The Washington times., 1916-09-21

II
feature OF last nights session of the
intercollegiate Socialist Society, which
Ia holding its second summer confer
ence at Sherwood Forest, on the Sew
eran river. near Annapolis.
| J. Phelps Stokes, millionaire social
list and president OF the intercolieg-
late. acted as presiding officer.
Trade Unionism as q Factor In So
cial Preparedness" was considered at
the evening session.
| Arthur Holder. forty-four years q
trade unionfst. and for ten years on
the legislative committee OF the
American Federation Of Labor, de-
Tended the unions from A to z in an
address entitled THE Social Signifi-
canoe OF the Trade Union Movement"
Spsrgo Attacks Unions.
In the discussion following Mr.. Hold
er's address. John spargo, Socialist
author and lecturer, charged the trade
union movement with falling far short
Of its opportunities in the face OF the
needs OF the working people and con-
tended that the Industrial Workers OF
the World 10 due to the fact that the
trade union movement has neglected to
educate and organize the unskilled
L. B. Boudin. Socialist lawyer and
writer, indicted the trade union leaders
for incorporating the facts in regard
to the eight-hour law passed by Con-
gress on September q
| The trade union leaders, he said. are
telling the working people that Con-
hours as q days work for the railroad
trainmen. when In point-of fact the
law does not hx eight hours OF any
number OF hours as a days work.
more to do with an eight-hour day
than eusenic marriage!" exclaimed
Mr.. Boudin.
Defends Work Of Unian.
Mr.. Holder replied spiritedly to the
criticism Of spargo and Boudin.
| "A worse defamation never fell from
the lips Of man than the charge that
the American Federation OF Labor has
| neglected the education and organiza-
ton OF the unskilled workers. ex-
claimed Mr.. Holder In reply to Spargo.
The American Federationo Labor
has spent millions Of dollars In organ
izing the unskilled and helping them to
understand the strength of collective
action. In my own union. the Interna-
4 uonal Association of Machinists, after
helpers to Join the union with an i'm
mediate jump OF wages from Is cents
an hour to 30 and 20 cents. Among 1.-The
miners. the trade union movement has
carried on its work Of education and
ceiving U.ss for an eight-hour day
rather than 90 cents, and 81 few
/ years ago."
William H. Johnston. president of
the InternationaJ Association OF Ma
chinists, announced to open the meet
ing with an address on the trade
unions and preparedness. was unable
to be present. owing TO q threatened
| strike OF 10000 machinjsts and allied
workers at Schenectady.
Traces History Of Unions.
Mr.. Holder spoke on THE Social
Significance OF the Trade Union
Movement"
The speaker traced the progress of
poans S%t h.t from n. t aon. or lev:
made their greatest strides since the
advent OF steam and mechanical pow
er. when the individual workers were
tools" and work together in SAC
tories, stores, mines, offices, and
transportation departments, using the
tools and instruments of production
Mr. Holder explained that the "revo-
Ilutionary changes" incident othe fac
tory system OF production confronted
the working people with many new prob
lens and that out Of these prebloma
sprans the modem trade union move
ment. impelling the workers to organize
and act collectively.
Union Here to Stay.
After citing the early struggles OF
the trade unionists in the United
States for the right TO organize into
labor unions. Mr.. Holder declared that
the unions cannot and will not BE-
loutlawed-they are here to stay. He
lgave a survey Of the public service
record" OF the trade unions enumer'
ating, the various industrial., eduea;
measures in which the organised labor
movement has always been Interested
"OrRanized labor early learned that
knowledge In the source Of all power
and urged free public schools. free text
Unions have fought for the rights OF
the children and have secured legisla-
ton protecting them from exploitatioS
in almost every State. Largely through
the efforts of the trade unions play.
grounds and parks have been provided
In hundreds OF cities"
List Of Accomplishments.
In the list OF the accomplishments Of
organised labor. Mr.. Holder enumerated
The Australian secret ballot. genuine
representative government, through th'
Initiative and referendum, postal saw
ings banks. free public baths and pure
water, improved sanitation and shortel
workday In combating tuberculosis, ant
a multitude OF laws In the various States
safeguarding the working people and
the public health.
Al the conclusion Of Mr.. Holders ad
dress. President J. Phelps Stokes start
ed trouble by asking L. b. Boudin. JUS
arrived from New York. to address tbs
conference on The Significance OF the
Eight-hour Law Upon the Future Of the
Trade Union Movement and the Policy
of the Trade Unions"
The Socialists. 1t seems, have Ions
contended that the way to secure tn,
eight-hour day and secure II generally
and effectively Ii to secure II by law
On the other hand, Samuel Gompers
president OF the American Federation
Of Labor and the trade union leaders
generally, have commended that the way
to get the eight-hour day Is through thu
economic power OF the trade unions.
A Change of Front.
Mr. Boudin. Socialist. contended tina
the recent action OF the four railroad
brotherhoods In securing the so-callet
eight-hour law was a direct change o.
front on the policy they have foilowes
for years. More than that. Samue
Gompers. himself the most ardent ad
vocate OF the eight-hour day by trad,
| union action exclusively, Communicates
with the trade unionists all over tn,
| country urging them 70 crack the whit