The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-15

Whatever be the outcome of the pre-
sent strike in the machine industry,
there is good reason for believing that
it will have some effect. In opening the
eyes Of the more intelligent union men
as to the irreconcilable nature Of the
conflict they are engaging in with the
masters. OF course this does not mean
that temporary agreement will not
be reached In due time, as the economic
field can never become the theatre Of
the final struggle, but nevertheless
after the smoke of the present battle
has cleared away it will be found that
many of the strikers will have arrived
at the conclusion, that the aspirations
Of the working class for better material
conditions can never be realized
through economic organization alone
The ''Declaration of Principles" just
issued by the National Metal Trades
Association is in itself admirably CAL
culated to help produce this effect. AS
to whether the employers will be forced
to abandon some of the clauses con-
tanned in it or not is a matter COM
paratfvely unimportant. Its signif1c-
ance lies in the fact that it represents
the ideal relations which the masters
think should exist between themselves
and their employees, and which they
will always endeavor to put in opera
ton whenever practicable.
The strength given by ownership of
@F
prominently in every line of this docu-
ment. The interference Of the labor
organizations will not be tolerated on
any account, but to make a show Of
impartiality, the masters declare that
they in turn will not interfere with the
proper" functions of labor organiza-
tions, which proper" functions they
assume have no connection whatever
with their business.
First, the employers demand that
they shall have sole power to decide
upon the conditions under which the
work shall be performed. This is a.
matter which in their view the labor
organization has nothing whatever to
do with.
Again, they state that they are de-
termined to make no discrimination be-
tween union and non union men. Here
again the interference Of the union will
not be tolerated, though it means that
the union might as we'll disband if this
claim is conceded. Freedom Of con-
tract" is insisted on. Wages to be
regulated between the individual work.
man and the employer. Number Of
apprentices and helpers to be determin-
ed by the employer. Employees will not
be permitted to restrict production, the
flair days work for a fair days pay
thus meaning that the workman must
work at. the highest possible speed.
Wages to be. paid at hourly rate. pre-
MUM system, contract or piece work
as the employer sees fit. On these mat
ters there is nothing to: arbitrate."
Hours and wages shall be arranged by
the local association in each district.
1t is not at all likely that this asso-
citation. will be able to enforce all the
provisions Of their declaration but
nevertheless it fulfills the pupose Of
letting union men understand just
what sort Of conditions OF. labor their
employers would establish if they had
reduced to nonentity, in fact cast
overheard altogether, but these cap
italists still attempt to bunco workmen
into believing that they have no desire
whatever to interfere with the power"
functions of labor organizations.
They won't Interfere with. the union,
If the union doesn't interfere with their
"business.' But if the union does not
do so it has no business whatever
nothing but proper functions
are to be determined by the fellows
who won't have anything to do with it.
And yet these are the same people,
who when forced to recognize the un-
ions, prate about the harmony which
should exist between capital and labor,
are then free men, american sove-
reigns," and their proper function"
then consists in voting into power the
class which. would reduce them to alb
solute industrial slavery, such as is set
forth in the Declaration of Principles
| of the National Metal Trades Associa-
ton
It is one of the usual contradictions
| Of the capitalist system that under it
| the labOrer who produces everything
| should be- debarred. from any voice in
the conditions of the production pro-
cess, while those who produce nothing
| assume to be the sole judges of this
matter.F But 1t SO happens that the
laborer in self-defence. must interfere
in the business of the employing class,
whether the latter consider such inter-
! ference as outside Of his proper func-
ton" or not, and it is this necessity
| which will yet force him to unite with
his fellows for the purpose of inter-
ferine in "business" 80 far as to change
| it's character entirely by destroying it's
basis, the profit system, under which
he is necessarily a mere instrument of
production to be used as his owners
determines Call. 49,.
Is the straw hat ever to have a
chance?
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