Newspapers / The Labor News (Greensboro, … / April 30, 1909, edition 1 / Page 1
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W if) )';( m ' ' ' """ I I I I v. 1 ;r 1 1 1 ORGAN ipFHESTATf TATE; II 1 1 1 ! 11 1 1 1 i 1 "J -r i . 1 j - 1 - r 1 1 1 1 , ii 1 . , . , , . i , , , - , j - - . - - . - - . : : V Mis, -.vj ft t 1 i iHJri VO Ii v 1 V - tite iftm we liiisf rt odW afitinl . 4ij ! i'- fa " ! j - . - J . i 1 1 1 1: i .i SPECIAL CpRRESPpDjEC By M. Ortiit Hamilton; ill (General Organizer A. F. of L) From the standpoint of age the l pr eanized labor movement Is still ' gar , ; tta infAntllA miment. and many nf the cdeeptionsmf, lts uhamnions conspicuously maicaie uie wruiuc period of its existence. In all great efforts of the past thesis ' same. -characteristics had a prominent place, and when it is comprehended tnat bur movement springs from the immedi ate necessities of the workers, whose environment precludes only limited opportunity as yet to attain, helpful owledgethe ;w6ndefeli: that clyaiQ. tivities have yielded such, beneficent results. ' The scheme, of nature has., not yet revealed a. state of perfection; "but there is an inherent something which accompanies every human endeavpr that guides us in the improvement of our past methods Radicalism, to its accepted sense meajds a rapid ! trans formation from the existing state to another, and rarely accomplishes the results .predicted. ffThisTcan be ac counted for by the' fact that changes in human affairs - are ' controlled In large part by the characteristic hu man instinct which is invariably slug gish in its dperatipn.U HThel Shlpr wrights in the early part of the last century began an agitation for. the ten-hour day, but forty years elapsed before the goal was reached thus practically 110 years have elapsed 3n establishing partially the eight-honr day among the tradesmen of our couti try. . - ' ' . - The present day necessities, how ever, are of equal concern with the achievements of the past, and we must predicate pur future and pres ent endeavors upon the experiences gleaned in our former efforts. It is not to be understood that antiquated methods are to be employed. On the other hand, it is urged that modern usages are to be utilized in the ac complishment of. pur aims. Condi tions which surround us must be care fullyscrutinized and taken advantage of. The knowledge of the time when to act is as important a factor as the courage to act. The successful labor official of the future must be fortified with a general knowledge of commercial conditions, with acumen sufficient to take advan tage of favorable ' circumstances, as well as to be strong enongh ta check any tendency toward too much, speed and radical action. The present -outlook demdaLjearei ful study by labor men. The t&iir' dency today in the commercial field is recessionary and no institution formed by mankind can successfully change the course of the commercial tide when recession begins. Commer cial laws are as immutable as natural laws. The commerce of this country has made giant strides in the last de cade and the momentum attained was nf cnnh vAlrV1tV OTtA VOlllTTie SO CTeat that reaction must come in pursuance of natural law. A. norse anven at, break-neck speed is - unable ; to travel a great distance, but at a moderate pace will place many ..miles - to his credit. Our commerce has. .traveled at high speed, and as a result the re action is at hand. The. entire force and ability of; evefy -labor official as well as every member of our" local unions, should be directed toward maintaining the conditions which now obtain in the Various drafts. The time is not propitious for making ad vances, but the unions should be steadied by . closer affiliation and in ternal development. ' ' Our membership cannot-be dismay ed by adverse couri decisions of at tacks made by antagonistic associa tions, for its . foundation is laid too deep and strong in the hearts of the workers. But b unintelligent meth ods we may be temporarily hampered. It is no sign of organic weakness to squarely face the present? outlook and take precautionary measures. On the other hand, it is an omen of strength, for if the labor organization can ac quire facility in adjusting itself to changing conditions its future is se cure and greater strides can be made in the future than have been achiev ed in the past. By a study of the commercial oc currences of the past it is noted that the laws governing trade afe natural, a season of great activity always be ing followed by a season of sluggish ness. The period of briskness has been experienced in recent years, and the operation of industrial enterprises will now slow down in conformity