The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-06-24
RALLY TO THE LABEL
Organized Labor Must Protect
Its Own interests.
BUY ONLY UNION MADE GOODS

ization of the Potential Strength OF
Their Purchasing Power.
Discussing the aims Of the new I'M
ion label department of the American
Federation of Labor. Thomas +. Ira
cy. the Secretary-trcaSurcr, makes pam
the duty Of trades unionlSts He points
out that II is to their own interest to
purchase only union made products.
Says Mr.. Tracy in the FcdcrationiSt:
This department was organized on
March 80 of this year, and since that
lime there have been affiliated twenty
two national and international unions
that issue labels store cards or but
tons. and favorable replies have been
received from a number of other or
CARNATIONS to the effect that the qucs-
ton of utilization is under considera-
ton by their respective executive
boards or that action In that direction
will be taken at the various conven-
lions that will be held shortly.
This department was organized to
lntelligently and Systematically bring
to the attention of the members and
friends of organized labor and to all
the purchasing public the advantages
Of buying products that bear the union
labels of the different crafts and the
ACCESSIBILITY Of patronizing such places
as display in their establishments the
union store cards as well as insisting
that the various commodities purchas-
ed are delivered by those who wear
the union button.
While we do not contend that the
union label is the complete salvation
Of the workers, it cannot be success
fully denied that it is an important
adjunct to the trades union movement.
If our members and friends are alive
to their own interests they will realize
that greater interest is now more
necessary than ever before in the pur-
chasing of union made products.
The union labels of the various or
CARNATIONS are now protected in forty
two states by law against counter
feiting and use by those who are not
entitled to do so. Numerous convic-
lions have been obtained by those
who have used counterfeit labels or
misused the genuine ones.
That there Is q desire on the part of
many merchants to handle union made
products is demonstrated by the num-
Der Of communications that are re-
ceived at this office almost daily, max
ing inquiry as to where the various
union label articles that are needed in
everyday life can be obtained. These
communications are not from any Civ
en- locality, but from all over the Unit
ed States, and number have been re-
ceived from Canada.
There is a thing that is at least graf
flying to know, and that is that up to
the present time there have been no
adverse decisions from the courts as
crafts, Notwithstanding that the eff
forts Of our organizations have been
prescribed in other directions.
To carry on the work of this depart
ment among the things that are neces-
sary Is the prompt affiliation of every
international or national union that
properly comes within its scope, so
that united action can be taken and
we may have the energetic co-opera-
ton of all our members and friends
in insisting on being served with un-
ion made products, sold and delivered
by union men and women.
In every locality where labor is or
ganized there should be connected
with the central labor body an active
energetic organization of men and wo
men whose duty it should be to bring
to the attention of their neighbors and
friends the labels Of the various trades
and educate the people to the necessi
ty of insisting on being supplied Will
union made goods when making pur
| chases.
! There are not many business men
| but who would be glad to purchase
union made goods If their trade de
mands them, but where this is not
done merchants otherwise friendly be
come Indifferent because Of lack Of de
mand for this class of goods.
| Every encouragement should be Civ
en- to the organization OF women's la.
bel leagues, auxiliaries and the organi
cation of the women workers as well
for, after all, the women are the great
| purchasers and can be Of an immense
! amount of value In union label work
If they are given a little encourage
| ment. Sometimes their lack of inter
est in the purchasing of union made
! goods is wholly traceable to the neg
| lect or Indifference of the husband or
| father, for If the bread earners them
| selves do not demand union label
| goods little can be expected in this dl.
| rectiOn from their wives and daugh-
! ters
Let all take up the work of purchas.
ing union products, for which fan
| wages are paid and which are made
| under clean and healthy conditions
| by those who work a reasonable
number Of hours, rather than expend
our purchasing power In patronlzlng
the products Of prison made labor OF
| Of the unclean and unhealthy sweat.
| shop, which breeds disease and con
tagion, or products in which is con,
tained the life blood of little children
engaged in many instances at un-
healthy work at tender age, sending
| them to an early grave, so that the
sOrdid greed Of some unscrupulous
employer may be satisfied This class
II goods can be easily avoided if un.
| ion men and our friends Will Insist on