Newspaper Page Text
H&vto Now Appealed to Labor Leaders to Aid Them in Their Dilemma. Union Labor Will Not Respond Until Government Recog nizes Union Shop. Washington, D. C., Sept. 7.—Unions conected with the American Federation of Labor in this city and throughout the country, have issued a circular, made public by Pittsburg lnbor men, that the United States is now seeking union labor for the isthmian canal ser vice. The government, says the circular, has found it impossible to obtain skill ed labor for the Isthmian canal with out recognizing trades unions, the reg ular employment method of the civil service system having failed to se cure skilled mechanics. Special government agents have been sent out on experimental missions to labor unions. Officers of trades unions are asked to co-operate Indirectly with these agents, with a view to getting mechanics. "Most of the men sought," says the circular, 'belong to the building trades, the best organized 1n tliie country, which work almost entirely under clos ed shop conditions, with an eight hour day and a high average of wages. The closed shop is an Impossibility in gov ernment departments, since President Roosevelt decided in favor of the open shop in the government printing office. The canal commission, therefore, ex hausted every means of getting men without recognizing the unions, which it knew would insist upon an agree ment providing that only union men should be employed. "Examinations for the isthmian canal service were advertised and. readvertis ed all over the country, but at each successive examination, while profes sional and clerical men responded in numbers far exceeding the demand, the organized mechanics stayed away. The commissioners say that only a few floaters and worthless mechanics were secured. "At a conference between labor lead ers and Pr^sidfent Gompers, of the American Federation1 of Labor, it was decided to memorialize the government on the position or organized labor. "The memorandum which is to be presented to President Roosevelt by Mr, Gompers endeavors to show that the government would not be at a loss for mechanics If it recognized labor bodies as labor supply agencies." irafflfifir TO an emu Southern California Is Over Flooded With Idle Men Who Can Secure No Work. Citizens' Alliance Overdoes the Movement to Get Mechanics in Southwest. Los Angeles, Cal.r Sept. 7.—"Stay away from Southern California," Is the advice given to the carpenters of the United States by the District Council of Carpenters in Los Angeles. The council has issued a circular advising Joiners to stay away from that locality and it closes with the injunction that unless able to withstand long periods of idleness all carpenters would better remain where they are and not seek the city of the angels or other cities of the southern part of the Golden State. The reasons for offering this advice are that the thousands of persons at tracted to Southern California are di visible into four classes—those who are sick or have sick members In their families, those without any trade or money who are compelled to work for any wages they can get, persons who go merely for the winter months and who are satisfied with low wages while there, and those who are wealthy, in addition, builders In Southern Califor nia usually desire carpenters who are accustomed to the peculiar conditions of the region, which acts as a discrim ination against those who go there from other states. INDIAN TY. PROPERTY IS WORTH $418,000 MU®KOGEB, Ind. T'er., Sept. 6.—The constitutional convention met today and after listening to an address sign 6* by the chiefs of the five tribes fav« oring separate statehood, took up the report of the committee of 50 appointed to draft a constitution. The report was read and printed copies distributed. It was taken up section by section later. Before beginning on the discussion of the report on the constitution, the committee appointed to report on the estimated amount of taxable property In Indian territory made Its report, placing the total valuation taxable of real estate and personal property at 1418,000,000. The convention decided to hold night cession s. AMERICAN CITIZEN CONDEMNED TO DEATH CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. The erlmlnai court at Stamboul has con demned tq death the American Ghlr tls Vartanlan, a naturalized American :itlzen, fpr the murder of the Ammeif ian merchant, Apik Undjkan, August !6, who was shot by Vartanlan In the Salatea quarter of this city. In closing his series of very inter esting and timely articles on the "Beef Trust," Mr. Charles E- Russell takes the rather pessimistic view that the public is practically remediless because of the inherent moral weakness of the people themselves. This puliclst's major premise is, that tjhe "basic feeling" of the country is al ready so depraved that it condones the bargain by the politician of im munity for campaign subscription^, the distortion of fact by the newspa pers for "Trust' 'advertising, the cor ruption by the Special Interest of our public officials,' the subservience