davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

delivering addresses, all of which
were confined to denur citation Of labor
organizations. The. most venomous
charges were made against them.
Judges were, influenced by this
propaganda to decide that the union
shop was illegal. The opinions of
these judges contained most bitter
statements against the workers who
had had the termity to organize. They
were charged with being non-pro-
gressive, obstacles to the welfare Of
the country, and un-American. These
opinions were heralded through the
newspapers as the turning point from
which the trade unions would grad
ually: distintegrate., Employers ASST .
Citations, citizens alliances and organ
izations Of many other names, conf
posed Of employers or their agents,
kept up a perpetual criticism of labor.
'The reason was purely selfish.
The antagonists Of labor believed that
If they could destroy.the trade union
movement, wages would be reduced
to a low standard; that it would not
be necessary for them to safeguard
the health Of their employees or build
plants in which the machinery was
so protected that It was Of less dam
ger Of injury to the workers.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

IAN employer who refuses to en-
ploy a union man will say: L do. not
discriminate against union and nom
union men. I conduct an open shop,
that is, those who apply for work
will be given employment when they
are needed. This is q shop where
men are free
But when a workman applies for
employment he is asked a number
Of questions. In many instances he
has to fill out a QUESTIONABLE, which
asks his entire history from the era
die to the present time, and one Of
you a member of any union?' II
you a membe rof any union?' If
the man answers this question in the
affirmative he is not employed. He
is told that his name will be placed
on file and he will be notified when
there is work for him..
"But he is never notified. Instead,
his name is sent to other manufact-
urers to prevent the possibility Of him
being employed elsewhere.
This so-called open shop is the
disintegrating factor that leads to the
non-union shop; in other words, the
shop which is closed to the union
man, no matter from whence he hats,
or what his skill, and competency.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
COAL,
JUST SEND CARS
Secretary Of United Nine Work:
=. ers Declares Union Men
Would Prevent Famine.

If there is to be shortage Of
fuel in the United States during the
coming winter, the fault must be
placed elsewhere than at the door
of the coal miners" said William
Green, secretary Of the United Mine
Workers of America, and a vice presi-
dent of the American Federation Of
Labor. while attending a meeting Of
the A. F. of I. executive council in
Atlantic City last week.
''The men Of our organization are
working everywhere they are permit
ted to work. Thousands of them are
not working, but that is not their
fault. There is actual want among
the families of many of them because
they have not been able to work 70:
weeks while the country is clamoring
for coal.
THE trouble is cars. Where that
blame rests, whether it is up TO the
railroads or the operators, or to both,
we are not prepared to say. We are
making 40 charges but deal with
facts. All we have to say is that if
coal is short it is not the fault of the
miners. Give us. the cars to fill and
we will provide all the coal the coun-
try possibly can use. We have the
men to flood the market with fuel
when the cars are brought to the
miners so that we can load them.
''Our position is not a pleasant cne.
Our men want work, the country
wants and must have coal. Some
body's duty it certainly is to produce
the cars at the mines so that we can
load them and thus guarantee tine
people, of' the country against actuat
suffering and the suspension Of in.
dustries due to lack of fuel"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

"The term closed shop yas orig
mated about 1908. It was coined by
the enemies of trade unions for
purpose. That purpose was and coa-
tinues to be to divert attention f1om
the defensive action Of union men.
1.-THE term CLOSED shop is a false
designation Of the union shop. Those
who are hostile to labor cunningly
employ the term closed shop for a
union shop because of the general
antipathy which is ordinarily felt
toward anything being closed, and
with the specious plea that the So
called open shop must necessarily
afford the opportunity for freedom.
'As a matter Of fact, the union
shop is open to all 5workmen who per-
form their duty. and they participate
in the benefits and advantages Of the
improved conditions which a union
shop affords. The union shop also
implies duties and responsibilities.
This is incident to and the corollary
Of all human institutions.
What the. trade unionists call for
is the union shop. Those who speak
Of It as 'closed shop are enemies
OF labor, who, by sdistorting the facts.
seek to discredit the trade union
movements
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

through representatives Of their own
choosing. Employees in the non-union
shops are like .cogs in a machine.
They have nothing to say as to the
conditions under which they will
work. but must accept any wages,
hours and working conditions that
may be fixed arbitrarily by the en-
ployer.
, "A non-union man who accepts
employment in a union shop has the
privilege Of joining the union which
has a voice in determining with en-
ployers the wages. hours and, con-
ditions Of work. He is given time
in which to make application. If he
so desires.
mo union man, il known, is per-
mitted by the employers to work in
a non-union shop.
Most relentless propaganda has
been used to discredit the, union shop
and to hold up to the public the great
benefits Of the non-union shop. No
more malicious Misrepresentation of
a desirable condition in industry ever
was launched. It began in the early
1900'ss when a number of associa-
tions were formed to- destroy the trade
union movement. Lawyers are en-
ployed to- travel about ~the country
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

