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About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1909)
3 Mil j TRADES jSg COUNCILS T7 3 vol.. o lilNCOLN, NEBRASKA, FJSBIU7 AliY 1909 INTO. 44 Musicians' Union Ball Was Magnificent Success President Fetterman, Secretary Ken-! 3rlck, and every other member of Musicians' Protective Union, Lincoln laical No. 463, are all swelled up over the magnificent success of the union's second annual ball, held at the Audi torium, Tuesday evening, February 2. Prom the standpoints of . numbers, sociability and finance it -was the most successful ball ever given by a union organization in Lincoln. It dem onstrated that the union musicians are energetic, and that they have unnumbered friends. , Further than that. It demonstrated that the musi cians are proud of their organization and ready to work for its success. Of course the music of the evening was the especial, feature, and the an nouncement of a concert prior to the dancing, and a dance orchestra of thirty-five pieces, sufficed to bring oat a large number of music lovers, many of whom do not care to dance. As a result there were as many people in the gallery as usually attend a con cert. A symphony orchestra of forty pieces, under the direction of Mr. Carl Steckleberg, gave a concert pro gram that was all too short for the hundreds of music lovers present. The success of thiB feature is looked upon as a sure indication that there will be organized In Lincoln a union symphony orchestra that will win recognition all over the country. The string section was especially notice a hie. but the whole orchestra was balanced with wonderful precision, end uuder the direction of Mr. Steckle terg won instant favor. The presence " of such a magnificent orchestra, made up entirely of union musicians, upon a Lincoln Btage, reminded The Wage- worker man' of something Interesting, More than three years ago this paper began urging the musicians of Lincoln to organize, and several who were ...nmnihor .f other unions were favor able, hut all were afraid that it would be difficult to get enough musicians togeiher to hold a charter. But finally a few earnest men set to work, with lots of fear and trembling, to work up an organization. Then came the surprise. The musicians fairly fell over themselves to enroll. When the charter was closed it was found to be the largest ever enrolled In Lincoln. And today the Lincoln union has en 1 rolled 150 members. And a little over two years ago they didn't think they could muster enough - to get a charter! Following is the concert program rendered, beginning at 8:30 and last ing until 9:15: Overture, "Merry Wives ot) Wind W." Nlcoli. "I Would that My Love," cornet duet; "Spring Song," Mendelsshon. German Dances, from "Henry VIII Morris Dances, Shepherd's Dance, Torch Dance. "Tannhauser March," Wagner. At 9:20 Mr. Ed. Walt stepped to the front and assumed direction of the crcheBtra, and immediately the strains of the grand march were heard. Th march was led by Governor and Mrs. Ashton C. Shallenberger and Adjutant General Hartlgan and Miss Grace Shallenberger. There were 152 couples participating in the march, and less than half of those present were upon the floor. As nearly as could be est! mated there were 325 couples who enjoyed the dance. The strains of the grand march glided gracefully into the strains ot a waltz, and the second annual ball of the union musicians of Lincoln was well under way. Dur Ing the evening the directors of the various dance orchestras alternated In leading the orchestra of thirty pieces 'and as a result .of a good natured rivalry among them the orchestra was continually spurred to do its best. There were twenty-two numbers on the 'program, and the liberal encores stretched the pleasure well into the small hours of the morning. At 11 o'clock 'light refreshments ere served. Nothing was left un done to make the hundreds of guests feel at home, every member of the union who was not in the orchestra doing his utmost to take care of the dancers. The musicians promised that the dancing floor would be In proper shape, and they kept their promise. The immense floor,, the fine music", the, splendid comradeship all combined to make the Musical Union ball the finest ever given in Lincoln, and the members have every right to feel proud, and exhibit that pride on every occasion. I The officers of the union, together with the committees having the ball in charge, are as follows: President, R. W. Fetterman. Vice-President, W. C. Layman. Secretary, J. F. Kendrlck. Treasurer. N. A. Otis. Sargent-at-Arms, F. J. Hampton. Trustees: A. J. Bruse, Robert Safa rik, G. F. Thornburg. General Committee: Ralph J. Reld, A. J. Bruse, Carl Frolick, G. F. Thorn burg, Lloyd Unland. Reception Committee: W. T. Pln- ney, R. W. Fetterman, A. E. Ingersoll, N. A. Otls, Wm. Layman, L. R. Walker, M. E. Bell, Ruth Smith, S. Davis, L. E. McCulloch, Murray French, Mrs. A. G. Blair, Mrs. F. J. Hampton, Miss MacAlpine. Door Committee: A. C. Blair, H. F. McGiirren, J. 