The New York herald., 1922-09-19
Aim Of Labor Unionisrn.
1t Seeks to Place All Workers on
the Same Level.

To THE New York HERALD: II. as
stated in your editorial article on the
labor situation entitled "One Law for
ALL" 'the vast majority OF the working
people In the United States do not want
to have a privileged class created" why
have they permitted not only the foun-
dations Of such a structure to be laid
but a substantial stronghold to be reared
thereon? My belief is that the explana-
ton Is found In lack OF common knowl-
edge OF what labor unionism has been
doing.
There Is no use denying the easily
proved fact that considerable suppress
sion has been used in the past concern
ing what the labor unions were doing.
The real spirit of unionism is not even
now a matter OF common knowledge. 1t
is only when a national calamity such as
the present faces US that we become pos
sessed of the facts. The constant petty
local irritations pass unnoticed. even
though they make in the mass far
more serious situation than even the
present coal strike presents.
What we require is a full exposure Of
what unionism stands for to-day. We
not only want to know what are its
methods in detail but what is the UNDER
lying spirit which animates 1t. The peo-
pie should be made to realize that In
reaching forth for hold on the judi
ciary unionism has but gone one step
further in assuming an unwarranted IL
not Illegal, control OF our affairs. For
unionism has for years been constantly
extending its legislative function. arbi-
trarily assumed, and has passed a mass
of rules under which the producer is
obliged to operate under threat of vio-
lence.
The bald facts must be faced the leg
islative enactments OF unionism. the mass
OF rules and regulations, classifications
and restrictions. wholly without warrant
in law, are to-day, by reason of the
threat of violence which upholds them.
often of more force than the legitimate
laws of the land.
If THE NEW YORK HERALD would pre-
sent even an abstract of the rules and
regulations of unionism under which our
producers stagger it would be doing the
country an inestimable service.
1t is not surprising that unionism
should stretch forth its hand to lay hold
upon our Constitution, for it has already
perverted the Declaration of Independ-
cnce. All men are equal, they say, mean
ing all men are average men, that there
is no better, no best. I quite agree
with you that "the average member OF
a trade union believes in one law for
ALL" but / do not see how he can pos
sibly be American in his ideals. Amer
lean in his sense of fair play" for the
law to which he as a trade unionist has
subscribed is not the one law for all
of which you write. His "alr' is a class
this "alp' other labor is outlaw. 1t did
not take the Herrin massacre to con-
vince us Of this.
The law Of unionism Is that all men
shall grade on the mediocre, with one
price for all. The best men have no
chance to extend themselves, no oppor-
tCnity to prove their manhood. The
average member is the standard where
the standard is not even lower than that.
Think OF trying to run even a baseball
league on these lines!
! would like to see an artisans Mara
thon, series of contests TO prove what
our workmen are capable OF. would
like to see competitions in bricklaying
and shoemaking and possibly in typeset-
ting, and in any other of the gainful
occupations in which the producers feel
that their best men are being held down
unwarrantaDly. Such a contest would
be productive of great good. 1t would
prove If union labor can meet other labor
upon an American basis. II. B. NJ.
DYKEMANs, September IS.