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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1908)
Under Which Flag, Mr. Union Man? GOSSIP OF THE TOILERS. Latest News of Busy Workers in Mines, Mills and Workshops. A new union of carpenters has been formed at Fajardo, Porto Rico. The death rate among the miners is less in Belgium than in any other country. Boston (Mass.) Hebrew painters and paperhangers are again organizing a union. In New South Wales 20,000 pension ers received from the state last year the sum of $2,455,000. The wages of the South Wales steel workers have been further reduced by 4 per cent Seventeen million pairs of shoes were produced in Brockton (Mass.) factories last year. The Waterville (Me.) textile work ers have applied for a charter from the United Textile Workers. New York Typographical Union ("Big Six") has transferred $5,000 to a special fund to be paid out to its out-of-work members. Mlddletown (Conn.T cotton mill em ployes recently went on strike. They did not wish to accept a reduction of 16 2-3 per cent in their wages. Worcester (Mass.) trolley men have agreed to strike, if necessary, to sup port the Providence street car men in any action that union feels is neces sary to take. Culinary Council at Boston, Mass., has decided to take legal steps, if pos sible, against the Chefs' club employ ment agency for hotel and restaurant help. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad clerks' lodges will make a further effort to have a system agree ment made between the road and the clerks. Of all the classes of workers in the United States engaged In the manu facturing industry, the lapidaries are credited with the highest earnings, $21.68 weekly. The Metropolitan Vehicular Work ers' Federation is seeking to unite all those engaged in the traffic of London (England) streets, whether working by horse, electricity, steam or oil. A wage agreement for the ensuing year was adopted recently at a con ference between representatives of the steel interests and of the Amalga mated Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, held at Pittsburg, Pa. The Pennsylvania Railroad has in augurated the plan of giving publicity to cases of discipline by posting on employes' bulletin boards statements of the offense and the punishment ad ministered. The French laundries at San Fran clsco, Cat., have reported that the Jap anese laundries are seriously affect ing their business and have promised to support the Anti-Japanese League morally and financially. The law limiting the work of women and children in factories to 54 hours a week was amended by the Massa chusetts legislature to read 56 hours, and was then passed with a proviso that it should not go into effect until January 1, 1910. The council of the Northumberland (England) Miners Association recent ly decided by 55 votes for to 23 against to oppose the government mines eight hour bill. This will necessitate a bal lot of the whole of the members on the question. It is estimated that there are 84,100 men Idle In the building trade In New York City. Of the 100,000 skilled me chanics in the city, 40,000 are still idle. Labor leaders express surprise that working conditions have not impoved more rapidly. From the first of February last, to the close of June nearly 1000 aliens and others had sent in response to ap J. W. Van Cleave Says: "The injunction's purpose is to head off injury for which, if allowed to be committed, the victim can secure no adequate rem edy by the courts. It is the promptness, the certaintly, and the justice of the punishment in contempt cases which renders the injunction so effective in preventing attacks on property and life. Jury trial would bring delay and uncertainty. Thus it would give a license to vio lence, would make industry and property insecure, would increase tip number and the destructiveness of labor contests, and would assail legitimate trade of all sorts. "It is the duty of American business men, regardless of their party, to bury Bryan and Bryanism under such an avalanche of votes in 1908 that the work will not have to be done over again in 1912, or ever." Statement by J. W. Van Cleave, President National Association of Manufacturers, and President of the Buck Stove Co., St. Louis. plications from the various parts of the country by the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. The employment secured was principally farm work. San Francisco (Cal.) Lodge No. 68, International Association of Machin ists, which has under it care Golden West lodge of Machinists' Apprentices, has adopted a plan by which the youngsters are to be instructed by lec tures on the different branches of the trade. The Baltimore & Ohio has posted an order prohibiting employes from as signing their wages, under penalty of immediate suspension or discharge. Employes have been victims of loan sharks. It is said that the Pennsylvan ia and the Reading will post similar notices. It has already been decided by the leather workers that they will make a universal demand for the eight-hour day within the next two years, but no definite time has been set. The object of their meeting at Kansas City, Mo., in September is to determine the date. It is said that in the past six months all of the contentions of the Black smiths International with employers against a reduction in wages and the introduction of the piece or "bonus sys tem have been successful, with the ex