Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1923-06-29


administration of law by the execu-
tive and judicial departments. Here
lies the clean-cut distinction between
the policies and principles which in
fluence the American. trade union
movement, and those Of the men and
women who look for the state to do
something for them which they would
well be able to accomplish for them
selves through trade union organiza-
ton.
Labor's Experiences. -
The experience OF wage-earners
from the beginning of modern indus
try has been that political parties
come and 90, that the political sue
cess of today is followed by the DO
litical defeat Of tomorrow; that leeis-
lation placed upon the statute books
can be repealed, and, in other ways
nullified, or so construed by the
courts, that its original intent has
been destroyed, If perchance the
courts do not declare the legislation
unconstitutional. Furthermore that
the enactment OF satisfactory legisla-
ton may be followed by the coming
into power of executives whose hos
tility towards the legislation prevents
1t from operating. Dependence upon
the state for the correcting OF any in
justice arising thru relationship of
employers or employees, their depend
ence upon the men who for the time
being hold administrative and judicial
positions; men, the most Of whom are
politicians, and owe their position TO
partisan political influences.
The distinction between the two
methods under consideration and the
philosophy upon which they are based
are clearly indicated in the now clas-'
steal illustration Of the. New York
bakery law. The bakers in New York
City, placing their confidence in the
legislative method, and believing that
the state should assume a certain
wardship over them, contributed mon
ey for legislative purposes, and final
iy secured the enactment Of the ten
hour law for bakers. The apparent
success was soon turned to dismal de-
feat, for this law was declared un.
constitutional by the supreme court Of
the United States, which left the bak-
ers exactly where they were before,
the law had ben enacted.
Organize Union.
Realizing by this time the unwis-
dom of the method they had adopted.
they formed a strong trade union or
ganization, and then as trade union-
lists negotiated directly with their en-
ployers, and as one immediate result
established an eight-hour day, and
many other conditions greatly to their
advantage. Where the legislative
method had proven a complete fall
ure, the trade union. method was d
complete success.
II the American wage-eaIners are
incapable OF organizing successfully
and Of protecting their welfare thru
trade unionism, they will, whether
they wish 1t or not. become wards OF
the state occupying a stage Of degra-
dalton and inferiority which would
compel them to depend wholly upon
the political method for whatever pro-
lection they receive. They would be
compelled to admit their inferiority
as citizens. and frankly confess their
dependence upon the fluctuation of
partisan political sentiment, and the
constant changes which take place
among those occupying Legislative.
executive, and judicial positions.
The policy of the American trade
nnion aims to make the wage-earners
more and more independent, and com
petent 10 protect themselves and their
interests In the relationship which ex-
lists between employers and employees.
II aims to place the American wage
earners in a position where, IN addi-
ton to enjoying every right and privi-
lege enjoyed by any other citizens.
they win be fully competent T. pro-
tect their interests ana determine
under what conditions their labor win
be given to the employer. as fully ~
; the employer determines the price
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