The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-04
PRESENT OPPOSITION T0.L LABOR .:|'
Cannot SU CCEED IN LONG RUN
What Would Happen to America II Unions Were Destroyed? So
Long as the Destiny Of the Workers Was Wholly In the Hands
Of the Employing Glasses PEG pie Were But Mere Sehs.

The Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States, by an over
whelming majority, has declared
for the so-called "open shop" A
little while ago it was charged
that group of New York men
had contributed 100000 to: de-
stroy labor organizations. A ma
tion-wide movement has been or
gained among anti-union employ
ers to wage war against the union
shop.
There Is no good reason why such
a movement should succeed, and
there are good, sound, logical rea-
sons why it should not even be at
tempted.
A Record of Achievement.
The record, the history Of the
American labor movement the
American Federation-is open to all
ana discloses page after: page of
achievements that have enabled the
masses Of the people to advance their
tons in their respective communities.
The work Of the American labor
movement has been in line with the
best and highest ideals Of American
citizenship. All its efforts have been
in keeping with the progress Of CIV
ilization.
If civilization means anything 1t
surely means thar the masses shall
have an opportunity to develop, and
continue to develop until they reich
standard OF intellig nee and moral
understanding compatible with the
age in which we live.
Substance and Opportunity.
It is well to speak Of opportunities,
but one must be possessed Of sub
stance Of some kind to embrace and
take advantage Of opportunities.
# public libraries were scattered
from one end Of the town to the
other-one on every street corner, it
would mean nothing to the masses
unless they had leisure time. Litera-
ture and music and higher order
Of intelligence comes with leisure
hours.
The Declaration Of Independence
AYERS that every person has a right
to life. liberty and pursuit of hap
piness. The only one Of these three
he is possessed OF on coming into this
world is life.
Liberty has been dearly bought and
happiness: must be sought AFTER
Under non-union shop conditions
we solemnly protest those: things that
make for~a brighter Andchappier life,
political freedom and industrial liber-
ty cannot obtain. i:
So long as the destiny of the worker
was wholly in the hands Of tho en-
ployins class the masses of the peo-
pie were little more than serfs.
A Curse to the Worker.
That was under non-union shop
conditions.
The institution-the non-union
shop-has been a positive curse to
the worker and a reproach to the en-
ploying class.
Under its operation the worker was
and is exploited of his just dues and
the employer is given the opportunity
to practice tho sin Of avarice until
it becomes second nature.
If public libraries and parks were
on every corner and thick as black
berries in season 20 years ago, they
would have been but ornaments.
Development does not come to
those who have no time save idle
time; and one OF weary body from
long hours Of toll has no taste or de-
sire for reading; he early seeks his
couch to, be prepared for the NOR
rows long hours OF grind; and the
idle man, unable to feed his stom-
ach, cares little for brain food.
That was Duluth under non-union
shop conditions.
The parks held out no attraction to
him; all trees were but trees. :
The beautiful landscape, the clear
sky, made no appeal to him; aroused
in the worker neither emotion or sen.