Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-09

and their financial system is that the
old men who are members of the or
ganization are not forgotten, and are
entitled to 81 per week sick benefit
for thirteen weeks in the year, in adj
dition of outof-work benefits and all
other benefits that accrue to the
younger members. 1t would be we'll
for other organizations to look up the
financial system of the moulders and
learn something for their welfare.
Samuel Gompers says:
"In this world Of ours those who do
not make themselves heard have no
grievance to redress. Those who are
not willing to bear burdens and even
temporary sacrifices in striking for
their rights may be given passing
word of sympathy; books and essays
may be written upon social inequali-
ties, and the awful condition OF the
slums; but they are usually passed by
on the other side and left in their
squalor and misery. The workers, or
the people of the nation, who, knowing
their rights, have the courage and the |
fortitude and the willingness to assert |
and defend them, are always the most
respected among the peoples on the
face of the earth.
|
the miners in the anthracite coal re-
gions were being degraded. Who
gave them attention but the organized
workers? When at last through the
efforts of organized labor the miners
We're aroused from their lethargy, de-
termined to strike, and did strike, de-
spite the popular notion that they had
lost all courage and would not strike,
10000 of them gave notice to the
world that if coal was to be mined, the
men were entitled to at least living
wage as condition precedent. Uni
versal sympathy was aroused in their
favor, and il resulted in concession
and a victory which all the world
} agrees made for the social and moral
uplifting of the entire communities in
which the miners lived.
Organized labor stands for:
1; Organization.
} 2; Cancellation.
3; Arbitration.
We know that without organization,
7 Cancellation and arbitration are delu-
sion and snare.
"The combination of the employers,
t the wealth possessors of America, has
: progressed at very rapid rate. The
! workers have no fear because of these
: SOui plHhllOilS. lHey are IGdllZluS that
in order to protect and promote their
| interests today, and to vouchsafe their
e liberty and freedom for the future, it
i is essential for them to unite and fed
/ crate.
t "Out of the two united forces there
: is a constantly growing tendency to-
f ward mutual agreements, lasting for
e a stated period during which indus
D trial disturbances are avoided; repre-
l. sentatives of both sides engage In adj
u justing the differences arising from
the constant transition in machinery
and methods of production; and they
r meet annually or biennially to again
e discuss conditions upon which indus
+ trial peace may be continued for a
:. like period.
y organized labor helps to reduce
# class, race, creed, and political preju-
(, dices. 1t aids and supports its fellow.
s. workers morally and financially 1t
d raises wages and lowers usury 1t
n fosters education, and uproots ignor.
If iance: Increases Independence, and de
o creases dependence. 1t develops man
e hood, and balks tyranny 1t shortens
e hours of toll and lengthens life II
It lightens and brightens man. 1t estab
IS fishes fraternity, and discourages blind
s tsellsnneSS. IL makes MANHOOD more
independent womanhood more beauti
1t full and healthful. and childhood more
l. hopeful and bright. 1t cheers the
e home, and tends TO make the world
II better
IS "The movement of labor organization
began with those who through the
rudest form of association, pledged te
e each other the effort to tighten theil
m burdens mitigate their woes and re
lg sist the. common oppressor. 1t has
n moved along with the increased aspi
of rations, wants and demands OF the