Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-06
ROOSEVELT DELIVERS
TYPICAL LABOR DAY
ADDRESS AT FARGO
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Continued From Page One
progress of the wage-earners and in
securing larger social progress 70. hui
manity. 1 believe in the pinciple OF or
ganized labor and in the practice OF
collective bargaining. not merely as
desirable thing for the wage Garner out
as something which has been demon
strated to be essential in the long run
10 their permanent progress.
This does not mean that ]. unequivo-
cally indorse any or all practices mat
labor organizations may happen TO ADOPT
or any or all principles that they may
choose TO enunciate. Labor organiza-
lions have the weakness and defects
common to all other forms OF human
organizations. Sometimes they act very
we'll and sometimes they act very bad
": and I am for them when they act
wen; and / am against them when they
act badly. 1 believe that their exist
ence is a necessity; 1 believe that their
aims and purposes are generally good;
and 1 believe that all OF them have oc-
lcasionally made mistakes. and that some
Of them have been guilty OF wrong-do-
ing. Just in so far as they are strong
and effective they tempt designing men
who seek to control them for their own
interests, ana NSSAAS "a
ambitious leaders who may be clever.
crooked men, or who may be honest but
visionary and FOOLISH In other words,
in treating Of labor unions, as in treat
ing of corporations, or of humanity gen.
orally, we will do well to remember
Abraham Lincoln's saying that there is
a deal Of human nature in mankind.
Whether in a man or organized BODY or
men, the power to do good means that
such power may be twisted into evil;
and in proportion as the power grows,
so 1t becomes steadily more important
that il should be handled right. Just
in proportion as in it's proper func-
lions power is important to social pro-
gress, so that in it's improper junction
IL becomes fraught with social disaster.
DUTY or ROTH SIDES.
Outside critics should appreciate the
necessity OF organized labor, and under
stand and sympathize with what is good
in IL, instead OF condemning IL indis-
crimnately. On the other hand, those
within it's ranks should fearlessly analyze
the criticisms directed against IL and
ruthlessly eliminate from the practices
or organization those things which justi-
fy such criticism and attack. This is the
pain, not only of right, but of wisdom
and safety. Public opinion in the
United States is daily becoming more
alert and more intelligent and more
forceful; and no organization, whether
trades unions or corporation, whether
industrial or non-industrial, can endure
or permanently amount TO a social force
IL IL does not harmonic with a wise and
enlightened public opinion. Hitherto We
Americans have been over-occupied with
material things, and have neglected TO
watch the play of the social forces about
US. But now we are awaking from that
Indifference; and every form of organ
Ization representing an important eco
nomic, political or social force must
undergo a closer scrutiny than ever be-
fore.
I think that the next quarter Of q
century will be important politically in
many ways and in none more so than
in the labor movement. Not only are the
benefits OF labor organizations more
clearly understood than ever before, but
any shortening or vice displayed in
connection Herewith is also more clear
ly understood and more quickly resented.
The public is growing more and more
to understand that, in contest between
employer and employee corporation
and a trades union-not only the inter-
ests OF the contestants. but the inter
ests OF the third party-the public-must
be considered. Anything like levity in
provoking a strike. on the one hand or on
the other, is certain more and more to
be resented by the public. Strikes are
sometimes necessary and proper; some
times they represent the only way in
which after all other methods have been
exhausted. IL is possible for the labor
ing man to stand for his rights: but Il
must be clearly understood that strike
! is matter of last resort. Our social or
| ganization is too complex for us to fail
! quickly to condemn those who, with lev
I ity or in a spirit Of wanton brutality,
/ bring about far-reaching and disastrous
! and interference with its normal pro-
! cess. The public sympathizes cordially
with any movement for a good standard
( OF living and for moderate hours OF
/ employment. I personally. for instance,
/ cordially believe in an eight-day day. and
in one day in seven for complete rest.
/ Where men and women are worked I'M
der harsh and intolerable conditions. and
/ can secure no relief without a strike, or
! indeed where the strike is clearly I'M
/ dertaken for things which are vitality
] necessary-and then only as a last re-
/ sort-the public sympathy will favor the
I wage-workers: but Il will not favor
them unless such conditions as these
Pare fulfilled. Therefore 1t is becoming
more than ever important that the labor
movement should combine steady far
seeing leadership with discipline and con-
d troll in its ranks. Dishonest leadership
lis a curse anywhere In American life,
and nowhere is IL a greater curse than
3 in the labor movement. If there is one
lesson which I would rather teach to
3 my fellow-Americans than any other, II
Us TO hound down the dishonest men
Emo matter what his condition-and to
kbrush aside with impatient contempt the
creature who only denounces dishon-
kesty when II is found In some special
social stratum. There are dishonest
Ncapitalists. dishonest labor leaders. dis
eh0nest lawyers. and dishonest business
Emen. dishonest men Of great wealth and
& dishonest poor mon. and the man who
d genuine reformer Will decline 10
y vingle out any one type for exclusive
Accommodation. but will fearlessly attack
= fhe dishonest man as such. whenever
land wherever he Is TO he found.
q For manv years 7 have been more or
H'ess closely associated with representa-
fsfve leaders Of labor unions. Some -
these men are among nv close friends.
7whom respect and admire re heartily
las 7 do anv men in America. There are
! some ot them TO whom go as freelv
for assistance and guidance for aid and