The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-09-08
GRAFTON ON
UNION HISTORY
Continued From Page One.D

when il has as it's object man or
corporation who is trying to lower
+ wages or TO make his employees work
+ too long hours. For the relation be-
tween wages and hours and product
+ is the result primarily of different de-
grees of civilization and vary with
the centuries. and its symmetry
should not he married by individuals
seeking selfish ends to the harm of
the common good.
III the years to come the efforts
of the trades union must be TO ac-
complish the last objects named in
the constitution: Legislation in the
interest of the working man and the
influencing of public opinion. ! feel
that ii would be presumption on my
part to tell you of your own needs,
but as there are those here present
who are not members of the organiZ-
alton Ii might be well to speak of
your needs that they may know, and
also in order that you may keep in
mind the primary reasons for your
societies. The needs are great and
only those who have had some ex-
perience can appreciate the real mag
nitude of cause YOU represent. You
are banded together for the common
good of all or else you are member
of your union from wrong motives.
The American unionist has ever re-
fused to allow paternalism in his or
ganization. Each individual has felt
that he has the right and the power
to care for his individual needs, but
the needs of the mass must be aided
by the efforts of the combined powers
of the individuals. A union is not
and never can be. If rightly under
stood, selfish thing. 1t is the or
ganization in this country of two
million workers for the good OF the
two million workers and those de-
pendent upon them.
Legislation is needed in the mat
ter of reasonable hours of labor IN
order that the working man may
have the opportunity of hitting hlm-
self for the place that righteous am
bition urges him to attain, and in Or
der that he may be properly htted
to work as the days come and go. lie
must have the opportunity OF get
ting acquainted with his family, his
life must be something more imam
working. eating and sleeping. There
must be legislation in order that his
children may not be drawn into the
factories of the land while they
should be building up healthy bodies
and minds 10 do a mans or Wo-
mans work when they come 10
proper age. There should be no COM
pulsion in the matter of dealing at
company stores and every worker mas
the right TO receive his wage in the
coin of the realm TO be expended as
and where he pleases. There must De
no tampering with the liberty that
is our heritage as American citizens'
no threats as to what VIII be done
if certain political results are not
obtained no restrictions OF the llb-
ertv of a man to join such societies
as he wishes provided they are not
reasonable or for the injury of his
fellow man In our great factories
health and morals must receive con-
sideration. Certain air space must
be provided for each worker, ma
chimes must he protected as much as
possible from danger to employees.
fire escapes must he provided that
the workshop does not become
death trap. Legislation must be had
for employers liability. In the days
of small shops and personal acquaint-
ance between all workers in one shop,
and more or less knowledge by all of
each individuals work and capacity,
there was not the same need for
general oversight and liability by
those at the top that there is now
in DAYS when thousands OF men and
women. each with valuable and
needed life, are gathered under one
roof, at the mercy of a combination
of mechanical power and irresponsi-
BILE fellow workers that is tremen-
dous
! Are those some of your needs? /
know they are. and | feel with you
that the day is not far distant when
the ends you desire will be accom-
plished But let me give you my as
surance of one thing or two. Every
overt act on the part of the individ-
ual unionist, or the union or the fed
GRAFTON puts off the happy day just in
proportion to its magnitude. And ev-
cry act of Cancellation, every evil
tdence of willingness TO talk the
4 matter over calmly, every free .ac-
ceptance of the results of arbitration
hastens the time. Said John Nit
chell to his men in the coal strike:
''If you want to spoil your own cause
and lose every sacrifice you have