The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-16
UNION MOVEMENT IN TOPEKA.

No apprehension should be felt among
the employers of labor at the general
movement in the city for the members
of the various trades to band together
for their own good. Representatives of
the great labor unions of the country
have been in Topeka for some days
straining every nerve to have as many
as possible join these brotherhoods, and
it is cause deserving the support of all
the best people.
There has been an understanding,
or rather misunderstanding, regarding
the objects of labor unions. and by
many they have been antagonized hon
estly and in the conviction that go
ciety would be benefited by their erad1-
cation This seems to have come about
through much of the difficulties stirred
up between labor and capital and with
out proper study of the conditions and
facts. For instance. in every comnu-
nifty, especially where there are great
railroad or manufacturing shops, there
is an element of men and boys con-
stituting hoodlumism. which when an
opportunity offers itself vent themselves
in any way that they can do so and at
the same time escape the clutches Of the
law. Thus, when a great strike is ON
and spirit runs high it is their ambition
to seek for trouble: not that they wish
to bear the brunt of a physical conflict,
but that supported by good men they
can accomplish that fiendisn purpose
which has its root in jealousy, the de-
sire to take from another by any means
If be chance to be more prosperous in
worldly affairs than oneself.
1t is that kind which rushes into
groups of strikers and in opposition to
the reasonable plans of union men pre-
c1pitate trouble. For this union labor
gets the blame the public never know
ing but the organizations have sane
toned violence, when as matter of
fact such is not the case. In some in
sta noes it has been proven that tie cor
pcrations have cunning1y devised this
means of creating a sentiment against
strikers, which in times past has accom-
plished the end for which it was in
tended.
But in Topeka right now it IS not the
aim of the unions to organize and then
order walkout. The unions are hui
man; and labor numbers among it's rep
reseptatives in Topeka the best citizen
ship: cool-headed, peaceable and averse
to strife. Unionism has broadened
much within the past year or two, and
at rnany of the lodge meetings now eeu
cational features are taken up and dis
cussed in way that not only helps
man in his craft but makes him q bet
ter workman. There are sick and death
benefits which are worthy adjuncts, ana
a social feeling among the members
which gives each and all stronger self
respect, a greater esteem for the broth
ers of his trade. Then when it does
come to strike as a necessity, when ar
bitration can do nothing to relieve the
tension, at that time the members of
the union are in a position to make the
employers feel their worth With the
use of such measures it comes about
that laboring men are lifted higher, the
possibility of differences with capital
lessened; but justice to then being re-
fused, they are at once in good condi-
ton to make themselves felt and to
gain that which of right belongs to
them.