades
UNION and unioniStS were thieves,
asSasslns Of honesty. companions
OF the indolent, hard, repulsive
urones, worthless of the lazaroni
and the greatest dcpots on the face
of the earth.
You state you have studied the
labor question, though from whose
or what point of view you do not
say. l assume, however, that YOU
are well enough informed TO tell
me how many there are of wage,
carners in the United States How
many of these belong TO trades
unions? Whether union members
form the majority OF population I!
Whether their number controls re-
IlGlon, society. professional and
commercial life, manufacture, miu-
ing, agriculture, wealth and the
affairs of local, state and national
governments If you will give me
Il statistical answer as to the two
first requests, and Il separate
answer in the affirmative as 10 the
others, | admit that l may find
myself compelled to acknowledge
''no greater deSpotism reigus Oh
the face of the earth than trade
unionism,' though | may ask you
TO tell me also in what potency you
class their deSpotism, for your de
claration proves nothing, invites
discussion and challenger Your
right and claim.
No one reigns supreme over
labor, it is not Il monarchy. but Il
government of many constituencies
Soverncd-not ruled-by many in
terestS. At the head of these i'll
terests, working in harmony
throughout the domain of this
government, are men whose power
and influence is greater than any
president, king, emperor, cZar OF
whatever title one may or can hold
in governing people. Their aim
and cndeavor is to govern all
classes under them with IL wisdom
that will rebound to the peace
happiness and prosperity Of the
governed, sentiments aud efforts
which, you know, stir not tn,
heart Of any despot. They arc
lighting, with all the methods and
means, the right and privileges
guaranteed to them by the con
stitution of their country, for those
very rights and privileges anC
against every effort, in whatever
guise or condition it appears o,
may appear, to make money tn,
master of themselves and thei
subjects, and so long as they arr
true to their trusts, they vii
reign and be Loyalty supported b,
who are under them. In thi.
capacity they are kings of labor
none a conSpirator TO overth row
civil or political government. nt
destroyer of social life. no min,
under the indu u>trial waves of fair
honorable and substantial business
You will not find them or thei
people in or of the class and clan
that seek employment at wages s,
low that it is utterly impossible t.
sustain themselves. You Will no
find them among the beggiH.
menials whom your consulting ant
consulted friends, grasping capi
taliStS, employers associations
manufacturers leagucs, citizens
alliances, open shop advocates ant
tyrannical servitors of tyrannica
employers are enSlaving them.
/ No. you will not find them in on
and two-room tenementS, chea]