The Washington times., 1919-11-13
Believe Is Is Too Sweeping.

The almost unanlmous conclusion Is
that the proytsion Is so sweeping that
n Is manifsstiy unjust and beyond
doubt improper. II would. IN their
optnions make the Federal and Dis
trict governments non-union estao-
lishments. shutting out entirely men
and women carrying the old and sat
isfsctory policy that the Government
maintain an open shop and employ
whoever II desires
The view prevailing Is that the Gov
srnment would do itself far more
harm than good. and would arouse
bitterness and antagonism for no
purpose except to strike blow ct
organized labor In a spot where that
labor has not even threatened the
Government and. in most instances,
has provisions in its constitution AMI
bylaws absolutely foroidding strikes
against the Government.
Cs~nsssisners Had Led Fight.
The District. Commissioners in
augurated AID led the fight against
policemen's Snlons and acquiesced IN
the view OK Congress that II Is not
wise for iremen serving municipal
governmeats to belong to unions
affiliated with any Organization which
recognizes and encourages the strike
But today these same officials see
no benefits TO be derived from the
Nyer6 amendment; on the contrary
considerable harm. II would. In their
opinion, cripple the, activities Of Dis
trfct and rederG governments in all
directions. AS an amendment con-
strued. carpenter. bricklayer, printer,
or any other craft could work for
these governments without surren-
"a .r.sf To-,
work. woald have to be done by nom
union merx and the most skilled
workers OF all crafts would be denied
that right r.
some Concrete Examples
Here are some concrete examples:
In the District service are many men
who belong TO unions of stationary
engineers and firemen. They are in
the water and sewer departments and
other branches. These men, some OF
them at least, have belonged for years
10 their unions. They never know
when they may want TO leave the mu-
nicipal service and work outside
again They would not surrender
their right TO belong to the unions.
In the Government Printing Office
are thousands Of printers who belong
20 the Typogrsphicsl Union. They
never had any idea OF striking against
the Government, btu they value their
union cards too highly to surrender
them to remain where they are.
Thoasssds In Navy Yards.
In every navy yard OF the United
states Government are skilled men of
all kinds holding membership in
unions. In this city alone are 5000
members OF the international Asso-
ciztion or AacAfnists. something like
30oo OF them IN the navy yard. The
others are in the Government Print
ing OFFICE and other branches OF the
Government. The bulk OF them would
leave the Government rather than
surrender union cards which they do
not carry to Brighten their Govern
rnenC but as a guarantee that they
are competent to hold Jobs in the in
dustrisl world II they lose their po-
sitions here
The plate printers OF the Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing, one of the
strongest union Organization in the
, ratively few men, Is another exam
PIE. =
Aimed at T.. 8. Employer Union.
The amendment, which passed the
senate by a vote Of seven to Ave.
twelve Senators being present, is aim
ed largely at the NATIONAL Federation
OF Federal Employees. an organization
affiliated with the American Fedora
tion of Labor. but distinctly stating
in its constitution the declaration
that the strike shall never be used
against the Government. This or