The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 24, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 4, 1909 Page: 1 of 8
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We
Possesses an Injunction Judge Elected by the People
LABOR UNIT
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ORGANIZED l^BOR AND THE F. E. C U OF A. OF OKLAHOMA
L Endorsed by the
OWAHOMA CITY BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
Endorsed by tb«
OKLAHOMA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
1
Endorsed by the Oklahoma City
CENTRAL TRADES AND LABOR ASSEMBLY
VOL. 2
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, 8ATCBPAY, l>Ki KMIiK.l! k I mm
NO. 24
Senator ColviMe Here.
Senator F". M. Colville, now a resi
(lint of Kdrnond. and pastor of the
Christian church at that place, was (
in the city this week mingling with
hi* many friends. The senator made
good in the eyes of the people of
this county whom he represented in
the senate and he will he remember-
ed by those who believe in the peo-
ple's rule In addition to being a leg
PUTTING federation officials , lsmtor m|,ier and a preacher, Mr
THE JUDICIARY
behind bars will not
end agitation.
The Next Thing We Know 3ome Fed-
eral Judge Will Enjoin a State Leg-
islature From Enacting Laws or En-
jon a Governor From Signing a Bill
Passed.
If there are those who imagine for a
moment that 'putting the Atnei-lcan
Federation officials behind the bars
will end the agitation against govern-
ment by injunction, they are mistaken.
And if there be judges who imagine
that such drastic action will lessen
the constantly growing contempt for
judges, they are likewise mistaken, 1
says the Duluth Labor World. There
is a vast difference between holding
a court in contempt and having con-
tempt for the occupants of the judi-
cial bench. The American people re-
spect the courts, but they are fast
losing respect for and confidence in
the men who are placed upon the
bench.
It the courts have lost the respect
of liberty-loving men, the fault lies
with the action of the imen who use
their judicial positions as an excuse
for the exercise of authority nevei
contemplated by the men who made
this republic. Absolute czardom, such
as has been exercised by federal
judges during the last six or eight
years, is repugnant to the spirit of our
free institutions, and unless an end is
put to it soon we will have a govern-
ment by federal judges.
Some of the injunctions issued dur-
ing recent years are so monstrous as
to demand immediate attention.
A federal judge in Pennsylvania
enjoined a Methodist preacher from
praying- at a meeting of striking min-
Colvillo is also a printer, and has
purchased a jdb office that will soon
ue installed in his home in Edmond
where he expects to devote his idle
time to netting out a church paper.
Be a booster—boost your labor pa-
per. Let the merchant know you ap-
preciate his advertising.
ORGANIZED LABOR IN GOOD CON
DITION OVER THE STATE
OF OKLAHOMA
THE SPIRIT CF CHRISTMAS
CopyriK
FOR SAL( ME
BENEFIT
iiliiS
miss
WARNING
t hits been reported that advertis-
ing solicitors are grafting merchants
in some of the large towns of t.ie
state claiming to represent the Okla-
homa Labor I'nlt. The Unit has no rep-
resentatives on advertising outside
of Oklahoma City at the present time
and merchants are warned not to sign
any contrails with any one represent-
ing this paper unless they bear cred-
entials signed by the present manage
nient, and dated December i, 1909, or
later. Members of labor unions will j
confer a favor by notifying us of any
solicitor that does not bear credentials ]
ami who claims to represent this pa
Reports from organizers from pr-
ions sections of the state^ show that
conditions are in good shape and that
many new unions are lieing formed.
Unorganized workmen are in many
instances sharing benefits that have
been secured by organizations in their
district. A determined stand is be-
ing made against the repeal of Sec-
tion 9, of Article ti. The reports are
as follows:
Ardmore.—D. N. Ferguson: Or-
ganized labor was never in bettei
shape than at this time. There is.
however, considerable athount of work
to be done before the workers are
thoroughly organized. Unorganized
workers are in helpless condition,
subject entirely to the bosses. Work
is steady. Farmers' unions and var-
ious kindred organizations are com-
ing up all over the country. Sheet
metal workers are organizing.
Chicktslia.—A. W. BtSnnott: Or-
ers' . . . Vlrsrlnia I anized labor making steady progress.
