Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1890-12-29

convention. The National trades unions
reported having established 913 local
branches throughout the various parts
of the country, while 274 charters for
local unions were issued from the Office
of the American Federation of Labor to
such wage workers who have no nation
al union of their trade or calling. The
membership of all organizations except
one has increased from to 35 per cent
The nOn-increase in the one (the Lasters'
Protective Union of America) is attrib-
utable to the fact that disastrous con-
fagration devastated the center OF their
industry at Lynn, Mass
STRIKE STATISTICS.
From the statistical blanks before re-
ferred to the national organizations re-
ported l, 1853 strikes having taken place
authorized by them.
Of this number $50 were successful, rs
lost and SO compromised.
Many were the concessions gained
without the necessity of resorting to
strike, and in most cases the answers
came too numerous to mention. "cannOt
mention them all, etc., etc."
The strikes were generally for reduc-
ton in the hours of labor and increase of
wages, or the maintenance of the rights
of the workers.
All report an increase OF wages from
to 25 per cent, except one, the silk
workers, who report lesser earnings.
owing to dullness of trade.
The increase in wages and improved
conditions was shared in proportion
ately by those who were not members
of the organization.
Thus it will be seen that our organi-
cations are continually succeeding in
making their members larger sharers in
the product of their toll and doing that
work for them which no other organiza-
ton on earth think it worth their while
to deal with.
I am more than convinced that as the
working people learn to appreciate the
necessity of organization and the fedora
ton of all, steadier and larger gains will
be forthcoming as the result OF our joint
/ efforts, and we shall be SO much nearer
the end-justice to all mankind-for
which we so earnestly strive.
| desire to impress upon the minds or
the working people the absolute heces-
sity that they should keep in view that
| it is not buster nor ostentation that will
win victories for them.
Such organizations of labor may AZ
times win victories from their employ
e1s, but they are generally Of transitory
character. We must not only be right,
but possess the power to enforce that
right, and there is no argument so po-
tent with unwilling or unfair employers
to grant reasonable demands as well
organized trade union, with a well filled
treasury, to stand them in need should
a strike be necessary to enforce the de-
mand
The payment of fair dues in union,
regularly contributed in times OF peace,
is much more valuable than assessments
enforced during strikes. The workers
are then always prepared to meet any
attack and give their organizations the
character OF permanency so essential to
success.
ASSESSMENTS.
With the last convention new area
was opened up in one of the methods Of
our organization.
We inaugurated system by which all
the national trade unions affiliated were
.required to assess their members or pay
directly certain sum toward helping
affiliated unions in conflict to maintain
their rights in difficulties with their en-
ployers.
Most of the organizations responded to
| tba coll at once while others were bound