m 1U1 IT T A fT TT Tt 7 3 E A Newspaper with a Mission and without a Muzzle that is published in the Interest of Wageworkers Every where. i " . rA- VOL.1 " LINX'OLX ,NEBRASKA, OCTOBER 28, 1004 O. 2J The Candidacy of John E. Miller Wholly without partisan feeling, and npart from aJl political consideration, The Wageworker endorses the candi lncy of John E. Miller, fusion nominee for member of the legislature from Lancaster county. Mr. Miller ns-a citizen and buslncsu man neecf.t no Introtluctlon to the peo ple of thw county. His character as n citixen is above reproach; his sue ; ecus a a business man. is an inspira tion to young men who are seeking to make a success in life. But there is another phase of Mr. Miller's character that The Wagework cr desires to discuss, and Tipon which it. will base it3 advocacy of Mr. Mil ler's election as a legislator. The rea sons impelling The Wageworker to this course are purely industrial, and have their Inception In the principles rspoused by labor unions the world over. K is becauso it believes that John E. Miller is entitled to and Hhould have the votes of all union men and uni:in sympathizers that Thtf Wageworker espouses his candidacy.- No biographical sketch of Mr. Mil ler will he undertaken at this time, for none Is needed. He was a poor boy with only the schooling that could be obtained iu a country school. He be gan working for himself when early in bin '"teens," and embarked in business for himself through unforseen circum stances. He was clerking In a store, tind his employer sought to dispose of the sleek to the best advantage. Mr. Miller was selected to take charge !' the stock, and Bhowed such business ability, that the business was continued with himself as the managing partner. Today he is the managing partner of one of the largest retail stores in the weHt. This, we believe, is sufficient upor. this phase or the situation. And now to the reason b why The Wageworker urges his election through the support of union men and union sympathisers. For years the laoor unions have been advocating the shorter hour working day, and Retail Clerks' unions have undertaken to secure decreased hours &nd closed stores on Saturday. The firm of Miller & Paine Is the only -retail firjn in the city of Lincoln (hot closes Its door on Saturday even ings. "The question of profit or loss nev er entered Into our Saturday night i losing plan," said Mr. Miller to Th Wage-worker. "Wo believed that it was the right thing to do; that it was tlue our employes, and that it was in line with modern tendencies. We huve never regretted the move, have no intention of ever abandoning the plan, and have never taken the trou ble to even .try to estimate .whether it has been profitable or otherwise. We tire satisfied." Certainly every union maji who is M riving to bring about the shorter working day should entertain a kind ly feeling for a business man who talks and acts like John E. Miller. "What is your attitude toward la bor unions T" asked The Wageworker's representative. "We have never had the union prob lem squarely confronting us," replied Mr. Miller. "Therefore what I may nay is based merely upon observation. I believe cot only in labor's right to organize, but that it is labor's duty to organize for mutual help and pro tection. That labor organizations have made mistakes will not, I presume, be disputed by the most radical union man. But all of us make mistakes, and out of their mistakes I believe la bor organizations are profiting." "Would you oppose the organization of a Retail Clerks' Union in I.lncosn?" was ashed of Mr. Miller. "No, indeed. On the contrary, I would give encouragement to the plan. Some time ago I (to not recol lect how long I understood that a na tional representative of that organiza tion was in the city. I never met him, and to my knowledge he did not con- fer with anyone employed by this firm. But hearing that such a movement was tinder way I spoke to our Mr. Stickley and told him to put no obstacles in the way, and if any of our employes approached him on the subject to en courage their becoming members ot the organization." "Would yon encourage the organiza tion?" asked The Wageworker repre sentative. "I would." was the brief and Iran;; reply msi" by Mr. Miller. f'o much for Mr. Miller's position on tbi union question. Certainly that poslticn appeals to every genuine union man. The Wageworker's representative went further in his investigations of this Arm's methods of doing business Insofar as they relate to the employes. It found the profit sharing plan in a modified form in operation in the big store. Employes who show a disposi tion to work earnestly for the firm's interests, and evince frugality, are en couraged to become financially inter ested. They are allowed to invest in the'stocJc of the