ception of the strike on the Rio Grande which is still on. The government laborers are trying to force the British government to fix a minimum wage of thirty shillings per week for all unskilled labor. The officials of the Labor Protection Lea gue headed a deputation to the Chief Superintendent of Ordnance Factories regarding the matter. Six hundred boiler makers and ap prentices on the Big Four have quit because the management wanted to enforce the piecework system at the Beach Grove shops, near Indianapolis, Ind. All the shops are closed, it is said. There is talk of the roadmen quitting in sympathy. Freight handlers of the Grand Trunk at Toronto, Canada, are on strike for an advance of wages from 13 1-2 cents for shed work and 15 cents for loading boats to the prices paid last year, 15 and 20 cents. The company has brought men from other points to take the places of the strikers. Serious mining catastrophes record ed in the United Kingdom Tast year have resulted in an increase in the death rate from 1.29 in 1906 to 1.32 in 1907, but freedom from accidents is greater in the collieries of the United Kingdom than In those of other coun tries except Austria and Belgium. No further move is reported as re gards the engineers' strike on the northeast coast of England. The an ticipated new ballot of the men has not come off, and the executives of the unions involved do not appear to see their way clear for further action. The deadlock is complete. A reorganization of the building trades unions has been brought about In Buffalo, N. Y., after many years of warfare. The new organization is branch of the building trades depart ment of the American Federation of Labor. The Buffalo branch has membership of about 10,000. New Bedford (Mass.) Weavers' Union Tias laid over the proposed amendment making it obligatory fo members to nave their families en rolled In their respective craft organi zations before becoming eligible to hold any office in the union or to rep resent the union in any labor conven tion or central labor body. The last of the Clyde shipbuilding strikes only came to an end recently when the tinsmiths resumed work on the employers' terms of reduced wages, The men had been on strike since the commencement of the year. The wages dispute is therefore at an end in Glas gow and the shipbuilding centers along the Clyde. The ballot of the Northeastern Rail way (England) employes on tne pro posal of the executive that the All Grades Committee should negotiate with the officials of the Northeastern Railway Company for the formation of Conciliation Board, has been com pleted. The result was in favor of ne gotiation by 4,808 votes for, and 2,140 against. The miners" strike in Alabama is be coming a serious problem, and steps are being taken by the clergy and the laymen to bring it to an end. The operators are importing strike-breakers into the mines and it is feared that unless something is done soon toward settlement a clash will occur be tween the unionists and nonunionists. New England semiannual convention of electrical workers' uunions, held in Boston recently, adopted a resolution, which was sent to the governor of each of the states and the Mayors of every New England city. It requests that a representative of organized labor be appointed on all commissions and boards of more than two members. The grant of the Northumberland (England) Miners' Association of 1000 to help to relieve the distress on tne Tyne-side, in consequence or the depression in trade and the re cent strikers was sent to the National Amalgamated Union of Labor for dis tribution mainly to the workers indi rectly affected by the disputes in the early part of this year. It is said that from 1879 to 1907 there have been in the United States, 8512 boiler explosions, an average of 304 a year; the number of people killed was 8433, an average of 301. For 1907 there were 471 explosions, 300 killed, 420 injured. In striking con trast was the loss of life in Germany. For 1907 there were 15 explosions, with killed and. 3 injured. Two trade disputes of considerable magnitude are at present going on in Glasgow, Scotland. They are connnect ed with the slating an'd the hand-sewn boot and shoe industries. Both are be ing carried on with determination on both sides and both societies are re ceiving support from kindred organi zations. The trouble in each case re sults from a question of wages. The charter of Brockton (Mass.) Teamsters' Union 286 has been re voked for nonpayment of per capita tax to the International. A new local for former members loyal to the Inter national is being formed. The adher ents of the old union are forming a new teamsters' organization and they threaten to join the United Brother hood of Teamsters, the dual inter national. The census of the civil service of the United States showed on July 1, 1907, that those who had been in the service of the national government for more than . 