being operated under the American Plan manned by clean-cut and loyal Americans of a high order of intelligence." Other company superintendents have in public and private described the company union "as an excellent buffer against organized labor."
A Bit of Oil History.
Mr. B. H. Sinclair, an officer of the Midwest Refining Company, told a conference of employers in 1924 why he thought their representation plan, installed in 1919, had been such a "wonderful success." The anti-union role of the company committees is illustrated in his remarks:
"We had a great deal of trouble in the Midwest Refining Company with unions up to two or three years ago. An international president of the oil field workers' union then came into our field, containing probably 4,000 oil field workers, and set up shop with two assistants. At the end of three months he had 388 members and those 38 were out of it in three or four months. That is an indication of what the plan will do." (Emphasis mine—R. W. D.)
Employers as Labor Leaders.
The Chief Engineer of a large machine manufacturing company also expresses this common object of the company union:
"It may help in keeping out outside professional agitation; anything that will counteract that kind of a force is worth trying."
The same engineer goes on with brutal frankness to show just how the committee can be used to suit the employer's purposes:
"The committee will not do much harm because after the first outburst of enthusiasm has worked off its steam, the committee will be indifferent as all committees are, and like putty in the hands of a clever leader. Then it is up to you (he is addressing the employers—R. W. D.) to lead the leader—in other words, see that he realizes what the business is for and what is best for it."
"Passing On" the Wage Cut.
An Interdenominational Committee on Industrial
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