The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 32, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 13, 1912 Page: 1 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Oklahoma Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Gateway to Oklahoma History by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
tr.y>
MERCHANTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY GET RESULTS BY PLACING ADS IN THE OKLAHOMA LABOR UNIT
y
f*
OR UNIT
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ORGANIZED LABOR AND THE FARMERS' UNION OF OKLAHOMA
VOL. 4.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1912.
No. 32
PROGRESS OF
STREET CARMEN
AGREEMENT CLOSED WITH THE
NEW YORK STATE RAILWAYS
FOR ORGANIZATION
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—On December 21, 1911,
the Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Kail way Employes of
America closed an agreement with the
New York State Railways, providing
for the organization of the men on the
entire system; therefore furnishing pro
tection to all the employes under the
terms of a general agreement. Each
local division of the Amalgamated up-
on the several lines will make its own
agreement with the company. If un-
able to come to an agreement the sub-
ject matter under dispute will then be
referred to the international president
of the Amalgamated association and
the general president of the New York
State Railways Co., and if they can not
agree, a third party will be called in
to arbitrate the case. Section 2 of the
agreement provides that "where agree-
ments with the local companies have
already been established those agree-
ments shall remain in operation until
the date of their expiration, unless oth-
erwise mutually agreed upon between
the parties hereto; it being understood
and agreed that if other agreements
are made, they shall all expire and ter-
minate upon the same date: to wit,
May 1, J914; after which, if a fur-
ther agreement is made, it shall be
a general agreement covering the en-
tire system." Section 4 provides, that,
"in the cities of the state where there
is no organization of the Amalgamated
association, the company agrees that
there will be no opposition or objec-
tion to the employes organizing; and
when they do organize and establish a
division of the association, the same
will be recognized and come under the
terms and provisions of this agreement.
The Amalgamated also succeeded in
making a splendid agreement for the
newly formed organization of street
railwaymen at Schenectady. This agree-
ment covers the entire working con-
ditions and is considered one of the
best that the Amalgamated has ever
made- It will result in a possible in
crease of 3,000 additional members and
the formation of three or four new lo-
cal divisions for the association. Sec-
tion 28 of the Schenectady agreement
contains the following recommendation
by the company: "The company rec-
ommends that all motormen and con-
ductors now in the association, remain
members, and recommends that all new
men who may become motormen and
conductors join the association. The
company would prefer to deal with the
employes through the association."
The local division of the Amalgamat-
ed succeeded in -making a new three
year agreement at Wilkesbarre, Penn.,
carrying with it an increase of two
cents per hour. During the month of
December charters were granted to
new local organizations at Madison
and Milwaukee, Wis., and Grand Forks,
N. D.
A BOLD HONEST STATESMAN.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—During an address ,n
Cincinnati on December 30, Senator
Robert M. La Follette attacked the de-
cision of the United States supreme
court in which it brought the organiza-
tions of labor under the restrictions of
the Sherman anti-trust law. His
language was clear and definite. He
said, "It is strange that when the court
goes to its furtherest limit in imposing
penalties on combinations of capital, ail
of the capitalist owners get away with
the full value of their property, but
when the court goes to the same limit
in enforcing penalties on combinations
of labor, it takes away the homes and
savings of the workman. The fact is,
the law was not understood by the
people to apply to labor organizations,
and it is a mistaken judicial construc-
tion that has made it so apply. The
law should be amended, by taking out
from under its operation all labor or-
ganizations and all employers' associ-
ations." By this clear, straight for-
ward statement Senator Follette his
demonustrated a spirit of hibh courage,
sterling honesty and true justice, and in
addition he has set a noble example to
his contemporaries.
CHILDRENS' BUREAU BILL.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—The house committee
on labor, at its regular sesion Decem-
ber 19, decided to favorably report *he
Peters bill, H. R. 4694. A similar
measure to this passed the senate during
the 61st congress, and its accompanying
bill in the senate at the present time
has been favorably reported out of
th° senate committee on education and
labor.
