Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-04
LABOR AND SPIRIT OF
PROGRESS

Isn't It falr to assume thaL more
Of those, who look upon the Egyptian
pyramids. think rather of the intelli-
renee that devised methods for the
construction Of these huge monu-
ments. think Of the tremendous toll
expended. much Of 1t probably by
slaves, than are impressed by the
power Of the monarch under whose
order the pyramid was erected?
That power may have been terrible.
Accompanying it may have been
great pomp, and these matters do
excite curiosity II not admiration.
But the real constructive power In
brain and muscle of those, who
builded under adverse conditions.
make a tremendous impress on the
mind. These pyramids are rather
monuments to brain and Drawn than
to potentate. who may have inherit
ed permission. for the time, to nod
his head and bid the world work his
will.
The constructive achievements are
monuments Of brain and Drawn,
Short Of the uninhabited wilderness
We may not escape the impression
they convey to the mind. No &C.
scasion more fitting than that Of
Labor Day can be found for their
consideration, and there is profit to
be had from 1t.
Labor has come a long way from
the conditions obtaining in the days
when the pyramids We're built.
Organized labor claims credit for
this advancement. 1t is entitled to
much. nevertheless, but for the brain
of the Inventor, labor would yet be
struggling like the slaves of Spld or
there would be no construction.
Coxswain and oarsmen are in the
boat together The genuine inter-
ests Of labor are the genuine inter-
ests of us all and labor should not
forget it nor struggle against the
productive capacity that tends to
supply US all, the family of him who
WOIkS OILY Will Ills ieiilA 40 " 80 49,
the family of him who works with
his brain.
All this should seem commonplace
to this generation with its facilities
for understanding, but II so it Is not
always recognized. L. G. Griff1ng,
Acting President Of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers and of that
organizations cooperative bank,
does recognize the obligation He
pleads with the younger members OF
unionism to remember that the
rights and privileges they now en-
Joy were dearly bought-and many
Of these doubtless were bought-"by
the strivings and sacrifices of those
heroic pioneers who laid the
staunch foundation for Labor's pow
er and progress of today" He de-
clares that Labor must put an end
to child slavery by the adoption of
the Constitutional Amendment regu-
lating the labor of youth up to the
age Of Is. as proposed, not laud-
able undertaking SO long as so many
youth Of that age go about as gun
men seeking a thrill for their idle
moments. Labor better discriminate
between protection of children and
protection of unionism. He also in
Weighs against the injunction which
has protected the public from abuse
by unionism.
And so we find that not all that is
included under these pleas con-
forms IN spirit or in essentials to
these words with which he recog-
nizes and speaks for recognition of
obligation:
"If the labor movement is to
make a better world 1t must also as
sumo an increasing responsibility
for the eficient conduct Of industry,
keeping scrupulous faith with both
the public and the employers as a
foundation stone for Industrial de-
mocracy".
In those words, in the heed given
to the advice these contain, may be
found confirmation of his declara-
ton: 1.-THE spirit Of Labor is es-
sentially the spirit Of Progress"