The morning times., 1897-02-01
LAB0R's GREATEST NEE6'
Discussed by Noted Leaders at
a Mass Meeting.
ALL URGED ORGANIZATION
Spohn and Mr.. John Weis-
man, Of Brooklyn, Declared That
In 1t Lies the Hope OF Freeing
Labor From the Difficulties
Which still Surround 1t

Tho wage, earners OF the District, both
organised aud unoreaniacd. turned out in
large numheFs saturday evening to hear
noted labor leaders discuss why We Or
ganlea" at the maSs meeting at Typo
graphical Temple. under the auspices of
Bakers ana eanfoetiencrs' Union, No.
AS, The audience, which nearly filled
the hath Was composed OF members Of
every trades union tn the District and also
number or craftsmen unaffiiiatcd with
labor bodies, There were also a few ladies
present who took II deep interest In the
arguments OF the speaker.
The speakers directed the whole force OF
the arguments to show the necessity OF or
ganization among the working classes,
not for any benefits to be gained today or
tomorrow in the matter OF shortening of
hours or an increase of wages, but for the
general good of the whole industrial world.
Labor, like capital. as Il factor of wealth
should be organized to bc successfu!, but
this position never could be attained, it
was said, SO long as there was continual
internal dissenson
The speakers being ali trade unionists,
argued that trades unionism was the naUu-
raj ana logical form of organization for
the members OF every trade and craft
II comes down to them AS u heritage for
centuries, and is as proper today as in
years gone by.
The meeting was presided over by Mr..
John Weber, of local union No. 1S, who
after making a verbal excuse for the
absence of President GOmpers, Of the
American F Federation of Labor, and reading
a telegram from Vice President James
Duncan TO Mr.. William Silver, president
of the Building Trades Council, rcgrettlng
his inability 10 be present, introduced Mr..
Milford Spohn, president of the Central
Labor Union, as the first speaker.
Mr. Spohn said that it was plain to those
who had given the matter any thought
and observation, that a large percentage
of the toilers of the District were unOrgan
lied. This, he said, was due in part 70
dlSsension and personal feeling among
the leaders Which resulted to the dctrincnt
cf organized labor. He was glad to lie
able to say, however, that the outlook
for trades unionism was much brighter
than ever before.
The average man, he said, thinks that
trades unions are organized for the sole
purpose of securing shorter hours and an
increase of wages. In this, however,
they are mistaken, for the underly ing
principle is not mcrcenary, it is grander,
noblcr-it is the ultimate freedom OF The
wagc-earncrs of the world.
MIR John WeSman, Brooklyn, N. Y.
the next speaker. is secretary of the Inter
| national Bakers and Confectioners' Union
and editor OF the Bakers and Confectioners'
Journal MIR weisman made an eloquent
IN fay Of
| iZation Of the workmen of all trades. He
argued that it was right not only for the
| benefits Which would result to the mem
| bers Of organized labor individually and
| collectively, but also on account of tile
| good 1t would bring 70 tie unoreaniZed
ana even to their employers. The qucs-
! ton Why we organize lie said, was a
very peculiar one TO hear asked in coun-
| try whose religious. political, social and
| economic stabiItyis based on organization.
| AS it is, lie said, we are all organized,
| but the real question is are we organized
| for our own or some others benefit.
| When men first organized a form of civil
| government it was for mutual benefit ana
] protection; each giving up some right that
| they might be more strongly protected
| in others 1t is our effort TO show that
| the great labor movement is not spon-
taneous growth or the result OF agitation,
but is the logical sequence of centuries oi
| human development.
| In referring TO the recent Presidential
campaign as the greatest revolution which
the country has experienced since the cleo
| ton of Lincoln, he said the real question
was not the money standard, but the labor
sentiment thrown into it by Gov. Altgeld.
| And, he said. If he judged the results
| Alright, the clement of revolt begun vii
| continue. and when the twentieth cen
| tury d&wns the labor movement will be
| in the front ranks again.
Mr. Weisman was enthusiastically ap
| plauded throughout, especially his last re-
marks in reference to Altgeld and the
| labor movement.
Mr.. Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, who spoke
| next, also made a strong appeal for or
ganization for, he said, nothing could b'
accomplished without cooperation and
concentration of all the forces. He drew q
vivid picture OF the struggles between
the unorganiZed labor Of London, trampling
each other to death at the dock gates III
their endeavor to get work
Mr.. Andrew Furseith. OF the seamen's