RECEIVERSHIP FOR NONUNION
COMPANY.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington. — The Allis-Chalmers
Company of Milwaukee, Chicago, Cin-
cinnati and Scranton, manufacturers of
htavv mining and lolling mill machinery,
has been compelled to go into the hands
of a receiver, by defaulting the inter-
est on its first mortgage five per cent
bonds, on January 1, 1912- In spite of
the fact that this company had a prac-
tical monopoly, for a number of years,
in the special machinery it manufac-
tures, and that it has been a favored
customer of the United States Steel
Corporation, the chairman of its board
of directors being Judge E. H. Gary,
who is also chairman of the United
States Steel Corporation, and in spite
of the fact that it has fought the or-
ganizations of labor at every opportun-
ity, it has failed to meet its financial
obligations.
VALUABLE BENEFITS.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—The funeral, old age
and disability benefits of the Amalga-
mated Association of Street and Elec-
tric Railway Employes of America will
be increased under the new constitution,
which went into effect January 1, 1912-
Tlie new laws provide that $100 will be
paid in case of death or disability,
where a membership has been continu-
ous for one year; for two years con-
tii uous membership the benefits will b-3
$150; for three years $250; for four
years $400; for five years $500; for six
years $600; for seven years $700; for
eight years or over $800. This benefit
will apply as a death of a general dis-
ability benefit. A member of the organ-
ization holding 20 years continuous
membership who reaches the age of 6.")
years and who because of age is dis-
abled from following his occupation,
will be entitled to a benefit of $800.
The financial officers of the local divis-
ions of the Amalgamated will hereafter
be bonded so as to protect the finances
of the association; audits wil be com-
pulsory every three months, under the
suj ervision of the auditor of the inter-
national office.
WILSON CHOICE
OF LOCAL
UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO FILL
OUT UNEXPIRED TERM OF J.
L. LANGSTON, DEPOSED.
Ollie S Wilson, for the past seven
years secretary-treasurer of the Okla-
homa City Typographical union, was
last Sunday chosen as secretary-treas-
urer of the Oklahoma State Federation
of Labor, at the regular meeting of the
local union, to fill out the unexpired
term of J. Luther Langston, recently de-
posed as secretary-treasurer of the Fed-
eration.
The selection of Mr. Wrilson met with
the hearty approval of the entire mem-
bership of the local union, he being the
unanimous choice of the organization
for the position for which ^e was elect-
ed. WTilson is one of the best known
printers in the state of Oklahoma, he
having attended every convention of
the State Federation of Labor, besides
being on very important committees in
and out of session of the Federation
in the state. Being wi.. acquaint-
ed with the workings of the federation,
and being so well and favorably known
throughout the state, will give him a
great advantage in the work he has be-
fore him for the good of the movement
in the state.
The offices of the State Federation of
Labor has been moved from the fifth
floor of the State National Bank build-
ing to room 1022 in the State National
Bank building, where the new secre-
tary-treasurer can be found at any time
during the day, ready and willing to
tr:;ffsact the business of the office.
It is to be hoped the unions through-
out the state will at once get behind the
president and the new secretary-treas-
urer and help retain the standing of the
best State Federation of Labor in the
United States.
SUCCESS OF TELEGRAPHERS.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—During the year 1911
the Order of Railroad Telegraphers suc-
cessfully negotiated thirty-five new
wage scales, with as many different
railroad companies. These wage scales
carry with them increasc3 in wages
closely approximating one million dol-
lars in the aggregate. In addition to
the wage increase, the several schedules
provided for fewer hours of work and
many other improved conditions. The
railroad telegraphers were engaged in
no strikes during the whole of 1911.
The above improvements were obtained
by direct negotiation between author-
ized representatives of the railroad
telegraphers and officials of the railroad
companies.
A. F. OF L. ORGANIZER HERE
DONA FIDE ONIONS ENTITLED TO REPRESENTATION
IN TRADES COONCIL WILL DE DETERMINED
ACCORDING TO LAW
AMICABLE AGREEMENT IS DESIRED
Following the bolting of fifteen bona
fide labor organizations from the meet-
ing of the Oklahoma City Trades and
Labor Council on Thursday night, Jan-
uary 4, for the reason that they thought
the law of the council and of the
American Federation of Labor were be-
ing overrode, an organizer was immed-
iately sent for to come here and inves-
tigate the situation and straighten out
matters to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned.
