The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-09-01

time endeavoring to obtain greater op-
portunities and facilities for personal
development and activity. These prob
lens are problems Of economic rela-
tons between themselves and those
who produce and those who happen to
enjoy strategic advantages in the de-
termining distribution of the returns
from production. Only powerful In
dustrial force can maintain industrial
Justice and secure for those who pro-
duce adequate return for their serv-
Ices.
AS individuals the workers cannot
exercise sufficient influence to main-
tain their rights or industrial justice.
but united they have power in proper.
ton to their joint intelligence. needs
and aspirations.
The problems to be solved and the
forces that will be effective are eco
nomic-hence the wisdom of the policy
that the American Federation of La.
Dor has steadfastly pursued. There
have been many other advisers, some
sincere, others actuated by Interior
purposes, who have counseled the
wage earners to put their faith in the
ballot and to "go to congress"
Politics a Secondary Force.
But politics Is concerned with pro-
viding opportunities, maintaining the
right to activities, establishing ways
and means by which things can be
dene-politics does not enter directly
and intimately into industrial rela-
lions. Politics is a secondary force In
Industrial affairs.
Every day is demonstrating that the
center of power has shifted from poll
tics and government to industry and
commerce. Political power is only re-
fected pOwer-reiected from the eco
nomic.
This transition makes organization
of industrial relations for the estab-
lishnent of ideals of justice of trans
cendent importance. 1t makes the
meeting and the deliberations of repre-
sentatives of millions of wage earners
of potential significance to the nation
and the whole world.
OF course labor has gone to congress
for the purpose of securing the largest
degree of freedom to exercise the nee
essary normal activities of the work
constructive work which the govern
ment alone can enact; and to voice
the new demand for labor's complete
disenthrallment from every form and
fact of unfreedom and inequality be-
fore the law.
Great Humanitarian Laws.
Much beneficent, remedial Iegfsla-
ton has already been secured from
congress, conserving the lives and
health of workers and protecting their
rights--doing for them that which cam
not be done through economic organi-
cation alone.
Among the great humanitarian laws
are two that stand out conspicucusiy :
The seaman's act. enacted by congress
and signed by President Wilson.
March 4. 1915. which made sailors free
men. giving them the right to stop
work at will when their vessels are in
safe harbOrs, and the labor provisions
of the Clayton antitrust act. section 6
of which contains legislative declara-
ton of more far-reaching significance
than has been enacted by any other
authorized body-that the labor power
of a human being Is not commodity
or article of commerce.
This new charter Of freedom for
workers was passed by congress and
signed by President Wilson. October
Is. 1914. 1t brings relief from old
methods of legal oppression and oppor-
tunity for freedom and progress. II
means the beginning of new period
the dawning of new and better day.