A federal judge in West V rgtala , # ^ Qf ,a,)0r the
enjoined free-born cltteMS ! building trades are organized and the
from visiting a mining district. , workday prevails in all £
A federal judge enjoined railroad «*ht horn W°™orgyJzed workers!
men from quitting the employ of a ; industries. ^ J ]m. ^ Em.
trXO. Mlge enjoined
men from using the "nUed States Hince las^rep ^ - ^ or
mails to communicate with their j jzations have unjon label commit-
lowmen upon certain specified su • ^ looWng |all lvnlon labels.
j®018' , -ii f: Women's label league is taking great
A federal judge nullifies the will of Women s laoet^ b
the people of a sovereign state upon McAlester—D S O'Leary: There
a matter of interest only to the peo- ^ ^ wo|.k gQing ou at thu
pie of that state. I rj^jn„ j>ut organized trades have the
A federal judge denies the editoi of i regards conditions. Con-
a magazine the right to discuss a **0^1 labor very
matter of vital importance to h s s , ^ Good work ,g done to push the
scribers, and sentences the editor to ^ ^ ^ Telephone
jail for a year because^ that editor atorg are about to fo,-m union.
dared to exercise the right guaranteed phillitis—Lee Pavne: Organized
by the constitution of the Uulte.i ; ^ ^ ghap(, and readily em-
States. I ulnvl.(j The unorganized workers do
The next thing we know a federal * • wages nor as short
judge will enjoin a state legislature ; e^
from enacting laws, or enjoin a gov- i TulJ?a __H x Smith and Gus E.
ernor from signing a bill passed, or i „ kPr. unjons in good shape
mandamus the legislature to enact a j ^ r),port steady work. The differ-
law, or mandamus the governor to , ^ ^ in wages between the organized
veto or sign a law. ^ j and unorganiaed standard is shown
Yet judges who commit these acm ^ thfl wages received by union * car-
are very touchy on the matter of re- ... j...
spect."
Help the Tuberculosis Sufferers by Buying Ret Cross 3tamP3.
lelmlr-
HAS IINJUNGTIQH JUDGE
EMPLOYEES ON THIRTEEN BIG
RAIROADS IN NORTHWEST
QUIT WORK
"Judge Wright" Methods Adopted
Frank M. Bailey, Judge of the
Fifteenth District
by
Switchmen of the northwest from
St. Paul to the Pacific const, to the
number or 2..UMI, left their work at
|« o'clock Tuesday evening and in-
augurated a strili ■ for an Increase In
I wages. Tonight Height s rvlce In tile
affected territory is seriously inter
ferod with and unless there is a
speedy settlement of difficulties a sit
nation involving the freight service of
the entire country and perhaps t'.u
passenger service is fv'nved.
President Hawley, of the switch-
men's union, states the tie-up is com-
plete, every man liavln? gone out.
Order is Obeyed
Mr. Hawley's statement follows:
"I have definite reports from every
point affected and my information is
that the strike order has been obeyed
to the man. I am informed that thf
rond men refused to do the work of
the switchmen. 1 don't think then
will be a sympathetic strike. Tin
strike is the most complete and de
tei mined I ever saw.
'The switchmen have lieen fair in
their l'eiiuevs.
"We wan' all advance of <5 cents
an hour in P and the elimination
f overtime and Sunday work as far
penters who work the eight-hour day
| and get from $3.60 to $4 a da> white
A few years ago a Texas congress j unoreanize(i men in the same indus-
man exclaimed, "To hell with the con- ^ from five to eight cents less
stitution!" He was damnedj ppi. hour and WOrk longer. Kmploy-
' ment has been good for building
l trades and unskilled laborers. Sheet
\ ! metal workers reduced their workday
one-half hour per day. Teamsters and
horseshoers have formed union. Laun
HWK VSWS3
- «-'"«>■ >■—- "--sjs.'sr srrs ta.
can. Okla.. „lUrt. About 30 members of labor
Chickasha. Okla.. Nov. .8, i.)0J. , orgal||zatlons made the trip to hear
"Labor I nit, ^ argument, at that place, which
"Oklahoma < il>- consumed two days' time.
"Electric Planing Mill, i laintift vs. ..,u(J„e Bailey reserved decision un-
Cliickasha Trades Council De^ end- ^ Noy whetl t,ie fol-
ants, is the style of a suit being, ng inJuIK,Uon was fl,ed wit!l the
brought !n Chlckashu. l,strict clerk:
"The Pinning Mill was deeiaieu is ordered, considered, adopted , . ,.a
■unfair' by the Carpenter's Local and de<Teetl ,,v the court that the as possible. The request for double
so reported at a recent meeting 0 |',,,terdants hereinabove named, and pay for over-time is In the nature o
the Trades Council, who thereupon I - thein ,,re herehl restrained a penalty more than anything else,
sent a committee to Mr. Lea. the man- ^ ^ (>].nlnC(1 from interfering by We want to discourage over-time,
ager and principal owner of said firm ^ ^ vj0icnce intimidation or coer-1 Sunday and holiday work.
to induce him to become 'fair.' While wUh ))latntiff'B business, or the Switchmen Complaint
Mr. I,ea received the committee with uge'of (he produ„t ()t thc plaintiff
all due onslderation he became vei> ^rporation bv slich force, intimida-
indtgnant at a member of the liad violence or coercion, intimiaa-
Council who he claimed procured from t)cn'or vioience )n the preventing of!
him a copy of a five-year c""tr:1'' any person, firm or company, from
which he had drawn up with purchasing or using material, the pro-
Trades Council, and maliciously (luc.t of the plaintiff corporation com-
stroyed the same. j ])aiiy> until the further order of the
court'. That plaintiff execute bond in
the sum of $250.
