The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-02-16

l'uion IN some crafts have existed in
this country from early times. But
nation n.wd" unionism, embracing every
rraf, from boot black to the most high
IL skilled workmen, is a modern institu-
,wn. and is unqualifiedly product of
Industrial conditions, as the millionaire
dCycoEiug capitalism, forced it into be-
ine Just as it separated the users of the
machinery of production from the own
pr.hip oi the machines The object for
which labor unions are formed are vari-
m.. but they are all minor in compar-
i.on with and subordinate to the one
supreme rlrpose-to maintain n stand
ard Of living. To keep up wages. To
rontrpl the price of the commodity labor
p1r.r.
10 accomplish this purpose an organi-
za,ion based on monopolistic principles
i, a prim" requisite, and the effective
mes. "i any union (in the form of craft
unions is directly proportional to the
degree. Of its monopOlization of the
available labor power in that particular
craft.
Bu, despite the pressure of circum-
.tanr.- many laboring men do not COM
rrrhcml the necessity for organization.
Much less the causes that breed that
necessity,
The Insecurity of the workman's en-
ploymelt Is the secret Of the power of
the capitalist class over the free work
u ,f 1,.a toll md
moral degradation of the working class,
which makes Of them willing and obe-
dent slaves ready to kiss the hand that
cl@>ti-c- them. For it gives the capi-
tali>t a far greater power over the life
and liberty OF the free workingman than
was ever rnj"ycd either by fcudal baron
over -"rf. or by stakeholder over his
cmttc-lay". That is also the secret of
the great power of attraction, and the
great social and cultural Importance of
the labor union. 1t is not the increase
in wa.c- which it may bring about that
mk"~ ii tIl" great factor i'll the life of
tie working class watch it is. 1t is
not tor that that the great modern bat
ties between labor and capital are
fought. No matter what their ostensi-
Die pnrr"~" might he, it is the protec-
uon from tn" grosser forms of arbitra-
'n">~ "u th" part of the employer
which It affords its members, thus in
u'a>lng 'h"ir security of employment.
That forms tn" essence of the labor un-
ions. and it j. for this that the great
sacrifices az" undergone by the work
lngmon in lighting for this. Recogni-
"on tor th" union, or in the sympathetic
''r'N" tn" Two forms of fight most
"llou> To-. and least understood by our
ethical p'1y"rnakcrS between labor and
capital. wa" would decree to each its
Proper rj-I'
""in- "ut from the assumption that
tLr Worhiaunau is nothing more than
"'' "'''-' 'i burden, into which capital
N" >'rI"- p" convert him, they can
"' "nd'lN'.n' why he should kick when
"'' SI"P a his trough is left undimin-
"''l LH' fu" workingman knows in
'uhrn'"F I'r secret power of the
'hoin> wA:.. horp him in bondage, and
''i"- "rrak them. or at least
''N'h '..'' He is not content to be
'"'''h-d ."." or remain n beast of
wants to regain his moral
"'''-'., -.~ us0nhood and he knows this
"" only i aimed by organizing
"9'L w'Hur which would do away with,
''''' .''~"n. the insecurity of his
."" source of his slavery.
49,. .' tor the union as such,