The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-20

porary states that the building Inter- ests of the city have brought about the organization of syndicate of out side capitalists who will advance s10,- 100000 within the next month to be used in construction on the open shop basis only. It Is said that few san Francisco men have subscribed funds to the syndicate Another combination in the building line is composed of con- tractors, large construction companies and material men who favor the opea plan and agree to, build or furnish ma terial on that principle only"
 This is natural effect of cause. It is an evidence of the American spir- 1t of resistance to oppression and dom- ination. The pendulum has swung the other way, and San Francisco, which has been the stronghold and abiding place of the most extreme form of un- ionism has determined to cast off the shackles and abolish industrial slav- cry.
 If the schemes above set forth are carried out, as now appears certain. the domination of unionism in that city is at an end. It does not mean. as we understand it. that union men can- not obtain employment. for that is not what the open shop is intended to do. but 1t does mean that builders, con- tractors and material men will not re- cognize the union as such, but will purchase their material from whom they please. and will employ whom they please. and on such terms as they and their employees mutually agree on. Above all 1t means that builders, con- tractors and employers of labor will no by organized labor. s.
 This movement, we repeat. is the natural and Inevitable result of con- ditions which have prevailed in San Francisco. The Advertiser has always not only admitted but contended that men have a right to organize for any legal purpose. We have just as strong ly contended that thus organizing does not give them any right to interfere with or domineer over others. When a contractor and employer Is forced to at great loss to himself because he will not recognize the supremacy of the union. and when men who desire to keep at work to make an honest liv- ing are forced by the gun and the bludgeon to join in the strike and go out with the others, and when a strike degenerates into a mob of lawbreakers when these things happen, as we all know they have happened frequently, then is the time for reaction and resis- tance to what Is so often nothing bet ter than lawless tyranny.
 What has come about in San Fran cisco Is likely to be repeated in other cities and communities. and the result must be to bring idleness and want and suffering to many thousands of honest working men who are not to blame for the outrages committed by others. Believing as we firmly do in the dignity and honor of labor. we also just as firmly believe in the good old doctrine of equal rights. If the work CTS of the country wish to organize for material benefit 1t is their undoubted right to do so. If they propose to or- ganize for the purpose of interfering with the business of others they are wrong and are not entitled to popular support and sympathy. Let the un- Ions be just, tolerant and law-abiding and they will be commentaries; other wise they cannot be defended or sympa- thized with. Extremes are just as sure to bring about reaction as the pendu- lum is certain to swing back when It has reached its highest point. San Francisco is setting an example which may well be taken as a lesson and a warning.