Montana labor news., 1935-08-29
LABOR AT
The CROSSROADS

The American worker IS at the cross
roads. Before him a signpost with its
customary directing arms gives him
the choice OF going either OF two ways.
In the bright rays Of the sun he reads
on one side, ITO LABOR UNIONS"
and on the other, the shady side, are
words, ITO DICTATORSHIP" An
American worker should not be puz-
zled. He knows at least what poll
teal freedom is. Or maybe he doesn't
fully appreciate all that it means be-
cause this generation, SO far removed
from our fofefathers, may not have
their intense hatred of tyranny. The
worker does, however, realize what in
dustrial slavery is. He should know
that the only way to gain his economic
freedom is through organization-the
road that leads to LABOR UNIONS.
The road to dictatorship spells ruin
for Labor Unions. Witness what is
going on in Europel The great labor
movements OF Italy and Germany have
been utterly destroyed under the Die
tators, Mussolini and Hitler. There is
left in these two foreign nations
scarcely a vestige of their once virile
and powerful labor unions.
Workers have not only lost their po-
ltical freedom, but also their rights to
organize and bargain collectively. In
addition, they have lost freedom Of
the press, freedom of speech, and their
personal liberties. Republican institu-
tions and democratic forms of govern
ment have been annihilated under the
iron heels of these ruthless dictators.
The Gar of Russia and the Kaiser Of
Germany were mild rulers compared
with the super-autocrats, M~ussolini
and Hitler. Emperors never had such
unlimited powers as these new mon
archs by right of dictatorship.
italian or German newspapers would
be suppressed if they dared print the
editorials which you are nov reading.
In fact all teh news we receive from
these countries is censored. Let US
give thanks that our Labor weeklies
and monthly journals can print the
truth, and they are not subsidized and
controlled by either political or indus
trial dictators.
Labor must and will choose the road
to Labor Unions. 1t is the greatest
bulwark against both political and in
dustrial tyranny. It is the road to col
%lective bargaining, industrial democracy
and economic justice. 1t is not an easy
road. The pioneers of the American
Labor movement suffered many hard
ships. They sacrificed much in volun-
tary effort to build their Unions.
Sometimes it is thought that the
great benefits organized labor has
gained for this generation have come
down to it too easily. Let US not take
too lightly the responsibility handed
down by the pioneers of organized la
Dor. Let us carry onl 1t is the only
true course-the American way. 1t is
the road upon which American Labor
can fight and win the ultimate victory
of equal rights to all and special privi-
leges TO none" Finally, it is the one
highway that will lead to a fuller rea-
~lization OF those sacred American
ideals, "life, liberty, and the pursuit Of
happiness"
The American worker dare not stand
still, nor will he ever turn back on the
weary road along which he has pro-
crossed from the slavery conditions,
low wage and long working hours Of
the past. He SHALL go forward. He
SHALL, choose the road Of Labor
Unions, It is his only hope for social
justice and economic freedom.
l.. M. ORNBURN.