Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-18
in THE LABOR REALM.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
[The matter published in this col
umn is furnished by the officers of the
Federation of Labor.l
[From Fridays Daily.l
The committee on organization has
secured in the neighborhood of three
hundred names as charter members
for the Union Label League, in this
city. The members of this organiza-
ton are not members of any other la
Dor organization, but are the fathers
mothers, brothers, wives and sweet
hearts of the members of the different
labor organizations in the city. This
organization is composed of the people
who do most of the purchasing and
they will materially increase the de-
mand for the union label in the city.
The constitution provides for the pat
ronage through union clerks of all I'M
ion label goods. Before the charter
of this organization closes, it is esti-
mated that the membership will be at
least one thousand.
The advice recently given in this
column to the non-union clerks to be-
come members Of their union, should
be needed at this time, so that when
the members of the label league ask
for the card, the clerk will be able to
present it, thus avoiding any misun-
derstanding or embarrassments, to
gether with the possible loss of trade
to their employers. The organization
will surely commence the campaign
for union label goods by the first Of
July, and the effect of the union label
league, as has been demonstrated in
other cities, where they have been
formed have increased the demand for
the union label, where the most ardent
advocates of it's emblem desired to see
| it. The league controls the purchases
of vast army of people who are in
sympathy with union label goods, and
puts them on the safeguard against
bogus union labels. The league works
| through churches and societies, and if
necessary sends committees to the
homes of the working people, to in
| form them of any unfair treatment
that labor may be subjected to through
unfair employers. 1t is with pleasure
that organized labor of Ottumwa notes
this advance step towards solidifica-
ton of labor's forces. The time has
abort come for the end of the per-
| suasive clerk with his ever ready and
stereotyped statements: "The firm
4 that makes these goods employs I'M
ion help, but does not put the label
on; Union label goods cost great
deal more in the markets, therefore
We have to charge a great deal more
for them" All Of these statements
have exploded through an investigation
by the different officers of the local
unions in this city. 1t will be admit
ted that the cost of manufacture may
| be a trifie higher on union that non.
union goods, but the union label rep
resents manhood and womanhood, and
such an advance step is to better civil
iZation, and no thoughtful and con-
scientious person should pass it by for
the product of the sweat shops. When
it is realized that were it not for I'm
ions our non-union brother would be in
a worse condition than he is at the
present time, with absolutely no hope
of advancing himself out of the indus.
trial chaos. 1t might be well here tt
suggest to the thoughtful ones that the
quicker they begin to demand union la
bel product, just that much sooner
will better condition in the Industrial
field present itself to them. The hope
and aspiration of organized labor is
that toilers surround themselves with
the union label. 1t is fast be
coming recognized as the emblem OF
the honest and industrious toiler.
Our Opportunity.
Never in the history of trade union
ism has the opportunity for the wage
. worker in this country to be the arbite,
of industrial conditions been more aus
picious than today. The large number
of n W organizations, with the increas
ed membership in the older ones, show
a commendable desire for higher
plane in the industrial world, and
conviction that such can be obtained
only through organization. The tenden
Icy of the commercial world today is
the concentration of capital and the re
striclion of production. The industrial
classes having thoroughly organized
why not adopt the theory of concen
tration and restriction on their own &C
count, and by simply changing tn
form become masters of the situation
Organize, restrict the hours of labor
improve the conditions, concentrate al
your efforts on stimulating the pur
|
road to ultimate success is but steI
The union label is the bulwark of oul
future, as the industrial class is tn,
most potent factor in trade today, ant
by purchasing nothing but union-mad'
products must certainly control the
situation. When this immense indus
trial lever moves, guided by intelli
gent hands, along the line of unity ant
cooperation, it's power for good is il
resistible, and must ultimately caus
a healthier condition of business.
Trades and Labor Assembly.
The regular semi-monthly meetin
of the Trades and Labor assembl
was held at labor hall Wednesda
evening with very near the full dele
cation from every labor organizatio
in the city. The labor committee o
the eight hour question reported, an
the assembly took the matter unde
consideration. The committee on La
Dor day outlined plan for holding
labor day celebration in this city, Mon
day, September 2. and the report wa
thoroughly discussed. The consensu
of OniDiOn of all the de1apates nresen