Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-10-14
Gompers On Labor

Out of the changes, the perplexi-
ties, the disappointments, the multi
tudinous happenings of the past year,
one fact stands out distinctly-the
position of power and influence the
organized labor movement has won.
The labor movement represents the
demand of the oppressed for oppor-
tunities for freedom. 1t is an organ
ism existing to meet real needs in the
lives of people. 1t has a virility and
an effectiveness that belong to no
artificial organization. It has exist
ed since industrial oppression began
and will always exist in some form.
Progress of the labor movement
means the progress of the cause Of
humanity and freedom, for the move
ment is for the purpose of protecting
the oppressed against those who have
the power to enforce their interests.
The work of the labor movement is
a struggle in which the success Of
the workers depends upon their power
either exercised or held in reserve.
The agency upon which workers as
we'll as all other members of society
rely is power.
The power of the workers is the es-
sential service that they contribute to
society-that is, their power to pro-
duce, their ability to work. Whoever
controls the producing power of the
workers controls the workers.
When employers control this work
ing power and dictate the terms under
which it is used, then employers dom
mate the workers and oppression re-
suits. When the workers control their
own power to produce and have the
right to determine when they will
work and under what terms and con-
ditions then the workers have real
freedom, they are free men and
women, are able to protect them
selves and their own interests.
LabOr's Only Weapon
There is only one way by which the
workers can control their power to
produce, that is, by being in posi-
ton to work or to withhold their
labor until they can secure fair wages
and fair conditions Of work. No
wage-earner can have this power
alone, but collectively they can force
employers to agree to fair terms.
This economic power, the power to
create, is the foundation upon which
the labor movement builds. This
power must not be delegated to any
outside agencies whatsoever if work.
ers are to maintain a position that
will enable them to take advantage of
opportunities and to best protect their
own interests.
The fundamental power of the labor
movement is economic. It must main
tain itself free from any entangling
alliances, from any alluring theories,
from any beautiful dreams that would
tend to divert it from the main pur-
pose and would in any way detract
from it's ability to apply its full force
in support of any demand which may
at any time become practicable.
The labor movement must keep free
from partisan politics, from theories.
It must be free to make demands and
press them home. It must depend
upon it's own initiative and it's own
force, and not permit any parasitic
element to develop either on the out
side or on the inside of the labor
movement.
Menace of the Courts
The labor movement makes de-
mands that bring immediate better
ment into the lives of workers to-day.
1t must be free to make demands if
deemed wise for the next week or the
next month.
1t must be perfectly free from pre-
cedent and theory, in order to do the
practical thing in the most effective
manner. 1t can yield control over its
fundamental economic power to no
dictator, whether benevolent or other
wise.