OVERLOOKING THE MAIN ISSUE

The capital and public groups at the Labor Conference appear to be cutting their own throats. In standing against the so-called rights of recognition and unionization they are losing sight of the one great issue--the right of open shops. This right capital must uphold. To give in here means suicide not only for capital, but for the nation. If employees can force their employer to discharge anyone because he does not belong to their union they are violating the spirit of the Constitution. There is no telling to what extremes such boycotts could be carried. But instead of concentrating its forces on this one great fight, we see capital make still more remote any possibility of amicable compromise by quibbling over the rights of recognition and unionization, neither of which are intrinsically wrong or of relatively great importance. Mr. Gary refuses to treat on questions of labor conditions in his factories with anyone not directly concerned with them. He says he will talk with his own laborers but with no one else. But the laborers but with no one else. But the laboring men argue that none of them like to complain to their chief, because, in case of a necessary reduction of hands, the "agitators" would be the first to go. A man outside, skilled in estimating labor conditions, could say what he thought with no fear of dismissal, and could give a more comprehensive view of what was going on in all the factories. This right of representation is no very radical plat-form; it is not only-justified but inevitable. An employer is in no way compelled to accept the advice offered, provided he has an open shop. Refusing this right at this time of strained relations is showing a great lack of foresight.

One-third of the capital of the country is refusing to allow its employees to form into unions. With equal temerity King Canute once tried to stop the rising tide.

The name "union" has come into bad repute by the exorbitant demands of many strikes. But capital in the long run, cannot prevent the formation of unions. Why not concede the fact now and try to promote a spirit of unity between capital, labor, and the public? But capital by its uncompromising attitude is playing into the hands of labor. The latter claim they are forced to threaten with the closed shop. And what is more, labor has at present the public on its side. Capital, to win the people back, must in the very near future make a change of front.