The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-12-27
THE CLOSED UNION

~ New Yer whsrpa scandals resulting from consphacies between building
materials interests ana labor union leaders have reached a climax an
agreemen is being considered which Ia described By the New York Times
as a proposal 10 barter Increased efficiency for a conhnuance Of the present
high wages Many ~ tho pracuces limiting production which have been
diseloaed by the recent Investigation ac described BY The Times as crimes
has Ia roo Of tho building evht ~ says b. he untpn u limited enhffsh
A body OF worAmen who hnyee nreuched Themselves In power by stamping
ont competition arbitrarily limit their ~ numbers thereby establishing a
monopoly ~ all jobs Ia their hdd. 10 the cesed shop les added the closed
Referring 10 conditions IN New York as revealed by the inyestsauon
the Timer continues
Many unions az or example the pasterers do not admit nw mem
hers above The g. Of ~. Examinations are hcld-in which the hammers
see 10 Il that oIy the favored few shall pass The holaing engineers have
for some Tins kept their books closed though an heir members are over
80 georr old. DurinF the lnat @n years hen membership has actually de-
i~rs many such unons ISSUE permit cards enabling the workman whom
they have excluded 10 practice his uade-for "a consideration. For tho "
sneo Of such cards. inside Ekffrsai W"korF Union NO 3 said 10 have
sticaed sune s2s07o0. This Procedure Mr. untermeyer characterized as
"a oneplracy 10 eMof money
rFor the permanent cure Of such OWLS the law h apparently a feeble
inaarnfhent Employers have lately ieon nncd. and some 81 them lupris-
sadafions are sMd on authority 10 be again hkng prices in the same old
way. Labor leaders fresh from jail have been acclaimed martyrs and re-
estate n their I'D offices To the building world. obviously the lay h
wlrt the constitution vas n sid TO be among political friends what
viii happen anar the present Inquiry has run 10 course. w know to- wei
from the past There appears 20 be no recourse except constant supervision
hy anthorlues adequately empowered. To an unhoused community a normal
rnpply n building material aud ~ normal supply Of building labor are al
much q public utny as transportation
s~ony q commission Of iutsrhsent and photographed citizens can mako
rules adapted TO The various neids n labor. The various asHocinttouH N eu1-
rls,ets-or make sure they are ohsied THE nt IF an rules, ana the
nor, seaioujy enforced should hs that no union shall cbno &C. door 20 a.
NEEDED suppfy Of labor A competent trade school ear graduate o Journey
~ piaaercr after a tlreefn9nthf' course and. with an additional month.
t. onafhoa foreman TIE trade of brickiayer carpenter stationary en-
e,neer. sfeetnclan and the rest a. be almost 81 speedily learned Under
lndarent regulation ve should n 10 longer be- confronted with the phcnoHe-
ncn 81 wofkmen who prohteer while their fellows are nhsorng in the
~ Ne~. reuors ~ te New York Inquiry agree that conditions ms out
" the Times are in n % way exaggerated u ls an amazing situation
ii Sfseove IA nee America Il l a condition which needs correction and
~ ~ v,son radr4ship should take the lead IN omrecdnr. nt ony IN New
N%a M uhsrsver IL 10 found. The kind Of labor Leadership tht pro6ts
asl t1ploitatf0h Of o'gahi1a labor may n~d raaHe'9n " sippg ihi