The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1927-09-02
THE LABOR UNION
and ITS MISSION

/ needs OF society and eStaDHShed by
those who are drawn together by COM
mon ties and common purpose. This
fact is recognized in the establishment
of governments, colleges, schools, in
dustries and economic organizations
The success of the entire social order
depends upon the creation of means
and methods through which the polit-
ical, religious, economic and social life
of mankind can be promoted, safe
guarded and protected.
The movement among the working
men and women which finally devel-
| oped into the formation of trades un-
ions has now become an institution and
is generally recognized as fixed part
of our institutional life. Those same
impulses which moved the early pa
triots to demand and secure the bless
ings of liberty, freedom and self-gov-
ernment inspired the forefathers of
| the trade union movement to organize
for the enjoyment of industrial free
] dom, industrial liberty and self-ad-
vancement. History records that they
were both pioneer patriots and pioneer
trade unionists. The establishment of
the institution of trade unionism in
our land paralleled the establishment
of our government and independence
upon American soil.
Organized labor has sought to be
understood. 1t has pleaded for the op-
portunity to function and to serve not
only the working people, but the pub
lie as we'll 1t asks that the exercise
of the right to organize be accorded
to the working men and women just
as society accords to capital and en-
ployers, business and professional men
and other groups of society the right
to organize.
The organization of labor has
creed to which it's membership sub
scribes and which it seeks to make
operative in every sphere of its activ-
ity. Through the application of it's
creed in all human relations, particu-
larly in industry, it seeks to elevate
human life and to carry on the work
of human betterment This creed en-
braces within its essential character
istics Of the written religious and
moral codes.
The organized labor movement
stands for an American standard of
living, for high wages, reasonable
hours of employment, the abolition of
child labor, the protection of women
in industry, the creation of education
al facilities and the compulsory school
attendance of children, the abolition of
the sweatshop and the abolition of
convict-made goods in competition
with free labor and American indus
tries.
Organized labor has led in the move
ment for the passage of workmen's
compensation legislation, of factory,
mine and mill inspection laws and the
establishment of sanitary and hy-
gienic conditions in factories and
workshops, and has sponsored recrea-
tional opportunities and facilities so
that all the people may enjoy civic and
community life.
The trade unions stand ready to give
industry and society the benefit of its
organized strength and service to help
remove the causes and misunderstand-
ings which create bitterness, strife,
criminal waste and industrial warfare,
and through it's trained and efficient
representatives assist in the solution
of managerial problems and in the ad-
justment of differences which may
arise between employers and en-
ployes. The good will and the moral
support which labor can bring to in
dustry is of priceless value.
Absolute industrial peace may be
regarded as an ideal which is imprac
ticable and unattainable. The COM
pick character of human nature NAV
prevent its realization. 1t can not be
established in any preponderence de-
gree if those associated with indus
try are to live in an atmosphere of
perpetual hostility. But, if reason and
judgment are enthroned, directing the
lives and actions of men, we can es
tablish a relationship in industry
which will speed the cause of peace,
satisfaction and prosperity.