The Washburn leader., 1915-09-10

Strsnath Of the Hosts Of Labor.
In the trade union movement we
have learned that the greatest advance.
ment we have made comes from the
fact that we have strong organizations
and force recognition by united demand
for our rights, writes G. o. Young in
the Photo -Engraver. The rules or writ.
ten laws we make by organized effort
far excel in effectiveness any laws la.
Dor has attained by political action.
We must recognize the fact that or
ganization is primarily necessary be-
fore either the Industrial or political
strength of the people will be mani
fest. And l am bold in making the
statement that II all who labor would
organize, and by education and unity
claim their own, very little political
action would be necessary. Do not
misunderstood me Us saying that do
not believe political action necessary.
but l hold such action not SO necessary
as that of thorough organization of Ia
boris forces, and an understanding of
the things possible through collective
effort. I would not by any means dis
pense with any political rights. for po-
litical rights, like the right to strike,
puts in our possession weapon the
use of which-or the threat of the Use
Of it-ofttimes brings splendid recog-
nition of labor's rights that cannot 9th
erwise be obtained.
That political action alone will solve
the problems confronting those who
labor is sheer folly. Australia tried
the political route in curing human
society's ills and lost sight. for the
time being at least, of labor unions,
and as the unions waned their political
strength diminished and the humane
measures established by legal enact
ments began to be discarded. Then
the cry went up from labor's political
forces as well as the remaining unions.
Back to the unions, the basis for all
political and industrial strength of the
hosts of labor"
The power that enables US to achieve
results for labor is in strong, intelli-
gently conducted organizations. Some
times our weapons are crude, and
sometimes they seem to be and are
unwisely used, but they are all that
we have. and If they are not very mod
ern it is not our fault. To be COM
PEELED to continually fight oppression
well fortified in its position while we
are poorly equipped. is long and
weary contest, and one cannot expect
much change in the methods and weap-
ons until there is a greater awakening
to the realization Of human rights by
the slumbering masses who are only
indirectly affected by the contest
Public Inconvenience and suffering
are held up by the opponents of organ
lied labor as two Of the great sins in
an attempt to influence unthinking
noncombatants that labor's fight is not
a righteous cause. And because Of
the indirect suffering of the public
many schemes have been proposed to
curtail our rightful liberties In carry
ing on contests to give to the laboring
millions justice and the right to live
in decency and comfort. The public.
feeling the sting Of the onslaught, Oft
times without thought Of the justice
of our position, condemns US and there
by aids in our defeat. There must
come from the source Of public opinion
more expression Of knowledge of hu-
man needs and an awakening to the
realization that the people must de-
mand Of wealth recognition Of labor's
rights. People must more and more
realize that greater value must be
placed upon human flesh and blood
than upon paltry dollars.
In the wild scramble for wealth hu-
man veal as general proposition has
been forgotten. In the glamour Of the
power and prestige for which wealth
is sought oppressed humanity has been
trampled under foot and left mangled
and bleeding. The real opponents of
the labor movement have never con-
sidered the matter from the angle of
Just dealing. Justice is not one Of the
component parts Of those whose mis-
sion il the destruction Of unionism.
Theirs is mission Of destruction in
the interests Of i self aggrandiSement
and power regardless Of suffering and.
death.