The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-28

The person joining a labor organiza-
ton does so from motives Of self-in-
terest, but, when in order to benefit
himself, he unites with others in the
uplifting Of the whole, then such self
ishness, so called, is transformed into
something else. It represents an en-
lightened self-interest which is essen
TALLY moral and is on a par with pa
triotism.
The selfish person seeking his own
ends to the exclusion of others and
preferring immediate gain, tries to ad-
vance himself by preying upon the
rest. To make common cause with your
fellows is to sacrifice temporary con-
veniences and involves risks which the
narrow minded self-seeker will not as
sumo, no matter how promising the
rewards. In judging the motives of or
ganized worknaen this vital distinction
must be made, otherwise it is difficult
for the outsider to understand the con-
siderations which actuate them. There
is another distinction Of equal import
ance.
The unorganized workman accepts
conditions as they happen to be as the
OCSI pOoSAUAC. A@dUOL pO"cI w. u1111 4S
but commodity. If the demand is
such as to make him dispose of his
labor at a price barely sufficient to
keep him alive he is simply unfortun-
ate, that is all. When he associates
with his fellows for the purpose of reg
ulating the labor supply, then his view
point changes radically. For the first
time he questions the justice of the
industrial relations and regards hu-
man energy as being something more
than merchandise, the value of which
is to be fixed by what it brings on the
open market. The union becomes to
him the starting point of a new course
in life. He is more inclined to assert
himself as man and insist upon his
rights; he secures independence through
organization and is not required to
subordinate himself to the whole. He
Is strengthened BY the support of the
rest, while yielding little, If any, of his
individuality. The restrictions he is
subject to are simply such as every
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To the outsider. ana particularly the
employer who lis confronted with the
union, these restrictions appear tyran-
nical and the meetings SAVIOR of con-
spiracies, but as the business of the
unions is transacted openly and the
management is extremely democratic,
the possible abuses Of this newly ac-
Quired power which many fear is linn
tied and mistakes must lead to their
correction.
I confess that the unions s0e defi-
cient in the sense of duty which should
go with power. They are not fully
aware of it's limitations and the obli-
cations which it imposes. So far, how
ever, the apprehensions which have
been felt as to it's possible misuse have
not been justified by the facts. It is
for the friends of the movement to en-
phasize this exceedingly important side
and impress the members with their
responsibilities.
The underlying principle Of trade
unionism is self-help. Here you have
the blending Of the Individual and the
social elements, both of which are es-
sential to healthy society. The union
is by no means a paternal authority,
assuming guardianship over the
members, which is expected to provide
them with easy jobs at good pay, and
assumes to regulate their habits and
thoughts, but 1t is rather the common
rallying ground which enables the
workers to consult and act in concert,
and to overcome the competition among
themselves which has always kept
them close to the life line.
1t is often said that these groups Of
workingmen are absorbed solely in
furthering their own interests without
regard to the welfare of society; that
they act brutally toward other work.
men who are on the outside. This is
the first impression, but, as matter of
fact, the labor unions have been prom
inently active In promoting reforms Of
a general character. Even in the case
of the non unionist, where the unions
are seen in their harshest aspect, their
purpose is to impress the non-member
with the disadvantage. Of his position
and to awaken in him a sense of obliga-
tion to his fellows. When forced into
the union he at once shares equally in
all its deliberations; even where they
commit serious offense against the
union they are invariably dealt with