Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-09

idea that trades unions had any thing at all to do with it. Now I should like
 to ask these people if they have totally
 forgot the strike of 1901. 1t is afavorite expression and one frequently heard:
 ''Let the past be forgotten as it is over ana done with,' but I want to freshen Vhe readers with the simple facts.
 Ihere never was an era of prosperity
 Dut what was sooner or later over
 come With very sudden depression,
 and 1 write this article so as to apply to these workers who are in the habit or enjoying the good things while they last, but forget to look a little ahead
 NOW l believe it is granted that d person of economic tendencies tries to cuIIlvate and educate himself i'll the snreWd and sensible idea of looking ahead Now if the men enga ged in nhe machine and tool making industry
 also all crafts appertaindng to the same, will just pause and seriously study their present position, they will readily agree that their position is Tnofoughly untenable if the depression or trade was to occur the present day.
 Such being the case, is 1t not a study
 or economies to attempt to solve this defect in as intelligent a manner as possible so as to place themselves on a
 solid financial footing and to be able to grapple with the questions at issue. When this is accomplished it will pos l'tively revert to organization, as every sane person will agree that the day of lnd1V1dualism is past forever. Of course labor organizations have their faults, but when we consider their aim and mission 1t appeals to the brightest of men as one that is worthy of far Stauncher support than is granted to It.
 True the majority of unions are not in financial position to give many benefits, simply because the dues are altogeth- CT too low for consistency in paying their benefits. This was eTemplifed dn 1901 when the machinists' strike oc- cured. lit is essential that worIdngmen should take very conservative and business-hke view of business propo- sit1on and hence I have the greatest pleasure of drawing your notice to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Tool Makers, Blackslnihhs, Pattern Makers etc, whose present
 membership is nigh 100000 and this coupled with $2,9o0,O00 reserve fund is in itself a guarantee t1lat all be1lo- fits in the future will be paid as promptly as in the past. What is there to deter the men employed in the ma chine and tool-making industry from joining the union and thereby arrive at the solution of the problem. All mem bers are entitled to benefit both when discharged or suspended and also to sick benefit when unable to follow their employment and several benefits too numerous ito mention here. If any ons doubts the foregoing statements, he is welcome to investigate for himself and see that everything is just as describ- ed above. In conclusion I hope this appeal will not be in vain but that the aforementioned crafts will begin tc study these vital issues and come for l ward and try to make our positions ir l this city more secure and tenable and l by so doing (whatever the slight cost attached thereto) they will be insurins l themselves better than 1t dS possible l to do in any other way. S.#