corporation; and in addition to the dividends upon their stock have a share in the profits over and above the dividends. Some score or more of the employes are stock holders, several of. them having al ready acquired stock enough to insure htem against want in case of sickness or disability. It was further found that the aver age of wages is higher in this- house than in any other similar retail house in the entire west with the possible ex ception of two or three of the moun tain cities. There are saleswomen em ployed by Miller & Paine who draw from $18 to $20 a week without any further responsibility than their abil ity to secure and hold trade. There. are department managers whose earn ings as wages and dividends exceed the salary of any Nebraska state officer. The state laws regarding sanitary con ditions are more than observed by Mil ler & Paine. "What is your position upon ths child labor question?" Mr. Miller was asked. "I am opposed to child labor," was the emphatic response. "We do not employe any young women under eigh teen years of age except in vacation season, and then only because of pe culiarly strong reasons. Even then we draw the line at sixteen years. We will not employ small boys and giris as 'cash.' Sometimes we have to ap pear heartless and cold and refuse em ployment to children whose parents are in need. But' we prefer to help in another way tnau by forciug children to work indoors at a time when they need all the out-door life and pleasure they can secure. But this firm wili not employ small children under any cir cumstances, and sixteen is the limit, below wnich we will not go." "Have you any regular systems of promotion?" asked The Wageworker's representative. "Promotion in this store is by merit The employe who shows ability, fidel ity and industry ls given the prefer ence, of course. Our greatest difficulty is in securing permanency. So many young women seek, employment as clerks for the sole purpose of tiding themselves over for a season, or pend ing an opportunity to secure something else. But the employe w-ho shows promise of permanency, combined Wit!i other qualities necessary, is given ev ery opportunity for advancement. We 'play no' favorites' and endeavor to reward merit." Briefly summed up, Mr. Miller as a business man, and as an employer of labor believes in the following: shorter working hours. Better wages. Promotion by merit. Unionism in its true sense. Complete observation of the labor laws. Profit sharing. The employer of labor who believes in and advocates these things is good enough material to represent wage earners in the legislature. The Wage worker dcesn't care the snap of it3 linger for Mr. Miller's politics. Osten sibly he is a democrat, in reality he i;i a liberal. While affiliated with the democratic party he refuses to wear a party collar, and has perhaps voted for as m: 'iy republicans as democrats in the pout twenty years. Bvt ui:i political affiliations cut no figvi ! with The WageworKer at this tim . His position upon the labor ques tion does. In view of all of these facts facts thi t should be known to all who eat tifad In the sweat of their faces The ".geworker presents to the wag; earners of Lancaster county as its sole ai.d only candidate fof the legislature, Mr. John E. Miller, of the firm of Mil ler & Paine. AUXILIARY NOTES. An Interesting Communication From Cap ital Auxiliary No. 11. Capital Auxiliary No. 11 met witn Mrs. Charles Simmons on October 21. To3t of the members were present and in interesting meeting was enjoyed. Mesdames Bustard and Bowers, the oresent label committee, reported thai our label pictures have been placed, one in a window of the Armstrong Clothing Co. and the other at the New Century printing office. The ladies decided to have a Hallowe'en party and the following committee was appointed: Mrs. C. H. Bowers, Mrs. C. B. Righter, Mrs. Frank O'Uell, Mrs. W. H. Creal and Mrs. Erstine King. Arrangements are being made tu celebrate that eventful day on October 31. All members of the Auxiliary with their husbands, are expected to bring a sheet and pillow-case and as semble at an early hour, say 7:30 p. m., at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Righter. A good time is assured and te committee has many surprises in store for the guests. Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Sayer are the visiting committee for the com ing month. If there are any printers' wives who are not members of this Auxiliary and shoula receive a visit, from these ladies, it is earnestly hoped that they will consider, "now, the ac cepted time," and avail themselves of the opportunity to belong to one of the best and most useful organizations in existence. Until you have joined us, you may never realize the as sistance you will be able to give, not only to your husband, but to the craft at large. It is a blessed privilege to be abl-3 to belting to an organization which is auxiliary to the International Typo graphical Union. The men need en couragement and because we are the wives of laboring men we should be proud to realize that their brain and brawn is the most useful capital and must be protected most carefully. The time is not far off when an aux iliary to all trades will be found to be a necessary accessory. Are you asking for union-made goods on fevery side. Have you studied the label pictures? Until the time comes when there will be a universal label, which we hope will be so distinct in character and construction that there will be no mis taking it at any time, and that it will be stamped indelibly in our very minds, we must study these various labels which mean, so much. What woman is sweeping her home with a non-union broom, a Lee broom for instance? If you do not- know, ask your husband why we should not use the convict-made brooms. When you buy your boy a suit of clothes cr your, girl a coat or shoes, do you insist on seeing the label? Do not allow a peak-headed clerk to lam poon you. Educate yourself so that, it ooxxccxsooccccocooococcooooooqoocco OVER ONE THOUSAND. i The Wageworker guarantess to advertisers over 1,000 actual, bona fide, paid-in-advance subscribers, nine-tenths of whom reside in Lincoln, University Place, Havelock, Col lege View and Bethany. The subscription books are open to inspection by anyone who can show cause and adver tisers come under that head. O000O0O0O000OG0O00O00OOO00S(d0O9000O00O0OQ000G0000O0OO they do not know what the label looks like, you may be able to describe it. There are several stores in town hand ling a union-made starch. Monarch. Insist on having it or ask your grocer to send for. it. Another good reason for joining tho auxiliary is this: Like the printers, their wives should have a ommon L-ond cf sympathy and a peculiar inter est iu each other. Nothing brings thin result like a companionship brought on through this medium. Personally, we had lived in Lincoln more than twelve years and had never known nor even met to exceed five or six print er's wives or mothers, until Capital Auxiliary was organized. Now, noth ing but death' could rob us of the sweet affections formed and the pleas ures enjoyed through associations-so liberal and congenial Capital Auxiliary meets every first and third Friday in the monh. The initiation fee is fifty cents and dues per quarter, twenty-five cents. We were pleased to have Mrs. Erstine King with us again after an absence of nearly two months, visiting iu Mis souri. Twenty-five of the ladies had their pictures "took" for Mr. Leaden'3 labor directory and most of the ladies will buy one or more of the' pictures for keepsakes. The Auxiliary bought a couple to be sent to our international president and secretary. Come and "jine" us. MRS. C. E. BARNGROVER. THE BIG TREES. A Wondrous and Awe-Inspiring Product of Nature, Found Only in California. California's attractions are mostly of its own kind, peculiar to the state, and of none Is this so emphatically true as that unique product the Big Trees. The ige of these colossi is from 1,500 to 2,000 years. The Mariposa Grove, which can be visited while en route to the Yosemite, contains some of the largest. In the Calaveras Grove are from ninety to one hundred of huge size. Near Santa Cruz is a beau tiful grove of redwood Big Trees which will well employ a day's visit. These can be best reached by the Union Pa cific whose fast trains from Missouri river reach California 1G hours aheal of all competitors. Pamphlets and maps describing the wonders of California, and full infor mation about the most comfortable and direct route to the Pacific Coast, can be obtained of ' E. B. SLOSSON, Gen. Agent. FATAL ACCIDENT. Two Burlington Men Killed In a Unique rtoaa Disaster. Engineer John E. Parkinson and ilreman Charles E. Lasher of the Burlington are dead as the result of a horrible and unique accident that befell them Thursday between Aurora and Phillips. In the thick of a heavy fog the engine struck an oil wagon, and the heat of the engine exploded a large quantity of gasoline. The blazing fluid was thrown in torrents all over the train, and especially upon the en ginel Engineer Parkinson saw the wagon in time to reverse the engine, but not in time to avoid hitting it. The train stopped a . short distance from the scene of the collision, and the frightened passengers poured from the, train. The predicament of the en gineer and fireman was not noticed for" several moments, and by that time Lasher was dead. Parkinson was re moved to Aurora, but died later in tn? day. j- IS THE EXCUSE GOOD? Why the Wageworker Comes Out Slim at This Particular Time. If The Wageworker is not up to the standard this week it is because the editor and the business manager were gallivanting around St. Louis early in the week. They left Monday evening as the guests of Governor Mickey and party, who went to- St. 