The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-04-08
WHAT UNIONS ARE DOING.

WHlle tue PRIMARY UDJeCl vi TIC vi
CARNATIONS of labor is the improve
ment OF the conditions of the workers
at the point of production, and while
the members of the various labor I'M
ions throughout the country do not
intend to allow other considerations
to divert them from that end, We
still" says the United Mine Workers
Journal, "can point with pride to the
secondary results OF our coming to-
gether for mutual help. .-.
There is no other school, lyceum,
etc, that can any way approach the
labor union hall as an educational in
stitution.
From the local unions we have
sent out young men; first to the con-
ventions of their districts and ma
tional bodies; next to represent us on
scale committees, and before the rep
resentatiyes of foreign, and often
times hostile bodies; before the great
public, and before the legislators OF
the states and nation.
In nearly every instance these
graduates from the labor unions have
found themselves competent to hold
their own against the men trained as
special pleaders in law schools and
colleges; have been able to make
clear the case OF the men whom they
represent.
wherever we have been able TO
meet the representatives of the en-
ploying classes in the council cham
Der our representatives have ever
been able to give at least as good an
account of themselves as any of those
who represent the other interests.
And. these able counselors devel-
oped their splendid abilities only
exchanging ideas with their
fellow workers in the halls of their
local unions.
Not only have the labor organiza-
tons qualified as educational institu-
tons, but we question if there is any
other organized body that does as
much practical work to prevent grind
Ing poverty and want as do the vari.
ous labor organizations.
Many labor organizations can
show by their books that fully four
fifths of the money discussed is for
sick and death benefits; aid to those
among their membership that are in
Iced. And such aid is not offered in
The name OF charity the members
Of the labor unions learn to recognize
each others needs; learn TO recognize
he brotherhood of man, and they
provide adequate relief in the name !
Jt common humanity.
"The public conscience is being |
by the example, and the
headings OF the men educated in this
sthical school.
1T is the representatives of the la. |
,or unions that today are leading the |
light, in state and national legisla !
ures. for the recognition of the right I
# those who have been deprived OF i
heir natural breadwinners; of those
Who have been crippled. wrecked in !
he industries, to adequate monetary /
the cost OF which .
hould be considered as part of the !;
expenses of production, so that want. I
Iunger. physical suffering may not De
art OF the burden of those who arc
Injured; the dependents OF those
whose lives are sacrificed In the pro-
uctive industries.
Every law for the protection of life
n industry; every law for the preser- 4
alton OF health in mine, mill or fac.
DRY has initiated In the halls OF the
abor unions.
we ask no special credit for this; /
he fight is ours. But in aiding our
elves. In demanding more humane. I
iore just laws. we have helped hui
ianity as whole. s
I'VE claim for the labor unions OF I
,e country the credit OF doing more I,