The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1915-10-16

committee, representing the United
/ Mine Workers Of America, issued a
public statement to John d. Rockefel-
Ter, Jr, containing this challenge
Since the strike was called off last
December this company COLORADO
Fuel and Iron) has steadiastly re-
fused to re-employ men who were still
affiliated with the union, and we defy
Mr.. Rockefeller to produce from his
entire working force i'll Southern Colo
RADIO a dozen men who are members OF
the union"
Wages and working conditions are
to remain the same until January 1,
1913, but il increases are made in COM
pctitivc districts prior to that time
joint meeting OF company officials and
representatives of the men shall be
called to make effective ''proportion-
ate increases" in the properties OF Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron. This is another
way OF saying that wages will remain
the same until the date specified, unless
the miners union cnforccs bcttcrments
elsewhere Then it will be necessary
to meet these betterments that the
union gains no foothold in this section
In other words, the hackers of the
Rockefeller union" announce that
working conditions will be guided by
the Mine Workers Union. This decla-
ration is an acknowledgment that the
union is still a force to be reckoned
with; that it creates the standard for
working conditions, and that there is
constant danger that employees may be
come dissatisfied with the methods OF
| hand-pickcd representatives intended to
/ supplant the right OF men to elect their
own officials and check-wcighm with
out supervision by mine superintend
cntS.
The entire cost OF the plan is to be
borne by the company,
The Rockefeller union is another
link in the historic chain OF trade union
opposition that grows weaker and
weaker when confronted by determined
agitation and organization by the work
erS. This opposition was first shown
when workers were jailed as conspira-
tors il they dared to organize bona
fdc unions Later, the "opcn shop
plan was favored III the hope that trade
unionism would be checked. This, like
wise, proved ineffective. and anti
unionists will now probably accept the
Rockefeller brand Of 'unionism. y
which means that an employer will
permit" collective bargaining with a
union he finances and will permit"
presentation OF grievances through
representatives satisfactory to him.
This plan, together with increased
welfare work and club houses will, it
is expected, keep workers from legiti-
, mate trade unions, where they are taught
to own themselves and assert their man
| hood and independence.
5 Samuel GOmpcrS' Views.
: SO Mr.. Rockefeller has formed 4
union--a union OF his employees of his
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
and perhaps magines that he has
solved the problem OF just relations be.
tween himself and his employees. But
with all his wealth and all his brains
and the brains that he could buy and
suborn, he has missed his mark. I'm
agine an organization OF miners formed
by the richest man in the world, VIII,
employees its members. What inllucnc,
can such pseudo union have to iuss
upon the remedying oi a previous
wrong or the attainment oi rca
right? And what about the representa-
tivcs OF the men sitting around tn,
table with Mr. Rockefeller and hi
angelic representatives ont in Colo
RADIO, should the miners spokesman
have the tcmcrity to insistcnCc in tn,
rghtful demands oi the miners?
The miners employed by the Colo
RADIO Iron and Fuel Company, OF whicl
Mr. Rockefeller is the head, have bccl
whipped by means OF atrocious brutalt,
and hunger into submission back to tn,
mines. And these miners have beer
formed into a union by MIR, Rockcicl
ler'S benevolent altrulSm. But he ha
organized them, and ior that, at an,
rate, labor is truly grateful, Tor whcl
men come together to discuss, even il
the most cursory way, their rights aut
! their interests and welfare, there i
afforded the splendid field for develop
= ment and opportunity
/, After what Mr. Rockefeller has done
! that is, to organize a union OF min
! crs in Colorado, he should carry hi
! benevolent and practical purpose int,
! iull execution in all his varied indust
! rics and not wait until another massa
! ere, the like OF which occurred at Lud
! low, should break out at one OF mi
!, other industrial institutions, DO no
= stop at Colorado, Organizer Rockc
d. teller!
! Secretary NorriSon's Opinion.
! Mr. Rockcicller's plan is significant