'F. Kendrlck. - ..Floor Manager, H. J. Gildersleeve. Some Musical Notes. When Treasurer Otis started for home with a wagon load of door re ceipts he, hollered for a guard. Each arriving guest ' was cordially welcomed by the reception committee and adorned with a handsome little badge. For goodness sakes, what would the MuslcaJ Union have done about It if it had tried to hold that event in any other hall! Sergent-at-Armr- Hampton had a sinecure all evening. All he had to do was dance-when he wasn't playing and he did. Fine orchestra for dancing but Gee! Wouldn't It break the average union to employ such a one for an' annual ball? The Typographical Union ball at Fraternity hall on February 17 was kindly announced by Floor, Manager Gildersleeve. Secretary Kendrick stood at the door, and his smile was so wide that the arriving guests had to step side ways to get around it. When President Fetterman tried to express his gratification over the suc cess of the affair he became so ex cited that he stuttered. Governor Shallenberger says he had such a f;ne time that he actually for got that "game" ankle until he got ready to start for home. Local No. 463 counts several lady members, and the boys are rightfully proud of their zeal and fidelity to the principles of the organization. 1 There are some old trades unionists in Lincoln who are willing to bet that Local No. 463' is the "infant prodigy" of the international organization. Afraid we could not'get enough- to hold a charter!" It is to laugh. Adjutant General Hartigan will send a white flag ahead the next time he starts for his home in Fairbury, and a Journal reporter will have to pay the expense. The annual ball of Division No. 98, Erotherhood of Locomotive Engineers', Auditorium, February 22, was an nounced from the floor. This will be one of the finest. When Governor Shallenberger was. told that one of his official duties was to attend every union ball he smil ingly declared that he was rejoiced to know' that there , were such pleasant duties to perform. "I'll register 'pres ent' every time the music starts for a union ball," ho said. i : i CENTRAL LABOR UNION, The regular semi-monthly meeting of ; the Central Labor Union will he held at Bruse's hall next f Tuesday evening. All members should be pres ent to make final preparation for the protest meeting. It is hoped that a couple of international organizers will be present, one from the printers and one from the plumbers. An interest ing session is promised. The Appalling Slaughter of Our Railway Trainmen EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPEALS FOR FUNDS. Annual Ball Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers Division No. 98 Auditorium Monday, February 22 UNION ORCHESTRA I UNION ORCHESTRA! TICKETS, $1.00 Asks All Members of Organized Labor to Help Bear Expenses of Appeal to Supreme Court. Under date of January 18 the-following appeal has been sent out by the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor: .To Organized Labor, Its Friends and Sympathizers Greeting : The American Federation of Labor, as its name signifies, is a voluntary body composed of national, international and local unions, each of which attends to its own trade business, financial and other wise, and retains its complete and individual authority and auton omy, while the relationship and purpose of the Federation to the affiliated bodies is to assist them in carrying out trade betterment, to take the initiative in introducing and urging the passage of de sirable legislation, and to promote the general welfare. It is thus seen that the American Federation of Labor cannot be considered as holding or having funds in the ordinary routine of its business for unusual purposes. A most unusual and important event has oc curred in which extra funds are essential, and an earnest appeal for financial aid is herewith made to 'you, which will no doubt meet with vour prompt and liberal response. ; You know that Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell and Frank Mor rison have been declared guilty o violating an injunction by the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, and that Justice Wright of that court has sentenced them to1 terms of imprisonment of twelve, nine and six months respectively. Pending an appeal they are out on bail. The original injunction3ssued on the application of the Buck Stove & Range Co., has been appealed to the court of appeals of the District of Columbia, and wje have authorized 'our attorneys also to take an appeal against Justice Wright's decision! i We hold that Messrs. Gomper s, JIMitchell and Morrison have not violated the terms of the injunction, but instead have exercised their right of free press and free speech. These are cardinal principles guaranteed by the constitution of our country and by our states, and to the maintenance and perpetuity of which we pledge and will exert our every effort. , As stated, there are now