Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-09-23
To Save The Country
Workers Must Organize

Will the Rockefeller System Eventu-
ally Undermine the Foundations of
Our Country?
The events of recent months have
made clear that business cannot be
conducted without regard, to the moral
standards of the, welfare of the people
involved. 1t has been repeatedly dem
onstrated that industrial and economic
progress cannot be permanently secur-
ed without the evolution of certain
principles of industrial craftsmanship.
Haphazard development results in con
ditions that menace the Industrial well
fare of the many and the virile help
fulness of the nation ITSELF For many
years men have looked upon business
as sort of commercial adventure
which entitled them to the privilege of
flying the black flag and employing
any piratical method that might Sc
cure them profits. There was a time
when the commercial and industrial
adventurer was accorded the same
kind of admiration thta was formerly
given to Sir Francis Drake and the
other sea pirates of the Elizabethan
period.
But there has come widening of
mems thoughts, a uickening of mems
consciences. There has been operating
in the acairs of the world force that
has constantly called attention to an
element essential to industry and com
merce. It has sought to turn attention
ton from the material side of indus
try, from the mere shrugged for gain,
to the higher and human side of in
dustry. 1t has been the force that has
sought to spiritualize industry.
The great principle for which labor
has stood is the sacredness Of human
life. 1t has always maintained that
however lowly there is rothing greater
than human being and nothing more
sacred than human life. This force,
which is the organized labor move
ment, has sought to infuse into the
business o. four country, spirit that
would be mindful of those human
workers who are essential to produc-
ton and to the commerce Of our land,
and it has sought to establish such
lustoms and practices in industry that
the workers not only shall not be
harmed for the sake of industry. but
that they shall be benefited by the
products of their toll.
It is impossible for the individual
workers to secure recognition and OBJ
servance of this principle. Only when
they unite when they use their col
iective power, have they been able to
secure fitting regard for the value of
human life and for opportunity to be
something more than merely the cOgs
n industrial machinery. Those who
ire familiar with the unfeeling greed
hat has permeated industry recognize
he necessity of organization for the
protection of the workers. Those en-
,loyers whose consciences forbid them
10 take unfair advantage of their
workers have long followed the prac-
/ tice of dealing with their employees
through their organizations.
Organization enables the workers to
make definite statements OF their
needs and to present definite demands
for their protection. 1t enables them
to promote their welfare along sys-
tematic lines and to make steady
progress toward higher development
and higher ideals. 1t enables the
workers to ogranize the human side OF
protection so as to establish practices
and policies which are the necessary
Foundation for industrial statesman
ship.
The organization Of the wage
earners have done. more to secure
definite knowledge of conditions ant
forces in industry than any othel
agency. They have not only organized
information in regard to industry bu
hey have organized definite channels
for their own and general information
land for the expression of the will o
those who are employed in the in
[dustry.
The trade union movement has beef
the means which has made articulat'
the dumb yearnings andN longings o
the wage workers and which has give
them the means to secure the wage
and opportunities necessary for tn
toilers continued progress, and neces
sary to enable them to participate Il
the forward march of civilization.
4 Whenever organization is found
where the workers are abreast OF IN
times, they are strong and able mel
physically and mentally. They take a.
duction and progress and are the a.
pendence of the nation.
Theer is an opposing force in i
Edustry that seeks to destroy organic;
lions of labor and refuses to deal wit
jfheir representatives and assumes