The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-04-25


Women's part of the evolution of
trade unionism has been overlooked BY
many Of the earnest advocates of Or
gained labor. The change in indus
trial conditions since 1910 has not been
understood by the great majority Of
workers. Mothers, wives, sisters and
daughters have been at first tempted
into industrial pursuits, later on forced,
until now they beg for work by tens
Of thousands. And why? Because the
change for employe-owned tools to
owner-owned machines has in this age
of the cutthroat competition UNDER
mined that independence which dis
tinguished the hand-worker; has made
his ability to support his family more
precarious, and this uncertainty has
been sieZed upon by the employing
class to enslave him beyond relief.
Women are loyal. The affections Of
millions have responded with sympa-
thetic tears, anger, revenge, but never
despair, when their homes have been
disturbed by industrial battle. In the
heart of women there exists a religion
whose incense always burns. Love for
home, family, protector and all that is
involved in his interest or his injury.
When craft employers first saw the
opportunity to plumber the workers by
use of machines, their diabolical greed
knew no bounds. In women they saw
an unsuspecting tool, and forthwith
laid their plans, employing women at
low wages, melting men workers to re-
sent her entry into the industrial field,
and deny her fraternal support. They
used one against the other, reducing
wages at will, until their victory was
complete. Paid hirelings adroitly
planned to secure their ear, preached
Wolnan's independence of man, until
thousands, partly through fear, partly
from lack of thought, allowerd them
selves to be arrayed on the side of the
employer, the brothers oppressor.
The evil is lifting. The rightful
union man, knowing woman's nature
looked deeper than the blind, bigoted
sufferers, and saw hope in the future.
One trades union after another de-
manded equal pay for equal work.
and the pendulum swung to it's place,
and from now on will there remain.
The magic wand of fraternalism and
unselfishness has undone the schemes
and laid bare the crime. Today union
women and union girls are marching
under the banner that denotes frater-
nalism and woman's aid to the cause
will overcome the obstacles and right
the wrongs where all else failed. De-
termination and confidence is accom-
plishing marvels. In women the trades
union today has leverage that no
money can control, no military can
can and will demand the union label
the badge of fair work. She is organ
izing leagues in every city in the land
to aid in the grand movement for in
dustrial democracy.
Every woman whose dearest ones are
unionists needs only to be. told how
she can help and the cause is over half
won. Organize Label Leagues every
where. Let no hamlet be too small, no
city too large. Modestly, persistently,
earnestly demand the label on every
thing. Be not discouraged. Every
secretary can give you list of articles
of common use that are made by union
Workmen. Accept no other.
Woman's emancipation from indus
trial slavery is fast approaching. 1t is
an unnatural condition of society that
permits it. She will organize in every
calling and her brothers will aid her in
her demand for equal pay for equal
SERVICE" for therein lies the success of
their hopes. Men and women are in
ter dependent. Nature made them so.
Intelligence and action will right the
! present wrong, will bring harmony out
| of chaos and suffering. The union
Ia hol iS to mi 40
| 1t points the safe way in buying; it
! shows the wage-worker where to find
! friends among employers. The label
shows that a fellow unionist has been
| over the ground and fought against op-
preston. It's use is fraternal in a high
sense, Where unionman finds a
| label of any organization he knows he
can help friends. The printer who
buys blue label cigar knows that he
| is not helping some sweat shop en-
| ployer force long hours and unsanitary
| conditions on his workers. The voter
who demands the union label on all
public SUPPLIES is assured that he is pre-
venting penetentiary competition
from forcing the rate of wages down.
The forward march of women in the
industrial profession and business
world continues apace. The census of
1900 makes returns for 303 separate
! occupations, and in only eight of these
do momen workers fail to apper. None
will be surprised that there are no
women among the soldiers, sailors and
marines of the United States Govern
ment, yet there are 1873 women en-
| ployed as boatmen'' and sailors.
Women have not yet invaded the ranks
of the city fire pdeartments, still no
fewer than $40 women are returned in
the same general class Of "watchmen,
policemen and detectives"
There are no women street car driv-
ers. though there are two women
"motormen" and 13 women conductors.
| They have not as yet taken up the en-
ployment as telegraph and telephone
'linemen," yet 22,556 of them are oper-
ators for these companies. There are
no women apprentices and helpers
| the