iTFD
VOLUME 7
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, APRIL 15,
THE WAGEWO
BILLY MAJOR DOPE CARD
BEING THE OBSERVATIONS OF A CARD MAN
WHO LOOKS ON ALL LIFE WITH GLADNESS
On the square, now; if I didn't like
a town I'd waste no time "knocking
it," but pack my lares and penates
and hike out for a town that suited
me better. I have no patience with
the fellow who is forever "knocking"
the town wherein his bread and butter
factory is located. He isn't a bit
better than the employee who ia tak
ing wages from a man and at the same
time telling what a mean cuss he is
working for. There are lots of things
about Lincoln that do not suit me,
but they are few in number compared
with the things I do like. And 1
purpose keeping so busy talking about
Lincoln's good points that I won't
have any time to converse about the
points that do not suit me. And if I
did have time to "knock" on the things
I dont like I wouldn't waste it that
way I'll spend it trying to remedy
the faults. Lincoln lacks a lot of
things that other cities of its class
have, but most of them are things
that Lincoln is better oil without.
Most of the things that Lincoln lacks,
compared with other towns, are those
things which, by their absence, make
for better manhood and womanhood,
and therefore for bettter living. I've
been about a bit in my time, boys,
and I'm here to tell you that, taking
It by and large, we workers are better
off in this little old "dry" town than
almost any other city in the country.
Now quit your "knocking" and go to
"boosting." If you can't "boost" and
can't keep still, there are a lot of
trains out of Lincoln.
Of course, old pal, you have a right
to do as you please on your own time,
That Is. within limitations. It may
be none of the boss's business how
much booze you consume between
quitting time at night and beginning
time next morning, but it is some ' f
his business what condition you are
In when you begin work in the morn
ing. Broadly speaking you may have
a right to tank up on your own time,
but is it square to the boss to sober
up on his time? And what is there
in this so-called "good time" business,
anyhow? Take it from me and I've
been through 'em there is worse
than nothing. Lots of fun starting
out with a pocket full of money earn
ed by hard work, in company with
fellows just like yourself, and partaK
ing of conversation juice until you
feel as- if you have more money than
you can ever spend. Lots of fun
singing "Soldiers' Farwell" and mak
ing "barber shop minors" until' the
welkin rings. Lots ot fun hitting the
high places. Sure thing! But, gosh!
How about the next morning? And
how about the mornings in the days
to come when there are streaks of
silver in your hair, and you fingers
have lost a bit of their cunning? You
, lads who are yet on the sunny side
of thirty ought to be thinking a bit
about the days when you'll be on the
shady side of ' forty. Those good
times you are having today, lad, ars
costing you a blamed sight more than
the money you are spending on them
Take from me, lad; I know, for I've
been through the mill.
Just a word with my esteemed "dry'
friends. You have professed a lot of
interest in the welfare of the workers
and it's up to you now to demonstrate
that your interest amounts to some
thing more than hot air. Let me tell
you one or two ways in which you can
make good. A whole lot of you smoke
cigars, but how "many of you ever
think to ask for Lincoln made cigars
Yet it is a solemn fact, beyond all
dispute, that the closing , of saloons
' means the loss of work to many cigar-
makers. This should not be true, but
it is. Now if you smokers are really
on the square about being interested
in the welfare of Lincoln workers, you
can make good in part by helping the
clgarmakers make up the loss of their
business by insisting on your dealer
selling you Lincoln made cigars. If
you'll tote fair in this we'll warrant
you that the next time this excise
question comes up you'll find less op
position among the clgarmakers. It'
a question of living wages with them
and you can help solve it. And if
you neglect or refuse to do it you are
not making good on your protesta
tions of friendship.
The same question applies to several
other trades, notably the printing
trades; And it applies to the Labor
Temple. If you are really in earnest
about seeking the welfare of the
workers,, just drop a few dollars
apiece in the Labor Temple fund and.
Sake out a share of stuck for each
dollar, so dropped. We've had your
assurances of interest and friendship.
