The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-11-06
LABOR MOVEMENT
Power That Is Lifting Mankind to
Higher Civilization.
VALUE OF TRADE UNIONS.

They Are Moving the World Forward
to the Nobest Conception Of Human
Liberty and Human WeIfare-Work
of the Department of Labor.
What do we mean when we speak
of the Tabor movement" To some
minds it conveys only the idea of the
perpetual struggle for higher wages.
fewer hours of labor, greater safety
and better sanitary surroundings for
the workers. That is narrow inter
broad as humanity itself. 1t reaches
out into all of the ramifications of hui
man activity. 1t is the motive power
that is moving us forward to the high
err civilization which will ultimately
cause the IMAM with the hoe" to stand
erect before his Maker and all the
world. the peer of every other man not
only in his rights, which we now theo-
retically cOncede, but in his physical
and mental opportunities and endow-
ments. The individual who puts forth
his efforts to advance the welfare of
mankind is, maybe unconsciously, a
part of the movement. The societies
which are organized to prevent the ex-
ploitation of children. to protect wo-
manhood against industrial wrongs, to
promote more comfort and better SAM
taton in the homes of the workers, to
develop and to direct into proper chan
nels necessary educational facilities, to
create safe and sanitary conditions in
the mines, mills and workshops, to
arouse public sentiment In favor of col
lective bargaining between employers
and employees. are all parts of the
great labor movement.
The trade union, embracing, as it
does. the work of all these and all the
phases of human uplift which these
do not embrace, is one of the great
motors of modern times moving the
world forward to it's highest concep-
ton of human rights. human liberty
and human welfare
If we take as our definition of labor
"any mental or physical activity en-
gagged in not solely for pleasure" we
are led inevitably to the conclusion
that the movement that deals with
labor must give its attention toward
every word, deed or condition which
injuriously affects humanity in order
that remedy may be found and the
public mind so informed that it will
accept and apply it. 1t is from this
standpoint that we have approached
the organization and the administra-
ton of the department of labor. The
organic act declares, The purpose of
the department of labor shall be to
foster. promote and develop the well
fare of the wage earners of the Unit
ed States. to improve their working
conditions and to advance their oppor-
tunities for profitable employment"
What a tremendous field this maps
out for us! The department has been
in existence for more than a year. 1t
is in its formative state The utmost
care must be exercised that no false
step shall be made. 1t is more impor-
tant that it shall move right than that
it shall move fast. In the period of
its existence 1t has not startled the
world by the complete solution of the
labor problem. 1t is not likely to do
so in the near future. But the help it
has given in solving concrete problems
as they have arisen has justified its
existence. 1t has been heard in the
inner councils of the administration.
Its advice has been sought and given
to congress on matters affecting the
D.1-oy. IL
publicity to important facts concern
ing the conditions of those who toll.
1t has put forth effective efforts to
protect the women and children of our
country. 1t has enforced the immi-
grafton laws while protecting the i'm
migrant. 1t has sought to impress
upon the alien seeking naturalization
the true spirit of our institutions. 1t
has found employment for thousands
who would otherwise have been I'M
employed. 1t has brought employers
and employees together In scores of
trade disputes. enabling them to work
out their problems to their mutual ad-
vantage without industrial warfare,
1t has been consulted by employers
and employees, by trade unionists and
nonunionists by sociologists and sci.
entists: has freely exchanged advice
In an effort to accomplish the pur
pose for which it was created and in
many other ways has utilized its in
fluence for the common veal
This may not be much for depart
ment of the government having such
wide field to work in, but too much
should not be expected from depart
ment newly organized and not yet In
complete operation Enough has been
accomplished. however, to demonstrate
its usefulness. The workers have long
looked forward to the establishment of
this department. May they have just
grounds for hope in its accomplish
ments. faith in its future and charity
for its mistakes Is the wish of its pres
ont chief William r. Wilson Sacra.