The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-04-08
by Jos. O. Bolger.)

When one considers the condition of
workingmcn today contrastcd with their
lot twenty-five years ago, it causes one
to wonder, that in the face of every CON
ceivabe opposition, such great changes
have been brought about between that
period and the present. The path has
been strewn with blood, anguish, disap-
pointed hopes and sacrifices, yet this
path has led its travellers to a fuller
measure of enjoyment and much better
conditions. Hope has inspired the toll
ers to press on, and these self same toll
ers will continue to struggle and sacri-
flee until correct and satisfying meas
urcs are metcd out, every abuse serv-
ing as an incentive to greater efforts to-
ward the attainment of their aims. The
vast Importance of organized labor, its
power for good and particularly its bear
ing upon the industrial peace OF the
world, is not n matter to treat
lightly. Its concern is serious. Its in
flucncc is world wide for all must agree
that organized labor has won for its
members greater liberties and more in
dependence and has made of its mem
bers and the working class truer citizens.
In a large majority of instances the
positions taken by organized labor have
been firmly held. In those where a re-
treat had to be made the result can most
ly be laid to a lack of thorough organ
ization. When the union was new every
body was enthusiastic, meetings were
largely attended and members constant
ly on the alert for new members, the
"tide was at its flood" However, as
soon as the novelty of the situation
attendance decreased until at times it
was almost impossible to secure a quor-
um. 1t is to the unwarranted apathy on
the part of a certain proportion of the
membership in the movement to which
must be laid the responsibility for much
of the past failures as we'll as for the
unsatisfactory political progress of the
movement. Members seem to forget
that eternal vigilance is still the price
of liberty" and they let the tide "at
its flood" pass by unnoticed, thereby
failing to reap any adequate reward
when called on to put up struggle
through their unpreparedness, 1t is
now more than ever when organized la
Dor is abused and attacked as it has
never been before) the time to eradicate
this feeling of apathy or dry rot which
exist to a certain extent i'll the movement
There is a dry rot which affects men just
as surely as there is a dry rot that
affects wood, the cause and effect being
much the same in both 1t at.
tacks wood that is unused or undis-
turbcd for any length of time and rend-
ers it useless and unsafe, converting hard
elastic wood fibres into a substance dry
and brittle which falls to pieces in con.
slant touch, while wood in constant use
is not much affected, as the vibration or
jar caused by constant use prevents the
growth of the fungus. Among men it is
caused by apathy" which readily at
tacks those who are satisfied with their
lot, or who fail to take interest in the
struggles against irksome restrictions
~, THAN vrnrracc ~, uolfora ov OF nm
scrupulous men work out their destiny,
so that in a short time they find them
selves unable to make any effective pro.
test against injustice and oppression; be-
ing weakened by dry rot
We trade unionists believe something
and aspire to get something; these as
pirations should never cease no matter
what existing conditions may be, for
the moment that we become lethargic
we become subject to mental dry rot,
and endanger whatever progress we have
made, weakening our union through
apathy, SO that it can do no more than
possibly protest, and find ourselves
forced back from the conditions attain.
ed to the step preceding them; as has
been many times the experience of or
ganized labor Let us keep in mind
that the union that has no set pur-
pose in view is in danger of dcay, and
decay is death. Unions pulsating with
resolves and steadfast purposes are in
very little danger of dry rot from with
in, and with unity and harmony in them
selves are indestructible from without.
When we are moving we grow, when