The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-12-10

mandedSle.. III Il 8 iro,n .a.shanic.
than was required III TIE suse ,Sot> hand
tools. This new factor also, increased
the output to such ten extent that
mechanics were securing irregular en-
ployment. This caused much hunger
and suffering. In looking for$a:freme-
dy the first impulse was to rebel
against the introduction OF machinery.
1t was soon discovered that such a
plan would be In opposition to the
law Of progress. Labor then took up
the apprentice question, and the sever
al trades have dealt with the problem
In as many different ways.
It is admitted that some of the
trades, particularly those that were the
best organized, arbitrarily abolished
the apprentice for time. It will
be remembered, however, that
these trades were run down by
extreme abuses caused by the in
discriminate use Of apprentices by
the employers. Labor very ma
turally rushed to the other ex-
IRENE. In most trades time has broad
ened the members in the treatment
Of the question. Now with but a very
few exceptions the trades are as open
as they ever were to the young AM
crican who desires to become a mech
anic. except that there are stricter
regulations applied in the learning of
the trade.
AT no time has the American boy
been free to learn trade in this coun-
try without the consent OF some en-
ployer who might wish to engage him.
The only difference now is that the
boy must treat with both the trades
men and the employer. This is where
the employers offer their strongest
objection. They dislike the idea of
permitting the journeYmen to have
anything to say about the regulation
OF their trade. They fail to recognize
that improved methods in production
have displaced multitudes Of mech
anics; have overthrown the establish
Ell order Of trade customs, and have
demanded complete revisal to con-
form to modern ideas.
Labor was quick to grasp the situa-
ton. In the reorganization old fog
gy employers still held to the time
honored habit Of being the absolute
masters Of all they surveyed in their
industries. Gradually but surely they
are yielding to the inevitable. Labor
is being accorded its place in the
operation of industries The instru-
naent that is bringing this about is the
trade union, the educational organiza-
ton OF the working classes.
Experience, knowledge and a better
understanding of Industrial progress is
teaching labor how to grasp all in
dustrial questions that confront it. It
may make an error In dealing with any
question. but it is soon to- get on the
right track. 1t has made mistakes on
the apprentice question Self preserv-
alton, at time when many. men were
unemployed. called for quick and de-
cisive action. But as things began to
regulate themselves the apprentice
was accorded his proper place in the
trades.
Some OF the less progressive organ
izations, like the bricklayers, have
established a rule that none but sons
Of bricklayers are permitted to learn
the trade. Such rules are not support
ed by organized labor in general. and
the bricklayers will soon be forced to
1ecede from their unwise position.
Putting all things together, however.
the young American boy has as good
an opportunity to learn a trade today
as he ever had. More than this he
Is accorded greater protection, and
better opportunities for a compIete
technical and practical knowledge Of
his trade under the trade union idea
of regulation and control.
GRAE TERc EAkEpe AMI nan