Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-08-19

The Social Reform club of New York
subject of the union label: "a mans
own senses do not tell him whether all
the things he buys are fit and safe for
use. Instinct cannot help him. Meth
er can his own efforts discover the
truth for him. We should find some
means to reach the testimony of ex-
perts. The union label offers a solu-
ton. 1t aims to be in itself the testi-
mony required. The ideal label gives
a guarantee from the workmen that
in the making Of the goods it marks
a Just standard was observed as to ma
terials, working hours, sanitary condi-
lions and wages. The standard Is set
by the workmen, but upon all these
points, as we'll as in cleanliness, the
interests of worker and buyer are gen.
orally the same. Every genuine union
label. whatever its shortcomings, gives
assurance that struggle Is going on
to right some wrong, or, In other
words, to procure some solid benefit
which will become in the end mutual
advantage to all concerned. But the
worker struggles against great odds
from an unexpected quarter. Not his
employers blindness, but the ignor-
ance of the general public, Is his worst
handicap. People wear and eat with
out protest what is unclean and buy
what is unrighteous. So the worker
is most often alone in making his e.
fort toward improvement, and he can
approach the evil only from one side.
What he gains comes as favor or
forced concession. He Is the pro-
Queer arguing with the distributor,
whose real attention is elsewhere
centered on the market. 1t is the con-
sumers wishes that the employee most
cares for. Unless the worker can stir
up plenty of friends among all sorts
of consumers his struggle continues to
be mere rebellion, and the labor con-
.fiict will be well-nigh endless. Thus
the union label, IL understood both for
what 1t is and for what it can be, prom
Uses firm aid to the great body Of
consumers. 1t offers practicable So
luton of the most vexing problems in
this era of cheap and shoddy goods. 1t
affords serviceable test to all who
want honest goods and wholesome an
tecedents for what they buy, and
again 1t appears as desired guide to
the buyers with a conscience who care
to know that the work on the goods
they purchase was not paid for with
starvation wages and dragged on
through exhausting hours. Here en-
tiers the element of enthusiasm. The
label makes possible form of kindly
activity which will fit into every days
necessary life. Without a cent to
spare or a moment to give, we can yet
be working vigorously for another
mans advantage. The very act of
buying pair of shoes becomes a stur-
dy blow for reform If you get them
workman and yourself whom you ben
eft; you are doing favor to honor
able employees at the same time. The
only consideration which keeps many
an employer from doing what he knows
would be best for himself, his goods
and his men is proverbially competi-
ton. If the public took to looking for
the label-that is, began to demand
that its goods be made righteously-
competition would become competi
ton in justice, and the better the en-
ployer the better he would succeed.
We have all grown familiar in these
last few years with the fact that the
consumer makes his own goods. What |
we need to learn is how we can carry
ON this voluntary manufacture of
ours more successfully. The method
offered by the label may we'll seem
rather incomplete, but it is the best at
hand Very like 1t is temporary. 1t
"a certainly faulty. But it has evident.
positive virtues. 1t is practical. Sim