"It is ordered that the above cause
ing. The committee reported the be set for hearing on the 13ti. ...... ,... .
facts as stated by Mr. Lea and it was Def,ember> j909, at 9 o'clock. fected that has ever been known not
found that said contract was an in- "FRANK M. BAILI3Y, i even excepting the great stnK or
"Judge 15th Judicial District 1S94. Prom nov on not a switch en-
of the State of Oklahoma." kin® " ill <i o<-e tu the terri ory «•-
, tv.'PM the hend of the lakes and the
j "The attorneys for the defense ha\«? ^
a, to the best inter- endeavored for three daysJo i;-duc; l> ;nc c-o«. evcry inomber
ests of the organized trades and there- = to^dlne hi^mea , ^he stri.e b.
fore turned down. 1 dation etc ' but he refused to offer- pins h «nu. t k P . >
^ z r
"He refused to become 'fair' and
was therefore declared 'unfair' by the
Trades Council, at their next meet-
strument drawn up by Mr. Lea him
self and submitted to the Trades
Council for their signature and ap-
proval. Upon perusal it was found
to be detrimental to the best inter
"We also ask for a modification of
the physical requirements and ago
limit rules. Examinations for em-
ployment 011 railroads now are as rig
Id as those required for service in
the regular army.
"I have never seen a time when
the men were so thoroughly organized
and ready for concerted action as in
the present instance. This strike will
-it is prue,™ umt .... — - result it, the most complete tie-up
be set for hearing on the 13tl. day of |,,r railroad traffic m tu^ mtuorv ^
December,
A federal judge siys, in effer
same thing, and If we dare object we
are liable to a jail sentence for
pressing our contempt for tha, soi
of thing. | norsesnuer —
As between a government by red- fjry workers and federal labor union
er.l judiciary and a government by a i re aDOllt ,t0 form unions. We are
kin;? we prefer a klne:. There is en v c(Jn3tantly promoting all union^ labels,
one of him. and there are a, lot of ! wilburton—3. M. Boydston: Or-
federal judges. j ?anized labor in good shape as re-
gards houre and working conditions.
Unorganized trades are not up to the
same standard although in many in-
stances they share some of the ben-
efits secured through organization.
The workers of the entire state are
making a determined stand against
the repeal of section nine, article nine
of the state constitution.
formed a co-operative concern seiuns
them shares at |1 each, and incor-! (Continued on Page Light.
4.<.4. + + + * + + + + + + + + + +
WHAT THE INTERESTS
SEEK TO AMEND
"Section 9. Neither shall any
railroad company, transporta-
tion company, or transmission
company, organized under the
laws in this state, consolidate
by private or judicial sale, or
otherwise, with any railroad
company, transportation com-
pany, or transmission company
organized under the laws of
any other state or of the Unit-
ed States.
+ + +4. + + + + + 4- + + + + + + +
One of the results of the publicity
given by the Buck S'ove Co s. action
af.ainst Gon.pers, Morrison and Mitch-
ell is that the company's plant is now
I in operation only three days a WWlt.
+ lames W. VanCleave. president of the
+ company, admitted this in an inter
+ view in San Francsico several days
♦ ago. and that his company was put to
i enormous losses.
TO THE VOTERS OF OKLAHOMA CITY
Believing the public is entitled to a statement from the cand.dates
for members of the freeholder board, as to what form of city govern-
ment they favor should they be elected to represent the people of
their respective wards on Dec. 6.
"We the undersigned feel that all interests in the city should be
given a chance to be heard and that the board of freeholders will be
in a better position to write a form of city government with the pro-
per safeguard for all the people sfter such sentiment is ascertained
and we pledge cursc-lves if electedto write the best possible charter
form of municipal government obtainable for Oklahoma City, whether
that be commission, federal or a revision of the present form of gov-
ernment.
Signed:
MONT R. POWELL, Democratic Candidate from the First Warri
E. VI. VANCE, Democratic Candidate from the Fifth Ward.
MIKE WILLIAMS, Democratic Candidate from the Third Ward.
