Denver labor bulletin., 1916-06-24
IMPRUDENT
EMPLOYERS

Editorial in the New York Globe and
Commercially
In the hope that common sense or the
instinct OF prudence would lead the
cloak and suit manufacturers to com
pose differences with their operatives,
the Globe has thus far abstained from
comment on Il situation which is discred-
liable to the employers and shocking to
the community. To the employers 1t is
discreditable, first, because they broke
an agreement sanctioned by six years OF
successful application, and, second, be
cause they rejected the friendly offices
oil the mayor of the city to consider with
them and their workmen basis of con
tinued harmony. To the community 1t
is shocking because it discloses in one OF
its important industries on the side oil
capital lack OF social justice, an AFRO
g;ince OF wealth and power which, partic-
ularlv at this moment in the worlds de
yelopment is an element OF weakness
and OF menace to any nation in which it
is manifested
1t NAV be granted that the protocol
arrangement was cumbersome, that its
machinery was in the hands oil too many
persons outside the trade. 1t is not de-
MED that the operatives, including many
comparatively recent immigrants not yet
fully assimilated, are difficult to get on
with. 1t is not difficult to believe that
union shop chairmcn are sometimes ar
bitrary and in other ways obnoxious.
There are undoubtedly substantial
grounds for veXatious complications in
any preferential shop system which in
its operation may discriminate in favor
OF inferior against competent operatives.
But most OF these troublesome factors
enter into all relations between organ
lied labor and employers before
basis of reciprocal compromises has been
arrived at in which the interest OF each
side is considered and mutual dependence
is recognized. Insistence on the principle
OF the open shop in an industry that has
adopted trade unionism is a revcrsion TO
the brute power of money against hui
manity which in civilized communities Is
no longer tolerated. Demand that EN-.
ployers shal have exclusive, despotic con
troll oil business in which labor il the
chief element belongs not to this gcner
alton but to an age whence we have
progressed Il great distance into an era
OF more enlightened sclfshness and ac-
knowledged interdcpendence. Wherever
there is adherence among employers to
the old notions that labor must conform
to the conditions imposed by capital be.
cause capital under our system is the in
itiating power and directly pays the
wages-wherever the tyranny of wealth
| is asserted and exerted-there are to be
found discomfort and rebellion that will
eventually cause disruption involving loss
| to all concerned. And il is because this
consequence is now known to be newt
able that modern employers Of reason
able intelligence yield to the dictates of
prudence even what they might deny to
the appeal for justice and humanity.
Especially deplorable is stubborn dis
regard of elemental equities in an indus
try like the garment makers, which as
now conducted calls at its maximum of
activity for greater number of oper-
atives than it can support thru the year.
At best the situation is difficult. Dealt
with as some of the employers would
deal with it. it would be intolerablc.
Their plan seems to have been to starve
their employees into submission. The
undertaking is an unwise one. 1t is n
brutal one. 1t is pretty certain to prove
abortive. The city doesn't like it and
won't permit it. There's warfare enough
in Europe. We want peace here, and We
don't like those that interfere with our
preDarations to maintain it,
| Whatever of wisdom there may be in the
management of the Cloak and Suit Man
ufacturers Association the hour for its
emergence and activity has struck. Bull
lysm is a disease that in the acute form
capital can recover from. Become chronic
it is incurable.