The evening world., 1919-09-06
PRECEDENT ESTABLISHED BY
FEDERATION OF LABOR.

"'Your committee earnestly recon-
mends that the executive council
take steps 10 cancel and suspend
all strikes now in progress in New
York STATE, and 10 use their influence
to prsvent the calling OF future
strikes except in such circumstances
as. IN the oplnion or the executive
council, render IL iFpperatively neces-
sary "a use tAe strhie weapon,
I'm all taafness wa Rsk, Mr. Prssi
dent, Is there anything In that para
graph which denies the right to
strike. We simply recommended that
the executive council exercise the
power 10 decide which strikes are
necessary and which are not. The
Chief OF the Executive Counsel is
James p. Holland, president Of Tie
New York State Federation OF Labor
In the wisdom OF the council presided
over by our wise and honored State
leader we sought TO have the fnal
decisions lie. Surely no well mean
ing trade unlonist could fnd fault
with that proposal. Least OF all could
the executive council or the President
OF the State Federation raise a sound
objection 20 the recommendation.
'"rhe highest organized labor au-
thority in the land is. pursuing that
policy at this moment. The steel in
dustry labor leaders and the Railway
Brotherhoods are shaping their course
according to the judgment OF Samuel
Gompers and tho Executive Council
OF The American Federation Of Labor.
The beneficial result OF following that
policy has already been seen in avert
ing the disaster OF a railway shop
mems strike. Surely the Executive
Council and President OF the New
York state Federation ought not hesl-
tate to adopt the precedent set by the
Executive Council and President Of
1'he American Federation OF Labor.
TO RELIEVE COUNTRY FROM
UNJUST AND ILLEGAL
STRIKES"
The sole object OF our report which
you have repudiated was 10 relieve
the country OF the complications
caused by the many unnecessary. un-
just, and. under trade union laws
illegal strikes that are in progress,
or which might hereafter be precipi-
tated by reckless or self-seelSing
leaders.
when no trade or Industry will be
allowed TO order n strike without per-
mission OF the Executive Council. II
| is a power too great TO be loft In the
hands OF men who sometimes exer-
| else IL for reasons not altogether for
the beneht OF the rank and file whose
will they are supposed TO, but often
do not, represent, There should be a
check placed upon such men. There
should be a higher power within the
ranks OF organized labor clothed with
authority 20 make "A nnal decision
before a strike may be ordered
There could be no better authority
for that purpose than the Executive
Council.
"The undersigned do not intend I,
lower the colors they have raised
They intend 20 have much more [,
say on this general subject in tn
future. You have debarred then
from addressing you with authorlt!
as your representatives ana nave Nnul
left them with only one recoOrse--aI
appeal TO the rank and file. We vii
address our future appeals 10 tn
300, 900 men and women who compos
the organized army of New Yorl
State.
"We will use our utmost efforts 4
rally the many thousands OF honest
. loyal, constructive trade union mem
bers 10 a movement for changes Il
the fundamental laws OF the Fedora
ton, which VIII deprive false lead
eFa OF power 10 cause untold misery
: There should be "A new concept OF IA
, relations OF trade unions with thei
felloNmen. Archaic customs, tradl
= tions and laws which clash with IN
= spirit OF the times should be sweT
aside. We realize that II In no pun
battle which we have undertaken, bU
. we are ready 70: whatever may come
"Our hope IL, Mr., President, tina
a you yourself will lead us, but wit
y you or without you We Will 30 on.
believe us, dear sir aud brother. q
ever, fraternAlly yours.
Q .JOHN n. PIERCE
. "tbADoRH EPbThtNs