S. A. Bramlette, of Kansas City, a
regular representative of the A. F. of
L., arrived in the city last Sunday and
is going over the situation with the
leaders of both sides, and it is to be
hoped the controversy will be settled at
an early date.
At this meeting of the central body
was to occur the semi-annual election
of officers. Mont R. Powell, for several
years president of the council, was not
a candidate for re-election. After nom
inations had been made for president,
two names being presented, John Von
Elm, a member of the Leatherworkers'
uuion, and C- M. Mitchell, a member of
the Carpenters' union, Mr. Powell,
president, read the law of the council
as regards elections and those entitled
to vote. The law is very specific on
this subject, being that no union not
affiliated with the central body for at
least three months will be allowed to
have their delegates vote on election of
officers. The ruling of the chair on this
law was appealed from and his decision
was reversed. A motion was then made
to allow all delegates in the hall to vote
on election of officers. The chair also
ruled this motion out of order, and his
ruling was again reversed. At this
time of the proceedings President Pow-
ell stated he would not preside over the
body longer, and announced he would
appeal to the American Federation of
Labor, asking for a representative to
come to Oklahoma City.
.John Von Elm, candidate for presi-
dent, after the reversal of the chair's
ruling, withdrew his name as a candi-
date, and also walked out of the hall
with his delegation.
Wrhen the president's ruling on the
second motion was overruled, he with-
drew from the hall, and with him 50
other delegates arose and followed him.
A temporary meeting was afterward
held by the bolting faction, when the
telegram was sent to Samuel Gompers
for an organizer. At this meeting all
bolting delegates signed a roll, signi-
fying their willingness to stand by the
president and contesting any action of
the other side.
After the meeting Mr- Powell stated
that there have been several organiza
tions voting in recent meetings of the
Trades Council that were not entitled
to that right, and that it was intended
to keep such illegal votes out during
the election. The paperhangers have
been enjoying four votes, the glaziers
four votes and the hoisting engineers
four votes, hone of which have charters
in the city, while the musicians have
been voting all along, but were not en-
titled to vote upon an election oi offi-
cer|i because they have not been affil-
iated the necessary length of time —
three months.
There is no effort being made upon
the bona fide unions withdrawing at
this meeting of the trades council to
disorganize the trades council. It has
merely asked assistance from the Amer-
ican Federation of Labor that the situa-
tion might fee cleared up by the reor-
ganization of the council and a com-
plete understanding acquired as to what
local unions have the right to affiliate.
It is expected that other international
organizations will have representatives
here to be present at the reorganization.
LABOR PAPER IN SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town.—The South African La-
bor Herald, a paper devoted to the in-
terest of wage earners, has been start-
ed in this eitv, the initial issue con-
sisting of eight pages.
Oklahoma State Federation of Labor
1022 State National Bank Bldg.
Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 0, 191?.
To all Affiliated Unions of the Oklahoma State Federation of
Labor, Greeting:
This is to notify you that Typographical Union Xo. 283 of
Oklahoma City, in accordance with Federation law, has unani-
mously elected Ollie S. Wilson to serve the unexpired term of
Secretary-Treasurer J. Luther Langston, suspended by referen-
dum vote of the affiliated locals.
Mr. Wilson has been installed and bonded and now has
charge of the Secretary-Treasurer's office. All remittances for
dues in the future should be made payable to him.
The business of the Federation is fast assuming normal
conditions, and with assumption of the duties of the office by
Brother Wilson, the Federation will be in a good working con-
dition, as he is a man of experience, has been the Secretary-
Treasurer of his union for seven years, having resigned that
office to accept his present place. He has the fullest confidence
of the Executive Board and all union men of the state who know
him, having represented the printers in the last six State Fed-
eration conventions.
The present officers are in a position to work in perfect
harmony, having but one object and aim in view, i. e., to further
advance the interests of the working men and women of this
state and to build up the State Federation of Labor to a point
where it will be a greater power for good. With the help of each
and every organization this result may be accomplished, and that
speedily.
