The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-08-19
USE UNION MADE TOBACCO
Two Great Factors - Co-Operation
and Purchasing Power.
BY w. NJ. Cutter, JR.,

Purchasing Agent Burley Tobacco Co.
Labor is one of the great elements of
society. The great industrial founda-
tion on which we all stand not feudal
service or irkSome drudgery by a race
subjected, but labor, intelligent. manly
and independent as our Union Labor,
thinking and acting for itself Exer-
cisng the right OF franchise and help
ing to uphold the fabric of the great
American Union.
Trade Unionism in the United States
stands for the highest ideals Of human
lty. The ideals that make a strong ap-
peal to the heart and mind The better
ment OF conditions for labor, wherever
found, through cooperative effort. Deep
rooted in every Union mans breast is
the desire to help his fellow laborers.
! say every man. because have no doubt
that every Union man really desires to
help further the organization which
means his very existence.
Lack OF perfect organization and CO.
operation among the various branches Of
Organized Labor and the members in
individual unions are the primary caus-
IS OF the failure Of the organized labor
movement to advance more rapidly. Few
union men realize the power which or
ganized labor holds, and which can be
applied by proper cooperation. Few of
the members Of labor unions realize the
relative proportion of union-made and
non-unlon-madc goods used by union
workers.
One of the greatest factors for pro-
noting the Advancement Of the cause,
while not being overlooked is not given
the attention to which its bearing on the
vita questions concerned entitled it..
This is the persistent and positive de-
mand for the union label This demand
is in the hands Of the individual mem
bcrs, and concerted demand on their
part for merchandise made by union
workmcn and bearing the union label,
even down to the smallest article, coup
led with the positive refusal 70 accept
any article not so marked would consti-
tute more powerful influence in behalf
OF organized labor than all other efforts
combined
The desire to further the cause must
be ever-present in your mind. Think not
only OF your own organization, but of
the thousand kindred organizations. each
Of which occupies the same relative posi-
tion to the movement as your union
science for his failure to use every hon
est effort to advance the cause Of union
made merchandise. He has no other
censor. Cooperation in this one great
principle alone will do more to secure
the support OF manufacturers, organize
plants towns and cities than any other
means. Cooperation is the one great
need. The one principle which can
eventually bring the desired result, which
can create the irresistible force ncces-
sary TO crown the labor movement with
unconditional success.
The purchasing power of union work
men and the consumption of union-made
goods by them and their families is the
one impelling force which can do more
than all else to win recognition from
manufacturers For example, let us con
slider the case of an average skilled un-
ION workman to demonstrate the tire
mendous power that is being wastcc
yearly by organized labor which power
il expended in increasing the consump-
ton OF union-madc goods would effect
a revolutionizinp OF conditions that
would be irresistible in its influence, and
Of rncalculable benefit.
Henry Martin is a union man, works
does not demand union-made goods. II,
wears clothes, eats the foodstuffs tina
every wcll-regulated human does in ac
cordancc with his tastes; chcws tobac
co, smokes and INDUCES in the habits o
workingman. Let us see what Henry
power as a union factor is
In addition to the actual necessities o
life he will cXpend approximately S20O0
yearly in the purchase OF personal sup
plies. such as clothes, shoes, hats, under
wear, cigars and tobacco.
Consider then the power to furthc
union interests which lies in the pur
chasing OF the requirements OF the mem
bcrs OF labor unions, Statistics shov
that there are Approximately 30o000
members OF labor unions in this coun
try Placing their purchasing power a
$4,000 each yearly, which is ridicuousl,