The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-09-02
employment of union workmen unde,


designated. 1t is also eloquent of the
fact that the article was not the prod
uct of prison labor and was made un-
der sanitary conditions
Sunshine and light as we'll as am
pie ventilation We're unknown in many
occupations until the workers had or
ganized and established these as a
part of the working conditions sought.
Sweatshops were the rule rather than
the exception in the tobacco and nee
die trades before organization paved
the way to better conditions.
Sanitation was mockery; toilet
facilities being not only insufficient
but in common use by both sexes, be-
fore organization paved the way for a
change in the crowded work rooms of
some industries.
Union labor has been stigmatized as
Selfish" if it is selfish to make a
fight for cleanliness, for healthful
surroundings, for more leisure time,
for more adequate compensation, for
better schooling facilities, for less
degradation and more humanizing civ
ilization, we can well plead guilty to
the charge.
The union label is the emblem of
democracy; the insignia Of freedom
of speech, free assembIage and the
freedom of the press because organ
lied labor to sponsor for all of these
and the union label is representative
Of union labor. Can worker be true
to the obligations taken on entrance
into the union movement when he
neglects or refuses >to patronize the
union label?
Can any citizen who expresses a de-
sire for the realization of any of the
high ideals sought by organized labor
be true in their seeking without he
is equally desirous of purchasing un-
ion labeled goods and patr 1nizing the
house cards of organized labor?
If every one of the over 100000
organized workers were insistent in
their demand for union labelled goods,
for union house cards and labels, in
one year we would double our mem
bership; in two years, with the same
loyalty on the part of all old and
new members. our struggle would be
over; our principles established.
The union label house card and but
ton are the insignia of the efforts Of
organized workers to establish and
maintain an equitable relationship in
employments.
When you patronize these you are
lending your support TO the efforts Of
your brothers and sisters to safe
guard their organizations and make
them effective instruments for good.
For one who holds membership in
any union to become Needless of or
Indifferent to his obligation to patron
ize these sign posts Of organized ef-
fort stamps him as a card man rather
than a union man.
1t is true that there is no law
against any worker spending his
money as he likes, he can even con
tribute financially to efforts to break
down his own union if he 50 wills,
without legal liability but self-interest
forbids this form of direct action
But many union man who would
raise the roof if his own immediate
interest is challenged, or the interests
of his own organization, wilfully and
knowingly patronizes establishments
where the employees are forbidden the
right Of organization and collective
expression.
In doing this they are lending com
fort to the enemy" in a most substan-
tial manner and, incidentally, weaken
ing their own movement. All labor
unions are interdependent one on the
other; when one is weakened all are
weakened; when one is destroyed the
chain itself becomes more easily
broken.
Union members who wilfully pur-
chase non-union made goods when
they can secure labeled products are
doing what lies in their power to
break down the morals and spirit OF
their own organization; are weaken
ing thir own powers of resistance.
The union movement is one organic
ed and maintained for the benefit of
ALL WORKERS. Not for the bene-
fit of any fortunate few. Because one
group has been more fortunate than
others in securing benefits does not
give them license to lose sight of other
workers still struggling for recogni-
tion.
Nothing can be more inconsistent
than the worker who is keenly alive
to the interests of his own organiza-
ton, eager in the display of his mem
bership and affiliation with organized
labor at the same time openly favor
ing the products of the open shop