with reasons stated above. The price of iron is the thermometer of com merce. When iron is high In price we invariably find an upward trend in all other commodities,, with: busi ness enterprises expanding, but when iron begins to sag In price it will carry with it eventually all other-corn modities. This is not a theory, bat is sustained by history. ; - ' During the past few months iron has fallen in price, which Indicates that we are in a period of falling prices. It is quite true that reduc tions have not as yet appeared gen erally, but when it is stated that the reduced price of iron has not stimu lated buying it is plain that commerce is declining. The transition from a period or cycle of high to low prices is not accomplished In an erratic man ner. By reference to our former gen eral industrial depressions the acute stage was reached In 1893. Two or three years prior to this, however, the trend was downward, and when the bottom was reached in the year nam ed and commerce commenced to take the upgrade it required a number of years to again reach normal condi tions. If the. logic of events in the past can De depended on akd every Indication points inthaidireptipn at this time, we are withhl ftwp 6r Jthree years Sfcf a general jtodnstrtal depression. Tne government , deficit: the falling price of. iron;, the i large .number of unem ployed, a cessation of, the expanding of enterprises?! and --.a5 general reduc tion of wattes in the iron industry. ' with but few-large undertakings being down process is upon us. llt labor lorggnizations can but real ize this important phase of the gen eral situation i and act in. accordance therewith. .It.wiil, be possible to main tain in large1 part the conditions we have so valiantly fought for. But lit we forget or refuse to take cognizance of ptrevatiing Jditioixa serious con sequences will ioirpw. I!rom this tlmd on'mrtng' ttielcomlug-few- yearax it 1 should be .the constant aim of every labor" official to ' prombte 'good fellow- ship;. In the movement, avoiding con4 filets wherever possible, and by all means relegating jurisdictional, dis-. putes.- There are many questions, it Isl vtrue, which require settlement primarily:,.that-tibf ,two organizations in the same craft or where jurisdic ticma; appea " toi naturally overlap. -But Ifi.the8e crafts affected are recelvmg like s wages, hours and conditions of employment, it would be a wise course to follow to formulate a work ing agreement j and proceed : harmoni ously, providing,-of course, that these crafts are recognized by the regular movement A. tremendous impetus can be given the movement lif our - international of ficers were to .inaugurate a campaign of education along' craft lines, -leaving for the, time being the question of numbers.- The- effective "organization is not necessarily the large one, and effectiveness counts for more than any other factor, and its strength in this, direction will have more influence In attracting numbers than anything else. i "No reduction in wages." This should be our constant endeavor in the future, and our unions must exer else their best; efforts to maintain con ditions already existing and yield not to the desire to obtain further in creases unless they can be procured without jeopardizing the best Interests of the organization. LABOR MEMORIAL DAY. By the Rev. Charles Stelzle. -The American federationof" Labor has decided that the second Sunday in May shall annually be . observed as TaWb Memhrial Sundav. Por five jfau&ffifcPrtt Church: and Labor, has been observ ing., "Labor Sunday" on, the Sunday- previous to Labor Day, but in order to . bring , the celebration of this day into" harmony ! with the : general plan of organized ! labor the day was changed to the second Sunday in May. This year Labor's Memorial Day falls on Sunday, May 9th, and I have just Written to the ministers of the 11,000 Presbyterian churches in the United States requesting them to dis-- cuss some phase of the labor question upon this occasion. Labor Sunday has been made a cal endar day : by our departmenft We believe that just as Memorial day and the several, "birthdays" show our ap preciation of those .who rendered' pa triotic service, and ' just ' as the church's "Holy Days" do honor to those who served mankind spiritually, so Labor's Memorial day should be observed by the churches In honor of the millions of toilers who dally serve mankind in the humbler places of life. It-should be given a wider, scope than the recognition merely of those who-have passed away. The day should be made of such significance that it J will' encourage those who are today engaged in the task of uplifting our common