The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-10-21
CROWS IN POWER
Trade Unionism FIourishes De.
spite Opposition.
MASTERS ALL OBSTACLES.

Record of the Labor Movement Jueti.
mes Faith In Its Continued PROGRESS
Ultimate Organization of All Work.
ers Assured.
In the writings and speech of some
men of labor ! have noticed a vein ut
pessimistic encouragement viii II il
seems to me is not warranted 10y facts
or conditions us they apply to organ
lied labor today, writes G. W. Per
klns in the American Federationi.t
1t Is true that we have rpccilrd
many hard jolts from some COURT.
some judges. injunctlons. Judge made
laws. damage suits. etc. ana huaIi.
congress within the last few years
but the membership has increased an,
is still increasing.
1t Is true that we have been as
sailed by the National Manufacturers
association. with its open sIopppYS:'
by hostile and indifferent press. which
has fed the public on half truths and
all of our faults and none of our vir
tues and splendid work. But what of
1t? The old timer expects this and
remains with undaunted courage re.
fusing to surrender. And Why He
knows the past; he has seen and expe.
rienced greater opposition and perse
cution when he had to fight almost
single handed and has seen the move
ment grow and prosper beneath it.
Thirty -five, forty and fifty years ago
IT was held to be a crime to even
organize Members of unions were ar.
rested under alleged conspiracy laws.
common laws and any old law, tried,
convicted and sent to jail for even ask.
ing for an increase of wages. They
did not wait for strike In those
days; they went after the workers
right on the jump.
Formerly organized labor was ignor.
ed, Inundated, browbeaten, bulldozed
and its members looked upon as worse
than outlaws. Manufacturers asso-
Citations existed. Courts, judges, pub
lie officials, police, Pinkertons and the
militia were hostile and bitter in their
opposition, and the general public
looked on with Indifference or with
approval and satisfaction over the per
secution.
Wages were low, hours long, condi
lions frightful. with no rights for the
workers that anybody was bound to
or did respect.
Despite all of this, the trade union
movement has steadily grown In pow
err, strength. usefulness and numbers
and has the respect and confidence Of
a large portion Of the general public.
The fierce attack we are now under
going. in which courts, judges, congress
presidents and others have been drawn
in and have taken a hand In. is de-
cided compliment to the stability,
worth. effectiveness and usefulness Of
the present trade union movement. II
justifies our faith in the soundness OF
the movement. our policies and leader
ship and argues well for the future.
The record of the trade union move
ment, which under the severest oppo
sition and relentless persecution has
overcome and mastered all obstacles
from within and without. proves that
we will successfully combat and final
ly master all opposition. regardless or
what It may be in the future. 1t JUS
titles an optimistic outlook and means
success. The methods. plans. work
and policies of the past, changed only
to meet changing conditions. such as
and ripe judgment may jus
tify, If adhered to in the future. will
surely bring success and the final or
of all workers.
The only danger. and that of TEN.
porary nature. that can overtake us Is
the Impotence. encouragement and
lack of faith in the movement in the
minds and hearts of some. caused by
the present onslaught
The same undaunted courage. per
sistence and determination that have
characterized the men of action In the
past are still with us and will carry for
ward the work despite all opposition
lust as surely In the future as In the
past.
The trade union movement has rails
ed wages, shortened the hours of la
Dor, improved the sanitary condition
of the shop. factory and mine, abolish
ed the truck system. decreased dis
eases. increased the length of life or
its members, stood the workers on
their feet facing in the right direction
and fighting for more and has accom-
plished countless other benefits.
The record speaks for itself and
proves that the trade union movement
is on the right track and justities OPP
timistic hope and confidence. Faith,
honesty and a rugged determination
will carry us on to final success.