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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1907)
3 VOL.. 4 TilNCOIiN, NEBRASKA, : OCTOBER 25, 1907 NO. 30 WW A (BZnT) Td1 117T? TdI LABOR TEMPLE COMMITTEE. Feeling Tine Over the Support Ac- corded the Temple Project. The members of the Labor Temple committee are feeling bully these flue October days. They are going around with their chests stuck out and their chins high in the air, and all because their efforts to push the Temple pro ject are being heartily seconded by the union men of the community. The committee met last Monday night at 137 North Twelfth street, the following committeemen being present: J. W. Dickson, Carpenters. Fred Ihrlnger, Typographical. O. M. Rudy, Electrical Workers. Fred Rese, Bookbinders. Alex Weckesser, Pressmen. A. V. White, Plumbers. S. L. Chaplin, Barbers. T. W. Br ana, Cigarmakers. ! The committee appointed to "snoop" around for suitable sites made a good report, and several fine locations were submitted, together with prices and terms. Of course the committee will not presume to select a site, 'but will leave that to the decision of the stockholders in the association .when the proper time comes. But the com mittee wants to have everything In readiness to submit to the stockhold ers so that they may be fully in formed. The work of mailing out the blank applications for stock ! is going briskly forward, and by the first of the month fully 5,000 local unions will have been asked to invest in the en terprise. The committee on buttons reported and the committee -will take definite action at its next meeting. At the meeting on October 14 the committeemen were instructed to col lect in as much as possible on the "day's wage" subscription. As a re sult Treasurer iRess was enabled to deposit considerably over $100 in the Central National bank Tuesday morn Ing. The committee spent an hour frara ln$ UP some advertising schemes, and have hit upon two or three that prom ise to be winners from Winnervllle. The site committee was continued with instructions to keep on look lng, and to ascertain what it would cost to get options on a couple of sites that "looked good" to the com mittee. The secretary and treasurer were instructed to secure a suitable outfit of books for the use of the com mittee. Until further notice the committee will meet every Monday evening at 8 o'clock at 127 North Twelfth street. Every labor organiaztlon in Lancas ter county is cordially invited to pro vide representation on this commit tee. LABOR TEMPLE BAROMETER. Keep Your Eye on It While Reaching for Your Own Pocketbook. The following number of shares of stock in the Lincoln Labor Temple Building Association have been sub scribed and paid for up to Monday, October 21: Carpenters' Union 15 Painters' Union '.. Pressmen's Union 6 Plumbers' Union 15 Bookbinders' Union 5 Typographical Union 10 Bartenders' Union 10 Electrical Workers IB Barbers' Union 1 Cigarmakers' Union .' 5 Leatherworkers' Union 5 ; J. W. Dickson -5 ' Elex Weckesser 3 H. W. Werger 5 Otto Werger . . . . , .... Fred Resa 4 Al. Walker 3 Fred ihrlnger 5 Mrs. Nettie Ihrlnger W. M. Maupln 7 E. R. Bathrlck 25 W. I. LeDioyt 10 H. E. Sundean 3 Grove Hylphers 3 Wm. Brandt ; 3 O. W. Judd 10 C. W. Frfta Conrad Schmidt Union men who have agreed to give the wage of one day to the Temple fund are requested to hand the same to their union's representative on the Labor Temple committee, and take re celpt for the same. As fast as this i money is paid in acknowlegdement will be made through The Wagework- er. There are several hundred stares of stock subscribed for, but nothing will be acknowledged under this head PRI C TRADES ffSl COUNCIL P Business is not a mattef of sentiment. It is purely practical but he absence of sentiment does not lack of humanitarian principles. In this series of arguments the are striving to present their claims We are not trying to point out to you the benefits accruing to us by reason of our organizations. We lay no emphasis upon the fact that these organizations are fraternal ; that they pay sick, out-of-work and death benefits ; that they care for the widows and orphans ; that they provide a home for the superannuated incapacitated members. We merely strive-to show to you what we believe to be true that it is good business policy for you to give your patronage to the fair print ing offices because it means better business for you. We can easily demonstrate that printing trades lines are members of the unions making up the Lin coln Allied Printing Trades Council. We can demonstrate that it is heaper in the long run to employ to employ the incompetents who are not eligible to membership in our unions because of their incompetency as workmen. . The skilled job printer who draws $18 for forty cent more and better work than the week and working 56 hours. And cent better customer for you than This is so self-evident that it is upon the proposition. The members of the Allied Printing Trades Unions of Lincoln draw 300 per cent more wages than the same trades. How long will it 'Which would I rather have, the year, or the trade of men earning Again, how long will it take