The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-04-19

the people of a 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 people on the face
of the earth.
For more than twenty-f five years the
miners in the anthracite coal regions
were being degraded. Who gave them
attention but the organized workers
When at last, through the efforts Of
organized labor, the miners were
aroused from their lethargy, deter
! mined to strike, and did strike, despite
the popular notion that they had lost
all courage and would not strike, 170,-
900 of them gave notice to the world
that if coal was to be mined, the men
were entitled to at least living wage
as a condition precedent. Universal
sympathy was aroused in their favor
| and it resulted in a 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,
Cancellation and arbitration are a delu-
sion and a snare.
The combination of the employers,
! the wealth possessors of America, has
| progressed at very rapid rate. The
Io1 0f hoc
combination They are realizing that
in order to protect and promote their
interests today, and to vouchsafe their
liberty and freedom for the future, it is
essential for them to unite and fed
crate.
Out of the two united forces there is
| a constantly growing tendency toward
mutual agreements, lasting for a stated
period during which industrial dis
turbances are avoided; representatives
of both sides engage in adjusting the
differences arising from the constant
transition in machinery and methods
of productions; and they meet annually
or beiennially to again discuss condi-
lions upon which industrial peace may
be continued for like period.
The workers are sometimes accused
of unwillingness to make concessions.
To this we answer that, so far as 1t
is possible, the workers ought not to
concede; in fact, their conditions are
such that they have exceedingly little
to concede. The cry of the toilers is
for More! The organized movement
of the workers is to obtain more OF
the advantages which result not only
from their labor, but from the COM
bined genius of the past and present.
The movement of labor organization
began with those who, through the
rudest form of association, pledged to
each other the effort to tighten their
burdens, mitigate their woes, and resist
the common oppressor. It has moved
along with the Increased aspirations,
wants and demands of the most in
| telligent among us.
None will dispute that the trade
| unions comprise the most moral and
intelligent of the working class; that
they represent the highest practical
| hopes, and aim to achieve them In the
most reasonable and civilized manner.
All really educated and honest men
| admit that the thorough organization
| of the wageworkers tends to render en-
| ployment and the means of subsistence
less precarious, and secures a larger
| share of the fruits of their toll.
! Organized labor helps to reduce Glass;
race, creed, and political prejudlces. 1t
aids and supports it's fellow-workers
morally and financially. 1t raises
wages and lowers usury. 1t fosters
education, and uproots ignorance; IN
creases independence and decreases de-
pendence.. It develops manhood, and
| balks tyranny. It shortens hours or
toll and lengthens life. 1t lightens and
brightens man. It establishes frater-
nifty, and discourages blind selflshness:
It makes manhood more independent,
womanhood moreb eautiful and health
full, and childhood more hopeful and
bright. It cheers the home, and tends
to make the world better.
| Unions of labor endow the workers
with individual freedom. The unions
prescribe a minimum, living wage; not
a maximum wage. They insist upon
q diving rate, and never interfere with
| an employer desiring to reward supe-
rior skill or merit, the charge of labor s
enemies to the. contrary notwtthstand-
| ing. 80.
Where are the evidences of mani
festations then of harm done by Or
ganized labor? Production has more
than kept pace with population, and
the growing demands sat home OF
abroad.
The toilers will contest for full and
unqualified recognition of all these
rights. They will win in the future as
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