humanity.. Workingmenr -will thus have an opportunity on this oc casion to demonstrate their interest In the great labor movement which may mean soj much to the working people of America. A specialj souvenir program; has been prepared by the Presbyterian department of Church and Labor, of which thousands of copies have al ready been sent, upon request, to those who expect to observe the day. In many cities ; the Central Labor Boi ies have accepted invitations to march to the church to listen to the address and to take part in the special exer oises which have been prepared. The plan has the hearty endorse ment of some! of the most prominent labor men in America. ' May . I suggest that the workingmen in every city respond to the appeal of. the ministers who expect to ob serve this day and if no invitation has, as yet, been issued to them by the local minister, it might be a good plan to encourage him to observe the day by requesting him to con duct such a service. FROM PHILADELPHIA. Editor the Labor News:. For the enlightenment of some minds that do not seem to be able to grasp the beauty and simplicity of the single tax, I would like to briefly state just what the single tax means. It pro- poses toVabolish all taxes that bear on labor proaucts or maiviauai activ ity, and; to take in taxation for pub lic revenue" the unearned increment of land. ; That is the! single tax. Is it not just and correct In principle and Is it not easily understood? Its adoption! is not advocated be cause it is : - merely an - improvement over , our .present System of raising revenue, but because-It Is the only way taxes can, be collected honestly. Our laws already condemn and pun ish -the smaller criminal who. takes without our content any - porticm-of our wealth, "and; aa personal rproperty taxation aoes this,: it is S proposedithat tnis snouid be stopped. , f The : unearned increment of land or ; economic; rent is only produced ! In one way, that is by people, coming. to gether in What we ctll communities.' ;lf, in certain sections, the : individ uals comprising the community. ; : are very mucht scattered, then the eco- uumic rem aesirea ana coiiecteawili be very small; ' but, if .'the grouping of individuals becomes very dense; then . the economic rent desired ? and collected . ;will be . very . large. Thlg proyes that the community, taking this economic rent for public purposes Is only taking something which it has produced the single; tax, ; ! i. PLIVER M'KNIGHT;, U N ION8 AND TRADE. EDUCATION. Latest VentureL.of Printers" Oraaniza -tloir 700 Students in a Year Some From Great, Britain and Distant Colonies. During the past two or three years the American public has been, treat ed to much comment . and suggestion on tne matter of trade education. In the industrial centers there-are local societies actively promoting this ob Ject, while the Natipnal Society for tne Promotion of Industrial Educa tion is designed to advance the inter ests of tne new idea to a national way. Meantime America's ( J oldest and most progresive labor Organization the International Typographical Un ion has formulated and launched a system of technical education that furnishes display, job, and all other compositors an opportunity to ac quire a knowledge of the principles underlying-good-typograpy, which can not be taught in printing offices. Ow ing to the diversified needs of its near ly fifty thousand members, including printers in small country towns and those in the largest metropolitan of fices, the union was compelled to adopt the correspondence system, but the instruction is imparted along the lines of the best and most modern educational methods. The art schools have been levied on for the benefit of the working print er. The principles of design and col or harmony are taught scientifically, the students applying them to prac tical work (done in. type or by pencil sketches) under the personal super vision of competent instructors. Here tofore education in typography has been by the empirical metod, but the L T. U. Course aims at showing:, the of -good v ty tgraphy- in. a scientific manner. The student first masters the underlying princi ples and then solves the trade prob lems submitted to him in the light of that knowledge. The key-note of the Instruction is found in Ruskln's aphor ism, "Unity and simplicity are the sources of beauty." The Course is sold for $20, which does not cover the cost of outfit, tui tion, postage, etc. As a purely com mercial venture it would cost at least $60, but the International Typo graphical Union, in order to stimu late and encourage the study of their art by printers, defrays all . advertis ing expenses as well as otner promo