you is better, to give my work to men or give tc to men who work like or aspiration!" It will not cost you a penny well paid workmen who work a guarantee of fair wages and reasonable working conditions is the label of the Allied Printing Trades, the heading of this article. The print shop that can furnish this label on its output pays good wages to skilled men. The appearance of the abel on your, printing is evidence save the shares paid for at time of full subscription. Every earnest and loyal trades unionist should resolve himself into committee of one to push the Tem ple scheme along. GETTING READY TO FIGHT. Lincoln Commercial Telegraphers Will Resort to Legal Measures. Secretary Louis Taylor of the local Commercial Telegraphers' Union has issued the following to the public "Lincoln, Nebr., Oct. 23 The West ern Union and Postal Telegraph com panies having declared that they will not treat with their striking employes, that they will enter no sort of negotia tion, but will starve them back to work regardless of, the consequences to the general public, I, as secretary of the local union of the telegraphers, have decided to take the matter before the attorney general and, the railway commissioners if I can secure evi dences of the poor service to which the public is being subjected, in New York state, Texas Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa the attorneys gen eral have taken up this matter and will push it to a conclusion. We know that In many cases the telegraph com panies have received telegraph tolls and then mailed the messages. Have you received any of these? If so I would like the envelope and a copy of the message. Has your message been unduly delayed? If so I would like to know as to that. You can send word to my hom6, 1626 South Eleventh street, or if you wish I will call on you. , "L. F. TAYLOR," Local secretary. Commercial Tele graphers' Union of America, Lin coln, Neb. , s GETTING WISE. The trade union of garment workers in England and the masters employ ing trade union labor have favorably considered the suggestion to fight the sweating system by a union label to toe. affixed to all garments made under fair conditions. The plumbers of St. Louis and vi cinity, who struck on July 1 on a de mand of $6 per day, have returned to work under a compromise by which they will receive $5.30 per day until February .1, 1908. and thereafter $5.70 per day. mean the absence of honesty nor a Allied Printing Trades of Lincoln ! from a purely business standpoint. the best workmen in the allied these skilled workmen than it is - eight hours' work can do 50 per incompetent printer drawing $12 the $18-a-week man is a 50 per the $12-a-week man. not necessary to lay especial stress the non-union men working at take you to answer this question : trade of men earning $175,000 a $30,000 a year?" . " to answer this question : ' ' Which who are striving for better things, 'dumb driven cattle' without hope extra to have your1 work done by reasonable number of hours. The a fac simile of which appears in that you want your work done by NEW CENTURY Allied Printing Trades Label Allied Trades Council The New Century Printing plant, located in the Free Press building, and owned by Robert A. McCartney, has refused to comply with the terms of a contract made and entered into with the Typographical Union more than a year ago. As a result the Allied Printing Trades Council has removed the label from the New Century of fice. A year ago last February the Typo graphical Union of Lincoln made con tracts with a number 'of owners and managers of printing offices in Lin coln, R. A. McCartney of the New Cen tury shops being among the number, wherein it was agreed that eight hours should constitute a day's work and that the scale should be a certain specified minimum per week. For a time the shops evaded the agreement by paying a small overtime fine and worked nine hours. Later a demand was made that they live up to. the letter and. spirit of the eight-hour agreement, putting all overtime where It properly 'belonged. Every manager agreed and inaugurated the eight hour CENTRAL LABOR UNION. Both Attendance and Interest Grow ing at a Gratifying Rate. The Central Labor Union held its regular meeting at Bruse's hall last Tuesday eening. The attendance was somewhat larger than usual, and the Interest showed a healthy increase. The body adopted a resolution call ing upon the American Federation of Labor to provide an organizer for this territory, the same having been previously adopted by the Fremont Central Labor Union. There are now four central bodies in Nebraska Lin coln, Omaha, Fremont and Beatrice. The American Federation of Labor officials will be urged to assist in thoroughly organizing the state and also forming a state federation. The central body also adopted reso lutions of sympathy and support for the striking printers in Fremont, and protested against the appointment of Ross L. Hammond to the position of collector of internal revenue. These resolutions will be sent to the Ne Short Talks With the Business Men of Lincoln skilled men who draw good wages and are therefore contributing to the upbuilding of the