Now we want something else. We
want the real goods. If you fail to
make good you'll hear something drop.
A whole lot of us union men and
women, too, are interested in the suc
cess of the "Antelopes" this year. If
there is a worse base ball "bug" in
Lincoln than your Uncle Billy we've
failed to locate him. And the "Antel
opes" look good to me this year
better than ever. But apart from that,
there are other reasons why we are
interested. Messrs. Despain & Stoner
who own the team, have shown every
disposition to tote fair with the union
ists. Just as soon as their attention
has been called to any unfairness
they've made good. It is not surpris
ing that two or three little things
should have been pulled off that looked
bad to union men, for it keeps a man
jumping to line up a winning ball
team. But Messrs. Despain & Stoner
have shown so much willingness to
correct such things that it makes us
all feel very kindly toward them. The
Antelopes" look good to this "old
bug" this year, from Manager Jimmie
Sullivan down to the rawest young
ster fighting for a chance to get Into
organized base ball. We wish every
one of them could stick. There's go
ing to be some big doings at Antelope
Park this season, and your Uncle Billy
is going to sit over on the bleachers
and holler his fool gray head off every
time the "Antelopes" give him a
chance.
In this connection we'd like to say
that the gentleman who has the ra-
freshment concession at the base ball
park is losing money by not offering
Lincoln made cigars to the men who
attend the games. From 250 to 500
union men will attend the games this
this summer and they'll pass up the
scab" smokes now offered them. This
little pointer will be worth dollars to
the concessionaire if he'll take advant
age of it.
John B. Lennon gave the Labor
Temple a big boost last Sunday night,
and then Judge Hainer came along
and gave it another. Judge Hainer
said the good people ought to get be
hind the Temple movement and help
the workers secure and maintain such
an institution. Then he offered to head
a subscription with a thousand dollors.
The minute the big meeting was over
a bunch of unionists surrounded Judge
Hainer and marched him over to the
Temple. He was impressed with what
he saw and declared that he'd make
good on his offer. If other gentlemen
who have professed an interest in the
welfare of the workers will come
across in deeds as well as they have
in words, we'll have a Labor Temple
in Lincoln that will advertise the city
the world around. Come on, gentle
men. Judge Hainer has set a bully
example.
I've heard two logical reasons why
the "wets" went down to defeat last
Monday. One was given by Llewellyn
L. Lindsay. For fear you may not
know him by that name perhaps I'd
better say "Bud." He declares the
reason to be that the "drys" had the
most votes. One or his colleagues
declared it to be the "influence of that
d d comet." Perhaps we'd better
let it go at that. There may be better
reasons, especially than the last one,
but we are going to be so busy mak
ing this a better town to work in and
live in that we'll not have time to dig
'em up.
Of course there is no way of ascer
taining the real facts, but I'm ready
to assert that the Labor Temple meant
not less than three or four hundred
votes in the "dry" column last Mon
day. Now don't get the idea into your
heads that because a whole lot of
heretofore "wet" union men voted
dry" last Monday that they are in
favor or of making this such a Purit
anical town that a fellow will be fined
for kissing his wife or setting his dog
on a rat on Sunday. There is such a
thing as being too awfully good for
this earth and we know a few people
whose only fit home right now is
heaven. The sooner they go there
and let the rest of us have some voice
in the way we may conduct our af
fairs, the . better it will be for all rf
us.
The Evening News speaks of the
evident slump of the union labor vote
from 'wet' to 'dry.' " Thank you !
Take it from me, the "dry" vote last
Monday will never be equalled in Lin
coln by a vote for statet wide prohibi
tion. A lot of ultra-prohibitionists
would do well to bear this assertion
in mind.
Lincoln has expressed itself in favor
of the "closed saloon" policy. Now
help us make it a "closed shop" town
and we'll all prosper.
BILLY MAJORS.
ELEVATOR CONDUCTORS.
Perfect
an Organization, Elect
Of fl
cers and Get Busy.
