The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-10-06
union PROGRESS.
Aims Of Organized Labor Better
Understood.
HAS WON PUBLIC ESTEEM.

Trade unionism Stands For Mutual
Aid and Protection and For the I'm
provement Of Its Membership So
eially and Morally.
In the last issue of the American
Federationist Joseph L. Sweeney, for
mer county judge and ex-mayor of FL
Paso, Tex, says Of the labor move
ment:
Trade unions in the past few years
have made a remarkable advancement
and have been partially successful in
impressing upon the public generally
the fact that they have not associated
themselves for the purpose Of consplr-
ing against the peace Of the community
and the destruction of property rights.
In the past there has been too much
Of a disposition upon the part OF citl'
zens not connected with trade unions
to believe that unions symbolized agl'
tation and destruction Of private prop
erty and rights. Unions and their sup
porters and sympathizers never deemed
it necessary or even expedient to un-
dertake to educate the great BODY OF
American people into the supposed
mysteries of trade organizations, theil
objects and desires. The citizen at
large had no adequate conception OF
the policy and principles of unions,
but entertained a vague idea that they
were organized for the express pur'
pose of harassing capital, causing tur'
moil and agitating business and com
mercial channels constantly.
Recent years have witnessed a grad
ual change for the good. The pubic Is
beginning to understand that trade
unions are organized for the protection
of the only product the mechanic, the
artisan or the laborer has to SELL. e.,
his skill and ability. incidentally we
understand that the trade union seeks
to improve the hygienic, financial and
social condition of its members and
seeks to throw its protecting arm over
the modest little homes Of its mem
bers. Through its perseverance and
influence the families Of its members
are reaping a benefit which has here
tofore been denied them through the
lack Of information upon the part OF
the American public and the greed or
interested capital.
This benefit has been received
through the adjustment and standard
ization of the scale of wages, which
has resulted in permitting the families
Of trade union members to indulge in
some few Of the necessaries OF life
and offer to their children an educa-
ton the advantages Of which their
parents were deprived Of.
Trade unions have advanced so far
in their effort toward better conditions.
The American people are beginning to
understand that they are merely con-
tending for an adequate and honest
return for the labor they perform,
wage which will permit them to main
tain their families in reasonable COM
fort.
A distinct area of economic, indus
trial and civic progress has enveloped
our present civilization, and from Its
midst there has emerged and is steadl-
ly progressing toward a solution
question Of principle and policy of the
most vital Importance to the great ma
tority Of mankind. a final solution OF
which is essential for the future happi-
ness, progress and prosperity of the
entire human family. That question
is embraced in the present and future
progress Of trade unions.
These unions are organized for the
specific purpose Of protecting the inter
ests Of the mechanic artisan and labor
er against unjust practices and dis
examinations, in the same manner that
capital organizes for its mutual aid
and protection. But trade unions go
further and seek not only to improve
the financial condition Of the laboring
element, but to improve the intellec-
tual moral and social condition OF
their members, protect their interests
as well as those of the employer and
thereby confer upon government and
society a benefit as distinct and impor-
tant as any that has heretofore been
experienced.