The National tribune., 1896-11-05


aud needs the warm clothing: but that she
(Hattie) cannot afford to buy all the material.
She can procure the worsted for 10 cents u
skein: 90 skeins are needed. All who wish 10
assist in the good work please toward theT
dimes to Harriet Barlow, New Canaan, Conn,
Box 81 There are many of us banded To-
gether, there ought to be many to respond to
these requests.
Thanking all who so kindly sent me their
Sympathy when my home was made SO lonely
by the loss of my dear mother. | am Loyalty
yours. Annie L. Williams, Saugus Mass.
LABOR UNIoNs-PART III.
Poper Presented the Committee oa Progress,
Loyal Home Workers.
The magazines and papers published by va.
rious trades-unions assist the aborer to flnd the
best market for his commodity. In this IN
stance the best market usually means the most
productive market, or where the laborcr can
obtain the best wages coupled with the best
conditions necessary TO hold position, such as
reasonable hours. proper safeguards Tor HE ana
limb. also agreeable employer and feiiow-
workmen.
Labor unions advise their members of the
state Of the labor market in various sections OF
the country from time to time. There are
several methods BY which this is done. The
organs of many trades-unons publish statistics
concerning the state of trade i'll various Sec
tions.
When there is demand for carpenters in a
certain locality, idle carpenters are urged to
seek work in that section. and when their IL
nances are such as to render them unable 10 DO
this the union OF which they are memher
frequently assists them with gifts ana loahs Oh
money. During year tho Cigar Makers
International Union received nearly S3o oOo Tor
this purpose. This benefit consisted of railway
fare from one town to another, and small sums
of money for meals at each place.
When the market is dull or overcrowded IN
certain section members are warned to keep
away from that locality until better conditions
exist.
At times there are consequences very seri-
ousiy inuring the personal life OF the iaborer,
many o. them tending 10 destroy his energy
and ambition and ultimately eugender bitter
feeling towards his employer. The mention of
a few will suffice. The employer may exercise
complete or partial rulership over tie lahorcr
in several different ways. He may influence
the expenditures of the laborer, or pay him
only at long intervals. this latter scheme lead.
ing to the use of credit and Of course debt IN
| its wake.
very common method practiced in
! America of placing the laborer at dsad want
! age with respect to his employer, is by means
of the truck system. This consists of an estab-
| lishment Of one more stores owned by the
| employer The labnrer at times, and in some
| instances. is compelled to purchase his sup
! plies at this store, aud infrequently he pos
4 sesses only nominal liberty to buy elsewhere.
| lie is sometimes paid in orders on stores III
which the employer or his agent has an inter
est. 1t my be interesting to note here that
these orders are accepted elsewhere only at a
discount. Strict notice is taken OF those who
| fail to purchase at the company stores, end, ms
! a result of their extreme tcmerity, they stand
| in danger of discharge. Another method COLI
I'D
employer. those living elsewhere arc usually
the first discharged. In several States these
! unjust, vicious, and tyrannical practices are
/ forbidden by law so great is the injury to the
working classes.
! The labor unions, great and growing
power for good in educating the masses, occupy
a prominent position in the United States
They rank next to the churches and the
public schools of the country in their in
fuence for good. Unlike the schools, how.
ever they aim to educate aud develop man IN
all his reiations-social, individual, religious
ethical, and political. The members in theil
regular meetings discuss questions of politics
and economics in order TO ascertain their bear
ing on the interests of the masses.
The iaboriDg classes are the most thorough
going peace men to be found They are about
the only large class who really and truly de-
| sire peace between nations All the wars evel
|, fought have been at the expense OF their blood
They favor the abandonment of armies and
the use Of the principles of arbitration in The
settlement Of disputes between nations. Thei
motto states their exact position which is
I" in peace, not in war. is the workers emanci
patton"
We frequently hear people say, The labor
. ing classes incorporate, and with this ours
dragging them down. they are unable to secur
{ better conditions for themselves and their fam
lilies" While this is true in some respects, il
Labor organizations are a powerful force ii
, this country making for temperance, because
while meeting together. they very natural.
discuss their sources of weakness and strength
+ They are fully aware that intemperance is
q great source of weakness to them. However
people should never forget the temptation t.
drink which lies in the character of the tot
of many laborers. Long hours and the expos
ure TO the sudden and severe variations Of on
a climate all tend to create desire for intoxi
e cants. In many, if not all, labor societies in
l temperance and profanity are forbidden by tn
$ rules, and for any infraction severe fines ar
. supposed and strictly paid. How many club
composed of DER higher social classes exclud
s the use Of iEtoxicants and impose fines 70
q using profanity? When we come to an aver
age. quite as many total abstainers are foun
z | among the laborers among the classes VIII
e are SO eager to criticise them.
s In conclusion, few words regarding til
| wisdom folly of strikes, and the benefits
L be derived from the use of arbitration in tn
8 settlement of labor disputes. In the first plac'
:. without organized labor, the idea of arbitr;
II ton is impossible. Capital having q mo.
e thorough organization, aud being one of til
factors of prod uction possesses an sdyantag
Is over labor another factor, unless labor is ais
massed together aud stands on an equal footin
re with it. The opposition to arbitration has CON
- Chiefly from the side of the employers.
n Someone has said There are three causes
e opposition to labor organizations. One is al
d cient pref udice another is the violent partisan
ship of some who have been brought into col
o. fict with them, and the third aud most c0mmC
t. is ignorance" Another writer said: The
ne cause is strong, that for a IN no
IA partisan position TO oppose them is prima fac
evidence of ignorance"
re Ali true friends of the lab0ring man depr
ID cate strikes. and am sure the great army
I'd trades-u ionists do, also; but even a strike
Is, not entirely an evil. 1t should be known tn
all strikes are not foolish. Someone has sal,
They are a necessary part of our industri
-, system"
g May the time soon come when the employ
* and the employed arrive At an understandin
-. based upon the principles OF equity and JUST
% for all concerned. The policcman's club, &
80 prowling detectives doubtful services 1
on soldiers rife. the careless bullet of hir
merceuares exceptional laws, novel judic
- procedure, new and strained interpretations
~ ~ the law. are not life giving forces which Il
Oh land of ours needs, and j am sure all true a
81 loyal Americans hope they never will be-
DIV Arthur i. Sharpe. Denver, Colo.
- HAPPY HOUSEHOLD