The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-12

ENGLISH TRADE UNIONS DOM
MATED BY THESE IDEAS.
How the Labor Unions Finally Capt.
ulated-Trades-Unio Socialism in
Great Britain Is Not Violent Nor
neutrality-suspicious. of the Reforms
that Are Now Being Asked for.

London Letter in Boston Transcript.
The capture of the English trade
unions by the socialists is one of the
most interesting developments in the
history of the labor movement. For
many years the. unions held themselves
buttons were presented at the annual
trade union congress, but were regulax-
ly rejected. The majority against the
resolutions gradually dwindled, how
ever, and finally, in 1892, they were
adopted by a close vote. Each year
| thereafter these resolutions, which call
for the abolition of private ownership
uting wealth, have been approved. Eng
lish trade unionism is now dominated
entirely by the socialistic element.
The ascendancy of the socialistic ele-
ment dates really from the dock strike
Of 1889. That event marked the begin
ming Of organization among the I'M
skilled workers. The old unions in the
socia1istic. These unions were led by
conservatives men who held to the prin=
ciple of self-help for the working
classes. Under such leadership the trade
union congress each year turned down
radical proposals of state help. But
with the spread Of trade unionism to
The ranks of unskilled labor a new
group of leaders came to the front.
| The new unions were weaker than the
old; their leaders, therefore, naturally
turned toward the state for the better
ment Of Industrial conditions Instead
Of reliance on selfhelp these leaders
preached extension of state help.s IUn-
der their influence English trade union
ism; has become thoroly permeated with
socialism. 81 !: :. .a5s,,r +
. This trade-uniona socialism is not
however, evolutionary and violent in
it's propaganda. It; demands not sud
den and complete overthrow Of the ok.
listing system, but a. gradual establish.
ment of the soeialistic regime. The
goal is to. be req aaled by slow stages. But
the ultimate aim Of the movement is
ership of the instruments of production
and distribution. 49,. ~. I'LL;
The extent to which English trade
unionism is now controlled by socialism
appears from the proceedings of the
last trade-union congress held in Sep
TENDER at Leeds. This body passed
numerous resolutions calling for en-
larged state and municipal activity. il
the interest of the working class Tn,
congress urged local authorities to oh
tain from parliament powers to dee
: with the housing question in a NOR
4 thoro-going fashion than is possible un
der the present laws. In Great Britail
a town is not allowed to buy land, evel
at the full market price, without secu1
ing special permission from parIiamen
for each. purchase. But all Germa,
towns are permitted to buy as niue
, land as they, can, to fix the selling valu
3 and to regulate the constructions o
i streets, the height of buildings, an
. many other matters The trade union
t would have England follow the exam
g pie of Germany in methods of housin
e reform. >E#s&
The congress also asked the govern
ment to increase the number Of nun
eeiipal electric trans as quickly as poss
l. BILE, and to pass a bill securing I'm
s form system Of cheap fares over raj
r ways surrounding large centers Of pol
il ulation. At an educational meeting ii
+ question of the provision Of free mea
4 for school children was discussed, whe
i it was pointed out that over one hui
i. dksd and twenty thousand children
J. IAndon alone go to school hungry da
n by day. A resolution was passed cal
e. ing upon the government to provit
- at least one free meal day for childre
II attending state school. The congre
d further demanded that legal eigl
y hours day should be enforced in "a
l. trades and occupations. !" A nation
system Of old-age pensions should be e
tablished, applicable to all citizens, me
and women, on attaining the age Of
J. following their employment. The CO
al gress suggested that the pension shou
N be at the rate of at least 5 shillings
4 week, and the entire cost of the schen
ID should be contributed by means Of il
~ perial taxation. Other resolutions.
t. similar character, too numerous to me
at tion, were also discussed. = X
al $3.50 - =