The San Francisco call., 1904-11-15


ences and suferinEs Of our people to go for
nauEht? Should permit ignorant indiffer-
ence on our part TO make US culpable for
repetition of the awful conditions which fol-
lowed in the wake of the former mischievous
and wrongful course Of our employers, or shall
We continue the course which we last year de-
clared when had the prescience to foresee
the danger with which we were threatened?
Organized labor then called halt and de-
wise, wrongful and dangerous to the well be-
ing of labor and Of all our people.
We were fully aware that II would be i'm
possible TO prevent all wage reductions, but
we can view the result of our last years
declaration Of policy of resistance to wage
ductions with satisfaction and pride. We can
challenge our critics and opponents to compare
the past year. when were confronted with
Industrial reaction, with year of similar
Industrial situation, and II will demonstrate
beyond cavl or doubt that
Ffrst-Wage reductions have been checked
Second-The Industrial situation has not be-
come acute, as was the uniform course for
merly.
Third-Much idleness poverty, suffering and
misery have been prevented
Fourth-The era of Industrial stagnation,
compared with former like conditions, has
FIfth-The prospect for revival in indus
try and commerce in the future is brighter.
compared with any similar previous period
Sixth-There is less acute feeling of unrest
among workmen and employers generally,
business men and all our people.
seventh-There are more workmen and en-
pioyers in agreement and understanding.
Eighth-There is a more general effort to
orlng about more rightful relations between
Workmen and employers.
Ninth-There is a better conception of the
rights and duties Of man to man, a more gen
eral satisfaction among our people with the
outlook for the future
The results of labor's policy are our best JUS
tihcation. and even though contemporary COM
Inent may not generally accord the credit
and commendation which are Justly our due.
we have the knowledge and satisfaction Of the
lasting service and benefit which have
dered fellow man
In considering this entire subject in its eco
nomic and social aspect, we dare not fail 10
realize the difference between resistance to
wage reductions and the movements for wage
advances during periods OF Industrial reactions
It is science becoming more generally un-
derstood by labor to know when TO strike and
when not to strike; to know for what to strike
ana for what not to strike. 1t is said that
II is not wise to strike a so-called falling
market II cannot, however, succes sfully be
gainsaid that a strike or preparedness to strike
IN resisting an offer of wage reduction will
prevent the market from falling still lower. II
may not be, and undoubtedly is not wise or
prudent 10 strike for wage advancem ment on a
downward industrial trend, yet IT is better
that even this economic error be committed
than a complacent acceptance of wage reduc-
tions.
RESISTANCE Is URGED.
May I use the homely phrase Of saying that
we are not yet ''out Of the woods" and that
the advice and watchword should go forth
from this convention Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor to the toilers Of our country
TO resist by every honorable and lawful means
at their command any and every attempt to
reduce wages. At the risk OF criticism 1 re-
peat last years paraphrase that in the offer
OF wage reductions IL is better TO resist and
lose than not to resist at all The resistance
will at least demonstrate that labor is an
equation and factor which must not be ig-
nored In the material. economic. Industrial
commercial and social affairs and welfare of
our people and country
During the past year some strikes occurred
and among them some were lost: that is they
were not crowned with the immediate success
not only just but timely, to say that each
of these failed Of its object by reason of the
fact that the men did not profit by the
experience OF others and take time by the
forelock. In times Of industrial tranquility
ana while they were employed they failed TO
contribute anything like commensurate dues in
their unions. and to provide themselves with
the ammunition Of industrial contest a good
failed during the entire wear hut which The
leaders and management confident could
and would have been crowned with victory n
but good. round sum had been in the treas
uries Of their ORGANIZATIONS.
OF course, no one pretends or believes that
all strikes can be won. but that greater
victories will be won and fewer defeats will
occur when our unions have accumulated
funds not even our most rabid antagonists
But apart from strikes concretely considered
and the accumulation Of funds with which to
win them when undertaken. there is another
important side to this question to be con-
sidered, and that is, the maintenance of in
dustrial peace 1t is a condition for which
as private greed or short-sghted interests
dominate the judgment and actions of employ
the preparedness Of labor to strike. be the
determining factor to bring about Industrial
peace on more equitable basis and to pre-
vent an industrial rupture.
Wealth and the combination of wealth are
the means and the power OF the employers in
any difference or dispute with labor as TO
the conditions of employment Those possess
ing means and power yield little or nothing to
those Of opposite interests, when the latter
oppression. We must to realize what
a prominent newspaper recently frankly, even
ment in business" and that industrial plants
are not eleemosynary institutions" Altruism
though more generally preached is not prae-
ticed and particularly does this apply in the
relations Of employers to workers Though we
may contend that ethical considerations should
enter into the discussion OF the wage workers
demands for a better return for their labor,
their rightful demand for higher and a bet
ter life we should all realize that the con-
ception and desideratum in the Industrial prob
lem will receive magnificent impetus when
labor is better organized, federated and
equipped with means and power to enforce
its rights.
We would abolish war. industrially as well
internationally; but It's abolition must come.
and IL will come from conscious power, in
telligent and broader humanity. May the day
never come when peace is proclaimed or main
tained because Of the inanition Of the work.
ers Peace to be desirable, to be lasting
advantageous and humane. must come from a
virile and intelligent manhood. We want no
peace and there never will be peace found
ed upon the servility and degradation of the
workers.
The vantage position now occupied by labor
was not brought TO it on silver platter. but
was contended for and won by the unity Of
the workers. by the burdens which they have
borne and the sacrifices they have made
More thorough organization a greater willing
ness TO accumulate funds in the unions. the
spirit OF fraternity and solidarity, will bring
their own reward and the recognition not only
Of employers but of the world 1t may be
safely asserted that a rule, in time
vyh power to insist and
maintain their rights have no rights to main
tain.
DISCUSSES OPEN SHOP.
In many cities employers. antagonlstic to
labor have formed themselves into so-called
citizens alliances and have undertaken to prop
agate the policy OF the destruction of organ
ized labor their first effort being directed
to what they are pleased to term the open
shop and to attack the union shop under
the false assertion that 1t is CLOSED shop
In my last report I had occasion TO give this