The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-11-30

tons instead Of by the number OF
members represented The Wlnnlng
delegates represented only 99,4If
members, while the delegates oppos-
ing the motion represented 215.OOO.
OF course, this whole system of or
e~aniZatiOn and proceedings is out OF
harmony with the real name OF union
ism. It's effect is to put France out
side the domain of serious expectation
ir regard to constructive work TO DE
done by the central national lapor
body. Yet there are great solid trade
organizations in that country with
large funds in their treasures, carry
ing on the work done by national
unions in other countries. among
these are the unions of the miners, the
printers, the railroad employees, and
the metal workers, the leaders Of
which at the present time are en-
~deavoring to reorganize the central
body on the rational and just basis
OF q representation proportional 70
membership, with partisan politics set
aside and due attention given to the
possibilities of reasonable demands on
employers backed by the funds nee
essary to provide regular strike-pay.
Instead Of a general May-day strike
for eight hours. OppOrtune demands
will be made in any Occupation where
the promise exists Of somewhat high
er wages or slightly less time than
III liz SNlSlliS WI hudy, dIlb iLStSetd
of direct action" signifying too often
futile violence. h program calls for
collective bargains, referendum be-
fore striking, and Cancellation board
to deal with all disputes.
In Austria, Hungary, Italy and
Switzerland partial industrialism in
stead of trade autonomy is in several
occupations the form of organization.
For example,: in Italy the building
trades have in the smaller cities but
a single union which includes all the
Workmen of the various rades con-
nectad with wall Observation-Disclosures
cutters, brick and stone masons, plas-
terers, day lahorers. Plumbers and
gasitters, carpenters and joiners and
the like are not in this union The
printing industry finds compositors,
pressmen, bookbinders, and even the
tye-founders amalgamated rather
than federated as they are In America.
The metal workers union by it's print
ed reports, seems extraordinarily
strong in numbers until one becomes
acquainted with It's makeup into
which apparently may enter every
man who in his daily labor handles
any kind of metal. In the Swiss metal
union are building trade
iron and steel workers, blacksmiths
and Wagonmakers, ornamental iron
ORR hOuseSmithS, iron founders.
bridge builders. and the mechanics
who make small ware, including
watches. The central labor unions Of
the towns of lesser Importance in
several countries accept as members
almost any individual Of the working
class or even any proposed sympa-
thizer. a state Of things permitting an
opening to professional, political and
business men with ambitions. In
switzerland there is one national la
Dor organization hat is made up Of
the workers at any branch of in
dustry handling or manufacturing
food or chemical products and glass
ware. They are known as the "Ele-
mentary Workers Union"
In Austria there are unions Of eight
~nationa1ities; Germans, Bohemians
Sloval1s Croats, Ruthenians, Italians
and Roumanians. Of the total men,
bershtp rs per cent. are German
speaking and 20 per cent. Bohemian.
The whole lumber of union members
Is set down in the international Sec
retariat report for 1908 as $50, 900.
Very few OF these unions existed be-
fore the political movement of the
working class attained considerable
strength.
Leader in the political movement,
becoming convinced in the course Of
time that there was a. absolute neces-
sity for improving the condition of
the wage workers through trade union
methods, assisted in upbuilding the
labor organizations. This explains
why the latter, despite the resolutions
passed at their congress that the un-
ions must exist apart from the politi-
cal organization, are in not a few
cases Differed by prominent party
leaders. The unions mostly in the
first crude stages of true trade union
ism, exceptions to be noted in cases.
Since Combination in restraint of
trade" is Illegal, the unions are out
lawed. Their beneficial features are
carried on by mean of SO-called
free organizations whose office win
dows where benefit dues are received
may be in the same room with the
union secretary's windows at which
union dues are received. The party
secretaries offices may be found on
another floor in the same building,