Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-14
THE ORGANIZED PUSH
Collective Action the Paramount
Need of WageWorkers.
THE KEEP STEP MOVEMENT.

| i'06'oSs CT OTUuTiLHtlon 10 botcTHltneu
by lts Unity of Aotion-Tho Indif-
fercnt Member a Drawback and Bur-
don--Tho unobstruotod Route.
| Progressive collective action il the
paramount necessity of the wageworlS-
crs and the most difficult TO instill into
them. When the aim OF progressive
In full enjoyment of their share they
cannot fall to appreciate the gain, but
fail wocfully In appreciation OF the
progressive steps necessary to accom-
plish that much desired object In
creased wages and Il shorter workday
nre naturally considered tho greatest
and by some of the wngcworkcrs the
only appreciable improvements, but
these improvements are not miracu-
lousy thrown into their outstretched
arms.
Those improvements have been &C.
cured through organization, step by
| step. ceaseless efforts confronted by
the scvercst obstacles. Progress 10 not
the goal, but the galnful efforts which
lead to ana eventually win it. Progress
IS not sIgnalized by loose. dlsjointed
and Isolated attempts. but rather by
concerted action. There il no such
thing ns organization without united
action. and our progress toward those
ends which we strive for Is determined
by the unity of action, the hand to
| hand aud shoulder to shoulder the
keep step movement which turns aside
| bcsctting Obstacles and clears the road.
| When halted temporarily In the face
! OF seemingly prodiglous obstacles we
must not disorgHnizc and rout. for Il
solid, united front can alone cnrry Us
through Many who have just Joined
the movement date It's progress from
the time OF their membership, but that
onward and upward movement has
| been progressing for centuries. There
| Is n ccntury's march and work yet be-
| fore ny, md, although the Individual
| may feel that the whole power of the
| whole organization should he immedi-
ately directed toward securing his i'm
mediate wishes. he must learn that tho
| organization progresses toward that
end as lie becomes Il thinking, working,
harmonious part OF II.
Az nm Indifferent, Inactive member,
lie Ia excessive freight to, and ms nm
obstructionist he il an ant hill In the
pathway OF, tho movement. Both ndd
their distinctive burdens and the latter
additional irritation. However, both
largely determine the pace at which the
movement shall 20 forward. Both share
largely in the responsibility for its re-
trosradc but never for its recovery and
| onward march.
| The progress OF the workers to new
er. better and higher plane of living
is marked by their progress In the de-
I yeiopmcnt and perfection OF their in
dustral and economic organization and
protector-organized labor Tho on
ward movement is slow, tedious, diff
cult and beset with many and diverse
enemies, but holds in store tho fruition
of the workers. hopes.
Tho retrogradc movement Ia sharp
and quick to the wage slough. The
little push which tho Individual mem
her exerts IN the interests OF his organ
izatlon Is later the organized push
which carries him forward to success.
Individual and fractional strlfcs, In.
trigues and ambitions. tho fulfllment
OF which is at the expense OF the organ
ization as whole, are certain to
spring up, but let your Judgment and
activities be ever directed In those
channels which promote the progress
of your organization.
The only road that is clear, straight,
speedy and unobstructed Is tho back
ward route. Once under Roadway In
this direction Our movement gathers
velocity in the race for longer work
day, the lowest. most intolerable con-
ditions and lowest standards Of living
and wages.-Shoo Workers journal.