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THE WAGEWORKER
WILL M. MAUPIN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published Weekly. One Dollar a Year. Advertising Rates on Application
Entered as seeond-etass matter Ap ri) 21, 1904, at the poetoffice at Lin
coln, Neb, under the Act of Congress.
AN EXCHANGE OF DELEGATES.
Elsewhere in this issue will be found a set of resolutions adopted
by the Central Labor Union at its meeting last Tuesday evening,
and offering to exchange fraternal delegates with the Ministerial
Union of this city. The introduction of these resolutions brought
cut sonic plain talks from the members of the central body, and while
they were adopted by a practically unanimous vote the arguments
pro and con were decidedly interesting. The chief reason urged in
favor of the resolutions was that organized labor had everything to
gaiii by having its objects, aims and methods known by all men, and
especially known among men like the ministers who were constantly
engaged in educational effort among the people.
The Wageworkpr is immensely pleased with the central body's
stand on thimatter, and hopes that the Ministerial Union will meet
the Central Uabor. Union at least half way in this matter. To some
it may seem a coincidence that two of the fraternal delegates selected
by the central body are minister's sons. This being the case it may
not be out of place to claim that the labor delegates will have a slight
advantage of their ministerial colleagues in that they know more
about the workings of the church than, theministers know about the
work of the labor organizations. The exchange of delegates as pro
posed can not help being beneficial to all concerned. The ministers
will get a better idea of what the labor unions are trying to do, and
the union men will have their minds disabused concerning some ideas
they hold about churches and ministers. The work of the church will
oppeal to the sympathies of the unionists, and the work of the union
ists will appeal to the sympathies of. ministers and laymen, and as a
result there will be a broadening and strengthening along lines bene
ficial to both.
Nine-tenths of all the trouble in this world results from misun
derstanding. The church has misunderstood the labor union, and
the labor union has misunderstood the church. The result is that
these two great forces have been pulling apart when they should
have been pulling together. When each understands the other better
things will result, and The Wageworker believes that the plan pro
posd by the Central Labor Union the exchange of fraternal dele
gates is a long step towards the better things that all of us hope to
see.
"American Industries," a Parryite paper published in New York,
says that the union forces asked "Gripe Guts'' Post if he would "keep
still" if the unions called off their fight against his imitation food,
and then reprints with enthusiasm Post's alleged reply. If "Ameri
can Industries" or "Gripe Guts" Post can show to the satisfaction
of an unbiased committee that any trades union ever proposed to
call off the fight against Post's imitation food if Post would "keep
still," The Wageworker. will quit advocating unionism and take up
the cudgels in favor of Parryism. When Post of Battle Creek said
that the unions had offered to call off the fight if he would agree to
"keep still" he lied in his throat, he knew he lied, and everybody else
knew he lied. Post is doing all the squealing. The unions are get
ting along fairly well insofar as the "Battle Creek imitation food man
is concerned and don't you forget it. .
Did "free and independent workmen" of the Parry stripe ever
build a home for their aged and indigent brethren ? Did they ever
pay sick benefits? Did they ever secure the enactment of a law cal
culated to protect helpless children from Parryite greed? Did they
ever do anything but cringe and creep at the crack of the Parry whip?
The "free and independent workman" of the Parry stripe is usually
a moral coward and always a trimmer.
Numerous newspapers are denouncing the Chicago teamsters for
violating their contract by striking in sympathy with the locked out
garment workers. But those same newspapers neglect to denounce
the employers for violating their contract by locking out the garment
workers. The employers spend a lot of money in advertising their
wares, which fact may have some bearing on the case.
If The Wageworker had charge of excise matter in Lincoln it
would not "get after" the inmates of the blocks. It would "get
after" the owners of the blocks who rent rooms for disreputable pur
poses. The bawd in the block is a whole lot better than the property
owner who would rent her the rooms in order to make a little
money.
A vast majority of ministers are sincere, and a vast majority of
church members are honest and earnest Christians. Men are too
apt to judge the whole body of Christians by the poorest specimens,
just as many Christians are apt to judge the whole body of organized
labor by its worst specimens. Come, brethren ; let us reason together.
