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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1907)
WAGEWORKER WILL M. MAUPIN, EDITOR Published Weekly at 137 No. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb. One Dollar a Year. Entered as second-class matter April 81, 1904, at the postoffice at Lincoln, Neb., under the Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1879. 'Printer' Ink," the recog nized authority on 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 tho an ordinary paper with 12,000 subscribers." J Jl J J Jt 0 0 J J J J J J country is considerably less than $500 a year. And another thing that would be funny were it not pathetic is the bul letin's estimate that the average ex penditure for rent per annum id $99.49, or $8.50 per month. What do the wage earners of Lincoln think about it? Are they paying an average of only $8.50 a month for house rent? Is it not a ' fact that the average is more than 50 per cent greater than the estimate of the government sta tisticians? Acording to the bulletin the item of rent represents less than 13 per cent of the total expenditure. Social economists whose knowledge is not confined to desk investigation are practically a unit in declaring that the Itam of rent amounts to more than 22 per cent of the total expenditure of the average family. One has but to thumb the pages of the bulletin and compare its statistics with his own experience to demon strate beyond a preadventure that the bulletin's statistics are absolutely un reliable, and that the whole thing is the very quinessence of statistical tommyrot. THE QUINTESSENCE OF TOMMY- ROT. The Wageworker is in receipt of Bulletin No. 71 of the Bureau of La bor, the same coming from the Gov ernment Printing Office at Washing ton, D. C. The only good thing about the bulletin is that it provided work for a large number of printers, press men, stereotypers and bookbinders. It is filled with a mass of statistics that are of no earthly account be cause they are compiled by statisti cians who konw nothing but figures, and the conclusions reached are gen erally at variance with the facts. Any housewife who keeps an account of her household expenditures can take her little old book and give the lie to three-fourths of the conclusions as to wages and prices compiled by these expert statisticians of the Department of Commerce and Labor. For instance, there is the bulletin's claim that an hour's wages in 1892 would buy less food products than an hour's wages in 1906. This is arrived at 'by calculating that the wages of forty-one industrial ocupations have Increased 24.2 per cent per hour in 1906 over ten the years of 1890-99, The facts are, and a little investiga tion of wages will prove it, that wages have made no such increase. The bul letin claims that the wage per hour in the building trades has increased 40.2 per cent. Is there a carpenter, bricklayer, plumber or painter in Lin- coin who believes It? Is there one whose wage today is 40 per cent per hour greater than it was in 1899? Evidently the statisticians responsi ble for the bulletin figured the in crease by taking into consideration that shortening of the working day in most of the organized trades. This enables them to show a healthy in crease "per hour" without showing any increase to amount to anything in the wage per day and it is the wage per day that should be taken in to account. For instance, a man work ing ten hours a day for $3 receives 30 cents an hour. Suppose he secures a shorter work day eight hours without any decrease in pay. He is then getting 37 cents an hour, which is an increase of 25 (per cent -per hour. but it adds not a penny to the sum total of the wages he earns In a month or a year. Yet the government statis ticians would have the wage earner believe that his wages have increased 25 per cent. The funny part of It is that this Juggling of the figures de ceives a whole lot of worklngmen. Here is another sample of the utter absurdity of the statistical findings as shown in Bulletin No. 71; "Average food cost per working man's family in 1890, $318.20. Aver age fo3d cost per worklngman's family in 1906, $359.43." Acording to this the workingman is spending only $41.23 a year more for food now than he did In 1890. What workingman believes it? An Increase of only $3.50 a month in the cost of living for the average family of five persons! The average worklngman's family of five finds itself paying