The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-01-03

The history os labor in Charles
ton during 1906 is a tale of success,
Notwithstanding the indifference of
50 many union men in laboI's
cause and tae majority of the
organizations have been greatly
strengthened. Taking it all in all
organized labor has gained much
during the past year and the pros
pecto for 1907 are brighter than
ever before for thethorough organi-
zItion of the city and the entire
kanawha Valley.
The various local unions are
beginning TO realize the worth OF
a-HIIauon and are getting closer
III touch with each ouher and the
Capitol City Trades Assembly will
supported the coming year than
ever Ill it, history which will re-
SUIT i'll making our city nnion
stronghold.
There is now a certain spirit Of
reciprocity born OF "a regard Ior the
extent and the limitations of both
employer and the empioye existent
here that argues well for the future
peace OF capital ami labor. That
has been cnieiiy what has been
lacIing i'll the past, and with il
has disappeared that disposition to
Sneer Il the word "union," So
general in times goneby. In short,
The g-I.e.al retrospect was never
more roseata than Is this one.
There have, of course, been some
" h,tle differences betwenthe men
and their en- ployer, but how diff
iercnt las been the conduct on both
sides OF their controversies.
IAe>e days most of the unions
secure ron their employers writ
ten asr e.nents for certain periods
o. tim specifying the hours,
Wa7c' al. d ,thsr general conditions
UhJcr VIII ch the members shall
work. There agreements are he'd
To b. as eel as any obliga-
tons cin BE-, AMI they operate to
SecdIe for the trades Il stability
never before ro sible.
Ii IN eiGnLh, ,ur day is agreed
upon, both side, have it in back
and whi,c, ana the EN- ployer knows
where he stands. Ii The wages are
TO be 50 per day Tor Il year, he
KNOWS how TO bid for his work dur
that Icriod, and, at the end of ,he
Itrm, the ag nts of both parties get
ioScther 10 secure Il continuance of
The conditions CT betlerment if
mutually agreeable.
1Ae few differences that have oc-
Cured instead of the men going Oh
Il strike. aad the empi ioyers getting
o.! their nigh horses and staying
there, both sides granted that there
W. $ room Tor argument and soon
1uj ,;>ted their grievances.
Union men of Charleston, the
hai.awha Valley and the State of
Vest Virginia, ale entering upon a
new wear of greater purport than
ever before. They have things TO
remember, things TO accomp piiSh
anu Obligations TO live mp to. In
none "i THESE particulars must the
Ia Dor movement fail, for it must go
on 70 It's great dslny lighting, ii
1t must, p.acl ing where 1t can and
be Just aIwaHS-
Union men would be false to
'he4r trust, their friends and them
selves II they should attempt to
p-,rry their oolig. g..tiuns and neglect
Their 1n.erests- We believe that
uh4o ism i'll Char..ston can go
\ forward TO greater and grLndeI
destiny, but that the movemeu,
must always be guided by the star
oi prudence and the stiff of Justice
Ihe first and most impoItln
steps to be taken i'll that connection
Is making the State Federation OF
L1bor Convention Il success sfu1 one
and TO assist i'll putting it on a
more solid and firm foundation
and each and every one OF us doing
our part toward the u .pbuildIng oI
that Prganizltion-maliing it com
pare Favorable with those OF other
States and make it u powerful
factojr in securing labor legislation