UNION LABOR DANGERS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 16, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 50.

UNION LABOR DANGERS.

Under the heading of "The Scylla and Charybdis of Trade Unionism," Herbert N. Casson, in the New York Independent, notes the two principal difficulties with which labor unionism has to contend. One is the always unreasoning clamor of the crowd, and the other is the revolutionary optimism of political Socialism. He says, "The rank and file in almost every trade can see no farther than the next pay envelope." Again, in illustrating the difficulties of the conservative labor leader, he says: "It is the frequent boast of a well-known retired labor leader, that in his long career he had never ordered a strike. The recent coal strike, as may be remembered, was demanded by the rank and file of the miners, and in spite of the strenuous opposition of John Mitchell."

"The point of the article is that when business is good, and laborers are well employed, the crowd claims that then is the time to strike, because it is the time when their labor is in demand. They say, 'We have the power, and now is our opportunity.' The leader may know that it is not opportune for various reasons, but 'a crowd loves extreme measures.' This develops the imperial labor leader, who arouses antagonism."

"On the other hand," says Mr. Casson, "when business is bad, and a large proportion of the union members are out of work, the task of the leader is quite different, tho equally arduous. This is the time when the revolutionary Socialist appears, with his endeavors to disintegrate the union, and swing all its members into a fanatical and turbulent political movement. The weak points of unionism are pointed out—its inability to provide work for its members, its failure to maintain wages at their former level, its helplessness in the face of a united millionarism, and a capitalistic government."

"As against the slow and unsure methods of unionism, the 'presto, change' plan of labor politics is advocated with a fierce emphasis that wins converts easily among the members employed, and disheartened workers. . . . Their propaganda has double force if an election is at hand. . . . Scores of unions have been broken up by such defections, while all are weakened and discouraged to a large extent."