Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1923-09-28
THE OPEN SHOP MOVEMENT
AND IT'S ALLIES.

me open SnOp movement cOulu
be divided in two categories--one is
out in the open, and in every deelara-
ton, resolution, or announcements,
is emphatically proelaiming its policy +.
the other one is more or less conceal
ing its real object under the cloak of
presumptive federation. Both factions
go even so far as TO encourage Bon
uses, Company Committees. and other
schemes, which have tendency to
divert the workers attention from the
real issue.
Both camps harbor at times an ele-
ment bordering on sincerity of pur-
pose, but in most instances il Is
either misguided or wilful intent for
ruling passion, which narrows ones
vision, becomes intolerant of the
rights of others, forsaking higher
planes Of conception as well as prin-
ciple. "The Open Shop" Movement
as whole, is charged with and is
guilty of aiding, abetting, and in most
cases, responsible for the existence of
the Labor Crushing Detective Agency,
1t is its most ardent supporters, IN
fact, its main prop.
But like the proverbal "Franken-
stein," the "Stoolpigeon" will aim and
is already showing signs of success OF
destroying its own maker" "The
Open Shop Movement"
The private Detective Agency's'
very existence is based on treachery
embarrassing and lies, and He who
lives for me will lie against me-
should be burned deep into the hearts
of those who insist on giving any Gre
dence to any story told by stool
pigeon"
There are two factors entering into
the controversy of Union Shop" VS.
"Open Shop" which leaves very little
ground for any argument WIZ: In
brief the proponents of the Union
Shop" insist and maintain that the
workers should be permitted TO voice
their sentiments regarding the condl'
tions under which they have to labor
and the wages they should receive as
a return for their labor, through the
instrument of collective bargaining.
The open Shop though. is mis-
homer. There is no such a thing as
an open shop. The open Shop" as
rule, is closed to Union men, as the
succeeding pages will show.
The very fact that under cover
men are employed by the open Shop
per" is prima facie evidence that Un'
ion men are not tolerated within the
precincts of the "0pen Shop"
The "Open Shop" generally speak
ing, gives the workers no voice II
determining the conditions under
which they work; it sets its OWL
arbitrary policy, as well as the wage;
the worker receives for his services
and are generally the lowest.
The Union Shop is a harbinger Of
hope; it increases the earning power
of the worker, ii shortens the hour'
of toll, which in turn makes II pos
sible for the wage-earner to MAINTAIN
his family in decency and comfort; i
gives him more leisure and makes j
more possible to send his children Il
school and give them an education
to strive for a better world.
The Printers and Cigarmakers' I'm
ions doubled their members lives IL
20 years by raising wages, shorten
ing the hours, and improving WORKING
conditions. This holds good with al
other Unions. Reverse that, and on
beholds a CHASTITY picture--long hours
low wages and unbearable working
conditions, which are the harvest o
the "Open Shop" One will find tn
| death rate on the increase, crime ram
pant and an abortive civilization. III
| ChiIdren's Bureau of federal govern
ment found that where the family In
come averages less than $4,000 an
nually l68 of every 1000 babies Dor
die in the first year. II the income j
/ between $4,000 and $4,000 only IL
perish in the first IL months. Whel
/ the income reaches $3.50, which !
| still less than a decent living wage
/ only 65 die TO every thousand.
The difference between the Unio
! Shop and Open Shop is equivalent I
a living wage against the dying wage
| The former spells a living, mOderl
| civilization; the latter is over-populat
/ ing our cemeteries. The Open Shop ]
responsible for a condition as fol
/ lows: 100 men at the age Of 20 year
are self-supporting, 40 years later
81 are in the poorhouse, or total!
dependent on charity, SO are dead,
are still working for a living, ar
vel 70 do, and only one rich. tWitl
apologies TO the Bankers Manual
the above is their picture, not tn
authOr's).
Reverse the above picture and Sc
the difference. To those well mean
ing but misguided dilettanti in tn
labor movement. who clamor for
"new orientation" Of il; because &C
cording to their conception Of a $50
cial Order" the movement is Ito
| slow" and not enough progress Ia
J been made, and that the A. F. Of L. j