The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-06

VINO sought 10 organize ms renew men
to better these conditions, as conspira-
tors against the common law, as well
as the statute law, and fines and inn
prisonment were penalties. The em-
ployer was free to contract, but the
laborer could not make stipulations
regarding the sale OF his labor. In
deed, he was restrained from taking
more than a certain wage by English
law. The factory and mine condi-
tions, which / have just described, re-
suited from individual contract be-
tween employer and employe The
one had hundred to select one man
from, the other had no capital and star
walton drove him to make determent-
al contracts.
Trade unionism starts with the rec
ognition OF the fact that under normal
conditions the individual. unorganized
workman cannot bargain advantag-
eously with the employer for the sale
OF his labor.
About seventy-five years ago parlia-
ment legalized trade unions The le-
galization acted like lightning stroke
on the minds of the slumbering masses
and the shackles which bound the la
boring man in slavery were broken. SO
great force set free was bound to
commit errors Human institutions
seldom reach perfection. John Mitch
ell said: Il do not conceal from my
self the fact that trade unionsism has
made its mistakes. No institution
fully attains its ideals, and men Stun
BILE and fall In their upward striving"
ACCOMPLISHMENT of unicns.
Now, as we have traced briefly the
development OF trade unionism. let us
see what these organized men have
accomplished They have raised the
standard Of living Of the workmen;
they have increased his wages; they
have made him a better buyer in the
markets Of the world; they have given
him more leisure; they have increased
his efficiency; they have protected the
women and children from hard labor,
and by doing these things they have
raised their ideals of life, and they
have become better citizens Of the
world.
Let us dwell briefly on some OF the
points which are in dispute. When
the question of more wages and fewer
hours was first proposed Ii was viol-
emily objected to on the ground. that
it would give the workman more hours
in which to indulge in riotious living.
The men who propounded this theory
forgot to apply the same law to them
selves, and IL they did not apply IT..
they failed to show wherein their ma
ture was any different On the con-
trary the average laborer has spent
his time with his family, in his club
reading, attending lectures, and he lis
taking advantage of our splendid sys-
tenn Of free libraries. The man who
works until he falls from exhaustion
is more liable to indulge in improper
living for such continual work de-
braves a man, makes him morbid, pes
simestic, and drives him nearer to the
animal while the man who works rea-
sonable hours is happy. his mind is
not tired out, and he is anxious to en-
rich it in the ways / have mentioned.
! Shorter hours have increased the ef-
iciency of the laborer. 1t is not rea-
sonable to suppose that the man who
comes to his employment In the morn
ing after a reasonable days work feels
much better and commences his toll
with a lighter heart than the man who
is tired, nearly exhausted, weary from
too long hours. This has been dem
onstrated in numerous instances A
year ago two warships were built by
the government, one was built under q
contract which called for the long
work day, while the other was built
by government contract under the
eight hour day. The results were
closely watched and proved a decisive
victory for the eight hour system. This
is one Of many instances. but men.
ton 1t as it is easy to get the figures
from the department OF labor at Wash.
ington
Many people have mistaken the i'm
preston that in order to obey the laws
or the union man must bring him
self down to the level Of the man with
the least ability, and that no recogni-
ton is taken OF a mans capacity tc
work. The union sets the minimum
and not the maximum wage. In 8
great many cases an especially efficienf
workman is given great deal more
wages than Is called for by the unior
scale. 1t is possible for a man OF more
than ordinary ability, who is protected
bysa union to get along without exert.
ing him self to the fullest extent. Sucf
man is taking advantage Of tht
union; he has not the interest OF his
employer at heart, he is degrading and
demoralizing his very nature by MOI
taking advantage Of the powers God
has given him, and such man merits
the just condemnation Of his fellow
men, which he generally receives.
Fer Higher Morals.
The unions are largely responsible
for the war which is being waged today
against the white slave trade child
labor, which Is the one conspicuous
blot on our national character ana the
one thing for which we blush before
the world, Boosting as we do OF the
freedom Of our institutions. and the
integrity OF the American character
In furthering the ends of unionism
crimes have been committed. Strikes
have been ordered, which while Lawful
when not accompanied by violence OF
intimidation they have often led il
riots and men have been sIugged and
killed. However, the unions have con.
NSAAAGA thC9C dAlS III no uncertain
terms. They realize that each act B.
violence Is a step backward and tends
to lose the respect and confidence o
the people. The Woodworkers union o
Evansville, Ind, a few years ago strucI
for shorter hours and higher wages
and the strike carried on was q splen
did exapmle of the orderly manner Ii
which strikes are conducted Of late
The Karges Furniture co. applied 70
an Injunction TO prevent the striker