The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-11-10
THE: TRADE. UNIONS
Continued from First Page.)

81 Continued from First Page.)
clple that the better workers must not
discredit the worse by exceeding them
in efficiency" which he traces to the
immoral belief that the unworthy
should fare as we'll as the worthy"
The assertions and insinuation Of these
eminent gentlemen arc not based on
any fact to my knowledge. Trade-un-
lonists know nothing Of any such prln-
! ciple as Mr.. Spencer and Mr.. Farwcll
! allcge. The union undertakes to pre-
: scribe for its members a minimum
wage. This is on the theory that the
|journeyman worthy to be called such
earns at least the minimum wage. and
no employer has ever had difficulty
] with his employees because he wanted
to reward superior efficiency with In
creased wages. Furthermore, men, gen.
j orally speaking. know that.cmployment
IS not always waiting for them else
! where and they all have more or less
ambition to be thought we'll Of by their
employers. The penalty for 'idling and
daWdling is discharge, with which. in
such circumstances. it would be suicidal
for the union to undertake to interfere.
The mutual aid features Of tradc-un-
ionism are similar to those connected
with fraternal societies and lodges.
They of course, arouse no antagonis!n
and are therefore only OF passing in
| tercst. The features arc made 4 part
OF the general work Of the trade union,
partially because they constitute an
trducemcnt TO membership and in that
\ way contribute an element of strength
to an organization, and partially be-
cause these features fill want among
u that portion of the membership which
has no affiliations with the regular fra
ternal societies. They consist in out-of-
work benefits, sick benefits, death bene-
fits and insurance. The International
ICigarmakcrs' Union, everywhere point
ed out as the ideal in trade unionisn,
has out-of-work benefits, loans I; limit
ed sum OF money to travelling Journey
men, and has an insurance plan based
on length OF membership in the Organi
cation. \ few organizations have
homes for aged and intirn members,
notably the Typograp hical union, which
|
approximately S35, 900, the Childs- Drexe
home. The institution is located at
Colorado Springs. Some one hundred
aged and Sick members are cared for.
Fhe building cost In the neighborhood
of 100000, the original $4,000 Of which
was presented to the organization by
Mr.. Childs and Mr.. Drexc! Of Phila-
delphia, without any stipulation as to
what use it should be put to- The more
important railroad organizations pro-
oably devote more thought and energy
to their insurance features than any
organizations which may be Distinctive
~ classed as trade unions
The trade-union is prc-eminently an
institution of democratic tendencies.
The general laws of number of them
are formulated in national conventions
and referendum vote of the member
ship at large decides upon their adop-
ton or rejection. A proposition to abo,
fish the referendum was overwhelm-
insfy-- aefcatess--by--+ 1,,utsra JnIca..
union membership a year ago. The
AUSTRALIAN system Of balloting for Of
ficers was in vogue among many Of
hem previous to the adoption Of the
lsystem IN many states. What is known
as the percentage system of collecting
dues. corresponding 20 n straight in
come tax. is In operation in a number
of typographical unions, and is being
agitated in many others. Only a few
organizations make restrictions as to
race in the composition of their mem.
bership, and none to my knowledge
place an embargo upon sex. and those
unions strong enough to compel it, de-
mand equal wages for equal work, re-
gardlcss of sex.
It denotes some progress toward the
ideals which have been referred to for
trade unionism to have enlisted the in
terest. II not the sympathy and active
support of thoughtful men and women.
For this kindly interes, I thank you. I
wish to express the hope that classes
Of the Economic League may multiply
. in every direction, because 1t seems to
I me that upon such earnest and studious
} men: and women as compose them must
rest the burden which is involved in
} the uplifting Of mankind, and which
{ shall permit the. human race to travel
! toward the ideals held up by here and
{ there philosopher and sage that is
} born among. .us.-Dcs Moines. Iowa
( State Unionist.
q The Youths Companion Calendar.
u More thought and eXDe11s, than ever