The New York herald., 1922-07-31
Labor Monopoly a Menace.
Nationwide Organizations Prejudi-
cial to the Public Interest.

To THE NEW York HERALD: For once
Mr.. Gompers Is right. The railroad
labor board should go. It's conception
was economically unsound. its task im-
possible OF accomplishment. its inaugu-
ration a political >blunder, makeshift.
The recognition Of nationwide organ
ization of labor Is prejudicial TO the
public interest and In violation OF tho
spirit, II not the letter, OF the Sherman
law. Enacted to protect the public
against monopoly. 1t must be patent to
the msanest intelligence that there Is no
difference In principle between the exac-
tions OF capitalistic monopoly and q
labor monopoly OF the two the capi-
talistic is the less to be feared. for its
exactions must be within reasonable lin
it's or 1t will invite competitive develop
ment. At least the public is served. even
IL at enhanced cost.
But q labor organization with power
to stop transportation by general strike
holds the very life of the nation at its
mercy. This condition has been thor
oughly understood and the present rail-
road situation predicted. 1t needed only
the additional action of the United Mine
Workers to bring home to every labor
Ing man the danger to his further en-
ployment and his physical well being
the existence Of such monopolies makes
possible.
Leaders Of organized labor have ever
claimed its inherent right to strike to
exact whatever demand Is made. The
right to strike. however. is dependent
upon the great right OF contract. While
we may. concede the right Of an indi-
vidual to leave his employment and
seek engagement elsewhere. this can be
reasonably restricted by contract and
damages be exacted II the contract be
broken.
Organized labor. however not infre-
quently violates the terms Of its con-
tract, refusing to be bound by the obli-
cation It has undertaken. no matter at
what cost to the community. It respects
neither law nor solemn obligation II it
suits It's present interest. r
Too long the public has submitted to
these exactions. until now such organi-
cations feel themselves superior to the
law and unmindful Of public opinion.
How long shall such condition Of af-
fairs continue7
We may as we'll face the situation
now as at some future time. There will
be no general prosperity, no cessation
Of labor unrest, until we return to the
economic adjustment Of wages In our
several localities to conform to local con-
ditions upset by Mr.. McAdoo's political
manipulation Of railroad wages.
Congress- should Immediately enact
legislation that shall make unlawful
combinations Of employees that can par
alyze transportation. Sooner or later
this must be done. Political expediency
must give way to public interest.
We commend the President for his
stand that every man has a right to
seek employment wherever he may find
II, to enjoy that right without sufferance
or molestation, and that the whole
power of the Government WIN be used
to protect that right. He must. how
over. be blind to our past experience II
he imagines that permanent and abid-
ing peace may be obtained by under
standings with organized labor sup
ported by public opinion alone.
Unions nationally organized are, ever
have been, ever will be a menace to ma
tional well being. The very selfish ma
ture of such organizations is now being
declared without hesitancy or desire of
concealment.
How long will the public. who pay
the bills. who are now victims of rapa-
cious demands. tolerate legislators who
are too timorous to protect their rights?
WILLIAM p. WHITE.
LOWELL, Mass, July 20.