The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-09-27
LADOR'S TRIUMPH.
Increased Membership and Bet.
ter Conditions.
PROMISE OF THE FUTURE.

Successes of Trade Unionism In Its
Fight For Justice Augurs Well For
the Further Advancement of the
Cause of tho Workingman.
The bulletins issued by the American
Federation of Labor, indicating such
a splendid gain in membership and
general conditions Of the American
Federation of Labor and its affiliated
national and international unions. can
but impress the thinking people of the
ever growing Importance of our great
movement. These Announcements are
especially impressive when one re-
fleets upon the many disadvantages
we have been compelled to encounter
during all the passing years. SANDER
ers and vilifiers in the past have ever
been in evidence, but it would seem
as though the forces of these enemies
have been augmented during the last
two years. Yet, despite all the attacks
of those who would destroy by oral,
written, financial, judicial or other
means, the seed of unionism continues
to thrive and prosper, giving forth to
the world harvest of beneficent re-
suits as the improved living conditions
of the worker and his dependents
will attest
A net gain of l49,045 in member
ship to the American Federation of
Labor through it's affiliated bodies
during the period of one year is, in
deed, a most gratifying showing, but
not to this fact alone is our triumph
confined. With our increased mem
bership there is a consequent better
ment of conditions; wages have in
creased; hours of labor decreased. We
have successfully repulsed many at
tacks of our enemies who have at
tempted to make the courts their weap-
on Of distinctions we should be en-
couraged and gratfied to note the
marked advancement made with re-
gard to the enactment of legislation
calculated to afford the worker equit-
able consideration and for which, de-
spite the unequal opposition, we have
so persistently contended for so many
years.
These Announcements, gratifying as
they are and thoroughly indicative of
the confidence and loyalty of our mem
bers, should and must serve as the in
centive for renewed eXertion to the end
that still greater advancements may be
achieved.
A few words with regard to the Unit
ed Association Of Journeymen Plum
bers, Gasfitters, Steamftters and
Steamfitters' Helpers of the United
States and Canada will not be amiss
since our association is one of those
international unions affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor which
have made marked advancement. We
have made a distinct gain of slightly
over 5000 in membership during the
past two years, and we are now close
to the 10000 mark in total membership.
Our successes have been duplicated
by the other trades of the American
Federation of Labor, and the splendid
Announcements reported by President
Gompers and Secretary Morrison are
but evidences of the never failing but
ever increasing loyalty and interest of
the workaday men and women Of the
North American continent to the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, its principles
and teachings, the recognition of the
great good accomplished mt the day S
closing and the vast opportunities for
good presented by the rising sun Of
the new day.
The injustices and ISLANDERS heaped
upon our honOred leaders, the miscon-
ception, whiting or otherwise, as con
Germs our principles, the attempts to
discredit us generally. the misappica-
ton of laws directed against us, our
comparatively few frailties magnified
a thousandfold, our vast influences for
good minimized even to a greater ex-
tent or not recognized at all, the indif-
ferent or hostile attitude of the press
in many instances and the thousand
and one obstacles that have been plac-
ed in our path by those who opposed
/ and who would destroy have but served
/ to intensity our earnestness and deter
mination to presevere. Lack of inter
est or carelessness on the part of our
members with regard to the affairs of
our organizations will work more dam
age to the cause of labor than will the
efforts of our enemies; hence 1t is that
we should press forward with the in
tention to make a better showing in
the year to come than that indicated In
the year that has passed Surely we
have cause for encouragement, and
I there can be little doubt that success
will be ours while we continue to climb
steadily upward with Excelsior as
our motto.-John r. Alpine in Ameri-
can Fedora ZIONIST.