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

=
AIr. Benjamin Wood on the Adoption
of General Label, before the Central
Labor Union of Brooklyn, November %
1905:
Mr.. President and Delegates:
1t affords me much pleasure to he
with You and to discus, in Il minor way
the conditions which have been and are
at the present time stirring the atmo-
sphere surrounding the laboring world
1t was more than seven years ago
hcautifrl as the starry heavens ON Il
moonlight night and have likewise
seen the elements 50 stirred by oppOs
ing forces that the skies looked ~roWl-
n@ and forcboding like storm at sea-
1t was more than seven Years ago
that wrote "Buglc Calls" book in
advocacy of trades unions and the use
OF the union label on every product
made by human hands Since that time
| have never tired of the subject
Something seemed to fascinatc me with
the problem. Unlike ot'hcr, | rccog
ni2rd no natural antagoni4m existing
between capital and labor. but apprc-
ciHted that each had its hope for bet
terment in a mutual understanding
V hich would result in harmonious
unity working for the common good
In the remarks to follow, | shall try
to convey in as few words as possible
the object, plMpoSc and benefits to be
derived from general label. Looping
thereby to inculcate the spirit of unity
and good will among all workers. to
bring about closer and more sympathetic
understanding of each others burdens
and a eentlcr and more tolerant chris,
tan feeling between man and man. The
success of capital and labor working
hand in hand. if il come at all must
come slowly and gradualIy; the pro.
9rcss onward and upward must be made
step by step, and nothing i, to be
gained save at the sacrifice of whole.
hearted devotion and loyalty on the
part of the entire laboring people.
The foundation of all prosperity and
OF all progress is based ON confidence.
The moment we undermine that conf
dcncc, we invoke everything into end
less conflict. Capital lc@itimatclv en-
ilnNnl sbou1J ha out;,l.I ~ ,,.,
lection of the aborcr and to the pro
tc"tion OF the law. Labor honestly
performed should receive it, full reward
and the conditions surrounding the la.
borcr should be consistent with the de
nandS of modern civilization.
The contest between capital and Ia
hor is a dt@l in which the weapons are
intellect and opportunity. The one
which fails to employ both n odcNterous-
~ goes down defeated On the part of
Labor the label represents brains. the
purchasing of it the opportunity Both
sides enter the contest with eyes wide
open. 1t is the survival of the fittcst.
Let Labor play Che game for all it is
worth. Give no quarter, ask no quar-,
ter, abide by the result. Right is might
and Justice wins.
The Chinese of San Francisco, believ-
ing in prevention rather than cure. EN-
ploy the services OF a doctor throughout
tle year, paying such doctor, in install
mcnts as long as well and stopping
payments when sick. Numerous cor.
rorations employ the services of coun-
sci to avoid legal entanglements. rather
than to eXtricate themselves from
trouble after being entangled in the
mcshes of the law. Many of our citi-
zens believe it prlslcnt to have a large
navy to keep our country in peace. ra-
ther than to conquer in war after blood
has been shed and lives sacrifices. For
the same obvious reasons which resolve
themselves down To that OF protection.
it is advisable for the American FEEDER.
alton of Labor to adopt a general la
bel to keep the members of that or
aonzation employed at good wages,
rather than to have any branch inaugu.
rate strike or a boycott, because the
members feel they are not properly re-
nunerated. If the Importance of the
purchasing power of labor is rightly
estimated. it will peacefully solve
many of the problems which now take
years of toll TO accomplish.
am not in favor of violence. and |
am sure that more than ninety nine
Ner cent of the members of the Amcri.