I
THE WAGEWORK
Patronize i
i
Tlie Wag cworker
Advertisers j
A Newspaper with a Mission and without a Muzzle that is published in the Interest of Wageworkers Everywhere.
VOL.. 2
LJNCOLiN, NEBRASKA, MAY 19, 1905
NO. 6
m
BAL10
"The American people are un
"Conditions rapidly grow worse
that ought never to exist in a free
country like the United States,
and the . question is. How much
longer can this state of affairs
continue?"-Congressman Jenkins, r
V
easy. There never wn a time in
the hletory of the nation when al
most every Individual was so
politically sensitive as at pre
sent." -Congressman Jenkins.
BR
LIES
(Congressman Jenkins is a republican from Wisconsin. He told
his collegues in congress a few things about the "revolution" so
much feared by the capitalist class. His speech was printed in the
Congressional Record, the extract which follows being taken from
page 2119:)
"A most tremendous change has been wrought in this country
in the last few years. It has operated quietly, effectually, aggres
sively, and lawfully, but not, however, without provoking intense
feeling, developing dangers that must be removed, introducing new
elements that must be controlled, subverting many principles of
government, making the many industrial slaves of the few Ameri
cans, freemen in name only. The end sought has been obtained
competition has been eliminated, the business and industrial interests
of the country placed in the hands of a few instead of the many. The
average American citizen, instead of being his own master, has rap
idly become the industrial slave of another. The individual is no
longer known in business.
"The American people are uneasy. There never was a time
in the history of the nation when almost every individual was so
politically sensitive as at present. All realize that there is something
wrong, something needing correction.
"The trust, combination, and corporation all have the same
object in view, the elimination of competition, so today the people
have absolutely no protection whatever. A gigantic institution can
control one or more of the necessaries of life and either refuse to
sell to the people or, if they sell at all, on just such terms as they
suggest. This is what makes the system so objectionable. These
great industrial changes seriously affect almost everyone. Years
ago we had in this country many ; proprietors of business, or what
might be called business men, or yet stating it plainer, employers.
Now we have but very few employers; almost all are employes.
They are compelled to await the action of the employers. They
have no voice whatever in the industrial affairs of this country.
They go to work at the suggestion of the monopoly, work on such
terms as the monopoly dictates, and at such length of time as it
prescribes, all contributing to the maintenance of a very bitter feel
ing. As I shall show, these unwise institutions are beyond the power
of congress and practically beyond the power of the states, growing
stronger and stronger every day, and are determined to maintain
themselves on a proposition undisputable that they have the abso
lute legal right to do as they see fit with their property, and that
if the people do not want to buy of them or work for them they need
not.
'Opposed to the few manufacturers as employers in the country '
are millions of laboring men who are the political power in the nation
arid who insist upon their rights in business affairs. -They want to
be parties to the contract affecting their labor, and when they are
told they can either work on the terms given them or quit a bad
- feeling is produced. The laborers know that the only possible waj
" for them to succeed is by preventing others from taking their places.
They pay no furthfer attention to the statement that if they do not ''
want to work they must let others work, but they combine for; what '
they deem their mutual protection. They absolutely believe' they
are standing in defense, not only of their own rights, but of their -families.
They are supported in their contentions by a very large1
majority of the people. The strike cOmes on and they, feel that after
having, left work "their only protection and safety depends in not let
ting any one else take their places. Their employer, who1 is follow
ing a course marked out by law, calls upon the military arm of the
government and the injunctional power of the courts for protection.'
This intensifies the animosity already existing, "arid conditions rapidly
3 grow worse that ought never to exist in a free country like the Unit
ed States, and the question is How much longer can this state of
affairs continue " ,
THE TEAMSTERS' TROUBLES.
The Committee v Appointed by the Central Body Has Been Doing
Some Good Work.
The comnuLt'je appointed by the Cej.iral Labor Union to.as.i-:t
the Teamsters Union in its little trouble with the employers has
accomplished a good work, and through, its efforts has secured a
meeting between the employers' and a' joint committee from the
Teamsters and the Central for the purpose of talking the ' matter
over.
Mr. John Dorgan of the Whitebreast Coal company has interest
ed himself in the matter and to him much credit is due for arrang
ing the conference.
