itoon the "onen shoo" because vou think vott can hire
non-union
tnfcO o a- . t,L, w ,Jrief'eVllerifr'aVllrfV' Tr- st lif f
carpenters cheaper and thereby underbid on contracts the contractors
who employ .union carpenters -and' pay the scale -agreed upon in the
contract which you were a party to? Don't dodge, .Mr. Hutton.
: ; -
WILL M. MAUPIN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
NO SWEAT SHOP CLOTHING FOR US. OUR CLOTHING BEARS
THE LABEL OF THE UNITED GARMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA
WAGEWORKER
Even if the Western Federation of Miners were as bad as pic
tured by Parry, Job, Bell and Peabody, it would be a shining sample
of virtue and decency compared with the band of political highway
men who sandbagged justice and deprived Alva Adams of the gov
ernorship of Colorado. .
If Mr. Hutton's friends insist on giving him all 'the credit for
securing a municipal lighting plant, certainly they can not object if
Mr. Hutton is criticised for allowing the municipal lighting plant to
be erected on a lot to which the city has no deed.
'Weekly. One Dollar a Year. Advertising Rates on Application
Entered u second-class matter Ap rll 21, 1904, at the postoffice at Lin
coln, Neb, under the Act of Congress.
)
THE QUESTION AT ISSUE.
The attempt to make it appear that the issue in the present
municipal campaign is One Thousand Dollar Saloon License vs.
Fifteen Hundred Dollar Saloon License is an insult to the intelli
gence, and, furthermore, is an attempt to befog the real issues at
stake. The saloon license fee is merely a "good enough Morgan"
for warring factions in the dominant party to build a fight upon
and the attempt of one faction to make it appear that it stands for
all that is good and pure in city affairs would be amusing were it
not so evident that it is deceiving a number of citizens.
The Wagcworker denies that the amount of the saloon license
cuts any figure, and The Wagcworker says it as one having no
sympathy at all with the license system. This is not a prohibition
paper,' in the political sense of the term, and its editor is not a prohi
Mjtionist within the meaning of those who are striving to build up a
political party thcrqon. Morality i not a question of politics; the
tariff, or the currency, or imperialism, or kindred questions, are
questions of politics and can not be classed as purely moral ques
tions. The license system is responsible for much that is wrong
in our political life, and for this reason The Wageworker is not
in favor of the license system. But the license system is here, it
must be reckoned with, and the issue therefore resolves itself into
a question of enforcement of the law as it stands upon the statute
books, and the enforcement of the excise rules as they appear on
the -ordinance books of the city. The Wageworker stands for the
rigid enforcement of the law and the rules, and in its opinion the
amount of the license fee cuts absolutely no figure in the enforce
ment thereof. To raise a dust over the amount of the fee is to
blind the people to the real issues at stake.
Under the license system the general public is made a part
ner in the saloon business. The public says to the saloonkeeper,
vou put in the stock, furnish the fixtures, stand all the expense and
do all the work, and we will permit you to run providing you give
us your silent partners $1,000 each as our share oi the prohts
Common justice demands that before compelling the active partner
in the business to give up a greater share of the proceeds, the silent
partner first examine to see if the increase demanded by him does
not work an injury to the active partner. Being partners in the
business the public and the saloonkeeper are entitled to equal rights
in the matter. That is the sum and substance ot the whole agita
tion over the amount of the license fee, and it is wrong anl unjust
for the silent partners to make a demand for an increase in their
f hare of the profits without first investigating to see if the demand
docs not work an injustice to the active partners.
The question at issue in this campaign is one of good govern
ment, and by good government is meant strict enforcement of the
excise laws, economical administration, protection" of the public in
terests, curbing of corporate greed, clean streets, better fire protec
tion, better street car service, extension of paving, extension of the
water and sewer facilities and the safeguarding of the city's financial
, standing. The voters should lay aside their partisan prejudices and
choose between the men nominated for city office, choosing those
whose business standing and business success show the most con
clusive evidence of ability to carefully transact the business of the
city.
