The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-01-01
FOR EcoEoMIc PEACE.
James Duncan Of Granite Cutters Union
Writes in Union Signal.

James l1AhSdH " the GTamlte Cutters
International union has this to say 81
the subject, For Economic Peace il
the recent number Of the Vermont Union
Signal:
Sat this season Of the year, whether
comfort and cheer prevails, or pain and
sorrow are in evidence, the theme in
Christian civilization is and must be the
underlying principle Of peace on earth
and good viii to men, This and the
text Of the sermon on the mount has
eome down the ages not only as great
principles Of morality, but as household
words affecting our everyday life When
everyday life is considered, the trade
union movement looms into view, for
they are 50 interviewer the mention OF
one suggests the presence of the other.
A time there was when trade union
was mentioned, especially by the CAPT.
taHstic class and their newspaper organs.
it was linked with strife OF some kind;
but the unlholy and unnatural alliance
thereby set forth did not take long to
run its course, and when the principles
Of trade unionism are now invoked, II "
for a peaceful and mutual adjustment
of differences which make the rantiug
remarks Of the Representatives of capt.
talism Insignificant and unfair indeed.
The trade agreement, especially the
clause thereof which deals with pacific
adjustment Of disputes, is SO far in adj
vance Of anything appertaiing to the
so-called greatest favored nations, that
Iif in settling their disputes they come
anywhere near the trade-union idea in
the next quarter of century, history
wall have been made more rapidly than
ever before in this great age of nachin-
cry and invention The Hague tribunal,
recently in session, labored long and
hard, costing an enormous sum of money
and adjourned without accomplishing
half as much as can be arrived at in one
or two days time through the adjust
ment clause OF practical modern trade
agreement.
III organized society of any kind ever
stood for peace, it must be conreded that
practical trade unionis1n pointed the
way and in doing so did not arrogantly
burn the bridges behind, for In each in
stance thel liberties and rights OF the
workers are safeguarled to them as citi-
zens, in that if the time comes and all
other efforts fail, they can drop their
tools and refuse employment, the pro
duct of which would be used to their
further disadvantage. But this is merely
the safety valve From the cenEer to
the circumference, stand out In bold re-
lief the conditions provided for mutual
and amicable adjustment, and which ii
nationally followed by the contending
sides, not only prevents harassing condi-
tions to all concerned through pro-
ionged strike, but the good feeling which
should exist between those supplying the
brains and the capital for management
and those supplying the brains and the
skill to produce, is preserved, and which
amounts to considerable, as those who
have had experience can best verify.
There II to more Illogical or underno-
cratic statement in modern use than the
declaration by an association of employ
ers that their representatives viii refuse
to meet a committee of wortSrnen as
representatives Of the worimenis organi-
zation. When men take to themselves
the right to organize and elect represen-
tatives, even if they are so-caaled capt.
talists, and then turn and declare that
no one else but themselves may organ
iEe they are lot acting in accoriance
with democratic thought nor with the
principles OF our republican system of
government The latest spectacle OF this
happened but few days ago at Gold
field, New. where the Mine Owners as
ISOLATION, rough its selected committee,
told a committee Of the naetaliferous
miners, one Of WHICH was the vice presi-
dent OF the Western Federation of Mn
ers, that the employers committee would
not meet the mine workers committee
as such, but might listen 70 any one of
said committee who might, as an indi-
vidual ask an audience IF organized la
Dor were to assume such q position, and
il the contention were of large proper
tions, the state militia, if not the fed
eral troops, and perhaps both, would be
called for by the alleged captains of in
dustry vet, when they assume that
role, they hold themselves erect ana ,
with folded arms and eyes cast heaven.
ward, declare their copaFtnerShip with
God and DEFY interference in their meth
DDS by human influence other than their
own
In conclusion, | again assert that the
trade-uaion doctrine, that which makes
for the uplift of d0wzlrtrodden humanity,
that which protects women and young
people from poisonous employunenSs and
long hours of labor, that which declares
for women equal pay with men for equal
labor performed, that which stands as
menace to the sweatshops owned by
capitalists, that which works early and
late against the employment Of child
labor, ave that which calls for Justice
and * determined To have 1t in the MOST
pacific manner possible, is the true or
ganization working cut tho great theme
Of peace on eagtl and good win towards
men,
"Fraternally,
James Duncan.