The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-07-18
Voters Repudiate Voters
of Trade Unionism
By SAMUEL GOMPERS
(From the American Federationist for JULY

What Americans think of the So
called American plan" of mismanag-
ing industry was shown in unmistak-
able fashion at the recent municipal
election in San Jose, Calf
The issue was the american plan"
versus trade unionism and trade
unionism won hands down, the
American plan" taking a walloping
from which it will be long time re-
covering.
The Industrial Association, COM
posed of organized labor's enemies
in the California city, lines up solidly
behind its candidate for city coun,
Gilman. Labor and other elements
opposed to the "open shop" alias the
American plan," actively supported
the candidacy of William j. Bigger,
member of Carpenters Union No.
316, of San Jose, and consistent
and aggressive trade unionist Mr.
Bigger was elected by a handsome
majority.
The San Jose election is said to
have been the first in which the peo-
pie of any community have had the
opportunity to show their opinion Of
the so-called American plan" The
people showed no hesitancy in utterly
repudiating the scheme and voting in
favor of an American who stood four
square for American trade unionism
and American standards of living.
The foes of organized labor poured
out money in desperate effort to
elect their candidate and thereby
bolster up their cause. Scurrilous at
tacks were made on the labor candi-
date in full page advertisements ap-
pearing in the daily press and lying
statements affecting him were circu-
lated at the eleventh hour of the cam
paign, in the hope that sufficient
number of votes could be swung to
defeat Mr.. Bigger.
The result of the election was con-
vincing proof of the sound common
sense of the San Jose voters and of
their ability to recognize falsehood
and un-American principles. The
high-sounding claims made for the
American plan" by its advocates
had no influence on them, as they
had seen with their own eyes the
disastrous effects of the so-called
"plan."
For three years the decent, law
abiding citizens of San Jose had OBJ
served the American plan" in opera
ton and they were heartily sick Of
the whole scheme. They had seen
trade and business suffer during the
attempt to make San Jose an "Amer-
lean plan" city. What was worse,
they had seen bitter hatred and soul
soaring distrust stirred up in COM
munity that believed in living in
peace and harmony.
Every result of the "open shop
pers" campaign, camouflaged under
the misleading name, American
plan," had shown the citizens the fu-
tility and madness of the whole elab-
crate plot to disrupt organized labor.
So it was no wonder that when the
, citizens were given the opportunity
to express their sentiment, they
struck hard against the iniquitous
American plan" and all it's advo-
Gates.
There is no doubt that the citizens
of every American community where
the American plan" has been tried
would vote as did San Jose if given
the chance of voting on the "plan.
Though at first persons may have
been deceived by the specious plati-
tudes and glittering generalities Of
the American planners" they are
now fully cognizant Of the meaning