The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 31, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 6, 1912 Page: 1 of 8
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VOL. 4.
TH. INTERESTS OF OUCMOZtP LABOR AND THE FARMER.- UH.O O
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, SATURDAY, JANl'AR\ 6, 1912.
OF OKLAHOMA
No. 31
SHAW EMPLOYS
CONVICT LABOR
loud and insistent demand
should go forth for pro-
tection of free labor.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—Leslie M. Shaw, for
four years Governor of Iowa; for six
years a member of the President s cabi-
net as secretary of tlie treasury; tor
many years one of the chief stump
orators for the Republican party; tor
many years a Sunday school superin-
tendent. In short, an eloquent, thrifty,
pious, staudpat gentleman, who be
lievcs in dollars, first, and men t<
come in as chance may permit. Leslie
has also, a world wide reputation as a
most charming versatile story teller-
lie knows how to mix humor with busi-
ness. At present he is the influential
president of the First Mortgage Guar
nntee and Trust Co of Philadelphia
and is also the chairman of the board
of directors of the American Fibre
Heed Co. Mr. Shaw has given to the
world a prospectus of this company,
which he evidently intended to be con
sidered a happy combination of humor
and thrift, but which when analyzed,
shows this scheming politician up in his
true nature. He says in his prospectus,
amongst other things: '' Ihe i ibre
Heed Company's factories are located
inside prison walls, with 800 prisoners
under contract in Maine, Illinois and
Kentucky." * « « "Our prison
contracts are made for eight years and
generally continue indefinitely. We
pay for "our labor 52 cents per man per
day. Our competitors, who employ free
labor, pay an average wage of $2.00
per day. There are no strikes or labor
troubles in prisons. Our company
supplied with factory buildings, storage
warehouses inside the prison walls, free
of rent. We have free heat, free light,
free power. To acquire similar facili-
ties as these would necessitate an extra
investment of a million dollars Seven
per cent is guaranteed on the preferred
stock and 10 per cent on the common;
but the company expects its net earn
ings to be double these because it is
seeking prison labor in other states, so
that the company can control 65 per
cent of the fibre and 50 per cent of the
reed business in the United States.
Leslie quaintly adds: "The company s
experience enables it to obtain contracts
and advantages in preference to other
manufacturers who have not had prison
experience." And in another part of
this prospectus he says in words more
damagingly truthful than poetic.
"These are ideal conditions of profit-
able manufacturing." These excerpts
from the gifted Mr. Shaw's prospectus
should be enough to make Labor so
thoroughly indignant by the imposition
of contract convict labor, that a louder
and more insistent demand would go
forth to representatives and senators in
the 62nd Congress, for an immediate
passage of the bill II. R. 5601 for the
purpose of protecting free labor as
against the abominable competition of
prison labor.
donnelly urges annuities
Speclul to The Labor Unit.
Washington. — Strong recommenda-
tions that the civil service employes of
the government be retired on annuities
when they reach the age of retirement
become disabled, are contained in the
annual report of Public Printer Samuel
B. Donnelly. Mr. Donnelly says that
there are now more than 250 men in the
Governing Printing Office who are more
than 65 years old, and urges that it
would be of advantage to the govern-
ment to provide for the retirement of
those who have given to the public ser-
the best years of their lives and
who may b« unable to perform an ave:
age dav's work He further asserts ths .
the basis of such annuities should be
length of service, and the salary or
wage received during their employment,
which in the case of those who have
been in the service for many years
would meet their ordinary requirements
during the remainder of their lives, and
that such a plan would result in saving
a large portion of the amount that is
conceded generally is now lost through
superannuation of employes, and would
at the same time be an act of justice
to the individual and a recognition of
long and faithful service
Public installation of Officers
issues statement
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—The officials of inter-
national unions, with headquarters in
Indianapolis, Ind., have had prepared in
pamphlet form and are sending them
broadcast, the statement recently issued
relative to the McNamara case.
Special to Tlie Labor Unit.
Okmulgee, Okla., Jan. 5.—More than
150 persons were present at a public
installation of officers of the Carpen
ters' union at Central Labor hall Ne-v
\ ears' night. Brother W. K. Penning
field acted as installing officer. Music
was furnished by the Carpenters' or
chestra, assisted by Miss Leila liush,
who rendered several selections on the
piano, accompanied by Brother Smith
with snare and trap drums.
President F. M- Yerdin opened the
ceremonies with a few well chosen
words of welcome to all.
