New-York tribune., 1919-12-28
Truth Telling and the Unions

Truth Telling and the Unions
Members of labor organizations,
even those of conservative temper,
often complain Of the ignorant stu
pid.ty OF employers. They declare
that they often find them narrowly
selfish. plg-headed, obsessed with the
ideas that they are not to be dictated
to and that they can prevent masses
Of men uniting to further legitimate
self-interests.
Men OF the labor organizations
have no nronopoly Of this criticism
When chambers of commerce fore
gather it is common to hear s6me one
speak harshly Of industrial bone
headism. Those unable 10 adjust
themselves to new conditions are
I1undly beratod, amid hearty and
wholesome applause The old-fash-
ioned owner who holds that what is
his he can do what he pleases with is
emphatically informed that labor or
CARNATIONS are here to stay, and
that it is unjust and impolitic to
deny to another man rights claimed
by yourself.
Is there similar frankness when
members Of labor unions assemble?
If there is it is seldom reported
The notion seems to be fostered that
the labor union can do no wrong
that its policies and acts are inher-
entity wise and right. Individually
the labor unionist has too lively a
sense of humor to entertain such a
belief, but collectively the labor
union avoids frank self examination.
1t is time to disregard this taboo
and to Judge the labor union as a
mixture, as all other known institu-
tions are NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. act
ing intelllgently and sometimes not.
1t is particularly needed that this
examination shall be self-examina-
ton. Criticisms from the outside
are likely to be discounted, as born
of a hostile spirit. What labor or
CARNATIONS greatly need, both in
leadership and in rank and file, are
men who don't believe in caioling
and catering and who speak openly
their sincere convictions.
What, for example, excites the
most opposition to labor unions? 1t
is not the mere fact of organization.
Nor aversion to collective bargain
ing. Nor even dislike Of higher
wages or shorter hours. Most en-
ployers are willing to concede those
things, even though they do not al
ways enjoy them. The principal
bases for hostility are the rules that
restrict production, and thus make
difficult a meeting Of labor demands.
If the labor unions did not invade
the field Of management and cham
pion inetficiency, resistance to them
would largely disappear Turn me
loose and give me a chance to work
for you while | work for myself -
says the harassed manager, as he
sees deliberate Stacking on the Job
in order to multiply the number of
obs
It is obviously impossible to add
much to real wages except by in
creaslng production. The absorp-
tion Of all the profits and interest of
capital would not put much in the
average pay cuvelope. OF all popula
tons the men with labor TO sell are
most interested in adding to the sup
Ply of goods The work Stacker, the
practicer of sabotage, the multipliel
of Jobs and promoter of other indus.
trial wastes is the greatest enemy of
the worker.
But how often is this doctrine
preached in the union headquarters
How many labor speakers proclaim
it, Do they not whisper that, al
though they personally know ar
tificial job-making means lower
wages, the men will not endure
having the truth told out loud te
the,n=sthat<a leader WQnld sleea hi,