Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1907-01-23
As THE UNION MAN
SEES LABOR QUESTION
A Communication From JAS. b.
Hamilton in Which He De-
tends Union Principles

classes, 10 ASSIST one another TO Secur
employment to furnish aid in case o
sickness, death or permanent disa
bility and by legal and proper mean
to elevate the moral, intellectual ant
social condition of all its members.
II we go back a few years befor,
labor unions were formed, and look a
the condition of the laboring man anc
compare them with the treatment b,
now receives we will be convinced tha
labor unions are great blessing to the
laboring man. He was compelled Il
work from twelve TO sixteen hours 9
day and received the lowest possible
wages. If for any cause he went out
on strike he was blacklisted and
could not secure employment else
where. The labor union has changed
all this. He is now a self respected
independent worklngman. His hours
h i've been reduced to eight and nine.
His wages have been doubled and in
every way his condition has been i'm
proved. Carpenters why should we
not be proud Of the trade and organi-
zation that brings the trade to higher
plane. We build house, the object
of which Is either to beautify or make
comfortable the world. If this be true,
while we are building beautiful homes
for others, should we not be allowed
the privilege of a home for ourselves.
We are human as others, we live to be
happy and enjoy ourselves. We ask
only for just share of the fruits of our
labors. We are organized with that
purpose in view. Is it wrong for us
to desire short work days and living
wage? Shall we not become joyful
and shall we not be proud when we
realize that labor organizations are the
mediums of our happiness and pros
perity in our homes. Capitalists re-
joice when they discover means in
strumental in increasing their riches
and oft times they practice what they
say is wrong in us. Do they not COM
bine? They never cease in their all
greed for gain. We ask fer
little and they lock us out. They ask
for much aud too many are willing to
give them all except bare existence.
So it Is no wonder that labor unions
are very dear to the heart of the work
ingman. OF course it costs him con-
siderable time and money to maintain
this organization. 1t not only helps
him In his strike against his employer,
but brings him into close fellowship
with his brother workman, who helps
in sickness or death and when out of
helps him to secure
another job. He knows well that
unless he can induce his fellow work.
man to join with him and share in the
burdens of the union that there are
plenty of workmen who will enjoy
these benefits that the union has
brought about without being willing to
pay one cent towards sustaining the
very institution that has brought about
this blessing. Do we realize that oil
secret societies are closed shops, yes,
even the church its self. The union
requires no more than any church. We
ask those who desire to become men,
bers to conform to our doctrines, to
obey our laws and contribute to our
But suppose the people
to enjoy all its privileges,
but not perform its duties or support
the same, how long would the church
exist. The union man well knows
that unless he can maintain his union
he will soon see a reduction in wages
and the old conditions soon return.
The closed shop is guarantee to the
public (who are the largest factor after
all, } who buy the goods manufactured,
that if the "union label' is upon the
goods the workmen have been we'll paid
and the goods made under sanitary
TO say that the demands
Of some labor unions are unjust cannot
be denied. But let us not forget it is
human to err, but let us also not for
get that the Master Builders is as much
a union of employers as the Carpen-
ters' union is of workingmen. Let us
hope that the day may soon come
when both employer and employee
can meet as brothers, and when both
will be willing to throw away their
weapons of warfare and settle all dis
putes by the Christian principle of
arbitration; but until that day comes
he workingman must protect himself
As best he can, which to him is a strong
lnion and closed shop. The work
ngmen have as much right tosay with
whom they will work as the employer
has to say whom he will employ. This.
hen, in word is a contest to deter
nine wheter the labor union shall !
,xist or not. Therefore the working