The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, June 26, 1909 Page: 1 of 8
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THE OKLAHOMA LABOR UNIT
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ORGANIZED LABOR AND THE F. E. C U. OF A. OF OKLAHOMA
Endorsed by the
j OKLAHOMA CITY BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
Endorsed by the
OKLAHOMA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
Endorsed by the Oklahoma City
CENTRAL TRADES AND LABOR ASSEMBLY
VOL. 2
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. SATURDAY, .ll'XE 2«. 1 {>09.
NO. 1
/
Tf
ASIATICS IN PHILIPPINES,
In 1853 the foreign born Chinese in
the Hawaiian Islands were 364; in
1900 they had increased to 21,746. The
Japanese were not enumerated until
1884, at which time there were 116
of foreign birth, while by 1900 their
numbers had swollen to 56,230. In
the latter year there were of native
birth,—Japanese, 4,881, Chinese, 4.021,
making a grand total of 86,878 Asiat-
ics. Of this immense number, in so
small a territory, 51,320 were engaged
in agriculture; 1,196 in .professional
service; 8,769 in domestic service; 3,-
286 in trade and transportation; and
4,302 in manufwacturing and mechan-
ical pursuits. During the decade, 1890-
1900, Asiatics in mechanical occupa-
tions increased from 606 to 1,3S9—
Japanese mechanics alone increasing
from 42 to 904
In 27 licensed occupations for the
year 1898, we find 1,468 Chinese and
452 Japanese; while for the year 1904
there were 1,288 Chinese and 1,241 Ja-
panese license holders, against 1.629
license holders of all other national-
ities; including native Hawaiians.
(Hul. 66, U. S. Bureau of Labor.)
In bulletin 58 (of same department)
It is stated that the Chinese popula-
tion of the Philippines (1903) was 41,-
035, of whom only 517 were females.
There were also 931 Japanese and a
sprinkling of other Orientals. From the
tabulations submitted it is to be seen
that the yellow men are obut 89 per
cent traders and mechanics, the re-
maining 11 per cent covering all the
other occupations.
In Australia the people of Teutonic
and Celtic stock are insistent in their
demand for the maintenance of a
"White Australia," a question which
involves more for that country than
does our Chinese Exclusion policy
for the United States. The Chinese
question there has developed special
aspects of more or less direct inter-
est to Americans. So early as 1854,
a Restriction Act was passed in the
colonies of Victoria - ami New South
Wales, and these acts were amended
from time to time, being made more
stringent in their operation. Not-
withstanding the harshness of the law
passed in 1861 there were 12,988 Chi-
nese in New South Wales, and 24,732
in Victoria, constituting over 11 per
cent of the adult male population of
those colonies.
Wherever the Chinese go, the ex-
periences of white workingmen are
the same. The Chinaman and Jap-
anese will undercut, or, as was said
by a prominent merchant suffering
from Asiatic competition, "As to pa-
triotism there is nothing in it selling
goods; it is poketism;" they work be-
low the rate of wages establi3hel by
the government board, and the report
of a New South Wales Royal Commis-
sion stated that "to stop this, unless
there be an inspector to each Asiatic,
seems impossible." The Asiatics de-
fies the law with the quiet .pertinacity
peculiar to the race, and there has as
yet been no method devised to compel
an observance of the most primitive
sanitary laws.
During the past few years an earn-
est and honest enforcement of the ex-
clusion laws has decreased the Chi-
neses to about 34,00, but Japanese
have crept in until there are now
about 3,000, while the Hindoos and
Cingalese have about an equal num-
ber. This is in striking contrast to
the operation of our Exclusion "Laws.
(See Bulletin 58, Bureau of Labor.)
A. E. YOELL, Secretary,
Asiatic Exclusion League.
OKLAHOMAN BUILDING STRUCK
BY THE BUILDING TRADES
MISSOURI LABOR LAWS
Text of some of the Bills Secured by
Unions in Missouri.
The legislative committee of the
Mussouri Federation of Labor, com-
posed of Ed McGarry, chairman, Aus-
tin Biggs, vice chairman, and Charles
W. Fear, secretary-treasures, encount-
ered bitter opposition from Van Cleave
and hi3 followers during the recent
session of the general assembly but
secured several bills in spite of the
W. Fear, Secretary-treasurer, encount-
vors Secretary Luther Langston with
an advance proof sheet of the report
which shows that the following bills
were enacted:
Bill to prohibit the employment of
females in dramshops in any capacity.
BilU to regulate the sanitary con-
ditions and hours of employment in
bakeries.
