The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-08-05

II the recent dedication at Indianapo-
lis of the new building of the Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners of Amer
,;,. Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, was the
principal speaker. His address, which
was frequently applauded, is such pow
rrfuI argument for the trade union move
mrnt that print it in full lie spoke
as follows:
"" are here today-thc 22d of July
10 dedicate to the cause of organized Ia
hor this beautiful building, erected in re-
sponsr to the will of more than two
hundred thousand carpenters, members of
the second largest branch of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor-the United
Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Joiners
of America. y building in which it's Off
GERS NlI conduct their official business; a
shrine which shall stand as a monument
io 'h" power and glory of the Brother
h""d temple, while not erected as was
Solomon $, go that there was neither
hammer. nor axe. tool of iron heard
10 th" house. while it WAS in building,'
Yet "''a erected in it's entirety by mem
i"rS Of Organized Labor, each of which,
worked hut eight hours per day, thus
complying with that shbboleth of the
trades union adopted rs a war cry in their
struggle for Il shorter workday:
Eight hours for work,
Er..nt hours for sleep,
I--ht hours for what we will
Trades unionists, it is but fitting that
th' carpenters should erect such a build
."- They were selected by the Fedora
r"u IN SO to lead in the first battle of
q hl.dn% trade for the inauguration of
70 shorter workday, and from that first
engagement has followed the many sue
r"s~rs achieved by the other branches of
lahor.
NI'h what pride must the officers of
'"" brotherhood behold this splendid
monument to their courage, fortitude
@''|. and Intelligence; this reflected glory
'' '''Ir membership; this ever-cxisting
.''" 'p an "rer-growing power; this
I"N"r Of an organized body to wrest
''"H' "n implacablc force conditions that
'-.r inspired the erection of a temple
''.N shall stand. and be known as a mecca
."''' "t' who love their union, their lib
"- ana their happiness will ever be
."''H". yea. centuries after we have
...9 that silent ma ioritv, within that
i''' from which no traveller has ever
-..lrnrd
''i@At not he amiss to point with
-." r" lew of the achievements of this
-.tz"d Labor which is praised on the
' LAND by those who know what it is
~ arouse the minds of the wage
-'i~ :" 4 realization of what can be
''tiNh"d by united action, and, on
mp Arr hand, IS denounced and derided
'..~" vino fear that each new success
Trad" union may mean their un-
-. and for that reason. are with re-
> "''ife" endeavorlng to destroy the
AMI discourage their members
-"siZed Labor through its efforts Sc
ia' foundation by the Federal Gov
.. ~ a labor bureau in 1887 1t
'Tr" the enactment of laws es-
N% bureaus of labor in thirty
'"S Today there is a general sen
REVEALING that the heads of these
'7 should be labor men, or those
i-]ea ~ friendly to its interests. 1t
r 'Eat labor has not been able tc
representative man appointed as
Of the Department of Com
."a Labor. but it VIII not rest con
-a.i. a department of labor shall be
.. "''h a representative labor mar
"'''ry. who shall be a member OF
aa.;'"r and assist in directing the
~ the Government.
'N E"ur attention to a gain made
.' lines OF establishing labor bu
-- 80 look after the interests of labor
."ey are doing some good The,
." mad" Of greater benefit to Organ
'+'h'r IN the future, when officeret