The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-10-25

cCuc ~ H.
The strike of coal miners in the an
thracite coal fields Of Pennsylvania is
doing more to force attention to the in
dustrial problem and it's solution than
anything which has happened in recent
times. The longer it continues and the
more it is studied, the deeper becomes
the conviction that it's rightful solution
is a political one-the collective own
ership and operation Of the coal mines
and railroads. The intelligent men and
women in the organized labor ranks
who have previously disapproved of
discussions of political questions by
trades unions, are now openly an
nouncing that future contests for bet
terment Of industrial conditions must
be fought out in the political field faith
err than as a purely economical ques-
ton.
Above all, this, great strike has de-
monstrated that labor unions can be
ever so strong, have public sympathy
unanimously on their side, be support
ed financially to the fullest extent
yet, so long as the means of production
and distribution remain in the hands
Of a few capitalists, labor must SUBJ
init to the terms of the men who own
the jobs.
The time is fast approaching when
working people will have to use their
united political power for the change Of
industrial conditions, as trades unions
are becoming powerless in settlement
of differences between master and
servant.
One of the most significant signs Of
the new change in trades unionism was
the mass~meeting of over 10000 people
in Madison Square Garden last Satur-
day night, which was addressed by
President Samuel Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor and
President John Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers Of America. The whole
situation of the coal strike was gone
over, the coal barons came in for a
large amount of denunciation, money
was raised for the strikers and before
the meeting came to a close the fol-
lowing resolution was passed:
1.-The time has come when no indi-
vidual or corporation may longer be al
lowed to remain in sole ownership and
control Of a prime necessity Of life for
the whole people. We declare in favor
of collective ownership and operation
by the people of the coal mines and
railways dependent on them, as the
only way out of the present state Of So
cial war between a few capitalists
who own all the means of production
and the masses Of the toilings people.
xvy1,1 1voo oc -,
cure to each worker the full product
of his labor
Private ownership Of the mines and
railroads is protected by the govern
ment and only political action can
change 1t to collective ownership and
operation. This is the position of the
Socialists-the party standing for the
collectiv ownership Of all means of
production and distribution-and it is
being demonstrated to be correct as
each day passes.
The same conditions which face the
coal miners face all other wage-ear
ers in whatever industrial pursuit they
are employed, and the solution offered
by the New York mass meeting is the
solution Of the industrial question.
The time has gone by when labor
will be power in righting it's wrongs,
except that it uses it's political power
as a unit and stands for a change of
private ownership and operation Of in
dustry to that of collective ownership
and operation-the substitution of in
dustrial cooperation for competition,
The logic Of industrial events is forcing
this conclusion upon labor and we are
rejoiced.
The capitalists and parasites will
tremble as never before labor uses it's
its political power in the same manner
as it strikes industrially. Well may
Mark Hanna say the next great strug.
gle on the political field will be between
the Republicans and Socialists. One
stands for plutocracy, the other for the
people.
Let every depressed, overburdeneo
wage worker take heart. The day Ut
emancipation is nearer at hand than
many think. Political and Industrial
conditions are in chaos right now, and
above it all the SUN of hope and right
solution is appearing.
There is a wonderful coming Of So
cialism and every true, earnest, honest
lover Of his race wants to participate
in bringing it into practical operation.
Wage workers., emancipate your
selves, and refuse longer to listen to
the glowing promises Of the politician
and capitalist who will do nothing for
you except sit on your back and enjoy
the things you produce by hard labor
It's coming! Let 'er come!
HENRY CT AY AS AN ACTOR