Last Saturday evening the elevator
A PRAYER FOR
O God; thou mightiest
worker of the universe,
source of all strength and
author of all unity, we pray
thee for our brothers, the in
dustrial workers of the na
tion. As their work binds
them together in common
toil and danger, let their
hearts grow together in a
strong sense of their common
interest and destiny. Help
them to realize that the in
jury of one is the concern of
all, and that the welfare of
all must be the aim of every
one. If any of them is
tempted to sell the birthright
of his class for a mess bt pot
tage for himself, give him a
wider outlook and a stronger
sympathy. Teach them to
keep step in a steady on
ward march, and to .fulfill
the law of Christ by bearing
the common burdens. Grant
the organizations of labor '
quiet patience and prudence
in all disputes, and fairness
to see the other side. Save
LENNON'S GREAT SPEECH
There is no reason now why the
Wageworker should atttempt any re
sume of the address delivered by
John B. Lennon at the Auditorium
last Sunday night. The result sought
has been accomplished. It is enough
to say of the address that it was
characteristic of the man straight to
the point and full of ginger. That the
address had a big influence in the
vote next day will be - admitted by
even the opponents of the cause
which the speaker represented.
A larger audience, and a better one,
never faced a public speaker in Lin
coln. The Auditorium was packed to
the limit, and hundreds were turned
away. The speaking was preceded by
a band concert by the Nebraska State
band, and the speaker of the evening
was introduced by Frank M. Coffey.
Upon the stage sat some twenty-five
union men representing four or five
different crafts. The stage could have
been filled with union men had an
effort been made. When Mr. Coffey
was introduced as the chairman of
the evening, he was given an ovation,
and when Lennon was introduced the
enthusiasm reached high watter
mark.
Aside from his advocacy of the anti-saloon
cause Mr. Lennon shed a
new light upon what trades unionism
stands for, and he opened the eyes
of hundreds in the audience. When ho
spoke in favor of tke friends of tem
perance and social uplift getting be
hind the movement to erect a Labor
Temple he received enthusiastic ap
plause that sounded mighty good to
the ears of the men who have sacri
ficed so much of time and effort 111
securing a Temple for Lincoln. That
the boost was effective was evident
by the enthusiasm that greeted Judge
conductors of Lincoln to the number
of eighteen met at the Labor Temple
and organized a local union. They
have applied for a charter and ex
pect to be full-fledged unionists just
as soon as the necessary proceeduie
can be gone through with. This mat
ter has been talked over for some
time, and the conductors who joined
in perfecting the organization not
only knew what they, wanted to do,
but they had the advice of seasoned
unionists who knew how to show
them the way to do it.
Clarence Tubman, who runs the
elevator in the Little Block, was elect
ed temporary president, and Chestsr
Tibbetts of the Security Mutual
building was elected temporary sec
retary. The new local will meet
every Tuesday evening at the Labor
Temple until further notice. Pending
the arrival of the charter and the
perfecting of the organization, an ef
fort will be made to get every ele
vator conductor in the city in line.
The prospects for a "100 per cent
union" are mighty gooa.
Some of the more impatient ones
wanted to make an immediate de
mand for an increase of $10 a month,
but wiser counsel prevailed. It was
decided to frame up a wage scale
calling for an increase of $5 a month.
but to ho'd it in abeyance until such
time as the organization was in good
working condition.
WORKEMGMAN
them from malice and hatred,
and from the two-edged
sword of violence that turns
on those who seize it. Raise
up for them still more lead
ers of able mind and large
heart, and give them grace to
follow the wiser counsel.
When they strive for leisure
and health and a better wage
grant their cause success,
but teach them not to waste
their gain on fleeting pas-
' sions, but to use it in build
V? fairer home and a nobler
manhood. May the upward
climb of Labor, its defeats
and its victories, in the
farther reaches biess all
classes of our nation, and
build up for the republic of
the future a great body of
workers, strong of limb, clear
of mind, fair in temper, glad
to labor, conscious of their
worth, and striving together
for the final brotherhood of
all- men. Walter Rausen
busch, in American Maga
zine. Hainer's offer to put a thousand dol
lars into the Temple fund.
