The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-06-07
ORGANIZED LABOR.
Aims and Policies of Trade Unions
Endorsed by the Public.

Aims and Policies of Trade Unions
Endorsed by the Public.
In a recent address at Philadelphia
the Rev. William j. Kerby of the
Catholic university at Washington
said of organized labor:
The law has long since recognized
the principle that laborers may form
unions for purposes of mutual pro-
lection. Economists are generally
agreed that labor unions are rendering
very great service to real social prog
ress. Political leaders are willing to
accept direction in their statesman
ship from recognized labor leaders
Public opinion sanctions largely the
aims of organized labor and many of
its distinctive policies. Great num-
bers of employers find it to their ad-
vantage to deal Systematically and in
friendliness with organiZa tons of la
Dor Representatives of religion are
outspoken in their defense of the es-
sentials for which the unions stand
Under such strong and varied indorse-
ment as this labor unions are practi-
cally freed from the necessity of apol-
ogzing for their existence.
Nevertheless much criticism is heard.
Fault is found with leaders because
they are suspected of violence, self
seeking brutal methods and insincerty.
Complaint is made against many of
the customary policies of the unions.
Unqualified condemnation is often ex-
pressed on the action Of unions in
definite situations No friend of or
ganized labor would think of denying
that at times the facts justify such
condemnation But all friends of or
ganized labor ask that the movement
as q whole be judged as a whole that
its origins be understood. its aims be
correctly estimated and its policies be
judged in their own setting and not
through the atmosphere of uniformed
antagonism.
Organized labor has rendered to
modern society services of which it
may be proud. 1t has awakened, dis
! cipined and educated aboring men
when none of the other social forces
! could reach them to do this work.
| The unions have acted as attorneys for
| the laboring class before modern So
ciety in conditions which most of US
have regretted and few of US would
have known how to remedy except for
the guidance that the ava kened labor
ing class has offered us.
The Industrial magnate keeps his At
torney at his side always to protect his
interests, to direct his action and even
to control his speech and correspond
ence The laboring class has had no
attorney except its organization.
The unions have enabled right mind
ed employers to correct conditions;
they have enabled legislatures or at
least greatly assisted them to pass
laws which elementary human decency
demanded and our best craftsmanship
would have been unable otherwise to
enact. The unions have taught us the
| limitations of competition and the
moral and social value of restraining
! It, They have presented reasonable
| ideals to the whole laboring class and
have to a great extent thereby protect
ed it against the dangerous seductions
of the ideals which socialism so reck
lessly offers to the unsuSpecting mil
lions. Organized labor has proclaimed
confidence in our constitution. in our
fundamental institutions and their re
sources when socialism has systemat-
ically preached the gospel of despair.