New-York tribune., 1920-05-15
Ouereoching Unions
4 Greater Danger Than Socialism,
III Is Argued


Sir: The editorial in your issue of
to-day, under the heading of $50
cialism's Degradation" might have
been properly parallelcd with another
editorial with an equally proper head
ing, "The Degradation of Unonsm."
1t is very serious question in the
minds of reputable, intelligent and
thinking people in this country and
Europe as to which is the greater
danger that civilization is fighting
against, socialism or unionism. This
applies to the world at large, but more
particularly at the present time to
our own country. where unionism has
and is overreaching itself and going
far beyond the bounds which should
govern it.
The unions are supposed to be
bodies of men legally and properly
organized for mutual protection, and
not authorized in any way to do things
that would be antagonistic or detri-
mental to the general interests of the
community, and yet this is the stage
that unionism is now reaching.
The charge against unionism to-day
is that it is eXacting many instances
absolutely impossible conditions from
employers, regardless of the effect
upon the majority members of the
community, and, which is in way
far more Important the governing Of
fclals Of many of the unions in this
country no longer have any control
whatsoever over their organizations.
his fact of itself is sufficient to iusti-
~ the state or national government in
multiplying the charter of anv union
whose members refuse to obey the or
ders of their superior officers, and it is
this act of disobed!cnce that is TODAY
placing our country on the verge Of
far more dangerous condition of affairs
than is generally known. Either we
have government or we have not q
government.
the average layman, take the strike of
the longshoremen and truckmen. Here
are two bodies of men who have to d
certain extent paralyzed the function~
ing of great city of more than 6.0O0,-
ooo inhabitants, acting as dogs in the
manger, doing no work themselves, ex-
cept on their own terms, nor allowing
anybody else to do the work. and un-
der these conditions it hardly seems
to be the function of the Merchants
Association, although their efforts are
most laudable, to undertake the hand.
ling of this situation. The first step
should be taken by the Mayor of this
city, and he ought to advise these men
that they should go back to work
on the terms that their employees
feel that they can afford to give them.
and forbid them from interfering in
any way, shape or form with the carry.
ing on of the business of this citv bv
men who do not belong to unions.
If the Mayor cannot accomplish this
purpose it is the duty of the Governor,
and if he fails to do his duty then the
government of the United States
should step in at once and relieve the
situation, otherwise conditions, contin-
uing as they are to-day, will result in
great misery and suffering for several
years to come. Unfortunately, we do
not seem to have any men in public life
who are courageous enough to do their
duty when they see it if there is the
slightest danger that in doing so they
may, in a way, imperil their personal
political ambitions. l.. CT.
New York, May 13, 1920.