New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-09-18

And sew them on III a dream
The cause of the workingmal
is the cause of humanity by Whlcl
each man is to earn his bread b.
the sweat of his brow. 1t is thu
means of blessing the whole world
What are the benefits OF trade
unions? 1t gives organization
for the accomplishment of The
best results. The trade union /:
an institution that has come t(
stay. 1t is fixed in the affections
of wage-earners in all Christian
lands; it has at last fought its way
to legal recognition; and it has
even gained a place in the plans
| if not the affections, Of the great
employers of the world. Oppose
ton now is chiefly secret and indi-
| rect.
The workers who need unions
frequently constitute twothirds
of the population and it is now
generally conceded by econom-
lists, by jurists. and by employers
that trade unions are necessary
to the interests of these classes
What we need is to understand
their principles Of action, their
motives, and their programme.
When we have a just and intelli-
gent estimate of the social value
and place Of the trade union, it's
worth and possibilities in relation
to universal welfare, there will be
a frank recognition Of the union,
a cordial sympathy with its fair
demands and rigid determina-
ton to hold it responsible to the
law Of the common good.
Let me call your attention to
some results achieved by the
trade-unions in the United States.
They have shortened hours of toll
from ID, IA and sometimes 10 to
IL. II, 10 and even to 6 in some
trades. They have done this III
the last IS years. This has been
done solely by means Of the trade
unions and has not taken place
where the union is weak. Is this
not commendable9
Trade unions have mainly con-
tributed to a general rise of wages.
Their primary specific object is
the assurance Of good rate Of
wages, the highest it is possible
to obtain. Just as the money
lender seeks the highest possible |
rate Of interest, on good security,
and as the managers seek the
highest rate of profit, and as the
professional man wishes to obtain
The highest fees or salary that his
gifts can command; so wage-earn-
ers naturally strive to make the
,est possible bargain in selling t
heir labor. the use Of their bodies
in the productive process, If
hey do not take care of them.
selves. no other class of society
will take pains TO care for their
interests. They have found this
% be true: and trade unions are
he means adopted to make good
=
Trades-unions have an educa-
ional and legislative value. They
lave gained legislation protecting
he life and limb Of employees
rom unguarded machinery, COM
ceiling the erection of fire-escapes,
appointing factory inspectors.
They have helped or led in estab-
ishing evening schools, labor bu-
'eaus. boards of arbitration and;
onciliation. Many others too
to mention have been
he benefits to come from them.
The best argument in their favor
S what they have done.
Some urge objections to the un-
on but every one may be safely
net by counter arguments. 1t is
'erv often declared that they are
he causes of strikes. But strikes
AVE always occurred, whether
here were unions or not, and
hey have been most violent and
destructive when they were out
awed. So long as men can freely
rganize themselves, openly and
egally, and thus have a regular
discipline and social responsible
y. they are not so apt to break
orth in acts Of desperation. So
ar as lawless attacks on persons
nd property are concerned, these
re no part of trade-union policy
r law. Such acts are provoked !
mong unorganized laborers by +
ne same causes. and they are sim \
ly to be classed and treated like a
Their crimes. "A