The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-09-12
DESIGNATE labor organ
izatiOns as organized labor is
misleading. Much has been

izations as organized labor is
misleading. Much has been
done within the last decade
to combine the various trade unions
into consolidated federation, whereby
all classes of workingmen would be
organized for the general welfare of
the whole body of toilers. The Knights
of Labor was organized with this
purpose in view, but dissensions within
it's own ranks brought disaster upon
it. The Federation, Amalgamated
Association and other kindred organ
izations are handicapped in these
battles with capital by this evil of
internal dissension. Just as the steel
strike has reached its crisis, the Labor
World, a paper published in Pittsburg
and patronized by union men, bitterly
attacks President Shaffer of the
Amalgamated Association. Such action
just now when the strike is at so
critical period is cruel stab to the
cause of labor and of much benefit to
its opponents. The old trouble of
internal dissension has cropped out
again in the ranks Of the organizations,
and capital, always harmonious when
fighting labor unions, will score another
victory.
In spite of the many defeats labor
organizations have suffered in the past,
labor leaders still use the same futile
methods that capital has so often
triumphed over. Labor can never win
a strike unless all workingmen unite
to assist those directly involved in the
controversy. By this 1 mean that all
who toll should organize into one
general combination, bound together
by the welfare of the whole body of
toilers. I hardly believe such an
organization could be perfected so as
to secure harmonious action, for there
are so many seperate unions and
individual trade organizations that
united action of the whole would be
difficult to secure where only a small
minority were to be benefited. Yet
workingmsn, if they would benefit
themselves as class, must sacrifice
something for their general welfare.
Another important factor in the
future of workingmen is their power
in politics. So great is this power that
were the tOilers to exercise their full
influence they could elect one of their
own fellows to the presidency of the
United States and send men to congress
who would legislate trusts and danger
Gus combinations of capital out of
business. Workingmen do not exercise
this power on election day; the average
trade unionist forgets all about his
own interest when he goes to vote, and
casts his ballot for the men the political
machines have placed in nomination.
This is but natural and has been the
order of things for so long that work
ingmen today vote as their fathers did,
and never think of being anything but
a partisan in political matters.
During every campaign we hear a
great deal of talk from bombastic
orators about the oppressed working
class; each party sends out their
speakers to influence the laboring vote
with ready made tales of woe. Now
the average workingman is posted on
political issues and he votes for his
nartv'S candidate hpcausa ho ronroconfc
his particular political creed and not
because the party or candidate will
benefit him individually.
Capitalists can bring influence to
coerce legislation in their favor, but the
man who employs thousand workmen
has but one vote; it is true that he
controls more, but that is the fault of