The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-12-08
UNITE THE LEADERS : ! :
PROPOSE TO FORM An ALLIANCE OF
METAL WORKERS.

4 Mark Of Progress i'm the Organiza-
ton of Labor BY Inddstries-The
System Will Make Trades Power
ful-Specfalising in Different Lines
of Same Craft Declining and Closer
Relationship the Order.
The preliminary steps taken at
Washington, D. c., during the past
week for the formation of an alliance
between the various unions in the
metal trades is another mark of prog
ress in the direction of the organiza-
ton Of labor by industries as well as
by distinct trades.
It is not probable that the American
labor movement will shape itself along,
the lines of British organization, but
Ia movement is apparent that forbids
any more specializing in different lines
of the same craft, and those unions
now formed are moving toward closer
alliance with each other. Twenty
years ago the United States had prac-
tically the same system of organtza-
ton that now prevails in England, and
in the endeavor to correct minor dif-
ficulties that grew out of it two ex-
tremes resulted, one following the
other. The first was the effort for the
grand amalgamation of all labor into
one organization, and the widespread
desire to attain this laudable end was
largely responsible for the rapid, if
erratic growth of the knights of La
Dor.
But when the knights of Labor were
at the zenith of their power, with
| membership of more than 100000,
embracing all trades and all branches
of labor, the cumbersome organiza-
ton was found inadequate. The work.
ers in one trade found it not always
advisable to entrust their interests and
trade conditions to others for protec
tion and adjustment, not because other
trades were not willing to assist, for
often Over-ZealOusneSs was more to be
deplored than apathy; but owing to the
reason that outsiders were usually
ignorant of what was fair or unfair
proposition from either employer or
| Of technical details. The desire for
contral of its own affairs by each
trade hastened the disintegration of
the knights of Labor after the intro
duction of politics into the organiza-
ton first sowed the seeds of dissatis-
faction.
| One trade after another withdrew
from the Knights Of Labor, some go
ling immediately into the American
Federation of Labor, willie others con-
tinued an independent course for a
time. Today the American Fed
Grafton of Labor embraces eighty-two
national and International trades
unions and no part of the constitution
is more closely guarded than that
which guarantees to each organization
lcomplete autonomy of it's own affairs
Each pursues an independent course
Eacting only with others voluntarily as
emergencies arise. With the specialize
ing Of manufacturing and the division
of labor into numerous departments
there grew up a unmber of distinct
trades organizations in the same indus
tries. This movement a few years age
threatened to be carried to ridiculous
extreme, but has happily been checked
As an indication of what was going
on then it need only be recalled thai
there were five separate national or.
ganizations in the shoemaking bust
ness-the lasters, cutters, sewers, ect.
each acting independently of the 9th
er. These trades are now affiliated
however, and the one organization il
accomplishing much more for it's mem
bers than did the numerous ol(
unions.
In other industries mechanical prog
ress and the wider divergence in tn,
character of work of differen
! branches has encouraged the preserva
tion of distince. trade organizations
This is true of the printing trades. Il
the generation before this most of tn
members Of the Interna tional Typo
: graphical union were both pressmei
and compositors. Today it is doubtful
if there is one man in the Unite
States who is an expert linotype ma
chine operator and at the came tim
competent to have charge of we
perfecting press.
About ten years ago the pressme
Withdrew from the Typographical
union and formed the Inrernatfona
Printing Pressmen's unions, and whil
it now appears that they will in futur
preserve their separate organization i
! is also true that the printers, press
e men and bookbinders are closer to eac
0 other than they ever were. An agree
l ment exists which is in spirit an ALI
l ance defensive and offensive.
f The railway brotherhoods have dis
/. cussed federation for years, and o
4 some lines they have general organ
O izatiOn which acts as unit. In Eng
land the Amalgamated Society Of Rail
way Servants embraces engineers, fire
men, conductors, trainmen, and in fac
every railway employe. This plan wa
: tried in this country under the oil
e American Railway Union, and faile
e at the time of the disastrous Pullma
f strike. The National Building Trade
s Council is. an organization that is dc
d ing good work in the United State
s but it has made the mistake of cor
e sidering itself rival of the America
= Federation of Labor, with which
- per cent of the unions affiliated wit
lit are also connected.
An alliance of national unions with
Lin tho American Feleration of Iahr