The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-08-31
SOUNDS THE TOCSLN
Samuel COmpers Reviews the Great Issues
Now Before the People
Samuel Gompers)

Labor Day 1916 brings to the work
ers OF America the right to cheer and
confidence in the trade union move
ment. There have been tests and cri-.
ses that have proved its fundamental
principles; there have been opportu-
mites that have tested its practical
efficiency. Through them all the
trade union movement has made sure
progress and gained in confident Wis
ion for the future.
Every national and international,
every local union affiliated to the
American Federation of Labor has
made definite progress in securing for
its members greater advantages in.
those things which are fundamental
OF betterment in all relations of life.
In some organizations the success has
been phenomenal
Taking the labor movement as
whole there has been greater progress
in securing, the eight-hour day or the
shorter workday than in any other
of these victories can be interpreted
only in the light of full understand
ing OF the meaning OF the eight-hour
day. The shorter workday is some
thing more than an economic demand.
1t is a demand for opportunity for
rest, recuperation and Developments; ;,
things which make life more than me-
chanical drudgery
The workers whose whole periods
are short are essentially different from
those who are so worn by toll that
they have neither energy nor mind
for other things in life. They become
more energetic, more resourceful
workers with keener mentality and
greater producing power 1t inevi-
tably follows that the short hour
workers are the best paid workers.
With every reduction in hours there is
always a corresponding increase in
wages. Wherever demands for the
shorter work-day and higher wages
have been presented and urged by or
ganized workers during the past year
they have met with success. The &C.
onomic gains have a potent relation
to the social side OF life.
Shortening the period of work
lengthens the period for development
and for all of other activities that be-
long to the normal individual In
creases in wages give the workers the
means for taking advantage of the
increased opportunities of the short
er workday. The workers OF short
hours and better wages become very
different citizens from those who are
so exhausted by the daily grind that
they have neither the time nor the
energy for thought nor aspiration.
These gains mean better homes, bet
GER food, better clothing; time and op-
portunity for the cultivation Of the
pest and the highest that is possible
in the life of man.
Economic achievements are the ba-
sis upon which the workers can Sc
cure social and political progress.
The power which secures these
achievements is the power that will
secure justice for them in every 9TH
er relation. Sorter hours and higher
wages give the opportunity and the
means to live better more purpose
full lives.
Power through economic organiza-
ton means political power. There
must be an economic basis in order
to give political activity reason for
existence and a program. By organ
izing its economic power to secure
political protection and by adherinl
strictly to a non-partisan political pro
gram, the American Federation o.
Labor has won glorious Legislative
victories.
The object of legislation which or
ganized labor has sought to Obtain
is always to establish larger and bet
Ter OPPORTUNITIES for life and freedom
ORGANIZED labor does not seek thrt
legislation to do things for the work
ers that they can do for themselves
II only seeks to establish for then
opportunities. This principle apple
10 workers in private industry i
the case OF workers in governments
employment where the government
the employer and conditions of em
ployment can be fixed only by leg
lation, then the organized labor move
ment seeks to do something NOR