The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-10-22
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1DEPEl{DElaT UNIONS.


81. INDEPENDENT ! UNIONS,
THEIR RELATION 81 70 TIE "a. r.
). OF I. :
Unions Not Thoroughly
/. .r:- Understood by the People. !
Some people not thoroughly familiar
with trade unions: may be just a. little
peIplexed as to the meaning of the
phrase, independent union, for It would
EsppeAr to an intelligent observer that
all unions are independent. So. they
are In the TRUE sense; but for the be11e-
tit of those who are hazy on the subject
I will say that an Independent union
Is one, If Of a national character, not
affiliated with the American Fedora
ton Of Labor. or il a local. not at,
hHated with the International union
having Jurisdiction over that branch
of industry.
Just at the present moment many
members Of the Employers, Associa-
ton, Citizens Alliance, and the. Anti
Boycott Society have expressed them
selves as being rather partial to irde-
pendent unions. OF course members
Of the societies mentioned are not
really In favor OF any kind of work
fngmen's union that has FOR it purpose
the increasing of wages or the short
ening Of the workday, but naturally
they are not so much opposed to in
dependent unions as they are to close
federation of unions, such as the AM
erican Federation of Labor.
Now that certain employers have
put themselves OH record as dfscrinI-
mating in favor Of certain kind Of
trade unfonisn1, the question will nat
urally arise, why are they partial to-
the independent unions? They are OPP
posed to unions In general Why this
favoritism for certain species Of
unionism?
It is generally conceded by thinking
men and women that the chief OBJ
lection the employing class have to
true trade unienism Is its persistent.
unrenittin6 struggle tor higher wages
and q shorter Workday.
The employing class perceives the
tremendous power that federated trade
uniontsm has generated, and knows
that every time a state legislature or
the federated government enacts laws
favorable to the working people it IS
because the federated trade union
movement In its entirety is behind
them; like an elephant driver prodding
his huge numbering beast, it is prod
ding dilatory legislators on to a full
fillment Of their sworn duty.
Congress and state legislators re-
spond to the compelling voice Of labor
because millions of men, thoroughly
-7f1
speak in no uncertain tone State
Of millions Of men thoroughly united,
in the same proportion as they would
scorn the same people If they were un-
organized.
Every scrap of Industrial legislation
We now enjoy has been placed on the
Statute books by union labor move
ment. Effective resistance to capital
istic expressions and usurpations would
not exist were it not that the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor has brought
our working men and women into one
great trade union family where an in
Jury to one is truly the concern OF
all.
The fact that some employers favor
this kind Of union should be sufficient
reason for honest, sincere workin gn1en
ito :shtIn sit az they would smallpox.
The knotle dgs that I'll ~ good forapre !
JUDGED emplo yers: shows 1t to be: bad
tor workinEn1en.
I have ever been suspicious Of work.
| ingnen who declare in favor Of an
| independent union, for In the years I
! have carried a union card I have found
very few Of them who sincerely be-
lieve in it's potency. In view of the
tremendous events that are shaping
themselves in the industrial world to-
| day; In the face of gigantic combina-
tons of capital, complete monopoliza-
tion. Of certain lines of trade, absolute
control Of the great arteries of COM
merce by few men; in view Of our
| debauched public PRESS; in view Of the
outraged stock swindling by such
! trusts-sWindling that was made an
excuse for reducing the wages OF near
ly 100000 men: In the face OF those pit
falls and perils, the man who breaches
| or encourages division or faction in
| organized labor's ranks Is a stealthy
traitor Of the vilest cast.
| Independent unions mean division;
division brings faction, and faction en-
genders weakness. The independent
union In the labor world is in about
the same position, is Of the same rela-
tive Importance the guerilla band is to
the regular army in the military world.
During every great war-and some that
are not great-bands of men are re-
cruited who are not authorized to fight
by either side. They are finder no re-
straint, owe no obedience to authority;
they pillage, ,ravish, and destroy with
out regard tor the rules Of war. They
are Stunned and hated alike by friend
and foe, for they fight only for self and
do not risk their lives In defense OF
principle or country They are free
hooters pure and simple. II the free
6orn OF this country was left to their
| defense or entrusted in their keeping
clAnking chains would gall the limbs OF
the people in whose name they pretend
! to fight.
The independent union fights for self.
1t does not campaign tor the common
welfare; Its central thought is "1''
| and. i'll all it's parts 1T fairly bristles