United labor bulletin., 1909-10-08

labor efficiency. They take an interest
IN their employer and help to build up
his business because he sets the example
of taking an interest in them. Dscon-
tented, overdriven, and underpaid work
men never give the highest labor eff
ficiency. 1t is impossible that they
should.
Enlightened employers seek to secure
labor efficiency by treating their en-
ployes fairly. They remove nine-tenths
Of the dangers and losses of strikes by
removing the causes which would lead
the workmen to such extreme action.
On the other hand, the men are in no
position to meet the exigencies OF mod
ern employment unless they are organ
lied into unions and are Jointly RESPONSE
BILE for carrying out whatever they prom
Use to do.
The employer who rightly understands
modern condition of labor prefers to
Zeal with the representatives of the
union of his employees. He recognizes
the impossibility of dealing successfully
with an unorganized mob. The union
| is his protection and safeguard just as
much as ii is the mems. The union is
the employers guarantee against hasty
strikes and irresponsible action by the
men. When these Slav workmen organ
ize unions-as they surely must-they
will be able to secure arbitration anu ad-
justment of their wrongs without strikes
| True, an employer must be honest anu
| just as ready to deal fairly with his men
when he recognizes their right to organ
ize and confer with him, but what en-
ployer will admit that he desires to be
otherwise?
Acceptance of unionism means the
peaceful adjustment of grievances, but
it also means great increase in labor eff
ficiency and the saving of the immense
expense of such strikes as that at Nc
KEGS Rocks.
The public is concerned in the keeping
of Industrial peace. This was most forci-
bly, brought to the attention of the tax
payers of McKees Rocks For instance.
if 5000 strike-breakers were brought in
the 5000 on strike-and their famines-
We're likely to become public charges.
This was not a pleasant vision to the
average citizen of that community.
The county had to bear the expense
OF the mounted constabulary. The STATE
would have borne the expense of the
militia had it been called out.
Finally, the taxpayers-merchant and
citizens in other walks OF life and hav-
ing nothing to do with the steel plant
were liable If the property of the com
pany was destroyed.
All these things tended to accentuate
interest in the strike and helped to form
public opinion. The Slav workmen wet ?
not the only ones who condemned the
steel company for it's assertion that its
business was strictly its private concern
and it would do as it pleased.
The company makes this clustering
assertion. yet at the first hint of trouble
brought about by its own mismanage-
tect 1t and foot the bill
The time is coming when the public
will inquire in case of such strikes.
What was the provocation? Who gave
it? 1t will punish the one who gave the
provocation, not the one who had man
mood enough to resent injustice
Much might be said of the pending
struggles of the organized workers with
the steel company and with other com
binations, but these are the struggles of
men who have already vindcated their
right to organized unions-men who are
trying to uphold standard of American
living won through unionism They will
win. because no more than temporary
defeat is possible for them. It is the
strange and hopeful spectacle of these
unorganized Slav workmen finding cour-
age to strike. which rivets the attention
OF those who study industrial develop
ment. They, too. will organize unions.
and in that lies their best hope for the
future.
+ r + + +
Smoke the La Belle cigar and boost
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