Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 24, 1908 Page: 1 of 6
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5
A Clean
Conservative
Independent
Non-Partisan
Newspaper for
the Homes
OKLAHOMA LABOR UNIT
"ALL IN ONE; ONE IN ALL"
THE PARAMOUNT QUESTION: LIFE. LIBERTY, THE ENJOYMENT OP THE GAINS OF OUR OWN INDUSTRY
Gui Policy:
Honest
Legitimate
Business
Methods
Every Day
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
VOL. 1.
OKLAHOMA CITY. OKLAHOMA. SATURDAY. OCTOBER 24. 1908.
NO. 20
PMRSGASFITTERS STRIKEfUf; WAR CONTINUES™ FEAST 0F BtLCIIAZZAR
The walk-out of the Plumbers and
Gas-fitters occuring Monday, the
19tb, was occasioned by a set of rules
posted by the master plumbers so ab-
surd and drastic that the diglnity of
those men who were expected to sub-
mit to same was assailed in such a
manner that no man with any self-re-
spect could be expected to conform
to the same.
Out of the entire membership of the
Master Plumbers Assn. only two mem-
bers have ever served as union plumb-
ers, and these two well know that in
all their time have they been expected
to work under such a set of unreason-
able rules. We publish following a
copy of these rules and ask any fair
minded person if, In their judgment
would they submit to same.
Working Rules.
The following rules are adopted hy
the proprietors of this shop for the reg-
ulation of t'uetr employees, and are
expected to be carried out to the letter.
Any employee violating them in any
way, will be discharged The working
hours to be from 8 a. m. until 12 p. m..
and from 1 p. m. until 5 p. m. This
means positively that men will be on
their respective jobs at 8 o'clock a. m.
and 1 p. m., getting out materials will
not be considered time on jobs, as we
expect 8 full hours work on job. Em-
ployes wanting materials on jobs, will
leave list after 5 o'clock, so that same
can be ready In the morning. Em-
ployes are expected to do their work
right, and any work condemned by
architects or customers, due to imper-
fect installation by mechanics, where
proprietors are compelled to replace
work, new material, and time required
to make work acceptable will be
charged to employees doing the de-
fected work; the proprietors will bo
the judge as to the quality of work-
man ship.
The proprietors expect to employ
only mechanical work, and we pay the
wages for mechanics. We expect him
to give us the best he has got at all
times, and we reserve the right to dis-
charge without notice, any employee
i conditions
J. LUTIILR LANGSTON THE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION OF
IS EXONERATED
In the special convention in McAl-
ester this week to enquire into the
charges against J. Luther Langston,
secretary-treasurer of the State Feder-
ation of Labor, we are pleased to state,
failed to find wherein Mr. Langston
had in any way violated his office and
we desire to say that in the future if
the officers in charge nave any inti-
mation that the actions of any official
of this body is not correct it will be
well to quietly investigate the proposi-
tion and refrain from rushing into
print as was the case in the last in-
stance. No doubt those preferring
charges against Mr. Langston consid-
ered themselves in the right, but the
actions of the Federation in matters of
this kind should be strictly confiden-
tial and the daily press and the general
public should not be given the details
as it really is of no consequence to
them.
W. M. Fox & Co.
Veigiard Plumbing Co.
Taylor Bros.
Maloney.
MAKE NO MISTAKE.
Mr Union Man. the cards have been
dealt, Samuel P. Gompers caught his
hand and is ready to play same. Mr.
Jas. VanCleve, the opponent and out
and above board enemy of organized
quently it is up to the members of or-
ganized labor to help hold the hands of
those who are interested in our cause.
Shall we give Saml. P. Gompers our
support, or shall we support Jas. Vi
Cleve—not Taft or Bryan, but Gom
pers or Van Cleve.
This is a fight of organized labor as
against the national association of
manufacturers.
