The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-01-24
Collected by Ohio Valley Trades
and Labor Assembly
TO ERECT PoLLACK MONUMENT
In Memory of one of Unionism's
Most Staunch Friends Angus
tus Pollack, at Wheeling

augustus IOllack Monument
TAI Memorial Committee of the Ohio
valley Trades and Labor Assembly
nave issued the following appeal to
the local unions of the State. which
was unanimously endorsed bv the
state Federation of Labor last
week:
Dear Slrs and Brothers:
The dawn of the twenty-third day
OF April, 1906, witnessed the clos
ing scene and ending of the life and
usefulness of one of labor's truest,
noblest, most loyal and patriotic
trends in the person of Augustus
tollack. humanity is today wait
ing with open heart and eager
glance the coming of the higher
things of life. Labor especially
prays the fastening of the day when
mems conscienccs will be turned
from avarice and greed to the
thought and interest of their fell
low men. In the person of Angus
tus Pollack we enjoyed the influence
of one whose object and life's work
was desire to witness the day when
capital and labor would sit at the
same table and clasp hands in the
observation of true equality and
brotherhood. We need not speak
IN detail of his. many acts ON self
sacrifice, benevolencc and kindness
toward the advancement of trades
unionlsm, but it is fitting to men
ton some of the incidents in the
life and character of this remark
able man which distinguished him
the George Washington of labor's
cause. The qualities which distin-
guished him were his fidelity to
principle and his industry, which
never tired.
His last tribute to the Ohio VAL
ley Trades and Labor Assembly de-
serves special mention. His will
contained contribution of $500
to be invested in city and county
bonds, the interest to be applied to
educating workingman's son each
year and to defray the expenses of
worthy cases for treatment in the
hospitals, as well as the education
of the masses to the principles and
purposes of trades unionism by lee
lures and literature.
His devotion to the interests of
his employees was as true and afrcc-
tomato as a mothers love for her
child. Recently, through ill health
and a desire to spend his declining
years enjoying the fruits of his long
and prosperous business career, he
negotiated for the sale OF his large
stogle factories, and he very read
lily found purchasers willing to pay
him handsome financial profit for
the same, and which was refused
only when they would not agree to
sign a guarantee that his employees
would continue to enjoy the same
recognition and liberties as they en-
joyed from him as organized men.
Therefore, rather than cndangcr
their welfare, his last hours were in
active business pursuits.
1t Is upon such a life as Augustus
Pollock led that organized labor
must rely for its welfare, for its
honor, for its security. And while
his whole life was devoted to bust
ness and manufacturing pursuits,
organized labor found in him a will
ing, patient and never-tiring friend.
His business interests and occuDa-
ton necessarily brought him in daily
contact with the laboring people, Of
whom he was a large employer, and
nothing more forcefully cxemplified
his kindly spirit and generosity than
the fact that while the relations be-
tween capital and labor have some
times become strained, such was his
generous treatment of his employees
and such their confidence in him. in
his integrity and fair dealing that
he never had strike in his large
stogie factories, but on many occa-
sions when business warranted he
voluntarily increased their wages.
Well can it be said of him that he
was one of labor's fairest dealers.
That future generations NAV en-
ulate his virtues and be inspired by
his patriotic example, organized la
Dor should cheerfully erect a mon
ument to make the name of Angus
tus Pollack immortal as well as en-
balm his memory in the hearts of
the wage earners and show to the
foe and traducer of organized labor
that hero worship exists forever.
Therefore the Ohio Valley Trades
and abor ASSanhIy hos op,o;,+oJ