The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-03-24
FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE

PuSf'Su SSH De Equdieu ny the oil
ers In Other Trades and caIIings
Organization Is a Problem Which
Women Must Themselves Work Out.
BY SAMUEL GoMPERS.
The strike of the needleworkers In
Greater New York brings into sharply
defined prominence this fact-the well
being Of women wage earners depends
upon organization. The spirited insist
ence upon right, justice and principles
Of human welfare which is manifested
by these girl and women wage earners
has much of encouragement for those
concerned for the interests of women.
The girls and women of the needle
trades of New York city have through
their intelligent efforts brought organi-
zation and greater regularity into a
chaotic industry They have establish
ed and maintained standards of santa
ton and hygiene in an industry that
previously threatened the health and
lives not only of the workers, but Of all
those who purchased ready made gar
ments. Through their organization
they are establishing better standards
OF wages and more reasonable work
ing hours and now seek wider appi-
cation for them. Because they have
used intelligent effectiveness in pre-
senting and maintaining their demands
they have been able TO incorporate
their ideals in the organization OF the
industry.
This economic fight which women
have been making in the industrial field
has had tremendous influence upon
their lives in all relations of life. They
have been growing into an apprecia-
ton Of their value and Importance as
members Of society. This conscious
ness has stimulated "A spirit of inde-
pendence that is manifest in the indus
trial field as well as elsewhere The
economic independence which they
have been working out through their
trade unions is the basis for all free
dom of choice and action
Women who by their own labor earn
wages sufficient TO support them indie
pendently have the power to choose
and direct their own lives. They are
free from all the CALLING dependence
and Difference that invariably accom-
pany a condition Of either total or par
tial dependence upon others for the nee
essaries of life. Since women are now
part of the industrial world their for
tune and welfare are ineXt1icably asso-
ciated with the welfare Of all others
who are associated with them in work
There is no difference in the indus
trial problems and difficulties which
confront women from those which con
front men. The fundamental principles
which underlie all efforts Of women to
establish their rights and industrial
justice are those which underle efforts
of men. Men and women united can
work out general plan for the eco
nomic welfare of all, and together they
can enforce their demands and ideals
Divided in their efforts or working
along separate plans there must be
some degree of conflict and wasted ac-
tivity.
1t is recognized fact that unor-
ganized workers constitute menace
not only to themselves. but to the or
gantzed workers. Exploiting employers
have not failed to read the significance
OF this condition in Europe. Informa-
tion has come TO us that there has
been an effort in munition factories to
replace men workers by women. with
the hope that the unorganiZed workers
would not make the demands for JUS
tice that have been pressed by the
men.
We in America must profit by the
experiences Of fellow workers abroad.
We have now the opportunity to carry
the cause of organization to all of the
women and girl wage earners, to help
them organize and to make their own
fight for industrial liberty and justice.
We cannot make the fight for the wo-
men workers. They must go through
the struggle themselves; they must
have grounded into their very fiber the
principles of trade unionism the ideals
and the concepts of the trade union,
an appreciation of the standards of the
organized workers, desire to establish
and the will to maintain these stand
ards
Organization is problem which the
women themselves must work out
Others may help. may give advice, aid
and counsel but the women must
make the fight free from the domiua-
tion of all others. 1t is wage earners'
struggle. in which they must learn
and develop within themselves the
spirit of independence and a knowl-
edge and appreciation of their own
rights that make them unwilling to
accept less than justice. Such spirit
will develop within them a desire for
freedom that disdains alike benevo-
lent patronage and the wrongs of In
justice.
What the w. men of the needle trades
OF New York city. Philadelphia and
elsewhere have accomplished can be
equaled and surpassed by the women
workers in all other trades and call
ings. What the needleworkers have
already accomplished constitutes but
y the foundation for efforts to secure
DRcater opportunities and greater free
dom.