Bill requiring that exhaust fans be
installed wherever workmen are re-
quired to work at metal polishing and
kindred trades.
Bill to require all railroads in the
State operating o-ne hundred miles of
road to equip all engines U3ed in the
road service with electric headlights.
Bill regulating the hours of females
in factories, workshops and restau-
rants, restricting the hours to 9 in
twenty-four, and not more than 54 in!
any one weeik and prohibiting
their employment between the hours
of 10 p. m. and 5 a. m., except in
eating houses.
Bill requiring employment agencies
to pay a license with certain stipu-
lations which will do away with mucs
of the fraud and deception which is
being practiced by the so-called em-
ployment agencies in the large cities.
There was also introduced and
passed two mining bill3 and an amend-
ment to one of the sections to the pres-
ent statutes.
One of thees bills compels all coal
companies employing 25 or more men,
where any mechanical devise is used
in lowering or hoisting. To make an
inspection of all ropes, cages, sliive
wheels, safety catches and drum brak-
es, twice each week when the mine is
in operation and the result of each
inspection must be recorded in a book
kept at the mine for that purpose, and
a bill which Is known as the Sur-
vival of Action in case of fatal acci-
dents in the mines, and an amendment
to the law which is on the Statutes
compelling coal companies to hoist
eight men when they present them-
selves at the bottom of the shaft.
A part of the report will show that
several very important bill3 did not
pass, including:
The bill providing that the state
abolish the present system of leasing
convicts to private parties.
The bill to create a state board of
engineers to license stationary engi-
neers.
The bill requiring that all public
work be done for the state, a county,
or a municipality, be done under the
eight hour 3ytsem.
The bill stipulating the /manner in
which an Injunction shall be granted
and defining the meaning of conspir-
acy labor disputes.
DAUGHERTY IN THE CITY
Chas. L. Daugherty, State Labor
Commissioner is in Oklahoma City,
having been called here on account
of the Building Trades strike. Mr.
Daugherty has just returned from
Rochester, N. Y., where he attended
the Annual Convention of the Na-
tional Association of Officials of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of Ameri-
ca. Twenty-six states were represent-
ed and the session lasted five days.
Many questions of importance regard-
ing labor is taken up by this assoc-
iation and such questions as child
labor, arbitration, factory inspection,
Labor statistics, free employment bu-
reaus, etc, are among the vital points
receiving attention. Mr. Daugherty
has for the past year served as second
vice-president and has been a valu-
able- officer of the assn. The follow-
ing officers were-elected to serve the
coming year: Chas. P. Neal, Presi-
dent, Washington, D. C., Chas. F. Get-
temy, 1st. vice-pres., of Mass. Ed-
ward W. Van Duyn, 2nd vice-pres of
Iowa, W. L. A. Johnson of Kansas,
secretary-treasurer.
The next annupal convention of the
association will be held in Henderson-
ville, N. C., one of the leading textile
centers of the United States. Tlie
annual session of the National As-
sociation of Factory Inspectors also
held their meeting at the same time
as the Officials of the Bureaus of
Labor Statistics and Oklahoma was
represented by Inspector G. E. War-
ren, who had the honor of being elec-
ted second vice-president of his as-
sociation. These two bodies work to-
gether and will meet again at the next
session at Hendersonville.
Interesting News Item? Xo. 1.—
President Taft and his partner, Gen-
eral Edwards was beaten in a game
of golf, June 2131. "Whit a shame!"
Union men are called out on the
new Oklahoman building, when the
owners refused to employ members
of Local 291, Plumbers and Steam
(Fitters, and 449, Gas Fitters.
The plumbers are not at fault, as
every reasonable concession was
made to effect a settlement; the un-
ion going so far as to submit their
differences to a board of arbitration
composed of members of the Cham-
ber of Commerce.
After the committee of business
men failed to get a hearing of the
master plumbers with their former
employes, Mayor Henry M. Scales at-
tempted to bring about an adjustment
of tho differences by addressing a
letter to the masters and Journey-
men proposing that each side to the
controversy appoint an arbiter and
the two so appointed to select the
thin: member, but the masters ignor-
ed the mayor's request.
While the plasterers, painters,
plumbers and gas fitters, lathers,
structural iron workers, and electri-
cal workers are out, some of the con-
tractors perpist in claiming that
there is no strike on. But that is
one of their old games and union men
over the country will not be fooled
by such foolish and ridiculous state-
ments from the master plumbers or
their henchmen.
It is difficult to bespeak the final
outcome of this trouble, but it is safe
to say that if an immediate agre--
ment is not reached the citizens of
Oklahoma City will realize that there
is a real strike in progress.
