The San Francisco call., 1904-11-13
CLLZZL III EZ2ENCH i

IT IS now a recognized axiom that
AL successful effort comes as the
result Of organization. While re-
form movements have one or more
individuals responsible for their ex-
istence, IL is the concentration Of pur-
pose added 10 numbers that wins. The
modern trade union has been criticized.
justly and unjustly. but its underlying
principles are founded on the doctrine
Of the greatest good to the greatest
number. and the Iaudable desire to
remedy conditions at times intolera bic
and always capable of improvement.
The labor movement sometimes needs
10 be saved from its friends Restric-
ton OF membership. high initiation
fees. the false idea that men have not
an equal right to live and work, with
here and there an organization refusing
them admittance. and other abuses
that might be named, are recognized by
the student Of the questions of the day
as wrong. We might as we'll be can
did II pays, even though IL may not
always be popular. But recognizing
shortcomings-and what individual or
organization is without them the ef-
fort 10 pull down the structure Of
trade unionism instead of helping TO
remedy its defects. calls for dispas-
sionate review Of the results attained
by combination.
The trade union is the mortal enemy
Of the sweatshoD and the tenement
house. II aims not merely 10 improve
the working conditions and enable the
worker 70 participate in the disposal Of
mis- sole capital but goes beyond by
improving the physical condition OF the
men Of the tenement districts, placing
the women in the home and the children
in the school. There was no thought
OF abolishing the sweatshoD until the
garment workers were organized.
The trade union is an important fac
tor in assisting the women 70 improved
conditions Equal pay for equal
work" has long been the slogan of
those trades and caIlings shared be-
tween the sexes. The injustice OF TAX
ing advantage of the weak simply be-
cause or the want OF strength is ap-
parent TO all fair-minded persons. The
occupations followed by women ex-
clusively have had unreasonable hours
reduced, wages increased and sanitary
conditions instituted. Factory acts
and legislation designed TO wage war
on abuses Of greed and neglect have
had an earnest advocate in the labor
movement. Oftentimes the latter has
fathered and championed laws TO help
those unable by force Of circumstances
10 help themselves.
The trade union is ever vigilant in
opposition to child labor. This appall-
ing system Of making money at the
expense OF sapping the life blood Of
members Of the coming generation is q
source Of regret and wonder-not only
10 our own citizens, but also 10 in
vestIgators from foreign lands. Lack
OF education is a menace TO any coun-
try. stunting Of physique desrades a
people. Children of tender years are
employed in mines. factories and shops
Occasionally the exigency Of circum-
stances impels parents to add to the
family income, but the duty Of the
state is imperative. Laws remedying
this condition Of affairs are lobbied
against by interests not exactly i'm
personal or patriotic. and their defeat
is sometimes encompassed by ilIegiti-
mate means. The glass workers or
ganization OF Minetola. in Southern
New Jersey, has taken seventy five
children from the unhealthy work OF
the glass factories and sent them to
school, at the same time paying the
small salaries they were accustomed to.
In one OF the Southern States a typo
graphical union is paying for the edu-
cation OF future citizens OF this republic
who were a few months ago employed
in a nine-shut out from the sunlight,
from the pleasures Of childhood and
from the opportunities that have an
upward trend OF the disinterested-
ness OF those associated with the labor
movement in preserving the children Of
both sexes other instances might be
named did space permit Suffice IL TO
say that the trade unionist stands with
those forces that have for their object
the elevation and not the degradation
Of childhood
The trade union has made OF the
Sailor a man A few years ago he
could not understand the meaning OF
the word freeman" Imprisonment
stared him in the face should he leave
the ship in port. The authorities saw
TO IL that he sailed once the promise
was given His wages were garnisheed
on the slightest pretext- He was the
prey Of the crimps and shipping mas
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