Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-11

VI re IunQS In the TRADE unions. THESE
wou only be available in strikes
viii ht occur. but they would be more
pote preventing them. Many organiza-
lions Seem to believe that they will be i'm
mune from attacks, only to. find themselves
In the midst of an Industrial conflict threat
ening their very existence.
You who know me cannot for moment
imagine that am either pessimistic or that
lose courage. am anxious. however, that
we shall have the largest amount of success
during periods of industrial activity, and
not be compelled to recede all inch during
any industrial reaction; that our organiza-
lions shall be strong enough in members.
influential enough in solidarity and power
full enough in financial resources so that we
can successfully refuse to bear the burdens
of the incompetency or avarice of some Of
the captains Of industry and other employ
erS.
1T seems to me that 1t is wiser to risk
the slower growth of our organizations. or
even the loss of some members in times of
industrial activity. than 1t Is to invite dis
enlargement and enlightenment of the men,
berS result of defeat in contests
More strikes are avoided and averted by
thorough organization and preparation for
them than by any other known means.
There Is a most erroneous impression
prevalent regarding losses Occasioned by
strikes. to which attention is invited. OF
course. 1t Is true that a strike involves the
loss of work and wages for the time being,
but there has not one strike occurred but it
has been followed by greater activity in the
trade.
I'm other words. the time for the perform
ance Of the work and the payment of the
wages has been deferred that Is, that the
stoppage in the trade has been made to
suit the convenience and the purpose of the
Workmen, rather than the convenience and
purpose of the employer.
"A strike involving wages hours and
other conditions of employment. even If
temporarily defeated in the attainment Of
the immediate purpose. has always checked
greater invasion on the part of the employ
ers. or has paved the way for the ultimate
achievement of the object sought by the
Workmen.
Taking the strike as an economic or
social factor, it has never lost. For men
contending against deterioration or for inn
provement. it, say, they lose the strike,
what occurs?
Those occupying higher material con-
dition do not displace those engaged in the
contest. If they are displaced at all 1t IS
by those whose conditions are poorer or
are unemployed, and. taking the worst
view Of the situation, it has been merely
change of personnel of those occupying the
relative positions.
of industry has demonsLra ted 1t to be a
fact. that the workers who have ;ntelli-
gence and manhood enough if their make
up to contend against the imposition of
poorer, or to strike for better conditions,
never go down in the economic scale.
I'm other words though the Yorkmen may
be defeated In the immediate contest, their
character. perseverance and ability always
make for the next highest rung in the in
dustrial ladder -.-+.
And yet conscious of these facts, I real
ize that some strikes may be mistakes and
hurtful, since the maintenance of indus
trial tranquility, when re; nforce1 by thor
ough and intelligent organization of the
workers, may accomplish much greater
success on the road to the wage-earners'
material Improvement. Il -
1T Is for these reasons. as well as to
maintain industrial peace, agreement with
our employers for the establishment of
more r.ghtful relations between us. that
we advocate and stand for Cancellation and
arbitration before a resort to the strike"
Since the inception of the labor move
ment in this country, controversies involv-
ing trade jurisdiction, or, In other words,
the infringement of one organization upon
the rights of another have occupied the
attention of the union tolers. President
Gompers sees danger in such disputes and
on that topic says:
TT becomes my painful duty to again
call attention to the very grave danger
which confrontS our movement by reason
of the internecine strife due to the con-
fiictins ella ms to jurisdiction. Owing to the
acuteneSS of this question last year. the
New Orleans convention made most siren
uous efforts to bring about a solution of the
various conflicting claims then made. Had
all the organizations affected yielded in
good faith to the suggestions made and
have fully merted the tribute ascribed to
1t and which it deserved in being desig
mated the peace convention of the labor
movement. In not many instances, how
ever. have the organizations depa ed from
their original claims, white several others,
by their violation of their pledges to that
convention to cease hostilities and to abide
by the awards of impartial arbitration or
or decisions reached by the convention it
self, have rendered conditions, if possible.
still worse. In fact. in some trades where
no conflicts existed, the Organiza lions have
deliberately changed Their claims to juris-
dicton with no better reason than that
other organizations have extended their
claims. they therefore saw no reason why
their own claims to jurisdiction should not
also be extended, thus demonstra ting that
when wrong policy is once Inaugural ed
Its evil influences are extended until the
gravest consequences and dangers confront
the entire labor movement The trade
unions are the natural movement of the
Wage-earners to protect ana advance their
interests. The workers of the craft or cali
ing associate the better to protect and pro-
mote these interests.
The alliance or federation of the trade
unions is intended to protect and advance
the class interests of all in those Ines
with which it is difficult for the single trade
union TO cope.
There have been numerous attempts to
perfect among the workers an industrial
organization Dwelling on that topic
President Gompers, in his report, declares
that:
The attempt to force the trade unions
into what has been termed industrial or
ganization Is perversfVe of the history Of
the labor movement. runs counter to the
best conceptions of the toilers' interests
row, and is sure to lead to the confusion
which precedeS dissolution and disruption
1t Is time for the American Federation of
Labor to Solemnly call a halt 1t is time
for our fellow-unlonists intrusted with the
grave responsibilities to help stem the tide
of expansion madness lest either by their
Indifference or encouragement their organi-
cations will be drawn into the vortex that
Will ensuif them to their possible dismem-
berment and uestruction.B There is virtue
and a great need of praise dpe in organ
iZing our fellowworkers that they may de-
fend and further their interests
mo tribute too great can be paid those
engaged in the past and In 4he spresent who
have done and who are doing this splen-
did work; bu virtue. Redtfand tribute
must be effaced unless weBnied the condi-
tons, aye. the awful calamity which is in
evitable if trade union lines are not recog-
nized and enforced-enfofceffmo so much
by an edict of this fedora ton. but by the
common sense and power Of the orga MIA
lions themselves. The adyoeates of the So
called industrial system of labor organiza-
lions urge that an effective strike can only
be conducted when all workmeg regardless
of trade calling or occupation are effected.
THAT this is not borne otrt by the history