The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-12-23

| LQ6b bu0 0u1OLCCIACA1 "a IA OASAS AS~
rule vas entirely incompatible with
tho interests of the industry, notably
among the iron and steel workers; a
few of the largest concerns have made
a test of the three, shifts system with
entire success.
There is no question but that the
near future is bright for the eight
hour movement, if the organized wage
workers will but concentrate their eff
forts upon its achievement.
l am fully aware that the establish
ment of the eight hour workday will
not be the end of the efforts of the
working people for economic and so,
cial improvements and reform, aud
thas many things demand our atten-
ton in the meantime; yet the great
good a substantial reduction in the
hours of labor will bring to the
toilers of our country, the hundreds
it will save from poverty and degra
dalton will clear the path and prepare
the working people to see the wrongs
and injustjces practiced upon them in
subtl and ingenious ways.
This movement of ours finds a re-
sponsive chord in the hearts and
minds of the overworked and nem
ployed. 1t is at once a watchword
and a rallying cry which will ennoble
the men and women of our time, and
make the progress and civilization of
the future more ecure | therefore
~fervently hope that this convention
will continue to carry on this battle
for a shorter workdsy until victory is
assured, and 8 hours inscribed upon the
banners of the Trade Unions of our
country as a limitation of a days
work.
H NEXT TRADE.
The Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor last
March selected the coal miners OF the
country to make the demand for the
enforcement of the eight hour work
day Immediately after the contest of
the carpenters would close, and so
notified the officers.
The time was deemed unpropitious
and they declared for its enforcement
May 1st, 1891. In consequence of
that decision, it upset the plans of the
Executive Council to continue in the
selection of one trade after another,
since none other of a national char
acter vas in a position of preparation
to enter the contest upon so short a
notice, hence we have decided to refer
the entire subject to this c invention
for furthec consideration and approval.
OUR GROWTH.
The past year has witnessed the ex
pansion among and the great recogni
tion on the part of the wage workers
of America, that the Trade Union
form of organization is the best to
protect and advance their Interests.
The National Trade Unions reported
having established 9l3 local branches
throughout the various parts of the
country, while PA charters for local
unions were issued from the Office Of
the American Federation of Labor to
such wage workers who have no Ma
tiOnal Union Of their ira !e or calling.
The membership Of all organizations
except one has increased from five to
thirty five per cent The non increase
in the one (the Lasters' Protective
Union of America) is attributed to
the fact that a disastrous confagration
devastated the center of their industry
at Lynn, Mass.
NEW NATIONAL UNION
Following the purposes and policy
of our organization, | have always e n
deavored. as soon as a sufficient num-
Der of local unions of any trade were
formed, to bring them into correspon,
dence with each other, and either to
hold a conference or convention to
form a National Union.
To my mind it was better to have
the National Union started and set on
its way to progress, though weak at
first, than to have a fragmentary
number of local unions of the same
trade or calling without any central
head or common concert of action
among them. AS a consequence
twelve new national and internati onal
unions were formed within the past
year, and two are about to hold a con.
v%ention for the same purpose within a
few days.
OF the above number, eight have
affiliated to the American Federation
of Labor, and the remainder propose
to do so at their next convention.
There have been cases of local
unions of certain trades that were di.
rectlY affiliated to the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, which, when a Ma
tional Union of their trade was organ
lied, desired to retain their direct
affiiation with us and refused to join
the National Union. After repeated
efforts to persuade them to attach
themselves to the National Union.