New-York tribune., 1920-06-01
4 Union Strike Breaker
One Loborcr Who Is Disguised
With Labor Tactics

Onc Ldborcr w no Is Disguised
With Labor Tactics
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The inclosed letter, copy of
which has been posted, is self-explana-
tory. I offer it as evidence of the
rising tide Of impatience, if not wrath,
because Of these oft-recurring, sense
less strikes of labor unions. particu-
laily those which hinder the distrihu-
tion of foodstuffs, resulting often in
their loss. This must tend to increase
the cost of food, and then this in
creased cost is made the excuse for
another strike to enforce the demand
for higher wages.
Since I wrote my letter I have
learned of several carloads of potatoes
which rotted because strike pre-
vented their delivery. Is not tie price
Of potatoes already too high? Will
not this loss tend to increase the pres
ent price? Will the strikers them
selves be benefited by the destruction
of that food?
The WI ter is in full sympathy with
the working classes-he has never been
able to emerge from it-and yet in it
he has gained fund which the aver
age mechanic Of his class might gain
with the practice of equal industry
temperance and economy. This in spite
Of the philippics from the labor union
press against capital for it's alleged
oppression of labor. Doubtless there
are cases of oppression, but I have
seen nothing to match the tyranny oc-
casionaly exhibited by labor union
leaders.
Was there ever seen in the press
ostensibly devoted to the interests of
labor an eXhortation to the men to i'm
prove their economic condition by cut
ting out any Of the luxures; to drink
less malt or v;nous liquors; to use less
tobacco or none at all: to visit less
frequently places Of amusement? Was
it ever in these papers suggested to
working girls and "salesladies" that
money put in a savings bank to their
credit was more wisely used than in
buying fox skin, to be worn, perhaps,
to crafty the vanity Of the wearer?
No. More pay, less hours to work;
that is the panacea for labor's ills.
Were the workers ever asked bv their
leaders to increase their output 80 that
there might be greater profits, out Of
which alone wages can be paid, unless
the capital be consumed and the busi-
moss wrecked with resulting loss of
work to the mechanic or laborer?
/ do not wish my name signed to
this letter or that which follows.
may work again at my trade and union
shopmates, to SHOW their disapproba-
tion Of my views, might again do as
they have in the past-give me before
death a vivid idea of what purgatory
Is supposed to be. HATHAWAY.
Schenectady, N. Y. May 81, 1920.
To the Secretary Of the Merchants
Association, Woolworth Building,
New York City
Sir: I am a machinist and for years
licensed chauffeur. During the more
than twenty-five years that havo
worked at my trade I have never been
striker or a strike breaker, but now
have become 30 disgusted at the acts
Of the labor unions Ito which I once
belongcd) that I want to reGnter the
ranks of labor as strike breaker.
The insolence of the striking union
men, not simply their refusal to work
but the violence they use to prevent
non-union men from working, Ia past
all endurance. The laboring class, not
the rich, are the greatest sufferers I
know that many are forced against
their will to join labor organizations,
and If this class were protected from
the brickbats and other missiles of the
strikers, strikes such as now are hinder
ing and partly paralyzing the port of
New York and making higher the cost
Of living would be broken and the
czars Of the labor unions taught
much needed lesson.
am ready to go anywhere in the
state to take the place Of a man who
will not work to move foodstuffs or
other necessaries Of life, and all l ask
in return Is my expenses and protec-
ton from the ~ won't works." Yours
truly, -
Schenectady, N. Y, May %, 1920.