Denver labor bulletin., 1916-07-22
WORkMEN'S BILL
REACHES SENATE
Fate Rests With Senator HOke
Smith of Georgia
Compensation for Federal Employees
One Of Party Platform Pledges
and Delay Means Failure

What gives the labor union its COM
: manding claim on existence and popular
encouragement is that it aims, above all
things, to uplift the workers-to raise
the standard of human living, especially
Of that portion identified with labor.
Those who do not understand the larger
meaning of the labor union look upon
it a. merely means Of increasing wages
and reducing hours of labor.
That is of course, part of its work,
and a very important part, but not the
whole of it by any means.
Not only does il seek to improve the
conditions OF the workers in the way of
wages and hour, but also in increasing
their efficiency on the job and their men
tai and moral value TO the community.
Labor's Code of Efficiency.
In fact, the labor union has invested
efficiency with a larger meaning than
that generally accepted in industry.
Efficiency in our lexicon does not mean
merely the faculty of turning the stuff
out"
IL means turning it out well finished
and without unnecessary haste or waste
OF time and energy.
The labor union Of necessity makes
for this. 4 football team picked up at
random. the players having no mutual
understanding or interest, no consistent
practice. would not be good bet.
Organization and intelligent eo-opera-
tion are necessary to all collective enter
prise.
The employer who really wants eff
cicncy-efficiency in the sense indicated
will find his bcs tagcncy in the labor
sion
Here the men come together with "A
strong spirit of cooperation. which f. the
basic and indispensable element Of indus
triBl efficiency.
Understand the Problems.
How eager the organized workers are
TO improve in the isnowledge and skin
Of their trade is very manifest in the
number OF unions that have established
CLASSES and equipped rooms ia their
mocting places for the instruction and
. trimming OF their member
The educational value of this is the
very best. Iuazmuch as the classes and
workruom- are presided over by men who
are selected by their fellows bccaus- Of
confidence in their knowledge and skill.
Then the training the men receive In
the conduct Of their organization fits
them to better understand the problems
with which their employers have to deal
business school
III. union. with it, Officers and exccu-
live board and business agent. j. bust
ness institution In which each member T.
a stoclholdcr.
, The educational value Of this fact 4.
lI'adily seen in the efficiency display yed
Gin the conduct Of the average labor or
gsnization.
Bedrock Of Democracy.
The labor union makes for efficient,
citizenship A. well for efficient labor
II ia the stAunch supporter and practical
adjunct of the public school
The school is the bedrock Of democracy,
and, a. William T. Gladstone put Il:
Trade unions are tho bulwark OF mod
rrn dcmocTacics'
The school Laws the broad foundations
Of liberty. equality and intelligence The
union maintains these In the stern con
flict against tyranny. arrogance and ig
norauc..
American citizenship means morn than
mental belief in American principles
and institutions Of American ideals in
the practical life OF the people.
The man who will not stand for the
best for himself and family i not the
kind Of citizen of mos; value To a com
munity of nation
Raises a Better Family
Indeed. even in it, primary effect. the
labor union by raising wages helps raise
the standard Of citizenship.
Tho man with good wages is a safer
and more efficient citizen than tho ono
with low wages. He is better fitted 10
raise a healthy, intelligent. decent. eff
cicnt family. lie can give his children
more and better food. He can keep them
in school lie can clothc them 80 that
they can hold up their heads in society.
go TO church and take advantage Of clc-
waiting social influences.
So, IL will be seen that this question
Of efficiency is an immcasurable one.
and that the labor union is invaluable to
its solution.