DIRECT LEGISLATION
Ex-Secretary of the Treasury Leslie
who is not doing his best, as _ M ghaw [n a recent address before
on the different jo >s var Missouri Bar Association declared
not stand for any set n i s a8 t h ^ by Ulrect
amount of work to be put in a given ^ ^ ^ ^ in an p,„_
time, but expec ( t 'orately prepared argument attemp
wages at all times. The proprietors ^ ^ ^ contenUon on ^
expect plumbers to < f) g.is 1 . Rroun(, that the pe0ple of today are
we find t e rus i or ' t much wrapped up in their business
great for gas-fitters to handle, ^as^ we ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
eanuot alfo" 0 ' sa 1 A craft to administer the affairs of the
to satisfv whims of our emp!o>ees. as
to the amount of gas-fitting, plumbers government wisely
ant or don't want to do, will mak<
OKLAHOMA
Following is the list of questioned promised Inst week which
were sent out to all candidates by the R. E. P. A. A discussion of
these questions will be found in the leading editorial.
Guthrie, Oct. 4, 1908.
Mr
Dear Sir:—You being a candidate for from
we would like to inform you that this association
is composed of men employed in all branches of railroad work, its
members, whatever their party position on national issues, are per-
sonal and on local issues they are non-partisan and desire only to
serve our own best interests in voting for the candidate who most
nearly meets our views. We would much appreciate a frank answer
to the followings questions, an exact copy of which is sent your
opponent.
Question No. 1.—Do you believe railroad companies are entitled
to t. fair return to thoi." investments?
Question No. 2.—What do you consider a fair return on their
invtstment?
Question No. 3.— Do you consider that the present senlc of
wages of railway employes is too high or that too many men arc
employed in this line of work?
Question No. 4.—Would you willingly help to pass any law
which would have a tendency to cause reduction of wages or the
lay'ng off of men?
Question No. 5.—Do you realize that the increase of operating
expenses and taxation caused by legislative demands and reduced
freight earnings must lie followed, 1st, by u reduction of the number
ot men employed and lftstJy in a reduction of the wages of railway
.'mployes?
Question No. fi.—Do you realize that for the past few years rail-
roads have been teh subject of a great deal of regulation on the part
of congress, legislatures and corporation commissions? Admitting
the wisdom of some of this legislation, do you not think it wise to
let the railroads( upon which the employes depend upon for employ-
ment and wages) have a breathing spell in order to become adjusted
ti the new order of things?
Question No. 7.—Are you in favor of a policy which will invite
the building of new lines and the extension of old ones in Oklahoma?
Question No. 8.—What do you th'ink is the cause of the cessation
of railroad building in Oklahoma?
Question No. 9.—Do think that there will be any railroad
building in Oklahoma as long as any of the following laws remain
on statutes books:
(a) Forfeiture of charter of such corporation as may appeal to
the federal cou trson the p rounds of non-residence.
(b) Preventing foreign corporations from exercising the right
of eminent domain.
(c) Holding stocic in ether corporations.
Question No. 10.—Are you in favor of having ay of the above
laws repealed?
Question No. 11.—Do you not realize that the radical legislation
and adverse ruling of the corporation commission has placed our
positions in jeopardy and if relief is not given the railroad companies
will be called upon to accf tu a reduction in wages?
Question No. 12.—In view of the assessment made on railroad
property do you consider the gross revenue tax a fair measure?
We, the "Railway Employes Protective Association of Oklaho-
ma," will number in the neighborhood of 25,000 qualified voters.
