The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-02-21
TRADE UNIONS THE BEST.

NHAO6 ON1ONS The BEST.
We had long ago thought that every
thinking man of today recognized the
necessity of organization in some form
among workingmen. The fact that
capital has been permitted tc entrench
itself behind powerful combinations.
with but little effective opposition, has
never been questioned. The general
feeling Is that capital has right to or
ganize. It's methods have often been
questioned, but this makes little differ
ence, for it's power in industry and
with the government is so great as to
destroy the force of the usual objec-
lions.
The organizations of merchants are
passed over with but little thought,
and yet these organizations pursue
methods that would not be tolerated
by organizations of labor. If trade
Unions insisted upon weekly pay days
from railroads and other large cor
lorations they would be condemned
for being too unreasonable. The pro-
duce exchange, the organization of
commission merchants, insists upon
weekly settlement from all procers,
and those who do not adhere to this
rule are placed upon the exchange
blacklist. The commission merchant
who sells to a blackisted grocer is la
HE to a. fine of $50 This is one kind
OF all organization.
Then there are the wholesale grocers
who can not sell to nom members of
the grocers' association, or buy from
manufacturers who sell directly to the
retail trade. AS a result OF organiza-
ton among the wholesale dealers, the
retailers are obliged to organize. This
organization fixes uniform prices On
many necessities of life. II maintains
Il blacklist of those who do not pa,
their bills regularly. The retail gro
GERS OF Duluth have 900 names. on their
blacklist, and it would surprise one to
know how many respectable profess
SIGNAL, business and laboring men are
on this list.
OF all the organizations mentioned,
from the trust to the labor organiza-
ton there are none that can stand the
light Of day, save the trade union
1t has nothing to hide. Its effort
l.;
Of labor and fair conditions of toll is
too commendable to shield from pub
lie scrutiny. No honest trade unionist
need fear to defend the aims, objects
and methods of his organization. It
stands out in bold relief from them all
lin worthiness, in honesty of purpose,
and in the true spirit of doing real
good for the greatest number. If all
labor was alive to the necessity of or
,ganization, no united demand could be
unreasonable.
Being the real producers of wealth.
every one who depends upon them
would profit by the prosperous con-
Editions of labor. Those who do not
labor may boast of prosperity until
doom's day, but there can be no real
prosperity unless the producer is really
prosperous.
! Much work does not make prosperity:
SLAVES always had lots Of work. Thir-
ty days suspension of work would put
almost every workman at the door OF
poverty. While if he received his just
share of that which he produced, he
would see that there never was a
panic to worry and starve him.
Trade unions will struggle until labor
gets it's full share from production. Is
not this worthy effort ? Get in and
help it accomplish this purpose. You
can do nothing but harm by working
alone It is the unity Of effort that
counts in these days.