Albuquerque morning journal., 1921-06-09
THE MISTAKE.

The Journal is sitting on the outside, looking H.
as far as the city government is concerned Ihose
on the inside, looking out, quite properly 40 not
consult us about what they are doing. From Where
we sit we cannot see the full significance OIL what
is going As a result we are cohpeheu ~ N
more or less guessing.
We were not consulted before the fremens
muddle was created We did not altogether approve
the preliminary procedure of the city coniihisson
in that matter, although we concurreo III theli
final decision and supported them IN a relusai
TO allow the firemen to organize
The Journal repeatedly said, during the recall
camnaign that it was not against the unions ana
that the recall fight had no anti-unon sisnilcahce
It believes that still to be true. But we peheVe III
avoiding the appearance of evil" In other woros'
we do not approve of anything being done' WHICH
can be construed by those seeking an argument as
a reprsal again the unions or move to"aiu s'
open shop town.
Therefore the Journal greatly deplores what
1, regards as the lack of wisdom shown by the
city manager in discharging Earl BoWdlch' Guy
building inspector, at this juncture.
We do not intend to put ourselves in position
where we will feel called upon to defend either
the character the ability the administrative
nocv of this official. We know him but slightly
However his character ability certainly nave not
changed within the past sixty days. 1t is lair u
presume that his policy has not changed IN tha'
period of time
been deemed a fit person to retain that postoh
most of the time since 1914, it would have done
little harm to have retained him until there was
no proximity in time between the recall election
and his discharge. His dismissal opens the door
to the charge that the former was the cause OIL
Ahe latter. L..
Bowdch carries a union card, if our informa-
tion is correct His official dealings are entirely
with matters directly concerning union labor
Therefore whatever the motive for his dlscharge'
1t will be impossible to convince union labor that
this is not direct reprisal. Many are bound TO
construe it, whether truthfully or not as the next
step in an open shop program.
The Journal feels impeed to resent any action
by the city manager which opens the door to
charge of bad faith on the part of those who' IN
supporting the commission, declared that the recal
issue was not open shop fight. Ihe city man
ager owed it to those who came to the detense Oh
the commission, to do nothing which has the ap'
pearance of bad faith. .
we assume that the commission Is not anti
Union Its members have said so. 1t seems to us
unwise to have adopted a course which mlgh'
appear to stamp their declarations as insincere
If there are improper practices being INDUCED
in by the unions willing when they are
pointed out, to join in demand that they be
corrected. ...
But we are not willing to be put in posi-
tion by our friends where it may be fairly inferred
that we are secretly anti-union. Such is not tbs
case. We are whole-heartedly for the principle o
organized labor. .
We are favorable to the business interests o
America but will attack unhesitatingly any abuses
We are favorable to labor unions in Omerica bu
will attack unhesitatngly any abuses.
In dealing with both on this principle w
object to being placed in position where ou
We are favorable to labor union in America bu
sonable people. l
For that raeson we disavow any sympathy will
the commission in dismissing Bowdich at this tim
unless it can be shown that some specific act o
his since the recall election, made his discharg
necessary.
All of which is set down without the slightes
feeling of unkindness toward the city manager o
the city commission and for the sole purpose
preventing anyone from including us in a com
mtment to a policy, concerning the making Q
which had part.