The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-09-16
OLD AND NEW METHODS
Of ORGANIZED LABOR
M. M. Garland, Former Presi-
dent Of Amalgamated Steel
Workers, Gets Historical.
Tells Some Old Experiences in
Labor Movement with a
Modern Reference.

No man is better acquainted with
lean labor movement than is Mike Cara
land, collector of the port Of Pittsburg,
and former president of the Steel
Workers. He grew reminiscent the
other day and gave vent to the fol-
lowing: =.
That example has more power than
any other possible method of spread
ing doctrines is easily shown at a
glance at trade union growth. Twenty
five years ago, when the American
Federation Of Labor was formed, few
and far between were the crafts that
had organization at ALL and some of
these that did were in such a weak
and uncertain condition that their ne
cieus could scarcely be .dignifled by the
name Of a ationaI uni
81 A Most organizat lions only held meet
ings by stealth and at unusual hours
and places. The organizers of that day
had to instruct the individual whom
he sought to bring into the union and
teach It's purposes, aims and objects.
The non-interested citizen regarded
the attempt to organize a union In the
community as little short Of a conspir-
acy against the peace and safety Of
the neighborhood.
The great work, spread and growth
of the American Federation Of Labor
and her allied bodies have changed the
thought Of the uninterested by example
of Its operation to that Of reverence
and respect, with a full knowledge that
the union is not intended to wreck
either the house or it's head, the peace
or the property of the community. It
has changed the necessity for much
painstaking explanation on the part Of
the organizatio to the individual; for
the teaching of the officers, the dis
seminating qualities of the American
Federationist, do this; and where this
great instructor has not found it's way,
the individual who has read it or the
travelling union man has. There is not
a town, hamlet. station, or camp that
does not hold one or more inha bitants
who were familiar with the trade union
it's rules and purposes.
Last winter I had the fortune to be
in lovely but recently built up valley
in the southeastern part of the terri
tory Of New Mexico, A one-track rail-
road, about $50 miles, ran its entire
length: small towns and villages were
building every ten or fifteen miles. A
building boom had struck the erstwhile
cattle ranges, and workmen Of differ enr
crafts were coming to the valley laden
with their instruments of trade. No
local unions had been established, but
it was noted that as each citizen ap-
plfed for work he stated that his
wages must be the union rate in the
states" and that eight hours were a
days length for work. The local resi-
dent while he himself had been work.
ing 16 hours per day, having lived
many years in the vicinity were no un-
ion existed, accepted the union work
man and his rules as something not
to be disputed. The local union FOL
lowed quickly; the newspapers accepted
this new order of things In their midst
just as they accepted any other bust
ness changes. Buildings grew under
the skilled hands Of the union workers
ard new towns sprang into existence
and life as though by magic. The union
Is there and ,esta blished without even
the aid of a Special organizer. Each
workman who came was an organizer
in himself, made so by the example and
teachings Of this great instructor, the
American Federation of Labor.
1.-The progress of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor reminds one Of the
stream bursting from the, mountain
side. becoming broader and deeper on
it's ever forward wa.:: turning, bend
ing and receding from some Of the
mighty rocks that bar its course. yet
ever onward. until finally 1t reaches the
great and restless sea. SO did the
American Federation of Labor former
ly number its membership by hundreds,
but now 1t numbers them by millions
TARIFF IS RENEWED. l.,
MADRID, Sept. ia decree was is
8 Il = -.