Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-18

umn is furnished by the officers of the |
Federation of Labor.l
In substantiation of the theory of or
ganized labor that a trades craft by 1
close adherence to unionism can ac- |
complish some things that legislation
cannot secure for them in a given
time, the following extract from the |
pen of7James Duncan, general secreta-
ry Of the Granite Cutters National
Union, recently published in the Amer
lean Federationist is cited:
"A more permanent, safe and honest
enactment of the desired change can
be obtained in the form of trade
union eight-hour workday, enacted for
and by the workers themselves. Can it
be done? Yes. For instance granite
cutting is one of the skilled crafts very
mucn in evidence in all large govern
ment buildings. For years the granite
cutters, with others, memorialized, Jag
itated, even nagged at congress for a
practical eight.hour act, and were pre-
scented just as often with the gold
brick act instead. AS result, they got
from 80 per cent to 95 per cent of the
journeymen In the trade into their ma
tional union; they demanded a nine
hour workday for 1890, and got it. The
branches of the trade which, until
then, had been working nine hours per
day, took the stand the same year on
an eight-hour plank, and put it into eff
feet. Panicy times followed They
gave way to dull times, but the 80 per
cent to 95 per cent adhered to the
trade organization and as the clouds
rolled by and the laws delay was still
apparent, they declared as a trade or
ganization for an eight-hour workday
from Maine to California not later
than May /, 1900. The clash came.
The 95 per cent were on hand and in
line, They knew no veto by one man
could stampede them; they had no
fears of governmental parasites side
tracking their "act." There were no
horrors of questions of jurisdiction be-
ing raised. They had no fear of cap
italistic Judge deciding the question as
they lost no sleep
about what the supreme court might
do about it. Their own supreme court
had decided the question was consti
tutional. The 95 per cent were intact.
The laws delay was conspicuous by
its absence. They won, and as the
mists of the nineteenth give way to
the dawn of the twentieth century, the
granite cutters present the object les
son to their fellow-workers that they
in the short period of twelve years,
have gained by. trade unionism what
congress had failed to accomplish in
thirty-tWo years agitation, namely, a
permanent eight-hour workday that is
not subject to be knocked out in mu-
nicipal state or federal courts, and
which leaves the 95 per cent in a bet
ter position to report progress in the
future than if a within of congress
might nullify their action"
Machinists Organize.
It is gratifying to those who have
worked so earnestly for the thoro or
ganization of all mechanics and wage
earners in this city to report the or
ganization of the machinists and
! blacksmiths, which was accomplished
last Wednesday evening.
These organizations were voluntari.
! ly instituted by the members of the
crafts themselves and both organiza
tions start out with much enthusiasm
in the ranks. 1t is also pleasure to
state that as the clouds Of prejudice
\ against organizations in some direc
lions pass away, and the employer and
Z employee become better acquainted
with the workings of the trades union
movement and it's benefits to all, thai
many, who, heretofore, took no inter
est In this reform are now among its
staunchest friends.
TX AS the movement becomes larger
and more permanent it also becomes
more conservative and more useful.
Will Select Officers Wednesday.
At the regular meeting of the trades
and Labor Assembly, next Wednesda.
evening, officers will be selected tt
take charge of the Labor day parade
at the street carnival, Tuesday, Sept
sl8. Organized labor will be out in full
force on this occasion. AS the parade
takes place in the evening the chances
are that it will be the largest in TIN
history of the Trades Union move
ment in the city. All unorganize'
working men and the management O
manufacturing institutions are reques
ted % send representatives to tn
meeting next Wednesday evening il
order that they may be assigned
place in the parade. All are invite,
to participate.
The Acme of Unionism.
Federation of unions is the acme G
unionism. The unionist who advt
Gates organization among differer
classes of workmen, but advise
against the federation of kindre
crafts, has yet to learn the vital primo
pie of unionism. The inconsistency
such position is obvious to the yer
est tyro in the trades union movemen
The sincerity of such men may well b
doubted. 1t is often claimed by worl
men holding membership in elias
unions that there is no sympathy b.
tween man receiving 81 day for hi
services, and one who receives 81
day, and in some instances the condut
OF the former towards the latter
practically the conduct of the exploi
er Of labor towards his unwilling sui
jects.
Trade unionism is a principle an
not a selfish desire. Those who join
labor organization with purely selfis
motives in view are unworthy the r
spect of their fellow-toilers. Those WI
enlist in the ranks Of organized labt
with the view of promoting and q
Tending mutual interests have Il
,,ropar at,nreniation of the trade uniC