V
3
cn
73;
TRADES lgjj COUnClLl
VOL.. 5
NEBRASKA, JUNE 13, 1908
2fO. 11
MethcdJist Church
And Labs? Probles
Several months ago. Just after Rev.
T. M- Balch. pastor of Trinity M. K.
church of tola city, had bee elected
delegate to the Baltimore conference,
Mr. Balch called upon the editor of
The Wageworker and outlined a net
of resolutions dealing with the labor
problem which he purposed present
ing to the conference. Mr. Balch is
in thorough sympathy with the onion
movement, and he keenly realise that
the church has not given this phase
of modern progress the consideration
that It" deserve. That he made his
presence felt at the Baltimore confer
ence is evidenced by the tact that the
resolution as outlined by him weie
adopted almost seriatim by the con
ference and Mr. Batch was a
ber of the committee.
a a .d nrxAw.
A. W w- rm - - 1
i tn Baltimore conference are la
part as follows:
-We recognise the gravity of the
social situation and the responsibility
of the Church collectively, and of its
members severally, for bringing about
better conditions, through the prac
tical application of the ethics of the
New Testament. We hold it an Im
perative obligation that the Church
and all Christians interest themselves
profoundly in such questions as those
of the Iniquitous exploitation of child
labor: the carelessness as to life and
limb too often shown im factory, Ib
'mine, and on railroads; the down
ward pressure sometimes brought up
on wages by' the competitive system.
the chronic phase of misunderstand
las and Industrial warfare between
employers and employed; the regret-
able breach, caused by misconcep
tion oa both sides of the spirit and
purposes of each, which exists Be
tween large numbers of artisans and
Church of Christ.
. We welcome evtfry Judication of a
desire to end disputes and hostilities
and to find a basis of reconciliation,
fraternity, and permanent co-operation.
We especially commend all
those employers, whether individuals
or corpora tiens, who. in the conduct
of their business, have exhibited a fra
ternal spirit and a disposition to deal
justly and humanely with their em
ployes particularly as to wages,
profit ni"f and "welfare work.
hours of labor, hygienic conditions of
toil, protection against accidents, and
willingness to submit differences to
arbitration. We recognise the per
plexities that arise In great industrial
operations, and sympathise with those
who. while carrying these burdens,
are yet striving to fulfill consistently
the law of Christ. We cordially de
clare oar fraternal Interest la the
aspirations of the laboring classes,
and our desire to assist them in the
righting of every wrong and the at
tainment of their highest well-being.
We recognise that the fundamental
purposes of the labor movement are
essentially ethical, and. therefore,
should command the support of Chris
tian men. We recognize further that
the organisation of labor is not only
the right of -the laborers and condu
cive to their welfare but is Incident
ally of great benefit to society ' at
large in the securing of better condi
tions of work and life in Its educa
tional influence upon the great multi
tudes concerned, and particularly in
the Americanization of our immigrant
population. While we cordially ap
preciate the social senile rendered
the community by captains of Indus
try in maintaining large businesses,
affording employment to hundreds.
and by their products serving the
needs of their feUowmen. yet our pri
mary interest in the industrial prob
lem Is with that great number who.
by Ttheir conditions of toil.
share adequately In the highest ben
efits of our civilisation. Their efforts
to Improve their conditions should re
ceive our heartiest co-operation.
must all similar effort oa the part of
employers or disinterested organisa
tions.
"We are gratified by the growth of
the spirit of conciliation and the prac
tice of conference and arbitration
adjusting trade disputes, and we trust
that these methods may increasingly
supplant those of strikes and lock
outs, with attendant boycotts and
blacklistings. We urge all our mem
bers, both employers and employed.
to the fullest possible promotion
the principles of Industrial peace
human brotherhood. We record our
leaped through the air. caught with
his -iimhing irons on the pole below
Parker; and a moment later was lift
ing his fellow workman from danger.
A slip, or the breaking of his climbing
irons, would have meant Instand death
to Strieker. But he did not slip, and
firm conviction that the Church of I the irons did not break: probably ne
Jesus Christ, in so far as it is an. em-1 never thought of the matter till bis
plover of labor, either locally orl friend was safe.
through its general organisations. I Deeds like these are heroic deeds.
ought to exemplify in practice the I They add to the proof, already abun-
principles herein set forth. -" I dant, that war is an utterly unneces-
The Methodist Episcopal Church I sary school for valor. They show that
nerve and quick decision, and readi-
Fbr equal rights and complete Jus-
of the union, and President Bain, will
deliver addresses, and a quartette will
sing. The program as arranged for
two weeks ago, and postponed on ac
count of the weather, will be carried
out.
