The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-12-26
TRUE PURPOSE OF TRADE UNION

TRUE PURPOSE OF TRADE UNION
Every man, regardless of his trade
union affilia lions, has, as the basis of
his nature, an aspiration for something
better than his present state, says
John Mitchell in the Saturday Blade.
1t is this aspiration. sometimes termed
idealism, which binds men in COM
bination or an association, and which
acts as a brake upon selfish aims.
One lacking an understanding Of it's
fundamental ideals can have no con-
ception of the true purposes of the
trade union
When these ideals are contrasted
with their opposing forces 1T will be
easier to grasp their purpose One
Of the opposing forces was the idea
that the employer had nothing in COM
mon with his employees. That, some-
how or in some way, there was wide
gulf separating their interests, ma
lures and species. The employer was
lteallzed as a king Bountiful,"
whose dispensation Of hard toll for
s'ahty recompense were to be taken
Unquestioned, as gifts from Heaven
itself. Those who held to the truth
that the "bounties" were merely in
the nature Of a contract, wherein the
party Of the first part not only re-
ceived full value but a fair profit as
WE'LL were looked upon as being guilty
Of Il species Of treason.
At one time, a large class of people
who had perfectly clear ideas upon
other matters, believed that the en-
ployer had property rights in the la
Dor Of his workmen. This class, hap
PLY, is rapidly diminishing. EN-
ployers themselves, in many cases, re-
tain this feudal idea, and honestly be-
lieve that they are comforting a favor
when they permit e. man to work for
the paternalism Of employers who
moved by it's influence, have sought
in many ways to ameliorate the con-
dition and better the environment OF
their wUrkmen. These have taken
the form of better buildings, garden
plot, a library or a. hospital, school
or church. Though trade unionists
accept these acts of generosity and
justice with gratitude, they are not
thereby converted to the system OF
paternalism.
Under the new economic system, the
personal contact between employer
and employe is becoming less each
day. Even if it were not the case
paternalism furnishes no solution OF
the labor problem, since paternal pow
or also carries with it power to pun
ish or to grant favors.
The purpose of trade unionism is tc
build up an altruistic brotherhood
among all workers and, instead of 9
blind, unreasoning loyalty to employ
er, its purpose is to secure just, re-
ciprocal contract wherein the rights
OF both are recognized and upheld. II
would obliterate class distinctions ant
instead Of 'favors'' and loyalty
would create strong, self-respectins
parties whose contract is the essenc.
of trade unionism, and in this relation
associated worknen and associated
capitalists stand equal in that powe,
and opportunity which lead to highe
and better ideals
Trade unionism sees the silver lin
ing to the cloud. It has no doubts a
to the future, and looks through 70
seate glasses for tomorrows dawr
The past progress justifies it's optimis
tic views, and it ceases not in it's pur
pose because the present is bette
than the past. 1t does not believe tina
it must return to primal conditions i
order to realize it's aspirations; bu
it does believe that it's goal will b
sooner reached from it's present want
age ground than If it were to retrac
It's steps and retread the path owe
which it has passed. The socialist
theory, based upon the fallacy thu
you must retrograde before you ca
progress, is not accepted by trade ur
icnists. Wage slavery" in the sens
lii which this term is used by socia
lists, has no necessary opposition fro
trade unionists. It is true that.
certain industries, system whte
may be called wage slavery" do,
exist. and trade unionism is esser
TALLY opposed to that, for the abus.
practiced upon women and chiIdre
render them virtually slaves, and sue
q condition must act as a clog upon II
: wheels of progress.
The trade union hope that Joint az
ton by the state and the WORKING
men can bring about a widespres
Improvement in conditions under ii
v,x,aear% z,