city. Its appearance on your printing is also evidence that you want your share of the trade of men who are earn ing upwards of $175,000 a year in Lincoln, and spending the money here, either for the goods you sell or for the little homes which they are bui'ding and paying for. , Mr. Merchant, doubtless you carry a "leader" which bears a trade mark which yon advertise as a guarantee of superior quality. Well, the label shown above is our trade mark. It guarantees a whole lot of things. Let us enumerate : It guarantees that the men who performed the work were well paid and given reasonable hours. ." It guarantees sanitary working conditions. . It guarantees that whether performed by man or woman, equal wage was paid for equal work, regardless of the sex of the worker. It guarantees the best skill obtainable in the printing industry.-' It guarantees the services of men and women so proud of their trade that they cheerfully pay dues in order to advance it. , , It guarantees a wage that enables the workers to be good cus tomers of yours. It guarantees adult labor. ' ; It guarantees that the children of the men and women perform ing the work are not forced into the factories and shops, but are given every opportunity to acquire an education and thus fit them selves for better citizenship. Lastly, but no means least, its presence on a job of printing is evidence to us that the purchaser of that printing is in sympathy with our aims and objects and deserving of our patronage as union men and women. We do not insist that this label appear on all your printing. "We realize that sometimes its presence would not be artistic. But we do ask you to make inquiry and ascertain for sure if the printing office giving you an estimate on the job is entitled to use of this label.' An office entitled to the use of this label is one that has entered into a mutual contract with the printing tradesmen as to hours of work and scale of wages. This simply means that the men employed in that shop have had a voice in the disposition of their labor. , We are not appealing for sympathy. We are merely trying to present our side of the case in a business way, hoping to convince you that your business interests and ours lie along the same lines.' Will you not give these arguments careful consideration ? If you will, we"a.'lV not afraid of your decision." SHOP IS OUT Removed by Order of The day with one exception Robert A. McCartney, a former member of Lin coln Typographical Union No. 209. He refused to abide by the contract and Insisted on working the nine hour day, thus securing an advantage over fair competitors. , ,, The executive committee of the Typographical Union endeavored ! to reach Mr. McCartney by reason and argument, and by appealing to his former loyalty to the union. It was all in vain. The committee called up on him last Wednesday evening to make a final appeal, and was turned down. cold. Having done its whole duty in the premises the committee will no proceed along other lines. The New Century office does not employ a member of the Typographi cal Union. It works the nine hour day while competitors work the eight hour day; It is illegal to boycot, but there is no power on earth that can compel union men to patronize busi ness men who have ther printing done in a non-union office. This is a fact that should be made known to all who may be Interested. braska congressional delegation and to the republican state central com mittee. " Frank Coffey, who is in charge of the Fremont situation, was present and in response to a demand for a speech, told about conditions in the Dodge county capital. The injunction granted against the International Pressmen and Assist ants' Union was explained in detail, and attention called to several other Injunctions recently issued against labor. Under ."good ' and welfare" several interesting short talks were made. . The central body will not meet again for three weeks. Secretary Bush will hereafter notify all affiliated locals when their delegates are absent from the meetings. MUSICAL UNION. The newly organized Musicians' Union is now awaiting the arrival of a charter and its local supplies, and will then be ready for business. The charter members are all enthusi- astic, and the outlook for a, -strong, conservative and useful 'trades union Is very bright. "You may say for me that the re port is absolutely untrue," said Man ager Miller of the Lyric when asked if k was true as reported that he was opposed to the organization and would discharge any one of his orchestra who joined the union.' "I never said any thing of the kind. I am a union man myself, and I believe in organization. I have, hdwever, tried to give the boys some good advice.. I wi3h them WeH.".. ' ' . v , "-'.