Not for the purpose of boasting, but more as an admission, The
Wageworker here and now declares that anything appearing in this
paper without credit is original with its editor, and while he appreci
ates the implied compliment when his "stuff" is reprinted without
credit, still he would rather have less compliment and more credit.
THE LOCKNER DECISION.
The decision of the United States supreme court in the now fa
mous Lockner case is a most important one to labor, and it should
have the effect of setting laboring men to thinking more than ever
The case is of especial importance to union men because it defines
the possible scope of legislation regulating the hours of labor. The
court divided five to four, which is in itself insignificant, as that was
the division on the income tax case, the Northern Securities case, and
other cases of vast importance to the country.
The New York legislature enacted a law prohibiting the em
ployment of men more than ten hours a day in the bakery business
the limit of a week's work being sixty hours, and makes no excep
tions in the case of individual contracts, providing that an employer
who permits an employe to work more than sixty hours a week shall
be punished by fine. Lockner permitted an employe to work more
than sixty hours a week. He was arrested, found guilty, and fined
$.)). The New York court of appeals sustained the decision of the
lower court, Judge Alton B. Parker handing down the decision. The
case was appealed to the supreme court of the United States and
reversed by a five to four decision, Justice Peckham delivering the
opinion for the majority.
Justice Harlan makes vigorous dissent, which was to have been
expected, as Justice Harlan is much more inclined to justice than he
is to technicalities. Under this decision a universal eight-hour day
cannot be brought about by legislation. Let the workingmen of the
country ponder upon that fact. The eight-hour day can be brought
about only by contract between employer and employe manifestly
an impossible feat. If employer and employe can get together and
agree upon an eight-hour day, well and good, but the supreme court
has said that the universal eight-hour day can not be brought about
by legislation. The state can only say on its part that in the absence
of any other aerreemcnt, eight hours shall constiute a day s work
But the state can not say, except in certain industries affecting public
health, or safety, or morals, that the employer and the employe can
not agree upon a longer working day. In other words an avaricious
vmployer, taking advantage of the necessities ol the employe, can
Jompel .that employe to work twelve, fifteen, eighteen or even twenty
ours a day, and the state can not step in and protect the employe
from the greed of the employer. If the employer can compel the
employe, driven by force of necessity to agree, to agree to work
twenty hours a day, the state has no right to interfere. In view of
this decision of the supreme court is it any wonder that Justice Har
lan in his dissenting opinion characterized it as "the most important
rulinc rendered during the last century.
According to the court's decision the federal eight-hour law is
unconstitutional, and an avaricious contractor for a Government
luiililintr may compel his employes to work ten or fifteen hours a day
providing he can find men so anxious to earn their daily bread that
thev will contract to work that many hours a day.
If the eight-hour day is to be brought about it must be by nat
ural conditions. Public opinion must be educated up to it, and then
made strong enough to overwhelm the avaricious employer who
takes advantages of the necessities of the toilers. The decision rend
ered by the supreme court is doubtless good constitutional law in
fact it must De since ine tuuri nas so Stated. , cut me iaci suu rc
mains that it is an almighty rank injustice,
The Parryites condemn the "union picket" but give praise to the
contemptible spy who uses his union card as a means of securing
information against his fellows for the benefit of the Parryites. The
Parrvite conscience is so elastic that the rubber trust ought to secure
control of it.
The courts have held that a contract made with a labor union is
void. The courts have also held that a law limiting the length of a
working day is void." And yet some people wonder why the work
ingmen have so little respect for the courts.
Here is a subject for some Lincoln minister to" tackle: "Can a
craftsman be a good Christian without belonging to the union of his
craft?" The Wageworker would be delighted to print a synopsis
of a sermon on that subject. '
Even' labor organization should have its auxiliary made up of
the wives, sisters and unmarried daughters of its members. When
the women begin unanimously pushing the union game the battle
is all but won.
An occasional open meeting of your union, to which non-union
men are invited, will help you in the work of organization. Try
sugar instead of vinegar the next time you try to catch flies.
Every union man's wife should be thoroughly posted in union
ism. VV ith the wives to help them boost the union game tne union
men are bound to win.
If your wife is not a member of the Label League it is possibly
due to the fact that you are not giving your wife instructions in
unionism.
