The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-03-10

but many conditions are improv-
ing. 1t seems that this country
decided as long as business was
in general turmoil, it might
lust as we'll be stirred a., little
deeper and so the time OF read
iustment has been taken as the
proper time to settle the labor
question also. 1t looks as if we
were coming somewhere near a
solution. New York courts may
have cleared the atmosphere con-
siderably by recent decision. The
Miami Herald comments on the
decision in way to make clear
what a momentous point has
been settled. The Herald says:
For years labor organizations have
contended that labor should not be
regarded as commodity, to be
bought and sold as are other COM
modities, and that principle has prac-
tically been recognized by the laws
on the subject of labor.
Now comes an application OF that
very vital principle that may not be
altogether satisfactory to labor or
CARNATIONS.
In a very recent case in the south
ern federal district of New York,
where disputes as to conflicting claims
of labor organizations and employers
are adjusted, four points were passed
Ionron hu the
court, and this decree will be the
basis upon which those employers en-
gagged in construction will be freed
from the destructive domination
that has so long prevailed.
There are four points in the de-
cree, and they will have far-reaching
consequences. The first declares that
there is to be no limit placed on the
productive capacity of the workman
during working hours or any other
given time.
1t was found, and the fact has often
been alluded to, that in one industry,
that of bricklaying, the unions had
actually set the number Of brick
that ran should lay as day. work,
and the number finally became SO
small as to be prohibitive of brick
construction.
The second count or division of the
decree declares that there shall be
no limitation of the right of the en-
ployer to purchase his material wher-
ever he may choose, regardless OF
whetnor the material is union-made
or not.
One of the reasons for the slump
in home building last year and the
wear previous was that in certain
sections of the country the unions
had gained such control that they
could not only dictate the number of
hours and days their members should
work, but that the employers should
purchase the material upon which
they were to work at such places as
the union might dictate. thus add
ing immensely to the cost of con-
struction and virtually putting an
end to new building.
The fourth and fifth divisions of
the decree prohibit favoritism to be
shown by organized labor to any
trade association, and labor organiz-
ations are not to permit themselves
to be used by material men or con-
tractors as instruments for the collec-
ton of debts.
The principle is recognized,
throughout, that labor is not COM
modify and in its application,
through this decree, it frees the in
dustrious and active working man
from the restraints placed upon him
by his organization and permits him
to earn as much as he desires by his
extra exertions.
This decree Of a federal court es-
tablishes the law and, as was said of
it by the attorney-general of the
United States, Constitutes a new
bill of rights for the home builder,
the rent payer, the manufacturer and
the business man who has to build"
1t will also prove a new bill OF
rights for the Industrious working
man who wants to get ahead by his
own industry, intelligence and init
alive.
Food prices dropped five per
cent in January, we have heard,
but so far we haven't noticed the
discount in our monthly accounts,
but it's encouraging to know
that there has been a discount on
paper.