The Connecticut labor news., 1923-03-23
UNION LABEL GUIDES CROPPING CONSUMER
 LIKE SEARCHLICHT
Qnternational Typographical Union SerYiceO

SC1 N4IC.J
 Like a giant searchlight the Union Label shines to guide the groping consumer in his quest for sound products. The buyer nearly always works in the dark. He must depend assurance that the merchandise he gets will De good. The guarantee of no manufacturer or merchant quite equals the Union Label as surety of sound value.
 Union workmanship is always de- pendable. Furthermore products of union shops are always made under healthful conditions and will not carry infections. The best of ma l terials, fashioned into articles by non union, child or convict labor, may well lose their worth as a result of inferior workmanship.
 Those are reasons why all con- sumers, within and without the ranks of labor, should insist upon the Union Label.
 For union men there are many reasons for searching out label bear ing goods. It has been repeatedly declared by wise union leaders and by disinterested economists that the battle of labor will be won the day all staunch unionists and their wives come to realize their duty to buy only made goods and service. The label accords a method for organizing labor in a ,two-fold way-hrst as pro- ducers and second as consumers. La bor is the most important consuming class in the country. The label and better wages go hand in hand. The demand for union-made goods Is de he int 0th har trades. Owners of union shops, therefore can be made to see the economic soundness of the living wage principle.
 Every time union member buys unfair" goods he strikes blow at the union craftsmen in that trade, which blow naturally reacts against the buyer and all union workers.
 American workers depend upon econpmic, rather than political means, to advance their causes. The strike is an. economic weapon. Its use is we'll understood and ample proof has been offered of the workers answering loyalty in collective bar gaining. When understanding of the Union Labels importance reaches in to all trades, the consumers power will compare favorably with the pro- ducers' power in, the struggle for in dustrial justice.
 The rich and militant "open shop" crowd is wide open" to receive a blow in this quarter. Widespread support of the label and the label principle by union members would send the forces of greed scurrying for cover.
 Cooperation between union mem bers in general and such organizations as the building trades bodies would mean improved housing conditions as required by law in most cities but fagrantly neglected-and would mean more work for honest craftsmen, be- sides exercising a very discouraging influence on the "open shoppers" In- deed there is no limit to the possi- bilities of Label~League cooperation.
 The union Workmansis no grafter. If he was not honest by nature he would not be toiling for honest liv- ing It is a we'll established truth that union workmanship means hon est value. Further, 1t is perfectly reasonable to believe that the even tual acceptance of the "c1osed shop" by employers will mean further values to consumers of all products The public generally will come to learn that the Union Label serves as check on graft. when union members, themselves, prove their faith in the Label.