The labor world., 1921-09-17

There is food for thought in the
following comment on the "Com-
pany Unions,' - written by a
"Youngstown Millman and
published in the Youngstown
Vindicator, and needs no further
Qualification, for it's sets forth the
hypocrisy Of open shop manufac-
turers in a boiled down article
that can be comprehended by
every other worker.
Let those who read it pass it along
to those of their crafts who are work.
ing under the anti-union program,
that it may act as a mental @prod,
which is so much needed in all iocali-
ties at this time. 1t reads thus:
''The so-called American plan is a
very good plan from the viewpoint
of the employers. It is being wQrlxed
with great success in the local steel
plants. Under this Tplan the workers
have no voice whatever. Whenever
the employers wish to cut wages they
post notice. Very simple, and what
can you do about it?
During the steel strike company
unions were formed and much pub
llcity was given to this by the en-
ployers. They were supposed to rep
resent the men in all grievances.
These unions have long since dis
appeared: They have served thei"
purpose, which was to break up The
workers union. At the present time
common labor receives 80 cents per
hour or about $50 month.
This is a good example Of why tt e
builders associations wish to get the
same plan working for them. They
already are talking Of the next cut in
the mills, Notwithstanding the fact
that rent alone for the poorest kind
Of dwelling eats up at least SO FER
cent of a laborer's pay.
Think of a. man being compelled
to pay for an operation and no 5pital
bill which amounted to $4O0 ou- of
these wages-yet it is true and there
are many like cases.
Twill this American plan make
good Americans of the foreigners
who are brought here? Why talk Of
Americanizing them and then pay
starvation wages? They say the
skilled mechanics of Germany are
working for - to Is cents per ho1,r,
yet they tell us living is much higher
there than here. This cannot be true,
because they could not even iced
themselves on such wages
If they can produce steel AMI sell
it cheaper there must be other causes
besides wages: A man must have at
least enough to live or he cannct
work In conclusion I would STATE
that in my opinion one word has been
omitted. They call it The American
Employers Plan because it represents
no other Americans and has no fair
play in it which the word American
implies"
The enemies Of organized labor 1e-
sort to all manner of willy schemes to
retard and injure the progress cf
labor unions. One of the latest games
is the shop union," form of decep-
ton that has caught the workers in
mum erous instances. This sham or
ganization is~operated by employer to
keep as far as possible, their work.
men from joining bona fide lator
unions
A well-oiled speech to employees
delivered by a good talker explara-
tory to the benefits of the shop
union" can place a pretty rosy view
before the hearers. But even shallow
analysis proves the plan all sham.
The officers and directors of the
establishment offering the ''shop
union" are the dictators or the judges
of any proposed legislation to be con-
sidered. The employees, in commit
tee, or other manner OF presenting
matters, may make recommendations
as to certain hours, wages or condi-
tions, but these recommendation
must be submitted to the officials of
the company.
These officials then, unknown to
the employees, confer with officials of
other like concerns sees fit to con-
slider or accept the proposition Of the
employees, the matter will be reported
back. If the proposition is objection
able to these employers the workers
may never hear of it again, or it will