The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-05

nothing can supply the place of indi-
vidual capacity. Yet there are two
other factors also of prime import
ance; namely. what can be done by
the wage-workers in cooperation
with one another; and what can be
done by government-that is, by the
instrument through which all the
people work collectively. Wages and
other most important conditions of
employment must remain largely out
side Of government control; must be
left for adjustment by free contract
between employers and wage-earners,
subject to legislation which will pre-
vent conditions which will compel
man or woman, to accept wages rep
resenting less than will ensure decent
living. But to attempt to leave this
merely to individual action means the
absolute destruction of individualism;
for where the individual Is so weak
that he, perfOrce, has to accept what
ever a strongly organized body choos-
es to give him, his individual liberty
becomes mere sham and mocker!.
1t is indtspensably necessary, in Or
der to preserve to the largest degree
our system of individualism, that
there should be effective and organiz-
ed collective action. The wage-earn-
ers must act jointly. through the pro-
cess Of collective bargaining, in great
industrial enterprises. Only thus can
they be put upon plane of economic
equality with their corporate employ
ers. Only thus is freedom Of con-
tract made real thing, and not a
mere fiction. There are occasional
occupations where this is not neces-
sary; but, speaking broadly, 1t is nee
essary throughout the great world
Of organized industry. l believe this
practice Of collective bargaining. eff
fective only through such organiza-
tions as the trade unions. to have
been one Of the most potent forces in
the past century In promoting the
progress of the wase-earners and in
securing larger social progress for
humanity wherever there is organized
capital on considerable scale. be-
lieve in the principle of organized Ia
Dor and in the practice of collective
bargaining, not merely as desirable
thing for the wage-earners. but as
something whichahas been (, demon
0sA0tOA w U0 OooShSldl ia lAC t0A6 ! III
to their permanent progress.
Good and Bad Unions.
This does not mean that l une-
quivocally indorse any or all pract-
ices that labor organizations may
happen to adopt, or any or all princl-
pies that they may choose to enunci-
ate. Labor organizations have the
weaknesses and defects common to
all other forms of human organiza-
tions. Sometimes they act very well,
and sometimes they act very badly;
and am for them when they act
we'll, and am against them when
they act badly. l believe that their
existence Is a necessity; believe
that their aims and purposes are gen.
orally good; and believe that all of
them have occasionally made mis-
takes, and that some of them have
been guilty of .wrongdoing. Just in
so far as they are strong and effective
they tempt designing men who seek
to control them for their own inter-
ests, and stimulate the desires Of am
bilious 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 treating Of corporations, or Of hui
manity generally, we will do we'll to
remember Abraham Lincoln's saying
that there is a deal of human nature
in mankind" Whether in man or in
an organized body of men. the power
to do good means that such power
may be twisted into evil; and in pro-
portion as the power grows, SO 1t be-
comes steadily more important that it
should be handled Alright. Just in
proportion as in its proper function
power is important to social progress,
30 In its improper function 1t becomes
fraught with social disaster.
Outside critics should appreciate
the necessity of organized labor, and
understand. and sympathize with what
Is good In 1t, instead Of condemning
1t indiscriminately. On the other
hand. those within it's ranks should
fearlessly analyze the criticisms d.
rected against t and ruthlessly elimi-
nate from the practices of its organi-
zation those things which justify such
criticism and attack. This is the path,
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 force
full; and no organization, whether
trades union or corporation. whether
industrial or non-industrial, can en-.
dure or permanently amount to a So
cial force II 1t does not harmonize
with 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 awakening from that
Indifference; and every form OF or
ganization representing an important
political. or social force
must undergo closer scrutiny than
ever before.
LabOr's Future.
II 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 benefits of labor organizations
more clearly understood than ever be-
fore, but any shortcoming or vice dis
played In connection Herewith 10 also
more clearly understood and more
quickly resented. The public il grow