(: TUT 3 S TRADES IRKS?! COUNCILS A ' f, J. TO!,. 3 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, JULY 20, 1900 of NO. 15 THE CARPENTERS. THEY NEED ORGANIZATION. . f iV- , Interesting Letter From a Lincoln Man Now in Shoshoni. Shoshonl, Wyo., July 16. To the Editor of The Wageworker: As I promised to send back word to the several comrades at home, I will ad dress my communication to you for the reason that in The Wageworker it will reach all of them. At any rate it should, for every union man in Lincoln should be a close reader of the only paper In Lincoln that boosts for labor and a square deal. I arrived here Fri day night, July 13, at 10:30. My train was late. I got busy and after about thirty minutes of hustling landed my self In a cot beneath a 12x20 tent. Cots coat 50 cents a night, and meals are 50 cents per. This town has about 250 inhabitants who claim it as their permanent home, and about 2,500 tran sients, most of them "sports." The noble red man, like the black man in the south, does not count as a part of the population. This is really a "white city," being composed princi pally of tents pitched among the sage i bushes, and is in plain sight of Copper Mountains, eighteen miles away, and the view each morning and evening is delightful. It is hot during the day and cold in the evening. At night one needs plenty of blankets. . I am feel ing fine and dandy. ' Now a word to any of my friends who contemplate coming up here to register. If you intend staying a week or longer, club together in groups of three or four and each one bring along about three good blankets, a pillow and such other articles as you may need. Supplies are exceedingly high priced, ordinary cots selling at from $3 to $4. Also bring any sized tent that suits you. The group I am camp ed with has two tents. With these and a hatful of lumber that cost us $11 we have a place to live. Louie Holberg kindly told us to "squat" on the cop ner of his lot at Fifth and Main streets, " About 'every man one meets is a car penter, but two or three good paper hangers and two or three all-round painters and decorators could easily make $5 per day for the next three or four weeks. This town is the ter minus of the W. N. W. railway, and to Landers, 52 miles, the stage fare Is $7 each way, baggage extra at 2 cents per pound. One must go to Thermopalis by stage, too, the fare being from $5 to $7. All prices here are subject .to change- without notice, so one never knows ( what to expect Nearly every one. here Is looking for "suckers," and there are more of them running around than I had any idea of. Every concession, from saloon and gambling house clear down the list, must have a license. The officials seem to have good control and main tain good order. To date I have not seen a single disturbance, and every evening the respectable women of the city may be seen on Main street with put fear of being insulted or disturbed They are In no danger, as there are no street cars or student employes to run them down or push them oft the walks. I expect to stay the limit of my tick et." When you start for this town it would be wise to put up lunch enough for a couple of days. For the benefit of my bibulous friends I will say that beer Is 15 cents per glass and from 50 to 75 cents per bottle. Other liquor sells for about the usual price. There are several old-time Lincoln boys here, and they may easily be located at the "Nebraska Saloon," owned by Louis Holberg. If any of you want to get right down close to nature, this is the Ideal place, but If you expect all the luxuries of life, don't come here to get them. There are almighty few soft spots in this vicinity, and trees big enough to loaf under are extremely scarce. I haven't seen any grass just nature. I registered this morning at an ex pense of 25 cents. The cost will come just as soon as you make a winning. E. C. WOODWARD, Dr. Winnett has a new house in course of construction at Twentieth and C streets which work he has let to Mr. Schaaf, a contractor well known as venomously unfair to organized labor. How does Dr. Winnett expect to obtain either the professional sup port or the votes of organized labor In . his present, or future, campaigns? Councilman Bishop is In the same .boat as Dr. Winnett. He is also build ing a house between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets on M, which work Is done by unfair labor. Organized labor, which is rapidly increasing, can be deDended upon to remember the disposition of these men. We are advised from headquarters 55 Are you a free American citizen, a party machine ? Are you free from bossism, or political shysters who use you and selfish schemes? Are you so foolish that you will sonal interests in order to maintain ing," or are you wise enough to tell to the devil when they ask you to sacrifice your own personal inter ests in order to advance their selfish schemes? The Wageworker asks you these pertinent questions in all sin cerity. It urges you as union men after due deliberation. If you are you to give these questions especial Republican union men republicans faithful to their party and loyal to the cardinal principles of republicanism asked the party managers to nominate two union men th-toilers of the county might have secure the consideration of bills vital to the welfare of the men and women who work for wage. The answer was a sneer and a total disregard of a large and loyal element in the rank and file