The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-01-27
STRIKE THOUGHTS.

In the routine of daily life it is sur
prisinE the amount of adverse COM
ment one can hear regarding the
Union Labor movement. The reasons
advanced by those opponents, are, we
believe, maintained by people who
have either failed to study the ques-
ton at all or are situated in such
positions that their interests are not
seriously affected one way or ; the
other. by the immediate result OF the
victories or defeats of organized labor.
It cannot be argued with any pros
pect of proving same that a banking
firms employees salary or position is
not affected by the settlement of
labor unions strike. Suppose, for ex-
ample, in these two extreme positions
OF labor, in any given locality strike
of some branch Of labor takes place.
several thousand men being involved
throughout the community. In normal
conditionssthose men, or some Of them,
would be saving money, doing business
with some, local concern. II time Of
strike they would be unable to do SO.
The receipts of the bank on saving ac-
counts would decrease, This would,
If continued, result in the laying off
Of some clerks, or the reduction Of
salaries after a seige of while. Or
suppose the strike was lost, the COR
poration against which the strike was
called having gained all the concessions
it stood for, including, of course, a re-
duction in wages paid to the employees.
the result must be the same: de-
crease: in the revenue Of, said bank
and a lesser degree Of prosperity.
This would seem a certain result
from an unprecedented point of view,
because with the incomes lower, either
less money must be spent. for. the
necessities of life or the. amount Of
per capita savings decrease. Which
ever way it is 1gured-the result is
the same: Less money in circulation,
less comforts for the home, fewer. peo-
pie employed in the lines of business
that exist as a result of a prosperous
local condition.
The subject really seems so simple
that there is no room for argument.
There is only one side to it. Suppose
a tank of water, all the available sup
ply of community, was in store, and
those most selfish in this community
planned to secure an abundant supply
for themselves, without considering the
needs of others, there could only be
one outcome: That a comparatively
few would be supplied with a neces-
sity Of life, while many would suffer
either through circumstances or c1re-
lessness.
Now, hoping the point is made
clear, viz: that somewhere near an
equal distribution Of the good things
should be made, trust that some one
may be enabled to see beyond their
own interests, and extend their SYM
pathies, in some practical form, to
those who in any line of labor are
struggling for better conditions.
Brother, I appeal to you to give this
serious thought. 1t is as simple a
question as the rule of three. In
order to get a clear vision Of it place
yourself in the position Of the man
who has only half the income you have
and perhaps as near and dear a wife
and family to support as you have.
Don't forget that you wish sometimes
you could do better for your family,
and then think what he can do for his.
The scriptural text: "Whatsoever
We would that men should to unto
you, do We even so unto Them" is ap-
plicable in this case. Don't feel your
self too good to assist or associate
with the common workingman The
great Nazarene was not too great to
bear his own cross and die between
two thieves. You are not greater
than he was.
In these days such a degree of mar
tyrdom is not required Of any one. It
Is generally believed better "to love
for ones country than to die for it,"
and your call to duty is to help your
neighbor as we'll as help yourself.
The limit Of natural resources is far
from being reached in any coun-
try in the world. Few people, if any.
believe. that these resources were in
tended to be held by a few for their
personal benefit, as one of the prom
inent coal barons> of Pennsylvania
said: I'VE have been entrusted by
God with these natural resources
Such statement is too ridiculous to
be- considered for a moment - - :
Brother, your duty Is to- assist your
weaker brother whether he is union or
non-union. Do what you can.
------- ..$ 81
From every section comes the news
Of revival Of interest in the organ-,
ICED labor movement. Almost every
day inquiries come to headquarters for
information about organizing There