New-York tribune., 1920-06-18
The Unions Stand
II May Compel he Public 10 Ae
in Scb-Dcfcnse


To the Editor of Tho Tribune.
SIR: The labor unions of the world
moro particularly those in tins country
are fast approaching a fall, and very
bad one. When q united body Of men
anywhere in the world. comprising
very small minority of the population
generally speaking, less than 10 per
cent demand special class Legislation.
the remaining 80 per cent are going to
rebel. In fact, they are already begin.
ming to rebel in this country.
The labor unions demanded that sps.
cial class legislation he inserted IN
plank of the Republican conven,ior
which was manifestly 10 ,heir Interests
and to the detriment Of the gerera.
public. Their request was not Needed
therefore, they are against the Re.
publican party and condemn it in TIE
very strongest possible terms. TssE
.-N-N| iiiONS VIII bt 10 H-dnt hiiNt.e'
demand-mind you. | use the word de.
mand," not request t'-of the Democrat.
ic party, and if the Democratic convsn.
ton refuses, as it must and VIII to save
itself from defeat, then the lsbo'
unions VIII condemn the Democrats
party, as they did the Republt''
party. Now, it is purely matter o.
choice, and YOU can call j. either bla'2'
mail, bribery, intimidation or coercion.
In its general session in Montres-
Canada, group Of the A +. Of L. heat
ed by one James Duncan is planning
soviet government for the United
States of America; another group eon-
demns and assails Congress for rot
recognizing the labor unions; anoths:
group condemns the Kansas law, re-
Gently enacted, which protects the labor
men more than unions do, which fac:
has been demonstrated in actual per-
formances since the enactment OF hi
law.
In New York we have few THOUSAND
dockmen, longshoremen, etc, who, s''
lating the contracts made for them "
their superior officers, have ALREADY. By
their striking methods, caused The lo''
of millions Of dollars to innocent part
and have by their actions increased tie
cost Of living to sonc i've millions o
people in this city; and now becs'"
the law-abiding and se,f-rcsp spect'ns e'
liens of New York, IN sheer despair aH
endeavoring to protect the commaH'E
from the unlawful acts o. these o-'
laws, they condemn me efforts OF TX
Merchants Association, which are q.
tirely in the Interests o. ,he genera
public good, including that Of *
unions. But nothing seems % SUIT 'a'
labor unions. Nobody car p.ea.e ten
and they are asking for theu's''S
what they absolutely cond n N -
others class legislation.
The above beng incontroveT.'''
facts, are not the people Of ms CO.. 80,
try justified in asking then-se ICES VIZ.
is the greatest danger tia, contsoF''' =.
United States today. SCIENTISTS p.
showsts. anarchists or labor aH''"'.
Continuation of their present attn
on the part OF the labor unions ".
justly enutle them TO he.ng cons''''''
the most dangerous element n u,
country and VIII compel the gen
public in self-dofense TO ask for ne {.
actment Of such legislation as vi. ,. :.
tect ii from the dangerous aitiiadss y,
the labor unions. unless some .'s-
action is taken which wall compel -
unions to assume legal and ias'-,' NJ.
responsibility for criminal actions. =
best citizens. no, only Of New ~. .
but of the entire country. approve o. =.
attitude ana actions Of the Mer'hS1'rr n
Association. What they are DONG " ~.
be done by other representative pV,' !,
throughout the United States anu
VIII be tigh, to a finish, with on', y. y,
result. the restoration o. law a"'
der where it does not now exist