The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-11
:CARSS SPEAKS
OF union LABOR
Congressman Tells Fairmont
Park Crowd Of Need Of ToIIors'
Organization.
Continued From Page One.

cussed by men who have made deep
study OF all these problems.
1T would indeed by a sad day for
America, if the short-sighted men,
who for a brief advantage are trying
to destroy the American labor move
ment. should succeed. In these as in
all other organizations. there are a
few misguided individuals who dream
Of violence and disorder. and who
would establish class rule in America.
This would be but another form Of,
autocracy, but not one working man
in 10000 would attempt to bring
about any change in our government:
except by the ample means provided
in our Constitution. =.
"Let those who would question the
loyalty Of labor, note the record which
has been made by organized labor in
America during the late World war.
Realizing that there was and is no
hope for those who toll, save in de-
mocracy, the American labor move
ment threw its whole heart into the
struggle. pledged its loyal support to
our government and carried out that
pledge.
our front line trenches ran through
France, our second line trenches ran
through the mines, fields, factories,
shipyards and transportation lines
here at home, and if our boys had not
been Loyalty supported by the toilers
at home they never could have achiev-
ed that glorious triumph for democ-
racy.
Labor realized the opportunity Of
the centuries to rid the toilers Of au-
| tocracy and militarism, and fully con-
scious of the costs of accomplishing
the great task, threw itself whole
heartedly into the conflict
And now, my friends, having proved
| their loyalty and contributed large
| ly. toward winning the victory, what
benefits shall come to the toilers?
| 1T has been the hope that out of
this terrible struggle would emerge a
great democratic force. that would
destroy special privilege throughout
the world. Yet the sound Of the gun
had scarcely died on the battlefie1ds
of France, before there was launched
in this country an insidious propa-
:ganda in an attempt to establish worse
! conditions than existed before the war
by taking away those rights which the
toiler had already secured. From all
parts ofthe country come reports OF
this so-called open shop movem ent.
Let no one be deceived by this propa-
ganda. 1t is direct attack, and
m cans closing-the shop against or
ganized labor. =. :"- -~-' - --.- .
~ The eight-hour day, Saturday half
Holiday, extra nay for overtime, safe
and Sanitary WORKING cqnditions; all
! these and more have been secured by
| the EARNEST ,honest;>: manly human
rasn% who; carry Anian cards. AS a
union man I contend that the. closed
shop is not disloyalty, but loyalty and
humanity; protesting against dis1oy-
atty and greed. :.
| Il also protest. against introducing
such an issue into the. political arena,
for this will indeed convert the social
unrest now prevalent throughout the
country, into political unrest. The
right Of the employees to organize and
to bargain collectively is pretty we'll
recognized;' also the rights Of employ
ers are clearly defined. If the rela-
+ tlons; between employer and employe
are satisfactory l see no reason why
the government should interfere. so
| long as we have free institutions.
~ have briefly enumerated some Of
the principles for which the American
LABOR movement stands and some of
those rights that have been secured
through concerted action. And now,
| let me admonish you, my fellow trade
unlonists. TO- continue in your loyalty
ana devotion to the movement that
means so much to humanity, let your
| conduct before the world be such as
| to reflect credit to those organizations
Whose obligations you Voluntarily
nave assumed. Stand by and support
your leaders that they may continue
| their fight for your rights and the
t rights of Your families and the rights
pf all .nosterity; and remember that
in: these trying times, there is need of
| strong hearts, true faith and steady
hanos to guard the constitutional
| rights and liberties which have been
handed down to us. There are many
serious problems to solve, problems
that challenge the best brains Of the
world. Let us therefore divert our
mlnos or all prejudice and hatred to-
ward those who do not view these
problems in the same light that we
review them. Remember that only
| throrgh cooperation and community
att council cap We arrive at a proper
solution of these great questions. So
; that when the history of our time has
been written, it can be truly said that
the American labor movement has
proven faithful to the trust imposed
In IT. and that America shall continue
# tube the land Of opportunity for the
h :espresse<t ~of:-all the world. and our
children shall. continue to live free
and happy beneath the folds Of
] ~ 'Youreflag and my flag
i And oh how much it holds:
Your land and my land,
Safe heneath it's folds;
= @.Y9nEEheart and nay heart
;s*'.* Iae.htf4uicker at the sight,
: Sun.kissed. and wind tossed,
| A>YksGsd. the. blue, the white.'"
I.
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