We desire to make clear that it is not our purpose to prevent or ob-
struct the passage of any measure which the general welfare of the
stat demands; but we do desir to see to it that our interests shall
heerafter receive the same consideration as all other classes of citi
The proceedings of the last con-
vention of the National Manufacturers'
Association, as outlined in American
Industries, show that they cooed and
cuckooed amid tho luxuries of the
Waldorf-Astoria over the success of
their efforts to outlaw the labor niove-
nieut, unmindful, or perhaps blissfully
Ignorant, of the appalling want, mis-
ery, and deprivation which has been
wrought in the homes of the people of
America by reason of the roceut money
panic. The fact that thousands of
honest, willing laborers have for
some time been idle, through no fault
of theirs, and that housands more are
and have been working only part time,
while the cost of living continues to
rise, diil not deter this aggregation ot
labor haters from jesting about the
labor, has been dealt his haud, ron;"-
helpless condition of labor and gloating
over what they believe to be a knock
out blow to the labor movement in
America.
From the outline of proceedings at
hand their convention seems to have
taken the form of a jubilee meeting,
where tho victors mot to feast and
drink over tho suspresslon or anni-
hilation of an enemy. The laboring
man, too long underpaid, constantly
victimized and starved in the mad
rush for wealth, with his dependent
wife and children In want and hunger
in some instances, must be made the
subject of Jest and jollification for
this questionable combination of dol-
lar marks assembled In New York
City, ostensibly to devise ways and
means to further save the nation, but
in reality to connive to further op
press the working class.
The annual report of President Van
Cleavo was full of boastings of how
ho and his hirelings chased the Ameri-
can Federation of I-abur up one side of
the hill anddown the other through
the swamps until at length it was cor
nered and forever subdued by judicial
proceedings in the United States Su-
preme Court, the judges of which, by
not comprehending labor's needs,
have, I believe, made a serious mis-
take. From the way Van Cleavo
bubbles over with joy throughout his
report it is clear to tho reader that
he is wonderfully tickled over recent
events.
A feast similar to this Waldorf-
Astoria feast is recorded in tho Holy
Scriptures, chapter v, of the book of
Daniel, the feast of Belshazzar. lie
and a thousand of his lords were as-
sembled to eat, drink, and bo merry.
Verso 4, of the chapter tells us that
They drank wine and praised tho
gods of gold and silver, of brass,
He cited as reasons why the people
nlumber «fco"ld not directly administer their af ( uccicmci icra.o .11..... ....... — ■ ■■■ is™> • ■" ........, -•
no difference to us, as a > i ^ ^ the initiative and referendum zens, tax payers and voters. We do not antagonize the intersts of j iron, of wood, and of stone. ' King
if he is a plumber, is capa 1 e O i.. u,, ,hat few people could off han« til farmer, banker, merchant or manufacturer, but reirard them as | iielshazzar, however, found a man
tell the names of the nine members ot our friends whose interests and ours are mutual. We know that jwho could interpret for him the hand
the President's cabinet. J the interests of the 25,000 railway employes of the state are too im- writing on the wall which forever
Mr. Shaw said that he was ad portant to be placed in jeopardy. We favor the adjustment of rates caled his doom, but King VanCleave
' on a just and fair basis and stand reday at all tidmes to support 'was too drunk with victory to see and
gas-fitting as well as any regular gas
fitters.
As to holidays, the proprietors will
Tecognize Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day Christmas, New Year and Inde- dressing men who belonged to the pro-
pendente dav as holidays, and that is '-"ion "lost likely to be well t.-
Tll Any employee, wanting a day or formed on public questions than an,
half dav off will give ti.- proprietors other, yet he felt perfectly free to of-
due notice. A our customers are the fer to divide $1,000 equally among an,
people we are striving to please, we
expect our employees to be courte- ...
ous in their manner toward them, and,dcTlts cabinet.
_ , virv ,.„cTto retain that' If Mr- Shaw expects that a know-
heln us in every respect to retain mat (
, , . „ t riHnVint?1 ledge of the personnel of the Presi-
eustomers future work. Any drlnKing
, . f or visltine dent's cabinet is necessary to prop
on job or profane language, or visiunv, | , ,
five gentlemen present who could
name tho nine members of the Presi-
mecahnlcs on job. will not be tolerated.