Wishing all locals success in gaining shorter hours, better
wages and working conditions, and trusting that all will work-
in conjunction with the present officers in an effort to gain that
end, we beg to remain
Yours for a Greater Federation,
C. C. ZEIGLER,
President.
W. T. MAXWELL,
Acting Sec.-Treas.
MUSICIANS OPPOSE LABOR
"BULLETIN"
The American Federation of Musi-
cians, local No. 375, has adopted the
following resolutions:
" Resolved, That the Musicians, local
No. 375, in regular meeting assembled,
do disagree with the authors of the
labor bulletin, so far as said bulletin
unnecessarily discredits and tears down
the fair name of our splendid city; that
we most vigorously disapprove of the
hostile action taken by the leaders of
the Chamber of Commerce against un
ion organizations; that this local, at
all times, stands for fair dealing be-
tween all branches of business and a
due consideration of the rights and
privileges of the whol<* community in
its entire citizenship.
"Resolved, further, that delegates of
this union are hereby instructed not to
take further part in the factional fight
now exising in the ranks of the Central
Trades and Labor Council until such
time as the controversy between said
factions shall have been settled satis-
factorily through pending investigation
to be made by the national officers of
the American Federation of Labor."
MAXWELL RETURNS TO ADA.
W. T. Max we.., member of the execu-
tive board of the State Federation of
Labor, and who has been acting secre-
tary-treasurer of the federation pending
the investigation and referendum vote
on the charges preferred against J.
Luther Langston, returned to Ada last
Tuesday. He will go back to his trade
as a carpenter in that city. Mr. Max-
well has been a conscientious worker for
the labor movement in the state of Okla-
homa for several years, and is well and
favorably known not only among the
members of his craft, but to members of
organized labor in general.
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—The organizations of
labor have secured free text boks for
the schools in the cities of Birmingham.
Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee; and
are conducting a lively agitation to the
snmc end in Atlanta.
TYPO DELEGATES
ARE SUSTAINED
OKLAHOMA CITY TYPOGRAPHI
CAL UNION ENDORSES ACTION
IN TRADES COUNCIL.
At the regular meeting of the Okla-
homa City Typographical union, held
last Sunday, much important business
was transacted.
The four delegates to the Trades and
Labor Council made their report, and
innounced that they desired the union
to sustain their action in the Bulletin
fight, also on the proposition of bolting
the action of the central body at the
meeting when officers for the coming
yeai for the central body were to be
elected. After some discussion and re-
ports by the four delegates, the union
endorsed the action of the delegates by
nearly a unanimous vote, only two votes
being cast against their action-
One of the important matters coming
before the union was the election of a
successor to J. Luther Langston, as
secretary-treasurer of the State Federa-
tion of Labor. Ollie 8. Wilson being
placed in nomination, was elected by a
unanimous vote.
After the acceptance of the resigna
tion of Mr. Wilson as secretary-treas-
urer of the Typographical union, it was
decided to elect his successor.
Charles F. Twyford, for manV years
a member of this local union, and a cap-
able man in every respect, was the
unanimous choice of the organization
for this place. He took charge of his
new office at once.
The label committee was instructed to
outline a campaign whereby some re-
sults would be accomplished, and it is to
be hoped this committee will meet with
much success in the very near future.
One new member was given the obli-
gation at this meeting.
EIGHT HOUR LAW TO BE APPLIED
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington—Under a decision ren-
dered at the navy department, the pri-
vate concerns which undertake the con-
struction of the two new battleships,
Nevada and Oklahoma, will be obliged
to establish the eight hour day through-
out their entire plants, in order to con-
form to the Hughes amendment in tin-
last, naval appropriation bill. There is
no doubt among naval officials that Un-
practical effect of this ruling will be j
to force an eight hour day throughout j
the whole of any private shipyard un-
dertaking the contract. The date of!
opening bids for the construction of the
new battleships has been changed from
January 4 to January 25, in order that
the constructors may revise their fig-
ures because of the official decision to |
apply the law to the full effect.
PLAINTIFFS TO
HAVE INNING
THE FAMOUS DANBURY HATTERS'
CASE AGAIN BEFORE THE
U. S. SUPREME COURT.
Special to The Labor Unit.
