The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-03-05
FOR THE PUBLIC VEAL.
What Trades Unionisn Has Done for
Social Bstterment.

S0c1ai Bettelnenl'
Frank K. Foster Of Boston Typo
graphical union, who was one Of the
Efraternal delegates to the recent ses-
sion Of the British trades union con-
Fgress, gives the following reasons IN
the Cincinnati Iron Molders' Journal as
Eio why society ID better or BY reason
81 the existence and activities Of organ
lied labor:
Trades unionism has exercised a
mighty influence in breaking down
race prejudice and the bias Of creed
and in this contributes to harmo-
NOUS citizenship.
1t has been a great factor in assist
ing to familiarize hundreds Of thou
sands Of immigrant workmen with
American standards Of thought and
Ilife.
1t has been In sense the poor mans
university, inspired thought upon pub
lie questions and has thus supplement-
ed the work Of primary education.
Its benevolent features have saved
hundreds Of thousands Of workmen
4 from becoming a charge upon the pub
I lie treasury in periods Of industrial de-
\ preston.
IL has taught the sellers Of labor the
virtues Of deliberate and well consider
ca action as opposed to destructive mob
action.
/ BY raising wages it has stimulated
trade. Money paid to labor employs
other labor.
BY helping to eliminate the employ
lnent Of your children 1t has distinctly
elevated the standard Of future eiti-
zenship.
Its crusade against the sweatshop has
been in the interest OF public health
Its efforts for reducing the tension
upon and Liabilities 10 danger of trans
portation workmen have made travel
safer for the public
IFS regulation Of dangerous employ
ments has reduced the cost Of hospital
service.
Its opposition to oriental labor has
saved the country from an invasion of
men Ola standard Of life destructive of
our American civilization.
ia this state its protest defeated bi-
ennial elections.
Here also 1t was the first to contend
for the system Of free text books in the
public schools.
4 1t won legislative enactment for yes
A tlbuled street ears.
4 1t has minimized the evils Of prison
labor.
II has challenged the padrone sys-
tenn
1t is resisting the abuse Of the equity
powers OF the courts.
II has fought the vicious contract
labor system on public works.
II has obtained more equitable en-
ployers' liability act.
It's union label on cigars and tobacco
safeguards the public health.
1t has taken the initiative in a long
line OF factory legislation which public
Judgment has later on approved.
1t has educated the public to the
truth that there should be two sides
to the labor bargain.
1t has used its influence in the inter
est Of the movement for peace between
the nations.
1t has brought TO the public attention
the existence of many Industrial Ills
hitherto unnoted.
/. II has caused the universities to
modify their economic teachings
1t prevents the would be unfair EN-.
ployer from undersellng his compel
, Itor by the method Of scrimping labor.
II keeps tab on legislators and In
forms the public as to their course.
Its council chambers have trained
many men for public life.
1t stands as barrier against both
the anarchy of corporate wealth and
also that of the reyolutionist
1t teaches the evolutionary way fol
the betterment of labor
II has made thousands OF homes
more comfortable through more wage.
and greater leisure for the worker