of the individual to partisan dictation *and the temptation of illegitimate personal gain. His minor premise may be gum med up in the statement that in' this public apathy and degeneracy are to be found the main bulwark of the "Trust" evil- From these premises he draws a conclusion that a public opin ion thus contaminated and complacent and "which tolerates in office any man that for any reason whatever makeB terms with lawbreakers" must be fun damentally changed If we would solve the "Trust" question and obtain re lief from conditions and exactions that are draining the life-blood of the na tion and imperilling democratic insti tutions. We can readily share Mr. Russell's conclusion without committing our selves to the severe arraignment of the general masses which is implied! in his premises. Confidence in the People. That the evils complained of exist is unfortunately not open to denial. That they are the product of the "ba sic feeling" of the country, in other words that the general moral tone and1 stamina of the people of the Unit ed States are already so hopelessly low as to preclude relief, is quite an other question. This view does not ap peal to mje as either broad or compre hensive or as founded in fact. I have great confidence In the ultimate mor ality as well as the ultimate intelli gence of the great body of the Amer ican people. If the scurvy leaders of the great political parties barter the public wel fare for campaign subscriptions and the trade remains unchallenged, it does not follow that the rank and file are to blame. First show that the rank and file have fair and full opportunity to express their will before you place on them the stigma of the violation of trust. If newspapers become thS» paid advocates of predatory wealth, why shoulder the responsibility upon the people? The blow, it is true, lq aimed at the people's welfare but rest assured, in nine cases out of ten,, they are aware of the" duplicity and rate •fhirij^If raff the people become the hirelings or the apol ogists for the Special Interest and thus betray the confidence that has been reposed in them, doubt not but that, in their own gooii time—if they get the chance, the people will administer the merited rebuke. Even If the name is legion of those who are the blind In struments of partisan dictation or the weak or willing victims of personal temptation, believe it—the good sense and the common honesty of the ma jority stands on the other side. Give People Chanoe to Speak. What we need is not so much bet ter men and women as BETTER AVE NUES OF EXPRESSION OF THE POPULAR WILL. It is to the body of the people that we must look for the final correct solu tion of the great problems that con front us. It Is the people, the great average mass, that we must reach and It is their opinions and their mandates we must find ways and means to re cord and, when so recorded, to carry into effect. In theory we are a great democracy. In-practice we have drifted some and must grow considerably to realize the Ideals. It is only now and then that an aroused public opinion makes itself felt and overcomes the ARTIFICIAL barriers that hem it in. That It does so, however, is proof positive of its fundamental stability. Do you suppose for a moment that President Rooscevelt could have co erced the recalcitrant powerful ele ments of his party Into tactit acquies cence in his nomination but -for the fact that it was realized that he had the people with him? And why were the people with him but for the rea son that they had confidence in his INTEGRITY OF PURPOSE? Why did hundreds of thousands of radical Demo crats vote for Roosevelt but for this reason and the further Important one that they sought thereby to more em phatically express their condemnation of methods and principles that to them were represented in the candidacy of Parker? Why did the people dis criminate in Missouri, Massachusetts and Wisconsin but to give expression to commendable aspiration and the controlling desire for honest govern ment Locally a sound public opinion, on a fair and equitable, yes a generous basis, wrested the water and gas plants from the death-dealing and corrupting private monopoly and has protected the public management against the insidious and vicious at tacks of the Special Interest, while municipal operation has made a rec ord for efficiency and probity which, in the management of public utilities, has not been excelled in the entire country. It was the masses, the great body of the people, that accomplished these results when the way was opened to them to give expression to the prompt ings of their judgment and their con science. Unfaithful Publie Servants. We elect many men to office who are misfits. Once chosen for a great er or less term of years they some times stray Into by-paths and forget that they are the servants and are supposed to represent th^ interests and to legislate and to administer for the welfare of the whole people and not of the privileged few. The people's remedy is still-too re mote. Except here and there in the country at