The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-09-05

1eASA IN tISllS 10 IcdCn Lnelr
Fellow workers with the message of
unlonism. They have not given long
years filled up with daysland nights
or work and worry for the cause of
LABOR. For this is in itself school,
ana 1t teaches that there is no short
cut. that the Workers@xean-.do only
what they have the understanding to
40, and that the reason why there
stlll are millions outside the ranks of
organized labor is not because of the
OFFICIALS or the bylaws Of the unions
mat exist, but simply because they
90 not know enough to Join together.
Just now the general strike is being
held up to the Ohio miners as the
goose that will lay the golden egg.
Thus are they to stop the Coal. from
coming into Ohio. Well, whom will
they call out? The $4,000 miners of
ONO are out now. A strike is on in
colorado, in British Columbia. Fully
100000 of the 1000 members of the
United Mine Workers are idle today,
If not through their own act then by
decree of the boss. Perhaps 100000
other miners do not yet belong to
the United Mine Workers. Thus of
100000 mine workers, a. general strike
call could affect but 100000 at the
most, and if every one responded it
would but throw the work to the non
union mines, whose conditions would
then become SO comparatively good
that 1t would be hard to tempt the
men to leave.
IT all the 10000 mines workers
nj
army OF millions Of unemployed to
take their places, there would be some
hope OF a general strike succeeding.
But today, under these conditions, it
could but result in wrecking what
organization the mine workers have
built for their protection through the
sacrifice of years.
Government ownership of the coal
mines Is. OF course, the only real So
luton, and until that comes there will
pe no lasting peace. There can be
nothing better than a signed agree
ment and a signed agreement is but
an armed truce, with an ever present
prospect of renewed hostilities
But government ownership cannot
come until the workers want it, and
1t will not be delayed after they do
want it. They will want it as soon as
they understand, and until they I'M
derstand this, they will not under
stand solidarity, or the general strike
The duty. then, Of every believer in
the solidarity of Labor, is to try to
reach an ever larger number Of the
workers with the message of solid
arity, and the lesson that nothing
will come OF nothing, but that all that
they can~gain will come only as they
strive and 1acrifice for tt = :: :.
They -aresfighting fearful struggle
in. Ohio now; They tried the politicaf
method and passed law compelling
run of mineehs7athat the miners be paid
Tor ell the Goal, they mine But, they
still left: Che Ownership Of the mines
in private hands, and these pfivaIte
say they will keep their
mines closed rather than obey the. law.
Another law having! the state take
over and operate. the: mines would
settle the question quickly. but until
they understand and want this they
must fight the economic. Highland
thus. be taught.
But they will win, and by their
victory teach their. backward. fellows
h9w to fight. And ether states, en-.
couraged and embo1dened bv~ 1hi0's
victory, will follow. For thus the way
of Labor progress lies. Far too SLOWLY
for us, impatient mortals, but the
sWlftest way. we know.