The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-02-11
SHORT HISTORY or T.
LABOR ORGANIZATION
Century Ago They Were Per-
secuted and Scoffed at but
Things are Different Now.


conspirators and prescribed by law;
their meetings were held in secret, and
we are told their records were hidden
in the fields and peat bogs lest they in
crminate the members and land them
In prison. A hundred years In the
worlds progress has brought about
startling changes, not alone in machin-
cry and industrial and scientific prog
ress, but in manner of thought. Trades
unions ere now recognized as legiti-
mate combinations, and es-union-
lists have certain legal rights, many OF
which they do not enjoy to the full, it
Is necessary to say, by reason of judi
cial antagonism and prejudice-tha
relics Of century ago.
It is conceded that, trades unions
have done much to advance the inter-
ests of the working classes; that they
nave proven one of the great moral
forces which ceaselessly operate for
the advancement of mankind; that they
are the only power that stands be-
tween the workman and his enslave-
ment at the hands Of those who, under
"
the earth and It's fruitfulness It is so
conceded by fair-minded, thoughtful
men and women, but there are still
those who deny their value to the
workman, characterize trades unionists
as troublesome agitators and their
leaders as vicious demagoges too lazy
to work. The latter class holds up the
trades-un1on as an instrument Of
exaction, as using it's power in a ty-
rann1cal and arbitrary manner to ham,
per industry, limit the ability of good
worAnen and destroy individual liber-
ty.
The writer is a believer in trades
unions, is consistent member of one
and will defend their rights to exist
upon every occasion, but it is no part
of friend to hide their faults or pam
der to their weakness. When discuss
ing the subject with trades unionists,
as we do in these pages, we should
rather speak out in the hope of i'm
pressing others to cooperate in pro-
V1dlng remedy. We, unfortunately,
too often play into the hands of our
enemies and give them a talking point
from which to justify their charges
against OR organizations and to mis-
lead the public as to the real aim and
purpose of trade combinations. Trades
union is synonymous in many minds
with interference with a mans bust
ness, with injecting arbitrary restric-
tions into it's conduct and with in
tolerance. And, t, be candid with our
selves, our actions upon small things
sometimes seem to justify the allega-
ton.
Let us touch upon a more delicate
subject, that of the limitation of out
put about which so much is said by
hostile authorities. While it is not true
that such limitation is carried to the
+ extreme, that the enemies, of trades
unions allege, instances can undoubt-
edly be cited wherein, labor organiza-
tons have arbitrarily used their power
In that direction. We are all familiar
with the struggle that took place in
Chicago few years ago between the
Buildings Trades Council and the con-
practices and arbitrary restrictions of
the unions that were q contributory
cause to the rupture. 1t was an abuse
OF power and brought the inevitable
reward. An arbitrary and unreason-
Ing limitation of output is indefensible.
No greater lesson needs to be learned
by trades unions than the wise use of
the power they acquire. Its unwise
use or use for purposes which have no
1ustlflcation of right will inevitably
bring disaster in it's wake. If we con-
slider the policy of the leaders of the
most successful labor organizations in
this country today it will be found that
they were conservative in the use of
the power of their organization It
must not be used for revengeful DUR
poses nor to parade our unionism, for
1t will arouse a feeling of resentment
among employers and ALLEVIATE the
sympathies of many of the best men,
bers of the organization itself. We
complain Of the treatment we receive
at the hands of inconsiderate and ex-
acting employers; we should not our
selves offend in that respect If we have
the opportunity.
There are so many great issues
awaiting solution, issues which demand
our closest and most intelligent atten-
tion, that it is discouraging to see
bodies Of trades unionists dissipate
their strength and disintegrate their
organization in the pursuit of minor
things. To gain better wages and
| shorter hours is the chief justifica-
ton of our existence. More remotely
to secure an adjustment of labor so
that there will be work for all in the
worlds broad field. Yet these prime
questions are often lost sigh of and
the strength of organization wasted in
enforcing petty rules or fighting over
questions of Jurisdiction The indi-
vidual member apparently takes more
interest in seeing that Tom Smith hewa
to the line of union rules than in seeing
that he is educated in the greatest
| problems that confront trades-union-
ism. We must be broader in our
views, and while still attending to the
| details Of our work, keep our eye and
mind fixed upon our ultimate purpose
| The industries are being transformed
every decade, and trades-unions must
conform their rules to changing condi-
| rh0 81