Next-Wednesday the tie vote for
president between Ingraham and Ford
will he settled by another election.
The polls will be open from 12 to 7
at Carpenters halL
- The meeting last Sunday was pro
ductive of considerable parliamentary
tangling on this question of the presi
dency, but it was finally decided to
ties for all men in all stations of life. I
"For the principle of conciliation
and arbitration in industrial dissea-l
siens.
"For the protection of the worker!
from dangerous machinery, ccupa-l
tteoal diseases, injuries, and mor-l
talitr.
"For the abolition of child labor.
Tor such regulation of the condi
tions of labor for women as shaJ
safeguard the physical and moral
health of the community.
"For the suppression of the "sweat
ing system."
"For the gradual and reasonable re
duction of hours of labor to the
lowest practical point, with work for
all; and for that degree of leisure fori
all which is the condition of the high-1
est human life.
"For a release from employment I
one r in seven.
"For a living wage in every industry I
"For the highest wage that each In-1
duscry can afford, and for the most
equitable division of the products of
industry that can ultimately be de-l
vised.
"For the recognition of the Golden
Rule, and the mind of Christ as the
supreme law of society and the sure
remedy for all socisl Ills."
- A lew years ago the Presbyterian
church realised the greatness of the
labor movement and was quick to I
seize upon a great opportunity. That
denomination organized a "depart-1
meat of clutrob. and labor." and i
wonderfully fortunate in having at
command a man fitted in every way
to take charge of . it Rev. Charles
Stelzle. One of the most learned and
eloquent ministers of the denomina-l
tion. Rev. Mr. Steisle was also ac
quainted with the labor movement by
reason of active participation therein.
machinist by trade, a member of I
the union of his craft, a victim in his I
childhood of the sweat .shop system
ana a beaeSeiary m his young man-1
hood of the help of his organisation.
he knew what they toilers hoped for.
what they need, and what they have I
right to expect. He took up the
crk with seal and has pursued it
with untiring industry. He has
wrought a great change is the rehv-j
tknship between the organized church
and organized labor. He Is bringing
them closer together every day. He
is laved by thousands of workingmea
who trust him to the uttermost, know
ing that he is of them and for them.
The great organization known as
the Methodist Episcopal church the
largest protestant denomination in
America would do well to follow the
example of the Presbyterian church
and establish a "department of I
church and labor." and it could find
no man better fitted than Rev. W. M.
Batch of Lincoln to take charge of
the department.
Now let the Methodist church call
its, publishing houses to account and
compel them to deal fairly with or
ganized labor. Let it bring Dr. Jen
nings ' up with a round turn, and
mate him feel the weight of displeas
ure at his unwarranted assaults upon
organized labor.
"By their fruits ye shall know them."
SEED A Ll"3CL DO
TO GSjUuCI"
I
With a lag delegation of Tin coin ites in Denver
doing the democratic national convention, to boost
for the nomination of Lincoln's distinjrnished cit
izen, it would be little lea then a burning; sham
not to have a Lincoln bond along.
' Lincoln has a band that w31 rank with the best
-
I
bands of the country. It
should
accompany the
T-hmnTm boosters to -Denver, and Lincoln will be
guilty of a neglect of duty if it fails to provide the
ways and means. From the standpoint of civic pride
alone, Lincoln ought to send the Nebraska, State
Band to Denver. From an advertising standpoint
it would be a winning proposition.
What's the matter with a few public-spirited busi
ness men taking hold of the matter and raising
the necessary funds. ' This is not a question of
politics. It is a question of loyalty to Lincoln and
" " "... -
" to Lincoln institutions. - 'A" '. v
The money should be raised in a jiffy. Lincoln
is going to be a center of attraction during the com
zng campaign, and from the mercenary standpoint
of dollars and cents, Tjncorn win be a winner. For
this reason, if no other and there are better ones
Lincoln ought to "get into the game right." The
first thing to do is to raise the money and send
Lincoln's magnificent band to Denver as a part of
the Lincoln "Boosters."
The time is short and quick action is necessary if
results are obtained. What enterprising and public
spirited business men will take off their coats for
a couple of hours and see to it that the work is done?
ness to stake all on the moment are
qualities which peace can produce in
quite as full measure as the tented
field. Hurrah for John Strieker.
Denver News. -.
JEFFERSON DAVIS DAUGHTER.
Mrs. Margaret Davis Hayes of Colo
rado Springs will doubtless be one of
Colorado's delegates to the demo
cratic national convention at Denver.
Mrs. Hayes Is a daughter of Jefferson
Davis, and her friendship for organ
ized labor Is evidenced by the fact
that she furnished the "Jefferson
Davis room at the Union Printers'
Home at Colorado Springs. This
room is one of the most attractive in
that magnificent institution.
