3.
H TRADES
COUNCILS
VOL. 5
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, AUGUST 29, 1908
NO. 22
T jl X uyA
1 W
union i
It'ARFI I
lots
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAY
William J. Bryan Writes of Labor's Holiday and Points Out Its Deep
Significance to Those Who Toil Tells Wage Earners They
Should Unite Politically as Well as Industrially Remedy at the
Ballot Box.
It ought to be unnecessary to emphasize the fact that all honest
labor is honorable, but there is such haste to be rich and such fawn
ing before inherited and suddenly acquired wealth that it requires
all the influence that Labor Day can exert to relieve manual labor
of the odium into which it seems to be falling. There is a Bible text
which is especially appropriate for consideration on Labor Day. It
is a part of the old Mosaic law, but it is twice quoted with approval
in the New Testament. It reads: "Muzzje not the mouth of the ox
that treadeth out the corn." If the dumb beasts whose physical
strength we utilize must not be neglected, with how much greater
force does the injunction apply to our brethren of flesh and blood
whose brawn aud muscle furnish society with food and fuel, with
clothing, shelter and all the comforts of life? And yet every decade
sees a less per cent of the wealth produced remaining in the hands of
the wealth producers. This condition is neither just nor satisfactory.
The toilers on the farm and in the factory have cause to believe that
they are being cheated out of a part of their earnings.
" One of the things that labor has reason to fear is the effect of
private monopoly. The trusts have been growing rapidly during the
last few years aud all wage-earners are menaced by them. Some
have suggested that the employes should join with the employers in
controlling the industries and then divide the advantages of higher
prices. Such a proposition is immoral as well as impolitic. The em
ployes could no more justify aiding the trusts to extort from the con
sumers, even if they coidd share in the results, than an honest citizen
could justify giving aid to a highwayman on promise of part of the
plunder.
But such an agreement would be as unwise as wrong. If trust
made articles are sold at high prices, compared with other products,
the demand will be reduced and labor thrown out of employment.
In a test of endurance the farmer can stand it longer than the
man in the factory, but why should the laboring man in the city
array himself against his best friend the farmer?
The trust hurts the consumer first, and then the producer of raw
material, and last and possibly most the laborer. All three should
combine to destroy the private monopolies now in existence and to
prevent the creation of any new monopolies. .
Next to the trust in its evil effect upon labor is what is known
as government by injunction. According to our theory of govern
ment, the executive, legislative aud judicial branches should be kept
separate and distinct, but it is coming to be the custom for the judge
to issue an order declaring an act to be unlawful which before was
lawful and then to assume the prerogatives of the executive and en
force the law, while as judge he sits without jury to condemn the
person whom he is prosecuting. The main purpose of this judicial
process is to deprive the accused of trial by jury, and while every
citizen should resist this attack on the jury system, the employes of
great corporations are just now its special victims.
The wage-earners as a part, and as an important part, too, of
society, are interested in all question which effect our civilization,
but they are at present experiencing the necessity of reform along
the lines above suggested.
It was noticeable everywhere that those who address the people
at Labor Day meetings point out the fact that wrongs could only be
remedied at the ballot box. Mayor Reed of Kansas City stated the
case aptly when he said that the laboring men were not law-breakers,
but should be law-makers.
Jackson, in his celebrated message vetoing the extension of the
bank charter, said that the humbler members of society were the vic
tims of injustice whenever the government, by granting legislative
favors and privileges, made the rich richer and the potent more pow
erful. If the men who eat their bread in the sweat of the face would
act in concert at the polls, a speedy and inexpensive remedy would
be found for every evil complained of.
W. J. BRYAN.
UNION TAILORS ARRESTED.
Common Scheme Again Undertaken to
Discredit the Union. .
Otto Liadstrom and Chris Christian
son, two of the union tailors recently
locked out by Heffley Bros., were ar
rested Wednesday on the charge of
having assaulted one Harris Levy,
an Imported non-union tailor. Levy
avers that he was assaulted on O
street about six o'clock In the even
ing of Monday, and further declares
that the assault was the culmination
of a series of threats made against
I'oe "scab" tailors by the union pickets.
The Heffleys at once seized the oc
casion presumably presented by
tiiemselves to cast discredit upon the
union. According to the Heffleys the
union tailors were discharged because
they were not doing their work well.
