The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-10-27
SATURDAY I ] ] '.:|I:]||!A. y /:
WHAT OTHER PAPERS SAY
LABOR UNIONS.

Indianapolis News: Certain mar
row-minded people have held labor
unions responsible Tor the recent
strikes-of which by the way, there
have been very few. We have in
this country had no such situation as
that which the British government
had to face in the carly days Of the
war. AS a rule our workingmen have
stuck to their jobs, realizing that the
winning of the war depended as
much on them as on the soldiers in
the field. The leaders of unions in
most cases have thoroughly UNDER
stood this situation. The difficulty
has not been with them but with in
dividuals who imagine that they are
followers of Karl Marx or some ESQ.,
teric cult. The interesting feature of
the recent strikes-those at San Fran
cisco and Gary-is that they were
neither authorized nor ordered by the
unions. The question, therefore, is
whether the unions can hold these
men to their contracts with employ
ers. The principle Of collective bar
gaining-for which union men have
always stoOd-has. therefore, been
very rudely challenged.
Fundamentally, therefore, the issue
is one that chiefly concerns organized
labor. If a vociferous minority can
thwart the will of the union, employ
ers WILL as a matter Of self-protec-
ton, be compelled to refuse to con-
tract with it. In discussing the activ-
tiles of certain men in Great Britain,
the London Times recently said:
'"They are the chief fomenters of
local and general strikes which from
time to time bewilder the trade union
executives and paralyze the forces of
government and in which the individ-
ual workingman often participates
either through a misunderstanding or
through compulsion."
That some such influences are at
work in this country can no longer be
doubted. It should be understood
that they are working not only
against the government-and so are
in a moral> sense treasonable-but
also against the trade union princi-
pie. For if strikes can be ordered
and put into effect, without the au-
thority of the unions, and even over
their protest, the only possible con-
clusion is that the unions have lost
recent strikes are as much against
the unions and the principles on
which they are based as they are
against the government. This view
of the case no doubt is understood
by Samuel Gompers, for it is his
authority that is challenged. Thus
far in this war it must be said that
he has Loyalty stood by the govern
ment and for the enforcement Of con-
tracts. The fault is not that Of Or
ganized labor, but of enemies in it's
own camp.
NEGLECTED KINDNESS.
Milwaukee Daily News: We are
apt to neglect little kindnesses. We
are polite, and then we consider our
duty is done. But there are lonely
people everywhere that wait for the
little kindness, the small attention,
that is easy to do, yet seldom done.
The little kindness is like the minor
courtesy. It springs from a real re-
finement of mind, and is the out
come of true unselfishness. Many
people are in too much of a hurry
to heed the possible needs of stran-
ge.', who may be we'll equipped with
every material thing, and still yearn
for the little kindness, that takes the
edge off the disappointments and
embarrassments Of every day life.
The fine mind senses this craving,
and relieves it. The man who rea-
Lies the unspoken mental attitude,
and knows how to handle the situa-
ton that is not OF material but spir-
itual fiber, has gone far along the
path of rich attainment
He is the real giver who makes
great gifts. He may only speak
word. Yet that word may alter des-
TIMES. He may smile welcome on a
stranger, or show his friendship by
some simple act that demonstrates
sheer thoughtfulness.
Sorrow and even death can be
turned aside by the little kindness.
Here lies endless opportunity. It is
best to never neglect it. for in this
way life is made worth while, and
the scathing criticisms of the cynic
given the lie
HOW NOT TO DO TT.