!, Stripped of gil its hypocrisy the
"open shop" is the non-union shop.
1t is the only closed shop we know
anything about. On the other hand
the union shop, which anti-labor en-
ployers call the "closed shop" is the
most open shop in industry.
It is sicke ming to hear union men
parrot after anti-union employers and
refer to the union shop as the
"closed shop" In the current issue
of the American Federationist, Sam
uel Gompers urges the use of proper
terms in discussing the union and
non-union shops, and he records Wig
orous protest against anti-trade
unionists attempting to conceal their
opposition to collective bargaining by
claiming they operate "open shops"
IAN open shop is non-union shop
where the fiction is kept alive that
union men may work there, but are
not permitted to do so," says Presi-
dent Gompers.
1.-The synonyms for union shop and
'non-union' shop respectively are
democracy and 'autocracy.' ,. In the
union shop the workers are free men,
They have the right to bargain col
lectively. with their employers
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
Denver TRAGEDY Charged TO
BITTER OPEN SHOP CAMPAIGN
Chamber Of Commerce Activity and Newspaper Attacks Arouse
People, Army Officers Exonerate Union Labor Riot Started by
Imported Gunnen Who Fired the First Shots Into Crowd.

The dnerested observer who has been reading the stories Of
the Denver street strike which have been carried the daily
papers the country by the associations be padoned
he the conclusion that the members of labor
entirely responsible for the tragedy which marked of the most
deplorabe chapters in the history of Coorados capital
The trouble in Denver directly raceab to the open shop
promoted by the Denver chamber Of and it's
allied organizations The strike Of the employees Of the street
companies seized by these interests afforng
ceen opportunity shater the ranks of organized labor The
advocates the opn shop couted violence believing afforded
the only value by which they could attain the object they had
mind
Every Man Killed Was Shot by aunman.
Every killed shot by antunion employed
by the company The uarmed and not
trouble when the rong began At all meetings before
and during the strike the leaders coseed against violence
The 'open shop campaign launched months ago
Apparently had the backing of the entire membership of the
chamber At the time the Rotary club of Denver
began nationwide agitation favor of the modification of the
immigration laws permit the importation of unlimited
number of Chinese coolies
Both given the greatest publicity and their
advocates using the most imperative language made clear that
they intended uncompromisng industrial warfare against
every form of unionism
George former Socialist and Of late the employ
of the anon organizations of employers who has made consider
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
JOHN B. Lennon
IN Third ! ! J PARTY \! R
Veteran A. F. Of l.: Officer Is
Candidate for State Treas
urer In. Illinois.

John B. Lennon, for nearly 80
years treasurer of~the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor and one of the
founders of the Journeymen Tailors'
International union, has accepted the
Farmer-Labor 9 nomination for state
treasurer in Illinois. Mr.. Lemons
home is in Bloomington. He was
we'll known in Anti-Saloon league cir
cles and took an active part in the
national campaign for prohibition.
That his support of the FARMER
Labor party is not lukewarm may be
indicated from the following re2rin:
from the Bloomington Searchlight:
John B. Lenaon, Farmer-Labor
candidate for state treasurer, WAS
present and addressed the meeting
held at the Building Trades council
hall last Sunday. His Introduction
by Chairman Dillmon as ""the next
treasurer of Illinois" started the en-
thusiasm.
Mr.. Lennon spoke Of the noticeable
sentiment in favor Of the Farmer
Labor party program, in various
cities throughout the county. The
speaker also paid his respects to Gov
ernor Aliens friction-drive Industrial
court in Kansas, and called attention
to the fact that efforts by Big Busi-
ness are being made in various other
states to set up legislative labor
crushing machinery, very much on
the same plan as Allenism in Kansas,
and if dire political and Industrial
calamities are averted, it will be done
through the medium of the Farmer
Labor program.
''The Farmer-Labor party is the
only party that offers any hope to the
common people. Both the old parties
are united against labor; they offer
the workers nothing. They pledge
nothing. Their pledges are worth
nothing, anyhow" said Mr.. Lennon.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
G0mPERS GIVES: Timely u !:
ADVICE TO "H|GH BRoWS"

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1s.-In the
current issue of American Fedora
zionist, President Gompers drops this
hint to industrial unrest solvers'':
"Those who undertake to construct
statements of principles and the cre-
alton Of programs for the improve
ment of industrial conditions must
some day come to realize that the OBJ
ject cannot be achieved by: the writ
ing Of essays and that industrial
wrongs cannot be removed without
offending those who are engaged in
the perpetuation of such wrongs or
without dislodging them from the
autocratic position they seek to
m aintain.'
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
BIC THEFTS Of OTHER DAYS ARE LEGAL ZEED
REPORT SHOWS GAIN -:
IN COAL PRODUCTION

