The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-12-25

water on the efforts of any individ-
ual who might have it in mind to try
and start something"
But they are not. Experience is a
dear teacher, but fools and public
corporation officials will learn in no
other way.
Liberty is the power to act without
control, in view Of the street railway
company's attitude toward its men
during labor troubles in the past, does
any reasonable being suppose that the
company is allowing all this 'tget to-
gether' business on the part Of its
employees without having its agents
on the ground to see that nothing
dangerous happens? Right on the
property of the company, in it's own
barns, dare these men disregard the
presence Of the company officials and
freely discuss the economics of or
ganization and genuine liberty?
What would happen if they did?
The Entertainments" would come to
an abrupt end, or assume a new angle,
but at least there would be a radical
change and somebody's names would
Immediately become disconnected
from the payroll.
The Duluth Street Railway COM
pany has chosen to assume hostile
attitude towards organization on the
part of its employees. It has declined
to recognize the fundamental princi-
pies Of human freedom, to allow it's
underpald and underfed employees the
right to express their opinions unin-
fluenced by those higher up, and
chooses to have them congregate I'M
der the protecting wings Of petty Of
ficials whose vaulting positions are
made safe and secure because they
jump when those higher in authority
pull the strings.
It is idle to think that the men are
unconscious that within these social
gatherings are those who are paid to
gain their confidence, ascertain their
private opinions on prohibited SUBJ
jects and carry the information back
to the general offices,
A silence influence, to be sure, but
a powerful one.
Then there are other influences
too. The street railway men are not
| enjoying the liberty that Is their due
Nor will they until the right to organ
ize for self D. election is conceded.
The attitude of the company, en-
trenched by a franchise which places
it in position where the immediate
future need cause no worry, means
that this right will not be theirs
without a struggle; without sacri-
! flee.
The street railway men like music.
We all like it. They are human and
are capable of enjoying it, 100. But
this seems to be abort the only hui
man quality they are admitted to
| possess.
At a meeting recently held in Chi
cago, kind old lady said that the
street railway company in that city
ought to provide shower baths in the
car barns. w. D. Mahon, the ma
tional president of the Amalgamated
Association of Street Railway en-
ployes replied that the union was en-
deavoring to place the street car men
in position where they could have
shower: baths in their homes.
The kind old lady and Bill Mahon
had differ, at visions, that's all. She
looked, upon the street railway men
as helpless children who needed
guardians to look after their personal
appearances and conduct. Mahon
kneW@that they were capable CT hand
ling their own affairs once they had
the CONFIDENCE in their own pow
er and an the efficiency Of economic
organization. Mahon knew, too, that
the men, if given the opportunity,
could aid i. thef own development
without the assistance Of a. petty boss
or.the5help. OF a confidence man.
Yes, we ARE glad the men can get
together, even for a social evening
where the night may be filled with
mHslc music" and even for a. few fleetine
MOMENTS forget the cares that infest
the day" No harm can come because
of It and perhaps some good may re-
suit: Let us indulge In the hope
that Springs eternal" and some day
sometime, somewhere, something may
happen. to. happen. :, ~
T. ---------------4- =. -
HANDSOME :NECKWEAR fol
! XMAS Arr THE RTn n n ,f1iIi1