1903-08 August Electrical Worker.pdf - International Brotherhood of ...

THE ELECTRICAL WORKER
Dear reader, I do not believe that there is
a single so-called favored local in this couotry
to-day that got their good conditions on
their OWI1 individual strength_ They secured
them because they wue backed up by a na~
tional body, for if their employers knew
that there were no national body they would
go anywhere in the United states or Canada to
get'men to fill their places sooner than grant
theirdemands_ Yet they are doing their very
best to keep down men who helped them to
secure their plums by being me~bers of that
national body tha.t backed them up.
If the brother press secretary from No. 91
would look closer at that demon called protection
he would have a very different .idea
about it.
Like father, like son. The manufacturer
who received e~tra commercial protection
soon made war on the less favored concerns
for the betterment of their own conditions,
and when they at last secun d an iron grip
on the public and employees, they then became
dictators. So, also, will it be the case
of the highly-protected locals. When they
can secure that iron grip upon the throat of
the Brotherhood they wiH crush to death all
future hopes of the smaller locals.
Myonly wish now is that at the next convention
the great doctor will be called in
who will apply the salve that will make all
brothers and all locals equal, wherever they
are.
With the best :wishes for all concerned, I
am
Fraternally yours,
M. A. MCGINLlty,
Press Secretary.
Local Union No. 3S.
CLltVltLAND, OHIO, July 27, 1903.:
Editor Electrical Worker:
Brothers, Labor Day is almost here. Do
you know what Labor Day means? I am
sorry to say that there are a few men who
carry cards that never give the matter a
thought. There are a few of our brothers
who would rather be seen standing on the
streets watching the loyal brothers performing
their duty than march a few blocks, but
these same men are the most eager in their
efforts to grasp the benefits of organized endeavor.
We all know them, they are the
parisites of unionism; they never attend
meetings, rior do they eve~ exert. themselves
in the least to help the cause. Now, brothers,
you all know that this is not right nor
'manly, and I do not think that any .of you
do these things wilfully, and •'lest you forget,
I say it yet." It is untiecessary for me
to tell the members of our glorious Brotherhood,
that all they hold dear and sacred in
this life is ~aintained by their labor; and
what would this labor be but mere slavery
were it not for our union? and what would
we and those who depend upon our toil be
but slaves?
On Labor Day we commemorate the emancipation
of the toiler from industrial
slavery-from forced labor, and from the
crliellaws and restrictions which held him
a mere slave, subject to the will of the employer.
Trade unions are the grandest and
noblest instruments that ever came into the
hands cif the toiler to correct the evils of -society.'
Let us show our loyalty and appreciation
of what has been done for us by helping
to make the celebration of Labor Day
eclipse anything ever attempted heretofore.
We ask everyone of our members to attend
the meetings previous· to Labor Day. No
excuse will be accepted for not •• turning
out."
We have appointed a Labor bay committee
to act in harmony with Locaf No. 39,
and would like to have Local 237, of Lorain,
Ohio. join with us in the parade. All three
locals should wear the same sty Ie of uniform,
and march' as 'the electrical workers, irrespective
'of locals. .
The Ohio State Federation of ElectriCal
Workers held their convention at Dayton,
Ohio, July 2nd and 3rd. Most of the locals
were w('ll represented, and business of much
importance was transacted. The beneficial
working of this association has commenced
to manifest itself in several notable instances.
Our business agent, Brother Frank Estinghausen,
was re-elected president. .
We will hold our annual picnic about the
'30th of'July, and from every indication it is
going to be a howling success.
We are glad to see that Brothers Buchan,
McDonald, and J. R. Smith have recovered
from their recent illness. Brother Frank
Estinghausen was called to Massillon, Ohio,