There seems to have been much of mutual misunderstanding on
both sides, and the committee has made much progress in removing
it, the result promising to be profitable alike to all parties interested.
The Teamsters presented their scale and were met by a scale present
ed by the employers, and there the matter stood.' Neither, side seem
ed disposed to yield, and neither side seemed desirous of meeting the
other. But when the committee started out it soon found that .this
misunderstanding could be removed. Accordingly a meeting was
arranged for Thursday afternoon, and this meeting is in progress as
The Wageworker forms are being made up. The result of the con
ference will be made known next week.
At the regular meeting of the Teamsters Monday night a good
committee was appointed to take charge of the matter, and this
committee met with the employers.
THE PAINTERS' JOUST.
Last Friday night the Painters and Decorators of Lincoln had a
social that proved to be one of tlie best union affairs ever held in the
city best in point of attendance, best in point of enthusiasm, and
best in point of results beneficial to unionism. It was a "Dutch
lunch" and an open meeting to which the non-unionists of the craft
were invited, and a number of them accepted the friendly invitation
and were given their first insight into the meaning of the word
"unionism." , A long table adorned the rear end of Bruse's hall, and
the table was loaded down with edibles calculated to appeal to the
appetite. Sandwiches piled as high as stepladders were flanked by
bunches of spring onions and radishes, and yellow pyramids of cream
cheese were supported on all sides by pickles and hard boiled eggs.
Mustard pots as gfnerous as the hearts of the hosts stood on sentinel
duty, and cigars with -the label on the box were as free as the Nebras
ka wind that blew without. Behind this table Secretary Jennings,
Secretary DeLong and Brother Hart officiated, and were kept busy
handing out good things. Tables were scattered around the hall, and
each table was surrounded by jolly good. fellows engaged in whist
and cinch and pitch and euchre and eating.
There was an air of goodfellowship about the whole affair that
made it doubly enjoyable, and the non-unionists were given an in
sight into what unionism and fraternity means. There can be no
doubt that the local union has benefited immensely by the social,
and it set an example that other crafts in the city would do well to
imitate.
The speechmaking was very brief, for it was recognized as a
time for sociability and not a time for oratory. Consequently the
two speakers called upon said as much as they could in the shortest
possible time. Mr. Maupin talked three minutes and twenty seconds,
and managed to tell why he was a union man and why every laboring
man should be a union man. General Kelsey talked three minutes
and thirty-one seconds and urged a broader unionism and a better
fraternity. He explained the difference between certain methods of
financiering by saying that when a faro bank went broke the people
on the outside had all the money ; and that when a savings bank went
broke the people on the inside had all the money.
The social had no set time for meeting, but it was understood
that the hall would be open until midnight. The members drifted in
and out to suit their convenience, and there was an absence of for
mality that made it all the more pleasant. The union men spared
no efforts to make the non-unionists feel at home, and the spectacle
of four or five union men surrounding a non-unionist and thrusting
good things to eat upon him was good to see. The result was that
several applications for membership were taken, and other non
unionists admitted that they had misunderstood the meaning of
unionism.
When the social was over the members most active in promoting
it spent a few minutes congratulating themselves on the success of
the whole affair and it was a success. It will be a long time before
the good effect of last Friday's social will cease to be felt for good
is painting and decorating circles.
BOOSTING IS BETTER THAN KNOCKING.
A boost beats a knock every time. The way to hurt the "scab"
clothing manufacturer is to boom the manufacturer who employs
union help. The way to knock the enemies of unionism is to boost
unionism's friends. . It would take less than twelve months to put
the "scab" clothing manufacturers out of business if union men and
women without exception would prosecute a vigorous label carii
paign. . -'
"Why advertise the "scab" clothier by forever parading his name
before the public? Why not keep the union manufacturer's name
ever in sight?
When you know a manufacturer's clothing is union made and
well made of good material, walk into the clothing store and boldly
ask for it. Then insist oh getting it. That's the way to boost the
label and "knock" the unfair manufacturer. And what holds good
in clothing holds good 'in hats, caps, boots, shoes, underwear, etc.
Let U9 all go to boosting for a while, and give our little old ham
mers a much needed rest.
CXXXXXZX3
cixixxixiiiiiixirxxxx.
WOMAN'S UNION LABEL LEAGUE SOCIAL.
