Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-22
Editors Letter Box
Some Side Lights on the Labor
Question

S0HIS Ss0S efSfSS VII ShO
Question
M Editor:
4 few weeks ago I sent 70 your paper
over u-y own signature a comMunica-
tim reviewing il a rambling. way some
points in connection with the so called
Ia Dor questions as they are reported
IL the press and as they appeal 10 me
Before you had an opportunity to pub
lish the same / became conscious OF the
fact that l was opening up a subject
OF sucn national and worldwide I'M
portaacs that il would be beyond the in
tellectual ability that l possess 10 con-
slider il in,eiligently. Interestingly or
otherwise. So / requested you 10 throw
my squio in your waste basket When
doing this | explained briefly my pur-
called your attention in what / intended
20 be e friendly manner 70 the fact. that
among Ia boring men generally there Is
a feeling that the tone OF your paper IS
decidedly partisan and unfr.endlyi in
YoLr references and criticisms of qhes-
pirations OF organized labor as exern-
pinned by the American Federation Of
Labor. or words 10 that effect. l had
good reasons for making this statement.
Out when / had done 50 ! supposed that
the incident was closed, and ! sincerely
wish that il had been. Instead OF this
YOU can imagine my surprise when l
found that l had inadvertently given
you material for an editorial in which
you pLt me- on the defensive not only,
as member OF organized labor, but as
a law-abiding citizen as well.
Now Mr.. Editor. l take this opportuni-
~ 10 thank you for your complimentary
reference to the writer Of the letter in
question whose name l bear. I also as
sure you that in any controversy We
may have in connection with this mat
ter. that / have none but the kindlieSt
feelings toward the proprietors of your
paper and all those who in any way cen
trioute toward ITS publication. and |
know Of no reason why this kindly feel
ing should not continue. You want 20
know il Il object 20 your criticism Of
te at-eTpt of the e-1eration Of Labor
TO Cnionize the Boston policemen" l
say yes. because Eour criticism is not
in accordance with the facts and is mis-
!eaaing. II Is such reports as this that
creates MISUNDERSTANDING 10th at home
and abroad. The Federation Of Labor
ton policemen. They organized CT ,he If
own voiition and they had TO be or
gained as well as all other trades ard
professions before they could become a
part Of the Federation not only this.
but the Federation has no Jurisdiction
whatever over any affiliated union in
me matter Of calling a strike or ending
enc II MAJ endorse a strike after ac-
ton has been taken by the individual
union and render such aid as il thinks
, q
soHahle 70 acccse some religious dencrn-
NATION with the murder Of Alice Lin
rel. as to charge the Federation o.
L&cor win instigating the Boston po-
.!cemen's strike. In my opinion the 20
Ac@!nen rad q legitimate right to or
ganize If they thought that by 50 doing
/, lhtE could better the industrial corGi-
ticns under which they were obired %
eNisc so long as ~ 50 doing they did rot
renounce the allegiance that the, a,
n : II
I ton i this right had been conceded n
! them there would not have been any
strike Or -i1tous disturbances and here
never would hare been any occasion Il
question their patriotism or loyalty 10
DUTY whenever their services were re-
CURED And perhaps there would have
: fee7 one less IN the number OF presi-
GENITAL candidates. The post Office
c.erhs and carriers who are govern
Eent employees went through this same
tErannical opposition from those in
IoWer "nen tAeE applied for affiliation
with the A. +. OF l.. ard the fyht W.
carried to the halls Of Congress with
IN" result that the clerks ard carriers
were not deprived Of their RIGHTS as
cftiz"rs and who VIII say that hey are
less efficient or patriotic through the
lessons learned by bro:Eer'r conso,iaa.
ton If had been a mernte- ~ the
po!lcen.en's union / would Rave ad ised
ag - TIE strike beC ause teI:eya .oa,
! the trouble could have been settled HI !
more Die manner. Strikes arr a
Da-h1ric method Of settling djspu:es
put until we cease to re bartaria : q
or consideration for the r;ghts-pt
nthefs We mast expect 70 have them
rms proposition is fully frustrated in
our treatment OF our school teachers
Ever since Maine was admitted to the
mon this class of Industrial workers
hsN- ocen pleading for a small measure
OF Justlce in the way Of corlD.rsat i'm
TOT the valuable services they az the
TEACHERS Of our children are ferderire
20 state and Nation. but. as in the "a 8
WIN az unorganized workers their re.
tinue to be refused jest so long as he
cner nothing but humble and pacific re-.
quests for better treatment. Who vii,
say that the school teachers would no,
De lusuhed in striking? Then YOU
wanted TO know if l was dispiea se! be.
canse You Objected n being frozen mt
submission b" coal strike" No Yo,
We're actually within YOUR rights if 7-or
seriously thought that YOU were -hre,t.
sHed with such Calamity. Aside from
TINS nv sympathy is entirely with ~
miners in their effort 10 get an adenuat.
american wage for their arduoiIs anI
dangerous work. If the American REQ.
PIE are ever frozen into submission for
the want Of coal the responsihiiify ". Ii
not be upon the United Mine workers
am somewhat familiar with the c0ndi.
fionS under which the Miners work and
I'VE, and the struggle that they have
had t. cr1ancipate themselves from the
industrial slavery that was their 10. I'm
TO few years ago and firmly believe
that there is no class of workers. me-
cfanical or otherwise, who are more de-
serving of consideration 10th in wages
and general uplift, tran these same min
ers. The evidence submitted to the Presi.
dents Coal Commission now in session is
TO the effect that the actual average an
nual earnings of all the bituminous coal
miners employed in the central competi-
tive fields comprising Western Pernsvl.
vania. Ohio. Indiana and Illinois. FOR
the six years from 1913 to 1915 Inclusive
were 1885 and out OF this the miners
say they had to pay for their Supplies
such as powder. caps. fuse. oil and other
items amounting from IS to sl2 Der
month. This is a side OF the question
that the'pUb,ic does not get from I'm
friendly periodicals. papers and orators,
and is not in accord with the reports
whereby the miners are said to be en-.
Joying fabulous riches and to be reyei-
This Is Better
Than Laxatives