Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1922-02-24
THE TRADE UNION LABEL
is THE SYMBOL OF HOPE
BY Alice Louise Nealeans in
The Carpenter


In order that union workers might
add to their strength by increasing
the sale of their own products and
at the same time making it possible
for these products to be known, it
was decided to mark all union-made
by each organization and its use
granted to employers recognizing
unionism. According to the finished
product it is marked in the hat, on
the shoe, on each piece of wearing ap-
parel, on furniture, in woven fabrics
and in tools, where best seen and
preserved; all with the sanction of
organized labor after years of loss
to workers calling for some protec-
ton, coming right along in the Union
Label and talks in language strong
and true in the interest of labor
This wonderful little proof of the
sound reasoning in thoughtful work
ers is the badge to be found on hon,
estly made goods that make the
wearer of clothing, so marked, feel
free and happy, knowing that no sweat
shop workers suffered, either sickness
or starvation through their making.
1t Is the mark in hat that makes
the wearer walk straighter and lift
1t with real pride when speaking to
friends of labor, who are in the same
army of loyal Union Label advocates.
1t proclaims that whatever bears its
special design has been made in
conditions and better prices prevail,
than in shops where organization can
not breathe the freedom the boys in
khaki fought for
1t is symbol of hope, showing
that the workers are coming out from
under the clouds of despair, for CEN
turtles covering them in a gloom
now breaking away, letting in the
sunshine of good cheer and with
promises of time to live, laugh and
give someone the glad hand. To
sweatshop employers the Union Label
says: Il stand for sanitary working
conditions, and tell all who grow rich
on underpaid labor-you cannot hurt
us nor can your hatred retard our
progress"
This much in little" bit of indie
pendence, stitched on or wrought in
a product, means a declaration to
the workers that they know their
value in flesh and blood and dollars
as well. 1t inspires all who think
OF its marvellous assistance in the
cause of trade unionism, with a
higher and broader idea of the pur-
pose and success of the movement
The Union Label need not fear arrest
or plumber; it is honest, brave and
true to the men and women who are
under its splendid protection and
move in the direction of emancipation
from the conditions that are hurtfui
to the lives of the workers-the
backbone of the Nation whose duty
1t is, or should be, to give them their
birthright-the freedom to live a
normal, happy life, as God decreed
when He gave man dominion over
the earth, with neither mortgage nor
profit rights secured to the select
few with power TO exploit child labor
or destroy the life of a single indi-
vidual.
The labor movement has a thrill
of joyousness in it's onward march
and in this beneficial inspiring sign
of the times there shines forth, in
radiant light, the ever present Union
more unionized shops, for it is this
little citizen of the workers world
that is teaching the men and women,
who labor in factory, mill and shop,
that they are of more value than
their work and must be protested.
and that they are coming under "A
new order Of things, growing out of
the war experiences, throwing such
pig searchlight on the hitherto little
Valued labor factor in time o!
me two often forgotten Unior
a-apei keeps before the worker tn,
ME-; Ta o. power working for the hap
fher, u me toiler--it promise,
throneb ,arser share of their labo
ing Of the idea Of the 9 a1t, or 20 Slsl
W man--even in these da aSs ~ ~ ma ma