The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-09-01
Continued from Page ~.
FlJI LABOR

~ - 1855 ~ - - ~
haven't found out to this day. AS 1
| write, threetof the greatest strikes this
country has ever known are in full
! blast.
Strikes May Cease.
Some time in the twentieth century
strikes will cease; I am not as conf
dent as was Mr.. Wright, and can't tell
you the exact date when the last strike
| will occur, but 1 believe that before
| many years of the new century have
rolled around labor will be so we'll or
ganized as to make strikes unnecessary
or capital will have the power to make
them impossible. This isn't prophecy;
it's just an expression Of opinion. I
rather lean toward the first part of
the opinion. During the past year the
trades Unions have been growing in
membership and strength as they new
er grew in twice a like period before.
and those who are in position. to
know say the work has only begun.
UntficatfOn of Movement.
[ will not attempt to advise the Or
ganized workman, much less the
able and experienced men who conduct
organized are an easier job-but if I
may be allowed to suggest thought
or two 1 would say that the most i'm
portant work ahead Of labor-more i'm
portant than the organization of the
unattached workers-is the unification
of the movement. This more than any,
| thing else will strengthen labor, and
the extension of the influence of I'M
lonism will be accelerated beyond COM
putation thereby. The divisions in the
ranks of labor are discGuraging to
those within the fold and uninviting to
those without. The most advanced &C.
cision we have had on the union ques-
ton was made the other day by a New
York judge; but there was fly in the
ointment. 1t took some of the pleasure
out of the decision that union man,
by himself or with others, had right
to demand the discharge of an objec-
tionable workman as candition of
his working on the job himself when
we realized that the case under consid-
GRAFTON was that of one union against
another. Each side in these controyer-
sizes between organizations of labor
feels that it has right on it's side, and
confess that generally have an opin-
ion on the subject myself, but in the
face of the danger that threatens the
wage workers of the country it would
be well-in fact, it is absolutely neces-
sary-that policy of give and take, a
spirit of friendly forbearance, be adopt
ed by the union movement.
Authority Over Unions.
In line with this sentiment I believe
the American Federation of Labor
should ge given more authority over
the unions of which it is COMPOSED
and, unless 1 miss my guess, this is one
of the steps forward that will be taken
carly in the twentieth century. This
change will necessitate the surrender
of some their cherished prerogatives
by the organizations composing the
federation, but it will make of the lat
ter body power able to cope with the
great industrial trusts that are contin-
ually adding to their strength.
The once great organization of the
knights of, Labor, which lost it's pres
tige, not because of any inherent weak
ness, but because it was led away from
its original lines. contained some good
features tina ts<eefuld be adopted by the
trade unionists with advantage, and it
is to be hoped that the old antagonism
between the twol organizations will not
stand in the way of that course.
Take altogethlr, the outlook for la
Dor in the twentieth century is not so
very black, nor do I think we are on
the eve of the millennium. The work.
ers have the power in their own hands
to make their condition what it should
be, they have the nucleus around which
to rally, and they have the intelligence
If they will only apply it PROPERLY. 1t
is plain business proposition.
All hail to the twentieth century! All
hail to labor!