HEROES OF INDUSTRY.
Daada That Prone - War Unnecessary
as School for Valor.
John Strieker. lineman, has prob
ably never served In any army; and
The News hopes he will never be
called on so to serve. But John
Strieker is one of the heroes of to
day; a hero of tea times the caliber
of many who delight to rave in the
halls of congress, and utter vain
things to folks who cannot reply. The
story was told In yesterday's News,
and needs no long repetition here.
Elijah Parker, working fifty feet in
the air. touched a Hve wire.
shocked
aad lay. slowly burning to death,
across the tangle of wires with which
the poles oa Cherry Creek boulevard
are decorated. Strieker was eight
feet away oa another pole; but he
DOLLAR SHIRTS, UNION MADE.
If you want a union-made shirt, just
send a dollar to the Model Shirt Co.
Indianapolis. Ind. Give them your
size and tell them about what style
you prefer. You will he fitted and
pleased. Kvery shirt guaranteed aad
bears the label.
TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.
cut tne iroraian knot by having a
special election. This tangle has
called renewed attention to the fact
that the constitution and. by-laws are
in unsatisfactory shape, and it is
probable that a committee will be
appointed at the July meeting "to re
vise the whole business.
John Marshall has located at Ber-
uumiu. votoraaa. wnere he has pur
chased the Bulletin, which he will
edit and publish. The Bulletin is
republican paper. It looks like a good
proposition and at reh.i g the man
who can make it a good newspaper
and a paying investment. His host
of friends in Lincoln Join in wishing
him abundant prosperity. .
THE PLUMBERS.
Work a
Little Slack at Present. But
Everybody la Hopeful.
numbers are not reaping a great
harvest these days, work being un
usually slack for this time of year.
But the boys are keeping cheerful and
expect things will brighten, np pretty
Decoration Services Next Sunday,
Election Next Wednesday.
Next Sunday- afternoon at 3 o'clock
Lincoln Typographical Union No. 209
aad Capital Auxiliary So. 11 will meet
unconscious in a moment. I at the Fraternity building, and taks
special cars to Wyuka cemetery to
carry out the annual decoration serv
ices. Every member of the union and
auxiliary is expected to be on hand.
L. D. "Woodruff, an honorary member
Charley Burns has gone to Grand
Island to work for his father, who has
a big contract there. This made
vacancy in the office of secretary, and
George Chipman has been selected to
fill it. ." . ,
"Well picnic some time in July,"
said a member the other day. "We
are going to have a prize list that
will make you sit up and take notice.
too. And the fried chicken and fixin
O. yum. yum!"
Tuesday night the - Central Labor
Union filed its earnest protest against
a continuance of the prison labor eon-
tract and urged a policy that would
result in giving the convicts occupa
tion that would not interfere with free
labor's opportunities to earn a liveli
hood. The following' set of resolu
tions was adopted and sent to the
state board:
"Whereas. The policy of farming
out to private contractors the labor of
convicts In the state prison, whereby
prison-made goods are put upon the
market to be sold in competition with
the product of free labor, has long
been an injustice to honest mem en
gaged in an effort to make a livelihood
for themselves and their families, and
"Whereas, A- continuation of this
policy means a continuation of the in
justice, the matter of "price per con
vict per day cutting no figure in the
results as they affect free labor, there
fore be it .'.'
"Resolved, By the Lincoln Central
Labor "Union, representing the organ
ized craftsmen of Lincoln, 2.000 in
number, that we protest against be
ing forced to compete with convict
labor. -
"Resolved, That we petition the
board having this matter in charge
to refuse to longer continue the policy
of contract prison labor upon articles
of merchandise which enter into ac
tive competition with the products of
free labor, and to confine the labor
of said convicts to such channels as
will not force free labor to resort to
devious means to obtain a bare liveli
hood.
"Resolved, "That while we realize
that some occupation must be pro
vided for the convicts, we insis't that
there are plenty of occupations that
win answer every purpose, and at the
sameflme "relieve free labor" of he
burden of this unjust labor competi
tion. -- ' ' -
Resolved, That we endorse the
proposition that the convicts be em
ployed upon public road work, that
relieving free labor of unjust compe
tition and at the same time benefiting
the general public.
"Resolved, That a copy of these res
olutions be submitted to the proper
state board.
