The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-03-09
Defend ! I THE I LABEL | | |
TRADE UNIONS LITTLE BANNER IS
A PEACEFUL WEAPON. Il E


of Honest ProductiOn-It Carries
With it Neither Threat Nor Re-
proach, But More Entreaty and
Exposstulation-Stan BY 1T and
Defend it For it is Right.
One of the important considerations
that should attract and command the
attention of every member Of the Am
erican Federation of Labor is the un-
ion label. While apparently of recent
adoption and recognition in the meth
DDS Of propaganda of union principles,
it has proved itself 10 be one Of the
most useful and effective weapons, Of
fensive and defensive, ever conceived
for the purposes intended.
AS has been heretofore said by the
writer, in extolling the worth of trade
unions little banner, nothing has ever
before so nearly fitted the purpose of
it's invention as the union label. It is
a bright jewel in the diadem of honest
production. 1t is the insignia of
''white," clean, fair-made goods. 1t is
the invitation to buy and the safe
guard against fraudulent traffic. 1t
and comes with visor up. It carries
with it neither threat nor reproach,
but more of entreaty and expostulation.
1t belongs to only the good and it's alb
sence from the legitimate commerce
in it's line is cause for suspicion and
fraud on the hikh sea of bargain and
sale. It is the pole-star guide OF safe
ty for the wandering mechanic and
laboring man, and is beyond the reach
of court corruption and illegal injunc-
ton. Hold fast to 1T, for'it is good
1t is current at par wherever honesty
deals. It will bring always one hund-
red cents on every dollar invested. De-
mand it's presence on honest made
goods of any and all classes. Hold it
up and it will hold you up in return.
Swear by it; frame it in your memory
as a medallion of your brightest hopes
and purposes. Worship it with rever-
ence, and faithfully. It's sure winner
every time.
Every trade with a label knows and
appreciates the utility of it's use and
the benefits derived therefrom. Every
delegate representing a trade union will
bow with reverence to it's credibility.
1t needs no corroborative witness. 1t
is evidence of itself to justify it's pro-
lection and defense.
These remarks are prompted by
"star-chamber" assault lately made
upon the label of the allied printing
trades, issued under and by authority
of the International Typographical I'm
ion of America. It was done behind
closed doors, at session Of the United
American sTy theta s., held q d4atsk kansas
City, an organiza ton composed of
large proportion of the employing print
ers in the principle cities of the United
States. The movement was inspired by
a number Of leading unfair firms whose
establishments have been "ratted' and
placed under the band from the en-
ployment of honorable, respectable
members Of the Interna tional Typogra-
phical Union. The action taken was
one Of vicious opposition to the use of
the printers labels, and provision was
made for it's attempted ultimate des-
truction. This body even went so far
as to resolve upon the raising of
fund of one hundred thousand dollars
to wipe out the label and utterly des-
troy it's effectiveness in the protection
of honest, fair labor. AS this large sum
try but recognizes and approves the
uses of the printers label as a weapon
Of protection against the conniving,
rascally, thieving methods and prac-
tees of rafting establishments in all
was to be raised by a percapita assess
ment, the proba of it's success
are not encouraging, even to it's pro-
jectors.
There is not a decent, respectable
publishing or printing firm in the coun-
parts of the country. They not only
approve of the label as furnished them
by the allied printing trades craft coun-
ellis, but insist in imprinting it on
every species of printing sent out, un-
less strictly forbidden by an individual
party ordering work in their establish
ments. And why not?. The label was
not alone established as an insignia of
labor done by fair workmen, to as
sist them in pursuit of honest toll, but
with more emphasis in it's purpose of
pointing out the honest, fair-dealing
employers who recognize the rights and
equity of those on whose labor he de-
pends for proper performance of OBJ
| Legations entered upon in solemn agree
ment. It not only protects the work.
man in his effort to maintain fair, liv-
ing wages; to protect his legal and
lawful right to fix price on his pro-
ductive industry, but it protects the
employer more largely against the en-
lcroachments of dishonest, undermining,
rascally firms who, by the methods of
cheap, starving labor, would drive all
honorable business to the wall of ruin
and disaster.
The object in thus calling the atten-
ton to this special instance of assault
upon the printers label, is to bring to
the reflective mind of every member
Of the Federation, of whatever trade
or calling, the danger which threatens
the entire mass Of our trade union or
ganization. Certain, in such an i'm
pending crisis, What would be an in
jury to one is the concern Of all.' The
writer is not especially alarmed at any
likelihood of success. In the first place,
the threat of raising one hundred
thousand dollars by the boasted CAPT.
talists who are fathering this mobiliza
| ton of monetary force resembles more