The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-09-13
The UNION OFFICERS AND JOBS
Services Limited Number Members Required in MANAGING the
Affairs of Local Union
OFFICERS CAN ACCOMPLISH LITTLE WITH HANDS TIED
Inc Executive Officers Should Selected With the Utmost Care and
Be Qualified to Perform Their Duties Under Any and All Cir
cumstances-Good Fellowship Not a Qualification.


n trades-union owes to it's mem
berS, individually and collectively,
Its best, undivided efforts to i'm,
prove their industrial conditions,
but it owes no member II Job.
Managing the affairs of trades
union and prosecuting its work re-
qulres the services of u limited
number of individuals. The largest
unions probably do not regularly
employ the services of more than
% people. The best interests of a
union demand the employment of
those best qualified to perform that
service, and the executive officers,
the responsible heads of the union.
are best situated to determine the
qualifications of those who are TO
work under their direction. How
ever gifted an officer may bc with
executive ability, he can accom-
plish relatively little if his hands
are tied.
The choice of his Suburdinatcs
can be wisely left to him.
The smaller affairs of a trades
union should claim the least posi-
BILE attention of the executive oni-
GERS, which would leave them free
to devote the largest possible share
of time, thought and energy to the
more serious affairs and problems.
This they can do when they have
capable assistants, otherwise their
time and attention is occupied mole
than it should be by the less inn
pOrtant administrative affairs, their
field of activities and effectiveness
is restricted and valuable service
lost TO the organization. Undoubt-
edly, the members qualified to fill
the positions at the disposal of the
union far outnumbcr the jobs. 1t
is the right of every member TO aus
pirc to any Office or job within the
gift of the union. 1t is likewise
the right of the union to demand
of each aspirant that he measure
up to the requirements of the Office
or job to which he aspires before
he can reasonably expect his can
didacy to be seriously considered.
This right is not always exercised.
which brings us to the point of
consideration of the different aspi-
rants for union offices and Jobs,
The purpose of this article is to
consider that portion OF the mem.
beIShip of unions who look upon
unions as charitable, favor or Job
dispensing institutions for their
particular benefit. That those
members who have faithfully served
i'll the interests of the uuion should
bc given the preference, othrithingS
being equal, is not questioned by
the writer, but fitness rather than
sentiment, good fellowship or past
service must determine who are to
fill the various Offices and Jobs if
the best interests Of the union are
to be considered. 1t is absurd for
union to reward members for past
services with jobs they are untitled
to fill, yet how often are members
found pointing to the service they
performed, which they elected or
were elected to perform, as Il claim
upon the jobs of the union. 1t is
folly for Il union to retain Il mem
Der in a position regardless of actiy-
tiles or ability in the past. after he
has Outlived his usefulness to the
union could eaSiyl make provisions
good fellowship should he consider
ed only i'll connection with fitness
and never separate from it in the
apportionment of jobs. Personal
ambitions of members are not quail
ifications and have no valid claim
upon offices or jobs, beyond equal
opportunities to secure them.
Nevertheless, the ambitions of
members sometimes lead them to
aspire to Offices or jobs that. from
the standpoint Of previous training,
experience or ability, they are un-
fitted
The work and sacrifices of mem
beIs in the interests of union can
be and should be rewarded in a
proper way, but it is rendering less
effective the work Of the union and
adding union sacrifices to indiyid-
ual sacrifices to attempt it through
union offices or union jobs. II may
be said that unions should make
sacrifices for those who sacrifc c ID
Tor the union. This may be true.