tional expenses out of its funds, and in addition gives a rebate or prize of $5 to each student who finishes the lessons with ordinary diligence and intelligence. Many local unions sup plement this by offering additional prizes to their members and appren tices working in union offipes. It is estimated that the total union expen diture on account of the Educational scheme is between $8,000 and $10,000 a year. The. I. T. U. Commission on Supple mental Trade Education, which has this work in charge, promulgated its first advertisement asking for stu dents last March, and in a year has secured an enrollment of more than seven hundred. ' These include expert printers as old as sixty, and youths of seventeen and eighteen. The ex perienced compositors say they find much in the Course that Is valuable, the first graduate being one of the highest-salaried men working at the trade. The Course is open to those work ing at the printing trade, and the of ficers and interested members of the Typographical Union are sure that it Is but a beginning of what Is to be come a prominent feautre of union work. Already the question has been advanced of making a study of the Course a prerequisite for an appren tice's admission to membership In the union. The laws will not be changed hastily, but there is no doubt that now an opportunity to learn is open to them the union will in the near future pay more attention to the technical qualifications of youthful ap plicant, for admission. LABOR WORLD. Cor bin, Ky.,boasts of one of the largest organizations of railroad men in Kentucky, if not in the South. Stonecutters' Union has under con sideration a proposition to establish a sick benefit fund. The Gas Workers' Union at Sacra mento, Cal., has made an application to become - affiliated with the State Federation of Labor. A union of hard solderers of New York has been, organized. The name adopted is the Independent Interna tional Union of Hard Solderers. Many castors in Brooklyn. . N. Y.; have promised to help the grocery clerks in their movement for a short er .workday and . Sunday closing. . , The -cigarmakers, by a referendum vote, decided to, levy an assessment for the purpose of - creating a fund to advertise the' union label at the Alas- ka-Yakon-Pacific Exposition. .. : he labor MOVEMENT Ihl j':;.,vlfs ,;EUR0PE-sk: t Ii The-i Organization . of Trades ;Uh- Ifn -cfji-'.! ..lonistaLC--;'';1;. "'"f. WHS V the Rev.TCharles. Stelzle i i - . Organized labor throughout . the Ltradis .unionists in Great Britain1, ac cording to the most recent ) figures, haVtfr atotal , membership of 2,100,00Qt ef iwhlcht number 150,000 are , women. ti IM estimated that 33 ' per cent.5 ot the porkers in Great Britain are con nected ;'wlth' the trades unions. There are practically four .: divisions among the. organized . worklngmen.r afflliated withijthe -British Tyades , Congress, Consisting, firsts 1 of 1 about ' ' 700,000 4 in ther ' General Federation of Trades Un Kwhich is composed -of 134- na tibnalrganlzations, and wh q are, ' for the rfnostr part, skilled workers , 500, OOOifniners, 115,000 members of the Railway Servants' ; Societies, and abpu) 700,000 general workers and la borers ..who are not affiliated with the General s Federation. , . The organized pworxingmen Un England are' repre 'sentW; in their political and general activities in what is known as the "Joint? Board", which, is composed of four members each from the follow ing iodies: first, the Parliamentary Comhiittee (consisting of the Execu tive Committee of the British Trades Congress); second, the General Fed eration of Trades Unions; third, the Labor -Party, which is the distinctive ly political party of the trades union Ists.C This Joint Board outlines the policies ' of the workingmen and uni-. fies , their activities. . Mention should be made; however, of the Independent Labor - party, which is the Socialist wing of the Labor Party, and which contains about 15 -per cent, of its membership. German trades unionists number 2. 