Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1910-03-10
THE PROFESSIONAL STRIKE BREAKER

changed. History has demonstrated
that it is the hardest thing in the
world for employers to play fair even
among them selves, and during the
past two years owing to the panic, the
scarcity of work, and the large num-
Der of idle men, the open shop, adve-
Gates have slashed wages, increased
the hours of labor, and made the
working conditions unbearable for
the poor dupes who thought they
could get along very well without
membership in a labor organization
and trusted themselves body and
soul to the tender e<mercies of their
employers No one realizes more
than Mr.. Drew the strong argument
this very action of the employers is
making against the open policy shop.
The best evidence OF the refusal Of
the employers to listen to MI. Drew's
advice is the fact that the. abuses
complained Of continue and if any
thing are ON the increase.
Another matter that is quite bur-
den to the business agent of the Free
tors Association is his effort to col
lect the necessary revenue to carry on
the work ofthe Erectors Associa-
ton, which includes detectives, spot
tiers, spies, blood suckers, an army
of worthless hangers-on, employment
agencies and other odds and ends too
numerous to mention. Mr.. Drew
has had to appeal frequently to the
captains of finance" comprising the
Erectors' Association, requesting that
they pay their dues, assessments and
levies promptly, SO that the grand
and noble work they had in hand,
the crushing of their employees, might
be carried .on without hlndrance. For
quote from one of Mr.. Drew's letters,
written in the early part of the last
year. 1t had the following to say:
"In conclusion, let me again touch
upon a familiar strain; these are dull
times. Nobody is making any money
and consequently no one has much
interest in conditions, and the ex-
penses OF the Association is a real
burden. Just remember that it is
at such times that real interest and
devotion to the Association is needed,
and also that such times afford you
the opportunity of building up your
organization after any fashion you
will, and putting yourself in a posi-
tione where you can reap the full. ben
eft of the good things when they
come. Doesn't this sound like good
business policy to you? If so, try it. .
1 suggest that the above advice be
taken to heart by the membership of
Labor so that the open shop policy
advocated by Mr.. Drew and the peo-
pie he represents may forever van.
ish from the industry.
The open-shoppers have failed to
defeat and disrupt Union men from
without. Who can say that they are
not attempting to accomplish their
purpose from within? 1t. looks like
it. For this reason an active interest
should be taken in approaching con-
ventions. A large representation is
desirable; by all means each and
every union should send intelligent
delegates If it is possible.
Beware of instructions that would
simply help out the Employers plans.
The game is to fasten the open shop
on the worker, either by hook or by
crook, and it should be borne in mind
there is nothing in a name. The open
shop is a detestable proposition, it is
creation of the employer and you
can depend upon it that in whatever
form it may be, it will be detrimental
to you as union men.
When evil men become desperate
by failing to accomplish what they
: have set out to do they are not par
ticular about the method they employ
or they tools they use. When there
designs are evil, conscience and honor
play no part. What cannot be oc-
complished by fair means Is attempted
by foul means and the foulest Of as
sistants. When hope is borrowed
from such support and despair forces
the acceptance Of such an accomplice
the cause forced to do SO is pitifully
weak and devoid of any right Of ex-