New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-31
IRON MEMS SPY
SYSTEM SCORED
Federal Expert Also
Blames Workers for
Violent Methods,
OPEN SHOP CAUSED
UNION ACTIVITIES
Investigator Sees Peace in In
dustry Only Through Mutual
Agreement.

nv TELEGRAPH 10 The IflNdir.I
Chicago. Aug. 3O.-The United States
Commission on Industrial Relations
made public to-day the last OF lts re-
ports on labor disputes. me doeu-
ment took up the controversy between
the National Erectors' Association ana
The international Bridge and Structural
Iron Workers. Both SIDES were at ISui''
the government investigator, Luke
Grant. declared, and added that, IN MS
opinion. as long as the open shop was
maintained the union would not cease
its activities. although he doubted 'he
return Of violent methods.
In touching on the campaign OF dyna-
nitinr conducted by officials OF the
union. Mr. Grant declared that the eN-
Dlosion that wrecked the plant of i he
los Angeles Times" did not involve the
international Bridge and Structural
Workers. except that the explosion was
perpetrated by an agent who had oeeh
made use Of by the union IN causing
other explosions. &c.. -
THE application OF physical force
Mr. Grant declared. "will neither estab-
lish nor maintain Just relations De
tween employers and employees. rear
OF violence AMI the destruction OF
property may cause the employer 10
make terms with a union against ms
will and business judgment, but ne Will
break from the restraint at the hrst OPP
portunity.'
On the other hand, wOrkmen, when
compelled TO submit, performed their
tasks sullenly, hiding the time when
they could revolt, the investigator de-
clared.
Both Sides UncOmpOmising.
..o.t,,,s, CONTROVERSY there
was too much of an Incorporating at
titude shown on both sides, II was stat
cd The altitude was first shown by the
workers two months after the strike be
an when the American Bridge Com
many offered 10 meet substantially the
demands of the strikers. But then the
ironworkers added a new demand ana
the offer was withdrawn. Later, wnen
the union realized its mistake MI
Grant reported. and was ready TO com
nromise. the American Bridge company
assumed an uncompromislng ATTITUDE
The EMPLOYERS wanted the non-unlon
shop. he declared as a matter or ecoho-
NV. Without hiring union LABOR they
could assign unskilled men 10 certain
iobs which the lnion demanded be per-
formed by skilled men al hlen Mah 70
Tbev also wanted to keep the organlza-
,ion out of the fabricatinG shops Inc
urion ironworker wanted the union
recornized as a matter OF protection as
even in the busiest times ne cOuIu
count on being employed only nlne
months in trc year, Mr.. Grant louhG.
In giving his conclusions ne stated
~ has been shown that the employ
ers maintained system OF espionage
in local unions at a time when tney
were working under contracts WIN
such unions. That does not lnuicate
that they had signed he agreements III
GOOD faith. If they did. why was IL
Necessary to keep paid spies IN the 10
nsI unionsq Why was II Necessary to
seek 70 influence elections IN 'he
unions?
Spy system TO Blame
"Tbat the spy system bred susplcloIi
among the members OF the unions anu
hatred OF their employers is ceIlaI III,
IL tho EMPLOYERS were not oent Oh
weakening or destroying the influence
Of the union. at the time they openly
recognized by signing contracts why
the employment Of spies
"Thc employment of sp.es by the en-
Movers was as indefensible as was the
n resort 10 dynamite and the destruction
n NJ Dropertv by the ironworkers, al,
vi though the one was within the law ana
the other was not. PerniclouS as was
the effect of the spy system on the
union. it did not Justify the resort TO
violence and the destruction Of prop
erty in the eyes of the law, but IT went
a long way toward justifying them IN
the ewes Of the union ironworkers.
THE employers say that the spy
system has been discontinued. II prop
ably has. because under present condl-
tions the open shop erectors are not
particularly interested in the union.
They feel they haev won their night.
The union ironworkers cannot accept
that view. With from IS 10 80 per cent
of the structural steel erection on an
omen shop 5asis. it is inevitable that
the ironworkers should keep on trying
TO organize the men in the industry.
They feel they must fight to prevent
the spread the open shop policy.
"Under present conditions there can.
not be peace i'm the industry. Fear oil
the consequences may prevent recur-
renee of violence, but it will not re,
move the cause Fear Of the aw Will
not re-establish amcable relations be-
tween the companies and the union:
Only the recognition by each side OF