The Wageworker is supporting Mr. Brown for mayor, a
against Mr. Hutton, because Mr. Brown is not only a fair employer
of union labor, but is a business man whose success in life proves his
business ability and Lincoln needs business men to look after her
municipal affairs. Mr. Brown has made a record as an exciseman
and there can be no doubt where he stands as regards the enforce
ment of the excise laws. As an employer he has made a record for
fairness that recommends him to the suffrage of men who cat their
bread in the sweat of their faces. He is under the control of no man
or corporation, owes his nomination to no clique or cabal, and as
mayor will be free to act for the best interests of the city without
interference from any man or set of men who may have axes to
grind. -
The Wragcworkcr appeals to all voters, especially those numb
ered within the ranks of the wage earners, to vote for Mr. Brown
because he is a good business man. a progressive and enterprising
citizen and one of the largest employers of labor in the city.
THE LESSON OF ONE STRIKE.
The strike of the employes of the Tew York Subway company
was lost, as it should have been lost. That the men had grievances
is undoubtedly true. But the conditions were of their own making,
and as men they should have borne them like men. They had a con
tract and that contract should have been kept inviolate. The strike was
a violation of the contract, and therefore was not only a wrong to
the employers but was a wrong to union labor throughout the coun
try, for the violation of a contract by a union turns back the hands
upon the clock of union progress and is detrimental to the cause of
unionism which already has a hard enough time to secure a fair
7 hearing. It was a wrong against the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, which union had chartered the local union, because the
vtrike was unauthorized and therefore reflected discredit upon the
Brotherhood. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers acted
promptly and wisely in revoking the local's charter when the local
violated its contract and refused to obey; the order of the union
authorities. The unions that stand highest before the business world
arc the unions that keep as sacred their contracts with employers.
Undoubtedly the New York strikers had grievances, and be
yond a doubt they suffered from adverse conditions. But there can
be no excuse for their violation of their contract. If the employers
violated the contract the employes had their recourse, cither at 'law
or by strike. Union men all' over the country, while sympathizing
with the strikers because of their grievances, can find no excuse for
them. That they were whipped before the fight begun was a fore
gone conclusion. It seems to have been another case of too much
reliance on brute strength; too much. haste; too much irresponsible
V: 'leadership the bane of all industrial unionism. Such things work
' njury to t,1c cause, and the men responsible therefore should be
- , Tield to strict account.
What's the use of the city spending money on a "fiusher"' for
street cleaning purposes? The spring rains will soon, flush the
streets, and when the resultant mud dries into dust another rain will
wash that away, and so on, ad infinitum.
Having located the city's lighting plant on a lot that the city
docs not own, it would not be surprising "if the candidate with "six
years of experience in municipal affairs", should happen to purchase
a gold brick with municipal money.
Union men should stand by candidates who have proof of their
unionism. Charley "Simmons; candidate for city clerk is a member
of Typographical Union No. 209, and is straight on the "union
game."
By the time the council gives up a few more streets to corpor
ations it will be up to the corporations to keep the streets clean.
Maybe this offers a solution of the street cleaning problem.
Mr. Brown's record as a member of the excise board is a suffi
cient guarantee of what be .will stand for as mayor of Lincoln when
it comes to a matter of saloon regulation.
Remember the social to be given by the Women's Union Label
league at C. L. U. hall next Monday evening.- Admission free and
there will be something doing. '
Get-into the union game in earnest.- When union labor stands
by its friends results will soon be noticeable.
A vote for Brown for mayor is avote for a man whose friend
ship for organized labor has stood the test.
The soda water fountain bar must go and it must go quickly.
Properly Labeled
The Hollyhock
I may be an old-fashioned men and
hardly up-to-date;
At getting next to modern things 1 may
be rather late;
But I don't care I have my likes, and
think old-fashioned flowers
Are prettiest of all that grow in this
old world of ours.
The tender, scentless, things that grow
in hot house under glass
May be to some the proper thing, I'm
not one of that class
You take them if you like them, 111
take other flowers in mine.
The hollyhocks that no'd and bloom in
tall and stately line.
The hollyhocks are nodding cheery
welcome as I walk
Through the garden, and of old days
and of old times to inc talk.
And they whisper tales of childhood
when all days were free from
care,
When the nights brought dreamless
slumber and the world was
bright and fair.
Whisper stories of my childhood, bring
the old days back to me.
And within the deep-belled , blossoms
faces of my loved I see.
So I love these friends of childhood
with their colors rich and fine.
Hollyhocks that nod and blossom in
a tall and stately line.