While in Lincoln Mr. Lennon met
a large number of union men, and
his quiet, earnest and fatherly advice
was listened to with ' appreciation
That his address influenced a lot of
unionists to vote "dry" is beyond
question.
But in justice to Mr. Lennon and to
the trades uniinists of Lincola The
Wageworker desires to correct a mis
statement that appeared in one of the
daily papers. Mr. Lennon; did not
come to Lincoln under the auspices
of any union, nor did he speak for
the trades unions. He came on Invi
ttation of individual unionists, and
he spoke as a trades unionist, not for
the trades unions. .'
Apart from the effect of his splen
did address on the vote next day,
Mr. Lennon added a great deal to the
cause in Lincoln by his masterly pre
sentation of what unionism is doing
for the workers everywhere. He
added a large number of friends 1
the cause of organized labor, and
many of them seized the opportunity
to tell him so.
"You have a beautiful city here.
said Mr. Lennon. "I am delighted
with it. And your little Labor Tem
pie is a splendid thing for the work'
ers and for the city. I want to see
it grow as it deserves, and I hope fo
hear that the good people of Lincoln
are getting behind the union men and
helping make it a great success. It's
one of the city's big assets."
The Tennessee Federation is a vig
orous and progressive organization
and has succeeded in securing the
enactment of many laws beneficial t
the workers of that State.
ILfI XniV WlUJV.O4UilVO
REV. CHARLES STELZLE PLEADS FOR SQUARE
MEN WHO WILL FIGHT ON THE DEAD LEVEL
Shirkers, jerkers, and workers -
that's the classification which takes
us all in and every man knows to
which class he belongs.
There are no "soft snaps" in this
world. Every man must carry his
burden. Sometimes some of us are
compelled to help carry somebody
else's burden, too, but the man who
fails to lift on the job, -Boon becomes
incapable of lifting, and this realiza
tion becomes his real- burden.
The blows are bound to come on
any job that's really worth while.
No man can live and move and have
his being without running amuck rf
somebody else who is also on the job,
either for good or for ill. sometimes
the heaviest blows come from the
worker who should be, and probably
is, his friend.' These blows are often
the hardest to bear. When the blows
come from either friend or foe, duck
your head, if you can, but raise it
up again like a, man, even thougn
your're hit. Don't quit the job. 7 ' "
It takes a pretty good, nerve to fight
for your own convictions. It takes a
whole lot more to fight for the' other
fellow's.
When everybody agrees with yp.i,
it's a pretty good sign that nobody
takes you seriously'. Then Is the time
to take stock of yourself.
It s when you're surest -of , your
ground that the enemy is in the most
favorable position to undermine your
fortifications. ' - '
Most of us can stand adversity
we seem to be built that way but it
takes an uncommonly strong man to
stand prosperity.
The University of Adversity turns
out the best students of any training
school in the world, because its ' les
sons consist mostly of Hard Knocks.
Don't kick if you have no friends.
A wise philosopher once said that
if a man would have friends, he must
show himself friendly.
Play a man's game! Never hit be'
low the belt. Ask no special favors,
but be man enough to grant them
to the other fellow. If you're fairly
beaten, don't try to minimize the viO'
tor's glory by crying "foul ! Be a
man and learn by the. mistakes that
you've made and the defeats you've
suffered. Be a man.
GOOD TALKING POINTS.
Things to Know When Boosting the
Cause of Labor.
In arguing , for the value of trade
unionism, the average friend of or
ganized labor frequently makes the
mistake of discussing questions which
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
The Central Labor . Union met Fri
day evening of last week and rushed
through- routine business at top
speed. The only "scrap" arose rover
approving the minutes of the spe
cial meeting,' and it was good natured.
