The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-01-07

| should be vested in the hands of the
| American Federation of Labor on the
same principle as the postage stamp is
| in the control OF the United States
Government at Washington. and dis
tributed from That point to all sub sta
pei all craftsmen into harmonious ac.
! ton. No antagonism or jealousy would
arise to divert the tendency to unity
OF purpose Each local union has its
place, quite true but the American Fed
| Grafton of Labor covers the entire field
an represents the grand and glorious
work in which all are engaged.
1t is commendablc for workinemcn
to take pride in the particular Label
which represents their craft, aud to do
all that their courage may suggcs, 10
make the record of such label clear and
brilliant, but union men have no right
II ignore the fact that their label is
pant of the flag as a whole, and that
every toilcr from whatever place he
halls and whatever trade he follows has
Il claim on his sympathy and co.opcld
ton. Every workman who is worthy
OF his calling is the comradc of every
other toilcr Qnnele for precedence
and nvidious claims for superiority alc
merely so much aid and strength given
to the opposite side. The moment la
Dor finds a common interest, that mo-
mcnt good conditions will prevail and
iiscords cease.
Fraternal organizations such as Ma
sons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythas.
| IIlks and others, have some individual
emblem or badge by which one mem
| her recognizes the other no matter in
what part of the world he may be. Al
though the American Federation Of La.
Dor has an organization in the United
States comprising a larger membership
than any fraterna organization in the
| world, and reaching out to every city.
| town and village throughout the com-
/
that answers as a bond of unity and
il means of recognition for each and
every affiliated craft. The successful
! business merchant has his trade mark
as a means of recognition. but, unlike
labor, has created Il demand for an in
dividual trade mark as evidenced in
80 4; ..Ir a.,
| Biscuit" and others too numerous to
mention. Were labor to adopt Il gen
eral label the design could be incorpor
ated into badge and worn as a but
ton by each and every member of the
American Federation of Labor 1t
would have practical effect, serve as
bond of fraternity, act as a great ad
vertising medium, and compel the re-
cognition of the public. It's influence
would be widespread and in a short
r'liod of time not alone union mcn.
but all people throughout the country
would become acquainted with the
trademark of labor.
A. present each craft having label
cXpends a large sum annually for adj
vertising, in the endeavor to make their
pli,hed because the problem is too con-
| pleX, the labels too many and too di
versified for mortal mind to grasp.
| With general label the design won j!
| appear as clear in the minds of The
| purchasing public "a any other we'll.
known commercial trademark. A small
amount could be charged in excess of
the original cost to Gefray the expenses
ana to create an advertising fund. An
assessment of one dollar per capita
levied and made payable in small IN
stallments of ten cents, would create
an advertising funl of over two million
dollars With that sum the American
Federation of Labor could begin an ad-
vcrtising campaign second to none in
the country.
y general label will not weaken the
authority, nor will it icopardize the in
tcrests and positions of the rcprcscn-
tutivcs and advocates of labels Add
rional employment will be created, as
It will be necessary to establish a bu-
rcau of headquarters to properly al.
vcrtisc and distribute the label 10 all
affiliated unions, who in turn will re-
distribute it according to demand. Al
preiudices will be dropped and the bar
her who cannot slap a label on a mans
tace after having shaved him and the
bartender who cannot mix it with his
drinks, will take the same interest in
promoting the general label as those
"rafts which can affiN it All crafts
will maintain their individuality as
heretofore, because the name of each
raft will be incorporated with that of
the American Federation of Labor
Labor must utilize every legitimate
means to make its influence felt con
siStently strive to uphold its friends,