The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-25
Big Business Don't Want Restrictions

others opportunities which they have
enjoyed. But If this was all, there
would be different story to tell. The
senate will be guided solely by the
selfish demands of 4 large group Of
employers who see In heavy imnis
grafton a valuable weapon with which
to wage their campaign for the So
called ''open shop" :: 49,
Ri Steel Men Uaaer Fire.
The New York Legislative COMMITTEES
that is investigating the housing prob.
lem proposes to make inquiry into
charges that the steel trust has been
discriminating against contractors
who employ union workers to an ex.
tent that has discouraged building op-
GRAFTON and made more acute q prob
lem that is giving real statesmen cause
for serious alarm.
Large contractors declare that they
have been forced to sublet contracts
for steel construction to nonunion con-
Germs because the United States Steel
corporation, the Bethlehem company
and other large makers will not
supply them with structural materials.
This was their contribution to the at
tack upon organized labor. The rea-
son for this discrimination is quite
clear but it is scarcely the one as
signed by the steel men as the impell-
ing motive. They say that they were
not willing to place themselves in a
position where organized erectors
might refuse to handle non-union ma
terials and thus make it more difficult
for them to maintain the non-union
policies of their plants.
Boycott Union Concerns.
The contractors who have suffered
declare that by confining shipments to
favored contractors the steel COM.
panies enables them to demand higher
prices for contracts, thus discouraging
building and increasing the housing
shortage. On one contract there was
a difference Of a quarter Of a million
dollars in the price demanded by a
non-union concern and the bid of the
organized builders.
The Lockwood Investigators want to
know whether there is any connection
between the men who make the steel
and those who erect it, and If there
has been division Of excess profits.
They intend to invite Mr.. Schwab and
Mr.. Gary to appear before them and
tell what they know. Perhaps then the
public may have clearer insight into
the inhuman labor practices Of the
steel makers. = J:
If the public learns that it Is pay
ing a heavy price for the autocratio
methods Of the steel industry, It may
give more favorable consideration to
the efforts Of the Worl. .ers to improve
their condition. There will be q con.
tfnuation Of outrages, inflicted upon
the people generally as we'll a. the
workers. as long as Garyism IL toll
Grated. It is an evil thing, from any
viewpoint, and the sooner Il - aban.
doned the better will the situation be
for all concerned. r. ,-s~l i. Il,
s. Labor Boards Abolished,
Az an echo Of the publioly-madi
statement by Vice President W. ".
Atterbury Of the Pennsylvania rail-,
road, that the railroads objected 70
national boards Of adjustment, John
Barton Payne. director Of railroads,
has issued an order abolishing the
three boards set up by the railroad
administration when the transporta.
ton system was taken over under fed-
eral control. He promises to find some
Equitable method" Of adjusting more
than 1900 claims that are undeter-
mined. but gives no hint as to Just;
what this method may be. $50
The labor members Of the adjust
ment boards have long series Of
grievances against the railroad admin.
istration, which under the direction
OF Mr.. Payne have become an annex
Csatfnusl .sn Rass TvVSs