The trouble originated about eight
months ago, when the master plumb-
ers posted "unfair 3hon" rules, requir-
ing plumbers to do extra work with-
out pay, and interfering with the
equitable and well established rulfc:
of the plumbers' union.
"If this matt'er is not settled with-
in a few days." says William Lynn,
organizer of the United Association
of Journeymen Plumbers, "a long
drawn out fight is probable. While
we are not anxious to fight, we can
and will if forced to it.
"The journeymen have agreed to
arbitrate their differences in most any
way that would be fair, but the mas-
ters have refused to meet us.
"The plumbers' union is in an ex-
cellent condition to put up a good
fight, and has the backing of thn
national organization. A new business
ag^nt has been put into the field, and
a strike committee of three members
from each of the two locals is now
in good working order.
"The 'local union has never shown
very much activity since the strike
was called last October, until within
the last few weeks, but the public
will know that there is a strike on if
this matter is not settled.
"While the carpenters are still
working on the Oklahoman building
I because of agreements which existed
j before the organization of the build-
ing trades council," says O. L. Brad-
jford. general organizer of the broth-
erhood of carpenters, "there is no
doubt but that because of the arbi-
trary position taken by the contract-
ors our organization will be drawn
into the matter sooner or later.
"We believe the plumbers are right
in their demands, but previous agree-
ments have prevented immediate ac-
tion."
The following is a copy of the let-
ter sent to both masters and journey-
man by Mayor Henry M. Scales:
Sir: On behalf of the citizens of
Oklahoma City, and in view of the
unsettled conditions that exist at the
present time because of apparent dif-
ferences that, so far. have not* been
fully met by the Master Plumbers and
the Journeymen Plumbers' association
I, Mayor of Oklahoma City, ask that
you hold a conference for the purpose
of harmonizing your differences.
"1 suggest as a means of arbitra-
tion, that each of you select a man.
and that these two in turn select a
third man, to constitute what might
be termed a board of arbitration, and
that you let their action be final.
"In view of the conditions here, all
' of which you are fully cogniznt, I be-
lieve that such a plan will meet with
1 your approval, and will prove a solu-
tion of the very aggravating problem
confronting you. You must realize
that the eyes of Oklahoma are upon
; you gentlemen, and that your conduct
l in this controversy is calculated to
do Oklahoma City a vast amount of
I uood or injury. I therefore ask that
j you proceed in such a manner as to
; save the city much untold embarrass-
.inent. by harmonizing the differences.
I "I am prompted to address this com-
| munieation to you solely in the inter-
est of the general welfare of the citi-
zens of Oklahoma City, whom I rep-
resent, my desire being to reach an
early and amicable settlement by ar-
bitration, and thereby prevent great
losses in Oklahoma City, where so
much construction work Is under
way."
Copy of Journeymen Plumbers' let-
ter to the mayor accepting arbitra-
tion :
"Oklahoma City, Okla., June 19. '09.
"Hon. Henry M. Scales,
"Mayor Oklahoma City,
"Oklahoma.
"Dear Sir :
"In answer to your letter of June
18, in which you ask that we select
a man to aid in the formation of a
board of arbitration for the purpose
of harmonizing the differences exist-
ing between the journeymen plumb-
ers* association and the Masters, will
say that we gladly comply with your
request and in so doing name Mr. C.
H. Ruth as our selection on aforesaid
board.
"In connection with this matter I
wish to state that our organization
will abide by the decision of tue
board if found on the plan that you
propose; furthermore, that we have
boon willing and are still willing to
submit this matter to any fair plan
of arbitration, knowing full well tha*
Sealing our disputes on these lln^s
« v not only to our interests, but also
to the interests of the entire com-
wurity of Oklahoma City.
"Thanking you for your interest
and efforts in this affair, assuring
you that the journeymen plumbers
stand ready and willing to harmonize
a'l differences, «I am respectfully
joare, WILLIAM LYNN.
Gen. Organizer United Ass'n.
E* F Kinney, Sec'y. Local 291.
BARTLESVILLE. OKLA.
BEST ORGANIZED TOWN IN
THE STATE.
George McConnell, business agent of
the Bartlesville Carpenters and newly
elect member of the legislative com-
mute of the federation sends the fol-
lowing communication to the Labor
Unit:
To the Labor Unit: ,
Mr. Editor.—I rea.l the Unit regu-
larly and think it the only labor pa-
per in the state, therefore, after o
long time feel that a little new3
from this part of the state would not
be amiss; so here goes.