200,000, with about 120,000 women,' Dut in addition to this, it is estimated that 1 there are 250,000 "Christian Trades Unionists" who are controlled more; or xess by the church. Of the total" number of trades unionists In Germany, perhaps 385,000 are Social Democrats, standing specifically for tne socialist movement Estimates of the number of trades unionists In France vary considera bly, i'but there are probably 900.000 members of organized labor, 300,0001 oi wnom belong to the "Confederation du Travail" or the Federation of La bor. s .... Prbpably the largest percentage of workmgmen, in. . the .trades unions oflh,.!.. tPi TurLr? -iw iuuuu mm. lAiuiuai a. auu . o wcucll, mt) Denmark trades unions containlne fully 50 per cent., and Sweden about 38 per cent. In Hungary there is an estimated membership of 130,000, or z per cent, of all the working Deo- pie. Austria has nearly 500.000. or 18 per cent, while Italy, with its im mense population, contains only 200,- AAA . A uuu, or t per cent The United States with its 3.000.00ft trades unionist ', is in the lead in the total number of workingmen and working women who are In the trades union movement, even though the per centage or workingmen in the trades unions Is not as great as It is in some countries in Europe. BUFFALO BOILERMAKERS GENERAL STRIKE. WIN The strike of boilermakers. which was Inaugurated by the local union nearly three weeks ago against ev ery shop in Buffalo and Tonawanda belonging to the Boiler Manufacturers association, is a thing of the past and over 200 men returned to work Mon day morning, the struck shops, with the single exception of Farrar & Tefts, capitulating to the union. Far- rar & Tefts claim to be well supplied with non-union help and say they will continue to operate an "open snop." Tnis or course means a non-union shop,, as the boilermakers will refuse to work wica non-union men. The strike was caused by the re fusal of the Boiler Manufacturers' as sociation to renew the old agreement which recently expired. No increase In pay was asked or reduction in hours or change in working conditions was demanded. There was no legiti mate excuse for the strike except that the Boiler Manufacturers association thought the present was an opportun ity to put the "open"shop in effect and on account of the slack business an excellent time to ' try conclusions with local union No. 7. Competent boilermakers are not made In a. day and the ordinary strike breakers was' no better than no man in the struck t-hops. which the manufacturers did not take long to learn. The strike was conducted clean and carefully, and the local offlers of No. 7 are to be congratulated on its suc cess. Business Agent King stated to a Republic reporter that the few men who are still out from the Farrar C Tefts shops will be well taken care of until their services are required elsewhere: Buffalo Republic. The labor laws of France for. the protection of women and . children enly extend to those employed in the industrial as distinct from commer cial establishments. In less than ten years, it is re ported, the city of Brockton, Mass., has lost 6.500 skilled workmen, the result of the removal of various shoe shops to other quarters. The National -League for : Industrial Education, an organization . which has as its chier aim the improvement oi the condition " of ' skilled labor in . this country; was organised at a confer ences :', ; . 1 OMPERSTOrGO ABROADS in After s laying i before n the Executive Council ,, pf v the- American Federation ui xjtxuuF fn. uie session on Apra23,ar detailfd report of 'he proposed trip to Europe t6; study rand report upon the Industrial, i sociological .;and i, economic conditions :-, of f the; laboring people in these countries,-. President Gompers announced that he would sail, .from New nrprk'.bn the Baltic on June 23. The u Council authorized? !an expendi ture to meet the expensed of the trip. Mr. ; Gompers will visit Germany. England,. France, Sweden, and Italy. An Invitation from the7 Italian commissioner-general of. i immigration- for him to visit , Rome was accepted. It was ; announced, that sufficient funds for the ' present to '. meet .the ex penses of the Federationf s M legal 1 de-: tense; in the injunction ahd contempt proceedings in the case of the Bucks Stove and , Range Comnany. of . St. Louis, had been raised end that It would not4 now be necessary to levy an assessment of one cent per mem' ber per month, as agreed by the Den ver convention. liabor leaders in Toronto, Canada, will ask the Ontario Government to establish an eight-hour day for girls working in factories. The latter, now work twelve hours, or seventy-two a week. , A dispute has occurred In a section of employes in the lace ; trade In Not- tmgham, England, which, It Is feared, may lead to an extended strike. It is sometimes safer to back down than to get your back up. SPECIAL LOW. RATES VIA SOUTH ERN RAILWAY. $19.45 Greensboro, N.J C.r. to Louisville, Ky., and return on account Southern Electrical and Industrial Exposition. On sale April 11, 12, to 19, 20, 1909. Final limit April 25, 1909. $10.70 Greensboro, N. C, to Wash ington, D. C, and return on account of meeting of Daughters of American Revolution. On sale April 15, 16, 1909. Final limit April 28, 1909. $9.30 Greensboro, N. C; to Charles ton, S. C, on account Omas Temple, A. A. O. ft.