United labor bulletin., 1914-11-07

makers OI1lclal JOuIHdl. II 10 P"is ~
the great labor movement which EN-
braces the American continent, and by
affiliation encircles the whole globe.
Born during the Civil War in a period
of great calamity, with nation rent in
twain, in the city of New York, the In
ternational Union has for half GEN.
tury withstood all opposition, and can
be proud of its achievements. As a po-
tent factor in the industrial and legls-
lative fields, endeavoring to elevate the
trade to a more remunerative position IN
the economic beehive of the country, 1t
is ready to challenge any and all COM
petitors.
From comparatively small beginning
it has grown and gradually developed
into a strong organization, with raml-
fications extending over whole conti-
nent and reaching to the south beyond
the Caribbean sea. 1t is ready to grasp
the hands of the workers i'll distant
climes for mutual protection and bene-
fit. amplifying the old adage that in
unity there is strength"
1t would take columns to narrate
briefly its achievements in the economic
field and endeavor for protective legis-
lation.
Drives Out Chinese Coolies.
A. militant organization it has as
sisted in the formation OF trades assem-
blies. state federations and union label
leagues. 1t has been active in the pro-
motion OF laws prohibiting the impor-
tation of Chinese coolies by unscrupu-
lou semployers, and has practically
driven the Chinese from our trade, who
at one time threatened to engulf the en-
tire industry; it has raised wages from
10 TO 100 per cent; il has fought sue
cessfully for the elimination OF the
sweat shops in the cigar industry;
through its persistent and consistent
agitation the tenement house system
was finally abolished; it has combatted
the evils of contract convict labor; it
assisted in placing laws upon the statute
books which regulated and limited the
EMPLOYMENT OF children under a certain
age; it favored the reduction of the
hours of labor for women and young
persons by legislative action. Briefly,
it has been active and assisted in
every endeavor to elevate the condition
of the worker to higher moral, social
and economic standard everywhere.
In the adoption OF an eight-hour day
OH May |, 1856, governing all union
shops and based upon uniform system
of enforcement, and prohibiting over
time. it has been the leader in the most
far reaching step for the emancipation
OF labor from .cxhausting toll and men,
tai impairment.
In the adoption of the financial sys-
tenn in 1879. with its safeguards and
sinking fund it has built structure
as solid as human ingenuity and expe-
rience can devise for the prompt pay
ment of guaranteed benefits.
Some of Benefits Inaugurated.
In the adoption OF the out-of-work
benefit in 1889 it has amplified one of
the broadest principles i'll mutual as
sistance for the protection of the man
and woman without employment. To
help the needy is noble duty, appeal
ing To the finer traits in the human
character, and inspiring to deeds which
make life worth while living.
IN the adoption OF the union blue
label in 1880 it has achieved marked
success as guide tor other trades
unions to follow and to develop n fea
ture with immense possibilities in
field full OF promise and encourage
ment.
1t has reduced the number of those
who die from tuberculosis from 5l per
cent IN 1883 to 20 per cent in 1912, and
has increased tne lengtn OF Ire ol tHe
members about l3 years.
We are still in the vanguard in the
building up and in perfecting our sys-
TEN OF organization, reaching out the
hand of fellowship to all men and
women employed in the industry, al
ways urging them to Join with us for
mutual protection and benefit. United
we are power for good in the eleva
tion OF the trade to "A higher economic
plane. Divided and unorganized We be.
come a prey to the unscrupulous en-
ployer, and are helpless in that condi-
tion to maintain fair wages, reasonable
hours and decent working conditions. In
the fulfillment of our mission we need
the assistance and cooperation of all
members of the craft.
This Is Golden Jubilee Year.
The Cigarmakers' international Union
was organized in 1864 and has been in
continuous existence since that time,
and looks back upon its fruitful years
of existence with pardonable pride and
satisfaction. 1t is true that its carly
growth and stability was slow and
doubtful. Prior to the reorganization
and the establishment of high dues and
chain of benefits in 1870 little prog.
ress of substantial nature was made.
The membership fluctuated between
good and bad trade conditions and at
one time dropped to l,0l6 members. In
the early days there was very little
organization in the other crafts and
practically no experience to guide US.
As consequence of this serious mis-
takes We're often made which resulted
in great injury to the movement.
Prior to 1865 there were practically
no riiolds used in the trade, and it was
absolutely hand industry. Prior to
1865 there were no more than three OF
four thousand cigarmakers employed in
the entire industry. Most of the cigars
smoked here were imported from Ger
many chiefly and some from Cuba. AT.
ter the war of 1851 -65 there was
da,,aa,,I Cor mn l..