large, where the dawn of better democratic expression and con trol is breaking, the people cannot re call their public servants or force them to give expression to the popular will. But these exceptions mark the begin ning of better conditions generally and it Is only a question of time before the people everywhere will insist on these reforms that are vital to the public welfare. In Minnesota we hav«? made a start toward better methods in "the Intro duction of the Australian ballot and of the later primary election reform. While the latter is still in need of sub stantial amendment and greater sfcope in its application, it was a step in the right direction—as all legislation must be that makes for a more effective ex pression of the popular will."We would not go back to old methods In either case and we feel a sort of compassion for communities, such as Philadelphia* for example, Where the slug and the bribe are still dominant factors on election day. How to Control Publio Offioials. To be really free and Independent American citizens, however, the body of the people must be able, in regu lated. legal form, to compel its public servants to respond to its demands. In other words, we must be able to control directly and Immediately the official action of our public servants. There is no better way than in mak ing them immediately respohsible to the people and responsive to the duly expressed popular demand- The first end is obtained by the RE CALL—which means that public offic ials, whose fealty is questioned, can be called to immediate account by their respective constituencies and com pelled to submit to another elec tion the second would be gained if the people had the power, on occa sion, to Initiate legislation and, on de mand, to compel the submission of legislative enactments to popular vote. In other words, if we could incorpor ate into our elective system the Re call and Into pur legislative the prin ciple of the so-called "direct legisla tion" in the INITIATIVE AND REF ERENDUM and develop still further our primary election system, we will have made, in' Minnesota at least, a substantial forward step in -the direc tion of true democracy and toward the curtailment. of some, at least, of the evils as to which Mr. Russell is in such despair. t-x hi .PMhrflM '4 'iTne PrIncIpl®s of the Referendum* have been incorporated to a limited extent in our city charter restrictions on the common council as to matters which, under given conditions, require the approval of the people, and It has worked most satisfactorily. A certain sort of Initiative was recently exercis ed by the people of Philadelphia when, wearing a badge which was the rep resentation of a hangman's noose in miniature, they effectively interviewed their corrupt and recreant city fath ers. But it is the full legal fruition of the proposition that we want, some thing like what has latterly been in corporated in the constitution and pro cedure of Oregon and in the laws of an as yet limited number of other Amerioan states and cities and as it has been exercised for many years, with splendid results, in the most democrat ic republic on Earth, the little but pop ulous '"and progressive republic of Switzerland. Discussion of Direct Legislation. These reforms have time and again been ably discussed in the Labor World the current August numlber of the Arena has an article on the subject by Mr. Eltwood Pomeroy, the president of the National Direct Legislation League almost any number of Tom Watson's Magazine will throw light on the sub ject and many able pertinent dis sertations have from time to time ap peared in the public press. It is a mat ter on which the public Is fairly en lightened and as to the efficiency of which, as a truly popular reform meas ure, there can. remain no doubt what ever. it is now only a question of compelling legislative recognition of a demand that is becoming more and more general and increasingly serious as the days and months roll by. Organized Labor's Part. Organized labor is the "standing army" of the industrial masses. By Its success or failure, by Its prosperity or adversity must, in the final analy sis, the welfare of the great body of the people be measured. It Is a great responsibility that thus rests upon the shoulders of organised, the most intel ligent and progressive and self-reliant of all labor. In the solution of the economic questions that confront labor and confront society now and that will present themselves in perhaps increas ing array as time goes on, it is desir able, that we may solve these problems wisely tnd correctly, that the great mass of the people have an increasing voice, in the determination. None bet ter equipped to voice this demand than organized labor—no surer avenue of political relief than by way of DI RECT LEGISLATION. It is organized labor's privilege, as It is its duty, to lead the van in the movement for this great and promis ing reform. W. G. JOBRNS. Duluth, Minn. GROVER BUYS TWO FARMS. SANDWICH, N. H., Sept. 6.