The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-07-01
MEETING AT SYCAMORE
One Hundred I'm Attendance at Sec.
ond Annual Session of the
Body to Discuss So
cialism.

Inc iHeHpeTs Oh tHe conference aEe
meeting as the personal guests OF
George W. Coleman of Boston, presi-
dent Of the conference and publisher
Of the Christian Endeavor World. The
feature Of the opening session tonight
was a paper on THE Philosophy of
Trade Unionism,'' written by John
Mitchell, the former head Of the Unit
ed Mine Workers Of America.
Mr.. Mitchell was not present in per-
son, his doctors believing that his
health would not stand the strain Of
a hurried trip from Chicago to this
place and then an immediate journey
to Denver where he Is to attend the
national democratic convention. Fol-
lowing the reading Of Mr.. Mitchells
paper. the program called for dis
cussion of 1t. led by John S. Tobin,
president of the Boot and Shoe Work
ers' Union.
During the conference Dean George
Hodges Of the Episcopal Theological
school in Cambridge will discuss The
Trade Union from the Point Of View
of the Church; John Spargo OF New
York, will talk on The Spiritual Sig
nifiicance OF Modern Socialism," and
the "Socialized Church" Will be the
subject of an address by Rev. Dr..
Leighton Williams of New York.
Mr.. Mitchell's paper follows:
Trade unions must do everything
in their power to elevate the moral
standard of their adherents, to incul-
cate into them a love of fair play, to
compel them to respect their own
word and the interests Of workmen
and employers alike, and to increase
their intelligence while encouraging
to spend their leisure In SENSIBLE
and permanently beneficial manher.
Unions grow in experienced and
knowledge as they grow in years and
numbers. They have made theif mis-
takes and they are still making them
from the highest officer or the
greatest organization to the newest
recruit from the least skilled oecupa-
tion--and errors will continue to be
made
In It's fundamental principles trade
unIonism is plain and clear and sim.
pie. It starts from the recognition o,
the fact that under normal conditions
the individual, unorganized workman
cannot bargain advantageously with
1.-THE employer for the sale of his labor.
1t Is based upon the idea that united
the workmen stand, and divided they
fail. When 1t comes TO settlement
of wages, hours and conditions OF work
1.-THE employer is usually at a great ad-
Vantage over the unorganized appli-
cants for positions, and wages are
kept low, hours of labor long. and con.
ditions of work bad.
Trade unionis.n recognizes the fac
that under such circumstances labor
becomes more and more degenerate,
because the labor which the workman
sells is, unlike other commodities, a
thing which is of this very life and sou
land being. He is progressively de-
based because of wages insufficient L
buy nourishing food; because Of hour,
OF labor too long 10 permit sufficient
rest: because of conditions of work de
structive Of moral, mental, and physi.
cal health and regarding and ami.
kilatlng to the laboring classes of the
present and the future; and family
because Of danger from accident and
disease.
ITO remedy these conditions working.
men unite in trade unions. BY meant
of trade unions they do collectively and
together what they formerly did indi
vldually and separately. Just as the
strength of chain Is the strength Of
Its weakest link, so without union
the power Of body Of men Is the pow
or Of the poorest and least resourcefu
OF them BY means Of union the
strength and power Of resistance of al
are put into common fund; the unit
; ed action renders the organization In
i flnltely more powerful than the com
bined strength of all Its members act
ing separately Instead of each work
ingman making contract for himsel
under unfavorable circumstances, al
, united make a contract for all; instead
OF the individual worker quitting hi!
} job and being replaced by his fellows
, all of the men give up their position.
simultaneously, instead of each OF tn,
! men individually showing approval OF
disapproval by buying In some store
and refusing to buy In others, they nov
unite, by means of the union label, II
assisting fair and by means Of the boy
colt in discriminating against unfa
employers of labor. AS result OF Thu
concerted action, the union Is as mucl
stronger than the members which com
pose II as an army is stronger than IN
individual soldiers who are found with
in It's ranks
"The movement toward the organiza
, ton Of labor Is not a passing nor
temporary phenomenon which will van
ish with the conditions against whic
!, the unions now protest. 1t Is essential
: ly perfect.
= 'trhe unions will undoubtedly beco,,
, more conservative, less disposed to az
| ter lightly into quarrels, and more will
b Ing to sec and hear the other side !
, the argument.
q while the growth in numbers an
conservatism of the trade unions wi
@ undoubtedly minimize friction, the hon
!, OF future peace in tho Industrial wo,l
lies in the trade agreement. The traa
$ agreement Is the very essence of trad
O unlonlsm"
China's first school Of forestry wi,
shortly be opened at MuKden ~
. Chinese empire IL usually pointed ~,
2 as the worst exemple, among modar