WASHINGTON, Augt IA re-
port by the United, stetes geolog-
ical survey, on coal mi I'd the past
year refutes the clair that mine
workers are responsih for pres
ent coal prices. - t;s, ~, I. =:
Despite decrease,i1 Frodaction
of 1,523, 600 tons as col pared with
the previous week, sdu TO- strikes
in Illinois and Indiana sla1e end of
July found bituminouss foduction,
since the beginning of the year, to
bs 3O2, ,727 900 tons, an increase of
44,5OO,OOO tons over the amount
mined up to July 81 last year. =
Anthracite coal was also pro-
duced in greater quantity, reaching
50,575,0O0 tons on July 81 of: tits
year, as compared with 47,3O7, 200
tons at the end of July, 1919.
The survey reports that. the car
situation at the end Of July showed
mo widespread Improvement" and
coal shipments for export during
the last week of July made a new
record for an amount Of cars of
coal handled.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
SLAM ALLEN'F0R
SHARP PRACTICE |
Kansas Trade Unionists En-
RACED at False Endorsement
Of N0-Strike Law.

TOPEKA, Kansas, Aug. 19.-Kansas
trade unionists are enraged at Gov
ernor Aliens publication Of an in
dorseme-4t of his "can't-strike" law,
signed by an alleged A. F. of L. or
ganizer, just before the recent pri-
maries. The indorse ment was signed
by A. L. Fleming, "A. F.. of L. Or
ganizer." It is now shown that F'lem-
ing is not an A. F. of L. organizer,
and it is also stated that he is not
member Of organized labor.
Fleming says he signed 4 letter in
the governors office that he (Flem-
ing) did not write. Later, Fleming
said, he received a letter from tho
governor stating that he "had taken
the privilege to add few para
graphs or make few additions"
"The governor, I feel, has taken
undue advantage of me in having
this letter published" concludes
Fleming, in signed statement. "He
had no authority from me to publish
this letter in newspapers. have writ
ten the governor telling him not tt
uoe my name on any literature ol
to quote me in any way whatever,
have no desire for further relations
with Governor Allen"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
SOCIALISTS TO.
RENEW Con TEST
Governor Smith Of New: York
Calls Special Elections In
East Side Districts.

The call issued by Governor Smith
for a special session of the New York
legislature Sept. 20 was followed this
week by call for speeial elections
on Sept. 16 in the districts of the five
Socialist assemblymen ousted last
winter.
Few politicians doubt lkhat the five
men will be reelected
Just what is Speaker fSweet going
to do when these live ID asted assem-
blymer retpxn to- their Aaces tn the
NerSYprk chamber At Albany: '79
II he is to appear consistent he
must again order; the sergeant-at-
arms to bring the Socialists before
him and again command the five
elected by the people, to leave the
hall.
If Speaker Sweet does not do this
he will be confessing his own blum
der.
Furthermore, it makes no differ
ence whether all five Socialist assem-
blymen are returned or whether only
one is reelected. The dilemma will
be there to be faced and Sweet must
face it in either case.
Out in Chicago the Republicans
thought they could remove the taint
of Sweetism by their platform repu-
diation of the speaker. And now the
issue rises again to confotnd them.
No matter how it is faced, the en-
barrassing situation seems certain to
cost the G.. o. P. thousands of votes
next fall.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
FEDERAL JUDGE GIVES .
HELP TO GAS COMPANY

NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-Federal
Judge Hand has set aside q New
York. state law which limits the
charge by the Consolidated Gas COM
pany, operating in this city, ito 80
cents a thousand feet. The courts
action permits a charge of $1.20.
An interesting part of the proceed
ings was the company's claim that its
property is worth $150,000,000. The
court said it is worth $4,000, 900,
and as their law would only permit
Of three and one-half per cent re-
turn on this valuation is was declar-
ed confiscatory.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
COURT SUSTAINS
. UNION u ||Ill|' CONTRACT |'|||A
Temporary Order Restraining
Boss Bakers From Signing
Up Is Set Aside.

