The wageworker., 1910-04-29
.LABOR'S GREAT FIGHT
Victory 1t Strives For Comes
Slow, but Sure.
UNION ARMY MARCHES on.
Opposed by Mighty Forces, It APP
proaches the Goal Of Justice and HUI
man Riehts-Shameful Position Of
the Nonunionist.


proaches the Goal of Justice and HUI
man Riehts-Shameful Position Of
the Nonunionist.
1t takes courage-and pluck-to fight,
and never more so than in an uphill
battle. Labor leaders and followers
everywhere recognize that fact; also
they realize that the victory they
strive for cannot be taken by storm
in one grand assault, but must come
by tantalizingly $50 it seems at times
at least) slow degrees.
It required more than a mere flesh
wound to bring labor to the fighting
stage. It will take more than that to
make it stop fighting until the battle
is won.
No regiment ever faced the fire Of a
strong enemy that did not at times
falter. Many have retreated when
things became too warm for them.
Certain portions Of the vast army of
organized labor have at times faltered
some have even retreated. but in the
main the army has steadily improved
in fighting courage and in strength
until today it is nearer the goal Of vic
tory than ever it was. And this not
withstanding the efforts of the Manu-
facturers' association. the United
States Steel corporation and other fair
wage. short hour haters. who have
called into play unlimited capital. the
highest courts in the land. the militia.
politics and what not to stay it's on
ward march. No tactics were too un-
scrupulous to employ against organ
lied labor. no amount of money too
great to throw into the fight. Nothing
that could be done has not apparently
been done to hold back the oncommg
army. And yet it marches on-not Sc
renely at all times. but onward never
theleSs.
Each and every member of labor
union is a soldier in this great fight.
Each and every soldier has to suffer
his share of the hardships of war. 1t
requires courage to fight. and the real
test comes in time of strike. when
mayhap the pocket is light the stom-
ach empty and the larder devoid Of
the necessaries Of life.
1t is when the bombs of doubt and
misrepresentation regarding the union
leaders are fired into camp by the en-
emy that the soldier displays his cour-
age or his cowardice. A strong man
will nearly always fight back The
courage of man weakened by the
doubt and worry of perhaps months
of striking is more susceptible to blows
of misrepresentation. -
In days gone by men-our ancestors
gave up their homes. their families
and in countless cases their lives for
their country and considered that they
were but doing their duty.
Approximately 100000 men are
now fighting for their rights Are not
the rights Of the millions of working
people-men. women and even children
worthy of some sacrifices? How can
men stand by and see others fighting
their battle for them? For shame on
those who have not manhood enough
in them to come out and give hand
in the battle against oppression! For
shame on those stay at homes who
dare not carry a union card for fear
of offending those they call master!
The sweatshop child labor. the
twelve and the ten hour day. insani-
tary workshops. unsafe. poorly in
spected mines. wage reducing and
price raising corporations. corrupt pol
itics-these and more-is it not a mans
battle to fight these institutions? Is a
man worthy of the name who. having
to earn his daily bread by the sweat
of his brow, will benefit directly or in
directly if they be removed and does
not come out and enlist himself?
Every man who joins the union
ranks depletes that of the enemy by
one. 1t is not right to term capital
the enemy, you say? Perhaps not in
the accepted sense of that word. But
If capital as whole has ever done
anything for labor that would entitle
it to be termed friend have yet to
learn of it.
Individual employers there are who
are most fair to their employees-now
We read today of model factories. ETC.,
here and there. Was any thought ever
given to the welfare Of the working
man until the advent of organized Ia
Dor? Were there any Ito Let'' signs
staring the visitor at the former sweat
shop in the face? Were there any
laws for the regulation of the employ
ment OF child labor? Or. II there were
any Of the latter. were they ever en-
forced? Were such institutions as the
eight hour day dreamed of a few years
ago? What assurance had-what as
surance has-the individual nonunion
workingman that the wages Of today
may not be cut in twain tomorrow
The law Of supply and demand, you
say? Yes. but is there a position for
every man in the world today? If so.
what of the thousands of strong. able
bodied men who walk the streets of
our great cities. sometimes even in
summer. when work should be most
easily procured?
All, what q great fight organized la
Dor has had. What stupendous bat
tie still has to fight! And what q