The San Francisco call., 1904-11-13
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ters who infest seaports. Now he is
protected by his union and the Fed
eral Government The latter secured
for him fair hours and wages. and the
laws guarding his interests are the
product OF the same source.
The trade union stands for one days
rest in seven. Before becoming a civ
iliZed factor many occupations re-
CURED a full weeks work from the
employees. The retail clerks have util-
lied combination TO frown on the Sun
day open shop and late hours through
five days of the week The majority
of employers cooperate with them in
these particulars. The shopkeeper who
runs his own business has a strong
tendency TO run other peoples as well
employers and employees. Modern
conditions are too complex TO allow
that this method of argument is rea-
sonable. The trade union is in a meas
ure responsible for the fruition of the
cid iew-''six days shalt thou labor"
The facilities afforded the thousands
benefited by the early closing agitation
10 participate in the duties of civic
life and the pleasures of home cannot
be overestimated. And the organized
efforts along these lines benefit those
who criticize and hold aioof, and yet
are ever willing to share in the gains.
Public interest is conserved by the
shortening of hours and the safeguards
thrown around the drug business. To
permit men TO prepare prescriptions
containing deadly potions without rea-
sOnable relaxation is to invite danger
10 the sick.
The trade union is responsible for
many workers securing sleeping and
living quarters away from objection
able surroundings. The undertaker's
assistant or the milkman- could testify
this respect. Certainly healthy condi-
tiOns tend TO elevate. At one time the
individual knew that protest would be
uDavailing. BY combining with his
fellows he has secured what is right
fully his.
In all trades the union. as an institu-
tion, has had a beneficial effect. Hours
have been shortened and wages in
creased. Prison labor in open competi-
tion with free labor has been opposed.
Legislation to protect the interests Of
the toilers ana 10 place all possible
safeguards around dangerous occupa-
tions has always had the influence of
trade unionism behind IT, Many laws
of this character have been Initiated
by the organized bodies of workers and
the results have proved beneficial To
mankind The union stands for well
ventilated factories and sanitary condi-
tions. Child labor is discouraged.
Sweatshops are opposed. Dangerous
machinery is objected to unless proper
Efforts are made 10 protect life. EN-
pi0yes may now recover damages for
injuries occasioned by the criminal
neglect Of employers. Compulsory edu-
cation is favored. Many civic move
ments are supported by the trade
unions because the latter and good citi-
Zenship are synonymous terms
The non-unionist enjoys most Of the
results attained by organization with
out participation in the force that made
possible the Improvement. The mer-
chant and stcrekeeper are benefited by
the larger circulation of money secured
through the medium of the trade union
and the public generally is the gamer.
There is a phase of trade unionism
rarely referred 10 in the maze of words
published on the subject. 1t is beeom-
ing common for unions 10 lend a help
ing hand to their members in time of
sickness and distress. Death benefits
are a recognized part Of the machinery
Of the present day organization Many
a mans family has been relieved of
financial embarrassment at the time
the final debt Of nature is paid. Again.
some unions provide out-of- work funds
for their unfortunate members. This
is in marked contrast to the method
Of discharging men for the crime of
appearing on this mundane sphere
thirty-fve or forty years ago. The
home for aged and invalid trade union
lists may be considered a civilizing fac
tor
While this endeavor to fulfill the
humanitarian obligation of the labor
movement is in its infancy, yet it
would be pertinent here TO refer 10 the
splendid institution maintained at Col
orado Springs by the International
Typographical Union of North Amer
lea At a cost of over S100, 900 a build
ing complete as a home for deserving
printers has been erected. It's appoint
ments are perfect. hospital annex
is devoted to the sick and the medical
and nursing departments are equal to
ths best. This Union Printers Home
is supported by printers contributing
a small sum Of money each month 1t
Is in no sense a charitable iinstitution,
for its inmates have done their share
toward paying the cost. At the dedica-
ton Of the home on May IL, 1892, the
officials OF the organization were assist
ed by Senator Jacob H. Gallinger, Gov
ernor Routt Of Colorado and George
w. Childs Of Philadelphia. The latter
and A. ]. Drexel contributed SO, 900 to
show their interest in the printing
craft and the principles underlying the
trade union movement.
The concentration of men in organi-
cations needs the counterbalance Of
conservatism. That this has not al
ways been the case with the labor
movement is admitted, but the ten
dency born of experience and the spirit