The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-09-06
.LABORS MISSION
ONE Of PEACE
AND HONESTY
John H. Mclean, Essex Trades
Council President, in Strong
Praise of Unions.
WARM SENTIMENTS FOR
ORGANIZED TOILERS'
Public the Sufferer in Workers
Disputes, Declares
Leader.

1.-THE mission of organized labor is to
bring about peace. not to create dis
cord; to promote activity in the useful
trades. not to block honest effort.
Peace and activity are the two prin-
cipal factors in prosperity. and pros
perity, to a nation. is the bulwark of its
greatness and the guarantee of happi-
ness and contentment for ali its people"
The sentiments are those of a we'll
known local labor leader. They were
expressed last night in response to a
request for an appropriate thought to
present to The Stars readers on the
morning of that day of the year which
is especially set apart for ~observances
in recognition of the dignity of labor.
Today's big demonstration in this city
will be held under the auspices of the
Essex Trades Council. 1t a there
fore, fitting that an expression should
be sought from the president of thar
body, John H. Mclean. a veteran of
thirty-two years standing in the labor
field.
II have no desire to appear in the
limelight," said Mr.. Mclean, but as
you desire me to be a mouthpiece of
the labor interests on this occasion l
esteem 1t an honor and a privilege 10
take advantage of the opportunity.
THE public no longer asks the CUES
tion. why does organized labor exist
or OF what good Is 1t to the com
munity?' The progressive lahoring a
I:1-. H. --~-..~fta -,,,In,rar Ina M
believe In letting well enough alene.
In unity there is strength, and in
strength the most effective progr IS.
This is the reason labor unions exist.
for without them the laboring mar
would make but a weak and pitiful
struggle for the betterment of his
condition. Capitalization of effort is
the spirit of the age.
During the last two years or so the
country has passed through a period
of depression. The Alaboring classes
borne upon their shoulders the
brunt of this distress. Yet. though our
labor organizations are not SO stiolg
numerically as they were before the
panic, they are stronger In coursgs
and In hope, for they have remained
In spite of the struggle we have
undergone, and they have not sacrificed
one of those principles which were a
part of their fraternal creed.
Hard times nave simply proved that
we have the ability to stand on our
own feet.
I'VE are now, / firmly believe, about
to enter upon a period Of prosperity. If
common sense prevails. all classes of
society will reap the benefit. 1t is not
me or for any other man to die
tate a policy for the great working
Dr. to tell the employers their
business, yet II 1t would not be taken as
on my part l would say to
both employers and employed. Get to-
Keep in touch. Have a mutual
understanding. Pest of all, sign agree
SO that you may know just what
to expect of each other and may avoid
those serious breaches which are all too
apt to arise from petty causes
TO reach a proper solution of all
difficulties that may rise between the
laboring and the employing classes it
is necessary that each must recognize
that the other has rights that must be
respected"
In all his activities in the local Ia
Dor field, Mr.. Mclean has been q
consistent advocate Of arbitration, a
principle which is entering more and
more into the settlement of the diff
oulties which arise from time to time
between employer and employed.
Arbitration" he declared, rs the
life of peace, Arbitration should come
before war. not a~ftefward. 1t Is the
old story Of the ounce of prevention. IF
I were called upon for advice. I would
say to the labor man., Don't fight till
YOU are ready. Don't fight unless you
are right. Dom underrate YOU oppo-
rent The labor movement has taught
the employer how to organize.
"'Get the respect of the public!' I
would say to the labor man IL I were
asked to deliver a lay sermon on this,
the eve of Labor Day. The public is the
great third party In the labor move
ment. and In all disputes between m
ployer and employee 1t is this third
party hat invariably suffers. Trust the
employer who has been fair to you in
the past. Don't trust the employer who
has broken his contract, but keep your
own contracts always.
Don't be afraid of hard employers,
and don't impose on good-natured ones
Remember there is such a thing as hu-
man nature. and also remember that
the millennium has not arrived yet and
the movement for the benefit of organ
lied labor can't accomplish everything
In a day.
DO not shun publicity. II you
know you are right, what have you
to hide? Secrecy breeds suspicion,
The labor movement is a great
moral wave. Trust the public and
the public will trust you In this
you viii help to wipe out a
great deal of the prejudice that ex-
lists against the labor movement among
persons who do not understand what II
Is doing and what it purposes to do.
Let the unions hold educational meet
ings, so that their members may un-
derstand that the labor movement Is a
moral movement, and so that they may
I4xra n S...x An-~AototA 49, =,