The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1915-02-19
Trade UniOniSm Has Done
Much For Mankind.

r TNIoN labor is young in its
modern, vigorous, practical
form and has made some mis-
takes. So also, have educa-
ton and government and the holy in
stitutions of religion. Time would fail
me to read you the dark pages of these
great institutions for the betterment
of mankind The opposition to trade
unionism has been from q controlled
press, from ignorance and prejudice,
all inspired by the spirit of greed. To
the employer it means high class men,
contented workmen and safe invest
ment for capital and a stronger indus
trial commonwealth. To the wage earn
er 1t means reduction of hours, in
crease of wages, the dignifying of toll
and improved conditions Of health and
home 1t has undertaken and accom-
plished many reforms that society at
large should have undertaken. Every
step of progress that labor has made
has been won by the trades union.
Organized labor stands for a living
wage, and living wage means COM
respect and good citizenship
The nonunion man who works union
hours and for union wages has ignored
the demands of honor and common
brotherhood. He receives the benefits
for which others have sacrificed and
struggled and fought to attain, and re-
fuses to contribute the least toward
that which is of equal benefit to him.
He weakens the hands of his best
friends by staying out of the union
and gives comfort and support to those
who seek to destroy organized labor
and thereby rob every laboring man
OF fair hours and wages. He is either
grossly ignorant OF his obligations as
brother man, or is cowardly traitor
to q cause whose success means only
good to him.
Nobody would rob him of the mon
union mans rights" but it is not one
OF his rights to wrong his fellow wage
earners by refusing to cooperate with
them In their effort to get fair dis
tribution of the prosperity which their
labor most largely produces. In re-
fusing to affiliate with the union the
wage Garner exercises not q right, but
q wrong.
The immeasurably better conditions
at the beginning of this century over
those at the beginning of the last are
attributable directly to the influence of
labor organizations.
Some one says, Are we not opposed
to trusts, and is not labor a trust?"
answer, No. A trust is an organization
seeking to exclude from its benefits eV-
cry one possible, in order that greater
profits may accrue to few Union
labor seeks to control its resources,
but to include as many as possible In
It's benefits and to enlarge the scope
Of its protection and to help TO the ut
most limit-the very opposite OF the
trust spirit. 1t gives every man a
right to have a voice In setting the
price on his own commodity.
Time and the age and the progress Of
mankind fight for this worthy cause.
What 1t has suffered 1t win endure no
more. Its progress is permanent. It's
every step is forward. Every throb of
It's great heart makes more life and
blood and energy. God ward and
watch union labor and keep the hearts
OF its mothers and daughters as pure
and sweet and the arms Of her sons as
strong as they are today until the
hope that never falters and the faith
that has never staggered are realized
In the fulfillment of the Golden Rule
Rev. James s. Myers In Topeka Daily
Capital.