The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-06-16

more good for labor by working with
In the trade union for tho development
OF this idea, than could be done by
Joining a dual organisation.
we who believe in q system Of in
dustrial unionism should not be i'm
patient. movement involving the
welfare OF 100000 workinEmen and
women must necessarily move slowly.
we are In error when we cease to be
practical in our methods. Have you
not observed the progress already
maze towards industrial unionism in
the American Federation Of Labor?
The amalgamation Of the woodwork
ers and carpenters is step In that
direction. The claim of the linotype
macnin1sts by the Typographical un-
ION was conceded long ago. The Unit
90 NINE Workers have an unquestion-
ca right to every man about the mines.
rho Lonsshoremen on the Great Lakes
nave probably the most extensive in
oustrlaI organization in the world. So
II can be seen that the trade union
movement Is not inflexible in craft au-
tonomy. Progress is gradually being
made, and we soon shall see a prac-
tlcal system of Industrial unionism
IN complete operation. There are so
many intricate questions to be worked
OUT that the perpetuity of the labor
movement depends upon cautious and
wise progress.
Philosophy of Unionism.
Tnere are more things in the phil
osopny or the labor movement than are
appreciated by the merely casual OBJ
server. The organization Of labor Is
not an accident but growth. Its
numerical strength, embracing as It
aoes nine or ten millions of the most
intelligent wage earners Of the civiliz-
ca world animated by the same gen.
eral purpose and In the main working
along common lines. is not the least
OF the marvels OF the age in which we
!1ve This world wide organization
mas been made possiblee by several
agencies peculiar to our era.
me discovery Of printing and the
establishment OF the free press
brought about the popular spread Of
knowledge. destroying theh monopoly
o1 education formerly possessed by
very limited number Of people Know
!eose inevitably leads to a righteous
oiscontent with unjust conditions, cre-
ates new desires and aspirations, and
arouses determination in the minds
OF men to achieve higher levels Of life
Inc genius OF man invented ma
cn1nery, and this was followed by the
system OF factory production, which
largely eliminated the old time isolat-
ed worker and brought the manual la
borers together in groups. facilitating
interchange of thought, often times i'm
posing new burdens on the worker, but
at the same time teaching him the adj
vantage OF associated effort
me discovery of modern methods
or transportation and communication
IN IKE manner made it possible for the
spirit OF associative effort to extend
itself beyond the local sphere, and
there has naturally followed the ma
t1onal and International union of la
Dor.
Another contributory factor has
Deem the achieving of political rights
ana responsibilities by wage earners.
The man who proudly bears the title
OF sovereign citizen does not hesitate
to seek tho remedy for industrial in
equality and possesses quite different
outlook from his serf predecessor who
did not dare to call his soul his own.
All these various changes have CIV
en- impetus and inspiration to the men
OF the world to lay hold Of the effec-
tive agency Of associated effort in Or
der to reach higher levels Of comfort
for themselves and families.
Trade untonistsr y recognise that there
are many Relationships between en-
p1oyers and employees which are kin
dred. Or even Identical. They do not
In the main seek to divide society
upon horizontal lines Of cleavage They
are believers in the fundamental prfn-
c1ples OF democracy. which stand for
the protection of equitable property
rights as we'll as for personal freedom.
They seek reasonable reforms rather
than nebulous and irrational revolu-
tions, destructive Of many Of the things
nm %~A - 49,
ilization is based.
Human nature Is not ideal, and un-
til it becomes 80 an ideal social order
Is impossible. If men were angels it
would not much matter what kind of
government was Instituted, or even
If no government at all existed. But
In our everyday world the power vest
ed In men to control the acts Of others
must be adjusted to the complex ma
lures of real men, with their admix-
ture of good and i'll.
THE trades unions are the most eff
fective and practical force yet devised
for the benefit of the labor sellers.
Some one once asked Abraham Lincoln
how long the legs Of man of certain
height ought to be. Long enough
said the great statesman, to reach the
ground Not all reform movements
and plans could qualify under this
definition. Their heads are in cloud
land, and their legs dangle hopelessly
in the atmosphere.
The trades union has to deal with
vast numbers OF average men, among
whom we find the stupid, as we'll as
the intelligent, the selfish az we'll as
the altruistic, the sluggish as we'll as
the alert, and it's working policy must
take all these things into account.
When all this Is said, we maintain that
its influence for good for developing
the faculty Of mutual self-help, the
graces of benevolences and fraternity,
for arousing the desire and will for
the better things Of life is scarcely
equalled by any other human institu-
ton.
The labor problem, so-called, is
simply part Of the greater problem
of human life, OF human relationships,
ana al such cannot we'll be differen-
tiated from that problem. Trades un-
| ionism seeks to develop Justice be-
| tween men in their Industrial relation
ships In particular: it tries to teach
| wage earners that they can do better
for themselves by trying to help lift
! one another up rather than by follow
ing the policy Of each man for himself
and the devil take the hindmost 1t
/ $S$ a.