Mr. Geo. Mabrey, president of the
Retail Merchants association, spoke on
the subject of "Organized Labor as
Home Traders." He brought forcibly
to our ininds the fact that it is not only
the duty but good policy for all labor
ing men to trade at home, as we could
not hope to profit by money spent away
from home. He also condemned the
policv of business and professional men
in letting their work to non-residents,
saying such men were not entitled to
the support of men whose trade they
sought. Mr. Mabrey's remarks were
heartily approved by every union man
present, especially as he has proved to
us by actions as well as words that he
heartily in sympathy with the aims
and objects of our organization
Brother J. F. Grissom, a member of
Painters' local, favored us with
PROMISES ARE
EASILY BROKEN
tennessee legislature turn
ed down an employers'
liability bill.
forty-five minutes on '' The Duties of
Organized Labor to Society-' He
called particular attention to the im
portance of close and scrupulous aUen
tiou to mental training that we may
know our own needs and make an in
telligent effort to obtain the same
Brother Grissom said some people say
he is too radical, but he challenged any-
one with a spark of humanity in his
composition to make a careful investi
gation of the conditions organized labor
were seeking to eliminate, especially
woman and child labor, and then even
hint that he was radical. He also laid
particular stress on our duties in regard
intelligent use of the ballot,
though it was our duty to support for
public office men who were friendly to
our cause. We should above all see
that they were good, clean men
every sense of the work. He warned us
to beware of the political friend who
just before election grasps our hand
lauds union ljibor to the skies, And eon
demns capital in every form, as such
friends were the worst enemies organ-
ized labor have ever had.
After the speakiug the floor was
cleared and the younger people enjoyed
couple of hours dancing.
While we regret that there were not
more business men present, there b.'ing
two other lodges in town holding simi-
lar entertainments, we are satisfied
that all present considered the even-
ing well spent and left with a fairer
and better conception of the aims and
ambitions of organized labor.
The following officers were installed
for the coming year:
President—F. M. Vtfrdin.
Vice-President—Chas. Seliymley.
Recording Secretary:—G. L. Hunter.
Financial Secretary—E. D. Young.
Treasurer—J. A. Bellman.
Conductor—Ed Hurd.
Warden—Emmet Sharp-
Delegates to Trades Council—I. II.
Yerdin, G. L. Hunter, J. T. Ward, L.
M. Evans.
wages in foundries and ma
chine shops.
ecUl to The Labor Unit.
Washingtoy.—The United States
Census Bureau is following its usual
custom of hurling stupendous totals at
tlie public. It always carefully avoids
furnishing illuminating analytical de
tails, such details as would intelligently
portrav what is really taking place in
the industries of the country. An aiialy
sis of its table on foundry and machine
shop products discloses that in the year
1904 the average wage paid to employes
in this industry was $556. In the
1909 the average wage was increased
to $005 per year, an equivalent of about
!> per cent, increase in wages. The pro
ductive value of the employes averaged
$1,985 per capita in 1904, and in 1909
this value had increased to $2,313 s
average per capita, or an increase
16% per cent., showing that the high
speed systems prevalent in this indus-
try show a deficiency <>f about 7% per
cent, less in increased wages than in
productive values.
the miners federation.
Special to The Labor Unit.
London.—The request of the Miners
Federation of Great Britain for
early conference with the coal oper
ators on the subject of the minimum
wage demand has now been formally
presented to tlie latter and a reply i
expected shortly. It is stated that
there is good ground for predicting
that the reply will be of a favorable
character and that the expected meet
ing will take placc some time during
the month of December.
unemployment in massachu-
setts
M
CALLED FOR UNION CLAUSE
Erection of New Ball Park Grandstand
Performed by Union Men.
T'r.ien >ibor If to have the call in the
construction of the big new grandstand
and bleachers now being erected at the
ball park in this city. Judge W. W.
McCredie is a friend of organized
labor and has stipulated in the plans
and specifications for the new amuse-
ment place that members of the Build-
ing Trades Council must be hired on the
structure.
In discussing the matter a few days
ago, Mr- McCredie stated that he would
demand that the work be given to
union men, because he wants to have
the new grandstand hurried to compl
tion, which he could not do should
there be wrangling over the employ
ment of non-union men on the job.
The management of the American
League team at Cleveland, Ohio, at
tempted to fight organized labor, an
the. Judge was told on one of his trips
east that the management would not
again attempt to figlit the unions.
They have all of that they needed
Portland (Oregon) Labor Press.
