Montana labor news., 1939-08-31
Special Message for Labor
Day, 1889
BY WILLIAM GREEN
President American Federation of Labol

President, American Federation of Labor.
With the advance of civilization we are discovering new and
advancing already known facilities and requisites necessary to
the enjoyment of a fuller, more enriched and more abundant life.
Labor Day is set aside as a tribute to those who toll. In turn it
affords an occasion for the workers to give earnest consideration
to matters which concern their welfare as workers, and as cll-
zens. Though we have progressed even now to the point where
we can enjoy comforts and luxuries of life far beyond the most
extravagant dreams of our fathers, it is but human to reach still
further and to strive for even fuller and better lives. That is as
it should be for progress is not based on SNUG satisfaction with
past accomplishments in any field. Desire for a wider enjoyment
of educational advantages is accompanied by a continuing struggle
for more material comforts and a more equitable share in the
products of industry both in wages and shorter hours of work
with a resulting increase in time available for recreation and Gull
tural improvement and financial means to take advantage of
opportunities presented. The very strength Of our Nation is
attributable in a large degree to the appreciation which the work
ers feel for their unlimited opportunity to advance their own
interests, to follow their own desires, politically, economically, and
religiously.
It characteristic of human nature to be willing to fight and
sacrifice to achieve those detectives which seem to be most de-
sirable in life. Advantages which have been won by the workers
will not be readily r~elnquished or given into the control of any
individual or group seeking to set up ictatorships-whethe such
relationships be economic or political. The workers realize that
the trade union is their sole hope for the preservation of their
industrial welfare and the advancement of their conditions of life
and work. 1t is through his union that the worker seems to make
real and effectual his hopes and aspirations for a more abundant
life. No other means are available for this purpose. AS an in
dividual the worker cannot effectively meet the forces of economic
power and privilege which control the industries of our time.
At their inception unions were primarily agencies for the
advancement of work i~nterests-higherw wages, shorter hours, pro-
tective legislation for women and children, and better working
conditions generally. Their scope of activity has broadened with
the need for a better life and these agencies now serve to advance
the interests of those represented in the unions in civic, social,
educational, and governmental affairs. The American Fedora
ton of Labor, as represented by its component units, is a demo-
cratic organization, and is concerned with the perpetuation of a
democratic form Of government for our Nation. The workers
claim as their priceless heritage our established principles of
freedom-of the press, of speech, assemblage, to exercise our right
to worship in accordance with our own conscience. Trade unions
are recognized as proponents of liberty and it is largely for this
reaeon that thew have been the first prOup to be VictimiZed bv
dictators in totalitarian countries. Dictators realize that workers
will not submit to total destruction OF every form OF representa-
ton and in an attempt to pacify this inherent feeling on the part
of the wage earnerS, government-controled and administered
organizations have been established. The workers of America
have watched with intense interest and dismay the destruction
of trade unions in the totalitaran countries of Europe. They have
seen what it means to accept a substitute for democratic govern
ment and this has only strengthened their determination to prevent
a repetition of the fate of certain European countries in our own
The right to strike in protest against injustice is denied to
the wage earners of toaltarian countries, where the workers are
no longer free to exercise their economic strength In times OF
dispute with employers. The workers never want to strike. 1t
is thew who suffer most in times of economic displacement, for
incomes stop and not only do the workers themselves suffer but
their dependents are equally victimized. We wish it were never
necessary to resort to strikes, but at the same time we will resist
every effort to take from us the right to strike II that course
seems necessary. Democracy and freedom to strike parallel one
another. The exercise of the right to cease work-to strke-is
by a deep sense of obligation to act wisely and to
avoid abuses of that right, Every effort possible should be exer-
cBed to avoid industrial strife and conflict. We hope that the
time will come when all differences which arise between en-
ployer and employed may be settled in the conference room in
an atmosphere of good will and mutual understanding. The
well being and convenience of the public should at all times be
a consideration in determining action upon matters in dispute.
Mutual tolerance and respect for the rights OF all concerned would
reduce the number of strikes to a minimum. Absolute freedom
is necessary to the attainment of such an objective, however, and
this is one of the reasons why the American Federation of Labor
stands constantly on guard against entertainments on our liberties
through restrictive legislation and maladministraton of existing
laws which have been enacted for the protection of the rights of
the workers.
Labor Day, 1899, finds us still confronted with staggering
ranks of unemployed. Years of experimentation in an effort to
find a real remedy for the evil of unemployment have avaied
nothing. The Government has expended vast sums
of money for relief and to promote made-work These under
takings have given but temporary relief. We are forced to the
conclusion that the real solution for unemployment is the re-
Continued on Page 81
at SAN FRANCISCO FP) - The
tacks OIL the leadership of the ALL first chywide union shop contract