The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-03-31
FALL IN LINE, MEN OF ACTION,

better than even its friends would have
to Prophesy Immediately after
the panic of October, 1907. BY the press
and the public in general, and even by
many well wishers of trade unionism, the
assumption was then made that for a
period, to be determined by the duration
of the ensuing industrial depression, la
Dor was doomed to disheartening losses
through DISCRIMINATION, lowered wages,
and long continued unemployment
1t is true, months of idleness came to
many men in certain callings, but, what.
ever the causes of the crisis and whether
or not 1t was mostly a financiers' panic
only, the country has now entirely recov-
cred from its injurious effects.
But neither of the other two results
feared for labor was realized to any seri-
Gus extent The local unions that were
dlsbanded were SO few in number that
the average fluctuation in the total union
forces year by year was only slightly ex-
ceeded. Not one national or international
union passed out of existence.
AS for wages, declaration was made
by the American Federation of Labor, at
once upon the occurrence of the panic,
that every possible effort would be made
to oppose any attempt by employers to
make the wage earners bear the cost of
the depression through a reduction of
their wages. This attitude of the trade
unions gave pause even to the leaders of
finance and great industrial enterprises.
They were convinced that if they set out
to cut down wage-rates they would bring
upon themselves serious Industrial con-
tests, in addition to the other difficulties
they were facing. In the case of the
railroads in particular, the managers ad-
mitted publicly that they could not at
tempt to lower their wage schedules.
In all its phases the policy of the Am
erican Federation of Labor in the re-
spect just mentioned was justified by the
outcome. The country has recovered
from its financial setback, and the great
body of the wage-earners are today in
position to work for advances in their
movement onward from the stage they
had previously gained, instead of fight
ing to recover lost ground, as would have
been the case had they been obliged to
accept reductions in wages and extern
sions of the work day.
A small percentage of the trade union
forces lost ground; organization that
had been undertaken in some directions
was retarded. Recognizing these facts
as true, we are enabled at the present
time to look ahead and say that the pros
-'ect is most encouraging for a general
advance in organization. But no outside
1rovidential force is destined to perform
this work We ourselves must carry it
out.
To work, then! Let every trade union
in the American Federation of Labor, ev-
cry international, national and local or
%aniZatlon make an extraordinary effort
this year to absorb in it's ranks all the
workers OF its occupation. Let our move
nlent to this end be concerted, co.opera-
tive and enthusiastic
We urgently request the officers of ev-
cry affiliated trade union to issue a spe-
cial circular to their members, informing
them of the fact that all the organiza-
tions of the country have begun n strong
pull, long pull and pull altogether
for the purpose of developing our labor
movement, speedily, in all parts of the
country, in every calling. The local uni
ons in the various communities are invit-
ed to redouble their efforts this year in
organizing all the wage-workers within
tehir possible reach, irrespective of craft.
Individual members of trade unions are
asked to endeavor on all possible occa-
slons to advance the cause of trade union
ism, especially inducing the unorganized
men they meet to join the union that is
open to them. If each member of the
union would take upon himself the obi
CATION to bring one man into the fold of
lnlonism, the result would be an enor-
nous impulse in the desired direction.
Every union in the jurisdiction of the
Federation of Labor is also urg-
ed to appoint label committee, whose
1uty shall be to advocate the purchase of
lnlon- made products and to wait upon
merchants and to request them to have on
sale the products of union labor, bearing
wherever practicable union labels.
The trade union is necessity to the
modern wage-worker. By its means only
IAN he protect himself against the aq
of hostile employers and Sc
'ure rates of wages and conditions of en-
)lOyment commensurate with +bo oo,,