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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (July 12, 1907)
f V a. ll. I. I "o) 3 01 I? Is" VOL,. 4 .LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, JULY 12, 1907 NO. 14 I I l TRAPESJI CQUNOLg) Y Among the Live Union Workers of Lincoln President J. H. Brooks of Lincoln Prassmen and Assistants' Union No. 106, who represented his local at the International convention In New York recently, submits the following inter esting report of the convention through the columns of The Wage worker: "The ninteenth annual convention of the Pressmen and Assistants' Union of North America, held at Brighton Beach, N. Y., June 22-25, was the largest and best In the history of the organization. The supply men and the entertainment committee left noth lng undone that would make the week an enjoyable one for all the delegates and their wives and friends. The 'clam bake' given by the supply men of New York City was enjoyed by nearly six hundred delegates and vis itors, and was a day that will never be forgotten by those who had the pleas ure of being there. The entertainment committee pulled off various other stunts during the remainder of the wek. "James M. Lynch, president of the International Typographical Union, Robert docking, president of the In ternational Brotherhood of Book binders, John P. Freil, president of the Electrotypers and Stereotypers, and other international officials extended fraternal greetings from their organi zations to the assembled pressmen and assistants, and wished them God speed In their work. "A majority of the delegates seemed to think that the organization was In need of a 'housecleat'ing' and as a re sult the administratis officials were en tirely changed. In the mlx-up the west ern men got the best of It. The follow - lng officers were elected: "President, George S. Berry, Sau Francisco. . " First Vice President, William Mur phy, Butte. "Second Vice President, John G. Warlngton, St Louis. "Third Vice President. Peter J. Breen, New York. "Secretary-Treasurer, Patrick Mc- Mullen, Cincinnati. President Berry is a model young- man and a unionist through and through. For several years he has been organizer for the- Pacific coast, and through his never-tiring efforts he has won the eight-hour day and closed shop for the pressmen of the entire coast country. It is hoped that through his diplomacy and knowledge of the 'game,' and his experience in the la bor movement, that he can safely lead us through the battles of the com lng years. " The other members of the board of directors are of the same calibre as President Berry. The agreement be tween the United Typothate was dis cussed' from every standpoint by the convention for nearly three days, and was finally ratified by the convention with the following conditions at tached: " 'Whereas , our board of directors has renewed the agreement with the United Ttypothate of America, now therefore be it " 'Resolved, That said agreement is hereby ratified and approved, provided the 'open shop' clause is striken out and an amendment Is inserted provld lng for nine hour' pay for eight hours' work. And be it further " 'Resolved, That In the event the U. T. of A. rejects these amend ments our board of directors Is in structed to submit the question of the Immediate Inauguration of the eight hour day to the referendum, and said referendum to be taken thirty days after such rejection.' "There has been some misunder , standing throughout the country as to what the pressmen had done with the agreement. I believe that those who read the above will agree that we are not contract breakers, but admit that we are only trying to get what we think is right. There seems to be more brotherly feeling between the different branches of the printing crafts than has existed before. They are all beginning to think that we should get closer together and work hand in hand in matters in which we are all alike interested. I believe that . the men we have elected will do all In their power to bring about such a condition. The convention, as you will note has taken the power cut of the hands of a few men and lodged.lt with the rank and file, and gives every man a chance to vote on questions that are important to him. This Is a condition that should prevail In all organized crafts. "A few minor changes were made In the laws during the convention. The 1908 convention will be held in Mobile, Alabama." TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION. Installs New Officers and Meets With National Organizer Brady. Lincoln Typographical Union No. 209 met In regular session last Sun day, and after opening under the rules the following elected officers were in stalled to serve during the ensuing term: J. R. Bain, president. H. C. Peat, vice-president. H. W. Blugaman, recording secre tary. F. H. Hebbard, financial secretary. J. M. Leaden, S. H. Webster, C. E. Barngrover, executive committee. J. G. Sayer, sergeant-at-arms. General Organizer Brady of Indian apolis was present, having come to Lincoln In response to a request for the presence of an International officer to assist the local In picking up some loose ends. Mr. Brady addressed the union briefly, and during the next two or three days met with the executive committee. He returned Kansas City Tuesday night, but will return to Lincoln the first of the week to remain until matters are satisfactorily ad justed. Fred Ihringer was elected to repre sent the printers on the advisory board of the Labor Temple. Sam Hoon, ex-president of the Lin coln union, but now a resident of Colo rado Springs, was present and ex pressed his joy at being permitted to meet and greet old friends once more. Three new membra were obligated. The printers have decided to lease headquarters In Carpenters' hull, and Secretary Hebbard may be found there at the usual hours of his regular day for receiving dues. Doc" Rlghter went to Wllber Tues day to make some repairs on the 'Merg" In that city. