Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-01

pose. Engineers have a like purpose.
None of these three has any lcgiti-
mate purpose In the scheme OF things
except to create wcalth--to produce
things for human use. II am OF
these thinks IL is his purpose and
his function to produce for some
other purpose than human use, he is
laborinS under most pitiful dclu-
sion from which he should DO aroused
or relieved OF his post
The trade unions are primarily, OF
course, institutions for the protcc-
ton of tho rights and interests OF
the working people. So long as greed
makes II necessary for the orEaniza-
lions OF tho workers to function az
militant, fighting organizations It
VIII be Impossible for them to con-
tribute fully toward tho enlargement
and tho bettcrmcnt OF Industrial pro-
ccsscs.
Whit Peace Would Permit.
Every thoughtful trade unionist
hopes that the time Is near when IT
may be increasingly possible to give
moro thought to the perfection of our
industrial processes and to DO re-
licved of the necessity for the ex-
penditure of SO much effort In mere
ly preventing reaction.
haVo indicated earlier In this ar
ticle certain Developments which
seem to point 10 tho end OF the pc
Rod OF reaction. Labor will night as
long as 1t is necessary TO fight for
the preservation of progress, Of
rights and OF liberties that have been
gained and for the welfare of the
great masses OF the people Of our
country. whose rights and liberties
arc inseparable from those OF the
workers.
Tho great end 20 be desired. how
ever. Is the concentration of all eff
forts upon the Improvement OF our
Industrial processes and the pertec-
tion OF our industrial organization.
1t Is fundamental. OF course, that
there must be recognized on tho part
OF the employers Of the r.-ht OF the
workers to organize and TO be- rep
resented by representatives OF their
own choosing. 1t Is fundamental
that there must be joint relations be-
tween workers and employers and
that through these joint relations
there be agreement upon the forms
and conditions under which service
shall DO given. These are the FIRST
stepping stones of democracy In in
dustry. take It for granted that
no thinking, progressive man or wo-
man will contend that there can be
progress In Industry any moro than
in our political life, unless the fun
damontal tenents OF democracy are
to be accepted. The general check
and rebuke that have been admins
tered to tho rcactionary forces in our
most essential Industries is an indi-
cation that the future belongs TO
those who espouso the democratic
ideal. We have hope on the indus
trial field. and, II may interject, We
have hope also on the political field,
concerning which It may be interest
Ing to speculate briefly.
Labor's Political Position.
In politics, American labor Is nom
partisan. 1t cspouscs principles, but
is not concerned as TO parties The
American Federation Of Labor Is ac-
tive politically, but In a strictly nom
partisan sense in every State In the
Union. 1t Is proud 10 have contribut-
cd materially to the recent downfall
of some OF the outstanding leaders OF
reaction. and II is equally proud to
have contributed materially TO the
sweeping victories OF progressive
men. who have been nominated in
tho primary elections during the last
few weeks.
1t is safe TO say. even before the
elections are held. that the next SEN
ate and the next House OF Repre-
scntatives Will contain sufficient
number Of progressive. Intelligent
men to prevent the enactment OF any
reactionary legislation during the
next two years. There will IL ia
Certain. be n goodly number In the