of the republican party. Not one union man was nominated as a union republican. On the other hand the interests opposed to organized labor were given representation, and men who earn a precarious livelihood by dark and devious politi cal trickery, managed the caucuses, primaries and the convention, and named the ticket that you must vote for if you would "maintain your party regularity." Will you submit to such outrageous discrimination against you and your brother toilers, or will you rise above petty partisanship and assert your union manhood ? Will you admit by your abject sub serviency to the dictates of the machine that you lack the manhood to stand for your rights, or will you step forth in your manhood and assert your rights as a union man, as a free man and as an American sovereign? w It is up to you. ..- We have asked the dominant ment in the republican party, just parties have for years recognized that all classes of labor organizations are rapidly increasing their member ship in all sections of the country, even beyond the expectations of the most enthusiastic, despite all efforts of, the ' powerful corporations which are continually combating labor or ganizations. There is a future dawn ing which looks good to us. Two candidates were initiated at our last meeting. Bro. Sutter is reported improving. Bro. Swartz is reported on duty again. SMOKE 'EM OUT. If Retail Clerks Will Not Organize, Make 'Em Work. If the retail clerks of this city have not courage to organize, what's the matter with making them pay for their cowardice? What is organized labor would unite in a concerted demand that the retail stores keep open until 9 m. and from 9 a. m. until 12 m on Sunday? The retail clerks could not justly complain if organized labor did this. The Central Labor Union might take the matter up and exert a little pres sure on the retail clerks and compel them to organize. They ought to be paying their share of expense in main taining the shorter work day. MR. THOMPSON PROMOTED. N. C. Thompson, for several years manager of the Nebraska-Kansas Tele phone Co., at Lincoln, has been pro moted and will hereafter be connected with the general office at Omaha. Mr. Thompson will leave a big bunch of friends behind when he leaves Lincoln and a lot of them will be union men. He is a splendid business man, a gen lal gentleman and a fair employer. The Wageworker wishes him success Mr. Thompson will be succeeded by Mr. Lee Huff of Grand Island. BERT WILSON. All Lincoln printers and many other craftsmen will be interested in learn ing that Bert Wilson, formerly of this city, Is now a guest of the Union Print ers' Home at Colorado Springs, and that he is rapidly improving. A pri vate letter from S. A. Hoon conveys the information that Bert Is feeling better than he has for many months. Mrs. Wilson is in Denver, but will shortly go to Colorado Springs to re side until her husband is able to re turn to work. or are you the shackled slave of are you the pliant tools of a lot of your vote to advance their own work and vote against your per that thing men call "party stand a lot of political tricksters to go to answer them honesty and fairly a republican union man it urges consideration. for the legislature in order that representation on the floor and party to recognize the union ele as the republican and democratic this element and that element A GREAT BENEFIT. Central Labor Union Will Profit by a Special Performance. Next Thursday evening at the Oliver theatre will be given the second an nual benefit for the Central Labor t'nion, tendered by Mr. Jess Fulton and his splendid company, and Mr. Zehrung, manager of the Oliver. On that occasion a new society drama will be offered, and will be presented by the Fulton Stock Co. in the best possible manner. In addition to this society drama there will be several unique specialties. Mr. Fulton will sing, the "Mechanics' Quartet" will sing, and another local artist will do a stunt of entertaining. All in all it will be the best thing of the kind ever offered in Lincoln. Tickets exchangeable for reserved seats may now be had of various dele gates to the central body. Union men are requested to call on T. W. Evans at Wohlenberg's cigar store and get a supply of tickets to sell to their friends. The regular prices of the house will prevail and tickets are now exchangeable at the box office. Now get busy and force the genial Mr. Thompson, the genius who presides at the Oliver box office, to hang out the S. R. O." sign. CENTRAL LABOR UNION. Meets Tuesday Night to Arrange Defi nitely For Labor Day. The Central Labor Union meets next Tuesday evening, and it is of the ut most Importance that every delegate be present. The matter of making definite arrangements for the observ ance of Labor Day will come up. This matter must be attended to at once, as the great day is drawing near and there is a lot of work to be done. Let every delegate be there. The Locomo tive Engineers, the Bricklayers, the Plumbers, the Lathers, the Plasterers and several other organizations have not been represented in the Central body for months. This is not as it should be. The meetings of the Central body have been short and interesting of late, and they will be more interesting and beneficial if all affiliated unions will send live delegates. Don't be a dead one. City laborers- of Millford, Mass., are working eight hours for $2.00. A Irish, German, Scandinavian, Catholic, Protestant, Gentile and Jew. Th answer was a slap in the face for union labor. What shall we do about it Shall we auietlv submit, or shall tionY 1 . 