Rainbow colors flashing sunlight when
the springtime breezes blow;
Sentries guarding mem'ries happy as
adown. the path I go;
Cheery welcome in the whispers from
their vari-colored throats
As they bend and nod to breezes in
their quaint green-tinted coats.
Who would pass these old-time flowers
with no thoughts of other days?
Who could pass their friendly blossoms
on less friendly flowers to gaze?
Give me these old-fashioned flowers
'round which memories en
twine
Hollyhocks that nod and blossom in
a tall and stately line;
"The Greater Lincoln" will not be built up by narrowness or
prejudice. It will not be built up by policies that arc inimical to
organized labor. "The Greater Lincoln" will be built up by fair
men who enforce the laws without fear or favor, and found their
public acts upon the broad basis of the greatest good to the greatest
number.
. -The advocates of the "open shop" love to prate about the "in
dependent workman." Pray, when did union men become "depend
ent workmen?" The "open shop" advocate bases his actions on his
opposition to unions, and he opposes unionism because it stands in
the way of his exercise of his greed at the expense of the men who
' toil.
Alva Adams of Colorado can afford to give up the governorship
much easier than Colorado can stand the disgrace that attaches to
her by reason of the outrageous chicanery that resulted in Governor
Adams being deprived of his rights.
Every union teamster wears a button and carries a card. If vou
are in the union game in earnest, make sure that the man who does
your hauling wears the button and carries a current working card.
A labor union's contract should be as sacred as the contract of
any man or corporation. After you have made your bed be men
enough to lie in it without grumbling.
recommend it for indefinite postpone
ment." The motion was seconded and car
ried. "Mr. Chairman," said Senator
Skimp, "the' bill I have here provides
relief for the general public. It is a
bill to reduce the freight rates. I
believe freight rates are too high, but
this bill, I believe, makes too great a
reduction. With some amendments I
believe it would be a gooa bill, and I
desire to offer "
"Mr. Chairman,"- said Senator
Skeem, "we ain't got no time to fool
away discussin' that there measure.
It is growin' lale an' I am anxious
to git through and go home. I got
just an hour to catch the train to get
home over Sunday and look after some
pei sonal business, an' I move we kill
that there bill right here and git it
out of the way."
And it was so ordered, the commit
tee being unanimous in its desire to
take advantage of. the annual passes
provided by courtesy of the railroads.
In one time and two motions the
committee proceeded to kill a bill to
compel railroads to handle live stock
expeditiously, a bill ' to make public
service corporations liable for injuries
sustained by employes while in dis
charge of their duties, a bill to com
pel railroads to provide sites for inde
pendent elevators, a bill to abolish
passes, a bill to regulate common car
riers, a bill to compel railroads to fur
nish cars to independent shippers, and
other bills of a .like, nature.
When the senate convened on the
following Tuesday every bill demanded
by the corporations went through with
a rush, and the lobbyist of the princi
pal railroad corporation in the state
put trip pass book No. 5V" back into
his desk, and took out book No.
and softly ran the 100 leaves through
his fingers.
"The railroad pass is a courtesy,"
he whispered to himself, winking at
the inkstand, "and in no sense a bribe,
But I'm glad the other fellows have
no similar 'courtesies' to hand out.
It might make things a bit more diffi
cult for us."
, The un'-on man who will vote for a candidateAvho employs non
Union labor is adly in need of a rejuvenator for his urffbnism.
, Mr. tutton, do you employ union carpehters,or do you insist
A Legislative Idyl
The general committee of the state
senate was called to order by the
chairman.
"Gentlemen," said he, "we are gath
ered to consider a number of bills and
decide Wiether or not they should be
allowed to become laws. The honor
able body of which we are members
lrwikK.tr uh to sift, the cood from the
bad, in order that the honorable body's
time be not wasted. ,.'hat is your fur
ther pleasure, gentlemen? '
"Mr. Chairman," said Senator
Scrooge, "Lhe bill I have in my hand.
No 223, is a bill supported "by the la
boring men and it asks that the state
compel the prison contractor to brand
his goods 'convict made." Now I am
of the opinion "
"Mr. Chairman!" shrieked Senator
Scoot, "that there bill ain't no good.
We are a gcttin' several thousand dol
lars a year from that there contract,
and it ain't no fair tryin" for to dis
criminate against the man that pays
us the money. Them labor agitators
what, are pushin' this here bill are
selfish, so they are, and they ain"t
entitled to no consideration. I move
we recommend that there bill for in
definite postponement."