'Louis to par ticipate in the Nebraska Day festivi ties, and returned Thursday evening. If any of The Wageworker's readers have undergone a season of festivity under similar circumstances they will understand wny ihe Wageworker's staff is feeling unable to do any par- ticular amount of hustling. Banquets, tally-ho rides, invitations to, visit con- cesions, an attempt to cover 1,200 acres of exhibits and about 1,200 miles oi travel, all crowded into three days and three nights is enough to take the starch out of any but the most sea soned veterans and- The Wageworker staff is yet young and unaccustomed to so much gaiety. Is the excuse good? NEW ADVERTISER. The Herpolsheimer Store Secures the Ser vices of An Expert. Robert Herpolsheimer has taken charge of the advertising department of the firm of H. Herpolsheimer &. Co., succeeding Mr. Lee, who has gone to Kansas City. Mr. Herpolsheimer has made an especial study of the science of advertising, and already hfs 'work-is attracting attention throughout this section of thee ountry. . He believes in systematic and thorough advertising, gnd is following well devised plans that arc sure to increase the trade of the popular store "with which he is connected. TROUBLE IN BEATRICE. Cigar-makers Strike Against a Reduction in Already Low Wages. Union cigarmakers employed by Un derwood Bros, at Beatrice went on strike last week against a reduction in wages. Underwood Bros, announced that they could not pay the scale and that hereafter they would conduct an "open shop." A committee from the Lincoln union, under which jurisdic tion the Beatrice members work, went down to see if the matter could be amicably adjusted. No agreement was reached, however." One man returned to work and was promptly find $75 by the union. OOOOQOCOOOOCK9 Some General Labor Notes The meeting of the Central Labor Union last Tuesday evening was un usually interesting, several matters of importance calling out all the fight ing qualities of the members. After a fiery discussion J. E. Mickel was elected delegate to the national convention of the American Federation of Labor without instructions. T. C. Kelsey .was elected alternate. Tha committee on public entertainment submitted , a report which was ac cepted, and the matter of making com plete arrangements referred to the committee. The plan is to give a pub lic entertainment for the purpose of raising money to defray the expenses of the national delegate. The Wage worker will contain full details next week, together with the program, and promises that the entertainment will be worth the patronage of every union man and woman, in the city. The matter of holding the labor fair is still "in the air," owing to the dif ficulty in securing adequate quarters. The rooms first selected can not be se cured, and there is some hitch about the Auditorium. The committee will make final report at the next meet ing. GET INTO THE GAME. Have Your Laundry Work Do,ne by Union Laundry Workers. If union men and women in Lincoln want their laundry work done by union laundry workers, they now have that opportunity and should lose no time getting into' the union game. Pending the establishment of ' a union laundry in Lincoln, the Lincoln Union Laundry company will have its work done by union laundry workers in Omaha. This, however, will be tem porary, for it is the intention of the company to put in a plant of its own at an early date. Mr. J. W. Lower is the manager of the new company, and an office has been" opened ' at : 123T O street, where laundry orders should be left. Good work and complete satis faction is guaranteed. The Lincoln Union Laundry com pany has already one wagon in the field, and the patronage shows such signs of growth that arrangements have been made for another, the first of the month. As a reason why union men and union sympathizers' should encourage this new enterprise a little history is cited. Less than two months ago Labor Day was observed in this city. On that day the non-union laundries of this city and they are all non-union ran at full blast the usual hours, not even closing down to permit the employes to participate in or watch the parade. The laundry managers have opposed the organization of the laundry work ers, and there is evidence to support the statement that certain of the em ployers were primarily Responsible fo: the early collapse of the union or1 ganized some years ago. Hundreds of Lincoln people have reason to believe that there is a laun dry trust in the city. Wages paid by Lincoln laundries are ridiculously low. A case in point will illustrate this. One girl employed in a Lincoln