Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1923-06-29
,e We Wards of the State?
Or Free Citizens?
r, JOHN P. FREY, Editor The Moldcrs' Journal
lin American Federationist)

a.. ...ss=earners' efforts TO i'm
u Conditions as workers have
PLy.iS ny two quite different
as's'9f ne. lines of policy and
aho .azI Tsese two general policies
III sau s4sed upon principles which
a4's r9rfl5cf with each other, and
~ - indicate an entirely, different
VII Of the general problem
Con- by The workers, and the method
- az sbic5 tsis problem is to be APP
o,aaebed and solved. -.
The pnap, represented by the
,asyiesr .rade union movement, as
a'''e -. preston to its purposes
10 tbe methods, principles, and
u aL;IelSphy Of the American Fedora
iian ef ab5r, believe that the wage
s "g can only adequately protect
.Sai i, interests by trade union organ
- III in the industrial field. dealing
5,setly with employers relative to
Inn of employment, conditions OF
isbor and the relationship which
"ssnl3 exist between employer and
smnloye through the application of
objective BARGAINING, and by making
1.s NJ the right of quitting collective
" whenever the terms and conditions
4 smployment are unsatisfactory.
The trade union position, as ex-
messed BY the American Federation
Al labor. is that wage-earners are
,bs full equals of all other citizens in
,bsir rights and privileges, and that
the American wage-earners because
Of this fact are in no sense to De
considered wards of the state, unfor-
inmates who, because of their limited
Igbts. or their mental inability to
protect themselves in the hurly-burly
Of life. require tie special protecting
care Of the state.
The sproup who seek to secure
throug legislation what the trade un-
iopists aim to accomplish through
negotiations with employers, believe
that il is the function of the state OF
protect wage-earners by assuming a
gardship over them. This group is
influenced by the belief that those
who are suffering from any form of
Injustice in the Industries, and who
for the time being seem incapable
Of protecting themselves because thew
are unorganized, or so weakly organ
lied that their efforts are not success
full, should be made the wards of the
state and receive that consideration
and protection from the state which is
not given to those citizens considered
capable Of taking care of themselves.
Seek TO Prevent State Wardship
The American Federation of Labor
knowing that children in industry
cannot organize to protect. themselves
has actively supported legislation to
protect the youths because they have
not reached maturity, and are not
competent to organize in a manner
which would successfully protect their
welfare. The American Federation
Of Labor while convinced that woman
Is in no sense ward of the state
because of her sex, has held that
owing to the physical effects of indus
Try upon her and her offspring, that
Il was necessary that the state should
enact legislation which would prevent
any physical injury being done to her
as an employee.
The American trade union move
aenti however, has constantly held to
ue position that the adult wage-earn-
sis are not wards of the state, and
furthermore that their Individual well
lsie, and the protection of their
ngh's as citizens, made it necessary
9a' at all hazards legislative bodies
SHOULD be prevented from assuming
Sardship over them.
Inc position has been well illus
rated by the continued Resistance of
me American trade union movement
70 Inc enactment of any compulsory
no'falon laws, and to any other
cessation which would permit the
Aase' instead Of adult wage-earners,
nave the final voice in determining
s s.l terms of employment and con-
ug9hs OF labor would be accepted.
Inc principles and policies of the
;a !. trade union movement lead
10 oulid up powerful organizations
aIaaohg Inc wage-earners, to enable
. Jen 10 deal directly with their en-
yosets and to collectively work out
, se problems arising in industry rela-
Nc Nc 70 the relationship between en-
s,osef and employe. For this reason
sga.; 1iaoe union policy has been to
S, ,'l.iia'e political tinkering with in
as'tial relations as much as possible,
80 aau 70 depend upon the strength of
0,,s: . and the wisdom it ac-
W. through its experiences, to
MIN MIN out It's problems, instead of the
Nv OF lne state through its legisla-
he, administrative, and judicial
., ' ~ VINO believe in using the pow
A.. y. the state to improve industrial
S,,ui.lohs, # their program met with
,-1tseSS' would most assuredly. though
ss ,,'sps un"ittingly, place the wage
AZ We No more and more in the position
tb,a @alGs ei the state, subject to the
snS uepafLments of government.
IN 'ng constant changes due to the
to- Me- qiI !, low Of partisan politics. In
a M VI loeklng to trade unionism as
n,o JS,falS Of solving the workers
Il ' ZEN d employees, they endeavor
legislation. e'i purpose through
70 fho "1 lldt those who look
deprs" .sa'e and would give it a
esTra err 'l F.rdship over the wage
p,ns5 WI o. of necessity, be COM
H. - !. sDend more and more upon
trs8p po a.!a methods, rather than the
DeIs3 union ore. They would be com
5es, su 10 secure the conditions in in
qUifss winch the wage-earners re-
lstjos VIZ -asa the enactment of legis-
lae by a. =, me administration of the
partnse. We execution and pudicial de-
dis,isos.; Here lies the clean-cut
prifeiriI,ooh between the policies and
can ~ 80 aich influence the Ameri-
q the In, union movement, and those
49, STATE y do sometime for aVo1 th ap1
so .lS5 itaey would well be able 70 o'i eel
uaiogg n mo 10 themselves THROUGH trade