7 - Organized labor can not secure secure, it must be patient; it must it must take one step at a time. It elect union men to every state office, union man to the United States senate. But that can not be done We must begin at the bottom and work up. AND NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN ! The dominant party has snubbed us. Now let us turn to the minority party and ask for recognition. If it is given to us, let us as union men stand behind the union men nominated for the legislature and elect them if possible. It will be possible if union men have the political manhood to stand together . The party leaders will tell you that you must not be a "bolter." They will try to convince you that the party's salvation depends upon ele.cting a . republican United States means, right and wrong, to coerce But what difference does it make to you whether John Jones, re publican corporation tool, or John is elected to the United States senate? -." Not a bit! -Don't be deceived ! ! But it does make a difference to you as a union man whether yon are! forced to compete with convict labor. It does make a difference to you when it comes to a repeal of the infamous "fellow servant law." It does make a difference whether your children are forced by industrial conditions to work in mills and factories instead of going to school. , WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? t Shall we stand together as union men and endeavor to get what is coming to us? Or shall we split into partisan factions and let the other fellows have all the gravy ? If we have unionism enough we will stand together and tell the machine bosses to go plumb straight to Hades. , i ARE YOU GAME? - If w-ewre one half as good union men as we know "how to be, we would be twice as good union men as we are. . . . " Get into the political game without any party shackles on your wrists or any bosses' collars on your necks! . TO COLORADO SPRINGS. A Lively Bunch of Printers Should Go From Lincoln; A lively bunch of Lincoln's union printers and their wives should go to Colorado Springs next month to at- j tend the international convention. And of course they should go over the Union Pacific. The : lowest ' possible rates and the best possible accommo dations will be offered by this good old line. Let's get up a whole tourist car full and go out in befitting style. If you are thinking of making this trip and you needn't be a union print er to get in on the journey the editor of The Wageworker will be glad to give you any information he can con cerning rates, accommodations, etc. Omaha is going to send a goodly bunch, and it would be well, perhaps, for us to figure with the Omahans and make it two or three tourist cars. Say, wouldn't that be a good thing? "On to Colorado Springs!" should be the cry of every union printer who can get a "sub" and raise enough money to pay for the ticket. Board and room? O, thunder! You old "pirates" didn't use to ask that fool question. You treated to luck, and it was - almighty seldom you went hungry or bedless. Brace up and try the old game again if you can't figure out any other way. Let's all go to Colorado Springs. WILL FIGHT THE UNIONS. Politicians Preparing to Wage War on Organized Labor. Washington, D. C, July 16. (Spe cial Corespondence Milwaukee Senti nel.) According to expressions by persons who are in position to knew the sentiments which exist among the republican leaders, there is a disposi tion to meet the attack of th3 labor leaders everywhere in the congres sional campaign with energy and fear lessness. - This expression comes in connection with a positive denial made here today that Speaker Cann -n is to inke his coming tour into Maine for the purpose of aiding in the re-election of Representative Littlefleld, against whom the labor leaders are making a vigorous contest. It was asserted to day that Mr. Cannon's trip to Maine is solely to keep a promise which tie made to Senator Frye a year ago to make at least two speeches in Maine in yie next congressional campaign. , we look elsewhere for rponcrni. o at one stroke all that it seeks to take advantage 01 opportunity: would be a grand thing if we could a union man to congress and a in their own interests. senator. They will use every you into voting your ticket straight, Smith, democratic corporation tool, It is not certain that Mr. Cannon will sieak in Littlefteld's district At all events the speaker and other repub lican leaders are inclined to minimize the activity of the leaders of the union labor fores. It is said that Speaker Cannon will meet the issue raised by the labor organizations in his own dis trict, and that he believes he can de feat the efforts of the leaders to unve woikmgmen against him on th issues presented as a result of congressional action or nonaction.. The speakers disUict contains many union laborers. mostly engaged in the soft coal mines of Illinois. The general claim Is made by the republican leaders in congress that while the labor leaders insist that the fight they are putting up is direct ed t gainst democrats as well as re publicans, it can not but fall mdre beav.iy upon the republicans because that party, being in the majority, is responsible for legislation or failur" of legislation. In the face of this fact the speaker's friends and seveial house leaders are expressing the opin ion that President Gompers is making a mistake that will be fatal 10 the in terests of union labor by mixing up In the politics of the congressional cam paign. It is asserted that manifesta tions of political bossism by Mr. Gom yers will react against his control of union labor and that the downfall of (he American Federation of Labor will be not unlike that of the old order of Knights of Labor when it Ws at Its zenith and declined, it is clainid, as a, result of too much bossism and poli tics. In the light of these opinions Use republican leaders are inclined to meet the labor issue squarely wherever it is presented. This is notably true in the case of Speaker Cannon in his own district. LEAVE HIM AT HOME. 