The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-07
LABOR AND THE COMMUNITY
A Plea for Better Understanding Among
ST. All Glasses. ....

In substance the following was the
speech Of Rev. Marion D. Shutter:
am here not for any technical discussion
of wages or hours of labor, or conditions under
which work is performed Such questions de-
mand the studies of experts. and cannot be
settled off-hand from the platform. am
here in the interest of better understanding
among the elements that make up our commu-
nifty. We are friends and neighbors. We have
many things in common. We want to learn
how to live together in peace and prosperity.
The church, the society, the labor union each
has duties as we'll as rights.
There are some things that have been settled,
and you have settled them. At first organiza-
lions among wcrkmen were bitterly opposed
need not go into that sad history. The right
to organize is now conceded. It is as absolute
for the laborer for the man of business and
the employer. The unions have grown and null
t1plied. They have corrected certain abuses in
the conduct OF various industries; they have
gained advantages for their members, such as
better wages, shorter hours, and more healthful
condittons; they have influenced for the better
the state Of labor outside as we'll as inside the
unions. The record is one that may be written
In letters of light upon the scroll of the world
industrial history. It is record that the COM
munity. reads with satisfaction. All real lovers
of the race rejoice in any height that is won
by struggling and aspiring humanity.
Success the Test.
But success is the test of an organiza tion Just
as 1t Is Of an individual. The good that may
in the days of struggle and comparative weak.
ness will not atone for any misuse of power
that may signalize the days of triumph To-day
many people all over the country are asking
Have the labor unions outlived their useful
ness and are they henceforth to be but menace
to the peace and prosperity of a community ~
l want to answer that question. I want you
to help me answer it, so that the mind of the
people shall be set at rest I do not believe
that the labor unions have outlived their use
fulness. believe there is still work for them
to 40. The excuses and abuses Of organization
and power-which. by the way, are not confined
to the un1ons-will be corrected by the conserya
tism OF the constituency and the wisdom o.
jud1ctous leaders. - '
Feeling Of Uncertainty.
Nevertheless the feeling of uncertainty thru
out the land has not been without some justifi
cation. The community, for example will al
ways stand by labor in a strike against ree
wrong and injustice, and unhappily wrong ant
injustice have too often been~done to labor. TIL,
| sympathy OF the whole country was with the an
thracite coal miners. But on the other hand
strike that is ordered for the sake of strikin.
or to make display of power, or for some triy
iality or to get even with employer or t.
wreak vengeance upon somebody else; strike
that violate contracts, strikes that are attende,
With violence and murder and destruction of prom
erty; strikes that drive business out of cit,
and make capital schrinlS from investment-suc
strikes no community can will tolerate for
ever. The best men in the unions are oppose,
Will some day be strong enough to put a sto
to them.
There are other things which the general publ
views with suspicion and distrust: the attitud
that some unions in different parts of the countr
take towards the militia. excluding those of thei
members who will not resign from such com
pan1es: the disposition in some quarters to plac
the rules Of the union above the laws Of til
| country; (there are great corporations, by tn
way. that do the same thing and the attitud
taken towards the independent WORTHWHILE
unfortunately is just the attitude taken by tn
trust towards the independent producer. They ar
| serious tendencies, and thousands of men in tn
unions deplore them; for they understand tina
any attempt to undermine the power Of govern
ment to protect its citizens in times Of lawless
ness and danger is step in the direction Q
anarchy and chaos. They understand that if an
1 organization may override the authority of tn
general government that authority will be n
longer respected. They understand that to IL
terfere with the legal lights of any citize
is to make the constitution Of country
nullity and to turn our boosted freedom int
| a farce. The thousands of level-headed me
| in the unions who these things will max
their influence felt III arresting the tendencies.
! repeat, therefore, what said moment ag,
! that believe the unions have not outlived the
usefulness. In addition to the material adval
tages you have won for your members, &c
will add moral and spiritual gains that will
nobler and grander. In the last analysis, ever
organization will be estimated by the type
manhood 1t produces. At bottom labor unit
is not simply an instrument for temporal gai
but means Of moral discipline 1t is for &c
to exalt and dignity the common callings
earth and to make your tasks honorable
those Of the Carpenter of Nazareth. 1t is fl
you to build up your manhood by fidelity to du
and by putting your conscience into every stroll
of work. It is for you to develop that super
4 skill and intelligence which will make your wol
( tell its own story, which will enable 1t to co
quer the world by Its merits. 1t is your his
privilege to set the world, in all your dealn,
and relationships an example of equity, moder
ton and Justice.