The age-herald., 1902-03-16
Department Of LABOR
 oosnrnrrn nv R W BRuMLEY -

organized effort enable the workers to maintain order and to perform efficiently the work of organization. Ihe lraae union cultivates self-respect, manhooo and character. It's influence for goou en- compasses the whole human fanlliy. II seeks systematically to attain better re- lations between the employers and em- ployed. It compels a higher ethical con sideration for the rights of all.
 As means toward this end the prlhcl- pal essentials are
 Experience demonstrates however that the organized workers or thls coun- try, who are best prepared 10 malhtdih themselves during a strike, are those who least frequently indulge in one.
 And after all is said and done. while strikes are to be avoided, if posslple, ana to be deplored, there yet are some things worse than strikes One of them IS oe- graded and demoralzed manhood
 Strikes should be avoided; but when there is no other alternative to obtain redress for a grievance. or to secure right to which the workers are entitled join with the martyred Lincoln m say ing:
 Thank God, we have a system Of lapor where there can be a strike Whatever the pressure, there is point where the workingman may stop.
 "As an individual gains strength py the exercise of natural functions, so do the laborers gain strength In proportion as they assert and manfully stand TOT thelr rights, and even make temporary sacri- fees in order to attain them.
 "The assertion of the wage-earnefs or our country that they will not only organ ize, but constantly press their demands upon society for a better recognition of the rights to which they are entitled, really assures freedom and peace ana the perpetuity of American institutions
 q. Organization;
 "2. Cancellation;
 a The st-lke that is, when concilia- tion has failed to restore mutual re- lationns, recourse is had to the cessation
 latlons, recourse is had to the cessation orable peace.
 ''i Legal intervention In certain cases'
 such as legislation to prohibit and regu-' late the labor of women and children; abolition of sweatshops, unsanitary ana l, unsafe workshops, mines, mills, ana oth- CT establishments; the abolition or the store-order system and the passage or such other legal enactments as tend to-
 ward industrial liberty.
 Tn a word, the organization or the | trade union Is the determination Of the | working people to have more potent
 voico in the regulations of the condl-
 tions under which they work.
 "r'erhaps the point in which the aver | age citizen will be most interested IS the | strike. I grant that strike is not the
 most desirable occurance in our econo- l mic life. In fact, there are none who | make such great efforts to prevent and | avo.d strikes as do the organized work | CTS. 1 may say that I have yet to make | the acquaintance of any man, who, nav | ing given some years to the organized | labor movement of our country, does not exert his every effort to avert strikes. Through these battles, sacrifices ana burdti1s, the labor movement has forged
 to tJe front with the gratifying result which we have recently witnessed or a movement by the representatives or or ganiZed labor and the largest employers | in our country in an enrnest effort Tor | industrial progress with economic peace. | That event has been hailed with hearty | acclaim by the well wishers of humanity 1 the world over.
 But we should not fancy ourselves in | an elysium of bliss, or delude ourselves | into the belief that the millennium has | been established.
 "The workers must still more thor | oughly organize than ever, and with l clearness of purpose and an earnest de- | sire for better conditions. If these, our l efforts, are met in a cordial and concflia- | tory spirit by employers and the general | public, it will make for the uplifting | of all our people. As a nation we will | not only lead the industry and commerce | of the world but also be the beacon light | of hope, sympathy. and cooperation for | the masses of all the nations of the l earth"