We have a city of about 13,000 pop-
ulations which is enequaled I think for
organization. There are about 600
tradesmen of all crafts and we are
adding new members every night. Ev-
ery building in the city under con-
struction is a union job, with the ex-
ception of one or two small cottajge3
in the suburbs.
We are going to Tulsa August 2d, to
attend the federation convention and
I gues3 there will be something doing.
This should be a banner convention
form a point of numbers and delegates
present. Every local in the state
should be represented there.
I want to thank the laboring peo-
ple through the Unit for the honor
they have conferred upon me in my
election to the stale legislative com-
mittee, and I assure each and every
member of the labor movement that
I will try at all times to represent
them honestly and faithfully before
the legislative body of the state.
O. L. Bradford, Grand Organizer of
the Carpenters and Joiners Interna-
tional* union is in Oklahoma City to
remain in the state for three or four
I months. Mr. Bradford state3 that the
I organization throughout the United
• .States is in a most flourishing condi-
ion. He is well pleased with condi-
j tions in the new state and expects
to do much work for his craft here.
TRADES ONION CHARACTERS
THE
(By the Rev. Charles Stelzle.)
If he were a fool, he wouldn't be
on the job—that is, he wouldn't be
there very long. There are a lots of
.people who areall the time trying to
have him make a fool of himself. That
he doesn't slip oftener is to his cred-
it.
There's the chap, for Instance, who
tries, without any conscience, to
bribe him, either before or during a
strike. A big roll of bills must look
awtully tending to a fellow who
never In all his life saw so much mon-
ey at one time. It's a fine thing that
those who really know, are aware that
mighty few men give way to the
temptation.
But there's another class of men
who try to make a fool of the busi-
ness agent—I refer to the labor union
men who think that the chief unction
of the business agent is to be a
sgood fellow". He Is expected to "set
them up" for the boys when he has
won out in a particular proposition,
and he is conlsdered a chump if he
doesn't do 30 on general principles,
anyway. Meanwhile, he not only
spend* for this purpose the money
that should be used In supporting his
own family, but' he makes himself so
much less capable of properly trans-
acting the business of his organiza-
tion.
Why should a business agent be
looked upon as a sort of an easy mark
simply because his salary Is paid by
the trades union of which the men re-
ferred to are members? Why should
he be considered a "cheap skate" just
because he doesn't always hand out a
dollar when some other fellow Is hard
up?
If the business agent is doing one
half of what the members of the un-
ion expect of him, he is doing twice
as much as he ought—whan it comes
to a question of earning his salary.
Not every business agent, earns his
salary. Some of them are costly even
though the union pays them no salary
at all. But if a business agent is ma-
king good flftytwo weeks In the year—
for, of course, he Isn't expected to take
a vacation—in a quiet, business-like
way, keeping the men at work rather
than constantly calling strikes Instead
of using his brain power to settle the
difficulty without a resort to war-
fare—If he's doing this, he's a pretty
good sort of a man to keep on the
Job. When the time cc.mes to call a
strike—and there will come such oc-
casions—he'll be In a much better
position to win, than If he had pre-
viously weakened his forces through
petty strife, just because It was the
easiest way out. For anybody can
Issue a strike order, provided that
he ha3 the authority. It doesn't re-
quire much brain power to command
men to quit their jobs. But it de-
mands a whole lot more in the way
of genuine ability to keep men on
their jobs, and yet have them receive
all that a strike could possibly win
for them. If war is hell then strikes
are "purgatory." But if men must
strike, lets at least give them a de«
cent argument for doing so, and then
stan-dd by them till they win out. And
if they lose, let's stand by the right
kind of a business agent, anyway, for
he's done the best he knew how.
NOTICE TO UNION MEN
To the Trade Unionists and Sympa-
thizers with the Labor ovement In
the United States, Attentionl
Notice to the pipe and cigaret'e
| smokers:
You- can buy Pride of Reidsville.
: granulated smoking tobacco at two
places In the city. This tobacco :s
put up in one ounce package.-?
and Wrs the label, and i3 a pure.
| rlean article. We won't tell you wheie
10 get it, because we want you to look
| it up.
Labor Day celebration In Oklahoma
i City will be the largest and most inter
| < sting ever held In the city and every
I organization Is working hard to make
i it a day long to he remembered.
The MIcbeth-EVans Glass Co. having
headquarters in the city of Pittsburg,
Pa., and factories in Charleroi, Pa.,
Toledo, Ohio; Marion, Ind. and Elwood
Ind., has declared open shop war on
the American Flint Glass Workers'
Union and locked out eleven hundred
of its members.
