The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-09-01

pions, delivering addresses celebrat-
ing the workers. one national holiday,
were enthusiastic, they had much to
won by organized labor. Every speech
was kindled with optimism, for it
seemed apparent that drastic steps
were to be taken by the government
to curb dreaded competition of immi-
grants, removing the only stun bling
block in the pathway of greater
achievements.
Organization work throughout the
land gained impetus.
In every trade where contracts ex-
pired substantial increases in wages
and improved conditions were secured
The demand for labor could not be
met as our industries expanded in an
endeavor to meet stricken Europe's
growing needs. Every commodity in
creased to staggering price as the
"fixers'" boarding and specializing in
human needs became more defiant
and determined to grab every dollar
while the going was good.
Dupe With Bonuses.
The great masses gasped: they
could not understand: they wondered
when and how it al! would end.
Prosperity was being leralded as
never before. The voice Of the pessi-
mist was drowned. The game of -liv-
ing decently proved more difficult
than in the lean years of the past.
Unrest began to be felt in the land.
To meet the emergency large employ
ers began the game of dipping the
unsuspecting with bonuses, offered on
basis until the war ends. Taking
the lead in combating the influence
Of the "bonus" game, calculated to
weaken and destroy the labor move
ment, the United Mine Workers of
America won the greatest single wage
betterment of the year.
Calling informally a few represent
alive operators of the central compe-
titive field, and then meeting for
| mally in New York, 20 per cent
wage increase for anthracite and BIZ
luminous miners was secured on the
eve of AMERICAS entrance into the
war. The house of the coal industry
! was thought to be in order. Every
| where the press praised the splendid
patriotism that characterized the ne
gotiations.
Warfare spells crisis with any ma
ton. Every crisis is a golden oppor-
tunity for faddists, dreamers and the
orists to parade their preconceived
ideas to remedy every existing i'll. En-
quilted in war, the impractical element
| of our citizenship dream overtime to
control, regulate and readjust indus
f>>SA ~ {s,~ @s~.
ing industry, the basic industry of the
nation, is in the throes Of a merciless
revolution as result of propaganda
| of some honestly blinded to facts, and
others an ious to .exalt themselves on
the tide Of any change, regardless of
whether such change operates for bet
ter or worse.
Never before in the history Of. the
nation has the patience Of those ca
pable, who know how to efficiently
operate particular industries, been so
greatly taxed.
Under the guise of loyalty, indus
trial captains who have long defied
the government as we'll as their en-
ployes, and successfully played the
game of selling labor instead of pro-
ducts, are demanding greater conces-
sions-to be let alone-to continue a
do-as-they-please policy-pretendins
to meet an emergency.
+ The government is demanding CO.
peration-organized effort between
employer and enploye-to meet the
country's war requirements.
The eyes of the world are focused
to see how quickly and efficiently the
governments demands will be met.
Increase in Production.
In the anthracite coal fields, where
recognition of the union was gained in
1916 and the: eight-hour day substi-
tuted for the nine, with a shortage of
upwards Of 10000, miners who have
gone to the munition plants, to sub
way work in New York, and others
called to the colors, coal production
Increased 100000 tons for the first
seven months of the year. In the or
ganized bituminous coal regions and
in all other we'll organized industries
where, employer and employee are
possessed Of each others confidence
like increases Of production have re-
sulted.>
This efficient result is a complete
answer to those who would destroy
without reason the ideal conditions
and working agreements of labor.
England's wrecked toilers is a
warning that should be needed by
those who would shackle the pro-
ducers of the land to never ceasing
grind. F.
The proud boast of every trade
rn1onist should be unstinted loyalty
to these United States of America
Observance of contracts should be
the aim Of every member as we'll at
every union official. We must pla,
our part in the war manfully and
we'll. Every Legitimate endeavor
should be- exercised before a tie-up ia
any trade results.
We must keep pace with time. Go
forward. not backward.
Ungrudgingly give the best that is
in US If we are to expect the best in
return.
Conditions are being transformed
'ver night; we must meet these new
demands, safely and sanely.
Preserve Principles.
No matter how difficult it may
seem or exacting the task, labor must
strive to preserve intact during the
war the principles of collective bar
gaining. When the curtain falls on
the worlds most deplorable slaughter
history xx,I,~ IN - -,