SEATTLE, Aug. 1s. - Superior
Court Judge Ronald has set aside a
temporary injunction issued by Su-
perior Judge Everett Smith restrain
ing two bakery employers from sign
ing an agreement with the Bakers
union.
One Of the employers, Brenner,
signed an agreement. with other bak-
cry employers that if a master baker
recognized the union he would for
felt $100. Later Brenner sold his
business to Horn, and the latter sign
ed with the union. The other en-
ployers insisted that the sale was fic-
titious and they demanded 800.
In setting aside the injunction
Judge Ronald said that If the other
employers believed they suffered
damages they could sue but they
could not get an Injunction forbid
ding Brenner and Horn from main
tanning union conditions or conduct
ing a union shop.
AT the trial Brenner acknowledged
he signed the agreement but insisted
that coercion was used.
"They told me-" he said, that
might need yeast and fail to get it,
that I might need flour and fail to
get it, and that I might go to the
bank for money and fail to get It"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
BOSTON FUR WORKERS N :. :
Bitter Open SHOP FIGHT

NEW YORK, Aug. 19.-Officers OF
the International Fur, Workers un-
ion report that Boston fur workers
are engaged in non-union shop
fight, caused by the abrogation Of a
contract by employers. In New York
employers have announced the same
policy. In Philadelphia the employ
ers started a non-union shop fight,
but they have been defeated. Fur
workers officials declare that Phila-
delphia undoubtedly acted on a hint
from New York employers when
they locked out their fur workers.
The Philadelphia move was answer
ed by the fur, workers who called a
strike Of all members. To date a
score of fur houses have reached an
agreement with the union.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
LABOR DEMANDS LESSEN
IN new ENGLAND TOWNS

BOSTON, Aug. 19.-Not since July,
1915, has there been such decrease
in the demand for workers, accord
ing to the July report of the Massa-
chusetts state public employment Of
flee. The demands for that month
decreased rs per cent from the pre-
vious month.
The shut down of many textile,
boot and shoe factories increased ap-
plications for employment, but many
of these applicants, it is said, were
unable to stand the strenuous work
in shipyards, etc.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21
AMERICAN TOBACCO TRUST
ROLLS UP BIG PROFITS

NEW YORK, Aug. 9.-The finan-
cial report Of the American Tobacco
company shows prosperous times for
this concern and it will increase it's
class B common stock from $50,000,-
900 to $100,000,000. AS compared
with the same period last year the
volume Of business from the first of
the present year to July l increased
$12,500,000, or more than 20 per
cent.
This does not seem unusual in these
billion dollar. days, according to
President Hill Of the company. He
says the company's business and earn
ings ARE in very satisfactory condl-
tion."
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-08-21

able money as an agent of the "Openi
shoppers" declared in flaring head
lines that Denver "must follow the
example of Los Angeles and destroy
the last vistage of unionism.
Denver Post Savage.
- The newspaper end Of the cam
paign was conducted by the Denver
Post, said to be controlled by the
tramway interests. These are the
men and the institutions that are
sponsoring the '*open shop" campaign
in Denver.
Last May the Denver Tramway COM
nany announced that it would reduce
!, the wages of it's employees, and the
men voted to strike on a certain date.
The city of Denver went into court
before Judge Greeley Whitford and
secured an injunction restraining the
Tram>-aS company from reducing
wages and the men from striking.
This was one of the most extraor-
dinary examples of judicial usurpa-
ton in the history of American
courts
A 'Tramway Judgc''
Whitford was known as a "Tram-
way Judge. For 80 years and more
the Denver Tramway company, which
operate .Denver's street railway sys-
tenn, has been active in local and state
politics, and during practically all
that time Whitford has been one of
its henchmen. Through Tramway in
fluence he has been elected to vari-
Gus offices and has never failed to
come to the company's rescue when
It was in danger. When he issued
his famous injunction it was gener-
ally understood that he did so because
the company desired to have the men
tied up, anticipating strike for in
creased wages. In other words, the
company had "beaten the men to it,
to use a popular expression. Knowing
that they would probably ask for in
CREASED wages, it announced "a de-
Grease and then had the city admin
iFtration go before Whitford and Sc
c}ure the Injunction.
This was a very smooth piece Of
work and resulted in the union post
poning action until Sunday, Aug. I,
fwhen all the employees of the Tram
Sway company walked out.
( Gunmen Ready for Action.
The company was prepared for the
move, and, cooperating with the
Chamber of Commerce and Rotary
club, it brought into Denver several
hundred gunner under the direction
of a notorious character known as
"Blackjack" Jerome, who had been
active in anti-union campaigns in San
Francisco and other cities.
1t was evident from the first that
Jerome and his followers were look
ing for trouble. They staggered
about armed to the teeth, and made
no bones Of the fact that they were
prepared to shoot to kill on the
slightest provocation.
g Aroused by the threatening situa'
zion, the labor bodies Of Denver de-
: Gided to protest to the mayor, and
on Thursday. Aug. S, they paradet
ito the city hall and made a forma
dSnA4nd that the Tramway's gunmer
should be removed from the city.
Z Tho Tramway company knew O.
labor's program, and it took advan
tage Of the opportunity to undertake
to run It's cars manned by it's gun
men and protected by the police.
=, Fired on Strike Committee.
As the union men were returning
from the city hall, they encountere.
two Of the Tramway's cars whic]
had. been temporarily held up by 4
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