On Monday evening, May 22, the (Woman's Union Label League
will give a social at Central Labor Union hall, the purpose being to
' raise funds to defray the expenses of a delegate to the international
convention in Chicago in June. A fine program something out of
the ordinary will be rendered, refreshments will be served, and the
best of music provided for those who desire to enjoy' the merry
dance. The Woman's Union Label League is doing a splendid ser
vice for unionism, and it deserves the cordial support of union men
and women. The admission to the social including everything
that goes on inside the hall will be '25 cents. Let every unionist in
the city remember the date and be there prepared to enjoy the hospi
tality of the League, and at the same time assist the organization in a
splendid work. The attendance should tax.the capacity of the hall.
IHHIHttTtfTTI
MR. PARRY IS NOT CONFIDENT.
MR. CLARK. WRITES
Haa a Few Thoughts on Churches and
Labor Unions
Lincoln, Neb., May' 15. Editor of
The ' Wageworker: Believing that
churchlanity is necessarily an enemy
of Christianity, for more than half a
century I have been, still am, and
shall be till I die, a bitter, uncompro
mising, unrelenting enemy of the so
called orthodox church or churches.
Whatever and whoever has taught of
the punishment of the soul after the
body is dead, that religion is other
than a matter of reason, science,
good common sense, or that a true
church could be other than "one is
your master, even Christ; and all ye
are brethren" (Matt. 23:8); "and there
shall be one fold and one shephard
(John 1.0; 16) is such a plain, bold and
flagrant violator of the teachings of
Him who brought the gospel of "good
tidings of great Joy, which shall be to
all people" (Luke 2:10), "tidings of'
great Joy" because it meant "on earth
peace, good will toward men" (Luke
2:14), must ever be regarded as an
enemy of humanity and humanity's
God.- An . enemy alike of creator and
created. . '
Practically, "eternal punishment, not
meaning as the Bible teaches, the eter
nal law that bad people are always
miserable, or in hell; but that the
souls of the wicked will be eternally
burned In hell-fire, or as the little
theological girl expressed it, "just siz
zle and sizzle but never die," has dis
appeared. Still many "orthodox"
church people want some kind of a fu
ture punishment, or hell for those
whom they please to regard as "sin
ners." But I believe that the Invitation of
the Labor Union to the Ministerial As
sociation to send delegates to the
union meetings, or to some of those
meetings; and the almost unanimous
acceptance of that Invitation is the
beginning of one of the greatest re
form epochs that the world has ever
known, ,
If the wageworkers and the priest
hood can meet on a common level in
a labor union hall, 'tis but a little
while till "the people" will have their
regular meetings in all the halls and
churches, and, equally, the voice of
every individual can be heard, whether
in entreaty or in giving an opinion, or
voting upon any question. ,
And "the voice of the people is the
voice of God," or at least nearer to It
than can be had In any other way.
Then we shall be on the road to "the
brotherhood of man and the father
hood of God,", or "the fatherhood of
God, and the brotherhood of man." It
is as broad as it is long, and one can
not exist without the other. When
halls and churches are open to public
meetings, for the free discussion of
public questions, all questions con
cerning the well-being of mankind,
there will be no need of either labor,
or sectarian religious organizations.
Then all people will be laborers, en
gaged in some useful occupation, and
"one is your master, even Christ; and
all ye are brethren," constitutes the
most perfect church that the world has
ever known. . . i
So let the grand work of unity and
fraternity go on. Let "sinners" re
member that Christ was "a friend of
publicans and sinners (Matt. 11:19), as
well as of all the rest of mankind, and
let ministers remember that Christ
said to "the chief priests and elders,
"Verily I say unto you, that the pub
licans and th6 harlots go into the king
dom of God before you" (Matt. 21:31),
and therefore be not "puffed up" (1
Cor. 4:6).
"Great oaks from little acorns
grow."
"It's coming up the stream of life.
And this old world is growing brighter.
We may not live to see the dawn.
But high hopes make the heart throb
lighter '
CM. CLARK!
THE CARPENTERS
Local News of the Biggest Trades
Union in the City
Much building is going' on and there
is a fair demand for good men.
Our old stand-by, John Plm, is build
ing him a new home near Sixteenth
and South. '
John Bedouskl is reported quite ill.
