The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-07-13
But, suppose, It viii be necessary

But, suppose. It viii be necessary
for you to cross your present nine-hour
bridge before discussing that of eight
hours. The aggressive movement OF
machinists to establish the nine-hour
day has won more hearts 70 your cause
than all your previous action as an Or
ganized body. r..
Let me say one thing in connection
with your trade. and that is, that in
my opinion you have done well, when
the specialization in your craft came, in
that you increased the sphere of your
influence. ~
But you must bear in mind this fact,
that there is large number Of men
employed in machinery trades and
many women in several branches Of
machinery trades who are not eligible
to membership In the International AS
ISOLATION Of Machinists.
Several organizations have been
formed to include those working at
these different branches Of the ma
chinery trade, and not eligible to men,
bership in your local lodges. As time
goes on the specialization will continue,
new tools will be made, new machinery
invented and the division and subdivis-
ion of labor will continue.
There is in the minds Of some earnest
men engaged in the labor movement a
desire to bring about, at once, q great
industrial union, taking in any and
to-
sive organization.
Those of us who have gone through
the movement of the Knights of Labor,
which is now happily removed from the
path Of progress; those who have stud
led the previous efrervescent move
ments are always confronted.
But it is equally true that the trade
organization which faila to-. deal with
the new industrial conditions as they
develop puts, up a stone buttress
against further progress.
Students Of the labor movement,
earnest trade unionists: who: take into
consideration the past history Of indus
try, say that we want to have our trade
unions, where the line Of demarcation
can be clearly drawn; but we want to
encourage organization Of all those
who are working in the industry Of
their special craft.
When these are organized, the vari-
Gus trade unions of the different
branches of this industry-in your case,
the machinery industry-might, through
their representatives meeting in council
Cooperate az far as possible with each
other, encourage organisation, act SYM
pathetically and move: Jointly.
When q joint movement has been
agreed upon, when all other resources
have been cut off. when all other OPP
portunities for peaceful, adjustment
have been denied, when all efforts to
maintain. Industrial tranquility=-and
there is left the strike as the only. alter
native then that every man connected:
with the different organizations. may
strike atonce. Such Asttffke would be
hard, long, persistent and absolutely
uncomfortable on accountsof the mobi-
lily OF the forces. 81 - ,:
In the growth Of the trade union
movement either one OF these two
courses have tried to Indicate is open
before US, and It behooyes the men in
our great trade unions to see to it that
we shall not attempt to amalgamate
all too quickly. Such course usually
brings about q case Of industrial lndi-
gestion and the body finds itself in a
most unhealthy state. Disruption, dis
organization and dissolution follow.
II there is to be ama1gamation, and I
have not the slightest doubt that it will
come in time; we should bear it in mind
and organize intelligently with our
Kindred. trades, forming councils, and.
| through these councils acting and CO.
| operating wherever necessary. Then, If
there is to amalganation,, let it come
naturally as, = matter Of growth out of
these different organisations who have
already acted co-operatively and SYM
pathetically with each other, whose men
! realize from experience that the best
results are obtained by amalgamation.
| It occurs to me ought to say a word
in regard to the charge which is made
by the National Metal Trades Associa-
ton against the International Associa-
ton of Machinists, alleging that the
machinists violated the New York
agreement. claiming that when the
agreement was made, stating that on
May 20 the nine-hour day should be
inaugurated in their establishments,
that the agreement did not say that
there was not to be corresponding
reduction in wages: ~.
Now, from 4 persual of the agree
ment, that IL true In one sense. There
is no statement at all as to wages
That has not been touched upon. Nc
agreement was made in that particula,
regard at ali, - - '':' =.
! But: what does that, imply? The EN-
pioyer says It: means that the wages
should be- lessened in accordance with
the time Of the day reduced. Your or
ganization says that that IS not true.
Let ME give you my reasons for diff:
fering with the employers. If the
shortening Of the hours Of labor, say
one PER day, would involve reduction
in the; pay, where IL the necessity fol-
entering into an agreement with the
employers? [.,~.
!. II an employer enters into an agree.