The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-04-19

WHICH IS regarded as the best equipped in
the United States at the present time. This
Institution has been maintained at an ex-
'-Pense Of more than half-million dollars
ana more than 800 men and women have
oeen restored to health and vigor through
us benefactions. which the printers feel
mas amply repaid them for the outlay.
New Pension Feature.
Another feature Of comparatively recent
adoption Is an old-age pension of 81 per
week TO those 60 years of age or older.
VINO nave been members for twenty years
or more This entails an expense of $500
per month. They propose now to extend
this feature to all incapables who have q
[ tWenty-year union record A death benefit
OF SO is also paid. These are benefit fea-
lures OF the parent body. Nearly all Of
the 200 locals supplement these with add
tional grants, and many have sick and
other benefit features One local union
alone III the 1903 panic spent $4,000 in out
oI-Work benefits. while many members of
other locals contributed one days work
each week. or its equivalent, to the I'M
employed.
Does this not show the spirit of brother
. mood IS strong in unionism?
Now, a moment with the organization
having the most complete beneficial sys-
tem-the Cigsrmakers. TWenty-nine years
ago it had@in its treasury S134. 80: its bal
ance in 1907 was $174. 1885. 1t has sick
benefits, death and total disa bility bene-
hts, out-Of-wor6 benefits and d system of
lHdIlS 10 UdNeuug members. Last year
the CiSarmakers' union paid s473,27G.5S in
benefits, OF which but $4,000 was to
strikers. These men do not receive as
high wages as printers. are little nearer
to the poverty line. yet IN twenty-eight
years they have disbursed s.. $50 27.S7 in
benefits We see in this phase of union
work a species of practical Christianity
and a distinct service to society.
That there is a prejudice against labor
unions among the business element is evil
dent and is due largely to misrepTesenta-
ton and lack Of knowledge as to their
true character. The continued agitation
Of the open shop policy by union busters
and unfair employers. as a patriotic
movement. Is also largely responsible for
this sentiment OF mistaken ideas
Mr.. Business Man. have you given a
thought to the fact that these same trade
unions are vital to your interests. and
really your protectors Do you realize
that their membership stands in a solid
phSlanX between you and two great de-
red flag? Destroy the trade union and
you will surely have both to contend
with.
Strike Problem Solved.
The upbuilding and progress of the labor
Union means the strengthening of this
great bulWarR to protect you from such
conditions. and your greatest security. as
well as my best protection, lie in so-caIled
''ClOsed-shOp' conditions. This is not an
idle boast, as ample proof IS found in re
viewing these organizations most thor
OUghly organized. Hence. | feel justified
i'm making the statement that were 20 per
cent OF the skilled mechanics members of
the various unions strikes and trade dis
turbances would be novelties rare indeed
And what of our progress even sur
rounded by such great obstacles? Let me
say that in my particular calling, when
I first joined the union. we worked from
twelve to fifteen hours and sometimes
longer hours daily. Working hours on
morning newspapers were such that we
were practically slaves. We worked from
6 p. m. to and a. M "stickin' - type
And in the afternoon we must spend from
three to four hours in distribution. Os-
TRACKED from society. without Opportuni-
" to mingle and surround ourselves with
the eievating influences of our noble won-
en-. is il surprising that many fell victims
to the liquor habit2 Overworked in mind
and body, stimulants were resoFted to-
The tramp printer today is a novelty. We
now work from SIX to eight hours daily
and the desire for stimulants IS fast dis
ting machines IS responsible in part, II IS
true, for this condition, but the organiza-
ton itself must be given great credit for
our material advancement.
And what of the multitude Of wage
earners who do not belong to the union?
Where is their impress in the initiation
of legislation
What specific factor are they in public
life2
In its advancement. especially in its
cruder stages, union organization has fire.
qUently merited public censure. but as a
direct and controlling force in the lives
of wage-earners 1t has dignified manhood,
widely fOstered intelligent benevOlence, in
culcated temperance, recommended moral
ity in living-in short and il large meas
uTe throughout the wOrkingman's world,
has perceptibly lifted the level Of average
manhood.