The Washington times., 1902-12-13
DR.. NEEDHAN LECTURES
ON LABOR UNIONS
Social Responsibility and
Economic Importance
Discussed.

The Importance of labor unions in the
economic and industrial development OF
the country, and their responsibility 10
the community. was the subject OF the
second lecture in the course upon trusts
and trades unions at the Columbian
University Thursday afternoon by DR..
Charles w. Needham. president Of that
institution.
After reviewing the history OF the
craft guilds as they existed in England
from the time Of Henry 1. he defined tile
union of today as "a continuous asso-
citation Of wage -earners for the purpose
OF improving the conditions Of their
employment. He stated that they are
the outgrowth of the civilized and in
dustrial conditions OF the present da,
that such combinations are strictly law
fal but subject to the control and di-
rection of the state to prevent unlawful
acts.
"The old theory that a man could
be compelled TO work for fixed wages.
like complete slavery. had passed away.
and that 10 was now recognized that a
man had complete control OF his own
services. and could fix his own price.
and that If the price was not accorded
him. he might refuse to work" Carry
ing this thought up a little further. lit
is held to be lawful that what the in
dividual may do himself. may also be
done by groups OF men"
zation. he stated that this must be
considered from two standards: First.
that of the State. aha second. that OF
the individual members. Il Is contrary
to the policy Of every civilized state
that there should b. unorganized groups
OF men interfering with the peace and
industrial welfare 1f the State. An un-
organized group disturbing the peace is
prohibited as being a riot" it is a
group Of men without responsible lead
eTship doing unlawful acts.
Capital must organize itself into cor
porations. in order that It may manage
its force, be responsible for its acts. and
be subject as an organization to the
laws OF the land Laborers, II permit
ted to act In groups, should also be le-
gally organized or incorporated under
the leadership OF officers duly elected,
directing their force through elected
boards, and be. as an organization, sub
iect TO the law. and responsible for their
acts This is in the interest OF the
State, so that ii can then deal directly
with the organization, as il may with
organizations Of capital. and prohibit
and punish unlawful acts. and hold the
organization responsible for injuries 20
the persons and property committed by
or under the direction OF the assOcia-
tiOn, thus holding these groups to a
high degree of responsibility.
Where this condition exists there will
be greater care on the part Of the or
ganization. FIRST In the election Of re-
sponsible leaders; second. il confning
the action Of the body and the mem-
bers 70 lawful purposes and means. The
improvement in leadership. the recogni-
tion Of ali laws for the preservation
of order and the protection of private
property Will operate TO the benefit and
uDlift OF the Individual member Of the
association. making him better citizen.
and making tie r.ou7 a power and in
huence for good In lettering individual
and industrial conditions.
In his lecture next Thursday at 4.2O
O'Clock. DR.. Needham viii treat Of some
OF the evils Of trusts and trades unions.