50 years numbered 40 men and one woman. On the other hand, the Pennsylvania Railroad records show that today there are upon the payrolls of the company 316 men who have been in its service more than 50 years. About a dozen more Boston, Mass., unions recently added their protests to those previously made against the de cision of the A. F. of L. executive board, as stated by President Gompers, which would prevent state branches, central labor unions, district councils or local bodies placing any firm or per son on the unfair list without first sub mitting the dispute to the A. F. of L. Fall River, (Mass.) Spinners' Uniom recently voted to notify the manufac turers that they will withdraw from the sliding scale wage agreement now in force at the end df the present six months' period. It was because of the severity of the last reduction and the prospect of still further reduction in What Samuel Gompers Says: "I am very well satisfied with the democratic platform as promul gated at the Denver convention, and I will do everything to support these declarations, and of course that means we will work for the elec tion of the men who stand for our principles. "I have never expected defeat in any undertaking, never hoped for defeat, and never have given up fighting for an idea or principle that 1 firmly believed to be right and just. I will always be found fighting for what I believe is right, no matter what the temporary results may be. I believe that in this fight we now have on hand, that we will win; and I shall work for Mr. Bryan's election and for the ratification of the principles that we have advocated as officers and as an organization." Statement by Samuel Gompers, President American Federation of Labor, and now charged with contempt of court at the instigation of J. W. Van Cleave. wages that the spinners decided that they wanted' no more of this sliding scale. At Winnepeg, Man., shop employes of the Canadian Pacific Railway gained a victory recently when the concilia tion board presented its report. The nine-hour day will continue to prevail in the west and may soon be granted in the East. No reduction was made in the scale of wages. There will be no sliding scale and helpers will not be allowed to use tools. The company gained some points. TRADE UNION PUBLICITY. Rev. Mr. Stelzle Gives Some Pointers on How to Get It. The human mind is stirred by a change. It becomes tired of a mono tone, and soon becomes drowsy under its influence. No one method, of ad vertising will long continue to at tract attention, no matter how good it may be. Even the flashing of the electric sign soon loses its effect upon the man who becomes familiar with it. Neither should the advertiser confine himsrtf to a particular style, except ing .s shall be hereafter designated. In any case, there must be constant freshness of appeal. The successful advertisement speaks in different accents. It shouts its headlines to attract attention. As the reader comes nearer, it reduces its tone, and when he comes close, it whispers its secrets in a voice which appeals to his heart as well as to his rcind. The advertisement which appeals to the greatest number of senses is the most successful. One must constantly lomember that people of every shade of temperament and disposition are being appealed to. Therefore, every attractive element which can be em ployed should be enlisted. The gen val style of the production, the char acter of the type, the color of the ink, the quality of the paper, may produce a combination which is truly artistic, or it may result in a job which will drive a man still farther away. Some people may not be able to tell why they dislike the appearance of the advertisement, but they will plainly indicate their displeasure. It may be a very small matter, but it will be enough to nullify the effect of the ef fort. Every trades unionist knows that no matter how good a printed ,iob may be, if it does not bear the union label, it seems to repel. Important, then, is the appearance of the job that is put out, aside from the quality of the reading matter v.-hich it contains. It always pays to employ a good printer. A cheap job is dear at any price. It rarely pays to get estimates on a job of printin?. Find a printer whom you can trust. Tell him what you want. He will Jo the job in good style, and you will pet the results so far as he is con cerned. - THE CARPENTERS. New York Union Sued by Unfair Con cern for Heavy Damages. Local No. 309, Brotherhood of Car penters and Joiners, New York City, has been sued for $50,000 damages by the Brunswick-Balke-Collander com pany. The unfair concern, hurt by the warm fight made against it by the union, applied for a blanket injunc tion to prevent the union from con tinuing its fight and asking a big sum of money as damages for the injury already wrought. This action was brought before the supreme court on Saturday, August 1st, 1908, in New York City, by Ein litz & Hulfe, the law firm that handles practically all the business of th' Building Trades, Employers' associa tion, which would indicate that this association is behind the effort now being made to disrupt the carpenters' organization. The officers of No. 309 were served with copies of the com plaint and. notified that if they did not hand in an answer to the charges within twenty days the full amount of damages would be asked for. Lincoln carpenters are determined to play the political game right this year, and with that end in view they sre working tooth and toenail to ad vance the interests of J. W. Dickson, who is a candidate on the republican primary ticket for the nomination as state senator. The carpenters are organizing a "flying wedge" to put into the game before primary day, and the "wedge" promises to split the-op-posltlon wide open. Work is fairly good and most of the carpenters are finding steady em ployment. From communications re ceived it is understood that the situa tion In the west Is much