The fact seems to be that Heffley
locked the union men out because
they could get their work done
cheaper la the tenement shops of
Chicago. The effort was blocked by
the union tailors, acting with their
Chicago brothers. Then Heffley tried
Omaha, with the same result. Then
they began Importing the non-union
tailors.
The locked out workmen proceeded
to picket the shop, and sought In every
reaceable way to Induce the non-union
men to desist from their unfair com
petition and get Into the union. The
story of the assault has been cooked
up in order to discredit the union
tailors. There was no assault. The
pickets merely tried to have a con
versation with the non-unionists, and
the non-unloniBts, scared to death,
made a complaint. Fearing for . his
life, one Joseph DeWitt, a non-union
tailor who is at the Heffley shop,
swore out a peace warrant against
Chrlstianson, Llndstrom and N. H.
Peterson. The warrants were Issued
by 'Justice Stevens on complaint of
Deputy County Attorney Matson.
The locked out tailors are proceed
ing quietly to look after their own
Interests, and as yet they have not
been served with an injunction no
tice a la Taft.
UNHAPPY ENDORSEMENT.
Mr. VanCleave In the official organ
or me so-canea manufacturers asso
ciation says, "Bill Taffs labor dec!
slona while on the bench is sufficient
evidence that he Is the "man of our
choice," and adds that Mr. Taft ought
to receive the hearty support of the
organization." Some of Mr. Taft's
supporters are now negotiating for the
purchase of a muzzle to adorn a cer
t a I n Individual's visage. Duluth
(Minn.) Labor World.
It has taken fifteen years for some
people to discover that Mr. Taft is a
wonderfully good friend of labor and
despite that lapse of time a million or
more of us haven't discovered it yet
LABOR DAY PROGRAM
. Following is the official program for the Labor Day cele
bration in Lincoln, Nebr., Monday, September 7, under the
auspices of the Trades and Labor Unions of Lincoln and Have
lock: ' ; -
Grand Industrial Parade at 10 : 00 A. M. The organiza
tions have been assigned places in the parade as follows, the
assignment being made by lot :
1 Brotherhood of Tailors
2 Lathers
3 Barbers t'
4 Carpenters.
5 Bricklayers
6 Allied Printing Trades
7 Electrical Workers
t 8 Leatherworkers
9 Ci garmakers
10 Stage Employes
11 Plumbers
12 Bartenders -
13 Havelock Unions
14 Painters and Decorators
15 Musicians
16 Switchmen
17 Locomotive Engineers
18 Locomotive Firemen
19 Railway Carmen
20 Railway Conductors
21 Railway Trainmen
The organizations will meet at the points designated below
and prepare to fall in line when the signal to march is given :
First Division Tailors, Lathers and Barbers, form on K
street west of Eleventh. Carpenters and Bricklayers, form on
K street east of Eleventh. Headed by Nebraska State Band.
Second Division Typographical, Pressmen, Stereotypers,
Bookbinders and Auxiliary to Typographical Union and Elec
trical Workers, 'form on L street east of Eleventh. Leather
workers a.nd Cigarmakers on L street west of Eleventh.
Headed by Capital City Band.
Third Division Stage Employes, Plumbers and Barbers,
form on M street east of Eleventh. Havelock, Painters and
Musicians, form on M street west of Eleventh.
Fourth Division Switchmen, Engineers, Firemen, Car
men, Conductors and Railway Trainmen, form on M street
west of Eleventh.
Line of March North on Eleventh to N, east on N to
Twelfth, north on Twelfth to O, east on O to Sixteenth, coun
termarch on O to Eleventh, north on Eleventh to P, west on P
to Ninth, south on Ninth to O, east on O to Eleventh, south on
Eleventh to M and disband.
AFTERNOON PROGRAM.
The afternoon will be spent at Capital Beach, Lincoln's
popular resort. The afternoon will be devoted to. sports of
various kinds, and in the evening all who can should eat a
picnic supper on the grounds. With this in view let every
family come with a well-filled basket. The program of sports
is as follows: .
1. Ball Came Havelock vs. Lincoln. First prize, box of
"Buds" cigars. Second prize, half-box "Buds" cigars, do
nated by H. Pepperberg. ' "
2. Dancing First prize, pair lady's dancing pumps, do
nated by Petty, exclusive shoe dealer. Second prize, pair of
gloves, donated by W. E. Unland.
3. Fat Men's Race, 75 Yards First prize, fine'hat, do-,
nated by Speier & Simon. Second prize, box of "Senators,"
donated by G. R. Wolfe.
