Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-13
A WISE LEADER.

Union labor leaders in the building trades,
should give thoughtful attention to the words of
John II. Donln, uttered before the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor convention being held In
Denver.
The following is taken from the press reports
Of his speech:
I'VE must once and for all stop tying up
building operations upon which but union
men are employed" he added, declaring that
the cessation of work inflicted injury "on
ourselves and injustice upon the investor and
hurt the general morale and well being of the
community"
1--WE must not injure communities" continued
the speaker, cause innocent persons to suffer
pecuniary losses, not to mention mental an
. guish the danger of financial ruin, as well as
cause our great rank and file to suffer in
calculable losses
Comment upon these remarks seems super
fuous Yet we cannot restrain a comment or two
1t is a well-recognized fact that there is con-
siderable and growing hostility to union labor in
America. A very small part # this comes from
employers who would break the unions in order
to place employees at their mercy. This element Is
not large and their reasons sordid that they
do not appeal to the of the people.
Among those non-union people who have no
selfish end to attain this hostility is based upon
some specific example examples of unreason-
able demands, conduct, on the part Of some
union.
The mass Of the people realize the great general
benefit which civilization has derived from the
principle of unionism and against the unions
and, If necessary, would destroy them only in
order to rid the community of certain concrete
evils which have grown up with unionsm In other
words if they are unable to kill the rats otherwise
they are rapidly coming to the notion Of burning
the house in order to kill them.
Union men owe it to themselves to take the
question of their leadership definitely in hand ard
see to it that wise and fair men outline the policy
they are to pursue. For instance a foolish leader
instigates an unfair demand or unwisely ties up
construction The wrath of the people is not visited
on the individual leader nor even upon the par
ticular union. 1t is directed at unionism and
makes enemies against any unions at all
These points of irritation, often involving only
small sums or very insignificant principles, are the
prolific causes of dissatisfaction against the whole
principle of unionism
1t is the little irrtations which become UNI
indurable and destroy our pleasant relationships
In life.
Therefore a union principle should be to re-
duce frctions to the mi9imum and adjust them
quickly and even at sacrifice IN order to retain
the good opinion of the public without which
unionism will not be able to survive The unions
cannot afford to get the reputation Of being I'M
reasonable contentious.
Union men should not forget that joining I'M
ion does not make man any less fallble or
selfish. We are all made of very human clay
Given the power, all disposed to take un-
reasonable advantage of that power. 1t requires
great deal of wisdom and sefrestraint to use power
justly.
Mr.. Donlin made one other notable statement
He said:
Capital and management must start up
all industries, labor agreeing to a maximum
output per individual, thus keeping wages up
and the cost of living down"
Ipl,
ionism The loyal unionst will fight senseess
a doctrine. 1t is against economic law and will
not work. 1t is a most prolific source Of public
irritation.