United labor bulletin., 1914-11-14
Trade Union Uplift
The Mass of People

The trade union is the one practical
means by which the mass of workers
can be reached and educated. 1t recog-
nizes the great truth that the average
man is not genius and cannot hope to
live on rent, profit or interest. 1t legis-
lates for the mass, and not for the two
or three smart individuals who do not
need any help. 1t does not mock the
struggling millions by the delusive con-
ISOLATION that there is plenty of room at
the top" If everyone could get to the
top then there would be no top; so, as
social consolation, this hackneyed pre-
eept is worthless.
The trade union does not say to the
worker, BE smart and some day you'll
be capitalist" 1t aims to elevate the
mechanic rs u mechanic and the carpen-
ter as a carpenter and the weaver as a
weaver, etc. 1t is the only protection
which the average many have against
the expressions of the exceptional few.
Its aim is to level up the low places in
height of the mountains that are al
ready far too high for any useful pur-
pose. Thus, in its work, the union ele.
Yates the whole industrial structure.
Mr.. Schwab, once the highest paid
''company's man" in the steel trust. pub
licly advised all trade unionists to aban-
themselves. He was about as disinter-
ested in the matter as those Wall street
brokers who advise the public to sell off
its real estate and speculate in margins
But the great body of our working peo
pie have developed, ethically and intel
lectually, beyond such suicidal, individ
ualistic advice. They know that the fact
that few may climb does not lessen
the misery of those who are left below.
They know that because Jean de Rezzke
received 5000 for a song it would not
be wise Cor every European peasant to
leave his farm and study grand opera.
In the Roman empire the sailors and the
bakers had the most powerful unions,
and whenever they demanded higher
wages their leaders We're made senators
and knights to make them contented In
this way the workers were continually
deceived and never obtained their re-
quests for better conditions.
Catherine the Great had been Il pens
ant girl, but that did not benefit the
peasant women of Russia Galerius vas
a -wiucherd and Diocletian was u slave.
but that did not alleviate the conditions
OF the Roman farmers. Andrew Jack
son was the son of poor farm laborer.
but his election to the presidency did
not raise wages among farm laborers.
Every generation OF Americans mas COIL
tanned hundreds of such cases of indi-
vidual self-help, and yet the social prob
lem is almost az far from being solved
as ever.
In short, no trade il ever helped by
the individuals who rise out OF il. but
by those who remain in it and by mans
efforts of organization elevate the whole
body of its workers to higher plane
No words can describe the respect which
] feel for those trade union leaders who
have put aside opportunities for per
sonal enrichment, who have refused to
become lawyers and doctors, and
preachers and insurance agents. and who
endure all manner of lt-finding, not
only from the capitalistic classes but
from the men whom they are endcavor
ing to serve. Like the mastery tribune
of the people, John Burns. who at n
time when he was the most influential
man in London was living on so a
week in cheap tenement. So, with
rarely an exception, the men who have
built up the American Federation of
Labor, and who today watch over its
interests, are poor and propertyles7 men.
receiving less for a years salary than
many stock broker makes in a day
Herbert CassoD.