Previous to 1899, Thos. Evans and
George A. Macbeth controlled separate
companies and for twenty years op-
erated union factories and employed
our members. In 1899 they combined
their Interests to secure the American
right to make lamp chimneys, and
since their combination of interests
there have been very little peace in
our relations. Several agreemens were
violated and rules broken by them
and finally, In August, 1904, they de-
manded a reduction approximately fif-
ty per cent in wages and issued an
ultimatum, "ACCEPT OR OUR RE-
LATIONS END." We absolutely re-
fused to concede to their demand and
are now involved in a lock-out and a
contest against the OPEN SHOP POL-
ICY.
The high standard of American cit-
izenship is principally due to the rate
of wages paid and the conditions un-
der which the masses of our people
toll. The business success of all com-
munities depends entirely upon the
purchasing power of the people. If
wages are unnecessarily reduced twen-
ty-five, or fifty per cent, the purchas-
ing power of the people is reduced in
an equivalent proportion and the busi-
I ness interests commeasurately affect-
ed: Our success in this contest de-
I .tends In large measure upon the sup-
port we receive from all sympathizers
! with the cause of Union Labor
! The Macbeth-Evans Glass Co.. has
j •!0 evil competition in the United Stat— I
| -s, as all the manufacturers of glass j
lamp chimneys empley only members 1
of our union and operate strictly un-'
ion houses, and all are on an equal |
I skilled labor and small help cost of
production, besides, there is no for-!
! < ign competition in the lamp chimney
| trade.
j The Macbeth-Evans Glass Co., ex-
' tensively advertise in street cars and j
I magazines the "PEARL TOP. PEARL j
GLASS, ZENITH, KEYSTONE, 31
PERIOR, IRON' CLAD, CRESCENT. I
ATLAS, QUAKER, EMPIRE, CLI
MAX, SUNSET and RED STAR'
brands of chimneys, and all theii |
chimneys have their brand engraved |
near the top or the bottom of the I
chimney. It is the workingmen who
use the lamp chimney.
Injunctions were issued against our
members by Judge Mcllvaine of
Washington, Pa., and Andera-on, of
Indianapolis, Ind. Judge Anderson
has fined our members six hundred
and fifty dollars, attached two hund-
red dollars cost and sentenced three
of our members to jail for a period of
ten, fifteen and thirty days for an al-
leged contempt of court.
We respectfully request that all la-
bor unions to whom thi3 is read shall
appoint a committee to visit the va-
rious glass dealers of your city ana
urge them to patronize employers of
union labor.
Gillender & Co., Philadelphia, Penn.,
Pittsburg La.mp, Brass and Glass Co.,
Pittsburg, Pa.; Gill Bros. Co., Steuben-
ville, hlo; Roedfer Co., -Bellalre, Ohio;
Ohio Flint Glass Co., Lancaster, Ohio;
Dannenhoefer Glas3 Co., Brooklyn, N.
Y.; Lippencott Glass Co., Alexandria.
Ind.; Hosek Glass C., Shirley, Ind;
Operative Lamp Chimney Co., North
Vernon, Ind.; Great Western Glas3 Co.
Bartlesville, Okla.; Solar Glass Co.,
Owensboro, Ky.; McBride Glass Co.,
Bridgeport, W. Va. Consolidated Glass
Co., Coraopoli3, Pa., all employ mem-
bers of the American Flint Glass
Workers' Union.
T W. ROWE, Pres. and Treas.
WM. J. CROKE, Vice-President
WM. P. CLARKE, Secrtary.
D. J. McGRAIL, Ass't. Secretary
The murder of a young lady mis-
sionary in Chinatown, N. Y. City, by
one of her converts who had .become
infatuated with her, is evidence of the
fact that if the efforts of
the women missionaries in America
were directed to those of their own
sex such crimes would not occur and
humanity would receiver greater ben.
efits. There will be a desire now
on the part of the good people of
that city no doubt, to Christianize the
balance of the "chinks wfcth ball
bats and Winchesters.
Interesting News Item? No. 2.—
Ex-President Roosevelt is tiring of the
tame shooting that had been preparted
for his benefit and pastime. The
shooting of poor dumb brutes tied to
tree has no doubt got on Teddy'3 ner-
ves and he is out for real game now.
All admirers of "Teddy the Wind-
Jammer" please take notice.
A new organization of the Reta'i
Clerks of Oklahoma City has been
formed and a charter applied for.
This is a wise move and one that
will be of much value to the clerks.
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The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, June 26, 1909, newspaper, June 26, 1909; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc107623/m1/1/: accessed April 20, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.