Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (July 27, 1906)
WAGEWORKEE WILL M. MAUPIN, EDITOR Published Weekly at 137 No. 1-lth St., Lincoln, Neb. One Dollar a Year. Entered as second-class matter April 21, 1904, at the postofflce at Lincoln, Neb., under the Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1S79. t3& "Printers' Ink," the recog nized authority oh advertis ing, after a thorough Investi gation on this subject, says: "A labor paper Is a far bet ter advertising medium than an ordinary newspaper in comparison with circulation. A labor paper, for example, having 2,000 subscribers is of more value to the business man who advertises In It thn an ordinary paper with 12,000 subscribers." to be taught at any one time, but they provide that properly indentured ap prentices shall be given a thorough education in the trade selected. The cliarga that the unions oppose the ap prentice system is unfounded. On the ccntrary they believe in it, advocate it and practice it. They merely refuse to permit the employers to use so called apprentices in an effort to break down the labor organizations. The Union Times of Jacksonville, Fla., is a new labor paper and a daisy. But it makes the mistake of referring to a lot of "knockers" who are trying to discount its efforts. A few months will convince the Union Times that a labor paper that is not "knocked" on isn't worth a tinker's dam. Last Week July of Our Great g Sale Oearin NOW GET BUSY. The American Federation of Labor has issued a ringing call to all union men to get into the politisal game this fall and endeavor not only to defeat for public office men who are antagon istic to organized labor, but to elect to public office trades unionists of abil ity and integrity. The call should be heeded by all trades unionists every where. Concerted political action is the only method we have now of meet ing labor's enemies in the halls of leg islation. The enemies of labor are in the saddle, and as long as we submit to it they will ride us, booted and spur red. The quickest remedy is at the ballot box. Do not wait for your, fellow unionists to act in other fields. Begin right here at home. Close your ears to the spe cious arguments of the political "fix ers" who will urge you to "stand by Roosevelt," or "stand by the good old democratic party," or emphasize the plea that "we must elect the legisla ture in order to elect a United States senator." Let the senatorships take care of themselves for a time while wc take care of the legislatures and secure the enactment of a few laws that labor needs and nas never been able to secure from the old party machines. Right here in Lancaster count trades unionists and their friends have a golden opportunity. The republi can "fixers" refused to recognize union labor in the makeup of their county and legislative tickets. Not only that, but they endorsed an enemy of union ism and permitted him to select the delegation to the state convention in order to advance his candidacy for rail road commissioner. The republican leaders say that we should have asked them sooner so they could have made up the "slate" with a couple of union men on it." That sort of argument is for the consumption of "suckers." They should have recognized the union labor vote without being beseeched tc do so. If we will do our whole duty as union men we will emphasize the fact that it is the duty of the machine poli ticians to come to us, not wait for us to go to them and ask on bended knees for recognition. Personally The Wageworker doesn't care a continental whoop who is elect ed United States senator from Nebras ka. There is no possibility of securing the election of a union man, or even an active friend of unionism. Of course all the candidates will declare their friendship, but that's what they all do before election. We will get just as much from a republican tool in the senate as we can get from a demo kratic tool and we'll get nothing but husks from either. So let us not be de ceived by the senatorship argument. Let us get busy and elect a couple of good union men to the legislature. The only hope now is through the minority party in Lancaster county. Let us put a spoke in the Winnett boom. Let us make our power felt at the polls, and then we will be consid ered always before conventions meet. The way for union men to get into politics is to bring about a state of af fairs when the party bosse3 will come to the unionists and ask what they want instead of waiting for the union ists to go to the bosses and beg for something. ' THE APPRENTICE SY8TEM. The Lincoln, Nebraska, Journal, commenting on the increasing difficul ty of securing boy help in any craft or trade, enumerates what appears-to it to be two or three of the leading reas ons