Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-02-24

If the American laborer knew what he was fight
ing for when he fought for the closed shop the indus
trial unrest in this country would be much less and
prices would again be normal
Probably the best way to see why the closed shop
should not be maintained in industry is to compare it
with the open shop and to weigh the benefits and evils
of each However, wish to admit at the outset that
not opposed to unions which based upon the
principle that their rights end where the
rights of others begin and further that employers
encourage their own men to organize as long as this
union does not prevent from working where they
please, because they do not belong to the union.
Before laborer joins the union he is told that his
hours will be shortened and his pay increased and this
results in of the most detrimental practices of the
closed shop-the uniform wage law. That is of
anatural outgrowth of the strife in which the labor
unions have been engaged and it is most deplorable
outcome because it takes away from a young
old that effective motive for improving developing
himself for winning power not only la
borer, but as a human being. Just supposing man
is member of the plumbers union, is he able to in
crease his pay by improving his skill rapidity of work.
or achievement of trade? MOI He is dependent upon
the union for every cent his pay is raised because in
a closed shop personal merit will not add penny to
mans wages. Is this system raising the standard of
American civilization giving the individual his
chance? No! because every instead of being able
to raise himself TO the utmost of his ability lowered
to common lower level with the average la
borer and is given desire to make himself the most
efficient of the employees.
The practice of the closed shop is also of the
causes OF the high prices because in closed shop the
output is regulated according to the capability of the
average man, that is group of a job whether
they be fast slow are only allowed to do as much
work the sowest of the group is able to do and
if a machine is installed which takes the place of
men the work of the jobs is lessened that all
will be employed, but no matter how much or how lit
tie they do their wages remain the same. 1t may be
easily then that the output will be limited exceed
ingy and prices will RISE so in the end the man who
is willing to do little as he for much pay
possible is not ahead because the cost of living will adj
One may think that is privileged to do
much work he pleases and he should be, but not
in the closed shop for most of the constitutions of the
ShOn fTnfn 0ncCIyn EOT
example, rule of the Carpenters Union of Chicago,
says, Any man guilty of excessive work. or rushing
of any job shall be subject to fine of So These rules
made by union leaders not only the of the
limitation of output, but by their influence the moral
effort of the worker is affected for he becomes slow
and shftess in his work. without energy spirit and
without any intention of doing his best.
Any in the United States who may not work
for whom he chooses, at what price he and his
poyer agree upon and leave that job when he thinks
best is being denied the rights of American citizen,
for there is right of citizenship sacred than
the right to pursue unmolested lawful employment
in lawful manner, and this right may not be disputed
by any of our laws.