—Former President Cleveland, .who, with his family has spent the last two summer^ In this village, has' purchased two farms In the adjacent town of T&m worth, with the idea, it Is understood of making the estate his permanent summer home. Far Reaching Effect of Unions Upon Immigrants Help Americanize' Them. Impatience for Quick Results is Greatest Danger That Confronts Unions. Prof John R. Comons, an old trade unionist, when he worked at the prin ter's case, and now teacher of political economy, in the Madison University, gave the following brief wlsdon and ad vice to organised labor: "When I have sorrowed at the smash ing of a union or deplored its mistakes, I have stopped to ask myself: what is the material Is has to work with and the conditions it has to meet?" When one stops to consider these things one is filled with amasement and admiration for what the unions, in spile of fail ure and mistake, have actually done. A union cannot choose'its members, like a corporation -or. a' social club, nor let in the "trusties" on the ground floor, like Amalgamated copper or United States steel,'but it must admit on equal, terms every man who works at a tradi. The Anthracite coal strike commission found some 19 nationali ties at work In the mines, and it is reported by. the sociological department of the Colorado Ftiel and Iron company that their employes come from 32 nat ionalities "and speak 27 languages. No Other nation- in the world has set up a hard task like this for unionism. The American nation has come to the aid of the employers with a protective tar iff against the products of foreign cheap labor, but it lias left to the unions the harder task of protecting the laborer himself, and this niust be done, not by keeping the foreigner outv but by tak ing him into the union. No wonder the unions are forced to stand for the union .shop. The union shop is the workman's protective tariff. If com pelled to give up he will be compelled to go into politics and stop Immigration. The union is the greatest of existing forces in what is called Americanize, tion It breaks down the barriers of race, nationality, Ianuguge, and re ligion teaches self-government and obedience to elect teaders "sets up the goal of an Ameri^^^jfcao^g^i: of-illv lng. Neither noif the schools, nor polltics| npr«mpl6yers,,can do this work. The schools reacb^tb^ not the immigrant and: ttfei.r^f is counteract* when 'M 3 to vote for his boss. Or fate ^itipjoyer. But the ninlon frees the workman from dictation Snd, a( the same time, teach es him the great lesson .of obedience to laws and constitutions' framed by him self and officers elected, by himself. This is what I understand by Ameri can democracy. Notwithstanding the many reports of violence on the part of unions, my ob servation of particular unions show that they have reduced the total amount of violence. Factional fights, race conflicts, brutal deeds of unorga nized workmen, are reported only in the local papers, but the deeds of the same people after they are organized are reported by the associated press. The unions took them in, not because they were brutal, but because the em ployer had hired them. Nevertheless, the duty of the union is to make them peaceable, for the organization must be held responsible for the acts of its .mem bers in the furtherance of-Its aims. Only It should be born in mind that no other institution has done so much as the trade unions to educate -our mixed population, just emerging from centu ries of deopotlsm, in the ideals and peaceable methods of American cit izenship. Impatience for quick and. big results is' the greatest danger that threatens unions. Men have suffered long and distrusted each other seem to think that the magic word "union" makes them all at once invincible. This is natural but often disastrous. The gains made by some of the unions in hours, wages, and liberty are truly surpris ing, but they are not a safe standard for others. More important than quick gains is the permanent strength of the union, and this depends on high dues and benefits, and a good reserved fund. Some older unions have learned this through bitter experience. IJi great Britain this is especially true. The English cotton spinners, after a disastrous defeat in 1892, have, within 12 years, built up a fund of $2,000,000 for 18,000 members. At the present time, when business is slack, it is wis dom for all unions to learn by their ex ample, and not wait for their experrl ence. WILL DO JURY .. DUTY AT ASHLAND ASHLAND, Wis., Sept, 6.