The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-07-07
FEATURES OVER
LOOKED BY CRITICS.

fact, where a union conservatively and
capably conducted exists, such unions
are the greatest operating force for
the prevention OF strikes, rather than
the promotion OF them, as Is stated by
malignant and ignorant critics.
In those trades the old-time belief
that employees and employers are dead
ly enemies Is gradually being sup
planted by the belief that a friendly
relationship between both Is essential
Bettering the conditions Of the
wagearner Is the primary object Of
trades-unions. The employer Is the
barrier standing in the way Of i'm
proved conditions in many directions,
and absolutely refuses to grant or per,
NIT improvements until sufficient
pressure is brought to bear on him to
force concessions; but the workers are
themselves to blame for not securing
improvements ir.-other directions
The process by which the condition
Of the wageworkers can he improved
and maintained must be slow and
gradual but this is not grasped by a
large number Of unionists.
While Objectionable features are at
tached to the operations OF unions,
they often outweigh the needed in-
provcments sought and make the Sc
curing Of these Improvements far more
difficult
With the steady perfection Of organ
izations these Objectionable features
are being eliminated.
AS the newly-formed, untried or
ganizations experience thes hardship
and misery Of ill-advised, premature
and wAnton strikes and unrestra ed
action they will one by one join the
class of conservative organizations.
Labor leaders and prominent trades
unionists are opposed to strikes and
boycotts only as last resort, and the
history of all conservative unions for
the past decade shows a steady de-
Grease in the number of strikes and
increased union effort to that end
Thus we find that, although support
ing strikes or boycotts when all other
methods fail, one of the objects of the
union is to prevent strikes.
About every practical method that
the degree of organization will permit
is in vogue in the conservative union
to prevent strife. hasty and unre-
strained action by the individual or
combination Of members, and promote
good will between employer and en-
ployes., -
The work of labor unions IL not 4
purely selfish work in the interests OF
their members only. but reacts 20 the
well-heing of all workers and the
great mass Of the people, Their ef-
forts are not confined to increasing
wages and shortening the weekday,
but are devoted to all forms Of public
Improvement. They are, in fact, the
greatest public improvement society
In existence, continually striving to
promote higher standard OF citizen
ship and q better world, not for one
element. but for all elements of
society to live in.
From the child to the incapacitatel
adult the benign efforts Of labor I'M
ions reach out. Beginning with the
birth of the child the labor union
advocates and demands laws that will
protect 1t against unsanitary tene-
ment-house. conditions and impure,
adulterated food; sanitary schoolroon
conditions and efficient educators; at
least common-school education for
all, and an age limit at which they
may go to work without stunting their
mental and physical growth. After
| casting his lot in the work place the
youth finds the labor, union advocat-
| Ing and striving TO secure the enact
ment OF improved laws for the protec.
ton of his life. limb and health, and
when he reaches old age he still iinds
the labor union advocating homes, and
In some instances supporting them fol
the aged workers. II. >S&@ Us
Labor sunions are the foes Of power.
.ty and ignorance, and never cease ia
struggle to promote conditions Of On
lightenmsnt and comfort for the mass.
es, Aside from their struggle % i'm.
prove industrial and educ aticnal con
ditions and secure laws 10 protect me
j limb and shsAlth, tho labo. union IN