We are glad to note that the firms
refusing to post the objectionable
rules, are among the best in this city,
and until this trouble is settled, we
trust the good people of Oklahoma
City, will lend their support to those
who are reasonable and we think the
trouble will be adjusted in a few days.
We publish belo v a list of the firms
that posted the a'.rove rules, also a
list of concerns that refused to connect
themselves in any way with the deal
and who are adhering to the letter
with contracts with the Plumbers and
Gas-fitters.
Those posting rules are as follows:
J. Hutchison.
Fitts & Mann.
Rice & Boismeimier.
Hanson Bros.
Phillips & Wilson.
Bass & Harbour.
("has. Vegiard.
Home Heating & Plumbing Co
Arnold & Wetherbee.
The firms refusing to consider such
an unreasonable set of rules are as
follows:
Bert Miller.
S. I. Sullivan.
Srhott & Patteu.
rly initiate or determine legislative
issues, he has evidently made an er-
ror and the absurdity of his position
is apparent; he expects the averag*
citizen to know by rote the nine mem-
bers of the President's cabinet when
tho men whom he was addressing and
who are supposed to be fuliy informed
on matters of government failed to
qualify.
In passing to obscurity of such men
as Shaw a hopeful sign 1b noted and ■
direct legislation seems near '
legisltion which tends to promote equally the interests ot all through understand the writing on tho wall,
which prosperity will surely follow. A fair deal to all will place
the state of Oklahoma in the front rank of states, all men knowing
that the citizens of Oklahoma are fair and conservative. We make
no threats, it is your frankness and honesty that we shall appreciate,
if you choose to answer these questions.
A reply to be received not later than October 15th will be ap-
preciated, for after that date we have to protect our interests. Hop-
ing to hear from vou soon. I remain. Yours trulv.
W. A. GREENWOOD,
Box 467. Secretary.
There are some things of interest to members of organized labor
which will develope in this fight that will not be printed for obvious
reasons. Any bona fide member, however, making request will be
furnished with be furnished with names of parties within the ranks
who will furnish this information. These requests must be made in
writing and your secretary must certify under eal that you are a
bona fide member in good standing of your local.
Permanent Arbitration Board.
Governor Sanders of Louisiana has
decided to appoint a permanent state
board of arbitration to handle labor
troubles. The board will consist of
five members, two to be suggested by
employers, two by employes, the four
to select tie fifth member.
HELPING THE UNEMPLOYED.
During 1908, forty-one of the sixty-
four unions affiliated with the General
Federation of German Trades Unionfl
at Berlin paid unemployed benefitB
School teachers of Austin County,
Texas, have secured an American
Federation of Imbor Charter.
Telephone Conversations
Are the modern method of communication.
Investigation will prove our rates very reason-
able and points that may be reached very
numerous. A Direct connection has been
established between
OKLAHOMA CITY AND WICHITA
which greatly improves the service to South
cm Kansas points.
Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph Co.
Tho hosts of labor will yet live to at
tho doom of these twentieth century '
Belshazzars written in such large
letters upon the wall that eveu the
blind shall be cognizant of it.
The keynote of Van Cleave's address
which seems to reflect tho sentiment
of his associates was "political action
non-partisan political action." Every
Congressional representative, accord-
ing to their program, who has had the
rourage to side against labor and in
favor of the money god is to be sup-
ported and re-elected, rogardless of
whether he is a Republican or a Demo-
cratln the interest of their cause tho
Van Cleave aggregation proposes 10
obliterate absolutely all party lines
and to reward its friends and punish
its enimies regardless of party in the
future, which |>olicy, by the way, must
inevitably bo the policy of labor if we
ever expect to attain our rights. Van-
Cleave was empowered by his consti-
tuents to appoint a committee to visit
both the He publican and Democratic
national conventions to insist that no
plank be Inserted in their platforms
favorable to labor.
