Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-06
EXPLAINS OBJECTS
Of LABOR UNIONS
Secretary Morrison Lectures
in the Associated Chari-
ties Lenten Course.
SEEK TO MAKE BETTER
CONDITION OF TOILERS
Compulsory Education and Child
Labor Laws to Improve Flu
ture Generations.

| What organized labor stands for and
aims at was told by Frank Morrison.
secretary of the American Federation
of Labor, at Rauschers this morning.
Under the title "I.abor's Ideals" he de-
! livered the principal address at the
fifth of the series of Lenten talks I'M
der the auspices of the Associated
Charities. DIR. A. J. McKelway pre-
| sided.
| Among the things that organized Ia
Dor favors and is working for, Mr..
Morrison named the following:
Abolition of all forms of involuntary
servitude except punishment for
crimes. He said the seamen's bill was
an important step in this direction.
Free schools and free books, with
| compulsory education for all children.
For an Eight-Hour Day.
| That work day of not more than
eight hours in twentyfour shall pre-
vail.
Strict regulations for not more than
eight hours work day on all state
and municipal works.
That on state and government work
| the rate of wage shall be not less than
the prevailing per diem rate for that
| class of work in the vicinity-consti-
tuting a living wage.
Relief from employment one day in
seven.
Liability of employers for injury to
body or loss of life Preference for
compensation by the state for injuries.
Standardization of the telegraph and
telephone.
Passage of child labor laws in those
states where they are not now in force
and rigid enforcement of them in the
states where they have been enacted.
Suitable and plentiful Fairgrounds
for children in all cities.
Vocational education in the schools to
fit the children as they grow up to per-
form the worlds work He pointed out
the practical way of training girls
whether colored or white to perform
will be trained to efficiency and economy.
Explains Some Misconceptions.
Mr.. Morrison then explained some of the
misconceptions regarding organized labor.
He said one great misconception is that
the good mechanic and the poor one get
the same compensation under the labor
schedule. He explained that organized la
DOT Ill reality OHly SETS tHe H1lIlllHuIn wage
and that the employer can pay as much
more to any workman as he deserves. The
minimum wage is set for the great mass
of workmen. and the employer generally
pays this and no more because labor does
not force him to pay higher scale.
He emphasized that strikes by labor Or
CARNATIONS only the last resort with
private employers and that in the case of
government employment legislation is the
last resort.
The immigration question was also
touched upon by Mr.. Morrison. He said
the wage Garner is helping to effect a
regulation of immigration because he de-
sires to maintain the American standard
of living.
1.-The standard Of wages for both skilled
and unskilled labor in this country is the
result of many years Of effort by organ
lied labor. Where immigrant accepts
work at a lower rate than the standard
wage he not only takes the place of a
man who has been working at higher
rate. but he assists in forcing down the
prevailing rate of wage in that industry
This result carries with it a correspond
ing reduction he said. ''in the physical
| moral and Intellectual standard Of Amer
lean life