Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-03-04
THE PURPOSE Of
THE TRADES. UNION
RIGHT OF WORKERS TO SEEK
THEIR OWN WELFARE.
CBy Samuel Gompers.)

., koy 0dluU01 SOIIpGTS.J :
All workers and humanitarians
agree as to the desirability and -neces-
sity of shorter workday. Difference
of opinion arises only as to the me
thod. Industrial purposes may be
gained by two Ways-by independent
private action or bye official general
action. The method chosen depends
upon the nature Of the problem and
the conditions to be dealt with. In
matters concerning their welfare the
workers have found by experience
that they are best judges of their own
needs and welfare. They have learn
ed to treasure as priceless heritage
personal freedom, the; right TO direct
their own actions, the right to seek
their own welfare. The control over
,ontractual relations is the key to in
lustrial liberty. 1t is generally con-
ceded that under present industrial
conditions workers secure this liberty
,nly through collective effort. This
IS the purpose of the trade union
A Voluntary Organization.
The trade union is voluntary or
'anization, responsive to the changing
,eeds and demands of the workers. it
an agent Of greatest flexibility and
djustability, enabling the workers &c
axe opportune advantages of all de
elopments. 1t is an agency that per
tits of direct speedy action. When
sontrol over personal freedom is in
rusted to an outside authority limita-
ions are placed upon personal liberty.
After conditions are once established
:hanges can be made only by indirect
he rigidity that obtains in law mill
ates against change. Now the organi-
alton of industry is $50 delicate and
0 flexible that rigidity of agents
OUR deprive workers Of many posi-
ole benefits. Experience has demon.
strated this. The history of all at
empts to fix hours of labor or wages
" laws, maximum or minimum, 70.
he workers generally shows that they
esulted in stacking the workers
With bonds that had to be broken be-
ore further progress could be made.
Then again an eight hour day estah-
lished by law is enforced by govern
rental agents. Their welfare is taken
rom under their immediate controls
nd If not we'll administered control
an be regained only by prolonged eft
,ort and direct methods. 1t has been
demonstrated that governmental Off
,ers perform their duties in spirit
which general opinion demands. En-
torcement of labor legislation depends
lpon the effective force of organized
pinion among the workers, which in
urn depends upon economic organiza-
ion. Now, it has been demonstrated
hat when the achievement of econo-
mic ends is entrusted to government
al agents economic organization is
weakened. So proceeds the vicious
circle that saps the strength and vi
tality of the only dependable protec-
ion for the toilers.
Campaign For Eight Hour Day.
In 1885 the organizations affiliated
the American Federation of Labor
naugurated a campaign to reduce
their hours of labor to eight by May
|, 1885. The general concerted move
ment begun then by organizations to
| establish shorter work days continues
with increasing power and effective
ness. Whatever has been done to de-
crease the number of hours that the
workers must toll daily has been &C
complished, by the organizations OF
the workers No one can deny that
the labor movement has made tremen-
dous progress during the past thirty
tsLOuI years Ill QCC1 CoS1A6 luC AOuAO Va
labor. To some this progress may
seem slow, but when considered N
connection with the complications and
difficulties involved it is magnificent
achievement. Each group of workers
Isthat has forced its way up to q van
rage ground has been force to help
other fellow workmen upward. Slow
~ and steadily as this leverage group
has grown, so has the chain of work
lsars assisted from the depths Of grind
ing labor through many hours.
In opposition to the established pol
'cy Of the a. F. Of q. founded upon
principles Of efficiency and human
Freedom. come those who would lead
IL, workers into the promised land
Thy short cut" Just little writing
upon ballot and xthe whole nature
land organization of industry is chang
Led IN the twinhling Of an eye. Let
aight-hour laws be enacted for all