Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-16

! ing. w. j. Shields of Boston, genera
| organizer, was present, and his adj
dress WAS such Il clear and conserva-
tive exposition of the union labor
movement and will be of so much in
terest to both union men and non
men who could not hear it that thG
Journal l., glad to publish it in full
Mr.. Shields spoke us follows:
! One of the great writer's recently de-
Scribed in one of the leading papers
| the mighty forces that are at present
banded together in what is known as
the labor movement and in this dis
| cription lie referred to the movement
Of the workers as being one of the ma
TONS greatest problems. The enor-
nous grow til, embracing national and
international, control, state and local
unions has It membership beyond the
3,o0c, 600 mark. There are immense
resources lying in reserve at the dis
Dosal OF this branch of society. The
attention and care given by the work.
ers in developing this institution, lead
ing up to Il better and better manage
ment naturally results in the eStab-
lishment Of changed conditions TO those
rectly concerned in prosecuting the
work been 5Cniiited, but the benefit
has gone to society as Il whole. as it
is generally agreed that the revenue
that goes to the supplying of what is
known us the circulating medium is the
wages paid for the service of labor.
Cnrtail the wages OF the workers and
oDu Geprociate business 20 the extent
of the enrichment. Increase the cost
of the necessary commodities TO the
sustaining OF life and if no counter
acting Influences in the form of in
creased wage takes place, the pur-
chasing power Of the dollar depreciates
with the RESULT of affecting general
business.
ON this line it is claimed by some of
our dbiest thinkers that the trade union
movement has been the only wing of
society that has done anything on the
lines Of defending general business.
This general defence has come not on
~ on the lines OF increasing wages.
10 the shortening OF the hours of labor.
relieving the CONGESTION and the cheap
enjnG competition that would have 9TH
erWise have resulted in the lowering
Of the condition of the wage earners.
SO il can be claimed that shorter
hours are not only bcniiicial TO the Ia
boring classes. but also stimulates
business in general
The necessity of the trade union
movement is not wholly confined to the
question Of larger wages or shorter
hours, bus in the minute subdivision Of
labor responsible TO the changed in
IlStIinl cOp1iti ions n ~. met 1-p,rS.
The eNactions Of industrial life have
brought about the servitude of woman
and on the same lines the debasement
of child life forcing the little ones into
the shops and factory and robbing
them OF the advantages of the play
ground and the development of the
school rooms. Beyond this is the swift
recurring periods of industrial stag
nation and panic.
This latter problem is causing great
anxiety to our people as Il whole ana
possibly the greatest amount of cor
Germ is entertained by the investor Of
capital. as It is claimed by those back
of our great industrial organizations
that the earnings of the prosperous
years are generally frittered away ANA
lost entire during these periodical
spells of fiuctuatlon and panic. The
solution of this problem would probably
do away with the necessity Of the la
Dor movement and relieve US of many
of the serious conditions that today
effect us.
The necessity of the organization of
the workers is also found in the fact
that we lave outlived the individual
age of organization. All forms OF OF
CARNATIONS are existing. contending
one with the other, in some particu-
lars. joining issues with each other is
the policy of others. Living in an age
of this kind, organization is not only
natural, but necessary The most eff
fertive illustration on these lines is
furnished by the organization of cap
ital ANA the method as operated by
them in concentrating the wealth of
Continued on page 81