Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-09-27
BY H. K. BRIGGS

BY H. K. BRIGGS
WASHINGTON, Sept. PA ma
tion-wide campaign is on to break
the strike power of unionlabOr.
The "open shop" is the weapon.
Employers in more than 100 cities
scattered over 81 states, have organ
lied for battle.
In place of union contracts they Of
fer workers 1.-The American plan of
employment" with wartime, patri
otic flavor.
Almost over night, the normal an
ti-union sentiment of many employers
has been stirred to action in scores
of new organizations-loc state,
sectional and national
The astonishing spread of the "op-
en-shop" movement is shown by re-
portes, admittedly only partial, re-
ceived here by both labor and employ
ers' organizations. Almost daily the
mails and wires bring news of activ-
ity in fresh localities.
It's prairie-fire sweep will surprise
the average citizen-business man
and worker alike-who knows little
of labor disturbances outside his own
city, and does not trace any connec-
ton between local trouble and dis
putes elsewhere.
It's strong tendency to become polit-
ical as well as industrial issue will
interest many voters. In several Sec
hons candidates for hign office have
asadvanced the ''open shop" as an Isl
sue.
Another important phase involves
the use of the boycott by some busi-
nth N
them into line for the open shop"
And in one extreme instance of
"open-shop" conflict, martial law re-
suited, depriving an entire community
of 10000 people of then civil llber-
ties for many weeks. This was Gal
weston.
Under Cover in Most Localities
In such sporadic cases the "open-
shop" fight has achieved considerable
local or sectional publicity. but in
most parts of the United States It has
not yet sought the limelight.
Quite the reverse. Publicity is
avoided until the time comes for the
test of strength. Even then there isl
often a modest, biblical desire to be-
known by works rather than words.
In some cities-like Detroit-ev-
cry effort is made to DISCOUNT or ig-
more labor troubles, and particularly
to avoid notice of them ouside the
city. 1t is not unknown for CONNER
cial organizations and newspapers toI
unite in achieving this outward ap-
pearance of perpel~.
shine.
The "open shop" crused has been
gathering momentum for 10 or III
months. Within few weeks its or
ganizing speed has increased tremen-
dously.
So quickly-and so quietly-has
this beein going on that Its national
scope and strength are known to few
outside the small groups actively fol
menting the agitation.
Even many labor leaders, against
whose power it is aimed, are onlyI
half aware of its formidable charac-
ter.
Often the existence of local
"open shop" association, or Citizens
Alliance" is not known in commun-
ity until some labor dispute arises,
perhaps in a minor industry. This
may come when union workers seek
to renew an expiring contract with
their employers.
Then the workers ulSCONcI LIldL HOL
only their employers united in refus
ing to deal with the union committee
but that they have the moral and fl
magical support of employers IN 9TH
er lines.
The psychological opportunity for
an "open shop" clash seems to pre-
sent itself best, however in dispute
which seriously discomnodes the pub
Mlic. such as street car strike, with 4,
Sympathy from the workers because
/ its inevitable tendency to alenate
of the general inconvenience caused.
The recent strike on the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit system is an lilustra-
ton. /
Crisis Impending Il
In most cities where "open shop
associations exist, the crisis has not
yet come, but is impending. In few
cities the preliminary clash has re-
suited in victory for the employers. at
least temporarily. In others the work
ers have won
There are spots, also, among those
earliest organized by the open shop
jers," where anti-union enthusiasm
seems to have reached its peak, or to
be subsiding. This is indicated by re-
ports from some cities in Texas and
the Pacific northwest.
Another factor to be considered Isl
that in nearly all cities there is AMI
element, sometimes smell and some