How lone: could labor keep its hands clean if it went info the
average federal court with its hands clean?
The church that caters to the flesh in order to christianize the
world is very apt to play the devil trying it.
My Greatest Pleasure
Speaking of the greatest pleasure
given men,
Let me tell you what I think the
very best.
It is in the eai ly dawn of morning
when
I have had a dreamless night of per
fect rest
And I'm wakened when the sun peeps
warm and clear
By a voice that sets my senses in a
whirl ;
Sounding as the sweetest music In my
ear
"Mornin', papa! I'se your pwecious
little dirl."
Carking care that often follows
through the night
Flees before those lisping tones from
baby lips; '
And the burden cf U'e'.s never eaJing
fight
For the moment fro'ii my weary
shoulder slips.
Fvery burden, every caro, and very
woe
From my mind in keenest ecstasy I
hurl
VVnen I hear that baby v ice at darn
ing's e!ow
"Mornin", papa! I'se your pwecious
little dirl."
Through the day the lisping welcome
fills with cheer,
And I grasp with added zest the
work I do.
Cloudy skies, beset - with trouble,
quickly clear.
And the sunlight, growing brighter,
glistens through.
Lighter grows the burden through the
passing day
When I hear amidst the work hours'
busy whirl
Lisping lips like ripened cherries
sweetly say '
"Mornin', papa! I'se your pwecious
little dirl."
All the gold in famed Golconda's rich
est ore;
All the precious gems of princes and
of kings;
All the wealth that richest nations
hold in store,
I d not take and miss the music when
it rings
In the early hours that mark the dawn
of day.
And the baby's smile in frame of hair
acurl
Greets my gaze, and I can hear her
sweetly say
"Mornin", papa! I'se your pwecious
little dirl."
Do not neglect the social end of your union,
better unionism.
Sociability means
Patronize Wageworker advertisers and help this paper to boost
the union game.
If it is not union made a union man violates his obligation by
using it. .
JESS FULTON COMING BACK.
Will Have a Summer Stock Company at the Oliver ahd Entertain
the Public Again.
Jess Fulton, head and front of the Fulton Stock Co., will oc
cupy the Oliver again this summer and give a long season of good
attractions at popular prices. Mr. Fulton and his company made
eood last season, and left at the cbose with the friendship ot thous
ands of playgoers who had an opportunity to see a good company in
good plays at a reasonable price of admission. 7
The Fulton Stock Co. will open at the Oliver on June 5, and the
first attraction will be "The Lost Paradise," a labor play that should
be seen by every workinerman in the city. A little, later The Wage-
worker will make an announcement in this connection that will be of
great interest to the union men and wome of the pity.
always trying to encourage men like
you, for this country needs the serv
ices of men of integrity, ability and
standing. It would give me pleasure,
as the representative of the X., Y. &
Z. railroad to offer to pay your hotel
bills while attc -ding the session."
"Sir," exclaimed the legislator, "I
scorn your proffered bribe. I am here
in the interests of the people."
The abashed representative of the
transportation corporation blushed and
humbly apologized.
"At any rate," said he, "please ac
cept this bit of pasteboard which en
titles you to free transportation for
yourself and wife over our lines for
the next twelve months. This implies
no obligation but is merely a courtesy
which we are glad to extend to our
lawmakers."
Whereupon the legislator, quick to
scorn an offer of free board, accepted
the tender of free transportation which
represented more money than the ses
sion's board bill.
The amount of legislation In the in
terests of the people at that session
of the legislature could be thrust into
a jaybird's eye without forcing it to
wink.
The Result
"I hear that Bilkins started a news
paper to fill a loi-.g felt want. How
did he come out?"
"He came out with a fill long
wanted."
The Reason
"My poor man, what brought you to
this sad plight?" queried the kind
hearted visitor as she stopped before
the door of cell No. 41144.
'"I'm here because me bump of lo
cation is a dent," replied Billy the Bug.
"I do not understand," said the vis
itor.
"Well, dere ain't no puzzle about
it," replied Billy the Bug. "Me bump
o' location is . a dent in me skull.
Dat's why I tried to lift de bank's
bundle from de outside instead o' git-
tin' a job as de trusted cashier on de
inside."