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hoon and daugh ters, Helen and Dorothy, spent several days this week with friends In Lincoln. They will return to their home in Colo rado Springs after a brief visit with relatives in northeast Nebraska. Mrs. Will M. Maupin and children went to Central City last Monday to visit with Mrs. Maupin's sister, Mrs. Rod C. Smith. R. R. Allen came up from Table Rock to attend the meeting last Sun' day and become a full-fledged union printer. He went back home Monday morning, the proud possessor of a card. A lot of printing without the label Is being sent back to those who issued It, and the "little sticker" is In evi dence on every piece. The label cam paign is bringing results. Mr. Rogers ha3 been. taken to the hospital pending a decision upon his application for admittance to the Home. He will be sent to his folks in Kansas City for a visit soon in any event. A half-dozen members have signified their intention of attending the Hot Springs convention and taking . in everything on the way. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Turner are "clamming" along the rivers of Iowa and having the time of their lives. JUDGE COSGRAVE. Police Judge Asks to Be Promoted to Cpunty Judgeiip. Elsewhere in this issue will be found the announcement of the candi dacy of Judge P. James Cosgrave for the republican nomination to the office of county judge. Judge Cos grave has served almost three term3 as police judge, and has made a splen did record in that office. He is well qualified for the office of county judge and has earned the promotion. Judge Cosgrave is opposed to the Idea of "Bar nominations" and frankly states his position on that point when asked. He believes that the matter should be left wholly to the primaries and Is willing to rest his case with the people. Third Annual Benefit Lincoln Central Labor Union Dover Tlhieattire Monday, July 22 Through the courtesy of Mr. Jess Fulton and his company, and Manager Zehrung of the Oliver, the Lin coln Central Labor Union offers its Third Annual Bene fit at the Oliver Theatre on the above date. On that oc casion the Fulton Stock Company will present the beau tiful southern drama "LYNN Coupons exchangeable at the box office for reserved seat tickets are now on sale by delegates to the central body. No advance in prices 25, 15, and 10 cents. Box seats 50 cents. The public is cordially invited to help us make this benefit a success. The proceeds are for the furtherance of the work of the Central Labor Union THE HOME LIBRARY. The controversy between the I. T. U. executive council and B. Frank Swi cart. of St. Louis, which has been the subject of much ' comment, will prob ably come up for discussion at the Hot Springs convention, and we hope an understanding will be reached in a manner satisfactory to all.' The li brary is at the Home, thanks to Swl gart, and favorable mention to Kreiter and "If any man attempts to remove that library from the Home shoot him on the spot." Easton Journal. Metal polishers employed at the Reylers Lock company, Indiana, re fused to accept a 20 to 40. per cent re duction, and the proprietors have, of course, declared in favor of the "open" shop. MT1GE TO 1AI unwns At the mass meeting at Central Labor Union hall last Tuesday night to consider the Labor Templo proposition, it was decided to ask all trades and labor unions to select one member each to act upon an advisitorv committee. This committee will consider i ways and means, and report back to their locals for rejection or approval. Local unions are urged to se lect the best possible material for this committee, and to do so at once,, without waiting for formal notice from the secretary of t the mass meeting, and to notify George Bush when selection is made. As soon as a majority of the .unions have reported, the committee will be called together. 1 Every union in the county, regardless of affilia tion with the American Federation of Labor, is urged to select a member of the committee, and to do so at once. Speedy action means quicker results. WOOD" EVERYWHERE BUT LINCOLN. During the last five months there have been 1,392 new members Initi aled in Division 85, of the Amalga mated Association of Street and Elec tric Railway Employes at Pittsburg and it now has the third largest mem bership in the United States. The di vision has not yet been able to make a closed agreement with the Pittsburg Street Railways company, but it has been so successful in organizing the men employed on these lines that practically everyone is now a member of the union. Sheet metal workers, the poorest paid trade in the building line, are on strike for an increase in wages in Cincinnati. ' Thirty of the independent employers have signed up. Central Union Boosts Some Big Things Along The Central Labor Union got away with a goodly lot of business at the meeting Tuesday night, and managed to do it in a reasonable length of time. The special committee having in charge the theatrical benefit made re port and the tickets for the benefit at the Oliver, given, by the Fulton Stock company and Manager Zehrung, were distributed. The benefit will be given on Monday evening, July 22, and the play will be "Lynnwood," a pretty southern drama that will please every body. The benefit committee has an other one in view, but just at present the plan is not in shape to be made public. It contemplates a Labor Day engagement that will provide a lot of pleasure to the toilers and at the same time bring in -a goodly sum to be used in the furtherance of unionism. Secretary Bush admitted that he had not been able to see and notify many unions of the necessity of selecting representatives on the Labor Temple advisory committee, but said he would get to it right away. The following representatives were reported: J. W. Dickson, Carpenters. Fred Ihringer, Printers. T. W. Evans, Cigarmakers. Guy Warner, Plumbers. The matter of starting something for Labor Day was taken up, and the central body decided to invite all unions to select members of a general committee, ' and suggested that the ones selected meet . with .the Centra! Labor Union on Tuesday evening, July .23, and get the thing started off right. The indications are that there will be -no bands in the parade this year, provided, of course, there Is a parade. Iiast year the Central Labor -Union went on record as opposed to march ing , behind non-union bands in future, and' this seems to be the general sentiment of the unionists of the city. The fact that a large percent of the members of Lincoln bands .are union craftsmen does not, in the estimation oi the rank and file, excuse them from organizing as musicians. The attendance Tuesday night was a little larger than usual, but it lacked a lot of being what it should be.