The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-07-28


Achievement That 1as Helped Light
en- the Workers Burden-Encouraee
independence and Fosters Patriotic
Citizenship.
BY FRANK MORRISON, Secretary of the
American Federation Of Labor.
a history or the American Fedora
tion Of Labor would record the ad-
yances and failures, uiuuphs and de-
feats, dreams and disappointments OF
the toiers Of our country.
No statement OF social progress dur.
Ing the past thirty-hve years is com
plete without including the American
Federation of Labor, the pioneer In
every humanitarian achievement
1t was the first In the deld for free
textbooks, a secret ballot australian
SYSTEM, direct legislation, sex equal-
tty against Child labor aud for every
other reform now generally accepted
1t is the directing force ii every
struggle for shorter hours higher
wages, sanitary shops and homes, pro-
lection to life and limb, compensation
laws ana other gains that make for
finer men and nobler women
1t voices the expressions, The long
ings and the hopes of tae loilers Of
our land, who are welcome to It's ranks,
without regard to sex. coler, creed, race
or skill.
It refuses 70 recognize any institu
ton that would regulate mans dis
posal OF his labor power, ana it has
resisted injunction judges in their att
tempt to check free speech and free
press on the theory that labor IS prop
erty. This agitation uas resulted iu
the notification to federal and District
Of Columbia courts by tile congress of
the United States clayton law, signed
by President Wilson, oct If, 1910
that the labor power OF human be-
Ing is nor q commodity or article VI
commerce
1t is democratic, both Iii spirit ana
deed. 1t encourages Independence
fosters education and sustaius every
movement intended 10 equip oiIers for
more aggressive and patriotic eiti
zenshlp
The first sesiou Of the body now
known as the American Federation ot
Labor was called to order iu Burner
hall Pittsburgh on Nov a. ISSL
There were present rear~ eHatives Of
ten national trade union Sesouts i've
local trade unions ANA r ty central
unions, with an estimated membership
of 26200O workers 81 hat time q
demand was made for law creating
nationa bureau 30 labor statistics.
Out of this agitation developed the
present federal department Of abor
presided over by William 3 Wilson
former secrctar. treasurer 0f the Unit
ed Mine WORKERS &c America, au1 the
first trade uuionist % be "a member ol
q presidents cabinet Another demand
provided for the repeal and erasure
from the statute books OF ali acts
known as conspiracy Laws as applied
to organizations of labor in ihe regu-
lation of wages and Che number Of
hours which shall constitute d days
work
While the convention was discussing
the organization system recommended
BY its committee lolored delegate
asked IL his own people We're iucud
ed In tile plan He was answered
that we recognize neither creed. col
or nor nationality but want to take
into the folds Of this federation the
whole labor element OF the country. no
matter what calling"
This declaration has been made q
major principle BY the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor
The American Federation Of Labor
has no power to call strikes, either
through Its officials or 10y convention
action. This power IS inherent III the
affiliated organizations
A unique feature of the American
Federation Of Labor is an absence OF
any forms OF force to make effective
its convention mandates 1t provides
no penalties for failure to observe its
declarations on economic, political or
social questions. This sounds strange
to those who believe In orders, man
dates and authority, but this move
ment Is founded on the aspirations
and necessities OF working men and
women and the belief that the longing
for social justice, inherent Ia all toll
ers, is a more powerful appeal than ex-
hibitions of force
This appeal to mans best nature has
developed fraternity. solidity and
voluntary action that have made posi-
BILE every gain by the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor and Is its greatest
triumph