Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-22

right of labor to organize into as
sociations and be represented by
men Of their own choosing is recog-
ntzed. That of course would not
exclude shop councils nor would it
absolutely require the preferential
establishment of labor unions ey-
erywhere. 1t would remove more
over many of the objections of the
employers who insist that they do
not want to contribute to the crea-
ton of a single labor union in the
United States which might at any
time, in moments especially OF err
ratio or misguided leadership, have
the public of the country in its
grip.
Some OF the out-and-out union
lists have been inclined to criticize
the action Of their leaders in as
senting even to the proposal that
any individual might refrain from
joining a labor union if he chooses,
declaring that this would only
strengthen the hand of the agita-
tors who are trying to gain mem
bers for the 1. w. ". or soviet or
eanizations. Nevertheless. Samuel
GSMpers was the American repre-
Sentative at the labor conference
in Paris which wrote the prOvts-
ions now included in the peace
treaty and he could not consistent
~ go back on the stand he took
in Paris. and the stand, too. which
has become the International law,
SO to speak, Of labor.
Must Lay Down Safeguards.
So a general agreement on the
broad principle OF the right of
wOrkmen to organize into lawful
associations whatsoever and to be
represented by men Of their own
choosing seems to be the most
likely prospect. Then it would de-
yolve upon the conference to lay
down principles to guide the choice
ny men OF Their own representa-
ties SO that employers would be
safeguarded against the selection
of outsiders who did not in fact
represent the workmen in their
plants. On the other hand. it
would mean the absolute certifica-
ton by the men OF the representa-
tive character of those who were
selected from outside the shop.
UniOnlsm Not Destroyed.
Trade unionism would not be de-
stroyed but kept intact and it.
would be for the men Of every
plant to determine for themselves
whether the advantages in direct
dealing with employers were great
er or less than in the conduct of
negotiations through outside rep
Tesentatives. Inasmuch as the la
Dor group has asserted it's conf
dence that workers generally turn
to the trade unions whenever they
cannot get satisfaction under the
conditions of unOrgan!zed labor,
the disinterested observer wonders
what risk there is in it for labor
if the whole choice is left to the
men themselves. Since labor is
confident of the excellence of its /
own union organization, it can not |
be placed in the position of fear !
ing to leave the matter to the indi- /
vidual wOrkmen to decide
VIII Force Compromise.
Eventually a compromise resolu- |
ton on collective bargaining must !
go through, for the reason that the !
public group is making it pretty /
plain to capital on the one side
and to labor on the other that an
extreme position from either ami
a selfish cIinging to the right to
deal with whOmsoever they choose
on the one hand or the right to
LeSCgnitiOn only of trade unions |
on the other hand, is not going to
alleviate the industrial unrest in |
America or bring happiness to the
public generally in the era of eco
nomic uncertainty that is upon us. !