Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-17
AN MDv1TAB1E REACTION

In the advertising columns Of The
Herald today appears tho text Of the
articles Of association Of the Citi-
sans Alliance Of Grand Forks This
organisation II an association Of local
employers similar to those formed
during the past few months In many
cities In tho United States for the de-
clared purpose of liberattng industry
from some. OF the INJURIOUS conditions
to which it has become subjected by
practices inconsistent with the prin-
ciples Of sound Americanism.
The war period was q period Of IN
dustrisl Generalization. Experienced
men were withdrawn from every oc-
cupation to serve in the field or to per-
form special duties related to the wal.
Places thus made vacant WeeS filed
with whatever was available and
there was a tremendous shifting Of
the unskilled and irresponsible into
the ranks of skilled service. In the
course OF this movement there were
swept into. positions Of leadership
many men whose tendencies were
wholly destructive. and who used
their temporary power for the pur-
pose Of personal profit at the expense
of both employers and employed in
many lines of industry.
The recently undertaken invesHga-
ton in the city Of New York has re-
vealed some Of the methods employed
by agitators OF this class. Control of
the unions in several Of the building
and with their aid there was carried
out n Of the most gigantic conspir-
acies Of extortion. graft and intimida-
ton ever known. For a time practic-
ally the entire building trade Of the
largest city on the continent was in
the clutches of this conspiracy. and
no n could engage in building with
out paying tribute t. it. In the re-
volt from these conditions there has
been a wedding out Of the unions, the
establishment of saner relations be-
tween unions and employers, and
criminal prosecutions which, it is to
be hoped. will increase the prison pop
ulation Of New York by adding t o it
a number Of crooks who have posed
as labor leaders and q lot Of other
crooks who have held high positions
in the business world.
1t is gratifying to note that vigorous
/ opposition to the nefarious practices
OF radical leaders has come from the
sober and responsible element in the
ranks of organized labor. Because of
the growing influence Of the radicals
in the councils of the Federation of
Labor many unions have withdrawn
from membership in that body. A
conspicuous illustration of this is the
action OF the withdrawal from the
Federation of Steamftters' Union NO.
665, of Buffalo. which has declared in
favor Of the open shop principle and
against any and all methods tending
to restrict production.
Throughout the country there has
been a pronounced movement in the
direction Of Kidding the labor situa-
ton Of the control which, in many
cases, has.peen welded over it by ir-
responsible agitators. The local as
ISOLATION is placing itself in line with
this movement. Both employers and
the vast majority of employees who
are really seeking the best results for
labor are working for the elimination
of the abuses which are largely due
to the Generalization Of war times,
and for the placing of industry again
on a solid and substantial basis.