For Whom Does the Laborer Work?
A significant question is, "For whose interest is a union laborer supposed to work, that of his employer or that of his union?" Recently a union paper-hanger in this city was doing a job for which his employer had a contract. Shortly before quitting-time on the second day the employer came around to see how the work was progressing. Looking about the rooms a moment, he expressed the opinion that there was not as much done as there ought to have been, and then went away. Then the workman remarked to the lady of the house: "The boss thinks I haven't done enough to-day; I would work a while after hours, but I am afraid some union man would go by and notice that I was at work." Here was a man who tacitly acknowledged that the "boss" had some reason to expect more, and was willing to make up the lack; but he did not dare to uphold the interest of the employer for fear of the union. If that is not tyranny, where would we go to find it?