two' appeals pending. One upon the original injunction and the other from Justice Wright's decision. Should an adverse' decision be reached in either or both appeals, it will be essential to make further appeals to the Supreme Court of the United States. Surely no member of organized labor or other fair-minded man can rest content unless the principles involved in these cases are determined by the highest tribunal in our land. - We have already expended large sums in these cases, and the plaintiff attorneys have not only boasted of causing such large ex penditures on our part, but have asserted "there are more to come.',' We have exceptionally able attorneys in lion. Alton 5. barker, and Messrs. Ralston, and Siddons, who will carry the cases to their logical and final conclusions, but ample funds must be provided to permit this to be done. ' From the expressions of our fellow-workers and, friends in all walks of life we find that they are in absolute accord with nff in the determined stand taken by Messrs. Gompers, Mitchell and Mor rison in the assertion of their and our inalienable rignts oj iree press and free speech and the determination that, these cases be pressed to final conclusion. Of course, we will fight for our rights through every legitimate and constitutional channel which our; sys tem of legislation and law proeedure permits, to rectify the mjus tice of which we complain, and in the meantime, in having these cases appealed and determined, we are confident that we are pur suing the course which commends itself to the men ...or labor and other friends of human justice. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. In order to permit ot proper defense of liberty and freedom as guaranteed to all citizens, we 'appeal to all labor and to all friends to make financial contri butions for legal defense in these cases before the courts. President Gompers and his colleagues are on trial for your rights co-equally with their own, and every liberty-loving citizen in or put of the ranks of labor should consider this situation and appeal as their own personal concern, and response should be made accordingly. Upon the injunction abuse the Denver convention of Labor de clared "That we will exercise all the rights and privileges guaran teed to us by the Constitution and laws of our country, and insist that it is our duty to defend ourselves at all hazards." This appeal for funds is issued in accordance with that declaration. Send all contributions to Frank Morrison, secretary of the American Federation of Labor, 423 G street N. W., Washington, D C, who will acknowledge and receipt for the same and make due accounting thereof. Sincerely and fraternally yours, SAMUEL GOMPERS, President. The death and disability roll of the employes of our American l-ailroads is terrible indictment against the in humanity of the service. That much of it is unnecessary is admitted by every practical railroad employe, but it has been going on for years with out undue adverse comment from the public or the press, until the railroads have accepted tins slaughter of their employes as one of their rights, a sort of vested one, as it were, in the lives and limbs of the men who care for the transportation service of the country. This condition will maintain, too, un til there is cetrain forceful legislation enacted, that will compel railroads to exercise greater care in train opera tion. The report of the interstate com merce commission for the year ending June 30, 1907, tells a tale of injury and death that is not appreciated be cause its effects are not felt' in their entirety, or even understood in any part of the country. - Instead of the catastrophe that spreads death and desolation over a limited territory in a moment and. therefore, draws to itself ' the full realization of the results, the death and disability roll, as shown by the repoit of the commission, proves the never-ending grind that continues day after day in every part of the country; but because of the isolated nature of the casualties, they are not noted as they would be( if our press despatches announced that more than fifty thou sand men had been killed or seriously injured at one time. ' Imagine, if yoa can', the terror that would take hold of , the nation under stress of such iews. Cora pare the casualty reports of any , great battle, and judge what this ; peaceful, industrial slaughter means' to 'the nation. ' t The report of he commission shows that during the period for which it was made, there were 3,807 killed and 55,251 Injured v.hile in the perform ance of their duties. What else, need be, said of the terrible industrial sac rifice demanded, or what greater evi dence of the necessity for compelling the railways to adopt every precaution for safety, and to set aside a certain part of their earnings to be used for the maintenance of the injured and the families of the killed? It would be fair, . and no- more than just to the employe. : ' : : v v . As long as the death and