Montana labor news., 1949-09-01
THE CRACK IN THE BELL

THE CRACK IN THE BELL
There may be a few who will not like the things ne say
in this Labor Day message. The great day of the working
people is one of reflection and planning. Frequently, however
we neither reflect MOI plan. This Labor Day finds the hosts
OF labor in a predicament-a situation that demands acuon
prompt and intelligent.
Taking the bull by the horns and looking the situation
squarely in the face, no greater tragedy stalks the labor move
ment OF the nalon today than the split IN the house OF labor
he crack in the Liberty Bell housed in Philadelphia is a sym
boil not only of liberty. but splendid unity as well. The crack
in the house OF labor ii not repaired might eventually aase
the whole house to tumble.
Sometimes it seems convenient to forget but we should ever
remember our heritage. The labor movement is the force
and influence 1t is IN the life OF the nation today because through
the years it has served as a source OF strength ana pIo'ee"on
for the exploited and oppressed wage earners OF the land.
The American labor movement won its spurs the hard way,
ranely a IS the determined fighter for the rights OF the working
man. Only a a tighter-not as a qutter-will it be able to
retain its position OF respect and esteem in the hearts and hives
OF the nations toilers.
Unlike the proverbal barbed shop where When you move
you lose in the case OF labor, unless we move we lose. Labor $
role IN the nation is far from being a static one. It is dynamic
erusading. challenging. The moment we lose our pep, imagn-
alton and concern for the rights OF every individual OF what
ever creed, color, sex or nationalty-the moment we forget
10 keep alive the spirit of the Joe Hills organizing new workers
and spreading the gospel Of unionism from San Diego up to
Name IN every shop, plant. mill or mine-that moment we
begin to lose ur charm and appeal and render ourselves unit
for our mission. Where there is no vision the people perish.
The welfare Of our membership-the greatest good to the
greatest numbers the primary function OF organized labor.
Accordingly. anything that reduces our chances Of securing
the greatest possible benefits Tor our dues, time, efforts and
labors becomes by its very na,ure Union Enemy No. against
which the full force of our limited strength should be directed.
On Labor laV this year w c OF D Stlihc q pioN
in behalf Of our own freedom and future welfare lar greater
and more effective than any that has ever been struck tor
US by even our most cherished trends or benevolent govern
nent. We can re-establsh ourselves a $ the master OF our
fate" if we have the moral forthude-in clearinghouse Ian
guage just plain CUTS to do 1t.
There must be established unity in the labor movement
Self-contentment is undoubtedly one of he most deadly dis
eases with which any man or group OF men can ever pc al
tlicted. There is something very much more logic mere
is stark realism in the expression As a man thlnketh s. ne
is" If men in the labor movement are not now 'h,nking
Of unity in The labor movement, then they must be branded as
being very insincere.
Too long for our own good. much less Tor the good Of the
country. we Of labor have blasted and tlaned everybody and
everything possible for our failures ana Shortcomings me
tine we spend in defensive activities SIS it OF proportion to me
time we spend in planning and executing a sound offensive pro
gram and We wonder why we are TOO often behind the eight
hall.
OF course organized labor can always expect to encounter
hardships. difficulties and even reverses. 1t is in the nature
of things that we do. We re dealing with human beings but
others have their problems too. The tact that there IS a
labor movement-divded though IT ISIS proof positive OF
labors ability to solve what often seems like insolubIe indus
trial problems and find a way or make a way come he'll or
high water.
Taking a leaf from the era Of industrial relations, It IS a
recognized fact that no major dispute has even been settled
or reconciled without: CD a genuine and sincere desire 70
settle il on the part Of the principals involved, namely labor ana
management, and 90 a meeting OF minds IN an atmosphere
OF human understanding supported by a sprit Of give ana take,
Once the will to understanding IS there, other matters an IN
sooner or later will be resolved.
1t is well known that leaders from the top rung OF both the
ALL. and CLIO get together n a very civilized fashion ana
cordial good will whenever IT IS convenient or the situation
warrants, particularly in developing trade union movements
IN European lands. Thus it can be see that meeting on a
level is nothing new.
History IS quite positive in that secession breeds secession
There is some talk now OF a new federation OF labor beng
formed in the Unued States. Continued dlsunity VIII brnt
about the fourth and fifth or even a halt dozen different labor
movements all fighting each other The time. therefore to-
the ALL. and the Clio. to act Tor unity is now. 1t is ut
to this leadership to exert It's influence beginning 0 n "'
Labor DAY, 1919. to determine to have d united house o
labor within the wear. These gentlemen hold IN Their hand
fifteen million workers Their wages and hours, Their seniority
and working conditions, vacations. sick benefits and pension
that are continually beng threatened and menaced by the per
s,sten division in labor 5 ranks These gentlemen hold IN thel
hands the welfare OF fifteen million workers. Unless unit
IS established these millions will become the victims OF TN
unpa,donable pickering between the leaders OF the two yer
large national labor organizations.
Well, when and where do We begn} Is there a better da
to start than our " national holiday, Labor Day. WI
can't we make this great Labor Day OF l949 a real histon
occauon-one that will live or in the annals OF LAHORE VIII
can both the ALL. and CLIO. launch the campaign tor anna
pamation on this Labor Day with the slogan Unity Within tn
Year, proclaiming it from every park, rostrum or PlcnI
ground where a Labor Day celebration will be held, promot
il o n street corners and in the union halls} Let Labor Ono
speakers broadcast it to the nation, tell it to the world-Onit
Within the Year. Besides the issue OF unity at this time, a
other problems fade into insignificance. 10 ignore the tact
to 20 on s%quandering our efforts and wasting GU substance
Until the leaders OF both the Clio. and ALL set the hous
OF labor IN order, too many OF is will be kept exhausted putin