The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-06-23
A PLEA FOR UNITY

Education, the forerunner of civ
iIization. makes the whole world kin.
What is it that makes for diff
ferences of opinions social enemies,
outcasts and outlaws in society? This
question is pertinent one and there
must be a correct answer. Then let
us analyse.
If all people We're born alike. looked
alike and had surroundings and tastes
alike. would they be able to agree on
any one question? Logically, we think
they would.
But we are confronted with an en-
ttrely opposite position People are
not born alike and certainly have en-
tireIy different surroundings in life.
The viewpoint of one individual,
which may he a correct one, speaking
scientifically, may be the point of
aggression of another.
For instance The union man be-
lieves in a closed shop condition in
order to protect his interest. and he
is correct The employer believes in
the open shop for labor, and considers
the closed shop an outrage against
society Why is there such a deter
mined opposite viewpoint with just
two individuals in society, capitalist
and a worker?
Society, as it is constituted today,
We will say, for example, is composed
Of these two individuals. On the other
hand, we have the capitalist whose
function in society is to own and con
troll all the tools with which the
worker has to produce the necessities
of life. The worker, on the other
hand, owns nothing except the skill
of brain and Drawn to produce these
essentials to life Then, you will say:
We'll, Where does the friction be-
tween them come in?" And it is quite
natural 10 ask such a question
We win not go into details of how
the capitalist gets possession of the
tools of industry, but we do know that
the friction exists, "a We have numer-
Gus examples of strikes. bOycotts,
lockouts. etc, TO determine thar point.
But the point of the worker is what
We are after The capitalist, TO func-
r.ea AS stated, must have workers to
use his tools in order to produce food,
clothing and shelter, or, as commonly
stated. commodities for the markets
Of the world to make profits out Of
which he makes his living and be
comes rich. although he actually pro
duces nothing The worker, on the
other hand. has to 90 to this same
capitalist and apply for a job, or, in
ether words, get permission to use the
tools which the capitalist owns, in.
order TO produce the necessaries of
life Then it resolves itself into a
barter for labor between the capitalist
and the worker, which means The
more labor gets through its unions,
etc, lue less lIt Ndpl'dlIoi mas 'llN
vice versa. Therefore the friction
arises from the barter of labor and
the reason for the capitalist desiring
the open shop is to enable him to get
labor at the lowest market price.
There are also differences Of
opinion between trade unionists which
are at times Of marked degree, due
mostly to the lack of knowledge Of
the subject involved Many unionists
condemn some of their members for
their radical tendencies. Whether they
are right or not, does not seem TO
enter their minds, unless they can
demonstrate their point Of view in the
physical sense This point Of view is
ridiculous when we turn to the pages