The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-03-07
OUR EDITORIAL BIRTHDAY.

OUR EDITORIAL BIRTHDAY.
With this number begin fifteenth year as
editor and publisher of The Labor World. 1t was
just fourteen last Monday when laid aside
plumbers tools to enter the field of labor journal
ism. It experience for which we had little
training, but began work with firm resolve and
to serveto be useful in assisting to bring
sunshine and happiness into the homes of the working
classes of the community.
Fourteen years is long time to weather the uncer-
tain storms of the weekly world Some labor
have lived longer but the great majority down
before. 1t is with high degree of satisfaction
nounce this week that still among the living,
where hope to be so long soul and flesh
remain companions.
The Labor World is not gold mine. Indeed it has
taken hard work and persistent to keep it afoa
We have been able to be free of debt although
have succeeded nightly in keeping credit good
Yet we feel that we have made a tremendous
of this That is not measured in dollars
and cents but in achievements for the public good.
We have outside interests, social or business a
ance to turn from the path of service. No may
walk into the office of The Labor World and demand
favor because of financial social string this
paper. This is more than most newspapers claim.
Any may to The Labor World office with the
assurance that however high however low his station
in life be- he will get fair dealing and justice.
There has been tremendous change in public
thought in fourteen years When first championed
the initiative and referendum in 1900 there scarcely
corporal's guard among readers who understood
or sympathized with It is amusing to read the
early files of this and follow the silly objections
that critics made to the principle of direct egsa
ton in which they prated the "Constitution
of Our Fathers.' They don't do that now In few
months will be voting to amend state constu-
ton to provide for the initiative and referendum, and
the proposition will be opposed only by the defenders
Privilege. The Labor World is the Minnesota
that has seadfastly advocated through all its
I'M Of lis nrin in
eminent.
Direct primaries the election of United States
ators by popular vote the partisan election city
county and state officials, workn compensation
compulsory educaon parcel post postal savings banks
minimum wage laws and hours of labor measures for
women and children--these all dreams fourteen
years The Labor World advocated them from the
beginning frequently in the face of rdicule and
but we kept playing little part until they
are the laws of the state nation.
To be progressive today is quite popular: to
have been progressive fourteen years ago meant
more or less social and political ostracsm polit
cal and social reform history made in last ten
year period than during any other like time in this
country. In achieving this The World owing to
its limitations in circulation and influence played but
small part but played that part fairly firmly
and faithfully We at least entitled to small share
of the glory of battle and of victory
Truly he last shall be first as these fourteen wears
have demonstrated Youth and spirit service founded
The Labor World and bulded it what the whole of
Minnesota knows it to be today None but we who
struggled through the early days of The Labor World
can ever know what it cost in money effort work and
worry to keep It afloat know the tremendous
difficulties met and overcome
Our readers justified the faith proved our works
We count them by the thousands now And to this great
multitude of friends in Duluth and SUPERIOR and
throughout Minnesota we pledge anew our whole
hearted service. Without them must fail; with then,
we nave opportunities for service words can tell
10 them we pledge answering continuance to the prn
cpes that brought this newspaper into being and for
which we have faithfully stood