—Jury Commissioners E. F. Prince, of Ashland, Frank Heiderer, of Glldden, and W. G. Walker, of Qdanah, held a meeting to day and drew the names of thirty-six Jurors to serve at the September term of circuit court. Those who, were drawn were: ,• o' Newt Woodhead, S. Ora Clarence Dennis, O. H. Berg, J. H. Bureh, Her man Hansoix W. M. Kellogg, B. Hop penyan. ThomasMartln.R. B. Sanders, Burt Olson, B. Blllcksofi, 1 B. Kelson, Joe Venrk, E. W. Brace, A. Aarnson, Alfred Thorson, 8. Palmqulst, George Stens, Nels Wooland, F. O. Tarbox, Os car Johnson, city of Ashland. Louis LarAmsrra, H. Arndt, Louis Schine beck* village of Butternut Christ Schults, town of Butternut Pfcter Fish bach, Melen Ed. Walker, Thomas Li» cas W. Q. Couture, Odanah J. Stolts, Joseph Fries, Glldden J. A. Dooro, Marengo 'J. B. iMpsell, LaPolnteJ W. C. Lampeon. Ole Saudeen, Sanborn. Christianity is. a science far reach ing enough to extend to the uttermost parts of the earth and broad enough in the princlpes to afford room in its plan of salvation for all mankind! The ethics of Christianity are so compre hensive as to aply themselves to every phrase and every incident of humail ife. They Involve so many branches of thought as to make it Impossible ever to exhaust the profitable discussion of them. But, broad, comprehensive, exhaus tive and far reaching as the science and ethics of Christianity are. the whole may be conscisely and correctly pummed up 1ft the statement that the purpose is to lead mankind to better and happier lives here and hereafter, through development of the higher in stincts and the better sides of human nature. The labor movement is not a cam paign .against law and order, led on by agitators and enemies of peace, some would represent It to be. On the contrary, it is the tangible evidence of the desire for better things on part of the masses who, in accord with divine edict, bring the sweat of labor to their brows in order that they,, may eat bread. It is the overflow or safety valve for the ever present, irresistible longing for greater llberities and better conditions of life. It is reflective of the same spirit which led the children of Israel to refuse to make bricks with out straw, which' buoyed them up in their pilgrimage in search of the prom ised land, which brought the pilgrim Fathers to the newly founded west, which has performed so important, a part in the development of the new world, which Is behind the march of civilisation, and without which pro gress would be Impossible- Like all great movements of reforms it has had its authors, its disciples, its apostles, its mlsionaries and its mar tyrs. Its aim is to make mankind bet ter, more comfortable and happier here.and this of necessity, lead*'them nearer to a probable happy hereafter. The work of the church will -ifibt be done until the millennium shall have dawned and until that day thei labor movement will be found pressing on side by side on hand in hand with it. People talk glibly about solving the labor problem. The. cause of Chris tianity will not have completely tri umphed so long as there are sinners ^the labor problem sp long ashope of spring up in the- hearts 'vfljwy tijl fa*. Reached.' ^y,whlcharereflectedln,the4ab6K movement. And So I shall call atten tion to. some few of the many Incidents in the life and teachings of the man Christ which seem to «"ply most f.ptly and opportunely to the practical life of roan In the twentieth century. Before going further and to avoid possible misapprehension or misun derstanding, it is proper fovme to Bay —which I supose I should -be ashamed to admit—that I am not a member of any church and that I do not profess to be a Christian. I, however,' believe in Christianity. Christ came on earth as a messen ger of God to all mankind. He did not go Into the temple %nd from there pro claim his'mission, but he went about among the poor and lowly, the masses of the people, teaching and preaching of better things for them. He an nounced one of the eteranl ethics of Christianity when he made them bear one another's burdens. And that is one of the ethics of Christianity which is deeply involved in the labor move ment. The labor movement as we know it in this dge is combined ef fort on the part of the many to rid each other of some of the burdens which are borne In their indiidual ca pacities, and to make life better, brighter, happier for all. It seeks to secure for the industrious man com pensation for his services, and hours of labor, which will afford comfort for himself and family an opportunity to devlop and cultivate a taste,, for higher life physically morally and spiritually. If Christianity means any thing, it means that all men are God's children, and whether it be right or wrong to view it in that light, it is certain that the word and promises of God preached to a hungry man or to the man whose d%ys know nothing but a ceaseless grind of labor for a bare existence and whose nights know nothing but the sleep, of physical ex-' haustion will 'fall in barren soil./ Christ chose disciples and bade them go out Into the world and preach the gospel to every creature, What was the gospel which he directed them to preach? Was it an eye for ah eye and a tooth for a tooth? Was it a gospel of fear illustrated with vivid word pic-' teres of the imaginary heat and tor ture in store for all those who did not accept it? Was it composed of theo logical, discussion? No. It Was the simple gospel of love. Love of the Father -for the Son. Love of the Son, for mankind and the beautiful com mandment that ye, we, love one an other- What commandment could more aptly fit the present condition of In dustry and society Deceit,'' desertion of trust, scandal and crime. are