The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-09-16
THE COLOR OF THE CARD.

THE COLOR OF THE CARD.
On the Wednesday following
Labor day the Duluth News Tri-
bune contained an editorial arti-
Gle entitled: 1.-THE Card Of Labor
Unions.'' The Labor World in
tended to take up the thread Of
the argument presented in the eii-
torial, but we were pressed for
time to such an extent that other
matters Of precedence claimed our
attention.
Now we find it needless to exert
any effort in attempting to correct
the News Tribune, a newspaper
that is usually disposed to be fair
in it's treatment Of the philosophy
of trade unionism, and the tactics
and methods of organized labor.
That has been convincingly and
effectively done by the Superior
Telegram in the following man.
ner, and better than we could do:
LAS an argument wherein there ap-
pears to be a total Misrepresentation
of all of the facts an editorial article
in the Duluth morning paper today is
certainly a rare offer. It is headed,
THE Card of Labor Unions" We
quote from it as follows:
The address on Labor day in this
city by Frank w. Duffy. general Sec
rotary of the Carpenters Internation-
al union, laid emphasis upon the
fact that bankers, manufacturers, doc
tors and lawyers all have the closed
shop. But there is one differ
ence between these and labor unions;
it is a material difference, and one
that we believe weakens the cause
of labor. These other associations
base membership upon ability. When
doctor or lawyer hangs out his
sign, when a bank, opens it's doors
or enters a clearing house associa-
ton, when any business exchange
is organized, every one knows ex-
actly what requirements have been
met what reliability is guaranteed. We
believe that labor unions would be
vastly. strengthened. if. their. cards
stood for ability, for craftsmanship
and reliability, as we'll as member
ship. A carpenters card should show
by color or otherwise his grade of
proficiency. The employer should
know from the card exactly what the
bearer could do in any craft, if he
was capable of being put at work
requiring the best skill or was but
second or third rate in his work. Eff
ficlency is what all employers are
seeking, and we believe the day will
come when the union card will qua
rantee this and be sought by en-
ployers in self-protection.
Does the morning paper mean
that the ability of a lawyer or
doctor can be determined by the color
Of the paper in his diploma?
Does it mean that a weak bank
can be distinguished from a strong
one by the color of the charter?
Does it mean that the ADEQUATE
training, apprenticeship and final ex-
animation are not required for ad-
mission to labor unions?
The union card in a general way
stands for liability, craftsmanship and
reliability Notwithstanding the OBJ
pos1te conclusion by the morning pa
per. The union card indicates that
the person holding it has served the
required time in apprenticeship, and
has had the necessary training. The
professional mans diploma guaran-
tees no more.
'The truth is that there is moth
Ing In this country on fairer and
more honest basis than the labor
offered by the workingmen. They Of
fer no watered stocks, no adulterated
food, no fake speculative scheme,
no plan to get your money without
giving any return. Labor lives by
the sweat of it's own brow. It needs