The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-20
TURN IN TIDE AGAIN
FAV0RS UNION LABOR
Time is Ripe for Renewing Eff.
forts Of Labor in Field of
Organization.
Some Of the Defunct Unions May
Be Resurrected by Lit
tie Effort.

It has been said that There is
tide in the affairs Of men, which, taken
at its flood, leads on to fortune" AS
it is "in the affairs of men," so it must
be in the affairs Of organizations of
men, for as in every other realm Of
Nature, these organiza tions are SUBJ
ject to her immutable laws, and must
rise or fall as they are observed or
violated. The labor organization is no
exception to the rule, and can profit by
study of her moods and Of how to
take advantage Of them.
During the past few years, trade
unions have been started to such a
great and wide extent, as to tax to the
utmost the capacity Of the movement
to assimilate them. This has been an
effect of existing conditions, rather
than a cause. Monopoly had raised
the price Of the necessaries Of life to
such an extent that the wage worker
who had been given an increase in
wages of ten per cent and a consider
able augmentation Of working time,
actually found that he was less able
to make both ends meet than during
the panic. The time then became ripe
for organization, and it will be con-
ceded that the harvest was large.
Unions were formed in crafts that
had never known the advantage Of
concerted action, and wages were, in
most cases, materially advanced.
In large majority of instances the
positions taken have been firmly held.
In those where g. retreat has had to
be made the result can almost invar-
1ably be laid to a lack of judgment,
or a. lack Of thorough organization.
When the union was new, everybody
was enthusiastic, the meetings were
largely attended, members were con-
stantly on the lookout for new recruits
and the tide was "at it's flood" How
ever, as soon as the novelty Of the
situation wore away, the enthusiasm
began to flag, attendance decreased,
and finally it was sometimes impossi-
BILE to secure a quorum. Some unions,
and some unionists, seem to think that
as soon as their requests have been
granted that they can hibernate, like
a bear in the Polar regions, for more
than half a year. They forget that
eternal vigilance is still the price of
liberty" Those who did not make
large gains, forgot that it does not
take much to be an equivalent to a
years dues, and the effort to attend
an occasional meeting. In short, they
did not take the tied lat it's flood"
How could they expect to reap any ad-
equate reward?
It may be stated here, that the tide
of trade unionism is, at the present
time unquestionably on the rise. A
careful perusal of the labor papers
from all parts Of the country will dis
close the fact that there is a. feeling of
optimism everywhere. Those who fell
wounded, are being picked up by the
hospital corps (the A. F. of L. organ
izers) and resuscitated into renewed
life and vigor. The true and tried
warriors are still right on the firing
line and numerous hitherto impreg-
nable positions are being captured from
the enemy.
There is every reason in the world
to feel encouraged at the present out
look. and the labor movement should
place itself in shape to take the next
tide Eat it's food" In the meantime,
the order should be to 'close ranks
and forward march," It is necessary.
however, to have full quota Of scouts
in the field, in order to ascertain the
location and strength Of the opposing
forces, so that the traps Of the willy
antagonist may be avoided.
For the fair employer, we cannot
say too much in his favor, and It is
the duty Of every unionist who has the
welfare Of the movement at heart, to
treat him with all the consideration
that may be his due, and we can af-
ford to throw in an occasional slice
for good measure. We must remember
that he has to sell his goods in COM
petition wit hthe shark that runs the
"scab shop" Many. times he would do
more for US if he could.
The worker who has a good employ
er should take good care of him. This
is one of the best ways in the world
to retain the "union shop" after we
have got it. The fair employer is a
human being, as we'll as the rest of
us, and is simply doing the best he can
under existing circumstances. What
we have got to show his competitor
is, that he is losing money by not
"being good" It is barely possible
that in not distant future that all
shops will be "fair." Let unionists start
the ball rolling by becoming fair them
selves. "A fair days work for a fair
days pay" and that days pay spent
for union labeled goods. Is it not pos
sible that this would hasten the rising
tide, which, taken at it's food leads
on to pure and perfect brotherhood ?
FEMININE ST. PATRICK.