The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-09-16

and crises that have proved its
fundamental principles: there have
been opportunities that have tested
it's practical efficiency. Through
them all the trade union movement
has made sure progress and gained
in confident vision 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 advantage in
those things which are fundamental
of betterment in all relations of life.
In some organizations the success has
ben phenomenal.
Record Progress Made.
Taking the labor movement as a
whole there has been greater progress
in securing the eight hour day or the
shorter workday than in any other
similar period Of time. The meaning
Of these victories can be interpreted
only in the light of full understand
ing of the meaning ct the eight-hour
day. The shorter workday is some
thing more than an economic de-
mand for opportunity for rest, re-
cuperation, and development; things
which make life more than mechanic
al 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 re-
sourceful workers with keener men,
tality and greater producing power.
1t inevitably follows that the short
hour workers are the best paid work.
ers. With every reduction in hours
here is always a corresponding in
crease in wages. Wherever demands
for the shorter workday and higher
wages have been presented and
urged by organized workers during
the. past year, they have met with
success. These economic gains have
potent relation to the social side
of life.
Shortening the period Of work
lengthens the period for development
and for all of the other activities to
the normal Individual. Increases in
wages give the workers the means for
taking advantage Of the increased
The workers of short hours and bet
ter wages become very different citi-
zens from those who are 50 exhausted
by the daily grind that they have nei-
Their the time nor the energy for
thought nor aspiration. These gains
mean better homes, better food, bet
ter clothing; time and opportunity for
the cultivation Of the best and the
highest that is possible in the life of
man.
Economic achievements are the
basis upon which the workers can Sc
cure social and political progress. The
power which secures these achieve
ments is the power that will secure
Justice for them in every other rela-
ton. Shorter hours and higher wages
give the opportunity and the means
to live better more purposeful' 'f1ves.'
Economic Organization.
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 it's economic power to secure po-
litical protection and by adhering
strictly to a nonpartisan political pro-
gram, the American Federation of
Labor has won glorious legislative
victories.
The object of legislation which or
sanized labor has sought to obtain is
always to establish larger and better
opportunities for life and freedom.
/ Organized labor does not seek
through legislation to do things for
the workers that they can do for
themselves. It only seeks to establish
for them opportunities. This prin-
ciple applies to workers in private in
dustry. In the case of workers in
governmental employment where the
,, government is the employer and
conditions of employment can be
fixed only by legislation, then the or
ganized labor of employment can be
fixed only by legislation, then the Or
ganized labor movement seeks to do
something more than merely estab-
llsh opportunity. It must secure legis-
lation regulating conditions of en-
ployment.
The record Of the legislative
achievements of the labor movement
ohANO 4OVV "AOAA kAo AOAA. PSAA IAScA4A Nv.
litical party was inaugurated, is one
of splendid victories. The two most
important are the Seamen's Act and
the labor sections of the Clayton anti
trust law. The greatest thing in both
of these acts is the advancement Of
human freedom.
The problem Of human freedom
| was not ended by the work of Lin
coin. There still remained class
bound to involuntary servitude, the
seal men. The Seamen's act brings
freedom to these workers. It makes
| American soil sacred to freedom, q
| country upon which bondman may
| not step without losing his legal fet-
tiers. freed and given an opportunity
t. protect themselves, the seamen are
pressing their demands for higher
wages and better conditions. Section
of the Clayton antitrust act con-
tains the most advanced concept OF
| freedom. 1.-THE labor of a human
being is not a commodity or article OF
commerce"
| According to old time philosophy,
pc litical economy, and legal thought
labor power was a commodity and ar
ticle of commerce in no way different
from coal, potatoes. and iron. Under