Evening journal., 1921-01-12
LABOR AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

UN his annual report Secretary OF Labor Wilson pre-
Il sened arguments In opposition to the demand for
legislation which viii permit the enforcement against
abor organizations OF collective bargains.
As everyone knows; OF the difficulties employers
have frequently encountered that OF being able to-
compliance with contracts entered into with their
employees.
The labor unions not incorporated and If a collective
bargain is violated by them the employer has recourse
at law.
Some Of the employers have been urging that egsa-
tlon be enacted requiring labor unions to incorporate
that in OF violation OF contract suit may be brought
and the officers OF the law will be able TO find
sponsble person upon whom to the papers.
Secretary OF Labor Wilson is Of the opinion that such
legislation should be enacted and he says Among
other things he asserts:
collective bargains not OF kind that can be so
enforced fairly moments consideration viii make the
reason plain II in collective bargaining the representa-
ves OF the workers agree to supply certain work
men certain terms and the representatives OF the
poyers concerned 10 give steady employment TO
those, or that number of workmen on such terms the
contract might fairly be subject TO legal enforcement for
then 1t would impose an obligation upon both sides But
there is no such mutuality in collective bargaining be-
Tween employers and labor organizations > EN-
ployers do not TO employ certain number OF la
borers for certain period at certain wages All they
agree to do and all The collective bargaining requires OF
them Is 20 pay certain wages for certain work 10 the
wage workers whom they at their own discretion ac-
tually employ"
Secretary Wilson asserts that the employe would not
be free TO quit but the employer would be free TO
employing
This argument presented by an o. OF the govern
ment against the demand for legislation which will make
labor bargains enforcibe will naturally discussion
OF the whole subject in legislative circles well in
The public press
The demand for collective bargaining comes from the
labor unions
They have taken the initiative and yet when the sug
geson is made that collective bargains be made enforc
be, Secretary Wilson, behalf OF the labor unions
argues against such legislation
Employers entirely responsible
They have property upon which an attachment be
levied.
They men who can be found II the sheriff has papers
10 upon them II an easy matter il a collective
bargain is TO be made, to make II in such way that II
can be enforced against the employer.
Whether It be legally enforcibe or not public opinion
would be such that employer would dare to violate
the plain terms OF his contract It would seem, there
FORE that there be reasonable objection to making
a contract enforcibe on both sides.
II is true that the employer close down his eslab
llshmen and employing but he does this not from
choice but from necessity.
Every idle day OF his plant financial loss to him
The empoye free to sell his labor esewhere-to take
employment in some other occupation.
But when the employer closes down his plant he begins
to suffer the loss incident to deterioration overhead
charges taxes interest his investment Insurance.
Manifestly employer closes down his plant volun-
arily and collective bargaining therefore is enforcblC
against him.
Secretary Wilson is hardly fair in his representations
on ths subject