The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-01-21
: We're Treated Slhabbily.

1t has become necessary for The
Labor World to go to Minneapolis
to get "the story of the: open shop
fight in Duluth" as related by L.
G. Harris, it's appealing president.
A bulletin issued by him before the
holidays has been circulated in the
Twin Cities. It has been printed
in Minneapolis papers. The Labor
World did not receive a copy and
we\ are forced to print it tardily,
when we should have had a a"scoop''
on it, Our friend. Mr.. Harris, Is
treating us rather snabbily.
The local alliance claims that the
cities that are forging, ahead in
population are those that have tried
and treated the "open shop" plan.
The cities that have stood still, it
manned under ..::closed shop" condi-
tions. What do you know about
that? Duluth was once good I'm
ion town. : It. was prosperous then.
Most Of its industries are now OPP
Grating under the so-called "open
shop" plan. - -
How It Hits Duluth.
Duluth is not now prosperous. It
has less people than it had two years
ago. There are more vacant houses.
The fight for the "open shop" in
the building industry paralyzed
building operations last year, and
nothing good came out of the fight.
The building trades unions are still
on the job and they are gradually
winning back a number OF way
ward employers who were lured
from their business moorings by the
magic Of Mr.. Harris eloquence and
the threats4of pig eHe,1as. s.
~ Even Mr.. Harris admits they -ere
coming back. He concludes his bull
letin with the following: Louis
Ramstad & Sons have been dropped
from the rolls Of the Building En-
ployers' council, for the reason that
they were not complying with open
shop rules That does not tell
the story. however. Mr.. Harris dare
not tell it. If. he did there would
be deluge for the Union shop.
Quits. Open Shoppers.
Louis. Ramstad & Sons were
dropped by the "open-shoppers'' for
no other reason than that they got
tired of losing money and they got
sick Of non-union men. They are
now running Union shop. They
are trying to win back their fine
reputation for excellency in build
ing which they came nearly losing
entirely under the "open shop" with
incompetent; non-union building
tradesmen. -.>~--. .,s
''The way. to get the open shop
is In the same way Minneapolis and
other genterprising cities got it, de-
clarej Mr.. Harris in his bulletin,
which is an appeal to Duluth busi-.
ness men to come to the rescue of
the dear. old, dying Citizens Lii
ance. Then he attempts to point
out a, way to get the ,"open shop"
And this is his plan: -,
p ~:l III Organization First. "' 4.
1.-THE first step is organization. No
great community benefit can any
longer be obtained d through. individ-
ual effort. All the forces that be-,
live in the open shop shuold be mob.
ilizedz into a strong. compact. fight
ing organization. If the open shop
will bring increased population and
wealth. as we. have shown, then
every property owner. every ank-,
er, every realtor, every manufactur-z
er. every merchant, every profes-
sional and business man will be
benefited, ani it is only fair that
he should get into the open shop
organization and, with his money
and efforts, help to bring about the
benefits that he will participate in.
IS But a large membership is not
the chief requisite for success. Much
more depends upon the spirit !. Of
those who do join. An organiza-
.tion Of 100 courageous. determined.
men, who believe in the open shop,
talk opon shop, patre. lie the open
shop and fight for the open shop
Is worth more and will get the open
shop quicker than Il organization
Of 500 timid. cautious. hesitating.
inactive ones, vhn are fearful that
someone opposed to the open shop
will learn that they are in favor
Of it. ..:. 'f s*s5
+. Appeals for Courage.
I'm this contest, as in all great,
contests, courage and determinations
are worth more than all other quail
tiles combined. No army ever won
war whose general and soldiers
took counsel Of their fears. who
were afraid OF. the enemy, and who,
were. ashamed to espouse the cause
they believed in. And no set OF
business men ever have. or ever,
will, win ah Industrial fight, who.
are filled with the spirit Of cantion.l
timidity ana fear. .,s.4 sss
Everyone In the northwest knows
the spirit OF Minneapolis business!
men. Whenever Minneapolis seesI
anything which she thinks It would
be TO her advantage I to possess. her
business men 90 after i, and, has
;is more. they gst tt They get it
not by trim MINI {, BY side stepptng