He is building a new house near
Seventh and H.
Four new members were initiated
last Tuesday, and ten candidates are
now awaiting initiation.
The Joint arbitration board of the
Carpenters' Union and the Contrac
tors' Exchange is discussing a code of
rules governing apprentices.
The union was advised by telegram
last Sunday of the death in Denver of
Brother Godfrey Johnson. Brother
Godfrey recently took a clearance from
Lincoln union.
Street Commissioner Hensley, late
of the Lincoln Sash and Door Mills,
seems to be catching on to his new
job quite easily. We hope his admin
istration will reflect credit upon the
union men of the city.
Why is it that so few merchants ad
vertise in The Wageworker? Don't
they want the union man's trade?
Some of these days a co-operative
store may be opened up in Lincoln,
and then they will wonder why.
The boys are pleased to see the
Central Labor Union and the Minis
ters' Union fraternizing. May much
good come of it. The ministerial dele
gates are given a standing invitation
to visit the carpenters and we can as
sure them that they will be given the
glad hand of fellowship.
Quite a number of the boys have
shares in a gold mine near Boulder,
Colo.', where Brother Derby is located
as mine carpenter. Some rich strikes
are reported from that section and
numerous plans are being laid Tor dis
posing of the wealth that is yet to
come.
We can not understand how the
business mien can sympathize with the
open shop idea. The' open shop means
a lower standard of living, less con
sumption and necessarily a loss of
trade to the merchants: For business
reasons alone the merchant should fa
vor the 8-hour day. We have over 250
carpenters working the 8-hour day in
Lincoln, and this means the employ
ment of sixty more men than would
be under the 10-hour day. .The mer
chant - should not forget that these
sixty additional men buy bread and
meat and clothing and sundry other
things.
THE PRINTERS
A Few Notes from the Boy Who Make
the Printed Page j
.,
On Sunday, May 28, Lincoln Typo
graphical Union No. 209 will-hold its
annual memorial exercises, assisted by
Capital Auxiliary No. 11. The' program
is now being prepared ' and will ap
pear in the next iesue of The Wage
worker. .
The election of delegates and alter
nates to the Toronto convention was
held at Carpenters' ball last Wednes
day. Eighty-four votes were cast for
delegate, F. M. Coffey receiving 50 and
J. M. Leaden 34. H. W. Smith re
ceived 69 votes for' second delegate.
F. C. Greenley was elected alternate,
receiving 38 votes to 32 for Henry
Bingaman and 7 for Roy Rhone. H.
W. Smith, Henry Bingaman and E. J.
O'Shea acted as judges of election.
Will Bustard Is preparing for a
tour of the country and will leave Lin
coln in a few days. Mrs. Bustard will
spend the summer with relatives in
Wahoo or until Mr. Bustard decides to
locate permanently.
THE PAINTERS
Gained a Point During the Week and
Feel Good
The Painters and Decorators gained
a point or two during the past week.
In one instance the Bartenders Union
helped them to turn the trick.' Hang
er & Roberts started in on the job
of decorating Splain's saloon, but
about the time the sixth strip of paper
was being hung the Bartenders' Union
got busy. The sixth strip was the last
hung by that firm, because it is on the
unfair list, and the job was finished by
a fair firm.
This week Carl Meyer signed up
with the union and is now on -the fair
list. Thus one by one the union 5s
getting them back into Hne.
Talks Big About Breaking the Unions But Takes a Gloomy View of
the Future." " ;.