disability list was more closely confined to the railway employes, the public did not give much heed to the dangers of the service. But contempt for danger as it applied to the employe has been lost by the gradual creeping in of greater danger, to the passenger. , Hrf is commencing to sit up and ' take notice of it. Railroad casualties to the public have brought the extreme dangers at tending railway operation home to it Although the public has not. as yet. become very insistent in its demands for reforms in operation, it has com menced ; . and if constant reminding the public of its danger, because of railway wrecks, will do any good, the question of safe and sane operation will very soon be-brought to the 'at tention of congress to tne end that the powers of the interstate commerce commission will be enlarged to meet the situation. ',-) Practical railway employes, and by this we do not mean managers who' are doing as their directors bid, . but the men in the service, who are Tun ning engines and trains, have long been cognizant of ; the increasing Attest : FRANK MORRISON, Secretary. JAMES DUNCAN, First Vice-Pres. JOHN MITCHELL, Second Vice-Pres. MAX MORRIS, Fourth Vice-Pres. D. A. HAYES, Fifth Vice-Pres. WM. D. HUBER, Sixth Vice-Pres. JOS. F. VALENTINE, Seventh Vice-Pres. JOHN R. ALPINE, Eighth Vice-Pres. JOHN B. LENNON, Treasurer. Executive Council American Federation of Labor. dangers of railway operation. Their 7 , -observations are made while perform ing their work on engines and trains, ; L '. and while they may not be substan- sa tiated always by the usual technical -; and theoretical deductions that are-' ;: common to the office, thev are civon with a practical knowledge of -what ' ,' equipment, speeds, tonnage and right , of way will do, and what safely canv t- s be done with them. , The track is an important feature " f r that is not. given the attention it de- , ..;;" has been in use for several years, the - i standard tie has not been increased in '. ' uui engines, cars aua train tons -have increased almost double in weight since the one hundred pound ' : rail became the standard. The limited trains have increased their speeds .'i with few additional appliances being added for their safety. .' ' , ' j , The complaints are numerous to the effect that track maintenance is a lost art. On some roads the section foreman no longer, has the right to say when a tie is unsafe. That work . ' is done by an inspector who, usually, . does not , inspect. There are miles and miles of track patrolled by a fore- - i f i ri i ;i iim .iiii n i m t ii uru ci tu tyii iua 'fr v it that are practically left without at tention for a certain period pf the year; uiai, 100, auring me worst sea- s son, while over all of this track mil- age there is being rushed the heaviest freight and passenger business this ' :? ' country nas ever Known. ; : Engines and cars have been made . Jargeri and eavier, the tonnage has "H Deen doubled in the past ten years, , ' but the track is about the same as it v . " was when it cared for lighter equip- ' ment and a less speed rate per mile. . The recent statement that steel rails were made with defects that were ; certain to result in disaster is as vet j: 1 unchallenged. The railway managers t ' here and there , are coming to the " " front and saying that there is too much demand on equipment; I that ton nage and i speeds are excessive and yet, they keep going the death pace. Nothing, it appears, short of eovern- : ment interference and the payment of .' heavy indemnity will ever bring them ' to a halt. .': .... ' j There are many faulty rules and practices in train operation, particu larly, onv single track lines, that ought to be corrected. - There are . many times when the employe is thrown on -' his own resources, and must depend ! -on his judgment. It is impossible to, ' apply the half thousand regular and special rules now in vogue without ' causing confusion in the understand- . . ing of some of them. V, The block svstem is another ner--s. . . - sary adjunct to safer operation. "When ' it is installed, if it is to do its work, it must be with the understanding that ' it is put there to be observed. ,, Where railroads stand for its strict observ ance, and will not tolerate violations of rule, there are no violations and y . ; the system is reasonably safe. x No ," equipment is absolutely safe, whether - v purely automtaic or operated in' part by f human agency -; and machinery. But the block system will make trair operation safer than.it Is without it, , which will make it worth while. , There are not enough, employes . properly to inspect; engines, cars and ( trac'i. Railways have economy: in operation reduced1 to a dangerous sci ence. There is not a siinerflnous man ' in the service: 'there are too few for 1 . (Continued on page 5.) ' Twenty-Sixth Ball The Lincoln Typographical Union Number 209 Fraternity Hall Wednesday, February 17 QUICK'S UNION ORCHESTRA 6 PIECES TicKets, $1.00 Extra Lady, 50c
