The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-28


of these organizations has been a
theme for debate in all branches of
labor, and in some instances these dis
cussions have led to disunion or OPP
posing organizations.
1t is agreed that some form of gov
eminent for associations of working
people is essential, but what particu-
lar form is most efficient in securing
the object sought is as much a prob
lem among working people as is the
SAM question among the citizens Of
nations.
In ancient times, when the masses
were illfterate, forms OF national gov
ernment usually owed their origin to
individual leaders; thus Moses gave to
the Hebrews their laws, Lycurgus to
the Spartans and Scion to the Athen-
1ans. Some labor organizations owe
their existence to similar sources but
usually their laws eminate from the
rank and file through representatives
in convention assembled.
In modern times national govern
ments are either monarchial, or a
combining of some of the features of
both monarchies and republics. AS
all labor organizations are based upon
republican ideas nothing need be said
regarding monarchies.
Or the national republics Switzer-
land, France and the United States
of America are all democracies yet
beach differs with the other in legis-
laltive methods. In Switzerland many
laws are enacted by direct legisia-
ton, that is, the people vote for or
against laws instead of delegating
this power to representatives. The
French government is based upon the
theory that tia mt areaSfE sOf all EFpnRh-
men are identical, all have the same
laws and are a part of one great bro
therhood The United States differs
from either of these by conceeding to
the citizens of each state the author
tty to enact laws for local govern
ment, thus each community may pro-
vide for their own requirements with
out forcing these conditions upon
communities or states that do not re-
quire them. \ federal republic is 2
republic Of republics; an ideal democ-
racy, wherein the people govern them
selves, and if interests are not identi-
cal, because of varying industries, or
from any reason, the people of one To-
cality do not assume the right to die
tate to those of another.
There are today before the Ameri-
can working people two forms of re
publican" labor organizations The
one adopting the French system, a
grand centralized body, made up of
all classes, from which eminate all
laws for all classes; the other is
founded on the principals of the Amer
team federal republic. To the latter
class belong the American Federation
of Labor and the Federation of rail
way labor organizations, the compo-
nent parts of both being sub~orga MIA
tiOns known as trades unions.
The trades union dispels to mini
mum jeiousieS arising among members
because of foreign intervention. Mem
bers of a labor organization will sub
Unit 10 laws eminating from a major
3ty of their own tradA but will rebel
If convinced that the Objectionable
law, if such it be, was enacted by the
woes of members of other trades who
were not acquainted with the techni-
cal requirements of the subject treat
ID.
In trades unions the shoemaker and
t0ricklayer do not legisiate for the
printer The printers decide for them
selves all matters pertaining TO office
usages, they consult only themselves !
and their employers regarding cOndi-
lions Of employment The bricklayer |
and the shoemaker do not consult the
printer regarding the consistency of
the mortar furnished or the price paid
for lasting a shoe.
Some trades prefer to pay 'tout of
work benefit to death benefits. Some /
prefer optional to compulsory insur-
ance in fact, but few trades are iden- /
fical in the rec,l. rements because of 1
diversity of wages and condition Of |
Notwithstanding this 7
independence in local affairs the shoe
makers. the brichnakers and the {
printers can unite in a federal union /
Tor purposes of mutual concern as did I
the American Colonies, when for their I
own protection, they formed the Unit /
ed States of America.
According to the ethics of trades +
unionism only one organization should /
each trade. each individual .
workingman should ally himself with .
the union representing his calling,
and ali trades should unite in a fed /
eral union for purposes offensive and I
defensive. Were these principals car
1-ied to their legitimate conclusions
there could be no antagonism within
t. ranks of labor; an absence of the
az ption of these principles has led to
antagonism between labor and has
prevented a perfect unification of
peOple.
Dual organization is but another
ne for opposing or rival organize
fiol = That two organizations should
the same branch of labor
accented fact. but that two organiza-
tons have never represented the same
branch of labor without a clashinS of
interests is also a fact \ labor organ
ization IS q recognized benefactor of
people. but working people are
more fortunate who have remained I'M
organized than those undergoing the
strife and fractricidal warfare Incl
dental to a struggle for supremacy be-
tween two influential labor organiza-
tons.
Trades unionism reduces this cause
Of dissention to a minimum. Should
petty iealousies of precocious ambition
lead to the launching Of a rival trades
union the ruinous effect is restricted
TO that particular trade. but should the
same cause lead TO the institution OF
universal organization, one founded ,
On the great brotherhood or French
republic system, Immediately is heard I
the rattle of musketry from the ex
-reme right to the extreme left and Ia ,
Dor despairingly witnesses q battle :
oval between contending forces. The 1
lew organization is not only the rival
# a particular trades union. but of all
rades unions whose calling the new
assumes to represent.
rhe struggle is for supremacy between
he old and the new. The old calls
nTs service every resource at its COM
nand for. self preserve ton, the new J
caves no act undone. no unkind word
lnsaiu. that will secure acquisition or
membership and territory. ,
It is said by some that the principles
non which trades unions are founded