4. Sack Race First prize, pair of military hair brushes,
donated by Rector. Second prize, bottle of hair tonic, donated
by Green Medical Co.
5. Shoe Lacing Contest First prize, postal card album,
donated by Bradshaw & Son. Second prize, picture, donated'
by Lincoln Book Store. v
6. Boys' Race, 12 to 17 years, 50 yards First prize, pair
cuff buttons, donated by M. Polsky. Second prize, mouth harp,
donated by Prescott Music Co.
7. Married Ladies' Race, 50 yards First prize, pair,
union made' shoes, donated by Sutter & Henry. Second prize,
lady's hand mirror, donated by Kostka Glass and Paint Co.
8. Single Ladies' Race, 17 to 23, 50 yards First prize,
choice of young lady's shoes, donated by Sanderson. Seeond
prize, kodak, donated by Rhelander's Pharmacy. Third prize,
music roll, donated by Ed. J. Walt.
9. Ladies' Base Ball Throw First prize, sewing rocker,
donated by A. D. Benway Co. Second prize, jewelry box, do
nated by C. W. Fleming. -
10. . Novelty Race, 50 yards and return First prize, do
nated by Gas Co. Second prize, cut glass inkwell, donated by.
E. Fleming.
11. Watermelon Eating Contest First prize, $2.00 cap,
donated by O. A. Fulk.
12. Boat Race, single, across lake and return First
prize, $5.00 toilet set, donated by Riggs. Second prize, box
"Burlington" cigars, donated by N. H. Cinberg.
13. Double Boat Race, across lake and return First.,
prize, $5.00 vase, donated by Miller & Paine, and $5.00 bread
plate, donated by E. Hallett.
14. Yacht Race First prize, box of cigars, donated by
Knndsen & Lindholm. Second prize, umbrella, donated by
Ma gee & Deemer.
15. Swimming Race First prize, $3 rug, donated by
Hardy Furniture Co. Second prize, bottle of hair tonic, do
nated by Joe Long. Third prize, massage cream, donated by
Green Medical Co. .
16. Tub Race First prize, shirt, donated by Mayer Bros.
Second prize, umbrella, donated by Fred Schmidt & Bro.
17. Ball Game, between picked nines from Lincoln
Unions First prize, box of "Queen of Hearts," donated by
Herminghaus & Helwig. Second prize, $1.50, donated by Law
lor Cycle Co.
18. Hundred Yard Dash, not less than six entries Prize,
suit of clothes made by Henry J. Brock & Co., with union label,
value $20, donated by Armstrong Clothing Co.
19. SPECIAL PRIZE The Wageworker offers a cash
prize of $5 to the union making the best appearance in the
parade, regardless of. numbers. Decision will be left to the
Parade Committee.
A UNION MAN'S CHANCE
AJiora inance now io uei two union Men in the Legislature
Capable Men With Cards on Primary Ticket Duty of Union
Men to Give Them Unqualified Support on 'Primary Day, Tues
day, September 1. .. '
The opportunity afforded the union men of Lancaster county to
secure representation in the legislature should be made the most of
at this time. If the union men will do their union duty next Tues
day, September 1, they will insure the nomination of two good nnion
men, and the nomination of at least one is equivalent to an election.
J. W. Dickson is a candidate for the senatorial nomination on
the republican ticket.
W. C Norton is a candidate for the house on the democratic
ticket. .'
The nomination of Norton is practically assured, but every demo
cratic union man should vote for him' and urge his fricn h to do the
same. - , .' ; 1
Mr. Dickson will be nominated if the union men of the county do
their duty and give him their undivided support. The republican
union men can vote for him on primary day, and the democratic
union men can urge his candidacy among their frienc?s.
There are many reasons why organized labor should make a de
termined fight to secure representation in the legislature. If elected
both Dickson and Norton will work and vote to abolish the infamous
system of contracting the labor of state prisoners to private indi
viduals, and will urge the adoption of a system whereby the prisoners
will be put to work improving the public roads: They will work and
vote for an eight hour law applicable to all public work, state, county
and municipal. They will endeavor to strengthen the child labor
law, and will oppose , every effort to emasculate it by amendments
urged by its enemies. They will look after the interests of the wage
earners. - . .
The first thing to do is to secure the nomination of these men.
