The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-08
of the American Federation of
Labor in Baltimore as Fra
ternai Delegate.

TOXIC. Oct. 7.-Announcemen that
DR.. Bunji Suzuki, president of the La
borers' Friendly Society, of Japan.
will attend the annual convention OF
the American Federation of Labor at
Baltimore in November as fraternal
delegate from Japan has drawn atten-
ton to the extraordinary growth Of
the organization OF the working peo-
pie OF the Japanese empire. Dr.. SUI
uki went to the United States last
year and by meeting the leading trade
unionists OF California did much TO
clarity the labor questions pending
between the two countries. Represen-
tative Japanese believe that his forth
coming visit to America will MATERIAL
ly advance the work begun last year
and help to the attainment Of bet
ter understanding between Japap and
the United States.
The grouping Of Japanese laborers
into one national association consti-
tutes one of the most dramatic chap
tiers in the history OF modern japan
and the fact that only last month the
doors were thrown open to women and
that 5000 are already enrolled has
suddenly concentrated interest In the
movement. Conceived only four years
ago by Mr.. Suzuki himself, the idea
has developed so rapidly that $4,000
working men and women arc afflliat-
ed with the laborers' organization and
5000 new members are joining every
month.
Great Strikes Unknown.
Great strikes are as yet unknown In
Japan, where an oligarchic govern
ment keeps jealous watch and control
over all associations and meetings Of
its people, yet President Suzuki and
his fellow officers have settled no few
or than twenty-seven small strikes by
Cancellation and arbitration.
How far the laborers' movement will
spread and what place It will fill in
the economic and industrial life Of the
nation are questions which are hold
ing the attention Of the empire. Ger
tatnly. for the present, the attitude Of
the government seems not only friend
ly but actually helpful.
That its future is great because It's
object is in no sense political, but
dedicated to the welfare OF the work
ing people was the opinion voiced by
President Suzuki to the correspondent
Of the Associated Press. He talked
with glowing enthusiasm about what
he considers his great life's work de-
voted to the advancement Of the in
terests OF the people. OF massive
build, earnest in manner, direct in
gaze, modest but convincing in speech,
Mr.. Suzuki resembles prosperous
business man or university profess
sor. He graduated from the Imperial
University at Toxic and began his life
as a reporter on the Toxic Asahi. In
1909 he became secretary to the Rev.
Clay MacCauley, the head Of the
American Unitarian mission in Japan.
Adopting Christianity, he flung him
self with fervor into the work of Dr..
MacCauley's mission in Toxic and he
took a leading part in the social serv-
ice work Of the church.
THAT work." said Mr.. Suzuki to the
correspondent, brought me closely in
touch with the working men and wom-
en- of the great metropolis. Much was
being done for them in philanthropic
ways but one night, like an inspira-
ton came the thought that a great
service for my people was possible.
And it was that they should be band
ed together for their mutual happl-
ness and for their improvement-mor-
ally and socially, economically and
technically. So went down into the
factories Ind gathered together in
Unitarian hall few Of the leaders and
we talked it all over. 1t was no easy
thing.
See the Light.
1--WE knew that many might deem 1t
it bold and even revolutionary. We
knew that the government did not toll
crate trade-unionism. How were we
to bind the people together for their
welfare and happiness and be not mis-
understood? Then we saw light. We
decided then and there that our or
ganizatlon would never indulge in VIC
lenee and that it would never enter
politics. To that platform of negation
we have steadfastly adhered and II
is the sacred determination of us all
to adhere to 1t always"
The project Of the organization was
worked out in detail and its object
was set forth to be the ethical, intel
lectual, economic and technical inn