SHOWING PROGRESS
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—By a vote of 60 nays
to 37 ayes, the Tennessee legislature
turned down an employers' liability bill
patterned after the federal act, in spi
of the fact that before election the
regular Democrats, the independent
Democrats and the Republicans all sol-
emnly pledged tlieir parties to pass an
employers' liability law, as good, if
not better, than the federal act- The
governor, Benjamin W. Hooper, also
urged the passage of this measure. In
his first message he said to the legisla-
ture: "For more than 20 years the
enactment of this legislation has been
promised by candidates and the politi-
cal parties, but from some unexplainable
cause, it has always been quietly pigeon-
oled or asphyxiated at the psychologi-
cal moment," The legislative session
advanced and when it appeared that
the bill was again doomed, the gover
nor got nervous and sent this hot shot
hurtling to the legislature: "When the
moneyed interests become interested
legislation, their representatives appear
in legislative halls and bring to bear
,erv influence that can be conceived
by the keenest intellects of modern
times. It is currently reported that one
railroad has issued more than 11,500
passes during this legislative session."
Evidently the Louisville & Nashville
.ailroad never lets up. It was the most
bitter opponent in Washington when the
federal employers' liability act was be-
considered by congress. It has made
the most stubborn resistance to the con-
sideration of any feasible plan of auto-
matic compensation for injuries before
the federal commission. This is the
same L. & N. R. R- that instituted a
test case against Section 10 of the Erd-
man act, so that the supreme court de-
clared it unconstitutional and the black-
list became legalized. The L. & N. R.
R. is one of the most bitter opponents of
organizations of labor among employes.
Special to Tlie Labi r CTl.lt.
Baetou.—The bureau of statistics has
just issued Labor Bulletin No. 85, and
treats of unemployment in the organ-
ized industries and the labor supply and
demand at the state free employment
offices. For the quarter ending Sept.
30 complete returns were received from
78 per cent, of the organizations repre-
senting approximately 70 per cent, ot'
the aggregate trade union membership,
and 5 6 per cent, were reported as un-
cn,ployed. This percentage is lower by
one point than tlie corresponding per-
centage (6.6) for the close of the pre-
ceding quarter. The condition of the
lf.bor market for the quarter showed a
decided improvement over the same
quarter last year. There was an in-
creased demand tor building tradesmen
and metal workers, while the demand
fir general workers remained about the
samcMis last year.
eight hour law
Special to The Labor Unit.
o'ashtngton.—The eight houi bill, H.
R. 9601, which passed the house of rep-
resentatives on December 14, has been
referred to the senate committee on edu-
cation and labor. This committee is
composed of the following senators:
Borah, Idaho; Penrose, Pa.; DuPont,
Del.; Page, Vt.; McLean, Conn.; Ken-
yon,'la.; Bayner, Md.; Bankhead, Ala.;
Shively, Ind ; Swanson, Ya.; and Mar-
tine, N. J.
President Gompers has urged the com-
mittee to take action upon the bill at aa
tarly date. It would be well if his ex-
Ample were followed by all the organiza-
tions, and if individual members would
address their own senators urging them
to give immediate and active support to
this measure.
Plasterers of Rome, Ga., have ad-
vanced wages 50 cents per day and won
the eight, hour day.
MAKE EFFORTS
RAISE RATES
railroad attorneys argued
with federal commission
for increase
Unions Cannot Be Destroyed
(From the Trades Unionist, Washing-, Incidentally, it might be pointed out
(i rom me ^ ^ ^ | that those who most loudly proclaim the
TYPOS MEET SUNDAY
Election of Secretary-Treasurer of State
Federation of Labor One Order
of Business.
The last number of the American
Pressman, official journal of the Inter
national Printing Pressmen and Assist-
ants' Union, was produced entirely by
their plant of the technical school at
liogersville, Tenn., which is a part of
their home and sanatorium at that place.
The school is equipped with all the lat
est printing machines for the production
of half-tone and color printing and nlso
the teaching of the process of off-set
work, most of the machinery being do-
nated by the manufacturers, who recog-
nized the value of the training of press-
men such as the technical school is pre-
pared to undertake.
ton, D. C.)
Whatever may be the opinion
hostile interests* the labor unions can-
not be destroyed. The recent revela-
tions in the dynamiting episode must
envelop us with pity for the misguided
culprits, whose habit of mind or fanati-
cism led them to the commission of
crimes to which they have made con-
fession.
There may also be drawn a lesson
that extreme radicalism defeats the
purpose for which it is intended.
Violent changes in the existing order of
things never comes without an inci-
dent loss, in most instances, almost in-
variably greater than the new order
ompensates for.