for this state of affairs. One rea son given is "opposition to the appren tice system on the part of workmen." If the Journal's other reasons are no better than this they are worth noth ing at all. Workmen do not oppose the apprentice system. On the con trary the leading trades unions recog nize the apprentice system and pro vide for it. . Workmen merely oppose filling a shop with alleged apprentices for the purpose of forcing down wages. The trades unions in sheer self-defense, limit the number of apprentices Mr. Longprayer will soon begin his annual stunt of saving a few souls, this being a vacation from his regular task of paying starvation wages to the own ers of the souls. Here's one way to help the labor cause along nit: Just as soon as a fellow unionist begins to command public recognition, you begin to holler "grafter!" Political bosses never will recognize the "labor vote" until the "labor vote" quits being the willing slave of the party boss. The way to make the enemy feel the weight of union displeasure is to pa tronize the friends of unionism. Get into the union game along the line of politics not as partisans but as loyal American citizens. O n o FTi.ft.l-i; . Qff o n Dress Goods, Silks, Dress Ginghams, Ribbons, Laces and Embroid eries, Lace Hose, Corsets, Belts, White Goods and Ladies' Neckwear, Ladies' and Children's Underwear, Baby, Hoods, Under Muslins, Table Linen, Napkins If you are not getting ready for Labor Day you are not doing your duty as a unionist. Eat "Egg-O-See" and see Post throw another fit. If it is union made it will have the label in evidence. DO YOU KNOW? That introducing an applicant Into the union will do more good than all the kicking you can do in ten years? That nothing is easier than fault finding, no talent, no self-denial, no assurance, no care are required to set up in a grumbling business? That those who are moved by a genuine desire to do good have little time for murmuring- and complaint? That a full attendance of members at each regular meeting adds much to the prosperity of the union? That if the members would keep posted in regard to the workings of the union they would be better satis fied? That the stability, usefulness and growth of a union depends greatly upon the proper management of its affairs? That a man is a fool who pays dues into a union and then stands on a street corner and denounces it? That the member who assumes an attitude of indifference and says that "officers and business agents are paid to do the work of the union, let them do it," is destroying unconsciously tho very foundation principle of the union, co-operation? That this attitude of don't care re sults in forcing the employment of more paid men, and therefore increas es the cos,t of management, and he helps to pay the bills? That a union ;s first what its mem bers make it, no more, nor less; if it is lifeless, it is because the members do not make it lively and interesting. You are one of the union; what are you doing to put life and interest into its meetings? That workingmen are in a great measure responsible for the position they occupy? Too many of them, to their discredit b6 it said, would rather pull an angel down than help a mortal up. The Carpenter. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE STATE JOURNAL. To the State Journal, Lincoln, Ne braska. In your issue of July 25 ap pears an article under the headline, "Lincoln's Labor Vote," and which contains so many misstatements that the wonder is how all of them could have appeared In an article of such short length. . The article in question is as follows: "Gossip is current in labor nnion cir cles that W. M. Maupin is a candidate for a democratic nomination to the state legislature from this county. It is reported that he and Mr. Greenlee, both labor union workers and demo- Trial of the Milwaukee. The cruiser Milwaukee, in charge of Capt. George Harvey, and with the navy trial board on board, sailed July 23 for the Santa Barbara channel, where she will be given her govern ment trial. If you have not yet stocked up with everything you need in Summer Goods "You'll have to hurry." This week is the last opportunity to get a general discount throughout the store. White Goods Domestic Specials Towels Bed Spreads Ladies' Belts Union made Collars for Men Union made Shoes fRED SCHMIDT BRO. Lincoln, Nebr. Dress Goods Wash Dress Goods Ladies' Neckwear Hand Bags Shoes ' crats, engineered the scheme to make a demand in the name of organized labor on the republican county conven tion, at a late date in the campaign) for two candidates for the legislature. These candidates were named by Mr. Maupin, and it was threatened that unless they were nominated the labor union vote of 'this county would go bodily to the