Washington-—On January 2 Messrs.
Davenport and Merritt, attorneys for
Dietrich E. Lowe et al., filed a petition
for a writ of certiorari to be addressed
to the judges of the United States cir-
cuit court of appeals for the second cir-
cuit and brief in support thereof. They
submit the following reasons why the
United States supreme court should ex-
ercise its extraordinary power to tako
a caso of this character up by certiorari.
First, the case was started over eight
years ago and the plaintiffs were se-
lected without redress. Second, the par-
ties were « ngaged in active trial for
twelve weeks, to the great expense of
themselves, and to the inconvenience of
their attorneys and litigants. Third,
the final judgment in this action will
ultimately have to be reviewed by the
supreme court, either at this stage of
the proceedings or after the necessary
appeal from a judgment rendered on a
second trial. Fourth, the question of
the liability of the members of a labor
union for the torts of the officers and
agents committed within the scope of
their authority is one of public impor-
tance and it would be highly beneficial
for the country nt large if it could be
settled at this time, without waiting for
further and protracted proceedings in
this case. On Monday the eighth of
January, 1912, or as soon thereafter as
counsel can be heard, the petition for
tho writ of certiorari will be submitted
to the supreme court for its considera-
tion and action. It is a matter of con-
siderable interest among students of
this notable case to learn what argu-
ments will be made by the attorneys
for the plaintiffs.
I INDUSTRIAL ITEMS FROM ENG-
LAND.
Specinl to The Labor Unit.
Washington.—Unemployment: Dur-
ing November, 1911, 2 f>-10 per cent of
tho English trade unionists were out of
employment, as against 2 per c« nt in
November, 1910.
Miners; The total number of persons
employed at mines and quarries in the
United Kingdom during 1910 was 1,163,-
920, of whom 6,404 were females. Dur-
ing the year 1,360 accidents occurred in
the mines and quarries, by which 1,902
persons lost their lives. Good re.uilts
have come about through the various
life saving measures that have been
adopted and applied in the mines since
1855. A steady decrease in the per
eentage of loss of life has been the re-
sult. In 1855, out of every 1,000 per-
sons employed in the mines a percentage
of 4 3-10 lost their lives through acci-
dents. In 1910 this percentage was re-
duced to I 4-10 per cent.
Trade Disputes: During November
sixty new trade disputes occurred in-
volving 10,051 persons During the 11-
month period bet wen Jaunarv and No-
vember, 1911, 781 trade disputes hau oc-
curred involving 737,520 persons. Most
of these disputes were settled in favor
of the employes.
Settlements: The miners Udding-
ton and Bristol obtained new agree-
ments with an average of 2*4 P(,r cent
increase in prices. The engineering
trades at Birmingham secured an in-
crease of 25 cents per week to all over
16 years of age, and 2% per rent in-
crease to piece workers. Textile work-
ers of Manchester secured 5 per cent
increase. Rolling mill men at Barrow
obtained 2per cent increase. Engin-
eering and ship building trades at Mail-
ed ster, Derby, Bristol, South Hampton
and Belfast secured increases ranging
from 25 cents to 50 cents per week on
day rates, and 5 per cent on piece rates;
reducing their time one hour per week,
the uniform week now being hours.
Electrotypers and stereotypes of Lon-
don secured an increase of ti.00 per
week, the rate rising from $10 o $11 a
week. The dock laborers at Plymouth
established a minimum of 16c per hour,
and established 54 hours as a uniform
working week.
Co-operative Societies: The total
sales for the third quarter of the yea?
among the co-operative societies amount-
ed to $55,303,045, an increase of 5 per
cent over a year ago, and an increase of
26 per cent over the same period five
years ago. The productive departments
of the co-operative societies increased
37 per cent over the production five
years ago The total value of produc-
tion for the third quarter of 191L
amounted to $11,443,460.
A threatened strike on the K. & M.
Railway at Indianapolis, Ind. had the
effect of securing agreement for all
crafts in the mechanical department on
the system.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Casler, Howard M. The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 32, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 13, 1912, newspaper, January 13, 1912; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc107054/m1/1/: accessed April 18, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.