The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-27
A LESSON WE MUST LEARN.
The German trade Unions are grow

The German trade unions are grow
ing rapidly, as might be expected of
country which had over three mill
lion socialist voters at the last cleo
lions. For some, particularly the
unionism to socialism is easy.
The above quotation from John
Edwards article, Men and Their
Methods" in the March number OF
The Typographical Journal, is re-
spectfully commended to those read
ers who are opposed to collectivism,
and prefer to protest against iniqui-
ties without utilizing their preroga-
tive OF citizenship to make our indus
trial system conform to our political
status.
Mr.. Edwards mentions that the
trade-union element OF the German
Empire has reached the million mark,
and the suggestion is that where the
working class has advanced to a con-
seriousness Of It's interests by afiliat-
ing itself with the political organiza-
ton OF emancipation, the growth OF
the industrial movement is a neces-
sary sequence.
The condition in our country is
somewhat reversed. We have in the
United States an organized labor
movement approaching the two-mil-
lion mark, while the class conscious
political organization in the recent
election contest only counted 100000
among its supporters. There is food
for reflection in this statu quo.
If 14
ognize the class war as the basis for
our organization are constantly
charged with handicapping the ef-
fectiveness Of organized labor's fore
es, while we on the other hand main
tain that the struggle for shorter
workday, increased wages, and i'm
proved conditions can only be term
mated by abolition of the wage sys-
tenn and ushering in OF the co-opera-
tive commonwealth.
AS we advance in our agitation for
the eight-hour day on January /,
1906, it will become necessary to de-
monstrate to non-un1onists in our
craft that they are the only element
that stands in the way of success.
VIII the workers united and fully
aware of the consequences arising,
from such contingency, thhe organ
lied employers would be obliged to
make the concessions we ask for, or
prepare to earn their bread by the
sweat Of their brow.
Trade unionism embod1es collective
bargaining as fundamental princi-
pie. There ca nbe no freedom OF con-
tract for the worker under our in
dustr1al system. The labor power
of the toiler is commodity that must
be utilized every day and furnish the
means OF subsistence to perpetuate
life. Workers can not shelve ability
to produce wealth, given the oppor-
tunity, for any lengthaof time. Com
pensatiOn for past effort has hardly
been sufficient to keep body and soul
together, and our craft is no excep-
ton to the rule. 1t is no doubt true
that many are above want, but we
must not judge the workers as class
by the favored ones. The demand for
shorter workday emanates from the
desire to place the unemployed in
position where they can apply their
talent In useful pursuits to provide
their wants.
We know that there is menace for
us In condition where rs or IS per
cent OF the trade or calling are tenn
pOrarily or permanently idle. I'm
less man can earn his own living,
the cost OF maintaining him must
come out of the effort of others. AS
a rule, we don't like to be assessed
n Ut
apply their aptitudes to sustain them
selves. But with theh tools and
means of production in the hands of
a few, the possessing class, who en-
gage In production only to the extent
there is profit for them in the trans
action, the dispossessed many are
forced into disastrous scramble for
the limited opportunity that presents
itself under the competitive system,
and gradually necessity compels them
to accept any terms, rather than sub
ject themselves to starvation.
Our, contention will be with the
master class for the control of the
jobs. And this question involves a
more comprehensive knowledge OF
economics than the average wage
worker possesses. We must there
fore encourage study OF the relations
between the capitalists and the labor
ers. The first buys labor power at
the most advantageous conditions to
himself, and the latter tries to secure
the best possible wage with the least
expenditure of effort. The struggle
is for supremacy, and will continue
as long as mans wants are supplied