The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-04-05


He assures me that in his dis
cussion of the loyal Legion in his
addresses he always incourages the
underwriters to become identified
with it.
Most of the members of the In
ternational Union Of Timberwork-
ers are active members of the 10y
al Legion" All favor it and the
end it seeks to accomplish.
However we do not feel that the
"Loyal Legion" can take the place
of a legitimate labor organization
any more than it can function in the
place of the organizations main
tanned and prompted by the employ
ing lumbermen. We understood that
YOU disclaim any intention of dis
placing either the one or the other.
We feel you must be mistaken as
to our intentions if you seek, as
some appear to gather from your
bulletins, to restrict our organizing
work.
My purpose in writing this letter
is that we may all come to better
understanding. We wish to con-
ceal nothing. We are anxious that
you be fully advised as to our plans
, and our program.
You have intimated that the en-
ployers do not favor our organiza-
ton. While this is regretable, it is
not surprising. Has it not been the
attitude of the employers the world
over? until the organizations have
been fully established, when most
of them have acknowledged the ben
eft of collective bargaining, and
the wisdom of giving the workers
voice in the conditions under
which they shall work. We feel
those lumber operators who do not
now agree will come to this same
view in time. We are hopeful that
our attitude will hasten it's COM
ing.
The International Union of Tim
berworkers stands squarely behind
the war declarations Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor wherein it
sets forth "Labor's position in peace
and in war" Our conception of
our duty both to our government
and to our fellow workmen impells
US to continue our work of organ
izing the men into unions, not with
any notion of exploiting the "Loyal
Legion" but rather with view to
cooperate with it so far as we may
be permitted.
The fact that we worked hard
and long to organize this class of
workmen before the beginning of the
! war or before the formation Of the
loyal Legion" ought to be suffi-
cient proof that we are not taking
advantage of war conditions or try
ing to exploit the very promising
organization you have developed.
At our recent convention in Sc
attic no wage scale was adopted for
the reason that we did not wish to
be placed in position where we
might seem to be in opposition to
your program. Since then you have
published what you term maxi
mum scale. We hope that it may
produce results that you expect,
but feel it decided risky undertak-
ing, and at varience with the eco
nomic experience of the past half
century. We regret that lack of
opportunity prevented US from plac-
ing our views before you, prior to
the adoption of the scale you have
published.
The aims of our organization are
to suppliment the work of the ma
tional administration and the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. We feel
sure this is your endeavOr also;
There 8 should be nothing but
cooperation between our forces, and
we trust you may accord us a meas
ure of your confidence to the end
that we may be more hopeful.
This world is confronted by a
great crises. Civilization itself is
divided. In the face of this ex-
traordinary situation may we not all
unite in trying to advance the prin'
ciples and practices of both indus
trial and political democracy? Those
who entertain views at varience with
the highest democratic ideals wheth.
er employers or employees shoulC
engage our best efforts to impress
them with the modern conception Of
individual rights and governmental
duties.
i Assuring you of the desire, per