Strike bulletin. (Clinton, Ill.) 1913-1915, 1915-01-27
INDUSTRIAL UNIONlSM

uNOOS NAL ONlJTVlSM
Organized labor l. the living vital
force IN human society that alone can
bring about more humane conditions.
and the future conditions 81 our wage
workers will depend entirely upon thei,
organized intelligence and strength
The metal trades industry OF this ma
ton has made wonderful progress dur
ing the past few decades. due in part to
the introduction Of modern methods Of
production and in part to the organizing
Il the shop and factory system by the
organized employers
The employers have thoroughly indus
,rially organized their plants The mod
ern shop and factory have been scienti-
iically constructed We find the plants
divided into different departments, such
as the machinery department. black.
,mIthing department. boilermaking de-
partment. brass and copper department.
sheet metal department. electrical de-
partmen,, foundry and pattern depart
mcni. etc. and each department is equip
red with the very best suited to increase
production in the quickest possible time
In each department of these plants
will be found mechanics aud helpers or
gained by the boss, at the machines.
benches and on the floor. taking the
raw materials as they reach their de-
partment and skilliully handling them
and rapidly machining and shaping them
passing them along To the next de-
partment. until finally the raw materials
are converted into the finished product,
ready for sale and use
The modern plant IS one great indus
trial organization OF raw materials. ma
chimes and men, all organized by the
| employers. with men and machines per-
forming their proper functions in the
transformation OF the raw materials into
the finished product in this the newes,
| and most scientific method Of modern
machine production.
My point in illustration is simply this :.
That II the organized employers can con-
| ceive and put into practical operation
l such an industrial organization that per-
mits them to use the machinery and
workers to both enrich themselves and
become most powerful. and can get the
workers to function without friction in
the different departments and without
| juri>dictional disputes all together under
one roof, then II Is time for the workers
who are employed in this modern age
to indus,rially organize themselves into
tremendous industrial units, efficient,
economical and powerful.
The modern industrial plants are but
the natural evolutionary growth and
development OF our industrial system.
and the organizations of labor must, il
they hope 10 be efficient and beneficial
to the toilers. also naturally develop
| equally as fast as the industrial system
OF which they are part. Industrial
| unionism is inevitable. 1t must and will
| come and with its coming will come
more power to the organized workers.
who have more cohesivencss by being
welded together into homogeneous and
more class-conscious mass.
The presen, plan of craft union has
| been a splendid weapon of the toiling
millions and in its time has performed
IT. function. but today in the very na-
tute OF things. because of our industrial
progress. must give way to the better
| and more efficient instrument OF the
workers The thing that thousands are
| demanding. the thing that will make il
possible to meet the powerful organized
| employers on more equal terms. is the
matchmaking OF all metal trades organ
izations into one united metal workers
| organization OF America
Some international officers. perhaps
| many are opposed TO this plan of or
ganization This is To be expected. for
| there never was a time in the history
of the world or any organization of men
when changes were necessary that the
change was not bitterly opposed. and
vet the pages Of history are repletc with
changes that have been made and that
will continue to he made regardless of
all opposition | believe that many Of
those who are now opposed to amalra-
nation OF the trades are thoroughly hon
es, in their convictions. and perhaps they
think that it would he a dangerous thing
10 do, vet think the time will come
and that soon. when many that are now
opposing it will he strongly in favor of
IT.
I sincerely hope that we will be CON
sisteut workers for the new order. and
that our official family will do all with
in its power To bring to a successful
conclusion. without undue friction with
other trades. the thorough amaleama-
t,on of all metal trades unions and work
ers Of America
c. F. Grow.
Business Agent Machinists.
Los Angeles, Calf