Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-02-17
The unions mission
SOME RESULTS OF The WORKMEN
ORGANIZATIONS.
Have Come to Stay, But Have an Edu-
CatiOnal Work to Perform. Per.
petuatiOn of Unions Assured by
Prohibiting Party Politics in Their
Conventions.

The various organizations of workmen
in the United States have 80 grown in
numbers and strength that they now
exert a tremendous influence in all in
dustries. These associations, large
PROPORTION OF which are trade unions with
Millions OF members. have been organic
lug for a quarter OF century. Their
remark BILE growth has been possible be-
cause Of the high aims OF the organiza
tions and the desire of members to give
aud receive fair treatment. Consequent
ly, there is now more harmony than ever
between capital and labor, the represen-
tatives OF each understanding more thor
oughiy the exact relations between them
The present com bination of workers in
trade unions was the logical result of the
W ouderfu industrial progress in this
country. There was emulation OF the ex'
am pie of workers in other lands where
the combination OF masters led to the
combination of workmen. There has al
ways been vast difference between the
lot of workmen in the United States and
those in Europe.
No such terrible conditions have evel
prevailed here as were experienced for
merly in England. An act passed under
Edward vi. provided that any one re.
fusing to work at statute prices should
be adindled a vagabond and branded
with the letter V. If he had the harda
hood to seek escape by flight he was
branded with the letter S, and became
a slave for life; if he still resisted his
fate, he was hanged. Artisans and la
borers, convicted for the third time OF
having Joined "confederacies," determin.
ing what labor they would or would not
do, had their ears cut off.
The right TO organize now is no longer
slobatsble. As capital fas the right ia
orgauiae, go has labor. The more har-
mony, therefore. that exists between the
two the more prosperous the nation will
become.
The objects of the unions refle, the
intelligence and high purpose Of their
members.
A cardinal object 'is to render employ
ment and the means of subsistence lees
precarious by securing to the workers
an equitable share OF the fruits of their
labor" This is laudable aim, for EN-.
ployers are likewise striving to realizs all
the reasonable benefits they can from in.
vested capital.
The union idea OF mutual aid and en-.
couragement in times Of distress is com.
mendable.
The effort by organized labor ito Sc.
cure legislation in the interest OF the
working people and to influence public
opinion by peaceful and legal means" is
also worthy of high praise.
Another cardinal aim or prohibition,
contained in the constitution Of the Ameri.
can Federation Of Labor, is that "Party
politics, whether they be Democratic, Re.
publican, Socialist. Populist, Prohibi-
tion. or any other, shall have no place
in the conventions of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor"
Apropos of this determination to keep
out OF politics, it will be recalled that
the National Labor Union, which was
organized in August, 1866. prospered un-
til 1872. In the latter year in the con-
vention of the union at Columbus, o.,
the suicidal mistake was made of nomi-
mating a presidential ticket, after which
rapid disintegration OF the union ensued.
1t was in Pittsburg. on November Is,
1881, that the Federation OF Organized
Trades and Labor Unions OF the United
States and Canada" was established.
Many of the ideas adopted in their politi-
cal demands have since been incorporated
in statutes by nation or state.
The labor union has come to stay and
it is destined to perform many services
other than those commonly expected OF
it. The millions Of organized workmen
are interested in all forms of education.
All along the line in labor circles there is
a determination to uplift and improve in
every possible way the status of those
who work for a living. The ranks OF
labor are full OF educated and thoughtful
men who desire and are working for a
better standard OF workmanship and a
higher standard. of citizenship. Right
living is being advocated by them and
wrongful acts are quickly condemned'
There is distinct purpose and ambition
to SO improve the conditions of the
unions that they will be more and more
esteemed by every community.-Bos
Globe.
The Herald twice q week tells It all