The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-07-10
THE UNION LABEL.

It is q burning question with many
why union labor is so insistent on
the use of the union label; and the
purchase of union made goods. Many
seem to think it merely hobby,
while others think it wanton eX-
hibition OF sel6shncss or a disposi-
ton on the part OF union men TO de-
prive others Of the means of liYell-
hood AS 4 matter Of fact. IL Is neith-
cr No one desires to see anyone
become a public charge through lack
of work. much less starve. Nor Is
there q more unselfish and free heart
ed class of people In the world than
Is found in the unions; Also they
ceased riding hobby horses while they
were vet boys. We desire at this
time TO mention hut one phase OF
the subject. and which is applicable
10 two classes of people-tho workers
and the purchasing public. AS PRO
lection" 10 the workers. themselves,
we insist upon the use of the union
label" The label Is placed upon all
goods where it Is possible; otherwise
"house" or "shop card" is used,
and where neither can he used. the
men carry their membership cards
onto the job As a matter of fact.
only union people are employed un-
der these conditions. and wny should
II not be so? These men have given
of their time and money. and have de-
prived themselves and their families
of many comforts and pleasures, In or
der To improve their working condi-
tions and wages: so, why should they
not enjoy the benefits But il is not
So The nonunlon mantle man
who has never contributed one pen
nv nor turned his hand over 70 as
slst in bringing about these improve
ments. enjoys q considerable benefit
as well Now. when the union label
is patronized as IL should be, the
union firms will employ more union
men, and the non-union firms will
employ less non-union men, thus
forcing moro men into the union, un-
Ill all are unioniZed. And then labor
can secure its just recOmpense; with
ont inflicting any greater burdens up
on the public.
As a protection" TO tho purchas-
ing public. the union label stands out
pre-eminently. If You wish to pur-
chase labor, you viii find the best, as
a rule, in the union This has been
success fully demonstrated so often.
that IL needs no further comment
here. If YOU wish 10 purchase any
article OF merchandise. we advise you
to accept only that which bears the
union label for it is the only safe
means YOU have in guarding against
the "sweatshop" and "prIson-made"
goods. And why should you be thus
warned2 Listen to some figures: The
manufacture of shirts in the Mary
land penitentiary has reached enor-
nous proportions, amounting in one
year to A.561,OO0 dozen. This class
Of goods is also made in the peniten-
tiares at Jefferson City, Mo. Mounds
Vile. w. Va, and doubtless in many
others And not only this class of
goods. but oyeralls and ladies' skirts
and other articles of clothing in some
Of them. Now think of the enormous
number OF these articles that arc
scattered broadcast throughout the
country. and then listen 10 a descriD-
tion Of the sanitary and other condi-
tiCLs under which these articles arc
MADE as portrayed in statement
that was submitted 10 the sub-com-
mittee of the house committee on la
bor at a hearing on the Convict La
Dor bill
The Statement.
Let me now proceed to analyzc
the question from a sanitary stand
point: Anyone who calls at the Mary
land penitentiary and requests to see
there the writer mentions several
names which we omit viii find them
covered over with syphilitic sores
from which the puss is constantly
oozing. And they may we'll shudder
from a fear that perhaps the slirt
they are wearing, was handled over
and over again BY these men in differ
ent operations. Then again, there are
many consumptive inmates in the In
stitutIon engaged as operators, etc.
They should never be permitted 10
work VITA other prisoners, much less
handle shirts that are TO be worn by
others. 1 have personally seen the
dry sputum scraped off shirts in the
packing department before shipment.
And ] have witnessed men ground"
10 their machines until two days be-
fore their death which was officially
pronounced by the penitenuary ply
sician IS tuberculosis. Men suffering
from these diseases are not isolated
not even in the dining room, and
never in the shops-sO disease Is
spread and contracted all In taat mad
scramble for the American dollar"
Now, dear reader digest well the
above statement and then contem-
plate the possible consequences-how
syphilitIc and tubucular and other dis
ease germs may be carried thousands
OF miles and brought into your home
and then viii you still wonder why
we are so insistent on the use Of the
union label?