It was contended that as the meeting
was an open one, and more, of a mass
meeting than a meeting of the cen
tral body, the minutes had no place
on the records of the Central Labor
Union. President Parker was'' in
clined to take this view of it, but
finally yielded and the minutes were
approved. Immediately thereafter ue
recent declaration of unfairness
against a couple of Lincoln institu
tions was rescinded. While willing
to go the limit in support of the Elec
trical Workers there were several
delegates, and a lot of others not
delegates, who deem the declaration
against the Armstrong Clothing Co.
unjust and uncalled for. The settle
ment of the strike, however, settled
that question so far as effect is con
cerned. The "unworthy of patronage"
declaration was rescinded, and it ia
With the introduction of improved
machinery in many lines of produc
tion, the movement for shorter hours
became an Imperative necessity and
is gaining ground from year to year.
The first mile-stone was marked Tan
are debatable, and concerning which
there will probably always be a dif
ference of opinion. , No doubt these
debatable questions have their place
in a full discussion of trades union
ism, but for the sake of a better un
derstanding of the aims and objects
of. organized labor, it would seem to
be more tactful and more logical to
first talk about what it has accom
plished. There are many matters
with which organized labor has to dj,
concerning which their cause among
the public, if they presented more
frequently the ethical value of their
organizations.
For instance, one might proclaim
the fact that labor halls have come
to be important social centres. Here
helpful lecture courses on moral and
economic subjects, are frequently giv
en. The labor press has its 'educa
tive value. Many of the labor Jour
nals, especially those published by
Internationals' give courses in . tech
nical ; training. A real moral uplift
"comes ' through regular meetings of
the union, because. a. man must. pre
sent his facts in a definite, tangible
form, if he hopes to win over his as
sociates to his ' beliefs. Every man
has' a fair chance to preach these
views, no matter1 how unpopular thev
may' be. Nowhere does a man get
a more patient hearing than in a la
bor union meeting. Here, too, ht
learns the lesson of subordination to
the wills of others. , He learns the
value of "team ' work" of co-opera-.
tion.
In the labor movement the working
man learns the lesson of thrift. Rare
ly does a trades unionist apply to or
ganized charity or any other form ot
charity for ' relief. Talk about the
value of the trades' union as a force
for temperance. .-. You can-' easily make
a strong argument m this direction.
The question of the education ana .
the Americanizing of . the immigrant
must be discussed in favor of the
trades union. The report of the Lx
bor Commissioner in the Bulletin of
January 1905, clearly proves this.
Child labor, the sweat .shop, unsan
itary conditions in shop and home,
are all questions concerning which
trades unionism need not be ashamed
to speak. :.'.
- Hktvjng xjlearly established these
points, it 'will be easier to discuss the
.measures through which these ends
have been and shall be secured. :
An intelligent presentation of . tho
broader work of organized labor mus
win to its support the thousands of
impartial men and women whose en
dorsement will be of great value to
the cause. Rev. Charles Stelzle.
to be hoped that thi will effect a set
tlement of what might have devel
oped into a bad situation. -
Secretary Kates was ' absent m
account of Illness and Delegate Lock
er kept the minutes. A donation of
$5 to the striking street railway men
of Philadelphia was reported.
Organizer Crowley of the Press
men was presented and . gave the
pressman side of the present situa
tion. By unanimous vote the Lincoln
Daily Star was declared unfair -o
organized labor because of its refusal
to negotiate with the pressmen and
its employment of "rats" in its press
room. The matter will not end with
a declaration of unfairness. The Star
has been union throughout until the
present difficulty came up, and then
it tied up with employers who have '
declared war on further recognition
of the allied printing crafts.' .The
printers are tied up by a contract
that has four years yet to run, but
there are 3,000 union men in Lincoln
who are not tied up by contract to
continue subscribing tor . the unfair
Star. . . -. ' .
Nours, subsequently Nine and Eight
hours became the slogan of the ad
vancing forces. It is still marching :
and never halts: every year more
men and women are enrolled under
the banner of eight hours and vic
tory. '''.' . ' '"'."!""'