United labor bulletin., 1909-11-05

and spiritual development - destructive
alike of all expression of ideals in the
life of the individual and in the nation.
What is to be done?
Many things; but it will be readily un-
derstood that the most important factor
in the industrial problem is the worker
herself. and that the most significant
fact about the woman worker Is ner
youth
We are forcing young girls of four
teen and sixteen years of age into the
industrial struggle. and are demanding
of them the knowledge and wisdom of
trained maturity. If in her need for
work whereby to earn her daily bread,
and in her ignorance of the cost, a girl
of fourteen underbids her fellow-worker,
how is she to know that in so doing she
is competing against her own home;
and that. in the years to come, as wife
and mother she must bear the heaviest
burden of the lesser wage? How is she
to know that the division and sub-divis-
ion of labor demands of her the joyless
task of tending a machine; not only for
to-day. but for tomorrow as well, and
for all the succeeding to-morrows? Can
you see her standing alone in the midst
! of her fellow-workers, alone and afraid,
because she has discovered that even as
she became the underbidder, so all may
become "underbidders" or pace-makers?
Where can she learn that two are bet.
ter than one, for if they fall the one will
lift up his fellow?r Where can she find
this fellowship.
| Where. but in the great school of the
Working People. the Trade Union,
which is open to all and within the reach
OF all. In this school the members are
taught that AN injury to one is the con-
Germ of ALL and thus they enter into
| fellowship with one another, for they
have found the way to work with each
other and not against each other. Know.
ledge of the trade in all its aspects,
are here called into action, for by seek
ing to establish trade agreements with
her fellow-workers and with her EN-
ployer, the duties and rights of each
must be discussed, considered. and voted
upon; and except in those states OIL
cities where the initiative and referen
DUN have been enacted into law I know
of no training in democratic self-govern
ment and citizenship that equals the
training received in the School of the
Trade Union. AS the personal needs
become increasingly protected by col
Iectiye action. thoughts are turned into
new channels. energies are directed
towards other tasks. and with wider
horizon educational and social issues
command attention The child has
grown into the intelligent. capable
clear-sighted leader and citizen. and un
der her direction social progress is writ
ten the laws of our country. This op
portunity for learning. for development
for character-building. has been giver
to her in the Trade Union School-tht
open sesame to fellowship and service
Do you begin to see the purpose of the
League? Can you understand our great
desire to bring the young girl workers
into the Trade Union School? And dC
you see. my friends. that it has happily
fallen to our lot to have special charge
and supervision of its kindergarten De
partment?
The child does not grow into a woman
over night, and the kindergarten witt
its music and merry-making belongs
with daisies and buttercups, to the fes
tival of life JOY more certainly thar
sorrow, calls the child into the larger
life of social relationship where al
unite in a common purpose, to the enc
that justice may be done to all. and
permanent foundation be laid for the
expression of the finer spiritual issues
in our lives, with power to work ou'
every gift of nature, and TO live out
every resource of body, mind and heart
Tave | answered your question, my
friends: and will you find in the Wo
mems Trade Union League your oppor
tunity for service?
MARGARET DREIER ROBINS,
President National Women's Trade
! Union League