Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-08-12
SYMBOL OF JUSTICE.
VALUE OF The UNION LABEL 70
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.


Like the Ancient Hall Mark, 1t
stands For Good Workmanship.
Restraints the Trusts and Tends
Toward Equal Rights.
The union label is the hall mark Of
organized labor. Its origin began with
the guilds of medieval times. The
first aims and purposes of the union
label comprised ways and means OF
advancing trades uniOnism apart from
its ordinary resources. 1t primarily
meant cooperation of the best kind.
Out of this grew the stimulus for ed
ucation. Education of the wives,
daughters, sons, sisters and sweet
hearts Of union men to its use. The
guilds I'm measure fought mOnopolies.
The hall mark was distinct guaran-
tee. The union label, its outgrowSl,
becomes the foe Of child labor, unsani-
tary conditions and the sweat shops.
Its attributes shine with the cardi-
nal tenets of fair pay, shorter hours
and reliable goods. From its incep-
ton 1t became Il trade promoter. 1t
gave work to its craftsmen, but Its
vital principle was education. Among
its more modern points are these:
1t adds TO business as leading In
ducenlent To union buyers and to union
merchants. 1t keeps trade at home
where there is local enterprise. 1t ben
eflts the retailer as well US the whole.
saler. 1t inlividualizes quality with
price. 1t aids the newspaper ana the
union whose tenets it adYertises. 1t Is
beneficial for stability. 1t defies I'M
scrupulous competition. 1t helps to es-
tablish the wage SCALE. 1t ins'ircs
/ recognition of rights. 1t Is Il proht
producer Its colors glow with human
ity. Its insignias stand for health,
skill and dignity. It IL the Zoo OF the
open shop, and 1t points to growing
cooperation among the workers Tor
the millennium Of universal rights. IL
wins patronage on merit, Indexes char
meter and promotes American indiyld-
uallty. 1t ST ands for some of the noDlest
feelings of mankind and womanklnd,
| the testimony uf genuineness, the PROOF
of excellence, the amelioratiOn OF the
wage work er.
The union label is Il competent ana
impartial record Of aims and purposes.
1t Is to large extent restraint Oh
the trusts, for every purchase when
goes with it, every label which bears
the significant words, "elght hours,
means employment to more men. IL IL
the very acme of union cooperation.
II aspircs to educate in unity the
masses through the unfaltering devo-
ton of its label leagues. 1t Is power
for good to the rising generation, FOR
their interests, their rights and their
liberties 90 with lts tenets. II stands
for the well being and progress OF all
II aspIres to unity and federation. 1t
gives energy and impetus to work, for
II is enrolling, full of the highest con-
ceptions of duty.
1t is the acme of good will and conf
dence, and its influence Is unlimited.
1t is bound up with consistent, persis-
tent and aggressive movements, yet lts
mission is a federation Of humanity
1t has yet to be recognized at Its true
worth. for It Is destined to occupy one
of the prOudest places in the labor
temple of the future.
The union label is the symbol Of hui
man Justice and human freedom, re-
plete with honorable traditions. beau
tilted by self sacrifice and frightened
Inv intelligence and heroism. 1t Is full
of ideas, as well as information, Tor
those who oppose criminal trusts that
stand In the way Of the inalienaple
rights of the union wOrkmen to the
pursuit of happiness and progress. The
economic and social Importance OF the
eight hour movement - emphasized Dy
the union label. 1t Is live factor ID
the industrial development of the
Unified States. The label affords an
opnortunity for an education that Will
in time become worldwide. 1t pro-
tects the purchasing public of all
: classes. as we'll as the union for winch
1t stands.
The union label Of organized LABOR
creates the trade agreement. 1t Is q
most glorious conception of equality
the very incarnation Of those attributes
which beautified the guild hall mark
} IT Is moving toward plane Of per
, lection, though at the present moment
! 1t has just reached the intermediate
stage of progress. Its future stands
for all that is noble, all that is sweet
in life, all that is earnest for the eie
walton of mankind and womankind
It ia the educator Of the coming genera
ton. Unity, federation, right anc
Justice, legislation, happy and pros
porous future go with the union labe
of organized labor. 1t is the highes'
4-rx,o of nnfriotisIM which springs from