The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-08-30

writer's positive knowledgel as tc
make the cost of coal, with excessive
| freights added, outrageously high when
| 1t reaches Vermont.
| This is no time TO cover up facts
The innocent public has rights and
should know, as most people do know,
where to place the blame. No reason
able person objects to organized labor,
as such, until it goes so far as TO be-
come a menace to life and property,
as it has become in various parts Of
our country, Barre being happy ex-
ception thus far
In one of our early wars, a British
commander warned the American com
mander TO beware of the Indian sol
diers of his army as he might not be
able to keep them within the bounds
of civilized warfare.
We have looked in vain for a like
warning to civilized society from John
L. Lewis, president of the Mine Work
ers Of America, although not little
blood of innocent workers "on the
American plan has been shed in the
writer's native West Virginia Organ
izations would not be dangerous if
composed wholly of reasonable law
abiding men, while they become a men
acing power and productive Of much
evil when composed largely of the ig
norant and vicious driftwood of Eu
rope, as in some of the mining regions.
If space permitted, ! could give some
revolving cases of good men being muir
dered while working on the "open shop
plan near my old home, but for which
heinous crimes much coal would have
been mined by many men vino were
delighted with their splendid and most
satisfactory pay envelopes, even after
a 20 per cent reduction from war time
wages.
But, instead of needed relief in the
price OF coal, the iron heel of despotic
oppression has seemingly triumpned N
the soft coal region, lifting the price
Of coal still higher, as will also be the
case with hard coal If organized labor
has its way.
Hence, as a coal dealer, recommend |
liberal provisions for supply of wool |
rather than submit to the prices of sell |
fish profiteers, for as between the coal /
operators and the miners the latter
seem to have the former beaten to a
standstill in the way of profteering. /
In that regard let not "the pot abuse
the KETTLE so to speak. 1t is the can
did belief of the writer that il the
American plan had been adopted last
April in all branches of industry this
would have been a most busy and pros
porous year for all concerned Besides.
collective bargaining and voting away
rights to work or not 10
work infringes upon individual rights,
by our national constitu.
ion. according to which a majority
annot legally vote away minority's
rights, which are declared to
'e 'inalienable." In that respect, every
Individual is sovereign of his own choice.
nd no one can be forced to strike
gainst his own will except through
he menacing power of fear il is done ,
a thousands of cases, in violation of ,
Individual constitutional liberty. IN
Lockouts and strikes are always the
esult of conspiracy and violate indi- 1
idual freedom and ought not to be toll
rated under our form of government. |
a man prefers idleness rather than
$40 per day, it is his privilege TO so
ioose, but do not let him or any body
men interfere with any willing work
Is rights. That is the american
LAM" under which people have pros
cred as have no other nations under
le sun. when strikes and idleness were
tile known. Let it come into complete
Ishion again and there will be plenty
coal and all needed supplies at rea-
'nable prices, and all idleness from
rikes viii be recalled with regrets.
1. F. Fortney. :
Plainfeld, Vt, Aug 2s, 1922. :