Liberty., 1910-02-16
LABOR LEADERS ABLE
MOVEMENT ON HIGH PLANE.

4 49, ~Wst Nst%sa%9 EVo&ds VI
dustrisi Organizations Used With In.
teIIigenes and Discrstion---Conserva-
tism Their Policy.
Nothing affords more conclusive evi-
dence of the high plane which has
been reached by the organized labor
movement In America than the char
acter and manifest ability of the men
who are now at the head Of unions
and who for less salary than they
would receive I'm other fields of en-
deavor are devoting their entire time
TO furthering the common cause of the
wage Garner. 1t is indeed a far cry
from the old time, much maligned
walking delegate" who in years gone
by represented the popular idea of
labor union authority, to the present
ideal national labor official-a man of
such manifest intelligence, tact and
observation-disclosures that he can command
the respect of every capitalist or en-
ployer with whom he may come I'm
contact, even though the latter be not
In sympathy with his ideas. The cali
Der Of most Of cur twentieth century
labor leaders is further attested by
the discretion with which they use
their vast power. Although the
growth Of the various divisions Of the
labor army enables them to WELD an
influence little dreamed of few years
ago, most Of these captains Of organ.
lied labor are conservative rather than
radical In poIicy-a tendency attested
by the fact that nowadays they con-
sent TO general strike only as a last
resort. Indeed, one of the chief func-
tions of the modern leader seems to
be to prevent strikes, not to precipi-
tate them.
From the standpoint of the union
workingmen the most conspicuous re-
suit of the new era of labor leadership
Is found In the conduct of the move
ment on sound business principles.
When the present school" of labor
chieftains began to make their pres
ence felt In executive positions many
OF the unions. national as well as To-
cal. were iu a deplorabe condition.
Comparatively small membership In
most Instances gave them very limited
Influence, and too often there was slip
shod management that manifested It.
self I'm Iii kept records, lax conduct of
correspondence, etc. Even more seri-
GUS was the indifference in the collec-
ton Of due5-shortconhngs In financial
policy that necessitated many Of the
organizations leading hand to mouth
existence, whereas other national bod
les were heavily 10 debt when the
present officials took charge. Now all
this Is changed. The average national
headquarters are conducted on up to
date economical business policies, and
secretarial officials keep their records
by means Of card index and other FL
ing systems that are the peer of any
thing to be found in the corporate or
banking world. Better still. union la
Dor finances are ON q sound basis, many
of the great national bodies having on
hand surplus funds In excess of q
quarter Of million dollars each.
Yet other evidence OF ehe farsighted
judgment Of the field marshals now In
command Of the labor forces Is found
In the extent to which they are sub
scribing to the theory of cooperation
on the most farreaching scale. The
modern tendency in the corporation
and commercial world toward great
aggregations of capital is being met
with correspondingly potent consoli-
dation Of the organized labor forces.
This disposition Of the leading labor
spokesman to engage In effective team
work has unquestionably been due in
some measure TO that knitting together
of interests which has resulted In the
tremendous growth In recent years OF
that comprehensive. country wide or
ganizltion, the American Federation OF
Labor. an allied army OF craftsmen of
all classes that is now more than 1000
600 strong. II Is not solely attributable
to this influence. however, for there
are some very powerful labor organiza-
tions which are not affiliated with the
big federation--as. for instance, the
Knights Of Labor and the Brother
hoods Of Railroad Engineers. Conduct
ors. Trainmen and Flremen. with n
total member ship Of 10000 workers.
The leaders OF these independent bod
les have for the most part. however.
become imbued with the spirit OF the
age. and all of them may be found
working shoul der to shoulder for any
reform that promises benefit for labor |
in general.
As the president for many years
past OF the American Federation OF
Labor Samuel Gompers Is doubtless
entitled to recognition as the foremost
American labor leader, and certainly |
no champion NJ the rights Of the toll
ers has ever had stronger hold upon
his followers. Prior to each success
sire annual convention Of the fedora
tion there are rumors afoat Of at
sempts TO unseat Gompers. but when
the great labor conference convenes
each autumn II Is always found that |
the veteran executive is the choice of
SC large a proportion OF the labor host
that his election to leadership Is In ef-
fect unanimous. There Is no doubt |
that much OF Gompers' strength lies
In the recognition OF his rugged hon
-. A.