Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-11-08

NEW YORK CITY, Nov. s.
Among European institutions which
could be copied with much profit in
this country is the British Middle
Glasses Union, which has recently
come to exert a powerful political
influence in England. It's purpose
is to promote the interests of the
working man as the chamber of
commerce promotes those of busl-
ness.
The need for a similar organiza-
ton over here Is especially evident
Just now when the nation is threat
ened with a railroad strike entailing
widespread distress and chaos. III 1t
comes to pass the greatest hardship
will fall, not upon the rebellious
railroad workers nor upon the dis
contented railroad owners, but upon
the complacent general pubic,
which permits itself to be made the
victim of industrial mismanagement.
1t is the general public that will
be intolerably Inconvenience and
the general public that will pay
double prices for scarce supplies.
Hence, regardless of where it's SYM
patty lies, 1t is up to the general
public to protect itself by prevent
ing the strike. But this it is power
less to do. For in this country the
general public is u~norganized and
never lifts its voice.
In England it is and it does. When
the British citizen feels that he is
being imposed upon he does not re-
main passive and silent. He sets
forth to q meeting of the MIDDLE
Glasses Union, where he discusses
the matter with great dignity and
then writes to his Nj. p.
Sir" he reminds that gentleman,
II voted for you at the last election
and helped to give you your seat
in Parliament. 1t is now time that
you were showing your apprecia-
ton. We who put you where you
are expect you to stand up on h
floor of the House like a mi and
prove that your constituents are un-
able to pay increased income taxes,
tram rates, telephone rates, tele-
graph rates, postal rates, education
rates. etc. Such increases we con-
slider to be intolerable. VIII you
kindly give the matter your imme-
date attention? (Signed-So-and-
So. member Of the Middle Glasses
Union.)"
Parliament Takes Notice.
The M. P.'s eye is caught and
held by that signature. He is well
acquainted with the Middle Glasses
Union. He remembers that out OF
three hundred candidates put up by
them at the polls at the last election,
almost a hundred won out. In view
of the Unions extreme youth Git is
lnly a little over two years ODD mat
il a record sufficient to make any
NJ. 2. mind his P's and Q's.
The great strength of the Union
is its non-political character. 1t re-
fuses to affiliate itself with any po-
litical party, but throws it's votes
to individuals who have pleaded to
it their support. AT one time II
hurls its whole force against or
ganized labor, and the next time ii Is
equally ferocious toward organized
capital. In describing the activities
of the Union, Lord Askwith, its pres
ident, says:
"The Union of the Middle Glasses
takes no sides in any Industrial
quarrel. It's members are free to
come to any conclusion they choose,
but the organization as a body is
interested in the welfare of the COM
munity as a whole. BY welfare we
mean proper distribution of food,
heat, light and clothing. When
these things are threatened, then
the members act as one to safe
| guard themselves"
AS an Illustration of how it works,
the president relates how at Shet-
field the workers in the power house
which supplied the city with light
threatened TO strike in sympathy
with the miners. News of the pro-
! posed walk-out was brought to the
! Sheffield branch of the Middle Class
es Union a few hours before IL was
scheduled to occur. The secretary
of the Union Immediately hurried
forth and canvassed the town for
volunteers who would take the
places of the strikers. He succeeded
in securing 200 recruits. including
clerks, sh~op-keepers, professional
men and workers of all kinds, and
finally a large contingent from the
Sheffield golf links.
With this long list of volunteers
on hand, the secretary then rushed
to the power house and soothed its
irate manager.
"Call in your foreman" he said
"and let me show him this"
The foreman came and saw and
was conquered. After a short eau
Gus with the rest of his workmen
he announced that there would be
no strike.
This was not an expression of an
tagonism against the miners or the
men in the power works. declares
the Unions president. 1T was mere