The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-09-23
Put DOWN Nj EFFORTS
TO DIVIDE {. !. |N|0RklhGMEN
Object Derived From 0rganiza-
tion of Labor When, Promot-
ed Along Honest Lines.
Various Shades Of Men Who
Constitute Membership in
the American Unions.

The great nuisance to organized Ia
Dor in this country today is the foolish
manner in which 1t becomes divided
against itself. In the face Of a PERU
dice and a hostility for which there are
serious reasons, we are convinced that
the organization of labor IL essential
to the well-being of the working peo-
pie. It is based Upon sense Of the
inestimable value of the individual man
1.-The cause Of labor is thes effort OF
men, being men, to live the life of men. -
It's purpose is to maintain such a stand
ard of wages, hours and conditions as
shall afford every man an opportunity
to grow both in mind and heart; with
out organization the standard cannot
be maintained, owing to It's being ne
cessary for the arnelioration and final
emancipation of labor from condition
Of oppression, low: wages and long
hours Of toll under Illuminating and de-
grading circumstances brought on by
com limitations Of capital.
The forces Of Organized labor who
hope to see the greatest good gotten
out Of the effort should: without hest
tation, discountenance and put down
all these efforts to divide 1t, for verify
it is true-"A house divided against It
self cannot stand"
In the trades unionism of today we
find that some locals are composed of
classes.
First we have the man who Joins a
union because he believes In it's princi-
pies, and is union man at heart, and
realizes the benefits to be derived there
from. It would be utterly impossible to
keep this class Of men on the outside
of a union, because their principles are
such as will force them in. You will
find them always regular attendants at
meetings, taking an active part In the
discussion Of matters that pertain to
the best interests of their union: al
ways standing for educational advance
ment even ii it necessitates the ex-
penditure Of a few dollars out Of the
treasury, or, II need be, ever willing
to submit to being assessed for the
good of their local; never criticising the
actions of international or local officers
for some trivial error that they may
have made Observation-Disclosures TAX
ing charitable view and realizing that
there 1s no one infallibe, and that one
who never makes a mistake never ac-
complishes anything. You will never
find them sowing the seed of discom-
fort or disruption among the men,
bers; they are always ready to stamp
out radicalism, recognizing. in it the
greatest foe the union ever had; ready
to forgive an erring brother should he
show or have disposition to repent
always willing to help brother in dis
tress. It IL the unions that are COM
posed Of this kind aof material. that
have the .solidity, Of Gibraltarx~4, -
Second, we. have the man who Joins
q union because it il compulsory In
order to retain his employment. Once
in a great while you> find him at the
meeting, and then only to save the fine
that would be imposed upon him for
non-attendance. taking no active part
in the discussion and manifesting but
little interest in what is done: gener-
ready to enter a protest against donat-
ing to some sister local in distress:
willing to swim a river to get to his
work, but would not attend a meeting
were a carriage furnished; always
ready and willing to criticise the inter-
national or local officers for the way
they conduct the unions business;
never missing an opportunity to ma
lign some officer or member and
spread discomfort and disruption, and
you will generally find this class be-
hind with their dues.
Then we have the third class, and
the one that is most to be feared and
despised. It is this class that join a
union from policy. It II the members
Of this class that keep employers con-
stantly informed as to what Is trans
acted in the union, desiring to curry
favor with the employer as well as to
belong to the union: In fact, he Is on
the fence In time Of trouble, and
ready to fall whichever way the VIC
tory falls. It II this class of men that
possess the heart OF a scab, but lack
the courage to come out openly and
above board. They are scabblng on
the members and violating the obliga-
lions taken when they Joined the union.
It is this class that will pretend to be
ever ready to do anything for the cause
Of unionism, constantly reminding the
members OF his loyalty, although never
willing to prove theTsame should. the
opportunity present iteef.
You will notice that in the history
of strikes it Is the, union. composed. Of
members Of the nrst class that is gen
orally victorious, while unions compos-
ed of members of the second and third
class generally lose.
Organized labor 10 not separate in
stitution striving for it's own .immedi-
ate, selfish ends but lis an organiza-
ton of, by and for the. working peo-
pie. 1t fosters education and uproots
ignorance, shortens hours and length
ems life: raises wages and lowers
usury; it increases independence and
decreases Dependence; develops man
hood and balks tyranny: establishes
fraternity and discharges selhshnees;
reduces prejudice and induces liberty;
enlarges society and eliminates classes:
creates rights ana abolishes wrongs;
lishtens toll and brishtens men, and
cheers the home. = *j}<F -, z = >----.
All wage workers should be good I'M
ion nen.-Charles NJ. schilling in Leath-
er Workers. Journal. ~
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