The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-11-10
Labor's Contribution To
Democracy
Second ($50) Prize

OISdHlLtu idUOT plays dH lIIspOII
ant part in the life of each Ameri
can. 1t is organized labor which
builds the machines used in produc
ing the food we eat. Organized labor
manufactures the clothes we wear
the furniture we use, the cars we
drive, and even the homes we live
in. Organized labor helps to keep
America, the greatest example OF
democracy in the world, alive. Labor
is doing great job and can be justly
proud of it's contribution to democ-
racy.
| Organized labor has grown from
small unions, in colonial towns, to
the giant declarations of labor unions
now in existence. With their ever in
creasing size has come an intensi-
fled influence on Congressional leg
islation. Labor is now represented
in Washington, d. c., by powerful
Hobbies. These Hobbies have been
instrumental in the passage of much
legislation which is of current i'm
portance. 1t can be justly said that
these lobbies have worked not only
for the benefit of labor, but for the
good of the common man, as well. In
the past these Hobbies have played
an impressive part in the creation of
wage and hour regulation and child
labor restrictions. Such acts have
undoubtedly improved our stand
ard of living and have helped to
create stronger democracy.
One of the immeasurabIy valu-
able services rendered democracy by
organized labor is the redistribution
of power between the working class
and big business interests. When labor
was unorganized the men who actu-
ally created the products sold by
the big businessmen had no voice
in the management of their factor
les. Surely this was most undemo-
cratic arrangement. Laborers are no
longer single individuals. Now they
are part of national organization.
They are not weak, they are strong!
Workers are not slaves, they are free
and independent men! 1t is hard to
the Importance with which
a man views the control of his own
destiny. If someone else thinks and
plans for him, if he has no function
other than as cog in a assembly
line, man tends to become dull and |
slow-witted. He has no incentive to
test his ability or resourcefulness.
#, through his union, this man is
given voice in working conditions,
lie has purpose in living. He is
master of his fate. Through the
work of organized labor, many men
nave been encouraged to make use
If unusual ability, and have made
valuable contributions to the econom
e structure of democracy. 1t is i'm
possible to obtain an accurate esti-
nate of the amount of valuable talent
which was lost during that oppres- s
i've period in the 1905 when the
Industrial Revolution was new and
Progressing rapidly, but the labor
MONS were considered dangerously
adical and therefore illegal.
Organized labor has obtained a
ecidedly better standard of living for
he American working class. Aside
rom the commonly accepted contri
utions of higher wages and shorter
ours, there are yet to be considered ;
he notable advancements made in ,
he fields of social security, old age ,
ensions, health insurance, safety re- :
and sanitation standards.
hese changes have led to health :
II, happier way of life for a great !
lany Americans, and it must be re- {
rendered that a contented nation is 9
he most effective propaganda ever =
reated 6
In considering the contributions
hich help to form a successful q
emocracy it is always well to look q
the lighter side. What better ex- \
mple do we have that democracy Z
an be fun than our annual Labor
ay celebrations? At a Labor Day
air there are no racial or religious c
No one asks whether a
lie prize float in the Labor Day Pa a
lde was decorated by Negro or a W
hite DerSOn bV lew or Gantila IL