Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-03
a Weakness of Organized Labor

n RGANlIED labor's greatest weakness
~ lies in its strength. A paradox, per-
haps, but true, for it has not yet learned
To WELD its power wisely at all times. Lack
ing realization of its own strength, or pos
sessing finer regard for the pubic's
rights organized labor would not do some
OF the things il is doing and has been doing
in the last few years With less confidence
in its own ability, in sheer force of num-
bers and organization it would not dare
to defy and override public opinion, and it
would consider the possible consequences
more carefully before it repudated con
tracts and ignored awards OF impartial
commissions by whose findings ii has
pledged its word to abide.
That contracts are repudated almost
daily and awards, when deemed not wholly
in accord with its views. are ignored, with
The result that the public is Inconvenience.
business thrown out OF joint and millions
OF dollars wasted. must be laid at the door
of the organizations, although ii may be
argued in many Instances that the rapidly
growing outlaw element is responsible. this
element having passed beyond control OF
the duly constituted leaders. That in large
measure is true, but the fact remains that
these outlaws. so long as they are per-
mitted to retain their membership. are part
and parcel OF the unions. and their con-
;inued disatfection is reflection on the
honest purpose of the unions themselves.
Until the labor BolshevistS are curbed or
thrown out thoy will threaten labor itself
with destruction before the exhausted pa
thence of an aroused public. That is or
ganized labor's present weakness, a can
cerous sore that must yield il only to the
Scalpel
Instances continue to multiply The
h2rd-coal industry is threatened with stop
hoo
own committees approval. refuse to ac-
cept the award Of an impartial commission
appointed with their consent Brooklyn's
transit system is tied up and millions OF
people forced to suffer hardShips and an
noyances through similar outlaw strike.
lie railroads and the sOft-coal fields re-
Gently have been affected disastrously
There is hardly large business enterprise
that has not suffered through like disre-
gard OF labor for its contracts
The public generally is not opposed to
the organization OF labor II realizes and
appreciates the good i, has done in many
ways. II approves the system OF collective
bargaining, but il does insist that q bar
gain. once consummated. shall be kept in
rood faith by employees as well as en-
ployers. But the public does not approve
OF organized labOr's cXerting its strength
TO enforce the closed shop, which denies a
i'iai VIZ IieHi "a Nplh unless he carries
card. When that is done it at once mar
rows the field of LABOR. creates a monopoly
interfercs with the employers business and
by controlling the supply OF labor forces
wages 10 destructive heights and adds i'm
measurably TO living costs. II is this at
Tempt to dominate the nations business
energies by making the union card pre-
requisite TO the right to work that has
induced the United States Chamber OF
Commerce to naugurate its campaign
against the closed shop. TO The success
OF that campaign, the object OF bitter de-
runciation on the part Of Mr.. Gompcrs and
other leaders, labor itself is contributing
in the largest measure BY its failure To
cnntro! its own ranks 10 observe its solemn
contracts. and by its constant interference
with the orderly business processes of the
country Unless il changes its tyrannous
attitude, public opinion VIII be found lined
up so mistakenly behind the campaign that
The American federation will not he able
10 stem the tide.