The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1923-08-31


of us builds home, and then we
always insist that none but union
mechanics shall be employed"
Did it ever occur to you," broke
in the employer, "that every time you
buy a cigar you are employing
cigarmaker? You employ tailor or
a garment worker to make your
clothes, halter to make your hats,
shoemaker to make your shoes or
stagehand and musician when YOU
attend picture show You look upon
US as the employers of labor merely
because we hand you the pay envelope
every Saturday afternoon, but the
purchasing public is the greatest en-
ployer of all. The workers consti-
tute the bulk of the public. The
union workers of the country, their
families and dependents represent 25
per cent of the American public. Five
million workers holding union cards
are the chief bread winners for
twenty-five million people, including
themselves That's about one-ouarter
of our population.
"If you mobilize your purchasing
power as you are attempting to do
your producing power, there would
soon be precious few non-union in
dustrial establishments in this coun-
try. Instead of five million union
workers there would in a very short
time be twice that many and all the
while your power would be increasing.
Business recognizes power more than
it does anything else. Yours would
be power for good, for human bet
terment, and would, therefore, not
be dangerous
THAT is a fine sentiment" said the
chairman. Il am sure my colleagues
will join me in extending to you an
invitation to address our members,
your employees, at the next meeting
on the subject of The Union Label
1t is the most forcible / have ever
heard, and | am quite sure we have
any number of men who need to be
reminded of the label"
Il shall be pleased to go at any
time," replied the employer as he led
the committee from his private office
to the waiting room. Then he reach
ed for their hats upon the table,
turning up the sweatband of each as
he handed it to its owner. Next he
reached for their overcoats, examin-
ing the inside pocket of each as he
assisted in putting it on.
Gentlemen, | appreciate your en-
barrassment," he began, "and | will
not rub it in. There is at least one
of the committe who is more than a
card carrier When / was wage
Garner and belonged to the union
got the union label habit, and it has
never left me. Here's my hat here;
see, it bears the label of the United
Hatters' Union. | wear better clothes
now than | did then, but they are
made by union tailor. There's the
union label. Examine the soles of
my shoes. There's the stamp of the
Boot and Shoe Workers Union. Have
cigar, and let's part good friends.
Note the Cigarmakers' blue label on
the box, the oldest of them all, and
the cigars were made right here at
home.
"Let me also add in passing: Your
chairman, | noticed in our conference,
smoked nothing but notorious brand
of scab cigarettes, didn't you, Mac?
And another member of your commit
tee here rolls his own from tobacco
known everywhere as a scab product.
"While ! no longer carry union
card ! claim to be 100 per cent en-
ployer of union labor. have right
to be proud of my consistency and
my contribution to the betterment of
all, and | trust the next time we
meet you will be able to make the
same boast"
1t was a sheepish committee that
left the employers office with their
union agreement duly signed, and it
is needless to say that the cause of
true unionism experienced revival
in that union such as it never had
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