that much more for the single item of meat if it has fresh meat on the table an average of twice a day, or even once a day. Here is a real funny thing from the pages of the 'bulletin: It reaches the conclusion that the average income per family or 0.31 members is $827.19 a year. . There are 312 working days in a year. According to the bulletin the average workingman makes an aver age of $2.64 cents a day every work ing day in the year allowing nothing for days lost on account of Illness or weather conditions, lack of work or any one of a dozen causes for en forced idleness. The fact of the mat ter Is that the average annual income per family of the craftsmen of this AN OLD EXCUSE. When a man wants to find an ex cuse for not doing what he knows to be his duty, he seldom has any dif ficulty in mustering one that satisfies him. Every union man in Lincoln knows the need of a Labor Temple, and every union Iman knows, deep down in his heart, I that he ought to have a part in 'building one. But there are some happily few in numbers but unfortun ately loud of lung who want some ex cuse for not helping, and they have provided them. One refuses to take hold because he does not like some man who is actively engaged in furthering the pro ject. Another refuses to take hold be cause he just "knows somebody will graft." Another refuses because he does not like the plans adopted. Another refuses because he was not personally consulted before definite action was taken. All these things are put forward as excuses. In a majority or cases tne excuse is not sincere and is put for ward to hide the real reason and the real reason is that the man mak ing them is unwilling to make sacri fices with his comrades, although eager to participate in the benefits. American workingmen are not ask ing for marble bath rooms, cafes, rest rooms and reading rooms in the mills and factories where they are employ ed. They are asking for wages that will permit them to have bath rooms in their homes and plenty of good books and newspapers on their front room tables. They are not asking for favor3 they are simply demanding justice. Close upon the heels of the report that John Mitchell is to retire from the presidency of the United. Mine Workers comes the report that he is to 'be given a fat federal office by President Roosevelt. Mitchell would fill any one of a hundred jobs better than the fellows who now hold them, The Nebraska congressman who ap points, or acquiesces in the appoint ment of an open enemy of organized labor, may depend upon it that he will have to answer for It at the pools. Workingmen are fast realizing that they must act together politically as well as industrially. "DONT ALL COME AT ONCE" but come In some time during this ueek-you can't afford not toassttnese etr& opportunities not to be missed The difference between those rotten trust company banks In New York and Pittsburg and a faro bank is sim ply tnls when the trust companies go broke the fellows on the inside have the money. When a faro bank goes broke the fellows on the outside have the money. It's a cinch that the managers of those 'big stock juggling concerns working under the names of trust companies are of the firm belief that trades unionists are all anarchists and can by no means be good citizens or patriots. Cloakroom When you buy a Coat you may go shopping around indiscriminately,, still you will remain in doubt as to whether you have secured the latest and choicest garment at the right price. You will save time by having your pick of our handsomely styled, perfectly tailored garments, and be assured that you will receive your money'B worth. Plush Jackets And Goats $13.50 values Crushed Plush silk braid trimmed; spec ial $11.95 $17.50 values Black Velour; satin lined; silk braid trimmed; special $14.95 $27.50 and $29.50 values Broadtail Plush; fine pull braid trimmed; special $24.75 $35.00 values Persian Lamb Plush; a swell garment; special ; $29.95 $19.50 values Crushed Plush: 50-inch; full lined; special. $17.50 $27.50 values Crushed Plush; 50-inch; full Venetian ' lined; special $24.75 Fine Medium Weight Ker sey; 50-inch; flare back; wine velvet trimming; special .". .$12.95 Wool Cheviot; 52 inches long; tight fitting; low priced at : $13.50 Coats for Littlo Tots $1.75 Eiderdowns, special, $1.58 $3.05 Astrakhan; heavy grade ; special $3.45 $3.95 Best Bearskins ; special $3.45 $4.50 Best Whirlpool Bear skins; special $3.95 Red French Flannel $4.95 Box Jackets; J special.' ....