The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-09-01

fine myself to the records of organized
labor. for until labor began to form it's
protective organizations it had no his
tory within the scope of this article.
First Labor Organizations.
Before the opening Of the century
la bor had begun to organize in GER
ions were very unpopular with the
capitalists of that day, as unions are
unpopular with certain capitalists to-
day. and repressive laws were enacted
and enforced against the unions. The
conditions of labor existing in England
were not so bad as in some other
countries, but they were bad enough
heaven knows, and the "agitators'' and
walking delegates of that time were
just as persistent as their desccnda hts
in the year 1900, and their task was
much more difficult. In England
skilled mechanics worked u hours a
day in 1900, and their daily wage was
barely sufficient to purchase the SIM
plest food and raiment. 1t was under
these conditions that the trade union
movement of Great Britain, which lat
er spread to this country and which in
both countries has become one of the
most remarkable facts of modern times
first firmly rooted itself. AS has been
said, severe laws against the unions
were passed from time to time. Not
withstanding the legislative edicts the
unions continued to exist anG, though
they were absolutely secret organiza-
tons, exercised some influence. But
at this time there were more of hope
than an active working force.
Trade Unions Outlawed.
In July 1900, parliament passed an
other labor law. This act was Vir-
tual outlaWing of the trades unions, as
it forbade any agreement among the
workers for the purpose Of attempting
to raise wages or to shorten the work.
day. Not only were unions forbidden,
but meetings of the workers in any
trade and the contribution of money
for such purposes were especially pro-
hibted. Punishment for violation of
bor and the person furnishing the in
formation leading to conviction was re-
warded with the funds of the union
betrayed or denounced.
Probably the New York judge who
recently issued an Injunction forbid
ding members of the Cigar Makers un-
ionfr6m contributing funds to support
some of their members on strike gets
his law from the parliament Of 1900.
Unions Increased.
The unions of England would not be
snuffed out by law. On the contrary,
they increased after the passage Of the
law just referred to at greater rate
than previously. but they pulled the
mantle of secresy still more closely
about themselves, and their policy Of
retaliation became fiercer than ever.
In few years it became evident to
the more intelligent of the capitalists
that they could not destroy the unions
and that a ttenpt enforce their
cruel Fl n Just ra ade the
ttssg ss.ss,:se sllI
Eionists and made thenf MS Tex afdful
OF the rights Sc others. The laws. were
repealed in 1924, and the unions be-
came open organizations to a great ex-
tent. The progress Of the labor move
ment, though it has met with setbacks
at various times, has been upward in
England since that year.
LII Dor in America.
The history OF the trade union move
ment in tho United States is; similar to
that in England. While the labor stat
unions, it is probable that The decisions
and rulings Of the courts have erualcd
in severity the practices in Great Brit
"
to within the last decade a majority Of
the people, outside Of the workers
themselves, denied that labor had the
right to organize for the purpose of
| regulating trade matters. Today the
man who holds to that view is the ex-
ception. This change is due to several
causes, among which are the Increased
| knowledge acquired by the unionists
| and the increasing intimacy Of the gen.
eral public with the objects and meth
DDS Of the unions. But probably the
grea test of all causes making for this
| change in sentiment is the recent i'm
petus to organization and combination
taken on by the employers Of labor
Thinking persons now say. If capital
has the right to organize to protect its
interests, why has not labor the same
right? Sure enough, why not?
| Labor in the United States has been
slowly but surely forging ahead cur
ing the century just closing, the great
er part of it's progress being the work
of the last dozen years Or So AnG
what 1 want to impress right here is
that the advancement has peen almost
! entirely due to the influence of the
trade unions. Congress and the egis.
latures of the states have passed JUS
and humane laws at the instigatior
and under the pressure of the unions
and while they are not all fully anc
honestly enforced. that there is pub
| lie sentiment in their favor is due tt
the educational work inaugurated ant
carried forward, frequently in the face
of strong opposition, by the organized
| workingmen.
Strikes Sometimes Necessary.
It is true that labor unions strike
All. there's the rub. IF the unions
wouldn't strike they would be al
right" l have heard more times thar
there are seeds in Georgia water
melon. My answer is. If the unions
don't strike or threaten to strike whel
a just demand is refused, they had bet
ter disband. If labor had not strucl
IN the past against injustice and il
support of it's rights it would be in