United labor bulletin., 1911-02-23

tin takes this opportunity to warn the
workers against the well thought OUT
plans of the Morgan-Perkins clique
This scheme was begun in the 9O's in
the great Pittsburg iron mills-a few
years after the formation of the steel
corporation. when the Amalgamated As
sociation of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers
was at its greatest strength
Men who owned stock in the independ-
ent mills that pooled their holdings and
formed the greatest of all trusts, made
thousands of dollars. This fact was
dwelt on by the proft-sharing schemers
in the literature sent to the members Of
the Amalgamated association. The glow
ing future outlined for those who pur-
chased stock was enough to deceive the
average workers. The workers were told
that special price was made on stock
that they could share the great profits OF
the trust, but at that time the stock could
have been bought on the open market
for less money. A year later tho bottom
dropped out of the stock and the workers
were left holding the sack
1t is easy to issue stock on increased
valuation, and then sell that stock TO the
workers for millions.
BY this stroke of the .sweavers of webs
the trust not only received their millions
in sales of stock to the workers. but they
SO ruined the organization of the Anal
gamated association that they are now
seldom heard from-their power has
been tapped" by the rstock-selling,
profit-sharing' Morgan interests.
Whenever the union endeavored to
force raise in the scale of wages or
get better conditions that in the nature
of things would soon be communicated
to other mills, the trust closed the mill
where the trouble" was and the stock
holding workers"-who were looking for
great profits from their few shares OF
stock--were willing to go to some other
town where a mill would be put in oper-y
alton that was not handicapped" by
those who wanted increased wages made
necessary by the increased cost of living.
By the running of the union the stock
holding workers" have lost in wages 4
greater amount than they have receives
in dividends.
And what about the members that did
not purchase stock? They are in the ma-
joritly. What about them2
They have received neither increased
wages nor dividends all these years.
Only last year the country was flooded
with literature making last appeal to
organized labor the country over TO save
this organization of steel workers IRON
utter ruin by the Steel Corporation.
Then the literature circulars quit
coming. The struggle was over.
This appeal of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation is likened unto the man who was
caught in the quicksand He uttered vo-
ciferous cries-loud and long. Then he
appealed pathetically for help that 1t was
impossible to give. Then as he sank to
his head and was swallowed up forever,
he gave but faint gurgle.
During the past year the papers OF the
country said that the A. F. of l.. officers
were soon to start a campaign for the
organization of the steel trust employees.
hrrr hat iS nil hat n IA
Leslies says in its argument for the
profit-sharing scheme, any custom that
would take from the workingman his in
dependence and self-respect should be
condemned" And further: When he
earns it he should have it not through
tips or gratuities, but as a matter of right
and justice"
The Bulletin has endeavored to show
by this article that the profit-sharing Gus
tom will take from the worker his indo-
pendence and accordingly should be con
demned. 1t is a hellish scheme that viii
encompass the ruin of every organization
of union men that allows its members to
participate in the stock-buying.
If closer union is desired by capital.
why not pay just wage to the man who
earns it?
Why grant special privileges to the
few that they may control the many by
controlling the government?
Why send men to Jail through conniv-
ance and intrigue for alleged contempt
of court-men who ask but for raise in
wages?
Before the capitalist can make the
agitator and the Socialist las Leslie's
says) see the benefit OF the proit-shar-
ing snares. they viii have TO change their
ways in New York. in Philadelphia. In
Pittsburg. in Chicago, in Los Angeles
and in Denver.
This scheme OF Morgan Is a tremen-
dous thng-the argument against II is
unlimited and substantiated by facts. In
conclusion. The Bulletin desires to sound
final warning to labor unions to "be-
ware of the proht-sharing schemes"