The Connecticut labor news., 1922-02-10

ldHuIc tO duJuSt tlllS UT tIldt grievance, but work upon the individuals as well :; particularly exploiting their narrow pre- judices: For example, If man is found to hold narrow racial, religious or poli- tical prejudices, they stimulate his pet prejudice, and it really works well. You | would be surprised to know to what ex- tent racial, religious and political preju- dices can be used to create dissension and bring about division in the unions. General Manager: Yes, it really is as- 1 tonishing in this day and ago. how many men who seem to have fairly good intel l ligence can be influenced by such means The fools, if they only realized their strength, they surely would make it ! have little to fear while they will allow us to keep them divided by their petty jealousies and prejudices. There is no gain saying the fact that the workers, after all, stand in fear of the employer, while really the only thing they have to ] fear Is their lack of loyalty to their or ganizations. If once they realize this, it surely will be bad day for capital. President: Yes, it is unfortunate they 1 do not realize their power, but I am al l prehensive because each day there are some who wake up, and that means added converts to the union principle, and once converted, you cannot influence man or woman who really becomes i,nbued with the trade union spirit; and we 1 should do something in addition to des- 1 troying the unions. This is an age of organization: The spirit permeates the people: believe we ought to provide a
 substitute for the union.
 ; Superintendent: We'll, I have thought of that; however, the Company, or Amer ican Plan union is not working out any too we'll. Many large industrial corpor-
 ations have tried it, and sooner or later, due to the employer being too aggressive and over-anxious to cut wages and re- l stroy conditions, rebellion occurs, which results ill costly strikes. For instance,
 look at the packing industry at the pres ! ent time; and the miners in Southern l Colorado
 President: Yes, know about that but ! believe we can handle it differently ! You know we have not had any strikes ! that resulted in lasting bitterness, and l | feel that the employees have more than the average confidence in me, and will really l take an interest i'll a plan I might pro- | pose.
 General Manager: What sort of plan have you in mind?
 President: Oh, just the usual Company
 owned and controlled Union. Shop Com
 rnittees, etc, that the men think they have
 selected, but are really under our con-
 trol and subservient to the Company's
 wishes. We can carefully disguise the
 plan, so that it will not appear as being
 the usual American Plan or Company
 Union. 1 think that would be easy to do.
 Superintendent: How do you intend to
 start it?
 President: We'll, you have the knack
 of impressing the employees as being fair
 ou have followed the habit of going
 through the factory and addressing the
 men, in very patronizing way, by their
 first name. They like that. They think
 that 1t is displaying a democratic spirit
 and kindliness, and feel compli1nented
 when you stop and talk with them Don,
 you notice how they are inclined to smile
 at your attention, and laugh when yor
 laugh; they don't realize that you arc
 really laughing at their ready response to your attention.
 , ! Superintendent Yes, I do wield some
 influence. I admit they like the atten. tion l give them. I find it is quite ef. |. fective even though deceptive
 President: We'll, now, what I have 1T
 mind is you inviting to meeting mum. . Der of old employees who are representa-. tive men from the various departments Include some of strong and pronounced
 union activities, if there are any left : Superintendent: There are a few. T President: We'll, invite them; mixing
 the invitations SO they appear impartial , and as having been selected at random
 Have them meet you in your office ane tell them you want to discuss condition: with them. You know-play on thei, vanity; that is very effective. Drag tht l meeting along so you can, with propriety t invite them to lunch, at the Company restaurant; then the General Manage, and l will just casually drop in, and O
 course appear surprised and pleased tt :, see the party; we will join in and cha ) with everybody; and at the opportun s time I will mention how glad I am to SCI l our Superintendent and the representa-
 tives of the employees getting along s' = arniably, and state that it is the kind O l, spirit that ought to exist in all industria 7 plants; expressing the hope that sucl