The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-05
IN UNITY IS POWER
Labor's Solid Base Gives 1t Eco
noinic Importance.
STRENGTH IN SOLIDARITY.

organization In Industry Is the Key
to B%ettern,ent Of Conditions For the
Workers - United Effort Needed to
Remedy Existing Wrongs.
The executive COUNCIL of the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor in it's greet
ing to the thirty-fourth annual con-
vention at Philadelphia said: .
The principle that has directed and
controlled all policies of the American
Federation of Labor is that organlza-
ton in industry is the key to better
1nent of conditions for the workers. :
Organization for the purpose of max
ing united effort to remedy wrongs
that affect the work and lives OF all
has been the instrumentality that has
brought cheer and hope and betterment
TO the workers.
Economic organization gives power
power to protect the workers against
industrial exploitation and injustice:
power to secure for them opportunities
for Development: power to secure for
them things that will make life san
whole and good; power to bring INTO
their lives something of beauty and
pleasure; power to secure political rep
resentation for their ideals and recos-
milton of their demands in legislation.
The influence of organization i'll in
dustry and it's infinite number of CON
facts with other organizations constl-
tute an intricate force that is the most
powerful single force in society.
The power of labor is commensurate
with it's unity. solidarity and fedora
ton.
The ultimate purpose of every activ-
ity of the American Federation of La
Dor is to extend and to make more eff
fective organization.
Whatever success labor has had in
establishing it's ideals in any field of
activity has beer due to it's numerical
strength and solidarity of economic Or
sanization.
During the past year the American
Federation Of Labor has won a remark
able political victory. 1t has brought
10 a successful elimination the political
campaign ~inaugurated in 1906.
The purpose Of that campaign was to
establish industrial freedom for the
working people. that they might have
the right to organize md the right to
the activities necessary to make Or
ganization effective for human welfare.
The law that accords the workers of
America those rights contains the most
fundamental. the mos comprehensive
enumeration of industrial freedom found
in any legislative act in the history Of
the world.
The workers of our land were able
TO secure that law because they repre-.
sented an organized economic power.
Since labOr's bill of grievance was
presented to those responsible for the
failure to accord labor necessary legis-
lative protection and since the inaugu-
ration of labor's nonpartisan political
campaign in 1906. the organized work
ers have been able to secure many laws
protecting the workers-the great ma
jority of the people.
They have accomplished these results
with no other machinery except their
economic organization-their federation.
AS individuals workers are unable to
c III any consideration from employ
ers. lawmaking bodies or other govern.
ment agencies. but by means Of their
organization for economic purposes the
workers take their rightful positions as
the most powerful. the most influential
element in society.
For this reason the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor has during the past
year extended it's plans and efforts for
organization. ff s
The special work has been among
the unskiiied and among the women
workers.
Organization is like a structure. 1t
must rest upon Il firm. solid foundation
to be of service.
Organization infuses into the indus
trial life of Al community consideration
for human welfare. In time new con-
ceptiOns of the value and the sacred
ness Of human life permeate. the indus.
trial organization and management and
extend out into the common life Of the
community. The little leaven Of hu-
manity has brought gentleness. mer-
cy and Justice and thus brings about
a cultural civilization that is expressed
In the daily thoughts and habits Of in.
dividuals.
Economic organization is that upon
which we must concentrate our thought
and effort.
When economic organization is
achieved every other good thing be-
comes possible for the workers.
But because Of the great power at
taching to this agency many other :
movements or forces seek to destroy q
or to us them. For this reason the /.
A. F. of L. early adopted the policy !:
Of avoiding entangling alliances. This Il
policy has been consistently pursued j;
during all these years. But with great I
success and increased growth comes y
additional power. Many and tempting
will be the avenues Of activity and the j
associations open to, the A. f. Of L.