rife and are found, in higher places as-well as In the lowly places. The man who, holding a position of trust, either public or private, takes advantage of the opportunity to rob those who have placed confidence in him, has no love. for his neighbor or for society. The Christian looks forward with hope and confidence for the coming of the millennium, when all men shall know Christ and serve him. The .dkrn- L.' est advocate of trades unionism looks with hope and confidence for the dawn ing of an industrial millennium when all men shall know and have oppor tunity to enjoy a higher, nobler, better life. Scoffers and unbelievers scout the possibility of either and call us, who believe that these .things will be, visionaries. I for -one, would rather be. a visionary, with hope in the fu ture and with some of the milk of human kindness .in my veins than, to be a cold-blooded cynic, unablf to find pleasure In present associations) or encouragement In future* prospects. But let us not lose sight of this fact. The church cannot save sinners and the labor union cannot give its full benefits to the individual except through the efforts of the Individual sinner or workman. No sinner can de clare himself to be a part of the church and to be saved through vica rious atonement. No workman can hope to enjoy the benefits secured by the labor movement unless he is will ing to work for them. And both may depend upon it that the portions of of permanent good which they re ceive, either spiritual or mental, will be in direct ration to their personal efforts- Christ came to, earth with a message of peace on earth, good will of man, and in appreciation of his efforts the populace crucified him. The message of peace and good will has, however, echoed down the halls of the centur ies and I am optimistic enough' to be lieve that despite the seething caldrons of industrial and .International strife which are now observed in some places, there is, in proportion to the population, more of the spirit in the hearts of men today than ever before. The desirability of peace in any walk or condition, of life needs no dis cussion but peace, .in order to be last ing and in order to be a blessing, must be established in right ways and on right and just lines. would hail with glad acclaim industrial peace so In augurated but I want no Industrial peace tWch canot'be had without 'dishonor."'"- '," And now a brief reference to the principles laid down by Christ in his most comprehensive Command to men. This command that Than Shall do to others as he would that they should do to him enatbra^S ali the ethics of all the di :rectite^ ^«t^ beautiful Christian life. It does' jj^ jnean that things ... our consc?enceitteu i». la right, just and fair that we., shall do by them' as we would belieVeTit to be fair and right that they should do by us If our conditions and positions were re versed- 1 IKE LIMIT IS EIFIEW Organization Formed to Re move the Ban on Age Limit Fixed by Railroads. It Will Also Assist Men Be yond the Natural Limit to Find Gfood Employment. •Chicago, Sept. 7—An organization known as the Anti-Age Limit League has been organized in 'Chicago to fight the age limit of 45 years used against workingmen. It will endeavor to, prevent age being a ban, Irrespective of otl^er qualifications. It has opened headquarters at the Palmer house and welcomes to membership all working men more than 45 years old or other persons Interested In Abolishing the ban. The league, in a circular issued by John F. Downey, president, and Ben jamin Giroux, secretary treasurer, an nounces the following objects: First—-To remove the ban on wage earners by the cruel and unnatural age limit. Second—To assist men past the pro scribed limit to procure employment. Third—To emphasize man's inherent right to be first considered as the wage earner of the family. Fourth—To place, before the national government the persistent ostracism of the veterans of the Civil and Spanish, wars, in that they are?refused the pur suit of their inalienable right to labor in all the departments of our national government,. In accordance with their mental and physical equipment. Irre spective fit age. The prejudice Against employment Of men beyond. 4€ years' of age in commer cial life is declared to have been given birth by the rule placing^ that limit on the age at which a citlsen may volunteer* for service In the army pr navy.. It is planned to ask congress to act in some manner to relieve, and restore the rights of older cltlaens. In closing the circular says: "Of all the obstructions to a man's right to earji a livlnig the ban placed npoh labor by the, 45 year age limit Is the most cruel, obnoxious and a.bsnrd.": WILL TROT AGAINST RECORD. MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 6.