The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-10-23
BENEFITS OF UNIONS.
What Organized Labor Has Done Fo,
the Workngman.


We have all heard, especially those
who are not i'll the trade union move
ment, ask What has the trade union
movement ever Accomplishment" We
have sometimes heard so called union
men ask, what has the trade union
movement ever accomplished outside
of increasing wages and shortening the
hours of labor here and thereY For
the benefit for the former, and lest we
forget, for the latter, we quote here
with an article published by A. Il.
Holder of the legislative committee of
the American Federation of Labor, some
facts and figures showing the result of
labor's activity, from a political stand
point, not only in the interests of or
ganized labor. but for laboring men
and women generally.
Enactment of the beneficent home
stead laws, federal and state.
Establishment of postal savings
bank.
Securing constitutional change for
popular election of United States SEN
atorS.
Securing constitutional changes for
the collection of an income tax.
Establishing the parcel post system.
Abolishing the gag rule against
United States government employees,
which had been put into effect by
United States presidents.
Enactment of workmen'S compensa-
ton laws by the United States.
Enactment of automatic brake and
automatic coupler laws on railroad
trains. thus insuring greater safety to
employees and the general public.
Enactment of laws requiring safety
appliances on locomotives, cars and
other railroad equipment in interstate
commerce.
Enactment of laws providing for To-
comotive boiler inspection and steam
boat inspections by United States gov
eminent inspectors, thus insuring
greater safety to employees and the
general public.
Enactment of an eight hour law for
employees of the United States govern
ment and employees of private con-
ed States government.
Enactment of a federal law establish
ing bureau of mines.
Enactment of an employers liability
law, by which the old common law
defenses, assumption of risk" "con-
tributory negligence" fellow servant
doctrine and "waiving of rights" have
been abrogated for all employees en-
gagged in interstate commerce.
Enactment of law by which all
common carriers by railroad engaged
in interstate commerce are compelled
to report all accidents to the interstate
commerce commission.
Enactment of a federal law estab-
fishing children's bureau of labor.
The United States has enacted law
establishing a national committee on
incorporation of child labor
The United States has enacted fed
eral law establishing a department of
labor.
The United States has enacted law
prohibiting the use Of white phoS-
phorus in the manufacture of matches
The house of representatives has
passed bill providing for a bureau of
labor safety and a museum of safety
At this writing the bill is now before
the senate.
At the request of the organizations of
labor the United States government has
made special Investigations Of labor
disputes at Homestead, Pa; Lawrence,
Mass; the coal fields of West Virginia,
the coal fields of Colorado and the cop
per district of Michigan.
Enactment of Cancellation, mediation
and voluntary arbitration laws for en-
ployees engaged in interstate com
merce.
The United States has enacted laws
regulating the hours of labor for rail
road employees engaged in interstate
commerce.
While so much has been accomplish
ed in the way of national legislation, a
great deal more has been done in the
enactment of state laws for the benefit
of workers.-United Labor Bulletin.