The offer of the Auditorium manage
ment to give a benefit for the central
body was accepted and T. W. Evans
appointed to arrange for the same at
time satisfactory to the manage
ment. The label exhibition commit
tee reported porgress in settling the
affairs. The donation of $5 towards
the defraying of expenses by the Ma
chinists' of the city was reported and
the thanks of the central body ex
tended to that local. The label com
mittee reported progress and was
given more time to complete its "fair
list" It was reported that the The
atrical Stage Mechanics were weary
of the delay in their case and were
talking of taking it before the inter
national convention. " They have been
waiting' for two, years, '. and their
money has been paid over fully that
They feel that some' definite
action should be taken, and in justice
to them they be either granted a
charter cr their money refunded.
Report was made of the progress to
wards a Labor Temple and some sug
gestions as to finance were offered.
Owing to the rain the attendance
was smaller than usual. The repre
sentatives present reported the state
of trade from "good" to "fair."
A committee will wait on a couple
of amusement resorts and protest
against the use of tickets coming from
the "rat" Rees printing house at
Omaha and long neglect of this terri
tory by- the American Federation of
Labor 'was talked over, and another
effort will be made to secure the ser
vices of an organizer. For years Lin
coln has been sending in its "per
capita" and has never received any
attention from headquarters save
when some extra money was asked
for. There is a disposition to retain
this money in future and devote it
to organisation work, which Is sadly
needed. An organiser of the Federa
tion appeared in Lincoln a tew months
ago, took a couple of trips oa the
street cars to talk with the motormen
and conductors about organizing, and
then proceeded on to some other city.
That is the extent of the work of or
ganization done in Lincoln by the
Federation, during the past
years. The nrionists of Liueoia are
growing Just a bit tired of this sort
of treatment.
The secretary was" ft'M'lltd to col
lect fines from anions whose dele
gates neglected to attend the meet
ings. .
THE TEMPLE COMMITTEE.
Appoints t
Whole Tim to
From now on the ti Jn Labor
Temple Bonding association win be
pushed by a representative who wQI
devote- his full time to the work.
After carefully considering the matter
in all its bearings the directors de
cided that this should be done, and
that J.-W. Dickson, the chairman of
the board, was the porper man for the
work. It will be Mr. Dickson's work
to secure subscriptions to the stock,
and to arouse the Interest of wage
earners and business men in the pro
ject. , -
A building committee consisting of
Dickson, .Rudy and Manpin was
elected, and this committee win pro
ceed at once to prepare plans and
estimates of a temple building aad
present the same to the directors.
This Is in accord with the tmajSMlhrna -made
by" the business men recently.
It was also decided that the money
now on hand be, as soon as possible.
Invested in a site. The board will act -upon
this matter soon and submit the
selections made to a vote of the stock
holders. . The .board feels that the
project will remain practically at a .
standstill ants the matter of a site Is
settled. , By paying down the money
on hand It will then be an to the
unionists to come to the front aad pay
out, or see the money invested lost
becanseof their TnactionT Thebolft-'
ing committee hopes to have its
rought plans and approximate esti- .
mates ready inside of two weeks. It
is probable, too, that another meeting
with the business men. win he ar
ranged soon.
Mr. Kelsey reported that Manager
Buck staff of Capital Beach had. offered
a benefit' day to the Temple project.
and after thanking Mr. BnekstaaT for
his offer the board decided to take the
matter up at an early date. - .
Xow that the . project is to be
boosted by a hustler who has his
whole heart in the work, it is beCevad
that things win move lively from now
on. Mr. Dickson has! shown his de
votion to the enterprise in many
ways, and when it was decided to em
ploy a regular representative his was
the only name considered.
THE BARTENDERS.
Reduced Numbers Work
Than Under Old Regime.
Those who imagine that the 7 to
7" rule makes work easier for the
bartenders who retaia employment
have another guess coming. The new
rule not only threw a lot of bartend
ers out of work, bat it forced
hours upon those who letained
ployment. An average of eight
was the rule under the old order of
htwg while the present average is
in excess of ten. About twenty-five
bartenders have been forced out of
employment by the new" rule. ""'""
At its last meeting the
League initiated two nee
one of them from Fremont. The Fre
mont man returned to his home the
next . day with the avowed intent of
organising a League in that piugms
sive little dry. The bartenders of
Fremont, seeing how well other Bnes
of employment were organized, re
solved to get into Bee at once. They
will receive the cordial support of the
Lincoln mcmbeia.
Mark Wither calls the attention of
the excise board to the fact that it
has granted but twenty-four licenses,
while the limit is twenty-five, and he
asks that the twenty-fifth be granted
to him.
FOURTEEN DOLLARS A MINUTE.
- The convention of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, at its last
session at Columbus, Ohio, decided
to allow Its delegates 17 per day. with
out expenses, while in attendance.
The convention cost the Brotherhood
$7,000 per day. or SI per minute, for
every working day.