—The Min nesota State' fair association today ar ranged wltb M. W. Savage* the mil lionaire owner or Dan Patch, the world's champions ffteer,? to run hts home against' his^own record 1: 6S, fdr se of 0,000-ott Saturday .of this purse week.. What Are th6 Limitations Trades Unionism? What, km Foam Will It Assume? What Is the Essence, the Vital Quality of the Labor move ment Itself? BVBnk K. Foster of Boston, a promin ont member of the Typographical union with with calmness and clearness ably defends trade unionism. He says: In these precious times of injunctions and such like Parryistic manifestations of an ugly antagonism toward organis ed labor, the average trade unionist may be pardoned if he Indulges In a bit of speculation as to just where it Is all going to end. What are the limitations of trade unionism? What form is it ultimately going to assume? Is it to bend or break before the athemas of the Citizens' Al liance, or will it sturdily continue to bid defiance to its open foes and Internal Inll-wish Must it change its methods and recede from the position? What, above all, is the essence, the vital quality, of trade unionism itself? Definitions are at once the despair and the delight of political, economists The despair because no one is obliged to accept another's definition the de light, because from your own defini tion of variable qualities you can erect your own argument. It was DeQulncy, I think, who pointed out that political economy could never become a science because it had no fixed qualities.- Generically, trade unionism is the union of the workers in a trade for the purpose of bettering their conditions. Specifically, there is a wide distinction 'between that trade unionism which declares for the sympathetic strike, political action,- and the collective ownership of the tools and instruments of production, and the trade union Ism that walks on the earth,^ deals with practical questions, and uses rational and well-tested methods. Platforms are Important—sometimeA Hlghfalating declarations make a nice sound, but In practical sense a 10 per cent advance In wages counts for more* a than a thousand denunciatory resolu- '-r "Jl tions as to the "tyranny of the capital 1st." We of the labor movement are sorely apt to lack sense "of proportion. We magnify trifles and minimize verities^, When the walking is bad, we fancy -ife"*" tian fly. We wear-down'in ntr. ro^y^.v^i ao deeply that |t fa fckrd ftaJus.to le union does. The glory of trade unionism, more over, is that it does things, herein It differs from most other reform schools. To be sure, progress seems slow, meas ured in days and months, but when we get the longer look-off over a period of years, results are obvious. Goercoin haw never been able to smash unionism. It is unlike that'it Will ever succeed in so doing. And to speak quiet frankly, coercive methods are double edged when used by trade unionists them selves. If we do possess the wisdom to build on foundations of convlctlpn, ,it were better to. camp out until we gafn it. .Two giant elemental forces contend with one another throughout the uni verse. They affect the planets in their spheres, and the drops of water in the ocean. They shape the polity of na tions and trade unions. One of these forces tends to centralize, the other to decentralize power. Civilization repre sents the decentralizing principle. Men have achieved religious and political freedom in direct degrees as the unite has developed its sovereignty. The free unit through voluntary associa tion with its fellows gains in strength without sacrifice of lnitative. The American Federation was found ed upon decentralized, or autonomous, lines. It was, In a sense, a protest' against the tendency of the labor move ment to revert to primitive of the labor autocitetic, types. Bach craft is a sovereign unit. Departure from this sovereignty constitutes a menace. Its executive has acted wisely' in moving with conservatism when conventions have lost sight of Its early conception of the functions of a federated body/ What matter if the unthinking clamor for the Iron hand? 'A' departure from its historic policy of reliance, on the sober second thought of its component'^ parts to do justice, would work almost Irreparable evil. The question of juris- f, diction, it is true. Is the fly. in the ointment. Here, as elesewhere, salva-. tion must be worked out by those who need it. Meanwhile, the pressure of the general oplnlon steadlly works the res tOrlng of the normal balance. The trade union movement has be-^., come organic. The American. Federa tion of Labor represents a tribunal of judgement supreme, saving that the right to appeal to the people is *lways reserved. Those In search at «horti| cuts to the millennium will always cavil at beaten roads* but their short.:!. cuts have hitherto ran up a tree in to, a swamp. ^4 MISS WOOD SUES 4 SENATOR PLATT AOAINfe OMAHA, Sept. 6.—Mae Wood todi filed a eult for 136,000 against TJniti States Senator H. C. Piatt- and the^ United States Bxpress company, cl«lm-71f ing that while she was in the postofflce department Washington she render ed services to the company by tipping off the inside workings of the depart ment and forecasting In Postmaster General Wayne's report of May, lftt, a recommendation of the post •check^-W syptem, thus saving thev*xpress oom^ii pany several hundred thousand of dok