The McNamaras, by temporary frus-
tration of their legitimate plans, as-
sumed that destruction of property-
was the only avenue open in which to
meet the hostile employers. While
there are many pathetic stories con-
tained in the pages of labor history of
the wanton acts of greedy employers,
yet these facts afford no justification
for the members of labor organizations
to pattern after them.
There is too often engendered
of 1 necessity for drastic action in arriving
the 'solution of difficult problems,
are generally the most rebellious in ac-
cepting and complying when drastic
action is taken.
It, therefore, ought to be apparent
to the careful observer of events that
inordinate haste and force are to be
tabooed as a general plan of action,
and, as a matter of fact, the great
body of our unions are governer upon
that principle. Because of it the
unions grow in numbers and increase
in membership.
The unions will live and increase be
cause there is a necessity for their
protecting influence, and no matter
what panaceas are offered for the erad-
ication of our industrial ills th
nomic value of the combinations of
workmen is at all times necessary to
conserve that which has been obtained
and an engine to further our best in
terests.
Because a few men misinterpret the
mission of organized labor provides no
adequate reason why dissolution
should follow. It is not a very far cry
the time when labor unions were
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington. —' In the tentative bill
1 rafted by the United States Employ
ers' Liability and Workmen's Compen
sation Commission, this peculiar and ap INJUNCTION
parently innocent joker is incorporated:
"That in any proceeding before the
Interstate Commerce Commission for
rates, all amounts payable under this
act shall be considered as properly
chargeable to the operating expenses of
the carrier.'''
For hours and for days attorneys for
the railroads argued, debated, pounded,
hurrangued and tried to brow beat th
federal commission on compensation to
advocate legislation granting railroads
higher transportation rates. The see
tion quoted above was the most the
commission would concede. It is here-
with presented to the public with the
warning that the attention of all United
States senators and representative*
hould be called to it and they should
be notified to give it no encouragement.
It was only a few days ago that the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western U.
R Co. declared a dividend of 37 per
cut., and then, for fear it would alarm
the public, it immediately added 100 per
•ent water to its common stock. I he
Lehigh Valley R. B., on December 22,
declared a dividend of 22 per cent, and
its earnings after the dividend was an
nounced showed a surplus of $47,788,503
for the last fiscal year. It cost the Le
high Valley 81 cents to make a dollar in
the yeiir 1902, and through a variety ot
economies, chief among which is low
wages, it made a dollar in 1910 by ex-
pending less than-60 cents. And yet
these cormorant corporations outrage-
ously ask and flagrantly demand an
over-burdened public to pay higher rate-
on transportation charges, as an excuse
to be able to treat tlieir injured em-
ployes with ordinary decency and who
up to the present they have neglected
and abused.
23 KILLED
93 MUTILATED
a partial record of the hor-
rible accidents to work-
men on railroads.
Speclul to Tlie Labor Unit.
Washington.—Within five days the
press has recorded a few of the acci-
lents happening on railroads, from
which the following is culled:
Six men killed, five men injured on
the Pennsylvania K. R. at Devil's Bend,
near Manor, Penn., because of a col-
lision between two freights; and later,
a west bound express smashed into the
freight wreckage.
At Odessa, Minn , on the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul 1(. R. twelve
persons were killed and over twenty
injured when the second section of a
passenger train from the west crashed
into the first section which had been
stopped on signal. The blame In this
case is placed upon the brakeman of
the first section, who did not run far
enough back to signal the second sec-
tion. But the press is silent as to why
the second section should be in the
same block as the first section. Rail-
road management of this kind is crimi-
nal in its inefficiency.
At Gate City, Ya., on the Va. and
South Western' R. R. three men were
killed and three injured because the air
brakes failed to work and prevented the
engineer from controlling his train in
plain view of a landslide. Another
case of carelessness.
At Haddonfield, N.-.T., on the Penn-
sylvania R. 11., two men were killed and
seven injured while attempting to re-
place a wooden structure with a new
steel span, which gave away during in-
stallation and brought tlie-e men to
tlieir death.
At Pottsville, Penn., on the Eastern
Railway Co., 61 passengers in a car
were tumbled into a creek, from which
they were dragged with fractured
limbs, broken skulls, wrenched backs
and other serious injuries, caused by a
broken rail. Desire for profit incites
chenp construction and inefficient
management.
LIMITATION MEAS-
URE.
ONLY PEACE.
Oklahoma City Typographical Union
.No. 283 will meet in regular monthly
meeting tomorrow (Sunday) at the
Trades Council hall, 13% South Robin
son street.