CHARLES H. RUTH, Democratic Candidate from the Second Ward. ,
+++++++++++++-J-V+++++'i ++*** ***
ducting the strik
The following roads are affected:
Great Northern. Northern Pacific, Chi-
engo. Burlington & Qulncy Chicago,
Minneapolis H Omaha; Chicago, Mil-
waukee and St. Paul; the Bridge and
Terminal; the railway Transfer, .Min-
neapolis Rastern, Minneapolis West-
ern: Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific,
and the Chicago, Great Western.
ORGANIZER HERE.
i; -j- white, Secreary-Treasurer and
organizer for the Second Histrict o
the IClectrical Workers is in the city
and was in attendance at the meetings
or both the Inside and outside wire-
men Thursday evening where he de-
livered very interesting addresses.
Mr. White Is a very able represen-
tative of his craft, his district Includ-
ing Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.
Mr Kinnev, business agent, reports
that the Electrical Workers are on
the Incline, all members working, and
further mod results are expected to be
accomplished by the visit of Mr. White-
Two members were inlatiated b> No
456 at this week's meeting.
THING PRINTED
HUNDREDS OF CASES OF BENEV-
OLENCE AND REAL PHILAN
THROPY OCCUR YEARLY.
Organized Labor Should Show to the
World That it Has Carnegie's Li-
braries Bested When it Comes to
Doing Real Good for Humanity.
II Is amusing how little some peo-
ple know about the labor movement.
And tills does not always apply to
the outsider.
The carpenters of Okmulgee lost
one of their members a few weeks ago
by death. The preacher presided
over the remains Just like he would
over the remains of any other humau
being, because the average union la-
bor man does resemble human beings.
llut the doctor, after waiting upon the
brother and doing everything in his
power to cure the patient, presented
hlB bill. He was informed that the
bill would have to come before the lo-
cal like other bills, and have a war
rant drawn In the usual way. The doc-
tor seemed amazed. Finally, after
biting his lips, twisting his mustache
and looking surprised, lie said: "What,
do union people have a sick and death
benefit? I am surprised and have
learned something. 1 supposed all
you fellows did was to strike and boy-
cott somebody. Since I have been en-
lightened, here Is my bill, receipted,
and you fellows have a life-long friend
in ine, and my services shall not cost
you one cent."
This is only one out of hundreds of
cases of benevolence—real philan-
thropy—that occurs every year right
here in Oklahoma. I!ut labor unions
do not run to the papers to print e\
ery good thing they do for humanit>.
That is the hypocrite's game and un-
ion labor Is not deceitful.
Why, just a few weeks ago Local
27iJ Carpenters of Oklahoma t.ltj,
took care of a brother member during
Ills illness and paid all expenses ol
the funeral, and gave the widow a
nice little bunch of money, besides
shipping the remains of the brother
and buying tickets for the wife and
family back to Indiana, where a dele-
gation of union carpenters toek
charge of the remains and all timer
al arrangements.
Kven some union men don't seem to
know of this feature of the labor
movement, or they fall to mention it
when soliciting membership.
And how could we expect the pub-
lic to know of the benevolent feat-
ures of the labor movement when < ui
own members fall to make it known.
Not a labor union In existenc ■ tlm
does not bury the dead, care fw i«j-
widow and orphan, help the sttena
ed," procure employment for mem
be'rs. and yet some people are igv.-
ant of the fact.
Let's advertise a little li 1
other fellow, and show to th.' wor.d
tha' we've got Andrew Ca'nege,
brariea bested When It come*
ing real good for humanity.
There iT too much indifference, apa-
thy. prejudice and Ignorance in the
tn.de union movement. Too man>
members expect the officers and busl-
n ess agents of the union to do everj
thing, even the impossible. The or
ganization can only assist you to se •
help There is no power on earth or
i„ heaven that can help those who are
not willing to help themselves The}
are the living dead and eternally lost-
Attend the meeting of your un'^d
read your labor paper; read Kood
Wks; and, above all. try to <> «
real hard thinking, and a little les.
knocking.
t o do-
WHAT THE INTERESTS
SEEK TO AMEND
"Section 9. Neither shall any
railroad company, transporta-
tion company, or transmission
company, organized under the
laws in this state, consolidate
by private or judicial sale, or
otherwise, with any railroad
company, transportation com-
pany. or transmission company
organized under the laws of
any other state or of the unit-
ed States.
+
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+
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;4.4.4. + * + * + « + + + + + * +
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Wilson, Ollie S. The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 24, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 4, 1909, newspaper, December 4, 1909; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc106856/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.