laundry recently worked more than 70 hours In one week. For this she received -the munificent wage of $7. Th laundry collected upwards of ?80 for the work this girl performed. The laundry workers who will do the laundry collected by the Lincoln Union Laundry company work a 9-hour -day and receive 33 1-3 per cent for over time. They average over $S a week for their nine hours a day. They are all members of the International Union of Shirt, . Waist and Laundry Workers. Every laundry list sent out by the Lin coln Union Laundry company will bear the union's label. Every member of the new company is a union man. These are some of the reasons why union men should give their patronage to the new company. CpCOOCXXXXXXXXXXXXXDOCOCiOO Q o 8 IN A NUTSHELL. O O The union is the only instrument Q O that the laborer has for enforcing O O a division of the fund given to the Q O employer in trust and now the em- O O ployers have organized to destroy O O the union. William J. Brvnn r 8cOCOOCOOOCOCOCO(X)CXX3Co8 WISELY WILL SPEAK. Socialist Leader Arranges For An Open Meeting Sunday Evening. On Sunday evening next Mr. J. O: L. Wisely will conduct an open meet ing at C. L. U. hall, and invites all workingmen to be present and join in a free and full discussion of the issues of the day. Mr. Wisely will address the gathering, and stands ready .to answer any questions that may be pro pounded in good faith. An invitation iti extended to every workingman and working woman in the city to be pres ent, and to bring their friends. COOKS AND WAITERS. The New Union Will Hold Its First Meet ing in November. The Cooks and Waiters have organ ized again, and will hold the first meet ing under the new charter on the first Wednesday in November. The union starts off with a good membership, and with the experience of the past as a guide will doubtless develop Into one of the strong and conservative locate of the city. BUILDING LABORERS. Special Meeting Called to Discuss Several Questions of Moment. A special meeting of the Hod Car riers and Building Laborers on tbj evening of November 1. The meeting will be held at the regular meeting place, Marshall's hall, . 829 O street. Every member is urged to be present and take part in the discussion of tho important questions that will be pre sented at that time. I GENERAL MENTION 8 Lincoln Union Laundry Co., 1234 O street. , For Union Made S'hoes go to Rogers & Perkins. ( Have your work done by the Lin coln Union Laundry company. Street and Pattern Hats, from 1 up, Sadie Puckett, 124 South 12th. ' Get ready tor the C. L. U. enter tainment. Full particulars next week. Mrs. F. C. Greenley .has been quite ill for some time, trtitris "reported much -better. Ladies' own mr.terial made over on new shapes. Reasonable prices. Sadie Puckett, 124 South 12th. We have a large stock of Union Made Shoes and we want your trade. iiogers Ac Perkins Co. When you have any news tna'. will interest union men and wonicn. call autophone 2277 and tell it. Bert Fredericks is visiting in town. He is employed on the New Orleans Item, and has a "stiddy job." If you think best to buy a suit this fall, visit Paine's Clothing House "A good place to buy good clothes." Union engineers in the Illinois coal mines have been locked out and as a result a general strike may take place. Have you noted the Lincoln Star's "Presidential Dot Contest?" If not, get next to it. There's money in it for H. W. McQuittie is raising a mus tache. This is a news item. You'd never know it by looking at "Mac's ' upper lip. '' Ted O'Shea is back after an ex tended tour of the west and has. de cided that henceforth Lincoln will be his domicle. Fresh Eureka (Ark.) Hard Coal for base burners, $9. Lasts as long as Pennsylvania hard coal and is just as hot, Ed F. Reddish. Fred Schmidt & Bro. have a new advertisement in this issue. It will pay you to read it and then take ad vantage of some of the bargains of fered. Peabody carries an armed guard with him on his stumping , tours. He neei not be afraid. It's his crowd that does air the woman beating, and Peabody is not a man. It's a cinch this time Jess Micknl has found his cocker spaniel, "Nigger.'' This is the fourth time he has .-been found, but the other three times it wasn't "Nigger." Charley Bowen's patrons declare that since he came back from Louisville he talks with a southern accent and in- taists on quoting speed records and blue grass statistics. A Wisconsin farmer relates that he was attacked by eighteen rattlesnakes and that he killed them all with a small cane. He ought to drink union made liquor and cut out the "dope." Sam Best, secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters, says that his union has taken in more new members in the past sixty days than any other union tn the city. And Sam was on the ateo wagon when he said it.