Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-02-10
BOSSES UNIONS
PATTERNED AFTER SIXTEENTH
CENTURY SERFDOM.
Legitimate Trades Unions Only Pro-
lection Against Industrial BarOns
Attempt to Renew Ancient
Control Over Workers.

hington-Successfu resistance
by legitimate trade unions against at
tempts of greedy employers to break
down hard-won living standards OF
the workers has given palsy to pro-
moters of so-called company unions"
These evangelists of sixteenth-cen-
tury feudalism know the bedrock prin-
cipies upon which the company un-
ion" rests are low wages, long hours
of labor and absolute control by the
company of working conditions, and
complete mastery over the workers
lives.
Company Union" Not Voluntary.
They we'll understand that no man
voluntarily and willingly accepts such
rule. And they do not undervalue the
moral effect upon the victimized
workers of successful resistance to
tyranny of other men of labor who
are enrolled in the legitimate organl-
cations of the working people. Hence
they are fearful; hence in their fear
they evangelize and eXhort their lab
orers with blather on loyalty to the
company" "fealty to the company's
interest" fair treatment for the COM
pany."
They clear the factory floors for
bi-monthly dances at which the presi-
dent of the company and his wife are
the guests of honor and receive hon.
age of the workers and their families.
Then when they think the proper
1oyal" sentiment has been aroused
they cut wages or lengthen hours
through a company meeting" at
which they are told through their al
legged "shop committee" that the
company needs money to pay divi-
dends, or to increase "capital invest
ment." or to "extend invested func-
tions," or surplus for fixed charges"
all of which is as Sanskrit to the
"1oyal" workers-just what it is in
tended to be.
Workers Always Lose.
Still the workers realize, even
though they do not grasp the riddle !
of terms, that it is queer sort of |
union or partnership in which they |
always lose and the company always
wins.
That single ray of mental light, that
slight vision of unfair division, por-
tends the breaking up of the "com-
pany union" And that is what is
taking place now, because the "com-
pany union" is bound to go upon the /
rocks the moment it steers its course !
by the chart upon which it is organ
iZed-tearing down the livin" stand |
ard of the workers.
This purpose may be hidden for a I
time in insurance schemes, in profit |
sharing devices, that won't bear close
inspection, in friendly visiting" and
welfare work (Which, in many instanc-
es, is merely cloak for prying into
the private affairs of the workers to |
obtain information as to their meth
DDS of life), in plastering the work.
room walls with "golden rule" mot
toes, in which the workers are urged
to give the best that is in them as a
proof of "loyalty" to the company.
The policy of sklnning labor is made ,
science in the company union" and
every suggestion to further that pol
icy finds a ready sale and liberal
reward The basic theory of that
science is that the workers are there
to give and the company to take.
More Power Than Feudal Lord.
The company unions" WELD their
greatest sway in times of industrial |
depression for the reason that the in
dustrial baron exercises a greater |
power over the being of the worker
than did the feudal baron. The serf
of old could not be chased off the land !,
and he may be driven off the job
whenever the industrial baron so wills
it. Not only that, the fellow may be
blacklisted with other industrial bar
ons, boycotted, bounded and even
jailed if his baron wishes to use all
the industrial and legal resources he
possesses as a baron.
Trade Unions the Leash.
There is only one restraining infu-
ence which holds him in leash.
That is the legitimate trade union,
the form of which he copies and the
principles of which he must finally
adopt if he would have industrial peace
and do justice both to the company
and to the workers.
Disabled Veterans Sighted
Seattle-Unable to get justice from
local vocational training and compen-
sation officials, disabled veterans of |