The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1917-03-09
BY GRANT HAMILTON in American
Federationist.

BY GRANT HAMILTON in American
Federationist.
1t is not my purpose to deal with the
vast array of details which enter into
even a cursory discussion of social in
surance, but rather to give expression
to the basic principles of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, with partic-
ular reference to the subject under con-
sideration. The development of the
A. f. of L. has proceeded along neces-
sary and practical lines, but with I'M
ceasing vigilance that the organizations
OF labor should be maintained unim-
paired and the individual workers
should retain undisputed possession of
the rights and liberties guaranteed by
the organic law of our country and the
spirit of our people.
The history of the movements of
wage earners in all ages reveals the
Vaccinations of their opponents to dis
integrate and destroy their associa-
tions. 1t has not infrequently been ac-
complished by employing the lawmak-
ing power. and even in our own time
the legislative, judicial and executive
branches of our federal government,
as well as that Of the states, have been
made the instruments of oppression
under the guise of benefiting the work
ers.
With these facts before us we organ
lied wage earners cautiously scrutniZe
every movement launched by outside
agencies whose claimants profess de
votion to the common veal Before
the A. f. of l.. gives its approval to
any plan contemplating the establish
ment by law OF any form of social in
sugance it must first be assured that
the economic freedom of the workers
Is guaranteed and that the participa-
tion In benefits to be derived from any
system of this character is not based
upon continuous employment IN a GER
tain industry or predicated upon time
of service or other devices intended to
tie the workers to their jobs.
The primary step necessary to real,
permanent betterment Of the workers
Is to free them from thraldom which
has been fastened upon them by those
who took advantage of the nee SSity
OF the poor The great majority of
wage earners each day earn daily
bread-the opportunity to work stands
between them and want on tomorrow
Employers have held men III subjec
tion through the threat of loss Of the
job. Only through organization has
any degree OF freedom or stability of
employment come to wage earners
Our first concern, therefore, i'll consid-
ering any proposition is, VIII 1t inter
fere with organization for freedom?
In the light of experience it cannot
be asserted that our movement lags or
wage Garner, organized or unorganized
The organized labor movement is the
only institution that has the unques-
toned right TO speak aud act for the
workers Its efforts have been and
are ever extended TO unorganized, and
the history of the past is replete with
instances of sacrifices made by the
organized for the unorganized. 1t is
equally true that we too, are impa-
tient at our progress, but a structure
strong enough to withstand industrial
inclemency must be erected with due
regard to the elements which com
pose it.
Organization, then, must be the bea-
on shedding its light upon all our eff
forts. 1t must be our first consdera-
ton.
Any further systems evolved having
for their purpose intended benefits to
the great mass must contain adequate
safeguards to protect the wage earn
ers from industrial, law or welfare ex-
ploitation. The American Federation
of Labor stands committed TO the vel
fare of the wage earning population
of our country, but 1t will refuse now,
as 1t has done in the past, TO indorse
or lend It's assistance to any scheme,
no matter by whom proposed, unless IT
is first convinced that the same meas
ure of freedom of action as now en-
loved in the trade unions are secured
to the workers under any insurance
scheme proposed.