The election of secretary-treasurer of
the State Federation of Labor, to fill
out the unexpired term of J. Luther
Langston, deposed secretary-treasurer,
will take place at this meeting. Under
the law of the Federation in case of
removal from office of a member, the
union to which he belongs shall elect
his successor. The president of the
State Federation of Labor has request-
ed that the union elect a man as soon
as possible.
Another matter to come before the
organization at this meeting will be the
selection of new quarters for the local
office of the secretary-treasurer of the
Typographical union.
impatient minds the absolute convic I (.0Ilsj,jer).,l !1S inimical to the best in
tion that force is the only available tfrest8 0{ society. The public mind has
remedy. To he fanatically inclined! omp](itely swung around, save in only
this appeals with ever increasing in- a exceptional instances, and those
tensity. But to the student of human
nature and the large affairs of men
and their accomplishments, the absence
of force is the predominating influence
that makes for the greatest achieve-
ments. .
The absence of the brutal exercise of
power stored up in the American Fed-
eration of Labor is its potency. Tts
actions for years have been directed to
the arrival of mutual undertsandings,
rather than the issuing of mandatory
edicts. Year after year have the same
jurisdictional questions arisen demand-
ing attention, but the same muhani-
tarian spirit has prevailed in attempt-
ing adjustment.
instances are not taken seriously.
The great membership of the labor
movement is the stanchest portion of
present day society, and it yields to no |
other section of society for regard for
our institutions anil its patriotism to
the best interests of the American re-
public.
The McNamaras do not typify the
men of labor—in fact, they are the
very antithesis. We render our pity to
the' misguided men, but the organiza-
tions of labor are not responsible for
the overt acts of any man or set of
men simply because they happen to be
members thereof.
"The swiftness and abhorrence with
which union labor and its leaders have
repudicateil any sympathy with violence
and their sincere indignation at having
been so iveil by the McNamaras.
ought to convince employers that labor
in seeking to better conditions approves
onlv of peaceful methods. And, on tlie
other hand, labor should realize that
not all employers, by a long way. are
grasping, tyrannical, and unreason
able."—Roseburg News.
STATE FEDERATION MOVES
The offices of the State Federation f
of Labor have been moved from the
fifth floor of the State National Bank j
building to room 1022 in the same l)ul
President Zeigler and Acting ■ e
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington—The Wilson bill to
regulate the issuance of injunctions has
not so far had any hearings during the
present Congress. While, of course,
hearings on this question hnve been had
so often and so continuously from year
to year that there should be no further
hearings needed, yet there is no time to
lose and an inquiry from your Con-
gressman as to what is being done will
be wise and timely.
The bill is known as H. R. 1103-.
LEADING FIRM ENLARGES
Well Known Grand Avenue Merchants
Remodeling Store—Will Add Big
Line of Hats.
The well known firm of Witt-Badgctt,
117-119 West Grand avenue, are remod-
eling tlieir up-to-date clothing store,
adding a large and complete line of
boj's' and men's hats. This firm has
jecontly disposed of their line of ladies
shoes, but still handle men's and boys'
shoes, besides everything for the man
and boy. When the present plans of
the firm are carried out they will have
the largest line of men's and boys' hats
to bo found in the city.
This popular firm carry in stock at all
times a full and complete stock of uuion
made goods.
PETE STEWART RE ELECTED
McAlester Man Chosen to Old Position
by Miners of District No. 21.
Tellers have completed the canvass of
the vote cast in tlie recent election for
officers in District No. 21, United Mine
Workers of America. The district is
composed of Oklahoma. Arkansas and
Texas. Pete Stewart of McAlester has
been re-elected president. Fred llolt
of McAlester was also re-elected secre-
tarv. Ed Cunningham of Bridgeport,
Tex, failed of re-election on the first
ballot, nnd must make another race
with M. Clevinger of Greenwood, Ark.
Duff Sparling of Lyre, Tex., district
i board member of the state, was re-
olt oted. The national board member
must also be elected at another elec-
tion.
BARBERS ELECT OFFICERS
retarv-Treasurer Maxwell are busily en
gaged ill the work of urging all unions
in the state to get together and assist
the offi
po
Federation of Labor,
At the regular election of officers for
Barbers Union No 200. held Thursday
„iKht, December lis, "Dad" Pebworth
was elected president; J. B. Great, cor-
responding and financial , ^'r^ar^
.'d Jones, vice-president, and <>. n* •
Pitts, treasurer.
The Barbers' union is in a nourishing
at present.
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Casler, Howard M. The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 31, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 6, 1912, newspaper, January 6, 1912; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc107052/m1/1/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.