Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-07
EEkR8k& lala NsER1 lS ri elE5g1ssa
! THE AMERICAN FEDEARN0N OF LABOR !
WHAT UNIONS HAVE DONE,
WHAT THEY ARE NOW DOING,
AND WHAT THEY HOPE TO DO

resort 10 drDlJrdIlOn, ana tHeu only
successful arbitration was arbitration
voluntarily entered into.
1T is strange how much men desire
to compel other men to do by law.
What we aim to achieve is freedom
through organization. Arbitration is
only possible voluntarily. 1t never
can be successfully carried out unless
versy are equal or nearly equal, in
power to protect and defend them
selves, or to infict injury upon the
other.
only Voluntary Arbitration
The more thoroughly the work
ers are organized in their local and
national unions and federated by CON-
mon bond, policy and polity the bet
ter shall we be able to avert strikes
and lockouts, secure cancellations, and
if necessary arbitration, but it must
be voluntary arbitration or there
should be no arbitration at all.
Realizing the necessity for the uni
ty of the wage earners of our coun-
try, the American Federation of Labor
has upon all occasions declared that
trades union should open their portals
to all wage workers, irrespective of
creed, color, nationality, sex or poll
tics Nothing has transpired in re-
cent years which has called for a
change of our declared policy upon
this questioning; on the contrary, ev-
cry evidence tends to confirm us in
this conviction; for, even if it were
not a matter of principle, self preser-
walton would prompt the workers to
organize intelligently and to make
common cause.
no Color Line
In making the declaration we have
we do not necessarily proclaim that
the social barriers existing between
the whites and blacks could or should
be felled with one stroke of the pen;
but when white and black workers are
compelled to work side by side under
the same adverse circumstances and
under equally unfair conditions, it
seems an anomaly that we should re-
fuse to accord the right of organiza-
ton to workers because of a differ
ence of their color. Unless we shall
give the negro workers the opportuni-
ty to organize, and thus place them
where they can protect and defend
themselves against the rapacity and
cupidity Of their employers; unless We
continue the policy of endeavoring to
make friends of them, there can be
forced down in the economic scale and
be used against any effort made by us
for our economic and social advance
ment, but race prejudices will be made
more bitter and to the injury of all.
The alien contract labor law falls
far short of accomplishing what it was
originally intended to do, for the rea-
son that violaters of the law are eas-
lily and Systematically coached how to
pass the inspection.
Rencficent LegisIation-
The enactment of wise and bene-
ficent legislation in the interests Of
the toiling masses of our country must
still be demanded until all the wrongs
from which the toilers suffer are abat-
ed, We insist upon the enforcement
of the rights to which we are entitled.
Unless we, as the organized wage earn
ers of the country protect against the
wrong, and demand the establishment
Of the right we shall lose the conf
dence and respect of the organized as
well as the unOrganized toilers OF
America, who will hold that we have
failed to avail ourselves Of all the op-
portunitles which are presented in or
der to seek redress through the prop
er channels 1t cannot be denied that
much faster and greater progress can
be made and will be made provided
we are firm in our determination to
achieve it, unceasing in our efforts
and undivided in our course"