The Washington herald., 1910-09-06
ROOSEVELT TELLS FARGO
LABOR MEN HE DOESN'T
ENTIRELY INDORSE THEM

Following is Col Roosevelts Labor Day
address at Fargo. delivered yesterday aft
ernoon:
| To-day-on Labor Day. speak IN one
sense especially 10 those personally and
vitality interested in the labor struggle
and yet speak Of this primarily as one
aspect or the larger social struggle
growing cut Of the attempts 10 readjust
social conditions and make them more
equitable.
The most pressing problems that con-
front the present century are not con-
cerned with the material production or
wealth. but with its distribution.
The American wage Garner faces a
larger social problem in a dual capacity.
first as a citizen Of the republic charged
with the full duty OF citizenship. and next
as wage earrer-as a wage worker.
Believes I'm Organization.
I believe in the principle Of organized
labor and in the practice OF collective
bargaining, not merely as desirable
thing for the wHge earners, but as some
thing which has been demonstrated 10 be
essential in the long run 20 their per
manent progress.
This does not mean that I unequivo-
cally indorse any or all practices that
labor organizations may happen 10 adopt,
or any or all principles that they may
choose 70 enunciate. Labor organizations
have the weaknesses and defects com
mon TO all other forms Of human organ
izations- Sometimes they act very well.
and sometimes they act very badly; and
I am for them when they act Well and
am against them when they act badly.
believe that their existence IS a neces-
sity; I believe that their aims and pur-
poses are generally good; and I believe
that all Of them have occasionally made
mistakes and that some OF them have
been guilty OF wrongdoing.
Just In so far as they are strong and
effective they tempt designing men who
seek 10 control them for their own in
terests, and stimulate the desires Of am
bilious leaders who may be clever, crook
ed men. or who may be honest but
visionary and foolish.
Outside critics should appreciate the ne.
cessity Of organized labor and understand
and sympathize with what is good I'm II
instead OF condemming II indiscrininate-
ly. on the other hand, those within its
ranks should fearlessly analyze the crit
icisms directed against It and ruthlessly
eliminate from the practices OF its organ
ization those things which Justify such
criticism and attack This Is the path.
not only OF right. but Of wisdom ana
safety
Public opinion In the United States is
daily becoming alert and more intelligent
and more forceful; and no organization.
whether trade union or C, corporation.
whether industrial or nonindustrial. can
endure or permanently amount 20 a So
cial force If 1t does not harmonic with
q wise and enlightened public opinion.
Sees Great Future.
think that the next quarter OF a CEN
fury will be important politically in
many ways, and in none more so than I'm
the labor movement. Strikes are some
times necessary and proper: sometimes
they represent the only way in which
after all other methods have been ex-
Rausted it is possible for the laboring
man TO stand for his rights; but it must
De clearly understood that a strike is
matter of last resort
The public sympathizes cordially with
any movement for a good standard OF liv-
ing and for moderate hours OF emplov-
ment q personally. for instance, cor
daily / believe in an eight-hour day and
in one day in seven for complete rest)
Therefore 1t is becoming more than
ever important that the labor movement
should combine steady. far-seeing leader
ship with discipline and control IN its
ranks. Dishonest leadership is a curse
anywhere in American life and nowhere
Is It greater than in the labor movement.
For many years have been more or
less closely associated with representa-
tive leaders OF labor unions. Some of
these men are among my close friends.
whom I respect and admire as heartily
as do any men in America. There are
some Of them 10 whom go as freely for
assistance and guidance, for aid and HELM