"I second the motion," said Senator
Smooth, lighting a perfeclo that looked
exactly like the cigars to be found in
the prison contractor's private desk.
The motion prevailed.
"Mr. Chairman," said Senator
Scringe, "the bill I have in my hand
seeks to prevent the employment of
children under the age of fourteen
years in any mill, mine or factory. I
introduced the bill by request, but per
sonally I am opposed to it."
"Mr. Chairman," said Senator
Skynee, "I am opposed to., that bill
because it is aimed to destroy the right
of an employer to employ whomsoever
he pleases. A man has got a right to
employ labor where he can get it the
cheapest, and this bill seeks to compel
him to pay extortionate wages. I be
lieve that .children should, be put to
.Work as soon as they are big enough.
It keeps them out of mischief and
teacnes them habits of industry. I
am oppesed to the bill and 'move we
CAPITAL AUXILIARY.
I
The Auxiliary met Friday, March 17,
at the home ot Mrs. Wells Compton,
1MJ6 T street. As usual we had a good
and interesting meeting.
Our social committee, with Mrs.
Barngrover as chairman, is busy
planning for our April social. No def
inite plans have been made but we
are sure it will be a success, as our
last social was. All printers and wives
should make an effort to attend these
socials.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Crisman's two
children, Belina and'Irvin, who,, -have
been ill with the measles, are recov
ering nicely.
Our secretary, Mrs. Fred Mickel,
has been ailing the last few days but is
feeling better at present.
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Fanchor, woo
have been boarding with Mr. Fan
chor's parents lor the winter, are now
keeping house at 533 North Fourteenth
street.
Mr. . and Mrs. Wm. Bustard, who
have been residing at 1649 Vine street
have moved to Thirteenth and M
streets.
The next meeting of the Auxiliary
will be held Friday, April 7. All mem
bers are requested to be present, es
pecially those who have not attended
our meettngs since they, were .initiated.
Also out1 prospective members' whose
names have been accepted but who
have not been obligated.
"...ATTEND...
General Mention
For Union shoes go to Rogers & Per
kins, tf
The Central Labor Union meets next
Tuesday evening. All delegates should
be present.
If you are going to move this spring,
be sure that a union teamster drives
the wagon.
Rogers &. Perkins have the largest
line of union made shoes at popular
prices in the city. tf
The Ridgeley Merchandise Co., has
an ad in 'this issue,, and itwould pay
you to read it carefully.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive En
gineers of this city are making ar
rangements to organize an auxiliary.
Fred Schmidt & Bro. have an ad in
this, issue,, and it is worth reading.
This firm has been -a liberal and con
sistent advertiser jn The Wageworker,
and for -this and other-reasons is en
titled to union patronage. : i
Of course you have noticed the' ad-
! Ridgley's Grand Spring Opening
I At 1406 0 Street, Saturday, March 25th
1 and receive a beautiful souvenir. Through the far
I sightedness of Mr. Ridgley we are enabled to cater
to the trade of all loyal union men.
Our clothing for Ladies and Gentlemen cannot be
.surpassed for quality and style, as all union men
r know, because the label of the U. Q. W. of A.
i makes it so. You will notice our prices then to
I convince yourself of the liberality of Ridgley, go
to the cash stores and ask their prices and exam-
ine their clothing, then come to us and you will
I see we have them oh the run.
Ladies D
apartment
Men's Department
Ladies' shirt waist suits, fresh and
crisp, in silks, J Q fA
linen and voile $6.00 tor1 OiUU
Swell Cravenettes that keep you
warm and dry fr 1 C Cf
r $12.50 to.... $10,011
Skirts hand tailored with suubiirst
pleating, in latest style, all kinds
of fabrics and colors--- (fcl C Aft
$4.75 to......... OIO.UU
Spring Jackets' tailor made, latest
style in silk, covert cloth
,jidoocs:rr"e.'.':..:,,.$.i.4.oo.
Fine selection of ladies' tailor made
suits in browns and olive shades,
silk linings through- (t'JQ ftft
out-SllS to. . ...... . 3.UU
Special sale on ladies' waists in silk
and Wash goods; we clear this line up
and will astonish yon on prices $7.50
and $9.00 waists at $5.00; others in
proportion.
