Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-18

meeting in the interests OF nine-hour |
day for machiniets in this city was |
held In Turn Hall Thursday night under |
the auspices of Lodge No. 1874 of the
internationally Association OF Machinists.
About $50 men were present. President |
Samuel Gomlers Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor and President James
O'Connell Of the International Assooia
tion of Mschinists made addresses
which were heard with deep interest.
The committee in charge of the meeting
comprised Reeves q. String, William
L. Hamanp, W. ]. Murphy, W. L.
Lowe and Joseph Haffey. Mr.. String
presided and presented Mr.. Gompers
as the first speaker.
MIR. Gompers remarked that one OF
the greatest writer's and thinkers on
economics once said that the formation
OF one small union among working men
shall be of more Importance to the
future historian than battles of one
nation against another. He probably
meant that the formation of orgRniza-
tons of labor made for peace, made for
humanizing people, to help define as
we'll as realize the position of labor
towards the State and society.
There ie nothing that does SO much
for the uplifting of the human family
rs does the organization of labor.
Students of history know that before
the workers began to organize they
were counted as beasts of burden. Not
more than 100 years ago thore existed
In this country white as well as black
slavery. Although the Constitution
DO 81 Oh
have been inequalities. 1t has not
been long since organizations Of labor
were considered as conspiracies and
treason to the State.
In our day is it possible for an in
1ividual workingman to obtain re-
dress for a grievance or an improve
ment 10 his condition unless he associ-
ates himself with fellow worker?
Nowadays, trusts or combinations take
the place Of the individual employer
or partnership.
II man were one Of 500 or 1000
worknen, he could have no hope to get
an increase in wages or a decrease of
working hours by his single application.
II workingmen hope TO defend their
position, to get their rights, the 500 or
1000 must be united in spirit and num-
bers. The spirit OF organization is con-
fined TO 10 city or State. The movement
for concentration of wealth is as wide
as the country and believe it IS inter
national. If the employers are inter-
ested in such movement, what are the
workers to do but to stand by each
other and with unity, there must be
absolute success.
Organization is the order of the day
the whole universe over. What are our
cities but organizations. Each Of the
States is union and the Federal gov
eminent liz one vast union. About 4O
years ago, IL States tried to leave the
union and there was a great strike.
Sometimes workingmen want to leave q
union aud fumpus is raised and af.
forwards they are glad that they did
not leave, as were the ii States. Then
there are the unions of employers. the
Sugar trust, the Whisky trust. There
are no stronger unions than those ir
the churches. The physicians have
their medical societies and the mem
,bers must live up to the ethics. The
lawyers have their unions, they cal
them bar associations because they
think ii sounds prettier. They have
apprentices, but they don't call then
that. They will not allow man tt
practice law unless he has his workin.
card, which he calls diploma. Tn,
judge refusing him the privilege tt
practice occupies the relation OF th,
walking delegate.
The workingmen are learning thei
lesson. They are organizing, they hav
their ethics, their first duty is Il
themselves and their families, and next
they are not to take their neighbor'
Job.
The trusts are combinations of wealtl
Sossessors who try TO operate their be
longings without regard to the interest
of the people; they try to have as fey
in them as possible and government ha
shown itself impotent to control them
The difference between them and labo
unions Is that the latter are as wide a
the country and work for the mutua
and common protection of all. TIL
unions send out men to plead and argu
with on-union men and preaching tn
gospel of unionism, preaching the prin
clplea OF Christianity for every day i
the week.
Mr.. Gompers cited as an illustratio
OF the effect of labor organizations th
act Of the Tennessee Legislature I
limit the hours of work of women an
children. In the South it is found this
the mills conducted by. Southern can
talists are degree better as to chill
employment than those run with th
money OF Northern capitalists. III
unions believe that men are of NO,
value than money.
When all the trades, the national an
international unions, are united for
good noble and righteous purpose
will be grand army of labor movir
on 20 the goal OF human Justice.
The International Macbjnists' IInir
is now engaged in movement wit
the National Metal Workers Associate
to secure nine-hour day going I'M
effect May Goth. He hoped the mi
7hinists of the country would insist I
niue-hour day and refuse to work u
IS they get it. He urged them TO t,
and get il without strike, SHOWN
the employers they want the nine hol
day and are standing together for i
The American Federation of Lab
promises to aid the machinists.
James O'Con1bll, president of ii
Information Association of Machipis
discussed the nine.hour moyem en-
Nearly all other trades, except machi
lists or those in the M achinery businrs
are now olking eight OF nine no
days. In many instances. hours CT lab
have been reduced simply as the resu
oil conferences between employers al
workers. The whole tendency ia I
shorter hours. The Honolulu maobi
lists are now on strike for an eight no
day at s. day.
Many manufacturers have already a
oepted the nine-hour day and start
it without any reduction in wages