Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1925-07-24
FUTURE OF AMERICAN
FEDERATION Of LABOR

BY WILLIAM GREEN
| What of the future of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor? This is a
question I approach with most sincere
confidence. It is not necessary to
make an argument. It is only nee
essary to give facts. From those facts
it can readily be seen what the futare
of the American Federation of Labor
will be. ~
The American Federation of Labor
is human vehicle for the advance
ment of humanity. It's principles are
based on what is good for humanity.
There never was a time when such
an organization was not sorely needed.
And there never will be atime when
the American Federation Of Labor will
not be necessary for the welfare of
the wage Garner. For there always
viii be the weak to protect and the
strong to aid in gaining more and
more of the things that make life
worth while.
Struggle for Freedom Slow.
In ancient times when practically all
the peoples were slaves the struggle
for freedom was slow. The masters
held the power of life and death over
the slaves. The slaves could not wor-
ship in the same religion as their mas
tiers. Universally in those days the
masters worshipped an idol, star or
some inanimate thing which their
superstition led them to belive would
prepare them for their after life.
Therefore, the slaves gradually drift
ed into a human religion, which had
as its basis the brotherhood Of man.
AS century after century passed the
slaves who had become freedmen be-
gan to form what was then known as
collegias. These were really the ear
Hest forms Of trade unions. Some col
legias confined their activities to car
ing for the sick and burying the dead.
The existence of other activities de-
pended upon the freedom given them
by the rulers. $50
From the collegias of those days
have grown the trade unions of today,
and the principle still foremost is the
striving for the brotherhood of man,
for higher and better life for all.
But the conditions of the present
day were brought about only through
centuries of struggles and sacrifices.
But these struggles and sacrifices
were made by organizations Of men
of some kind.
Early English Statutes.
IA :. n,.I~x ...,<..,.... T.. -. Ill.
few hundred years to know what the
working people suffered. From 1850
to 1926, England had what is known
as the statutes Of laborers.v They
were based practically on the asser-
tion that laborers were little better
than slaves. Their wages, sometimes
a penny day, were fixed for them
and If they received more or asked
for more the penalty was the piIIory
for the first offense, for the next the
loss of an ear and for the third
sometimes death.
In 1862 English justices Of the peace
were employed to fix the wages of all
mechanics and laborers and the hours
they should work. The laws pro-
vided that no one could act as a jour
neyman in any craft, mystery or oc-
cupation," until he had served an APP
premiership of seven years. Notwith-
standing the activities Of the English
workers, that law was not repealed
until 1876.
In 1870 law was enacted in Eng
land declaring call agreements be-
tween journeymen tailors for advanc-
ing their wages, or for lessening their
usual hours Of work, TO be nun and
void" Violations Of this law meant
imprisonment. The hours Of labor
those days were from a. m. to 8 b.
m. with less than an hour for dinner.
American Laws.
In the eighteenth century many de-
cisions were handed down both in Eng
land and America which held that an
agreement among worlmen to eollec-
lively cease work for the purpose Of
securing increases in wages was an
indictabIe conspiracy. Soon after the
courts Of this country began to sea|
that this doctrine was not sound and
they gradually accepted the right 81
the wage earners to combine for the
purpose Of lettering their working
conditions. But this did not come an
ltil after long years Of agitation bgl