The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-08-26
STEER. LABOR SHIPS
BY HONEST CAPTAINS
Trade Unions Should Put Only
Wise and Able Men in the
Places of Trust,
Many Bad Breaks and Grave
Errors May Be Averted by
Men of Judgment.

Principles Of the Labor Movement"
William J. Shields offers some sensi-
BILE advice. He says in part:
However, it can be truly said OF the
labor movement while it is sometimes
classed In the same sense as the trust
and combine, its success can't be real
lied through the sacrifice of others, but
can only be brought about by bring
ing others up to the standard aimed at.
If we, through shortsightedness. use
our powers sto depreciate the business
Of the employer, it will naturally fol-
low, and in short order, that the same
depreciation will overtake US. The
only saie basis of operation in the
labor combination is the public inter-
est, the employers interest and the
workers. interest, and I feel it can be
safely said Of the general labor move
ment that the results so far achieved
have had a beneficial effect on society
as q whole.
' It is but natural from this view
point that the trades unionist should
think we'll of the society that is ele-
waiting him intellectually and morally,
besides charging his opportunities and
broadening his horizon Of usefulness.
But back of this it can be said that the
labor union Is not a matter Of choice
with him, but 1t rather matter of deep
necessity, or in other words organiza-
ton is forced on him.
The trades unionists do not organize
because they enjoy the excitement of
contention or because they particularly
enjoy the expenditure of time, energy
and RI
ton of the movement They claim to
be Intelligent enough to know that If
they don't stand together in this self
ish age their interests will be sacri-
feed. They know they are being
fleeced and victimized by large part
Of industrial society, from the frenzied
f1nonclers down. and being possessed
of this understanding organization
appeals to the worker strongly on the
lines Of assuming the responsibility of
extracting themselves from the selfish
ness of the age.
The concentration and power of
wealth are steadily progressing. In
the days Of competition there was a
constant struggle between different
moneyed interests to overthrow each
other. Now the monopolists do not
fight one another, but pool their is
sues.
The labor classes cannot afford to
jeopard1ze their interests in radical
movements, neither can the employ
Ing class. We cannot afford to fight
where but a single interest Is con-
cerned, and here In this country at
least we should be too intelligent to do
so. We should safeguard the interests
OF general business by exercising every
precaution, guarding against open
rupture, working along the lines Of
conference rather than the exercise Of
might. We, from our experience, be-
lfeve organization has much to do in
preventing those disastrous affairs
known as strikes. On these lines we
must be more united than we have
been In the past, more agreeable to one
another at our meeting, more broad
minded and charitable to our fellow
men In our dealings with them and
more determined than ever in the pro-
lection Of our own best interests.
Our policy should not be one of an
tasonism to our employers, but, on
the contrary. to secure conferences
with them and, through, negotiations,
cancellations or arbitrations, bring
about satisfactory results. A strike
should not be resorted to or a lockout
ordered until other legitimate and
honorable means have failed, but once
called there should be no backing
down until success is achieved. Work,
and work hard, for that efficiency in
management; put your leading minds
In the positions of trust, so they may
steer the ship of labor clear Of the
danger spots which have threatened
and are still threatening destruction
to the hopes Of millions Of the sturdy
sons and daughters Of toll. 1t will re-
quire concentrated action and the fin
est kind Of management If the mission
Of the labor movement is to be real
lied The movemnt must be put on
a basis Of defending itself, and it's de-
tense will only come through a. dis
ciplining Of its forces and through
thorough appreciation of its princi-
n1eS