The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1914-12-17
IN UNITY IS POWER
s.abor's Solid Base Gives II Eco
nomiC Importance.
STRENGTH IN SOLIDARITY

can Federation OF LaDor IN lts greet
ing TO the thirty-fourth annual con-
vention at Philadelphia said:
The principle that has directed and
controlled all policies Of the American
Federation OF Labor is that organiza-
tion in industry is the key 10 better
ment of conditions for the workers.
Organization for the purpose of max
ing united effort TO remedy wrongs
that affect the work and lives of ALI
ms been the fundamentally that has
brought cheer and hope and betterment
TO the workers.
Economic organization gives power
power 10 protect the workers against
Industrial exploitation aud injustice;
power to secure for them opportunities
for development; power to secure for
them things that will make life sane,
whole and good; power to bring into
their lives something Of beauty and
pleasure; power 70 secure political rep
resentation for their ideals and recog-
milton OF their demands In legislation.
The influence OF organization in in
dustry and its infinite number of con-
facts with other organizations consti-
tute an intricate force that is the most
powerful single force in society.
The power Of labor Is commensurate
with It's unity. solidarity and fedora
tiOn.
The ultimate purpose of every activ-
| ,nf rh ri V7..To r,4 -
Dor is to extend and to make more ef
fectIve organization.
Whatever success labor has had in
establishing its ideals in any field OF
activity has been due TO its numerical
strength and solidarity of economic or
ganization.
During the past year the American
Federation of Labor has won remark
able political victory. II has brought
10 Il successful elimination the political
campaign inaugurated In 1906.
The purpose Of that campaign was to
establish Industrial freedom for the
working people. that they might have
the right to organize and the right to
the activities necessary to make or
ganizatiOn effective for human welfare
The law that accords the workers Of
America those rights contains the most
fundamental. the most comprehensive
enunciation of industrial freedom found
In any legislative act in the history Of
the world
The workers of our land were able
10 secure that law because they repre-
scented an organized economic power.
Since labor's bill Of grievance was
presented TO those responsible for the
failure 10 accord labor necessary legis-
lative projection and since the inaugu-
ration of labor's nonpartisan political
campaign in 1906. the organized work
ers have been able to secure many laws
protecting the workers-the great ma
jority of the people.
They have accomplished these results
with no other machinery except their
economic organization-their federation
] AS individuals workers are unable to
secure any consideration from employ
ers. lawmaking bodies or other govern.
ment agencies. but by means OF their
organization for economic purposes the
workers take their rlghtful positions as
the most powerful. the most influential
element in society.
For this reason the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor has during the past
year extended its plans and efforts for
organization.
The special work has been among
the unskilied and among the women
workers.
Organization is like structure. 1t
must rest upon a firm. solid foundation
TO be of service
Organization infuses into the indus
trial life of a community consideration
for human welfare In time new con-
ceptions of the value and the sacred
ness OF human life permeate the indus
trial organization and management and
extend out into the common life OF the
community. The little heaven Of hu-
manity has brought gentleness. mer-
cy and justice and thus brings about
a cultural civilization that is expressed
In the daily thoughts and habits of In
dividuals.
Economic organization is that upon
which we must concentrate our thought
and effort
When economic organization Is
achieved every other good thing be-
comes possible for the workers.
But because Of the great power at
taching to this agency many other
movements OF forces seek TO destroy
or TO use them. For this reason the
A. f. OF L. early adopted the policy
OF avoiding entangling alliances This
policy has been consistently pursued
during all these years. But with great
success and increased growth comes
additional power. Many and tempting
viii be the avenues Of activity and the
associations open to the A. f. of =.
increasingly difficult will It be TO dis
tinguish the things which are most
important and vital for the continu-
GUS development Of the federation
the things which make for life rather
than mere power Ever must be held
up the policy. the organization fedora
tion. thar Is the thing
Organization eliminates necessity for
paternal legislation by enabling EN-.
ployees and employers TO determine