-'i V ' The organization of a Musical Union In this city , portends a Labor Day parade in Lincoln with, union music next year and that's something. , MARK THE WITNESSES. On Such Testimony a Man is Deprived of His Liberty. . . In the police court at New Haven, Conn., Judge Richard H. Tyner fined Frank J. McGee of Worcester, Mass, $4Q0 and sentenced him to two years in the county, jail on the charge' of intimidating strikebreakers at the Mc Lagon & Co. foundry in that city, of which Ex-Mayor Frederick B. Farns worth is president. McGee is the busi ness agent for New England of the Iron Moulders of North America. Now mark the testimony on which this sentence was based. McGee went to New Haven a month ago to try to settle the strike there in progress. The foundry company, employed detec tives to watch him, and on the testi mony of these hired spies McGee was convicted and sentenced to imprison ment . for two years. Things have come to a fine pass in this boasted land of liberty when a man can , be convicted and sentenced to imprison ment on the testimony of spies hired by employers to give just that kind of testimony. And still some people wonder why workingmen have lost confidence in and respect for the courts. : NOTE THIS FACT. It is a "matter of record that not one single trades union : in Lincoln ever violated a contract entered into with an employer. It is a matter of very recent record that an employer violated a contract entered into with a trades union. THE PRESSMEN ENJOINED. Legally Allowed to Breathe, and That is About All at Present. The temporary injunction against the inciting of a strike by the inter- ' national .pressmen's union For ; an eight-hour day was made permanent'1 last Monday by United States Judge Thompson at Cincinnati, who held that such action on the part -"of the union officials would be a breaking of a valid contbact. i The injunction was sought by the ' united typothetae of America and cer tain publishing concerns in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Massachusetts to prevent the defendants, officers and members of the presmen's union from inciting and carying on a strike. : which has in effect the breaking of a contract entered : Into last Mar and running until . January 1, 1912. Ac-, cording to this contract the pressmen were to have a nine-hour day until January 1, 1909, when the elghMiour day was to go into effect, bat the an- ' ion has demanded the immediate ac ceptance of the eight-hour day. ' When the case was argued ten days ago the defendants raised the ques tion of jurisdiction and the complaints ' moved to amend the petition 1m oer- tain respects to eliminate parties not ' indispensible to the suit, which mo- tion was sustained ' today, the court holding that it had the jurisdiction In the case The demand by the inter-, national union officers for an eight hour day prior to the date agreed on was violative to their contract was the opinion ot the court, but he said the men as individuals conld not be enjoined from striking. ; V ' 'H ." One of the points sought by the pe tition Was to enjoin the paying of strike benefits. The attorneys for 'the union pleaded for the beneficiaries of the strike fund, but the court' sus tained the petition and the Injunction . as issued forbids the; payment of strike benefits or any action by the officers of the union that' would in- - Cite a strike in contravention to the contract. -. '''; ''. -,: Lincoln pressmen are watching the outcome with interest, of . course: They have not heard directly from the international officials since the injunc tion was issued. A. strike order would have but little effect in Lincoln, as a majority of the pressmen are al ready working the eight hour day, al- though there is no regularly signed contract to that effect. . " j "We are very much obliged to Judge Thompson for giving us permission to strike as individuals," said a pressr man after he had read the order. '"He could just as well have denied us the . right to quit work long enough to eat." The Lincoln local is joining in the label crusade with a hearty good will, and the members as Individuals are doing some good hustling. The. exe cutive committee is acting in conjunc tion with the executive . committee of the Typographical Union. THE BARTENDERS. Now in the Lead as Contributor to the Labor Temple Fund. , The (Bartenders are feeling just a -a little bit puffed up over the fact that their union's representative on the Labor Temple committee has thus far. turned jn more cash subscriptions to the Temple Fund , than any other Committeeman. They declare that in proportion to numbers they are go ing to make the best showing of any union in the city when the final ac counting is made. X -: The Leonard Bauer bar, corner Tenth and P streets, is still minus a . house card. All fair bars display a house card in a' conspicious place. ; The Lincoln local did not send a delegate - to the year. international thijp THE STILLINGS RESOLUTIONS. The resolutions adopted by the Cen tral Labor Union some time ago and ordered sent to every Central Labor Union in the tTnited States with the request to have their representatives and Senators in Congress take the : matter up with President (Roosevelt, is having good effect. Every Senator . and Congresman will be made aware of the misfit Public Printer now in stalled in the Government Printing Office, and if some action is not taken, early in. the session by the President there will -be more than one Congress man that wljl call for the investigation of' the Big Prlntery. Washington Trades Unionist. m 1 - v f