The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1910-09-07

no organization whether trades union or
corporation. whether Industrial or non-in-
dustrial. can endure or permanently
amount to social force II It does not
harmonize with wise and enlightened
public opinion. Hitherto we Americans
nave been over-occupied with material
innings. and have neglected to watch the
play of the social forces about US. But
now we are awakening from that indif-
ference; and every form of organization
representing an important economic. poiit-
icai or social force must undergo . closer
scrutiny than ever before
think that the next quarter of a
century will be important politically in
many ways: and in none more so than In
the labor movement. Not only are the
benents of labor organizations more clear
~ understood than ever before. but any
forthcoming or vice displayed in connec-
ion Herewith Is also more clearly under
stood and more quickly resented. The
public Is growing more and more to un-
derstand that in a contest between en-
ployer and employees corporation and
trades union-not only the interests of
the contestants. but the interests of the
third party-the public-must be consid-
cred. Anything like ievity in provoking
strike. on the one hand or on the other.
is certain more and more to be resented
by the public. Strikes are sometimes nee
essary and proper. sometimes they rep
resent the only way in which. after all
other methods have been exhausted. II is
possible for the laborinR man to stand for
his rights. but II must be clearly under
stood that strike IL . matter of last re-
sort Our social organization IL too COM
plex for us to fail quickly to condemn
those who. with levity or In q spirit of
wanton brutality. bring about far-reach-
Ing and disastrous interference with its
normal processes. The public sympathizes
cordially with any movement for a good
standard of living and for moderate hours
Of employment Il personally, for In
stance. cordially believe in an eight hour
day. and in one day in seven for COM
plete rest) Where men and women are
worked under harsh and intoierabie con-
ditions. and can secure relief without
a strike. or. indeed. where the strike In
clearly undertaken for things which are
vitality necessary-and then only a. q last
resort-the public sympathy will favor the
wage-workers: but II will not favor them
unless such conditions as these are full
hiled. Therefore IL is becoming more
than ever important that the labor move
ment should combine steady. far-seeing
leadership with discipline and control In
its ranks. Dishonest leadership u . curse
anywhere In American life. and nowhere
ID II a greater curse than in the labor
movement. II there Ii one lesson which
would rather teach to my fellow-Amer-
cans than any other: II 10 to hound down
the dishonest man-no matter what his
condition-and to brush aside with i'm
patient contempt the creature who only
denounces dishonesty when II IL found in
some special social stratum. There are
dishonest capitalists. dishonest labor lead
ers. dishonest lawyers. and dishonest
business men: dishonest men of great
wealth and dishonest poor men; and the
man who Ia q genuine reformer will de-
cline to single out any one type for ex-
elusive denunciation. but will feariessiy
80 q ll-t
ever and wherever he is to be found.
Worthy Leaders Available.
For many years I have been more or
leaders of labor unions. Some of these
men are among my close friends. whom
respect and admire as heartily as I do
any men In America. There are some Of
them to whom I go ms freely for assist
ance and guidance. for aid and help. in
making up my mind how TO deal with our
social problems. as go TO the leaders OF
any business or profession. I cannot pay
too high a tribute to the worth and integ-
rity of these men-to their sincerity and
good Judgment leaders. But no move
ment-no 1eadership-aowever earnest and
honest. can endure unless the rank and
file live up to their duties and search
for such leadership. and support It when
they ind IT, II the best men In labor
union leave Its management and control
10 men ol " ppoTfr Typ tlf fUttt VIII ne
Just as disastrous as when good citizens
in a city follow the game course
CARDS city government. The stay at home
man in union Is Just as much response
BILE for the sins Of omission and commits
sion of his organization as the stay-at-
home man In n city is for the civic con-
ditlons under which he suffers and about
which he complains.
All that can properly be done should
be done by all Of us TO help upward the
standard Of living and TO Improve the
ability of the average man TO reach that
standard There are stiil In the United
States great masses of skilled and unor-
ranized labor. whose conditions of work
and living are harsh and p!tiable. II II n
shocking Indictment Of our Industrial con-
di;ion to be told in matter-of-course
way in a government report that thous-
ands of workers in this country are COM
PEELED to toll everyday in the week. with
out one day rest. for wage of si5 a
month. Such a condition Is had for them.
and. in the end. bad for nil OF us. Our
commercial development should be hear
tily encouraged: but II must not be al
lowed- 10 -cvsrmercialize our morals.
1t is not merely the duty of the wage
Garner. hui II 81 also the duty of the gen
eral public, to see that he has safe and
healthy conditions under which TO carry
on his work. No worker should be COM
PEELED, rs a condition Of earning his daily
bread. to risk his life and limb. be
derived of his health. or have to work
under dangerous and bad surroundings
Society owes the worker this because II
owes as much to itself He should not
be compelled to make this n matter OF
contract: he ought not TO he left to fight
alone for decent conditions In this respect.
His protection in the place where he
works should be guaranteed by the law OF
the land In other words. he should be
protected during his working hours
AGAINST graed and careiessness on the M RI
Of INSCRIPTIONS and thoughtless employ
err. Just rs outside of those working
hours both he and his employer are pro-
tected in their lives and property against
the murderer and thief.
Far Behind Other Nations.
This opens a vitality important field Of
legislation 70 the National government
and TO the state alike. II Is humiliatinH
TO think how far we Of this country are
behind most of the other countries In
such matters. Practically all civilized
countries have. for more than a decade.
prohibited by the strictest regulations the
poIsonous match industry; yet We had
not done anything at all until very re-
Gently to protect the laborers against this
horrible danger. The National govern
ment made an investigation n year ago
into this industry. which showed condi-
lion of things unspeakably shocking and
revolving. Legislation to prevent these
abuses was introduced in congress. which
Put Hay In Church.