The Connecticut labor press., 1920-11-06
LABOR'S SALVATION
It Must Come From the Workers
 Themselves.

Opponents of Organized Labor have done everything possible to bring it l into disrepute and destroy it as an in- l f1uence i'll society. They have invoked the courts to de- clare it illegal. They have utilized the troops and police. to intimidate 1t and make it a social outlaw. They have subsidized the press to l libel and misinterpret 1t. There is litte left for them to un- dertake in their effort of annihi1ation of the labor movement, Yet Organized Labor is stronger and l more active than ever before. The great task of the organized workers right now is not apologetic or l defensive. It is aggressive. It IS to awaken the unorganized workers to the necessity and advantage of getting into the ranks of Organized Labor at once There IS no longer any doubt in the minds of intelligent workers that labor organizations are absolutely necessary under existing economic conditions. The trouble is that the workers are not sufficiently alert in organizing and exerting and extending their organized influences.
 They must have complete conscious ness of the fact that they need not look to any influence outside of themselves to carry on the work of organization | Few employers have yet reached that state wherein they are eager to have their employees organize. Such an em- ployer would be regarded as curiosity in the average community.
 The majority of employers are op- posed to their employees organizing.
 This Is only natural under existing conditions, and ideals of business.
 There IS no use in looking to the en- p1oyer to take the initiative in or even encourage i'll any way the organization of the workers.
 If labor IS to be encouraged, 1t must be the result of the activities of the workers themselves.
 Let that be distinctly understoodl
 Now, Organized Labor is not hold up. It Is business proposition, with lot of the fraternal in it..
 Organization is the keynote today It is the practical intelligence of pres ent-day activities.
 Labor unorganized is at a tremen- dous disadvantage. It IS antiquated and incompetent.
 It Is as much out of place today as the ox-cart or the wooden blow.
 If 1t were hot for the labor organi- cations the workers would be no better than slaves. They would be absolutely at the mercy of the heartless monster of money
 Iheir lot IS none too desirable even with the existing organizations.
 Just think, though, what 1t might be- come if all the workers, or the great majority of them, should wake up some fine morning inspired with the spirit of organization and unite universally for mutual advantage?
 That would mean the advent of an era of prosperty the world has not yet seen.
 It would mean that the workers would be men with the independence and ambition and opportunity of men.
 It would mean that they could con- trol their own lives and abilities and products.
 It would mean the enthronement of humanity.
 It would mean the supremacy of the family over the commercial combine.
 It would mean the utilization by the worker of the fruits of his. labor for the benefit of his own family. and not for the pampering of the family of an- other who tolls not
 Isn't this problem of organization worth considering carefully?
 Is there any other problem that measn so much to the working people Fl