Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-02-04

| worker IlaC Cne SCu1I Jne fdQlcdlS are
preaching are the doctrines of de-
struction"
The American Federationist has de-
clared, as have also the officers of the
American Federation of Labor, that
had there been a well-organized trade
movement in Russia there would never
have been a Bolshevist success in the
country.
The best safeguard OF any nation
against autOcracy and dictatorship,
whether of an organized plutocracy
or misguided section of the working
people is a strong, intelligent and
well-organized tradeunion movement.
The United States possesses that best
Of all forms of insurance, and the
blind hopes of certain employers for
its destruction will avail nothing.
The best way to deal with organized
labor is to work with it, and not
against it, and collective bargaining,
which the American plan wishes to
suppress, is the cornerstone of organ
! lied labor.
Collective bargaining means that
organized employees, within a trade
or industry, through representatives
VI IIlClI OWu ClOOSlHS, Sll1ll uCcll WIFI
the employer or employers in the
making Of wage scales and working
conditions. Collective bargaining is
the only practical proposal for ad-
justing relations between the man
agcment and the workers in a busi
ness way, assuring fair deal to both
sides. There are two sides always to
an agreement. Each side ought to
have equal chances to propose and in
sist upon what it considers fair
agreement. If the body Of workers
has grievance, it can be adjusted
only through cooperation with the
employer or his representative. AS
all can not meet the employer at one
time it is necessary for the men to
select representatives to carry out
their will as expressed collectively.
This right is identical with that al
ways held by the employer and never
I challenged by the law or the public.
The trade union movement is pro-
gfessive movement to secure some of
the advantages which have come by
reason of the great production of
wealth; to secure a normal WOrkday,
, to secure a wage which shall bring
comfort into the home, that shall
afford an opportunity to the workers
to give advantage to their children
and their dependents.
The American plan propagandiSts
complain about labor being organized.
But are the enemies of organized la
Dor unorganized? Is the American
plan movement an unorganized move
ment? What are all the manufact-
urers' associations but organized
movements in their respective trades?
These organized associations some
times say to labor: why don't you
stand on vour own bottom as an in
dividual American citizen?" But you
can not expect an individual work
man to secure remedy for wrong
or obtain right in great industrial
plant. His individuality is lost the
moment he enters the plant. The
only way TINT workers can regain the
equality of standing in influence and
power is by uniting in fact and in
spirit and in the federation of all.
The adoption of this resolution will
be accepted by labor as challenge
and the present membership of labor
in the Chamber of Commerce will be
Withdrawn to maintain its selfrespect
The harmony between capital and la
Dor, for which St. Louis is nationally
known, will be shattered, and organ
lied open shop-meaning open war
fare-will spell disaster to the busi-
ness interests.
If you wish to give the opponents
of the so-called American plan added
strength, adopt this resolution. If
you wish to crystalline opposition to
this plan, then adopt the resolution,
and you will see as the result a domi-
nant virile, powerful movement spread
that will get more free publicity than
this action of the Chamber of Com
merce will receive. If | were publicly
opposing this plan l would want moth
ing better than that this resolution
be adopted, and | would then have
something to strike at with a force
that would be felt.
The adoption of this resolution
would be utter folly, and will imme-
diately cause resentment that will
strike US at unexpected times and
places. To endorse this plan at this
time will be considered by many good
and ingratitude. The Chamber would
not function in the future with that
cooperative strength that it has in
the past. The Chamber can only ac-
complish big and needful things for
st. Louis by working with all of the
citizens. Do not be unmindful that
the workers have the greatest voting
strength, and by any shortsighted
action such as this their strong sup
port will be forever alienated and the
future amity be impossible.
Let us not play with fire by at
tempting to suppress orderly evolu-
tion. To do so means revolution. Let
us retain the good will of our neigh
bors-we might need them for greater
things in the future.
The resolution is entirely and truly
out of place here. | know whereof |
speak, and l give the warning now.
If persistent obstinacy prevails, you
will, at some inopportune time, sadly
regret the action.