The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-08-29
TRADES union IDEALS
Organized Labor Aims to UpIift
All the People.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
The American Federation of Labor
Stands For Better and Higher Life.
Appeals to All Workers to Join the
Movement.


ness accuse the American labor move
ment of sclfishness should study its
declaration of principles. 1t is true
the prime object of trades unionism
is the betterment of the conditions of
the workers. This applies to all the
workers, not the members of unions
alone.
And, aside from the truth that adj
vanccmcnt for the workers means
progress for society as whole, many
of the demands of organized labor
embrace the Swelfare of all the peo-
pie regardless of their positions or
culIingS. Take, for example, the dec
lnrations for which the American Fed
Grafton of Labor stands. In addition
to the diStinctively labor demands,
this mouthpiece of the great American
labor movement declares for the fol-
lowing, among other progressive ideas:
Free schools and compulsory educa-
ton. with free text books.
The municipal ownership of public
utilities
Sanitary inspection of factory, work
shop. mine and home...
Naturalization OF telegraph and
telephone.
The passage of anti child labor laws
in states where they do not exist and
rigid enforcement of all such laws.
Woman suffrage coequal with man
suffrage.
The initiative and referendum and
the imperative mandate and right of
recall.
Suitable and plentiful Fairgrounds
for children in all cities.
Continued agitation for public baths
In all cities
qualifications in permits to build of
all cities and towns requiring bath
rooms and bathroom attachments in all
houses or compartments to be used for
hnbitution.
system of finance whereby money
Shall be issued exclusively by the gov
eminent. with such regulations and re-
stricttons as Will protect it from ma
npulation by the banking interests for
their private gain.
The above is partial statement of
the demands organized labor, in the in
tcrcstS of all the people OF our country,
makes upon modern society.
1t may he well to remember that the
American Federation OF Labor, which
voices the demands, has affiliated with
- 49, iii''l ii'tlIolliil WIFI
their - 900 local unions, thirty-six state
declarations, j37 city central bodies and
ID" local trade and federal labor unions
having no international or national
bodies
III another publication of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor appears this
statement:
The trades unions are the reflects in
organized. llivnI of ha
though, activity and hopes of the wage
workers They represent the aggregate
expression of discomfort of labor with
existing economic, social and political
hllSrule The trades unions are exact
~ what the wageworkers are and can
oe made exactly what they may please
10 make them-active or sluggish,
Keen or dull. narrow or broad gagged,
Just as the members are intellectual or
olherWlse. But, represent as they may
either OF these alternatives, the trades
union Is the best form of organization
lor the tnilcrs to protect their present
interests as well as to work out their
salvation from all wrong.
IN politics we shall be "a we al
ways have been, Observation-Disclosures
pehdeht of all parties, regardless under
"liich name they may be known. The
oliE interest we shall have in either Is
'heir real-not merely their avowed-
attitude toward labor. We shall en-
ueavor TO aid in exposing the folly of
oeihg union man 1854 days in the year
ana failing to remember the union
man duty on election day. But we
snail unqualitiedly oppose the attempt
10 Impress the thought upon the work
lilsinen that so long as they vote right
on one day in the year they may be
remlss in their membership and all
thelr other duties every other day in
the year.
Inc trades union! That takes the in
olvidual oftentimes careless of his OBJ
tiSatons to his fellow man, ignorant of
the very causes of the evils under
winch he labors. and works within him
n revolution. fans to life the good that
'ieS dormant In his nature, that mora,
sense which all possess; that makes of
uiin an enthusiastic man-with new
views. greater aspirations and nobler
ueSires, Il loftfer purpose, n Grander
conception of society and life: that
SHOWS things i'll Il different light and
ava kens him to the fact that, no mat
'ef what his occupation, how low his
e'auon. he is entitled to an opportunity
~ earn an honest livelihood, and no
oNher can justly call himself master.
Notwithstanding wealth. gifts of birth
generated spirit Of independence
uno SELF reliance which is the trades I'M