- M. S. On sale April 21, 22. Final limit April 23, 1909. $3.85 Greensboro, N. C, to Char lotte, N. C, and return on account of Grand Lodge of North Carolina i II. C O. F. On sale . May J 8th , to 11th ville, Ky:, on account Southern Bap tist Convention. On sale May 10, 11, 12, 13. Final limit May 22, 1909. Ex tension of limit may be secured by. de positing ticket and paying fee of $1.00. Approximately low rates from all other points. For further Information, Pullman reservations, etc., call on or address, W. H. MGLAMERY, ' P. & T. A. Greensboro, N. C. WHY LOSE MONEY? Why do you not, when you have a hard-earned dollar to spend, go where you can feel satisfied that you get the full value of that cojn? If we were to use this whole page we couldn't illustrate and describe the real down good bargains which we have for you, and goods that we can absolutely save you money on and are saving our customers money on every day. We don't run any skin games (and right here we would like to know if you haven't been skinned more than once at - these so-called special sales, give you 9 .cents worth of nothing to skin you out of a dol lar and a quarter on something else) We have just opened one thousand dollars' worth of sample shoes. These we sell at. 30 per cent, discount. These are real bargains. We took the entire lot of odds and ends ' in children's clothing and men's cheap pants from one factory. These are real bargains, and it's ail the way through our entire stock the same way. There's not a line that we carry "(and we carry almost every thing) that we can't save , you money on. we nave oy iar tne greatest ana cheapest line of goods that we have ever shown and you are standing in your own light if you do not at once decide to make our store headquar ters for your buying this year. Its only a pleasure to us to show you, so come and, see. Yours for business, . . The Original Racket Store, A. V. SAPP, Prop. 318 South Elm Street. IMPROVED ORDER RED MEN. Minneota Tribe, No. 52. Bevill Building, North I Elm Street. Meets every Tuesday evening, 8 p. m., from April to October; October to April, 7:30 p. m. - - - 1 .-' r Eno Tribe, i No. Sli r Graded School Building, Revolution Mills. Meets ' every ; Thursday even ing 8 p. m, from April i to October October to April, 7:30 p. pur, 4 in Degree of Pocahontas. Washita, No. 8, Revolution wins. Meets every Saturday evening S p. m., from April ito October; October to, April, 7:30 prn,-.nv! - (1: OFFIOERMEJjON OF President, Ba S. Cheek, Raleigh, N. t Seelary teasurlr-Samuel Wal-drop'AshevllleiH:?.'- Second . .Yice-PresidentrTCU.Thomp; son, Asheville. - Third Vlce-Presidenr-Beverl Moore; Rocky 'Mounts ;s- futT - Fourth Vice-President H. : G. Har rington Raleigh; :i a ? l I r 'j FifthiVice-Presidnt K. R. Thomp son, High Point . . V ;... - Sixth Vice-President R. R. Wyrlck. GreenshorowT a a - Ta A, 3 tit f r .Seventh- Vice-President-. , D 7f ash, AsheTllle.--" -J Eighth Vice-President W. i a Brad- iora,- mgn,jpoinL.- Ninth tVIce-Presldeidt Samuel. Pate- man, Granite, Quarry. 4 Executive 'Board. KaHob E. S. Che jUUelgJu W. a- Franki -JAsheviUe. ?no:c?Bensontx?rensboro. MT a RyesAWlnston-Salem. W. H. Singletonr Raleigh. UNION MEN. r Patronize the merchants who advertise In ;ypur " paper : TH LABOR NEWS is appreciated by merchants who ' are In sympathy with the porkers' cause, pr 1 who look for the business of the wage earner, and they use its advertis Ing columns. There is hardly 'a firm in this city that could stand out openly and say it did not care for the worklngmtn's trade' but names could be mentioned of bus 'ness men whoThave nothing hut hard words to nand in return; for a generous patronage. Stand i by the business men who stand by you. Youcan purchase as cheap ly and advantageously from THE LABOR NEWS' advertisers with as good treatment thrown in, as from any or all others, combined. Patronize Home Industry. . Patronize our Advertisers. ' : 1 v Help your Friends. 7 ' Get Union Label Goods. SmoMng Tohceec: io made byallillod tinioxs labor. Evoiry ba hao tho bltio labol on it and is tho finest smolic that lean bo of coot SEEDS CIAL OFFER: . . . mkToa oar permaautt eastomr. . ' eCAKAHTXES TO PLlCASS. - Write to-day; Mention thl Pcper. GEfJD 10 CCrJTG mm ffrwf mmi iihIti tmm 11 nut Mis tssirt t .nutt inos. a. ranin uonpny le Kea Dry Gc:33 Stre. inJo and Novoltioo Givo no a call. T.EDIU&GS&SSrJS raleiqh. n.c. : ! OTHE BIGO U 4 ' ' - 1 - ' -. ! FBEBTDS OT 2IEC01SZC3 y -.f--. tei will TREAT VOU RIGHT, Reidsvflle Hardware More
The Labor News (Greensboro, N.C.)
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April 30, 1909, edition 1
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