The New York herald., 1921-03-26
OPEN SHOP BATTLE
OF NATION LOOKED
FOR IN NEW HAVEN
Employers of lib Concerns
Organize Council to
Fight for Issue.
UNION LEADERS READY
Proposal TO Cut Wages ~
Y. c. Is Rejected by Build
ing Trades.
CALL III BLOW AT LABOR
Workers Believe Connecticut
Ia to BE Made the Centre Of
Countrywide War.
CALL III BLOW AT LABOR

kpsnal Dsssatch 70 Tan NEW roRA HERALD.
NRw HAVEN. Conn, aIarcn 25.-Unicr
labor leaders here to-day professed &c
see in the announcement by large
New Haven employers that they had
organized an open shop council. evil
oence that this city and State is to
oe made the nations battle-ground in
capitals nght against the trades unions
Of the country and the principles upon
which they are founded
Although officers OF the State fedora
ton we're chary OF comment, 1t was
apparent to-day that neither they nor
ne members or the organization they
represent we're surprised by the con-
certed action OF il3 New Haven con-
Germs which have combined TO fight
the closed shop principle or trades
unions.
Patrick r. oMeara, president OF the
state Federasion ~ Labor. said he had
no statement 10 make. but producing q
booklet captioned Truths and Facts,
which vas published last month by
authority OF the New Haven Trades
Council. In reply 10 assertions made by
Alfred G. Gilbert. president OF the a.
&. Gilbert Company OF this city, IN an
address here on the open and closed
shop he said There Is the answer 10
those people"
While there was no official statemen,
issued from either the Trades Council
or the State Federation Of Labor, II
appeared 20 be the concensus among
leaders In trades unions here and among
members In general that the announce.
mept of the open shop council. wherein
It's members declare their right TO en-.
pley whom they desire. when they de-
sire. and 10 respect the right of the
worker 70 choose his employer and nc
cept or reject the wage offered to him,
merely ~ an invitation 10 ell trades
unions 10 a battle TO the inish.
And We are ready" declared one
leader. The crux OF the whole matter
: " this. that these men--employers who
! have enrolled IN the open shop council
reserve for themselves a privilege the,
deny TO US; they. themselves. organic,
for their mutual welfare and protection
but they deny this right to their work.
. ew."
Al the recent conference OF tho build
ng crafts ~ the State I'm this city. called
10 discuss the 20 per cent. decrease sug-
geeted by The Connecticut Builders Ex-
change. II was the sentiment OF the iele-
gates. and so written In a resolution
passed. that "the fgh; being made
agn inst us ~ not 50 much the rght OF
the builders themselves as Il il the fight
os powerful financial interests who stand
behind tssn.-
II was the contention OF the building
craftsmen that they were being singled
out for battle because they are so com.
pleteiy and so strongly organized and
that "if these Interests succeed in de-
feating ws. they believe all other trade
unions win fall easy prey before them
This evidence. labor leaders declared
TODAY, tends 10 show that tile fght 81
The employers OF the entire country 4
centred against the unions OF New Eng
: land and. at present. against the unions
: OF New Haven and Connecticut, with tht
likely result that IN this city the decisive
battle win be waged which ultimately
: shall spell victory or defeat for organ
sfzed labor or the country in their ight e
secure recognition or the principle upor
(which they arc founded-coliecuve bar
gaining.