The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1913-09-12
PRINCIPLE THAT SUCCEEDS.

Labor Organizations Have Lifted the
Worker From a Mere Helpless Pawn
into an lndepe~ 1ent, Self Reliant
Man, With an Object In Life.
The policies and methods of trade
unions often receive unexpected sane
tion from divers sources At the re-
cent meeting in Philadelphia of repre-
sentatives of those engaged in educa-
tional work the discussion centered
about the problem OF increasing the
practicablity and the efficacy of the
schools and. as means to that end,
securing more effective teaching serv-
ice To secure this second result
Professor Henry SuZZallo advocated a
plan which was virtually but the APP
plication of trade union principles and
methods to the needs of the teachers.
Many who have been identified with
the educational system of our land
have long felt that no real improve
ment can be made unless the teachers
themselves are enabled to develop in
diyiduality and initiative and are ac-
corded respect and adequate remuner-
alton The real improvement and the
desire for Improvement must come
from the bottom and extend upward
and demand acceptance and recogni-
ton by those in control. Many a
teacher, trying to give the children
what they need and want. has been
thwarted by the system, has found
that if the educational prescriptions
did not fit the child it was always the
child that must adjust and has found
that the teachers individuality and
methods must always conform to bu-
reaucratic ideals.
Professor Suzzallos plan is based
upon the theory that If teaching as a
public service is to be increased in ef-
fectiveness the means TO that end is
improvement In the status of teachers.
He advocates local guilds for teachers
with the territorial unit for each guild
small enough to insure attendance at
meetings The number of guilds in a
city should be In proportion to the
size of the city All these local guilds
should be federated In a state associa-
ton. and representatives from each
state should form national council OF
teachers guilds
The ubiquitous critics arose croak-
Ing, Such an organization would be a
mere trade union. concerned solely
with advancing the class interests OF
teachers" What a world OF ignorance
and misunderstanding in that express
sion. "a mere trade union" But the
same mere trade union" has lifted the
worker from being a mere helpless
pawn. TO be moved and shifted as the
employer desired. into an independent
self reliant workingman who partici
pates in the determination OF coudi
tions affecting his work, who has rea
sonable working hours. Il decent anc
safe place in which TO work. a chance
to gain those things which make life
bearable and worth while All Of these
results make the working people more
competent as workmen and more val
liable as citizens This mere trade
union" under any other name can ac
complish the same results for the
teachers. Underpaid teachers cannot
give the resourceful services that car
be obtained from those who have The
means with which TO prepare them
selves Teachers will not be given the
compensation and recognition which
they deserve until they themselves are
able 10 make their demands effective
Certainly no one need fear that ad
vancing the interest of the teacher!
and securing justice for them will b'
a cause whose effects will be confined
to any one class Quite the con
trary will be the result The benefit!
will necessarily be transmitted to al
whom the schools serve-that is. al
humanity
Professor Suzzallos plan was re
ferred to a committee which was in
structed to report to the next meeting
OF the National Educational associa
ton. Local organizations have beer
found very advantageous by man.
teachers national organization woul,
bring proportionally greater benefits
The same need for organization amon
teachers has been felt in other coun
tries Quite recently. at a congress
held at Brussels. national union o
teachers was established, affiliate,
with the Belgian Labor party and Fed
GRAFTON of Trade Unions
The trade union Is always the have
of safety and effective protection t
which all classes OF workers are tend
ing. for the trade union principle 1
one that succeeds. American Fedora
tontst