- The Barbers: .have not been represented for some time. The Lathers, Plasterers, Hodcarriers and Building Laborers and several other organizations have not been represented at all. .- The Teamsters' Union seems to have gone by the board altogether. The Theatri cal Stage Employes have not yet re ceived their charter, but when they do they will send delegates without fail. The Railway Carmen presumably have not been invited to send dele gates. They -should by all means be represented. . ' ' The trades represented at the meet ing made cheerful reports of the trade situation. Everybody seems to be at work. The matter of securing more accurate information concerning the organizations of the city was brought up, and it was generally agreed that the records of the central body should be amplified, made accurate and brought to date and kept there. The meeting ad journed at 10:30. ISN'T THIS AWFUL! Horrible State of Affairs Pointed Out By the Journal. Last night at midnight a young man and a young woman standing on the jhorth side of the street between Ninth and Tenth- streets, embraced each other fondly under the bright glare of an electric light. The couple then separated, the young woman going mp ' "stairs into a block and 'the man east ,oii.-- P street and no policeman was in sight to disturb the pair. Lincoln Journal, Wednesday, July 10. Isn't that a horrible state of affairs? What is our truculent 'police force do ing that such a horrible thing could happen right in the heart of the city, and no arrests and executions follow? The idea of the peace and quiet of our beautiful city being thus rudely shat tered by a young man kissing his sweetheart goodnight, and no just pun ishment for the awful crime being ad m oistered, is repugnant to the law abHing citizens of Lincoln. What right has a young man to kiss his swee.'heart goodnight, anyhow. Es- pecially under the glare of an arc light? . The Journal deserves the thanks of all law-abiding people for its laudable efforts to break up this illegal practice of sweethearts kissing one, another goodnight. And if the police do not act on the hint given them we pur pose . bringing the matter to the. at tention of the excise board." ST. LOUIS LABOR TEMPLE. Old Town on the River Gets Dose of the Building Fever. . The following from the St. Loui3 Daily Times of July 8 indicates that the building fever is becoming epi demic among, the trades unionists: "Nearly 200 delegates, representing unions affiliated with the. Building Trades Council . and Central Trades and Labor Union attended the "Labor Temple" convention In Walhalla Hall Sunday and the proposition of the trades unionists of the city to build a home for organized labor was given added impetus as a result of the meet ing. - , ". ' " , , "For more than two hours the dele gates discussed the report of the or ganization committee, which provided for the levying of a 5 cents a month per capita tax until the amount paid in equaled the cost of one share of stock for each member at $5 per share. "During the course of the debate on the committee's report, speeches were made by Owen Miller, David Kreyling, John Spangler,' J.' B.' Conroy, ' Eugene Sarber, Joseph Sullivan, T. F. Galos lowsky, J. G. Schwartz and others "Many points were brought out dur ing the course of the debate which showed that the delegates were in clined to be very cautious in undertak ing this project, which It is expected will involve the expenditure of $250.-. 000. ' "Strong terms were used by several of the speakers in denouncing the con dition of the halls in which most of the unions now hold their meetings and the determination to get away from the "bar-room meeting .place" was clearly the keynote of the meet ing. "It was finally decided to enlarge the organization committee by adding five delegates, thus making it a com mttee of fifteen. Another convention- is to be held Sunday, August 4," to which the com mittee of fifteen has been instructed to report a definite plan of procedure covering the amount of the tax, meth od of collection, etc. .' "Owen Miller presided over the meeting and John Spangler- acted as secretary." - THE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. Committee Now .Hustling Sale of Tickets for Big Event. "The Belle of Richmond" will be the offering, of the Fulton Stock company at the Oliver for the first half of next week, and this pretty drama will be given a production worthy of the com pany and the house. The company Is making extra efforts to make the an nual benefit performance for the Cen tral Labor Union a great success. This benefit will be given on Monday even ing, July 22, and the offering will fte "Lynnwood," a pretty southern drama full of interest, and abounding in sen timent and comedy Delegates from the central body are now engaged in selling the tickets for this performance. Those who hare not yet secured tickets may do so by calling on T. W. Evans at Wohlen berg's cigar store.. ) ' ' Every unionist interested in provid ing . the central body with funds vfpr organization work should make an ef fort to sell tickets for the benefit per formance. Tickets sold by ' unionists may be exchanged at the box office for reserved seats on and after the Thurs day prior to the benefit. . The ' only difference between a strikebreaker and a union man who buys non-union goods Is, the strike breaker has the courage to stand out before the gaze of the public, while the buyer of non-union goods does it iu a sneaking way. Trade Union Ad vocate, Trenton, N. J.
