William Penn, 1964 (47. évfolyam, 5-21. szám)
1964-09-16 / 18. szám
PAGE 4 September 16, 1964. William Penn Official Organ of the William Penn Fraternal Association OFFICE OF PUBLICATION RAPID PRINTING COMPANY 7907 West Jefferson Ave. Detroit 17, Michigan PUBLISHED SEMIMONTHLY BY THE William Penn Fraternal Association Managing Editor: ALBERT J. STELKOVICS Editor’s Office: 436 FOURTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. 15219 Telephone Area Code 412 — 261-3454 All articles and changes of address should be sent to the WILLIAM PENN FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION 436 Fourth Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: United States and Canada ____________________ $1.00 a year Foreign Countries ..................................................... $1.50 a year SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT DETROIT, MICHIGAN LABOR DAY “In most states of the United States, the first Monday of September, set aside as a legal holiday in honor of, or in the interest of, workingmen as a class ...” The above partial definition of Labor Day is from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (Merriam-Webster). As a result of the various labor movements, Labor Day originated back in 1882. The event is celebrated in various ways, with processions, sports, meetings, etc. However, most people now observe the day in family gatherings to enjoy the final holiday of the summer season, and so Labor Day sees men, women and children leaving for trips, going picnicking or just resting at home. Probably the greatest name in the labor movement was that of Samuel Gompers (1850-1924), an Englishman who came to the United States in 1863. As the great labor leader, it was Gompers who was one of the founders of the American Federation of Labor, and who was editor of the “American Federationist.” He became president of the American Federation of Labor in 1882 and was reelected many times. He was a tremendous influence in maintaining good will, peace and understanding between industry and labor. The end of feudalism, the emancipation of the masses, thq growth of industry, the development of technology — these are but some of the reasons for the birth of the labor movement. When labor branched out into sundry and specialized skills, and industry became the gigantic octopus of commerce, it was then necessary for labor to identify itself as a separate entity and to protect all its rights. Thus labor gradually became the peer of industry. In the progress of the labor movement and of unionism there have been many ugly occurrences shared, unfortunately, between labor and industry. In the early years industry was very much opposed to the labor and union movement, likewise in those same early years labor sometimes pushed its cause imprudently. This period might be called the “growing pains” experienced both by labor and industry. Today, as a result of the labor movement, great unions of the working man exist which represent their constituents when changes or problems show themselves and must be resolved. The coal miners, the steel workers, the automobile builders, the truck drivers, etc. have their respective and recognized unions to plead their cases. Usually the differences between the big unions and the giants of industry can and are settled at the conference I able and peace and harmony reign. Sometimes labor and industry are at odds for weeks, even months, but eventually the issues are resolved because reason and patience prevail. It should be emphasized that the labor movement with its attendant unionism is not evil unto itself, that industry with its vast powers is not evil unto itself either. Both labor and industry must exist as separate entities, but both labor and industry must work side by side and heads together — for the mutual benefit of both. The William Penn Fraternal Association salutes its thousands of members who are working men and who honestly adhere to the just tenets of labor, and this society is ever mindful of its laboring forebears, the coal miners, who founded on the ideals of fraternalism this association which today boasts members from all walks of life. Should Children Have To Earn Spending Money? A recent newspaper release by the Register and Tribune Syndicate deals with an important matter which sooner or later involves all parents and their children. Because so many of our readers are parents and because children and money must of necessity so often be linked together, we consider to bring to our readers the following as written by Mr. Charles V. Neal, Jr., perhaps this small article may in some way be mutually helpful to some of our members who may be facing this question. Should children be forced to do certain chores in order to earn their spending money? This question was tossed at me the other day and I answered “no”, but qualified the answer a bit. When parents bring children into the world, the parents owe certain things to the children. On the other hand, when the child approaches the age of reason he too must assume certain responsibilities. We should analyze this question of spending money, or allowance as the term is sometime used. Part of what children receive from parents each week goes for necessities or near necessities, lunch, clothing, transportation and school expenses which are certainly necessary. Parents therefore, should not penalize lazy or irresponsible children by depriving them of necessities. Even if a child refuses to help with housework or the lawn, he is still entitled to the modern necessities. But, when it come to money for soft drinks, records, snacks, and recreation we have a different story. I can see nothing wrong in depriving a child of luxuries if he or she can not see fit to contribute anything to family needs. Parents should be reasonable, however. Youngsters attending schools today are having a rough go these days. Homework is getting more and more demanding. What may seem to a parent as laziness on the part of the child may be honest fatigue and rebellion against constant adult regimentation. There is very little social life in many high schools these days and students simply must have some free time. Youth as many of us know, is of short duration. They are expected to be adults almost immediately. It is only fair to expect children to clean their own rooms, make their own beds, hang up clothing and pitch in now and then with the family chores, this they will face all their lives. If, however, children are asked or ordered to do work normally done by either parent, then the children should be paid extra at going rates, rather be penalized by a cut in allowance money, if they refuse. While it used to be common for high school students to work at outside ;obs in order to earn spending money, the accelerated academic program rules this out for all but a few. It takes a real genius to work at a job, attend school, do homework and still earn straight A’s. In fact the average student has a hard enough time just keeping up without worrying about helping Dad or Mom. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WILLIAM PENN FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION announces with profound sorrow the death of JOHN MIKULA Branch 45 — June 14, 1964 an ILLUSTRIOUS MEMBER of this Association. The Board of Directors in paying final Tribute to the memory of our ILLUSTRIOUS MEMBER, conveys on behalf of the membership of the Association, its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. JOIN AND SERVE YOUR RED CROSS
