The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-04-17
KNIGHTS OF LABOR
BY J. e. Jones

Washington, d. c., April 13--
Half century ago a secret labor orr
ganization calling itself knights
of Labor" was Joined" by workers
and politicians in every State. in the
Union, and it had a boom, and great
influence throughout the nation. At
ter awhile the politicians outnum-
bered the Knights--and that killed
the organization. knights" and
politicians of our times are bound
together in the same kind Of part
nership--which is on the verge of
dissolution.
A few days ago a famous column
mist in commenting on the food of
letters pouring in on Congress de-
handing new labor legislation re-
marked that the labor leaders would
be much happier and much wiser
men when they quit trying to swim
up Niagara Falls.
A page advertisement In large
daily newspapers this week said 1t
was "to bring the truth to the Amer
lean people because large percent
age of the. newspapers in America
do not print the truth about labor
in their news and editorial col
umns".
1t is an untruth to say there is
any criticism of labor in the news
papers--the big knights are hiding
their union-political trickery, and
setting up a straw-man alibi.
There is only one big issue, ac-
cording to a statement by Donald
Nelson a few days ago, and that is:
Obtaining the most war production
possible in the shortest space of
time"
The knights of the round table
gather in Washington for their ses-
sions. They attack so-called Labor
curbs" by Congress. These knights
of the round table are constantly
insisting that their own law" that
the 40 hour week should be retained
land that simply means overtime
for the sixth day of the week, or
the 48 hour week. The knights yield
ed to public indignation in drop
ping their demands for double-pay
for Sundays. The issued positive in
structions to Congress not to legis-
late to outlaw strikes, or forbid the
closed shops.
They denounced as mysterious"
the messages pouring into the Of
does of Senators and Congressman
that demanded laws by Congress to
regulate the union. These knights of
the round table-re-enacted and re-
vised their own laws and rules.
While they exercised this unauthor-
lzed authority they notified the con-
stitutional legislative branch of the
United States that the Senate and
The House must not pass any new
labor laws. Meantime Senator Con-
nally told the Senate that "the war
won't wait" on voluntary agree
ments to cease interruption in pro-
duction.
c. I. o. and the A. F. of L. have
their headquarters in Washington
and they have close to 10 million
members, for whom they claim the
right to speak,. The leaders of
both organizations tell the politi-
clans what to do.
The letters to Congressman are
from all classes of people, including
great numbers of union workers
who speak their own views, ex-
press their individual opinions. and
clearly indicate that they are for the
kind of Unity that is their country
first; and their individual comforts,
profits and organization affiliations
afterwards.
There is only one possible answer
to all this confusion. That answer
is to quit clubbing with these new
autocratic labor dictators. The law
of the Government must not he de-