The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-03-09
Recently Delivered Before the
Legislature of State of Indiana,
Upon Special Invitation From
the Members of that Body.
An Able Presentation on the Sub
ject Of the Purpose, Achieve
ments, and the Future Of the
Trades Union Movement.

the Labor Movement Distinctly
Enunciated, and Cause Put in
Clear Light Before Legislators.
For the first time in the history Of
the labor movement, an honored rep
resentative Of our cause, John Nit
Workers Of America, was invited by
the legislative solons Of Indiana to
address them on the labor question.
Mr.. Mitchell's address is so strong
from every point Of view that it is
here presented in full to the readers
read it, and be convinced that trades
unionism justifes it's existence by
good works and noble purposes.
Omitting preambles and introduce
tory observations the main body of
the address is as follows:
In it's fundamental principle trades
uniOnism Is plain and clear and simple
It starts from the recognition of the
fact that under normal conditions the
Individual, unorganiZed workmen cam
not bargain advantageously with the
employer for the sale Of his labor.
Since the workingman has no money
in reserve and must sell his labor i'm
mediately, since he has no knowledge
Of the market and no skill in bargain
ing, since finally he has only his own
labor to sell, while the employer en-
cages hundreds or even thousands Of
nd oc}1 IN with
services Of a particular individual, the
workingman If bargaining on his own
account and for himself alone, is at an
enormous disadvantage.
Trade Agreement Best.
Trades unionism recognizes the fact
that under such conditions labor be-
comes more and more degenerate:
that the condition of the worst
and lowest man in the industry
will be that which the best man
must accept. Hence. from first
to last, always and everywhere
trades unionisna stands unalterably
opposed to the individual contract
1t is upon this principle-the abso-
Lutte and complete prohibition of con-
tracts between employers and individ-
ual men-that trades unionism is
founded. There can be no permanent
prosperity to the working classes, no
real and lasting progress, no consecu-
tive Improvement in conditions until
the principle is firmly and fully es-
tablished-especially in enterprises on
a large scale-that conditions of in
dustry the settlement OF wages, hours
OF labor, etc.. must be adjusted be-
tween employers and workingmen COL
lectively and not between employers
and workingmen Individually.
Labor unions are for the working
man, but against no one. They are
not hostile to employers, not inimical
to the interests of the general public.
They are for a class because that class
exists and has class interests, but the
unions did not create and do not per-
petuate the class or it's interests and
do not seek to evoke aclass conflict,
Should Be Friends.
There Is no necessary hostility be-
! tween labor and capital. Neither can
| do without the other; each has evolved
from the other. Capital is labor saved
and materialtzed; the power to labor
Is In itself form Of capital. There is
not even a fundamental antagonisn
| between the laborer and the capitalist,
Both are men, with virtues and vices
OF men, and each wishes at times more
than his fair share. Yet broadly con-
sidered. the interest Of the one Is the
interest Of the other, and the prosperity
OF the one is the prosperity Of the
other. Where wages are high. capi.
tai and the conduct Of business are not
without their reward; where the in
dustry Of the country is carried on by
broad-minded, farseeing, adventurous
leaders the remuneration Of labor in
creases, even to the common lahore,
on the streets.
| Stand for United Action.
| The trades unions stand for the
principle Of united action, and for the
policy Of living wage earned under
fair living conditions In union there
is strength, Justice and moderation: in
disunion nothing but an alternatins
humility and insolence, a state of in
dustrial despotism tempered by futile
and passing revolutions. The trade.
unions stand for the right of associa
ton, self-goVernment and free speech
for the dignity and self respect Of the
workingman; for the mutual esteem O.
capitalist and wage Garner, and for ;
wide, open-minded, democratic con.
duct Of industry.
What Unionism Has Done,
In the pursuit Of these ideals trade.
unionism has justified its existence b,
good works and high purposes. A
one time viewed with suspicion b,
workman and employer alike, it ha!
gained the affections Of the one ane
the enlightened esteem of the other
Slowly and gradually It has progressed
toward the fulhllment Of it's deals. Il
has elevated the standard of living O,
tho American workman and conferred
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