The Ownership of the Ox
The trust magnate was visited by a
committee representing the union men
in his employ and asked if he would
enter into a contract to pay a certain
minimum scale of wages for a certain
period.
"Certainly not," responded the mag
nate. "Th j courts have held that it
is contrary to the constitution and to
public policy to enter into any con
tact that interferes with the individ
ual liberty of any man the liberty
to work for whom he pleases, when he
pleases and for whatsoever wage he
pleases. Gentlemen, I appreciate your
position, but I can not ignore the laws
of my country."
Being law-abiidng citizens the mem
siers of the labor committee withdrew
to think it over.
A tiny or two later the magnate was
compelling his customers to sign con
tracts not tc handle any other brands
of goods on penalty of being deprived
of the sale of the goods controlled by
himself.
"Being a good -citizen and law-abiding,"
said the magnate, winking, slyly
to himself, "I can not enter into any
contract with the socialistic and dis
turbing organizations known as labor
unions."
Moral: "Very often the courts, have
been fixed beforehand.
Distinction vs. Difference
The member-elect of the state legis
lature stood upon the corner, waiting
for the car and growing stoop-shouldered
with the weight of the cares- of
state. The. representative of the rail
road corporations approached and
after a short conversation said:
"Mr. Soandso, the X., Y. & Z. rail
road lias Watched your career with
great interest. It sees In you a states
man who is bound to become widely
known throughout ,the land. We are
Shop Talk-
The newspaper humorist, after read
ing many advance notices of Arbor
day, decided that it was his bounden
duty to plant a tree on the anniver
sary. Being a busy man he decided to dig
the hoie the day before, and this he did
with much trouble and the lavish
waste of perspiration from pores un
used to marking such demonstrations
of physical energy. Bright and early
on the morning of Arbor day he arose,
sejzed upon the tree the nurseryman
had sent in response to the order, and
fared forth to plant a tree.
"Gives me a regular Hensy W. Leng
fellowish feeling," chuckled the news
paper humorist, prancing gaily around
to the front yard, tree on shoulder and
spade dangling from his good right
hand."
"Papa always threw a handful of
potatoes into the hole when he planted
a tree," declared .Mrs. Humorist, who
come out to superintend the job, apron
over her head. "He said they drew
moisture to the roots and made the
tiee grow better."
"That was all right in your papa's
day. my dear," replied the newspaper
humorist, "but your papa is about thir
ty years behind the times. Just watch
me.. I'll put this piece of drain tile
slaunchwise into the ground, and when
we pour water into it the moisture will
go right to the roots instead of being
wasted. Great idea, eh?
Mrs. Humorist admitted that it was,
and then insisted that the tree be
leaned a little to the Tight.
The newspaper humorist set up the
tree tamped a little dirt around the
roots, then stood off to one side and
squinted to see if the tree was plumb.
"Hello," called a voice.
The newspaper humorist looked up
and saw Binks, the clothier, going by.
"Hello, yourself," replied the news
paper humorist.
. "Planting a tree, eh?" said Binks.
"Nopebuilding a house."
"Another one of your jokes, eh?"
said Binks. "What kind of a tree is
that?"
"Don't know. Told the nurseryman
to send me a good, hardy, quick-growing
shade tree, and this is it."
Binks walked into the -yard, exam
ined the tree closely, then began to
chuckle.
"Funny, is It?" queried the news-
paper humorist.
"Mighty funny," replied Binks. "That
nurseryman was on, all right. He sent
you just the right kind of a tree." '
"What kind is it?" queried the news
paper humorist, not suspecting any
thing. '
"Chestnut," said Binks, chuckling
still more and hastening on down
town.
A few moments later there remained '
nothing but a mound of fresh dirt to
mark the spot, and the newspaper hu
morist was out in the alley with an ax,
muttering to himself as he hacked
away at a dilapidated looking sapling.
Ruined '
"Captain, we are ruined!" gasped
the lieutenant of the Russian battle
ship,. staggering to the bridge.
"What is wrong now?" queried Cap
tain Slavonskiskyski.
"That last Japanese torpedo knocked
every consonant out of the ship, sir."
With a shuddering cry of hopeless
rage the Russian captain ordered the
striking of the colors.
Henry Pie iff
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