United labor bulletin., 1910-07-07

The minor details Of the ahilfafion
have not all been worked out. but the
friends of organized labor can rest as
sured that the matter is in wise and
prudent hands. Gompers and those most
closely associated with him have long
realized the necessity OF uniting labor
under one common nag. Nothing will
be lef, undone to give force and effect
to this great movement. 1t is clear that
a strenuous campaign OF organization and
education Will be waged throughout the
west and middle west. Here In Colorado
is a vast field for immediate and effective
action. The additional impetus that will
be given to the cause OF union labor
ought to insure the organization OF both
the steel workers and the coal miners
OF the Colorado Fuel 4 Iron company.
Why should organized labor sit Idly by
and permit the Colorado Fuel A Iron
company TO not only operate It's great
plants with nonunion men. but TO openly
antagcnize organized labor in every form
and on every occasion? Why should they
be permitted TO SO dominate their work
ers as 10 drive them TO the polls on cleo
fion days like sheep driven To the
slaughter II is OF the utmost import
ance not only TO themselves but 10 all
laborers with whom they come In con
tact. that the employees OF this great cor
poration be unionized. II the afiiliation
of the Western Federation accomplish
only this 81 will prove a lasting boon to
the cause. But Il will accomplish more.
Infinitely more. II will efectnaiiy cement
the Western Federation TO the central
body so that ia times OF strike ur other
lesser trouble there will be united action
TO a common end OF two million souls
The moral eject OF this ahiliation viii
be no less important. II will p0in; tue
way to a complete unllcstion OF all labor
organizations. kor example. there is no
sense in the building trades having a
divided head like the tabled two-headed
monster OF ancient story. each trying TO
tear and destroy the other. Why not get
together and stay together. All ought to
anlIate with the one central body and
obey its laws. In union there is always
strength Division is always weakness.
The industrial combinations with which
labor has to deal are the most thorough
and powerful organizations OF history.
They elect legislators. appoint judges.
control political conventions OF both dom
inant parties. and sometimes they lead
ganized labor They have their literary
bureaus, their professional lobbyists and
their corruption fund for the control OF
public sentiment and public opinion
They largely own and control the daily
press. They are the largest contributors
to the salary OF the clergy Capital never
sleeps. To meet and combat this activ-
ity 1t is necessary for labor not only to
A.,t h.. fI.r
oughiy and effectively organized. You
must meet organization with organiza-
tion. efficiency with efficiency. inielli-
gence with intelligence. singleness of
purpose with singleness of purpose.
II the rights OF those who toll are to
be protected and safeguarded. all work
ers must organize; they must affiliate
with one central body; they must act
under one leadership; they must stand
or fall together; they must present n
solid front to the common foe; they must
never attack their own from the rear:
they must support all their friends all
the time, and oppose all their foes all
the time. 1t is high time for the workers
OF the world who produce all the wealth
of the world to cease lying supinely on
their backs and submissively closing
their eyes while the idlers Of the world
calmly take It away from them. Union
ia strength. Division is weakness. May
the day speedily come when all bodies OF
organized workers shall see the wisdom
of the course adopted by the Western
Federation OF Miners and the United
Mine workers OF America. and get to-
gether under one nag-the flag OF indus
trial freedom.