democratic candidates, provided of course the democratic party nominates labor union men on their ticket. Members of labor unions are beginning to demur. Some argue that this was a scheme engineered by interested parties to secure political advantage, and that by this means they hope to turn the entire labor vote over to the democrats. In this they will fail, it is argued, because there is a wide difference of opinion among members of unions as to how deep in political matters of this kind labor unions should become involved. ' Mr. Maupin made an effort to secure the congressional nomination two years ago, but failed." If there is any gossip in union labor circles, or any other circles, that I am a candidate for legislative honors, let it cease at once, for under no circum stances would I accept a nomination for the legislature. Your insinuation that I had anything to do with engin eering a scheme to force the nomina tion of two union men for the legisla ture by the republican county conven tion is without warrant. Your asser tion that I selected the two candidates who were considered by the republican county convention is absolutely and unqualifiedly false. Your further in sinuation that I have made threats that the labor vote will be taken into the democratic camp in revenge for the republican convention's ignoring of the labor vote is another off the same piece as previous assertions abso lutely untrue. If there be those who argue that it was a scheme to secure political advantage lor the democratic party, they are mistaken, know they are mistaken, and repeat their mistake with wilful intent to deceive. I have told the union men of Lin coln that I stand ready to support any good, able, honest and earnest trades unionist who is nominated for the leg islature, or for any other office, regard less of his party affiliations. I advised the republican union men to secure if possible the nomination of a couple of union-labor republicans on the repub lican legislative ticket. ( As a demo crat I shall certainly strive to secure the ' nomination of a couple of good union democrats on the democratic legislative ticket. If the democrats re fuse I can at least support a couple of trades unionists nominated by the so cialists. The Wageworker la not a party or gan. It is not a disgruntled corpora tion organ that is kicking because it has been crowded away from the feed bin. As it has never had a job office attachment in which was printed sur reptitiously a lot of books copyrighted by the state and sold for personal profit contrary to law and morals; it is not Impelled to pick out a senatorial candidate In order to ease up a suit for heavy damages. It has never found It The Greatest Clothing: Opportunity of the Sum mer is now Here ii you nave an eye to economy ana want a. swell summer suit, you should'nt fail to take advantage of the phenomenal values we are offering. Coat and trousers suits, single and dou ble breasted styles, of distinctive cut, made of worsjteds, cassimeres and flannels in hand some patterns, that formerly sold up to $15, now 36.50 Coat and trousers suits the "cream" of our stock -in finest - quality flannels, wor steds and cassimeres, single or double breasted; also blue serges that were $18 and $20, now only 310.50 SEMI-ANNUAL SALE OF TROUSERS All pants that sold up to $7.00 C) All pants that sold up to $5.00 All pants that sold up to $4.00 95 All pants that sold up to $3.00 M QC I M. U The Lowest Prices and the Truth now. V-Hl Vj&l, lt 3L'Cf hit, wS'h-kffm fail m iMmfn Giymwo CTV JZ-f necessary to have a street stolen by the passage of a midnight ordinance in order to get a switch track to its office door, therefore it has' no preferred candidate for railroad commissioner in the person of a so-called anti-corporation mayor who sat up until 2 o'clock in the morning in order to sign the ordinance and permit a legalized steal ing of the street before daylight. It is merely a little labor paper that doesn't care a rap what a man's politics are just so he is honest, upright, indus trious and a trades unionist. Neither has It ever found it necessary to lie about any man in order to advance a partisan scheme conceived in iniquity and born in sin. It has never found it necessary ' to lie about any man in order to further some political design. It is going to support whomsoevet it pleases, regardless of whether It interferes with selfish political schemes., It is not trying to lead any body into any political camp. It is one of the very few newspapers in this section of the country that is abso- . lutely owned and controlled by its edi tor, and he has no political ambitions, no political axes to grind and no pre ferred candidates for which to organ ize a press bureau. ' WILL M. MAUPIN.