Surely the union men of the county can afford to take a little time,
and spend a little money if need be, to make sure the nomination of
these two representatives of , organized labor. But to win, every
union man must get into the game. We have complained year after
year that we receive no recognition from the political bosses. This
year, under the direct primary system, we have the matter in our
own hands. We can compel recognition if we have the energy to get
out and do our part. Dickson and Norton must not be expected to
do all the work and bear all the expense. They are working in our
interests. v
Next Tuesday, September 1, is primary day. You will be false
to your duty as a citizen and as a nnion man if you do not give your
hearty support to these two union labor candidates the republicans
to Dickson and the democrats to Norton. They are in every way
qualified to fill the offices to which they aspire. They will do credit
to themselves and to organized labor.
It is up to the union men of the county. f
If we do our duty we will compel recognition in the future. .
PRINTERS' BETTER HALVES.
Makes
Women's Auxiliary of I. T. U
Presents to 'Officers.
Gift making was the order of the
day at the closing session of the sixth
annual convention of the Woman's
Auxiliary to the I. T. U. at Boston.
The oath of office was administered
to the new president, Mrs. Charles
Kertenstein, St. Louis; the first vice
president, Mrs. J. D. Kane, Louisville,
Ky., and the secretary-treasurer, Mrs.
Frank Long, Cincinnati.
The Boston Auxiliary presented to
both the outgoing president, Mrs. A.
W. Bowen, Washington, D. C, and the
outgoing secretary-treasurer, Mrs.
Charles E. McKee, large cut-grass
pitchers, Mrs. George E. Frazier.
Baltimore, the only one of the four
ice-presidents at the convention, whe
Is retiring after serving three years,
received a handsome chocolate pot.
The incoming president, vice-president
and secretary were all given cut
glass salad dishes.
As an expression of appreciation for
the entertainment provided .by the
local auxiliary, the international offi
cers and delegates presented interna
tional pins to the following Boston
women: Mrs. Herbert W. Cooke, in
ternational chaplain; Mrs. Albert B.
Jones, international guide; Mrs.
Charles T. Scott, president of the
Boston Auxiliary. Mrs. M. U. J.
Crowley, Milwaukee, also received a
pin. St. Joseph, Mo., is the place of
the next convention.
LABOR DAY COMMITTEE.
Completes Program for the Big Day
and Assigns Positions.
The general committee for Labor
Day met last Monday evening and
completed the official program for the
day. The program appears elsewhere
in this issue. The drawing for posi
tion in line was had, due announce
ment of which is made elsewhere.
The committee will meet again
r.ext Monday evening at 1034 O street
t complete all arrangements, and
every member is expected to be pres
ent. Several of the unions have not
yet "come across" with their propor-
i tion of the guarantee fund, and they
are requested to do so at the next
meeting. It has been decided to have
no speaking on Labor Day, owing to
the impossibility of securing some
well known labor orator. No one
wanted to listen to political orators
or officeseekers, although all candi
dates are invited to participate In the
celebration at the Beach paying the
necessary 10 cents, admission at the
gate. ' ' . ,. .. ... '
SMOOTH POLITICAL SCHEME.
'Army Officer Assigned to Task of
Catching .Votes for Taft.
The war department at Washington
has assigned - Major Beecher B. Ray,
who was to have been sent back to
the Philippines, to post as paymaster
of the department of the lakes, with
headquarters at Chicago.
Major Ray, who once was a railroad
switchman in Chicago, recently sur
prised army circles by Btarting a po
litical press bureau, from which he
issued a strong defense of Mr. Taft's
injunction record. Intended, it was
said, for his former fellow railroad
workers, with whom the major is
popular. -
This was done while on leave.
Army officers prophesied at the time
that Instead of returning to his post
in the Philippines Ray would seek fur
ther to influence the labor vote. De
troit Union Advocate.
JOSIAH M. 8HIVELY.
Good Man Seeks Nomination for Land
.Commissioner.
The Wageworker wants to call the
attention of its readers to the candi
dacy of Josiah M. Shlvely for the re
publican nomination for commissioner
of bublic lands and buildings. Mr.
Shlvely has served as deputy commis
sioner for the last four years and is
thoroughly qualified for the office. Be
cause the1 editor of The Wageworker
has known "Joe" for fifteen years, and
because he is a friend, this little paper '
is frank to say that it wants to see
"Joe" win out. He has no union op
ponent, therefore there is no union
politics" concerned. He is worthy the
support of every republican, and the
union man who supports him can be
assured that he is supporting an al
mighty good man.