The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-14
Union vs.. Open Shop.

Architects have made the announcement
hat they have In their hands plans for build
InR improvements contemplated in the four
cities of Rock Island. Davenport Moline and
East Moline at an approximate cost Of five mil
lion dollars, hut that these projects are pro-
possd on = basis that will necessitate accept
ance by labor Of . reduction in wages OF at
least rs per cent
Contractors. representing all branches OF
The building industry in the four cities. have
announced that the work offered them is to
BE- carried through and that they will meet
the cost concessions that have been demanded
by those who plan the improvements. Accord
ingly the building contractors have served no.
lice upon the labor unions that they must &C.
cent the suggested cut in wages Refusal to
do 10, It is declared. will result In the intro
duction Of the open shop in the community.
This would mean that the employer would
make no distinction between the union member
and the one not aniliated with an organization,
and that he would have no further dealings
With the unions
q Union labor in this community has been
staading resolutey against any wage reduc'
lions On the ground that the worker ID not IN
nosition to labor for smaller pay so long -
fhs cost Of living continues at the present un-
reasonable standards. None will deny that the
worker has justification for his position, but
whom he sees that his cooperation Is neces-
ary In bringing down the cost Of building IN
order to encourage the public to resume build
-. activities Il would seem the wise course
hr him to consent to some concessions.
. The building industry has been almost
paralysed the past few years owing to the ex-
eessiye costs, materials having gone up .
hundred Der cent in some instances. Labor
NO has been drawing larger wages. but it was
entitled to them In order to keep pace with the
growing cost Of lifes necessities In the mean
nms the cost OF materials has been reduced
rerhsps not a. largely as the public would
home for, but there have been some cuts. and
thsrs 10 iikelihcod that there viii be more.
The building contractors have issued an
lltimatum TO the labor unions, declaring that
Asy, have reached their position after thor
oush Investigation Of the situation. They indi-
cate that they prefer TO continue their relations
nth the unions. but make it plain that the
htter must besr some Of the burden Of Undue
- = return 10 normalcy in the building
Industry.
Il ne Argus would wish that the union work
"a could succeed in maintaining their present
s2audard Of wages. but II. as the contractors
AVE declared. the men must either accept the
urouosed reduction or surrender the prestige
Z their organised crafts. it would seem to any
fhir-minded person that the sensible thing to
u would be for the workers to consent to a
hail cut in pay.
+ The contractors have asserted that they
AVE no quarrel with the unions. indicating
lat they would prefer to 30 along In peace
aba agreements With the organized crafts as
they have done In the past years. Therefore
Il does not appear that the contractors ar
astenpting to wreck the unions, Is IS being
I doas IN ether localities Tho demands Of the
sut1ractcrs. II No are 10 aeespt them 1t theil
voed. must b snsseesd q huiiding work 10 Il
I T. resumed n Ills compunity. The Argui
$50 that he unin nsa wfll ses their wsy
- eneelliaAnxy attitude