$3.95 We Lead in Popular Priced Dress Goods 10 pieces of the most popular colors in 36-inch All Wool Panama; 50c value; special .." 5 pieces of 38-inch Cream White Mohair; imported; 50c value 36 and 38-inch All Wool Batiste and All Wool Albatross in the most wanted shades; special thi3. week 51 pieces of Henvy Worsted Suitings in novelty plaids, checks and hair line stripes; a suiting that is all wool; special this week 52-inch Twill Back Broadcloth in colors tan, brown, royal, navy, garnet, wine and black; all wool; a regular $1.00 value; special. . We are showing some very attractive Plaid Waistings and Suitings; ;M 15c, 25c, 50c, 75c, $1.00 and , Fancy Broadcloths in the most wanted shades, at 75c, $1.00, $1.25 and ... Black Broadcloths, at 69c, 89c, $1.00, $1.25, $1.50 and... Black and Colored Serges; 38 to 50 inches wide; at 50c, 75c, $1.00 and The Family Shoo Store We cater to the winter footwear wants of the entire family father, mother, grandpa, grandma, brother, sister and baby one and all are provided for here. Nothing that has merit or is worthy of a place in this house of good shoes is left out of our lines. We ask that you make this your place to supply your wants in footwear for the entire family. Ladies' Shoes; Lace and blucher; in all the popular leathers patent kid and colt, vici, velour and box calf; up-to-date styles; AA to EE- widths; $4.00, $3.75, $3.50, $3.00, $2.50 and $2.00 Men's Shoes Patent colt, vici, velour and box calf; all widths, A to EE; $5.00, $4.00, $3.50, $3.00, $2.50 and .$2.00 Shoos for Boys, Uissos & Children $2.95, $2.50, $2.00, $1.75, $1.50, $1.39 and $1.09 ,..25c .$1.00 .39c .39c . .45c .,45c ..89c $1.50 $1.50 $2.00 $1.50 Tricot Flannels 15 pieces of Tricot Flannels in the popular colors, at 25c 10 pieces of Flaked Tricot Flannels; all the popular shades; now 30c Lining Silks and Satins 45-inch Silk Gloria Lining in colors navy, green, gray and cardinal; ' "i special this .week v 83c 45-inch All Silk Motor Coating in colors navy and gray; regular $1.50 value; Bpecial $1.25 36-inch Lining Satin; all colors; guaranteed for two season's wear; special 90c Infants' Soft Soles; 1 to 4; 50c, 35c and..., Infants' Kid Shoes; lace and button; 49c to. We guarantee every shoe we sell, to do its duty. ' In warm lined Shoes and Slippers we carry a 'complete assortment, for men, women and children. Foil and Winter Underwear We feel that from now on you will be looking for new Underwear, for fall and winter wear, and that we have exactly what you will want, at a saving in price to you. . Come in and get our prices andbe convinced. Children's Underwear Children's Cream White Light Fleeced Ribbed Underwear; worth ' to '25c; any size, 16 to 34; special this week 15c Children's Gray Ribbed Fleeced Vests, Pants or Drawers; prices ac cording to size Size 16" 18 I 2b 22 24 26 28 30 32 i 84 Price .... 12jc 15c 17jc 20c 22je 25c 27jc 30c 32jc 35c Children's and Boys' Fleeced Lined SHifts, Drawers or Pants; prices according to size , : , ' , Size..'. 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 I 32 I 34 Price 15c 17jc 20c 22c 25c 27jc 30c 82jc 35o j 87jc Children's Sanitary Australian Wool Jersey Ribbed Vests or Pants; prices according to size , Size 16 18 20 22 24 26 I 28 30 32 34 Price 30c 3Sc 40c 45c 50c 66c 60c 65c 70c 75c i Children's Sanitary Camel Hair in a Natural Color; Vests, Pants or Drawers ' . ' . Size 16 18 1- 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 Price 25c 32jc 40c 42c 50c 57jc 65c 72jc 77jc 85c Misses' Union Suits; cotton fleeced ribbed; cream white; at40c, 50c ; and ....... j...... i , .60c Children's Silver Gray Light Fleeced "Union Suits; any size; now, 25c Boys' Heavy Fleeced Lined Union Suits; any size; choice ,'. .. . . ..50c Ladies' Underwear Ladies' Fleeced Ribbed Vests and Pants "in cream or silver; In all 1 sizes . .- ....v.. ..... ............. .25c Ladies' Set Snug Pants or Vests; cream white; light fleece; sizes 4, . 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9; any size.... .50c Ladies' Extra Heavy Fleece Vests or Pants; silver gray only; all sizes : . . . 50c Ladies' Non-Shrinking Wool Vests or Pants; nice and soft; in regular and extra sizes; any size garment. . .$1.00 Ladies' Heavy Camel Hair Vests or Pants; natural color; all size .' garments ' ,. $1.00 Ladies' Ribbed Fleeced Union Suits in regular and extra sizes; spec ial . . . 