The morning times., 1896-10-02
WHAT LOCAL LABOR NEEDS.
Suggestions From Veteran to Our
District Leaders.


Editor Times: In my younger days |
worked at my trade, and dE ring that perlDd
was an active member OF the union which
controlled its affairs. l have long since
retired from the active pursuit OF IN chosen
calling, but sincerely believing in the Jus
tice OF the principles Underlying the aims
Of organized labor, have never ceased to
feel an interest in the doinGs of my com
rades OF the past. That interest, Mr..
Editor. causes me to burden your columns
with this Communication
Many years OF my active life were passed
in this city, and during all that period
this was what is known in labor parIanee
as good union town" Many times u
show OF force became necessary during this
period, and almost without an exception
the side OF labor was the victorious side.
During the last few years OF my cunnec-
ton, the Knights OF Labor became Il strong
factur in our local affairs, but without an
exception, the members ot Inat organiz.:-
tion were the stanch allies OF their trades
union brothers In every contest for ,ht.
maintenance OF living wages and ;eGsun-
able hours OF labor.
Bat l regret To observe that OF late this
unaniulit OF purpose seems TO be waEtin.
We have a District Assembly, IeprtSe
ing a number OF subordinate Assem- blies OF
Knights uf Labor. Then we have a FEEDER
alton ut Labor, Composed OF Delegates from
other labor organizations. A.l besides all
these, there is now Il Central Labor UHion
Composed. think, OF delegates from labor
urt;a nizatiunS That ho.d alOur FROM the two
central bodies have JUS named. Now, il
all these organizations, though marshaicd
under different banners, were working To Il
Common eud, there woIid, perhaps, h,. rp
harm in maintaining such wealth OF
central bodies; but it seems from the hap
peninss of the recent past, that they do
not always WORK in unison. that the injury
OF one set Of tuilers, say under the iurisdic-
ton Ut the District ssembiy, is not alway rs
the concern OF the Central Labor Union.
We. alSc observe that the leaders OF tlie
Knights and OF the Fedora ton OF La ahor
sometimes demand tser the recent CuDtTo-
versy with local bFewcrs) recognition ut
the direct expense of the tUdies associl ted
in the Central Labor Union II this is not
the condition or the local labor situation,
stand ready To be Corrected Assuming
that l am correct, / wish To say that to
a practical mind such division OF forces,
such a tfittering away of influence, is The
reverse Of wisdom. There is progressing; Il
cons5tn. conrhct between the roSsesso's OF
wealth and those whose sole capital is
brain and brawn-
The weapons OF capital are MAN. ard
strong. Those or labor are few. very few.
Its greatest is organization. The n.ofc
perfect the organization OF labor. the more
propurtionate its share il the gains Of in
dussry. But there cannot be perfect oripn-
ization without harmony. "a house di-
vided against Itself cannot stand Or
ganized labor in this District is tar from
being haruoniously united, and there is
no sound reason why this state OF affairs
s!iouh exist. Let the leaders get tO-
Sether They are honest nj Conscientious,
l firmly believe. Let Mcssrs. SiUnuns,
MclIiGI, and Spohn confer on his subject.
Their clear heads and honest hearts.
am SIRE. viii f.nd happy solution of pres
ent Unnecessary complications
VETERAN