The National Association of Manufacturers, the resounding
name of the Parry organization, met in annual convention at Atlanta,
Ga., on May 16, and of course President David M. Parry Was the cen-S
ter of attraction. David M. Parry .is a railroad man and owner of a
big carriage factory at Indianapolis. He is opposed to unions, giv
ing a his reason that it prevents American citizens from exercising
their independence, the real reason being that he can hire non-union
men cheaper than he can union men. His opposition to unionism
is based on the fact that unionism enables wage earners to better
their conditions. Mr. Parry is also opposed to President Roosevelt's
freight regulation policy, being a railroad owner and a large shipper
who can, perhaps, secure inside freight rates that give him an ad
vantage over competitors. His annual address showed that he fears
socialism, and his remarks concerning "labor lobbies" should be read
by union men everywhere. Mr. Parry said:
"The efforts of organized labor to secure the passage of laws
abridging individual freedom of action met with complete failure
at the national capital during the recent session of congress. .This
was due to the aroused activity of manufacturers and employers.-
"With strikes less numerous, the laws better obeyed and en
forced, and the power of labor lobbies considerably checked, the
value of this association's activity on the labor question is emphat-
ically demonstrated. The policy taken-by the - assentation 'inf-de-'
mariding a full recognition from organized labor Of the individual
istic principles of our government is the: only policy which will
establish and maintain industrial peace. Peace -is utterly, impossible
so long as it attempted to make the right of employer and employe
the subject of dickering and trials of strength." , y
1ms clearly shows laboring men the duty they owe to them
selves to make their power felt in Washington. When capital,
boasts of what it can do with our lawmakers, it, is time for labor to
take a hand and show what it can do to the lawmakers who betray
the wage earners of the nation. And the greatest influence on legis
lators is not by maintaining lobbies at the national capital, but by
getting together at the polls on election day and electing the right
kind of men to look after labor's interests. The old plan of voting
for men that capital puts up, and then wasting time trying to in
fluence the legislators who are owned body, soul and breeches by the
capitalists, should be discarded. Mr. Parry has performed a distinct
favor to organized labor by revealing to us just how the capitalists
have "checked the power of the labor lobbies." Let, labor now get -together
and do a little in the "checking" line on its own account. -
Naturally Mr. Parry opposes "dickering" between employers
and employes. He wants the power to set the price of the labor
men have to sell, and also the price of everything that men have to
buy, and when the unions are strong enough to, have a voice in the
sale of labor it naturally makes men of the Parry brand wroth. The
tabor unions, as Mr. Parry well knows, are all that stand between
labor and the greed of the men who manage the National Association
of Manufacturers. '
7 Industrial peace," according to the ideas "of David ' M Tar f y,
means laboring men who are compelled to take what is' thrown to
them and look pleasant. Anarchy, according to those same ideas, is
the ability of men to have a voice in the disposition of the only Com
modity they have to sell their labor.
1 tie Wageworker regrets its inability to reproduce Mr. Parry s
entire speech It should serve to strengthen the faith and the deter
mination of union men everywhere. , "" -'
THE TRAIN THAT NEVER CAME.
And the Delegates to St. Joseph Missed the Picnic and the Other
Good Things. -'' ' :"-1 -There
was a great eight-hour demonstration at St. Joseph last .
Sunday, given under the auspices of the St. Toseoh Allied Printing
Trades Council. From all reports it was a most successful affair from
every point of view and was attended by members of the allied
trades from all the principal points in the Missouri valley with the
exception of Lincoln. And Lincoln would have been represented had
it not been for a heavy fall of dew in the northwest.
. Jess Mickel, H. W. McQuittie and the editor of The Wagework
er had it all framed up to be present to represent as best they could
the printing fraternity of Lincoln." Albert Watkins, "jr., was going
along to cicerone the party. The train was due to leave the Burling
ton depot at 4 :25 Saturday afternoon. It did not leave until 5 o'clock
Sunday evening and thereby hangs a tale. ,. The party arrived at
the depot on time and were met with the announcement that the
train was three hours late. At that time the train was on the far side
of a washout above Grand Island with no hope of arriving in Lin
coln before midnight. So the party returned to the city proper and
waited. At 8 o'clock the party returned to the depot to be met with
the announcement that there would be no train before 10 o'clock Sun
day morning. Even that anouncement was not a good guess. fof
the train did not get in until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. By the time
it could reach St. Joseph the rally would be history, so it" carried
no Lincoln representatives. :
These facts are set forth for the purpose of explaining to the St.
Joseph brethren why Lincoln was not represented, and, not because
they are of especial interests to the local brotherhood. When Lin
coln's 8-hour rally is pulled off it is to be. hoped that the St. Joseph
brethren will strive to get here as tb Lincoln brethren strove to get
to the town that Joe Robideaux built. i '
j Tob. Morton and that buach of Chicago union blisters are writ
ing threatening letters to themselves, looking brave and expecting to
see public sympathy enlisted in their favor. But the old game has
been worn thin;. j ' v . -
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