45c Ladies' Glove Fitting Jersey Ribbed Union Suits; cream white; regu lar $1.00 value; special ... 85c Ladies' Extra Heavy Fleeced Lined Union Suits in gray; any size $1.00 Other Union Suits for Women, at $1.50, $2.25, $3.00 and. . $4.00 SPECIAL IN BLACK SILK 32-inch Guaranteed Black Taf '. feta; a special $1.00 value. . . .85c Our Three Star Taffeta; 36 inches wide; special number at $1.35; at $1.15 Our 36-in. Dependon TafTeta; special at $1.50; at . $1.25 1 917-921 O St. OPPOSITE CITY HALL COATS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN $3.95 Zibeline; neatly trim med ; special .......... $3.45 $4.95 - Wool Melton; neatly trimmed; special ..... .$4.45 $5.95 -Wool Beaver;.' neatly ' trimmed; special $5.35 $5.95 Plain Bearskins; special. $5.35 $7.95 Whirlpool Bearskins; special .$6.95 The merchant who advertises with handbills and circulars .printed in a "rat" printing office should be shunn ed by union men, and the aforesaid business man should be made aware of the reason why he is thus shunned. By reason of working long hours and paying low wages a Lancaster county printer was able to grab off the contract for printing the report of the state bureau of labor. But there is no money to pay for it and the unfair shop will .have to wait. Isn't that too bad? Figures will not lie, but liars will figure. There are three kinds of liars, "liars, d d liars and government statistics." For proof read the last bulletin of the government bureau of labor. A lot of big financial institutions in the east are going broke, not because President Roosevelt's policy is wrong or unfair, but because the financial in stitutions are rotten to the core. Another one of the Vanderbilt girls is to marry a frazzled out scion of English nobility. The only good fea ture about the transaction is that it is a lucky thing for some red-blooded American man. If Lincoln business men want the patronage of Lincoln unionists they must show it by their actions. Word of mouth don't go any more. Consistency is the life of trades un ionism. You cannot be a good union man as long as you purchase "scab" goods when union made goods in. the same line are offered you. It Is illegal to boycott, but no judge on earth can compel you to spend your money with an industrial enemy. Printing conditions in Lincoln de mand the ceaseless use of the "little sticker." Charles W. Post talks glibly about "free and independent industrial con ditions." That's all right, but what about practicing "free and indepen dent marital relations?" The sooner trades unions throw oft all the secret meeting business the better off they will 'be. Trades union ism has nothing to hide. If you se it In a government statis tical table the chances are that it is not true. I SERVED 'EM RIGHT Fifteen members of the Brotherhood of Carpenters at Newark, N. J., were recently fined $100 each by the union for not striking. They refused to go out on a recent strike when ordered, and when the firm which employed them settled its differences with the union they were discharged. THE BREWERY PROPOSITION. Promoters Meeting With Good Suc cess in Their Stock Campaign. , The gentlemen who are promoting the plan to rect a magnificent brew ery and ice plant in Lincoln report that they are meeting with great suc cess in their campaign. It is a big project and it will take some time to put it through, but success seems al ready assured. 'Some men of ample financial means have, taken hold of it and are pushing it along. Just at present the' efforts of the men in charge are being confined to the plac ing of stock in small blocks, the idea being to secure the co-operation of as many people as possible. Enough stock has been subesrihed already to make the gentlemen "in charge san guine of success in a shorter time than they had dared to hope for when they started. Naturally enough some opposition to the location of a brewery in. Lin coln has made itself manifest, but this : opposition' is not as great as some might imagine. As a rule the people are considering it from a pure ly 'business standpoint, which is rea sonable and just. -' ; ' The erection of a hrewery in Lin coln would not mean the consumption of more beer in Lincoln, but it would mean an increase'd market- for labor and grain, and a consequent enlarge ment of the pay rolls' of the com munity. That would mean more busi ness for the merchants, more taxpay ers and more building in Lincoln. It looks like a good business proposition all around. - - ;