Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-01
TO SOL|D|FY WORKERS
Aim and Object of the American
Federation OF Labor.
JOIN ALL IN COMMON BOND.
Tho Organization Is Opposcd to Strikes,
but viii Not Hcoitato to Accept tho
Gage Of Battle When Forced to Dc.
fcnd Itself Againot Aggression.

The objects ana methods OF the
American Federation of Labor arc
clearly, though briefly, set forth in the
following circular. copies of which are
being supplied to organizers by the
organizing bureau:
The American Federation Of Labor
does what NIL declarations Of labor I'M
Ions 1o-nttcmpts to give solidarity to
the labor movement by getting the
various sections of the labor army Into
touch with each other. 1t refuses TO
admit that occupation can lie IL barrier
10 the community OF interest running
through the wage earning masses.
From its inception II has taken tho
stand that, while unions of inincrs,
sailors, shocmnkcrs. .cignrmnkers and
printers must each and all bc loft on.
tirely free to govern themselves with
In their own borders. yet that between
the members of al these unions there
Should be bond ns great MS that be.
tween the members of the same union.
The great aim and object Of the fed
Grafton Ia TO strengthen that bond, and
It's method Is by organization. ,,1uca-
ton and incubation TO place the labor
movement upon n higher and more Of
fective plano.
The strength OF chain Is in its
weakest link. and tho federation there.
fore endcnvors TO organize all labor.
recognizing that, while many nonunion-
lists may be sympathetic with unlonisin.
yet that the unorganlzod arc far more
exposed TO tho pressure OF unjust CON
ditlons than arc tho organized and, be-
! Ing thus necessarily weaker In main
tninlng wages, keeping down hours
and resisting other cncronclmcnts. are
tho source Of constant danger TO the
organized as well MS TO themselves.
And there Is this that the American
| Federation of Labor has already done
1t has largely swept away the old
and foolish Jealousy that existed be.
tween the skilled and msk!llcd work
men; IL has taught the great lesson
| that man Is man, no matter whcth-
| or he sets type or scales tho ladder,
| whether he sews the garment together
| or sells II behind tho counter, whether
cotton or gathers the cotton In the field.
Whatever man mny be. so long us he
works honestly aud seeks to wrong no
other man or 10 advantage himself Mt
the cost OF another hc Is nun. Tho
federation maintains this and seeks to
swing all into line regardless of how
they may happen TO DO employed.
1.-THE federation Is opposed to strikes,
as arc all peaceful institutions. but
| when struck II VIII strike back rs best
/ II can. Strikes are barbnrlc In the act,
but highly moral and absolutely ncces-
enry when forced Ivy aggressive en-
ploycrs who would curtnil the liberties
OF portion Of tho community for the
advancement OF another. who refuse
fair ana open conference and adopt
arrogance and forccful measures.
Though strikes do not always win,
even those thnt are lost nj lcnst Induce
the employers 10 forbcNr In the future
and teach them Il lesson they do not
readily forget that lnbor is the most
/ important factor In production. entitled
70 consultation on the wages. hours and
conditions under which labor shall be
performed. Strikes pave the way to
voluntary arbitration. but that such
arbitration shall not he one sided labor
must be possessed of determination.
stcadfastncss. business methods and
perfected organization. the highest
form of which Is had in federation"