_PUCK, October 26th, 1887._
To realize the terrible truth of this picture, it is necessary to
remember that trades-union tyranny cuts both ways. At a little earlier
date PUCK explained the situation thus:
“We read in the papers that such and such a body of working-men has
struck for higher wages, by command of such and such a union. Popular
sympathy is at once aroused in behalf of the underpaid laborer and
the benevolent union that has taken charge of his interests. But the
public does not know that the union which orders that the workman’s pay
shall be so high also orders that it shall be _no higher_. When the
union says to the employer: ‘You shall pay this man two dollars a day,’
it likewise says to the man: ‘You shall not receive _more_ than two
dollars a day. If you take ten cents more of your employer, every man
in the place must receive a proportionate increase in his wages, or you
must give the ten cents back. If you do not obey us, we will fine you.
If you will not pay the fine, we will turn you out of the union. We
will not let you work in any office where there are union men. If you
get work in a non-union shop, we will boycott you, we will boycott your
fellow working-men, we will boycott your employers, we will boycott
every man who sells you food or gives you lodging.’”
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