THE LABOR QUESTION IN DES MOINES.
THIS city has been experiencing considerable agitation of the labor question for several days. Some of the trade-unions are opposed to working with non-union men, while members of the business men's association are determined to enforce “open shop” rule. The question of wages, or of abuses demanding correction, has not entered into the controversy for wages, and general conditions have been satisfactory. But when the unions began to pass resolutions that they would not work with non-union men, the contractors and dealers in material united and decided to take action. As a result, some branches of work have been almost suspended, concerns furnishing building material of various kinds refusing to contract with either union or non-union men until the question was settled, the evident intent being to effect a lockout until the open shop was established. The word was given out that the trade-unions here would receive financial assistance from other parts of the country, and that the question of open9or closed shop would be fought out in Des Moines this summer. Thus the situation seemed to be assuming grave proportions. However, it now seems possible that the matter may be adjusted without serious trouble. The feature of special interest in the situation has been the combination of wholesale and retail dealers in building supplies with the contractors to defeat the unions. There have been many instances where unions have joined in a strike from sympathy, for the purpose of helping their neighbor union gain its object. Now we see developing a general union of the forces of capital in opposition to the general federation of the labor unions. Thus another step is taken in the great conflict between capital and labor, and it would seem that the culmination could not be far distant.—Workers' Bulletin.