'Uncle Joe Cannon's services In con gress have been solely in the interest of every evil that the American people have risen against. He should go down in the wreck this fall, never to rise again. It must be possible among the .great mining, manufacturing and farming interests of the Danville dis trict to find a man capable of uniting all elements and politically destroying Cannon. To permit that man to again act as the agent and protector of the Carrion trust and poison squad in the halls of congress is to affront the de cency of the great bulk of the -American, people. Beat "Uncle Joe." Mine Workers Journal. Lincoln Garment Workers Need to Get Together for Mutual Benefit. There are between 150 and 200 gar ment workers in Lincoln, and none of them is getting what he or she earns. They have no union, they work long hours, and their pay is far below the average union scale in force in St. Jo seph and Des Moines.'' They have no sick or death benefits. They are at the mercy of their employers. The other day Manager Jones of the Lincoln Overall and Shirt Co. took oc casion to make a few remarks regard ing a check recently given by his out fit vto a girl a fac simile of the check having been printed - In The Wage worker. He said that the week the woman was earning the $2.42 a woman working alongside her earned - $12. That's what Jones says. Perhaps It is true. But The Wageworker dares Mr. Jones to show his. books and prove that the average wage of the machine girls in his factory is $8 per week. If Mr. Jones will show his books, and the books disclose that 10 per cent of the girls running machines in his factory-average $9 a week, The Wage worker will donate $10 to any local charity Mr. Jones may designate. If he fails to show it he is to donate $10 to any charity The Wageworker se lects. If Mr. Jones' books show that the average wage paid in his factory is equal to 85 per cent of the average scale paid in the McDonald union fac tory In St. Joseph, Mo., The Wage worker will donate $10 to any local charity Mr. Jones may select If not, Mr. Jones is to donate $10 to a char ity to be selected by The Wageworker.' Here is another proposition The Wage worker will make to the manager of the Lincoln Overall and Shirt Co.'s shop: 1 " The Wageworker believes that the average wages paid In the Jones shop' is less than $7.50 per week. If Mr. Jones will submit the wage roll to a committee of three appointed by The Wageworker,, and the roll discloses that it is greater, The Wageworker will donate to any local charity Mr. Jones, will select the sum of $20. If the average is $7.50 or less per em ploye per week, Mr. Jones Is to donate to a local charity a ' sum equal to 25 , cents per head for all the employes on his pay roll. Just now Mr.' Jones is so busy get ting ready for the Epworth assembly that he may -not have time to give this ' matter his attention. -' AS soon as he can take a day off from talking about the future life, and consider the pres ent necessities of men and women in' his employ, we trust he will cogitate on The Wageworker's propositions. A NOVEL PROPAGANDA. Union Broommaker Advertising the Label with a Big Circus. F. W. Blosser, . the "broom king," was one of the attractions in a side show traveling with the big Forepaugh Sells shows. . Blosser made minature brooms and sold them to the. specta tors, and every broom bore the union label. As he worked he told the story of unionism and rapped t the convict labor system good and plenty. He showed that convict made brooms were not only inferior In quality," but that they' "had starved out thousands of free broom makers and' scattered- 'institu tion in many communities. '''-'- ' The exhibit made by Blosser 'wa.s a novel one. and his citSflpag, for the label is very. . effective v-. bcapsje L he reaches hundredg opie. every .day with his object, lessons. .,, ... FAIR.! ' - The Typographical Journal says: "In response' to inquiries, the Journal desires to announce that the patterns printed by the McCall company e( New York are. the product of union labor, though they do not bear the label. This company has issued a cir cular denying the charge that it Is a part of the pattern trust. An effort is being made to have the label placed on the McCall patterns." STILL WAITING.' " . The Stage Hands Union is still wait ing for their charter, and expect 'to receive It in a short time. The.lr In ternational is about to meet and the head officers are almighty busy getting ready for it. When the charter comes the boys will pull off a rousing Initia tory meeting. . : . Central Labor Union Benefit at the Oliver, Thursday evening, July 26. tendered by the Fulton Stock Co. and Manager Zehrung. . . . i