Evening star., 1905-10-05
.GOMPERs TO CLERKS
Issues a Proclamation on
Unions.
TELLS OF BENEFITS
FEDERATION OF LABOR PRESI-
DENT GIVES ADVICE.
Benefits Derived From High Dues
Unions Should Be Savings
Banks as Well.
TELLS OF BENEFITS s

Is of general interest as II affects many
thousands of the men behind the counter,
who are In constant and immediate touch
with every phase of humanity. The procla-
me ton is of particular interest to organized
wcrkmen in every branch of industry
President Gompers will say in part:
"At your recent convention the per capita
tax was increased to 25 cents per member
pei month. The intense interest I feel for
labor's success prompts me to address
few words TO you upon this subject of high
dues. My long experience In the labor
movement warrants me in saying that no
labor organization can or ever will be en-
tirely successful except working upon the
principle of high dues and benefits.
When wage-earners organize as result
of the desire for immediate Improvement IN
conditions and make the fatal mistake OF
depending upon their enthusiasm to stand
them as a substitute for ammunition
QLnds) in a battle. it Is the almost inva-
riable rule that defeat overtakes them; ana,
worse than ALL 1t has aroused the employer
from fancied security into which years OF
uncuestionable sway has lulled him; but
from time to time he Is alert and Is ready
to take advantage of any attempt at reor-
ganization, and frequently succeeds in nip
ping in the bud and crushing the hope OF
the workers for years to obtain relief, ad-
vantage, or justice through organization.
'.It may be truly said that, as rule, 1t Is
better that the workers remain unorganized
than to organize upon mere enthusiasm and
the plentiful supply Of high-sounding words
In the trade-union movement we must en-
deavor to start right If we hope that our
unions shall be to us what they really
should-our protectors and defenders in all
the vicisstudes that may befall US as
workers
There are few of us who are in a posi-
ton, as result of our work, to save from
our earnings a sufficient sum to provide US,
as individuals. against the many Ills to
which we are heirs.
Should Be Savings Banks.
TN truth our unions should be our savings
banks. our insurance societies. to protect
and defend US against any of the mshaps
which may befall US as workers. as citizens,
men.
1T is not alone our duty to provide our
selves in our unions with protection when
engaged In contests, but also to pay some
attention to those mishaps for which no in
stitutton on earth, other than our unions,
makes provision.
Who cares for the worker when unem-
ployed? Charitable societies? The organ
lied charities which offer the labor of their
unfortunate applicants at a wage which
tends TO lower the economic, moral and
social conditions of all those who are en-
ployed? No; 1t is the trades union whose
members have made provision in season by
paying high dues for an out-of-wor benefit.
pecuiiarfty noted by all active partici-
paHtS III the idDOr movement IS tnlS facC,
that the unions which have failed to make
timely provisions for protection and defense
usually make up these defects by hysterical
shr1eks and so-called radical demands.
While on the other hand the unions which
have taken time by the forelock and mani
tested the good sense of contributing fair
dues are the most modest in bearing, yet
most successful in maintaining the rights
of their members and defending Their
wages and hours, gradually securing con- |
cessions and improved conditions
THE experience of the unions which have |
adopted the system of high dues has been
of commercial and industrial stagnation
they do not lose any of their members, |
while, as you know, and we all know, |
unions without these beneficial features lose
a material number of members during such |
periods, and it requires two or three years
of returning prosperity to again fill up the
ranks, while the unions with the beneficial
features hold their membership intact and
can push on without loss of time or num-
bers.
Makes Them Steadfast.
1.-THE organizations fortunate enough to
possess these features find that the mem
bers have a selfish. but enlightened sell
fish interest in the organiza ton. This
makes them steadfast, more punctual in
their attendance at meetings and more in
tel1igent in all of their actions They feel
that they have something to lose and con-
seQuently act accordingly; while the unions
that do not pay benefits have nothing but
the hours of labor and wage scale to offer.
This works very well during periods of
commercial and industrial activity, and the
membership is easily held intact. but 1t is
the ever-recurrng periods Of commercial
and Industrial stagnation that cause the
damage and result in the loss of member
ship.
Unions which have high dues and a SUBJ
stanttai chain of benefits always occupy a
commanding position. The employers hesi-
tate to attack unions so fortunately sit
uated, and the unions hesitate to engage
In frivolous trade disputes. In short il
means that there is something to gain and
something to lose by both sides, where
unions have formidable resources and a
substantial chain of benefits.
Not only to organize unions. but to con-
tribute fairly high dues into the funds of
the unions. Is the manifestation of the
highest conception of the means by which
the workers can secure higher wages, fewer
steadier and more rapid progress to-
ward the establishment of ultimate jus
tice. There is not an organization
of workers whose members pay fairly
high dues into their union but who have
tenfoid benefits accruing therefrom in the
shape of higher wages. shorter hours of Ia
which they are employed. There is no bet
ter investment which a working man or
woman can make than the payment of fair
dues into the union.
1T has been my experience that those of
our fellow workers who are 1oudest In pro-
claiming their inability to pay dues into a
union are those who are usually first In
yielding 10 an enforced reduction in wages
Swept Out of Existence
"One of the greatest injuries caused by
the organization of unions based upon low
dues is that with the first storm of adver-
sity, such as an Industrial crisis or panic.
they are swept out of existence, and be-
come a prey TO the tender mercies of en-
ployers; while again. upon the revival of
industry, much valuable time is lost In an
effort for reorganization; while again, on
the other hand, the union of workers which
has provided itself with high dues and a
chain of financial and protective features
has been held together. and this mere fact
OF their cohestveness has to a large extent
prevented great impositions being fastened
upon them. Then, again. when revival of
INDUSTRY has set in, they have saved them
seles the time of "reorganization;" they
are organized and ready TO take advantage
Of the first opportunity which presents it
self in order 10 regain any lost ground, or
to obtain some new concession In the shape
of higher wages or fewer hours of labor
Viewed from every standpoint the HIS
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