The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-18
LABOR men SHOULD
SAFEGUARD INTERESTS
Prominent Leader Tells How Labor Men
Should Act Politically

could be had. The remainder OF the time
was devoted 10 routine business.
OTHER MEETINGS.
Among the other meetings last evening
were those OF the iron workers and cleo
trical workers. At each OF these sessions
only routine business came up for con-
sideration.
LABOR IN POLITICS
The evident intention manifested by
the organized wage workers 10 take a
moro visible and active interest in the
political affairs OF both state and nation
is strong evidence that the labor problem
is as much a political problem as IL is an
economic one. II also shows that much
OF the good things that have come to the
corporate interests through the same po-
litical activity which labor so long de-
splsed can be more widely distributed by
the organized action OF labor In politics.
Mans inequality may be In most direc-
tions very varied, but the necessity OF an
inequality is not apparent-so far at
least as 10 make II almost impossible 10
measure the distance between the equal
and unequal This Is the condition now
surrounding labor, for what has been Sc
the organized workers Is being 10 a great
extent displaced by the pernicious activ
ity in politics of the same activity which
labor has 10 deal with in order 10 secure
a measure OF improved comforts for
them and theirs-the employing class
"If custom and usage is TO regulate the
living conditions of cvertain employees.
t. e.. city hall. and 1t requires legislative
enactment TO apply the same usage 10
| ,f h. s1.A.. In.
must go into politics TO regulate the un-
fairness OF such a proposition.
How 10 use the influence Of labor so as
TO acquire the greater and more perma
nent results by the application OF politics
In the solution OF problems affecting
labor's interests Is a very important con-
sideration and should be dealt with ad-
visedly by the promoters most concerned.
AS far as Rhode Island is concerned
there Is nothing within the bounds Of po-
litical reason that wage labor cannot Sc
cure II II will but unite Its forces in the
approaching political contest. Rhode
Island is an Industrial state and as such
IL Is no assumption to say that In the
near future its industrial interests must
not only be represented by the employ
ing or political class. but by tried men
from the ranks OF labor who know what
& is 10 labor and who can have sympa thy
IL
There is no valid reason why most work
men should have TO strike for an eight
hour day-sanitary conditions--increase sed
wage In some occupations and better lv
ing conditions in ALL. when IL Is so much
better 10 own and operate little OF this
same government that gives those condi-
tions 10 one class at the expense OF an
other because OF its misrepresentation.
and strikes TO a great extent could be
eliminated -
! The Republican party Of this state is
unmindful OF the interests OF the working
community for the reason that II has not
been properly rebuked at the polls by the
! workmen whose interests in Legislative
matters IL has too long despised and
whose only recognition has been a long
list of unfulflled promises.
The local labor movement should seek
practical representation from the party
which will give just recognition to the
! interests OF so large a body as Is repre-
sented in the trade unions of the state
and In the face OF past political events
II would appear that united labor must
look TO the forces OF Democracy for such
recognition of its appeals.
Let there be selected fair representa-
tion from the ranks OF labor for the Dem
ocratic ticket and chosen not by he
the party leaders but by a representative
i
be little fear for the success Of the forceh
OF reform throughout the state.
AS the Republican party as party ig-
nores entirely the interests OF labor II
would appear waste OF good intentions
| to seek representation from such party
which would II given only contribute &c
the further debasement Of the requests
of labor so long as the party itself wa;
an unfriendly one.
gTsl.z s. nd vi a N
enemies will from now on advise labor
how to proceed but as everything has
| come TO labor by It's own efforts II needs
| beware Of the Greeks who may bring the
gift THOMAS F. KEARNEf.
OTHER LABOR NOTES
Funeral claims from the Granite Cut
tsrs' International we're paid In July tc
! heirs OF late Bros. George Knowles, Ray.
mond; Martin Casey, Westerly, r. L.
Thomas Kelly. New York: John Hughes
Mt. Waldo; Cleveland Hall Mt. Airy
j h. Pender. Hartford; David Work
| Richard Prout, Quincy: funeral expenses
os ]. T. Heating, Spokane, Charles Rob
bins Stony Creek; y. A. Turnquist, Gran
ite Heights.
Bostons Bartenders union recently Sc
! cured n decision OF great interest and i'm
portance TO labor men. suspended
| member persisted in wearing the unions
blue button after being warned 10 desis'
and demand for the button had been
made by Business Agent English.
The union officials summoned the Of
fender into court. Judge Bennett found
| for the union. fined the offender $40 and
stated that a man had no right TO wear
a button proclaiming him a member OF an
| organization or order II he was not a
/ member in good standing and thus with
full authority TO wear the insignia desig-
! mating him as a member The decision is
the first ever given under the law OF 100.
/ for the better protection OF registered
] buttons and insignia Of membership In
raternal beneficiary. labor and other or
/ ganizations
! The correspondent from the Westerly
| Granite Cutters union to the Interna-
| tional Journal writes: we are glad TO be
/ sblc TO report that business Is still good
more men are being employed than there
| have been In number OF years. We
! cannot tell how long Il will last, but
| am In hopes that II will last through the
winter The Smith Granite Company lei