The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-15
UNION LEADERS.
some More inclined TO Feather Their Own
Nests Than TO Helm Labor.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir. II
seems 10 me as dgsiiterested person
that In the present unhappy state o,
anairs In Colorado Over the attempt Il
unlonize the Colorado coal and Fuel Com.
panys employees and put them under tn.
control OF the Western Federation OF
Miners the tail Is making an effort 10 was
the dog. since II Is SAID tina, at least 90
per cent. Of the men are content and
wish 20 remain outside OF the federation
Undoubtedly the leaders Of that body
VINO seem 10 think they have the right 10
say who shalt and who shall not be en-.
ploved ny the company. would like "a
handle the money that would have TO he
paid a. union dues and assessments by
tne 80 per cent. OF the employees. Tn
douotedly the latter thus believe they can
make better use of all their wages than
the union officials VIII Of even small
percentage. and there arc hundreds al
reasonable and fair minded men in all the
unions OF the country who are OF the
same opinion. but they are no; officers
OF the unions
AS general rule 7 think am safe in
saying that the headers" are mon OF "a
greater stomach capacity and aow Of
words than OF brain power and common
sense. Once in office such men are con-
stantly looking for trouble win cm-
ployers. thinking tnus 10 make sur" ~
their own Jobs and a small percentage
or their followers who gather the crumbs
after the leaders" have Toasted, ron.r-
ally create the troubl" which the officials
think calls for strike" in order 10 show
their power. Sam Parks in New York
and his gang OF "heelcrs" were worthy
predecessors ~ tn. officers and members
OF the ironworkers' union VINO caused the
death OF twenty-three men employed by
the Los Angeles Times, besides other MUIR
ders and murderous assaults
Labor unions should b" so conducted
tina, they will be benefit To all their
members, not a menace to those outs de
their fold. The individual has the same
right to sell his labor AT a wage which
Is satisfactory 20 himself that the labor
union has 10 sell tho labor of it's mcnb. -
AZ price which may or may not be
satisfactory as all men are not % the
same capacity IN earning power II An en-
pioyer Is compelled To- pay ona man more
than the man earns fo- tho employer. the
employer will no; consent To pay q man
OF larger earning capacity = higher wage.
because he must msk" the two men earn
profit for himself or fan and go ont
OF business. as there are more mon in all
branches of manufacture who fail To- make
good 20 the employer than of those who
do in greater or less degree Until
union men awake TO the fac, that in
order TO accomplish the greatest good 10
the greatest number the so-callcd open
shop must be the rule instead OF the eN-
ception in all manufacturing establish
monts they Will not accomplish all that
the sincere friends Of labor think they
are capable ~ doing for the hettnrment "
labor conditions In both mining and manu-
featuring industries.
4 few years ago tho locomotive ergi.
neers had a broad minded. fair and con-
serVative man At the head 90 their or
ganzaton, and II all unions had men of
MacArthur's sane and sensible views as
their heads We should not have such de-
plorable conditions anywhere as now cHist
In Colorado. The "boozer' with his graft
and the demagoguc with his wind must
be eliminated as labor leaders before
unions can occupy the commanding posi-
ton they may attain under conservative
and wise chiefs. men wh" do not NIX
politics and grating with their unionism.
MOUNT GILEAp, Va, May 10. T H.