The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-22
LACK Of READY MONEY
LOSES MANY STRIKES
Many of the Reverses Which Are
Encountered in the Labor
Movement,
Could Have Been Avoided IF
Business Methods Had
Been Adopted.


on its financial basis and the methods
which prevail in the management OF
it's affairs. This truism, simple in it.
self and easy Of comprehension is not
always recognized by members Of la
Dor organizations as 1t should be. and
because of this, mistakes are made
which could have been easily avoided
by the application Of a moderate de-
gree of common sense to the prob
lens Of administration and finance.
Many Of the reverses which are en-
countered In the labor movement could
have been avoided If every day busi-
ness methods had been adopted by
the organization.
Organization that is such in name
only cannot accomplish permanent
results; discipline, wise administra-
tion and sound financial methods must
be included before any trade union
can forge ahead and and accomplish
the objects for which it was organi-
Zed. The large majority of setbacks
and reverses which trade unions en-
counter are to be attributed to the
carelessness and Indifference manifest
ed by the members. and the business
like methods by which the administra-
tion Of the organization was carried
on.
Practical experience and bitter real
ity has taught that this world Of ours
does not give something for nothing;
something more than a desire to re-
form is required to bring about better
conditions. The trade union move
ment is not exempt from the natural
laws which affect all human activities,
and it will fail or succeed, in proper
tion to the recognition which Is given
TO the necessity of administering it's
, interest on a practical business like
basis. Changes are not brought
around by chance or good luck; there
is cause for every effect. The trade
unions, which are powerful and which
protect and advance the interests Of
their craft, must have practical meth
DDS, and cannot conduct their organi-
zation along slip-shod or hap-hazzard
lines. They must make preparations
for future eventualities,s as well as for
the present day eEequ1rsments..<+=ss' ~. Ia
Unfortunately for the reputation Of.
our present civilization the sense Of
justice and fair dealing manifested
by many employers-from those who
employ a handful Of men to those
huge corporations employing thous-
ands-the strike Is often the only wea-
pom which labor can use in defense
Of its rights, and as result of this
trade unions assist their members
financially when on strike, that they
may not be forced by starvation to
accept conditions which would result
in their injury. The fund from which
these strike benefits are paid is of the
utmost Importance, for should finan-
cial support fail, the strikers would
be forced by stern necessity to leave
their families and seek work in other
Darts, or return to work for the en-
bloyer who had inflicted an injury up
on them, or refused to grant condi-
'tions which they are entitled to.
1t is safe to say that 80 per cent
of the strikes engaged in by trade
unions which result in failure were
lost because the organization was un-
able to support financially the men,
bers involved. The volume of busi-
ness which an Individual or firm can
handle is generally regulated by the
amount Of capital they can control
and the welfare and success Of a
trade union is regulated largely by it's
financial resources.
The labor union whose income is
insufficient to maintain a necessary
staff of officers, and provide for strike
funds which will carry it through the
conflicts 1t may encounter, cannot
avoid defeat. The members of a trade
union can enjoy as many benefits as
they desire, they may accumulate a
defense fund that will carry them
safely through the most severe de-
presions, and protect their interests
IN the face of hostile action of employ
ers' associations, but they cannot en-
JOY these protective features unless
they are willing to pay out to its men,
persh1p more than it receives.
The Iron Molders' Union has for
many years recognized the necessity
for sound financial basis. and as a,
result 1ts administration has been
Daseo IN sound business principles
me moulders OF the country were
wiling TO pay for what they desired.
and result they have not been dis
appointed. Not only have strikes in
volv1ng hundreds of members heen
supported for periods covering a vear
at time, but the benefits have been
paid promptly, and, during the present
generation no strike has ever been de-
clared off because the treasury was
empty. This most gratifying record
was made possible because Of two
conditions which prevailed; first the
molders paid dues regularly, and sec~
only. the administration never allow
ed disbursements to exceed the 10
ceipts, unless the funds on hand varo
amply sufficient to see their enternr;se
carried to a successful finish.
When the dues were 40 cents nor
month the organization was adm,nis-
tered on a Accent basis; when thnv
were increased to 81 then the basis
was raised in proportion, and should
the molders at any time desire to en-
JOY increased financial benefits. thew
can only do so by paying for them
Iron Molders' Journal.
Smoke Puradora Cigar, Clear Havana
Union Label and H0ma q ENaHn 80 :.