The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-10-03
HAVEN OF SAFETY
Trade Unions Offer Protection to
All Classes of Workers.
PRINCIPLE THAT SUCCEEDS.

Labor Organizations Have Lifted the
Worker From Mere Helpless Pawn
Into an independent, Self Reliant
Man, With an Object In Life.
The policies and methods of trade
unions often receive unexpected sane
ton from divers sources. At the re-
cent meeting in Philadelphia of repre-
sentatives of those engaged in educa-
tional work the discussion conferred
about the problem of increasing the
practicability and the efficacy of the
schools and, as a means to that end,
securing more effective teaching serv-
ice. To secure this second result
Professor Henry Suzzallo advocated
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
dividuality and initiative and are &C
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 recogn1-
ton by those in control. Many
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 Suzzallo's plan is based
upon the theory that if teaching as
public service~is to be increased in eff
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
city should be in proportion to the
size of the city. All these local guilds
ton, and representatives from each
state should form national council Of
teachers guilds.
The ubiquitous critics arose croak-
ing, "Such an organization would be
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 unionw 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 condi-
lions affecting his work, who has rea-
sonable working hours, a decent and
safe place in which to work, 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 &C.
compliSh the same results for the
teachers. Underpaid teachers cannot
give the resourceful services that can
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 to make their demands effective.
Certainly no one need fear that adj
vancing the interest of the teachers
and securing justice for them will be
a cause whose effects will be confined
to any one "class." Quite the con.
trary will be the result. The benefits
will necessarily be transmitted to all
whom the schools serve-that is, all
humanity.
Professor Suzzallo's plan was re-
ferred to committee which was in
structed to report to the next meeting
of the National Educational associa-
ton. Local organizations have been
found very advantageous by many
teachers. A national organization would
bring proportionally greater benefits.
The same need for organization among
teachers has been felt in other coun-
tries. Quite recently, at a congress
held at Brussels, a national union of
teachers was established, affiliated
with the Belgian Labor party and Fed
GRAFTON of Trade Unions.
The trade union is always the haven
of safety and effective protection to
which all classes of workers are tend
ing. for the trade union DrinciDle is
one that ucceeds.-American Fedora
ZIONIST