The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-05
TIE SIZE or LABoRs ARxy,

The census Of 1900 reports that % 900 900
Of the people Of the United States are sen-
gagged In gainful occupations" Upon thai
basis the number 30 engaged to-day IA
probably about 100000. This includes
proprieton and professional men as well AZ
employees Of all kinds. One-third Of the
number Ia represented by farmers and
agricultural laborers. owners, renters and
farm hands. Women and girls constitute
about 20 per cent. OF the total number.
1t Is impossible to draw any absolute
line OF demsiuation between wage Garner,
and wage payers, between those whose
position would bring them within those
groups to which labor unionism may look
Tor recruits and adherents, and those whose
position would either leave them outside
Of or opposed to such organization. But
general, although somewhat rough esti-
mate. based upon submitted figures, wouJ
place the utmost possibility of all trade
labor. and wage or salary earning organ.
ration at not far from 1s.0oO,Ooo.
This would include all having distinct
trade, such as carpenters machinists, print.
ers, &C.; all mill hands and operators, tele.
graph and telephone operators; skilled and
unskilled labor in all it's forms; artisans
workingmen. clerks, and statesmen. errand
boys and cash girls, railway employees
engineers and fremen, walters and domas.
tic servants. It would leave out farmer,
and farm hands. virtually impossible ~
definite organization professional men;
bankers, merchants, and other proprietor.,
the military and naval forces. and the ma.
rines; policemen. firemen, and others who's.
duty to city, State. or nation prohibit tho
rendering Of a higher allegiance to any
organization OF wage or salary earners
Unionism itself Is by no means harmoni.
GUS. 1t is represented by different oreani.
cations whose general purposes are NOT
notably divergent, but whose ideas of thewav
In which those purposes should be carried
out are widely at variance The American
Federation Of Labor claims an affiliated
membership of about 1900 900. This is bv
far the largest and most coherent associs-
ton. The numerical strength of organiza-
tions which are not affiliated with this body
is variously estimated at from / OOo, 900 to
/, 500 600. They include the railroad brother.
hoods of engineers, conductors. fremen,
trainmen, and switchmen; the bricklayen
and masons; the Brotherhood of Operative
Plasterers; the Stone Cutters' Association
and the Stone Masons' International Union;
the Western Federation Of Miners; the rem
nants OF the knights Of Labor; sundry
groups of so-called Socialists, of which the
once distinguished Mr.. Debs Ia now the
leader and exponent, and various other
associations.
Assuming that all forms OF organized
trade and labor now represent a total
membership of some $500, 900 as a maxi
mum, there would appear to remain some
1900 600 or l5.OOo0 900 potential members
Of such associations. II these could all be
brought into harmonious cooperation upon
distinct issues, their power TO fix wages, to
prescribe hours Of labor, or to adjust any
other condition affecting wage earners, "a
not open to doubt. But any such unihca-
tion is out Of the question. Even In its pres.
ent state, unionism is divided against itself,
and millions Of wage earners are opposed
to any form Of association whatever.
The actual number Of potential rnernbes
OF q central body who would obey the man.
dates Of an individual leader or Of a central
governing COMMITTEES it Is impossible to esti-
mate. The view OF possible members is
largely individual upon many OF the points
involved. II is even certain that an order
from the officials of the Federation Of Labor
for strike Of all its 1900 900 affiliated MEM
bers throughout the country would en-
counter refusal from a large percentage
and lead to the destruction OF the oreanisa-
ton. A great movement participated In by
millions OF wage and salary earnen = one Of
the least probable Of human possibilities