The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-04-18
AROUSED
Steel Workers Learning the
Benefits of UnioniSm.
BEGINNING OF A BETTER ERA.

Organized Labor's Campaign For I'M
proved Conditions Already Bearing
Fruit-Sucoess Attending Work of
American Federation Of Labor.
The story of the steel worker has
been told again and again until all of
its lurid horror and pathos has been
brought home to those who would lis
ten. Even the traveller passing one of
these great industrial centers catches
a glimpse of scenes that might serve
as Illustrations for Dante's Inferno"
The twelve hour day, the seven day
week, the grinding, killing toll. the
wages that, while they do not starve
the worker, condemn him to a misera-
bic existence and old age that creeps
upon the workers at forty have been
the burden Of many stories. Though
there is most obvious need of improV-
ing conditions among these steel work
ers. the problems involved in any plan
are many and complex SO wisely
have the managers of the steel corpo-
ration planned to prevent cooperation
of workers that the assemblage in their
mills is like the meeting of many ma
! tiOnS-a most complete execution of
their publicly declared policy in favor
of foreign workers. This modern tow
er of Babel breeds confusion and isola-
| ton of workers because of the separa-
| ton arising because of many tongues.
These strangers to our land take such
employment as is offered them, often
accept conditions intolerable to Ameri
can Workmen and live in a way abhOr-
rent to American standards. They do
the drudgery. risk the hazards of in
dustries, sacrifice health life or limb
that wealth may be increased Their
| ignorance of our language and GUS
toms makes them the Involuntary vic
Tins of predatory interests. When
these conditions become established.
customs and practices fixed and ac-
cepted, a mighty wrench and jar are
! necessary to cause the individuals to
break loose and assert themselves. the
first step necessary for betterment.
Impeled by the necessity to improve
the conditions which the steel workers
have too long endured and recognizing
the necessity to jar loose and readiust
the relations of the steel workers to
the corporation, the purpose of the first
stage of the organizing campaign inau-
guratld by the American Federation
Of Labor was to attempt to rouse them
to realities. to make them feel the
power that is theirs if they will but
use it and to make them measure the
difference between present conditions
and those prevailing in better organ
lied industries Ambition must be
reused and the spirit quickened before
these oppressed toilers will demand So
cial and industrial justice, before they
realize what are their rights.
In different ways organized labor has
been carrying the message of liberty
and independence to those who recent
ly came from lands where these con-
cepts were unknown industrially, po-
litically or socially. The organizers
concentrated on the field are chosen
from many races. The special litera-
ture for the campaign has been trans
lated into many languages. At the
different steel centers the work has
been quietly persistently and steadily
carried on. Steadily and insistently
the agents and forces of trade union
ism have been bringing the steel work
ers into contact with American ideals
and American practices. Organized Ia
Dor now, as always. is the one institu-
ton that aims and tends to convert
foreign workmen into American citi-
zens. This campaign is already begin
ming to give evidence of gratifying re-
suits. although not quite year has
ELAPSED since our warning to the steel
producers to rouse them from dreams
Of peace and absolute conquest of la
Dor organizations. Recently came the
break-the first outward manifestation
of the rift in the old regime. At Ran
kin and Braddock the men exercised
their rights as free workers and struck.
In the strike that followed the steel
corporation managers were true to all
their old time practices and methods
for crushing any indication of indie
pendpnce on the part of the toilers.
Then. realizing the seriousness of start
ing Il movement that might cause an
upheaval and revolution in the in
dustry throughout the length and
breadth of the land. the employers
granted" an increase in wages. In
the mills affected the men went back
to work.
The increase in wages is but the be-
ginning Of better era. 1t is the ini
| tul benefit resulting from the cam
naign of agitation. education and or
ganiza;ion without that campaign
the increase would never have been
granted IS individuals the workers
are incapable of maintaining their
rights against the great corporations.
In their organized capacity even the
corporations recognize that unless jus
| tice ana honest dealings are accorded
time If reckoning would surely come
upon them.