The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-04-08
THE WAGE WORKERS OF
YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Conditions Bettered Only Through the Ben
efits of Organization.

resolved on lncS OF actions we get lie
leaves us just in proportion as We cease
to work. The object of our unity is
to concentrate our aggressiveness to-
gether that we may have the strength
of the many when the few might be
weak. To that end the individual mem
bers Should be impervious to dry rot
he should discourage in himself and
others, unnecessary waste of time and
energy in petty discussions of little
moment, he should try to acquire in
others, knowledge OF conditions al
fecting him and his fellow workers, by
systematic reading and study of the
thoughts and experiences of others who
have been or are struggling like our
selves. Why we organized? What
do we know of the methods of our enc
mics, Of those who would enslavo us,
of manufacturers associations. To be
successful we must study the hands and
the moves of our enemies. As Ruskin
says: "We suffer much from the faults
of others, but we lose much more by our
own ignorance" With the knowledge
gained we should add action so that
our union may become very effective
and taking part in the advance 90 for
fard, marching in solid phalanx with
pulsating action. Then we will not
find on occasions that call for strength
that we are victims of dry rot. The
order among organized labor should be
at all times to close ranks and forward
march," for there will always be use
for organized labor just as long as there
is a wrong to be righted, Just az long
as there is one human creature who
has his rights curtailed or infringed
upon.
Trade unions are organized to Sc.
cure industrial improvements in all di-
rectiOns, or anything that they see
clearly to be for the promotion OF the
common welfare and the oppression of
years gone by should be a reminder to
us of the necessity of strengthening the
cause for which union labor stands to-
day. For with all the agitation and
the calling of attention to the unfavor-
able position of labor at the present
time, there is no getting around the
fact that slowly, though Enthusiastically
certain, the cause of men who toll will
triumph.
There is hardly any excuse for the
wagc-workerS of today to deliberate
y vote against their own and best in
terests by voting for those who have
deceived them and tramped on their
rights, The balance of power being on
our side through our right and power
to vote, we should use it as we ought
to, and elect our own men and have our
own kind of government. And the
only hope of the laboring men to ac-
eomplish those aims is to be
faithful to its principles, and be ever
jealous in our efforts to swell its ranks
and advance its cause. For only by
strict applications to the principles of
unionsm can we hope to hold fast what
we have won in the PAST, and, only by
protecting these principles can we ever
expect to carry forward this grand work
of the masses taken up by organized
labor. Consequently it is the duty as
well as the plain interest of all work
ing people to organize thoroughly, meet
in council often, and take practical
steps to effect the unity of the working
class, as an indispensable preliminary
to any successful attempt to eliminate
the evils of which we, as a class, so
bitterly and justly complain Of
To sum up, the work is in its in
fancy. Organized labor is shedding its
swaddling clothes and is growing into
youth. The evolving of public politics
of the future will be assisted in by un-
ion men. In great deliberations their
voices will be heard Others have guild
ed in the past, but organized labor will
have a hand on the steering gear. In
calm or in storm, we hope to do what
is right, pleading our cause, defend
ing our brothers and sisters, sacrific-
ing if need be TO demonstrate our fl
deity, and hoping nevertheless, to win
to our banners, all who believe in JUS
tice, better conditions, reasonable hours
and wages, and free citizens.