To prevent any of the demands r.f
labor from being put into the Republi-
can platform Van Cleave took a large
deputation of his followers to tho Chi-
cago convention and caused protests to
ho wired in by the balance of his fol-
lowing throughout the country. The
Executive Council of the Federation
went to the Republican national con-
■ \ention to demand recognition of la-
■
bor, and th<
at the Dent
same thing was repeated
r convt ntlon of the Dem-
ocratic party .The demands of labor
was the paramount issue in the Repub-
lican national convention. The anti-
Injunction plank ftas the leading
issue. That body, after a great deal
of quibbling, adopted a plank which,
when summed up, amounts simply to
an indorsement of the existing in-
junction abuses and an undue reflec-
tion upon tho loyalty of the trade un-
ionists of America towards the courts.
The VanCleave followers made the
claim, throughout the republican con-
vention, that organized lal>or was not
to be feared in the political field;
that it had never been and could never
bo, united on a political issue; that
(he labor vote was a myth and did
not amount to anything
It is. Indeed, a queer spectacle to
see the Honorable William II. Taft,
tho father of labor Injunctions, run-
ning for President of the United States
on what jnirports to be an antl-lu-
junction platform. Men seem to change
with tho times, especially when they
have interests at stake in great polit-
ical campaigns. 1 do not believe, how-
over. that pretense of this character
will fool nny of the workingmen this
time I have so far found them to
be wide awake.
There never was a time when it was
more necessary for the members of or-
ganized labor to keep their eyes
open. In view of the turn matters
have taken, tho union man who still
insists upon party loyalty, Is a political
drone and a stumbling block in the
way of his union's progress. Tho po-
litical party which knuckles to the
demands of the Van Cleave aggrega-
tion Is an enemy to labor and t he
sooner labor recognizes the fact tho
better.
Surely the workers will not bo so
blind as to continue supporting a
j>arty which went over body and
breeches to the National Manufact-
urers' Association. In former years,
when the courts of the county were
free from the Influence of employers,
It was not so necessary for labor to
enter the political field, but since the
National Manufacturers' Association,
in its effort to destroy the unions, has
invoked the aid of the judiciary and
silenced the legislative branch of tho
government, jiolltlcal action is forced
upon us and we must look to it for the
safety of our movement.
The coming presidential election
will be of keen interest to the manu-
facturers' association, because It is
probable that the next President of
the United States will have the nam-
ing of one or more Supreme Court
judges. The manufacturers' associa-
tion will move heaven and earth to
elect a President who will appoint
men of their temperament to the bench
o as to perpetuate recent anti-labor
decisions. The past record of Mr.
Taft, while on the bench, would seem
to qualify him admirably for their pur-
pose.
The manufacturers' association rec-
ognizes the fact that labor has 110
vote in the selection of Supreme
Court judges and no recourse against
their decisions. Having no vote, there-
fore, as to who shall be the judges,
and no recourse against their deci-
sions, the manufacturers' .association
knows as well as we do, that the Su-
preme Court judges constitute the
ruling power in this "land of tho free
and the home of the brave."
The party in power at the national
capitol had its Congress in session
when the Supreme Court outlawed the
labor movement, and it refused to en-
act legislation restoring, even in the
smallest degree, the rights of the labor
unions The members of this billion-
dollar anti-labor Congress are now on
the platform throughout the country
tolling the laborer, with great elo-
quence and much concern, of his
many virtues and parading their
matchless love for him, and some of
the laboring men (to whose pleasf
Congress refused relief), wh owear the
party yoke, may vote again to con
tinue these anti-labor congressmen in
office. If they do, they will surely
live to see the error of their way.
Tho time has come when labor 13
forced, in the interest of self-preserva-
tlon, to go into iwlitics and to abandon
the party yoke and vote Independently,
junt as the manufacturers' association
has derided to do in the coming elec-
tion The time is Indeed already here
(Continued on I'a^oti)
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Egbert, R. Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 24, 1908, newspaper, October 24, 1908; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc106677/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.