The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-29
Apostle Thinks That Unions
Are Inclined to 1yrannize
Over WOrkingmen.
SAINTS NOT OPPOSED TO
UNION LABOR, ELDER SAYS
Suggests Arbitration as Means
Of Adjusting Differences Be-
tween Opposing Forces.

The stand Of the Mormon church to-
ward labor unions and organizations was
announced from the speakers stand i'll
the tabernacle Sunday. during the service
held TO observe Labor Sunday. Apostle
c. w. Pcnrose was The speaker and was
set apart by the church officials 10 tell
the people OF Utah what the Mormons
think of labor unions. The speaker an
nounced several times, cmphaucal1y, that
his church is not opposed to labor unions.
but that il does oppose tyranny on the
part OF such organizations and when they
say that q man must Join their union or
he cannot work. then IL is the opinion OF
the church authorities that such organiza-
tions step beyond their constitutional
rights and become tyrannical.
Apostle Penrosc read tho resolution
from the American Federation of Labor
requesting all of the ministers OF the
Christian churches in the United States
10 observe the Sunday just before Labor
day as Labor Sunday. and said that on
account OF next Sunday being fast> day
the Mormon church had decided To have
the lobor service Sunday. He took for
his test Genesis iii, -. which reads. in
part. follows: "ln the sweat OF Thy
face shalt thou eat bread"
The Dignity Of Labor.
lie said that tile I.atter-day Saints be-
mankind should labor for his bread. as
labor develops his mind and body, while
on The other hand ''an idle brain is the
dcrils Workshop" and idleness leads 10
evil and wcScdncss. He declared that
Adam was placed in the Garden OF Eden
that he might toll and that his labor
might cause Eden 10 blossom forth in
all its glory.
Apostle Penrose said that people have
mistaken ideas as Ia who are laoorers.
and declared that those who use their
mentality and produce something for the
eood OF mankind are jus, as much labor |
eTs as those VINO use pick and shovel
or Il mechanics tools.
lic cited as an Illustration the news /
paper man who gives to the public ac-
counts Of the happenings in the world |
and who he said often spends more time |
at his work and receives less remuuera-
tion than many mechanics and others
who arc commonly ClasSed as laborers |
write for the press are entitled to a rea-
sonnble remuneration for their efforts, |
ma urged upon his hearers The justice |
OF "A fair days wage for a fair days |
Golden Rule Neglected.
The speaker conceded that many en-
ployers Of labor who are backed by am
rlc capital are often oppressive toward .
Inc emplcyed. but this is due 10 selfish
ness on their part. as they seek to en-
g!or men for just as little pay as poss- |
BILE; bnt. on the other hand the employee
sometimes does just as little work as
P''Sipit
He was OF the opinion that the prin-
eipal trouble Is that every man is for
himself. and instead Of living up to the
adage, "Do others or they will do you.
and do them first"
Some people have the idea" con-
Saints are opposed to union labor. but
that is mistake. The church accords
10 all people the right to combine for
their own preservation. and this church
lph N dD 10 rT~l.
church does not say that one of its
cannot join a union o. band to-
EEethGr ger. & 10 secure an increase In wages.
OF such organizations.
Unions Tyrannize.
1T Is all right for men to join a union.
but when those organizations say that a
man must Join tho union or ne cannot
get work then that is tyranny. and the
union is stepping beyond It's constjt,i-
tional right. It is tyranny for union
men 10 say that they Will not work on
a certain building because certain man
union. What we believe in is liberty OF
labor and freedom OF toll. and we cannot
approve OF strike by unions because a
non union man Is working job That
II IS beyond their bounds"
Under The great system OF brotherhood
Of man. Apostle Penrose declared, ALI
troubles could be arhitrated and war
could be done away with entirely When
the spirit OF arbitration enters the hearts
Of men said he. all the troubles between
capital and labor would cease and he
expressed great hope that the time IS not
far distant. when we will have an inter
nmuonal NJ, isd congress OF arbitration, where
all difficulties between nations can be
settled without war.
In closing. Apostle Penrose suggested IN
labor organizations as a/remedy for a
great deal of strife between capital and
labor that they arbtrate their differ-
cnces. and that the committee on arbItra-
Ion should be composed OF the EMPLOYED
themselves and not the hired officials of
the labor organizations. with whom the
employers often refuse to confer He
hoped that the time would soon come
when there would be universal peace and
all people would be Joined together In
one grand union under the leadership
Of God. ''''p