Arizona republican., 1922-06-20
BY Frederick J. Haskin

by rFGQeFlCk v. naSkln
WASHINGTON, d. c. June II
Organized labor has met with serious
reverses during the past year. This
has been shown by the record of
events, which include wage reduc-
tions all along the line and adverse
court actions and decisions. This has
been admitted during the delibera-
tions of the labor leaders during the
annual meeting OF the American
Federation of Labor at Cincinnati.
AS one observer has put it, labor
is now fighting a rearguard action.
That is to say, it is retreating but
contesting every foot of ground it
yields and endeavoring to prevent
the retreats becoming a panic and
a rout. Thus far it may be said to
have marshalled it's forces in good
order, but it is automatic that re-
treating army does not grow in num-
bers or in strength and it is apparent
that the leaders from Gompers on
down the line, are gravely concerned
over the outlook. This is not to be
taken as meaning that there is any
likelihood of general breaking up OF
labor organizations. or that what is
known as the labor movement may
be permanently checked. But it does
indicate that labor has had to give up
advantages once gained and that 1t
must now prepare to resist attacks
against which heretofore it has felt
itself to be immune.
Labor emerged from the war in a
highly satisfactory position, from its
own viewpoint. Distinct advances
had been achieved. Wage levels were
higher than they had ever been be-
for. Hours of labor had been reduced
generally, with the eight-hour day
and the hour week established in
many trades and industries. Puni-
tive overtime pay at the rate of one
and a half times or even twice the
regular scale for every hour worked
in addition to the fixed work day
had come to be accepted as labor S
due. Collective bargaining was no
longer an empty phase. Membership
in the unions had grown by leaps
and bounds, and their treasures were
full to overflowing. One interna-
tional was said to have over s7,500,000
in its reserve fund.
Sought to Hold Gains
Naturally the men in the forefront
of the labor movement were Keen 10
hold these gains and their post war
plans were all to that end. They did
not expect to maintain war wages
but they did believe that the princi-
pie of the living wage as minimum
for all workers, with differentials for
skill experience and hazards OF en-
ployment had been so securely
established that there would never be
return to old wage levels. Towever
they reckoned without the business
depression that came and persisted
and when they lost the steel strike
that was called in September, 1919,
and encountered vigorous govern
mental Intervention in the coal strike
of November following, their cause
and their pay plans may be said to
have received a setback.
In the transportation industry they
lost the national agreement as TO
rules and working conditions. which
had been negotiated with the rali-.
road administration during Federal
control, and certain groups of railway
workers lost the extra pay for over
time over eight hours a day.
But it has been in the courts thai
labor has met with what may prove
to be its most serious reverses. WITH
in the last year the injunction has
been used against the unions as
never before, particularly in West
the most sweeping character have
been issued against the United Mine
Workers on the plea of the anti-unior
operators. The union has been re-
strained from sending organizers into
the independent fields and from
making any effort to organize tht
miners there. Under the court orders
union members can not even discuss
union members ca not even discuss
the union with miners who are MOI
identified with the organization. Also
suits for damages have been brought
by operators against union Officials
and members.
In only one instance has labor
sought to use the injunction agains
employers. That came as an un-
expected development of a contro-
versy in the garment making indus
try in New York. when the union Sc
cured a court order restraining the
employers from breaking a contrac'
which had been entered into with the
union, and was so singularly success
full that it was thought labor nligh'
undertake to make frequent use O
the weapon SO often used against II
However, union leaders are so vc-
hemently opposed to the injunction
in industrial disputes that it seems
they will not seek to use it even wher
it might be to their advantage.
Jolts from the Supreme Court
First of a series of iolts which Ia
Dor received in the Supreme cour
of the United States was the decision
holding the secondary boycott to b.