Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1923-08-31
MARVELLOUS GROWTH
IN MEMBERSHIP AND
PRESTIGE OF LABOR
Collective Bargaining Is Being Gener-
ally Accepted As Necessary for the
Well Being Of Labor and industry.

The labor problem is centuries old,
and will not be solved until capital
and labor realize they are allies rath-
er than rivals and that contest be-
tween them is like a civil war.
Fifty years ago, when the National
Conference of Social Work was form
ed, even children worked IL hours
day. The American Federation of La
Dor had not been formed, and the
knights OF Labor, which had just been
organized, was still q puny infant.
When the knights, under Terrence
Powderly, held their first general as
sembly in 1873, its declaration of prin-
ciples calling for an eight-hour day,
seemed like an Utopian dream.
The great changes and accomplish
ments Of the labor movement are best
illustrated by the fact that in the de-
.cade from 1919 to 1920 the number of
laborers in American factories who
work eight hours day or less rose
from less than one-tenth to virtually
one-half In the same decade the
number who work ten hours a day or
more fell over two-thirds.
Membership Increase.
Fifty years ago the idea Of trade
unions was almost intolerable to the
public. Now labor organization is ia
ken for granted and favored general
ly by public opinion and recognized
by the federal government. The pol
icy of our own State Federation presi-
dent in appearing before organized
civic and business bodies throughout
the state since the drive of the Asso-
ciated Industries against organized
labor started and died, outlining la
boris aims has not only gained favor
but respect for labor.
In the decade from 1910 to 1920 the
trade union membership of the United
States rose from 100000 to 100000
or $50 per cent; of Great Britain from
$500 900 to 100000 or ESQ per cent
and Of the whole world from II, 000, O00
to 48,000,O00 or $50 per cent
There has been. of course. a great
increase in wages during the last so
years, and especially in the last few
years. For every dollar received by
the American laborer in 1870 he re-
ceived on an average nearly $500 in
1910 and more than $500 in 1920, the
same rate can be practically applied
today after the REIMBURSEMENT period.
Prices Rise Also.
The increase, however, has been
very irregular as between different oc-
equations. and prices have also risen
during the same period and particular
ly during the last few years, to such
an extent that it is impossible to make
almost any general statement on the
subject Of wages and prices which
will not be questioned.
Until lately organized labor thought
the church deaf to its claims and a
partisan of capital, although it ac-
cepted Christ Himself as a humble
workman. Now intelligent labor
knows that the church is a sincere
friend OF both labor and capital, that
it desires Industrial justice. and that
it will often speak for it even II 1t
offends peWholders by doing so.
Nearly all religious denominations
now admit that an industry which
does not afford to labor reasonable
and frugal comfort" is a parasitic in
dustry and dangerous to the state be-
cause 1t injuries citizenship.
Churches Stand.
The Federated Council Of Churches
of Christ in America was organized in
1908. It is a federation of 81 constitu-
ent denominations, including 100000
local churches with more than 49,
100000 communicates. At its first
meeting it adopted a platform calling
for "a living wage as a minimum in
industry" the reduction Of hours OF
labor to the lowest practical point, /"
and the abolition Of child labor"
AS the resistance to organized labor
has fallen away, Il has become less