New-York tribune., 1911-12-28
UNIONS AND THE Open SHOP
Plea for Laws to Prevent Discrimina-
tion Against Non Union Men.

Writing in the current issue Of The
North American Review" on The Closed
shop" Walter Gordon Merritt pleads for
a law in all states that will forbid any
combination on the part Of any class OF
people, whether employers or employees 70
discriminate against a man on the grouhu
that he is or is not a member of labor
union"
Mr.. Merritt argued against the use Of the
union label-a closed shop weapon-on
manufactured products as a form Of union
ism's intolerance and coercion and its un-
fairness 10 workmen outside its ranks lie
says
In practically no instance does it appear
that the union label stands primarily @ loi
such legitimate purposes as skill, nouIs'
wages. sanitary conditions, and other con-
ditious of employment which IL IS rlght
and lust that the workers should nsht
for The only universal test OF IIIe Us, na6 ~ :
TO use the union label is the agreement
to discriminate against the noh-uhloi'
worker. 49,. r,so-a- =
tion of Labor OF which there are dpoul
400 and the organizers Of the direrehl
trade unions can at any time command the
entire organized force OF all lapor unions
in a CITY or all labor unions in a state IN
their efforts TO prevent a local dealer nan nan
ding merchandise produced by an oPSu
sbon ernnloyer. With agents in every trace
centre Of the country and local tederdtloihs :
~ All trades 10 act at their coiuiuhlIla,
Win travelling agents going from city 70
cttv and spies 20 detect open snop shIp-
ments and telegraph the intorrnatOh 80 ~
the unions at the place or cohs,s ssIoySn in
aitber Democratic or despotic states, WIN
II branches like veins throughout ou. eHir. a.;
society When we reflect on the . utLeI -, a.,
nossibilitv OF escaping from the ooserNauo
+t-ra M Of this movement III dAl9 ~
mote section of the country WheIe II NC -.
~boosa Ia pursue and remember that ~ u
largely designed and manlputtaIsu ,,,d',str;
nate tho non-union worker from lho 80
our feelings change 10 alarm. ,...,,,-
Another effective way OF dlscrln W, = : :
q agairst the non-union worker is suoNH -
the methods employed oy the OH.'sn r-oba o, bIv
erhood OF Carpenters, which Is p.ouh ~, y y
30 most powerfuI trade organization IN
the United States. II has ADOPTED d t ~ - -
latfou whereby each OF us -.VN.oV 'Ln.5is
ia forbidden under penalty OF $40 20 hdIuIe
y, @ ,,'orl- unon auv materials which como
from an omen shop. The manuLdctuIeIs
cnstorners or those who might be custom
ers. are told that III tnSS S8nl striSss viii
he caIled upon the buildings wnlch tne!
are constructing.
Arguing for laws 70 prevent discrimina-
+,on against non-union workers-laws tnet
vcuId insure the open shop system-Mr.
Merritt points out that no man has an
on forceable legal right 10 membership IN
any trade union any more than he has M
auv private order or society and adds:
II membership in the union is made syn
onvmOus with an opportunity 10 pursue a
irade as it would be In the closed shop
regime. there would be no redress from
unjust union action which kept man from
his trade by keeping him out OF the union.
While a priVata organization may properly
control the selection OF It's own member
shin. one OF the principal functions of gov
ernrnent Is 70 protect liberty and the right
10 pursue "a trade. This trulsm diScloses
the fundamental error of the closed shop
idea II there * one condition Incompatible
with the principles Of democracy and I'D
ertv A is a state where the rights and op-
portunities OF pursuing a trade are con-
frolIed and monopOliZed by an lrresponsl-
ble body Of private citizens. Such cOndl-
ton. maintained though IL may be by a
combination OF working people IS traught
with the same objections and evils as the
daspousm Of any monarchy or olgarchy.
n a commercial nation In peaceful times
cannot protect the rights OF It's working
class to secure employment from those who
wish to employ them, IL has lamentably
failed II the chance 70 seek and earn a
living Is to be vouchsafed by the grace
and favor OF a private organization. in
stead Of being guaranteed by the govern
uent as in the past, surely that tnstitu-
ton will rule in this country, and no other.