better than it is in the east. - LABOR DAY PREPARATIONS. Committees Have Been Working and Are Making Good Progress. The Labor Day committee met Tues day evening, and the reports of com mittees showed that preparations for the proper observance of the day are going forward at a rapid rate. Every committee reported progress, the pa rade committee reporting the comple tion of all its work pending the ac tual start of the parade. The sports committee reported that it was fram ing up a list of contests that would at tract great attention, and the prize committee reported that It would have prise list ready for the sports commit tee at the next meeting. The dance committee has everything ready for the favorite pastime and this feature of the celebration will be doubly attractive because of the good music that will be provided, the danc ing floor and the attention given to the comfort of- the dancers. The grounds committee reported the contract en teed into with the management of Cap ital Beach, and the contract ratified. The printing committee will have the window cards out this week, and the big tri-colored posters will be ready by the first of next week. A request from the Master Horse shoers' union for a place in the line was discussed at length. This is an association of empleyers. The mat ter was referred to the blacksmiths' union. The committee will meet at the old C. L. U. hall, 1034 O street, next Mon day evening, at which time it is ex pected that every committee will have a report ready. Word comes from Beatrice that the union men of that city are figuring on celebrating Labor Day in Lincoln, and it is likely that a committee will be sent down from Lincoln to confer with the Beatrice unionists. The indications now are that the 1908 celebration of Labor Day in Lin coln will be the greatest in the his tory of trades unionism. The unions are taking hold of the matter with a spirit of energy that is highly pleasing. AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR. A Few of Its Declarations Upon Which It Appeals to All Working People To Organize, Unite, Federate, and Cement the Bonds of Fraternity. 1. The Abolition of all Forms of In voluntary Servitude, except as a pun ishment for crime. 2. Free Schools, Free Text-Books, as and Compulsory education. 3. Unrelenting Protest Against the ' Issuance and Abuse of Injunction Pro cess in Labor Disputes. 4. A workday of not more than Eight Hours in the twenty-four hour day. ,. ' 5. A strict recognition of not over Eight Hours per day on all Federal State or Municipal 'Work and at not less than the prevailing Per Diem Wage Rate of the class of employ ment in the vicinity where- the work Is performed. , jj 6. Release from employment One Day in Seven. .i 7. The Abolition of the Contract Systejii on Public Work. : 8. The Municipal Ownership of Pub lic Utilities. 9. .The Abolition of the Sweat Shop System.. 10. Sanitary Inspection of Factory, Workshop, Mine, and Home. 11. Liability of Employers, for In jury to body or loss of life. 21. The Nationalization of Tele graph and Telephone. ' .,'.--.., . 13. The passage of Anti-Child Labor Laws in States where they do not ex 1st -and rigid defense of them where they have been enacted into law ' 14. Woman Suffrage coequal with Man Suffrage. 15. The Initiative and Referendum and the Imperative Mandate and Right of Recall. 16. Suitable and Plentiful Play grounds for Children in all cities. 17. Continued agitation for the. Pub lic Bath System in all cities. 18. Qualifications in permits to build of all cities and towns that there shall be Bathrooms and Bathroom Attach ments in all houses or compartments used for habitation. 19". We favor a system of finance whereby money shall be issued exclu sively by the Government, with such regulations and restrictions as will protect, it from manipulation by the banking interests for their own pri vate gains. The above is a partial statement of fhe demands which organized labor, in the interest of the workers ayey of all the people of our country makes opon modern society. ( Higher wages, shorter . workday, tt-tter labor conditions, better homes,; better snd safer workshops, factories, mills, and mines. In a word, a better, higher, and nobler life. Conscious of the justice, wisdom an 1 nobliity of our cans, the American Federation of Labor appeals to all( in en and women of labor to join with us in the great movement for its Bchievement. More than two million wage-earners who have reaped the advantages of organisation and federation appeal to their brothers and sisters of toil to participate in the glorious .movement with its attendant benefits. Thera are affiliated to the Ameri can Federation of Labor 118 Interna tional Trades Unions with their 27,--000 Local Unions; 36 State Federa- tions; 537 City Central Bodies a A J 650 Local Trade and Federal Labor, Unions having no Internationals. We have nearly 1,000 volunteer and' special organisers as well as the offi cers of the unions and of the Amer ican Federation of Labor itself always willing and aaiious to aid their fellow workmen to organize and in every, other way better their conditions. For information all are invited to write to the American Federation of Labor headquarters at Washington, D. C. Condemn the Parcels Post. At the closing sesion Saturday night of the National Travelers' association convention at Milwaukee, Wis., a res olution was adopted condemning the parcel post plan.