The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-29
IN THEFIELD
- OF LABOR


All commuuacstions Intended for
Labor Editor. News-Democrat.
MEETINGS NIGHT
Carpenters local 632 Labor Temple
Electrical Workers. l54 weybosset street
BAKERS MEET.
Local ESQ OF the Bakers union met Sat-
urday evening IN Room 3. Labor temple.
and discussed the local situation. There
was considerable discussion on trade con-
ditions and the attitude OF the different
nationalties OF bakers. II was nnally re
solved that a committee be appointed 10
endeavor To form a district council have
q uniform scale OF wages. hours. etc.
MATERIAL DRIVERS.
There was a well-attended meeting OF
the Material Drivers local No. 20 held
yesterday IN Labor Temple. Labor Day
arrangements were put In the hands OF a
committee with power 10 make all ar
rangements. Five delegates were appoint
ed and instructed TO attend the meeting.
Aug. 9, 20 vote for grand marshal for
Labor Day. Reports OF delegates were re-
ceived-
DID YOU EvDR7
In all the discussion between the ad-
vocates OF unionism and its opponents.
says an exchange. there Ia one peculiar
fact that deserves special attention. The
advocates OF untonism are all union men.
The mechanic at the bench. the printer at
Che case. the carpenter at the lathe
every branch OF organized labor-furnishes
men who can stand forth and give rea-
son for being union men and defend their
cause with tongue and pen. Did you ever
zee 'scab' that could do it7 Have you
aver noticed that all the Arguments In
favor of the ''scab' and against unionism
are advanced by the employers? Ii the
'scab' is the free. and intelligent man,
ehe 'sunfettered workman" that the em-
psoyers say he In. then why. In Gods
name, don't some 'scab" stand up and
speak for himself?
TRUCK DRIVERS.
The warm weather had no effect In keep
ting the members OF Local S24 OF the Truck
Teamsters' udon from attendind the
regular meeting yesterday In Labor Tenn
pie. The regular routine business was
pushed through and then ensued a warm
discussion on Labor Day A COMMITTEES
was appointed 10 look after the arrange
iaents and also to see that no truck horses
were in the parade that were not ssiod at
shops using the union label. Five dele
gates were appointed TO represent tho
local at the meeting TO be held Aug. s. to
vote for grand marshal. The report from
the delegate who attended tho conference
OF the Brewery owners was not given out
as the matter Is not vet settled. The
delegates WIRE continued Reports from
the delegates to the central body were re-
'ccived and placed on file.
UNIONS STILL EFFECTIVE.
Members OF unions are sometimes prone
20 forget the BENEFITS they enjoy and be-
come dead weights 10 the organization.
The member who draws the pay envelope
that speaks with golden tongue the d.
rect personal benefit he receives should
not be the one TO be negligent OF his or
ganization. Can such a one point to any
plan that will come home to him in such
q manner at any price? Now. really. has
the kicker any reasonable ground TO hide
his face from the stubborn facts, or gioat
over the losses he may sustain because
| ne has allowed his rights to be. usurped
and his voice to be held In silent absence
when something went wrong?
Young men or our unions let a word of
advice fall upon your ears and be NOT
unmindful OF II: Follow after no phantom
lights: let common sense lead you In tho
light OF reason and history; and bother
not with complex fallacies that require
course OF continued study to enable you 10
become an ardent advocate OF the mex
.4F4eable HexFiieitabieAess- of -the-fefee-
that can be built with less pickets
through the hill than to simply go OIL
over the top and down the other side.
The oid-fashioned labor union still does
30 long after many glttering midday
star OF hope has disappeared in total OBJ
security.
FITcHBURG QUIET.
Vice President Thomas l.. Wilson has
Returned from Fitchburg Mass, and re-
ports himself as well satisfied with the
conditions OF things In that city. The
strikcrs have the sympathy OF the people
and the efforts OF the clergy are being
used toward bringing about an amicable
settlement OF the dispute and the hope
that the men will receive living wages
RIGHT OF HUMANITY AND DIVINE
RIGHT"
There are two principles that have stood
face to face from the beginning OF time.
The one is the common right OF humanity
and the other is the divine right of
kings. II IL the'same principle In what
ever shape IL develops itself. II is the
same spirit which says. You work and
toll and earn bread and I'll eat e. No
matter I'm what shape II comes. whether
from the mouth OF king or from men.
II In the same tyrannical principle
Abraham Lincoln.
WHAT OPEN sHOPISM MEANS
The Cleveland Citizen desires 10 reas-
sert these self-evident facts, and chal-
1enges contradiction from any source:
Despite the fact that II has been clearly
proven that the living rates are higher
et present than ever before. the employ
ers have forced wages down In some of
the leading Industries and are now max
ing an effort 10 enforce the open shop
dea lin order that ~ may disrupt organ
fred labor and beat wages still lower.
Stripped OF all hyprocritical phrases. the
open shop means n closed shop 20 mem
bers of organized labor. " means discrim-
fnation IN favor % such workers who lack
The moral Ersurina 70 resiEr oprfeEsTon5 "
means the dragging of more children into
the shops and factories 20 take the place
Of fathers and brothers AZ lower wages
and longer hours; n means an increase Of
crime. poverty. drunkenness and insanity.
n means degeneration. chaos and the ulti-
mate destruction Of our civilization. This