The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-07-05
Industrial Arrangement

The aim ola labor union, its oh.
]ect and purpose, is to ame,ior,t,
the conditions of thcworl;inr class
by decreasing the hours of labor
.hus al!cNlatlng the drudgery ot
the worker. To prevent II reluc.
ton III wages, to secure an advance
wherever the industrial conditions
warrant; to secure employment for
members out of wore; to cultivate
a spirit of fraternity and bring all
organized workers into closer touch
and sympathy with each other. to
instruct its membership upon soci-
illogical, Industrial and economic
subjects; to establish Il minimum
wage scale for labor, skilled and
unslllilled, in all organized cnllinrs !:
TO arrange shop rules and recnla,
ions; to demand decent treatment;
Tor its members; to prevent the
introduction of additional imno.
sitions and burdens.
The labor organizations have
been the most potent factor in in.
huence, in our social life. The ele-
ments of fraternity, the qualities
OF brotherhood and mutual help,
nave been strengthened by labor
unions. Caste and class distinction
have been broken, modified and
diminished through the agency of
unloniSm. The well paid mechan-
ic and highly skilled artisans have
come to fully realize that their in.
terests and welfare are identical
with that of the humblcst worker.
Union men have acquired a better
knowledge and a clearer. conceptions
OF Their duties to their fellow men.
The new spirit of industrial
unioniSm has broadened beyond
the acquisition of a few advantages
to it's own immediate memberships.
1T is keen to its interests, ana care
less to the interests of none. In
it folds and charges
itself with the responsibility and
welfare of the working Deonle
There is no distinction. 1t includes
and embraces all toilerS of what
ever craft, class or caste. This is
the altruistic feeling that is adv0-
Gated by industrial unionism ana
permeating the labor movement to
day. Ibis brings the movement
in the presence of the social CON
ditions and economic problems of
the great mass of the employed as
distinguished from those of the
employers. People are reading,
studying and thinking. The rails
ing wave Of thought and its de-
mands, is the adoption of such a
policy as will give to labor its
earnings. The people are looking
and vociferating for a universal.
lasting remedy for our economic
diseases.
Labor organizations are no longer
requested to offer an excuse for
their being. Their usefulness is
now apparent and recognized by
every thoughtful person. Could
the workers fully realize and fully
the missi. n of the
unions, and the work that they
perform and the influence they
weld, the assistance and force they
have rendered in improving their
conditions and in lifting civilization
to higher summit. such institu
tions would be recognized and ap-
preciated at their real value as
among the worlds saviors.
The progress made in the past,
the prospects for the future, are
too propitious to excite anxiety or
worry, but rather to inspire hope
and courage for the excellent
achievements and splendid evidence
of its success in its efforts in i'm
proving the industrial, social and
conditions of the working
bringing our class to a
thorough realization of their rights, /
and more definite understanding
of their duties TO their fellow men.
a better conception of responsible
ties resting upon them and the
duties they owe their union. Its
purpose is to harmonic all the in
terests of the working people and
build up character to the highest
standard. Industrial
is beating through the
bush of prejudice and uniting the
sons of toll. In this work it has