The Connecticut labor press., 1920-06-12
THE STRIKEBREAKER IS
 KNOWN FOR WHAT HE IS
While Union Man Who Doesn t --~ Live Up to It,
 Is. Not.
To the Editor of the Connecticut Labor

To the Editor of the Connecticut Labor
 Press:
 Is there any type of man among the workers more despicable than the strike-breaker? We would say no, un- less 1t be the union man. who deliber- buys non-union merchandise when a ity Is obtainab1e Such a man is hypocrite. His unionism is sham; he is false to trade union principles he is an enemy to his fellow workers and does incalcuab1e harm to the labor movement The strike-breaker at least is not hypocrite. His job is to help to break a strike and he does that work to the best of his ability and in the open. He knows that his acts will be judged as hostile to Organized Labor and he is willing to be known as its enemy. He Is the skunk of the labor world and an outcast among se1f-respecting work ingmen, but he makes no attempt to conceal his identity as a strike-breaker. He is low-down individual and seem ingly does not care who knows it.
 Since he makes no attempt to con- ceal his purpose and becomes conspicu- ous because of its attempted accom- plishment, decent workingmen know him for what he Is and treat him as an economic enemy Yet this type of man seems to be satisfied to have his true status known; he performs his duties in manner satisfactory to his master and Is, therefore, true to the miserable cause in which he enlists. At least he is no hypocrite.
 We cannot i'll truth say as much for one who pretends to be loyal member of Organized Labor and who frequent ly violates its principles by knowingly buying non-union merchandise. For when he was admitted to membership III his local he assumed a solemn ob1i- gation that he would give his full and unqualified support to the Labor move ment, and he especially promised that he would not buy non-union merchan- disc when union-made products were obtainab1e. After the meeting he went forth and announced to his associates and friends that he was a union man. And as time went on he never lost an opportunity at union meetings to tell of his 100 per cent. .unionism. He ire quently complained of conditions under which he had to work. He never failed to vote yes" on a question of a wage increase. He frequently boasted of the age of his union card. He delighted in CdlllI1S IOH-ulllOll HIGH SIldkeS. 11e Qe- nounced with great gusto employers who refused to recognize Organized Labor. In word, he did many things to give his fellow workers the impres- sion that he was some union man." But ''by their deeds ye shall know them" This same man is often patron of a non-union barber shop. He ire quently buys non-union tobacco, cigar cites, cigars and other unfair goods and consequently must be c1assed as selfish and ins1ncere.
 Moreover his conduct is more detri- mental to the labor movement than that of the strike-breaker, for when the strike-breaker goes wrong he brings disrepute only on himself, whereas when one who is known as union man buys non-union goods certain retail merchants seize the opportunity to say that union men are insincere and sell fish and that they care only for the in terests of their own craft"
 Again, such a man by buying non- union products, in effect endorses the low wages and conditions under which they were made. He is encouraging the unfair employer to continue his non-union policy; he is taking work away from union men.
 A str1ke-breaker Is a despicable crea- ture, but Is an insincere union man any better?
 Sincere union men know that the Peter Schuyler, Murie1 and Blackstone cigars are non-union made. Are YOU sincere union man?
 LABEL COMMITTEE C. l. U,