Well selected stock of ladies' fine
shoes from $2.85 to. ... ', . ... . .$5.00
$12.50
ti
ll
a:
W
MtM
Nobby top coats
$10.50 to
Pine hand tailored suits in the pre-dom-"
inant style and most popular of all
colors brown and brown M6 Cft
mixtures $14.98 to. . . . , . . lO.CHJ
Blue and blacks, same Cft ftft
make $9.50 to. . ..... . . .'.V.UV;
Raincoats that shed water t 1 3 Cft
like the duck--'$12.50 to. . .lO.UU
Men's tine calf and patent leather shoes,
correct shapes and they fit
the feet--$3.00 to.
Men's Hats all colors and
styles $2.50 to.. .'. .
Shirts to wear
50c, 75c and. -... . . . .... . .
$4.75
$3.50
$1.00
.DO NOT FORGET THE PLACE...
Ridgley Credit Clothing Co.
1406 O STREET
We give S. and H. Green Trading; Stamps.,
Credit to Ail-None Refused. J- T. IR11LHUT, r
tr Jr lf A- Lr Kl J. Or ir U U.
vertisemeiit of the Lincoln Gas and
Electric Light company in this issue.
You can't miss it.
Mr. B. A. Julian is temporarily in
charge - of he Western Newspaper
Union's, business here during the ab
sence of Bion Cole.
The Typogriphical Union will nomi
nate officers at its next meeting, and
as the race lor delegate is going .to
be rather exciting a large turn-out is
expected.
. The - In dependent's- JtfepgefttUaier- is
now a two-letter machine and Col.
"Jake" Greenley w-ears a smile that
persists in passing the boundaries of
his whiskers." ' " J-
The Sailors-' Union of the Pacific,
which is one: of the best and strong
est labor organizations in the United
States, has just celebrated its twenty
first anniversary.
The labor temple project i moving
forward, slowly but with some assur
ance of success. The committee to
formulate plans for raising the money
is getting a report into shape.
Mr. and Mrs. Lin Fitch are the hap
py parents ot a son, who made his
initial appearance on Wednesday,
March 15. Mr. Fitch runs the mailing
machines at The Commoner - office.
Business has ' got to the point" in
this town that when a printer gets
through with a day's work he has to
hide to keep somebody from making
him work overtime at the point of a
gun.
Remember the opening meeting of
the Women's Label League Monday
evening. - A cordial invitation is ex
tended to all wage earners. Admission
free, and a good program will be ren
dered. JOSEPH HART
NINETEEN BURNED UP
Local Lineman Dies in Local Hospital
after Week's Illness '
Joseph Hart, a lineman of the auto
matic telephone company, died at 4:30
a. m. today in local hospital, after a
week's illness. The remains were
taken toSeward- over' the Burlington
this nwyningf itaterment will be made
at Friend. Mr. Hart was a single man,
thirty years old", ands was a member
of the Electric Linemen's TJnicn anifkF
bcudtarjr Flr In New York Result.
Nineteen persons were burned to
death in a fire which destroyed the
five story tenement house at 105 Allen
street, New York. More than forty
were injured and only a few of the
sleeipng inmates escaped unhurt. "Sev
eral of those who perished were, roast
cdao deU.iin .plajn view: of .thousand
in" the Streets. ' Coroner Goiaehkranz
declared after an investigation that he
had reason to believe that the blaze
was the work of an incendiary. He is
sued subpoenas for the fire marshal,
tenement house and building inspec
tors and health officers to appear be
fore him at the inquest. '
Have your orders for
Groceries and Meat
filled at : : :
:The Royal :
I028 F STREPT
PhOIICS. ' AUTO 1224
Mrs. Literari "My little son has the
most remarkable powers of imagina
tion I ever'k'new in one so young. He
will surely be a writer, and a success
ful one." .
Western Guest "Successful? He kin
enough you take him out west and
start him in real estate."
The man who doesn't worry is en
titled to a lot of credit he never gets.
PAGAN'S
STREET
HANDLES EVERYTHING IN
SEASON
MODERATE PRICES. FIRST
CLASS SERVICE
, MEALS, .l5ets. AND UP
ALL NIGHT
NULL & McCOY
Manufacturers of
...SHOES AND SHOE UPPERS...
And Dealers In
F1NE READY MADE SHOES
The Only Union Shoe Dealer in Lincoln.
ISi2Q O Street,
Lincoln. INeto.
A
-- r
'
4