Oklahoma State Labor News (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1908 Page: 1 of 4
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Oklahoma State Labor NeWs
VOLUME 3. NO. 11
OKLAHOMA CITY. OKLA., FRIDAY, Jl'I.Y 1U, 1908.
Official Organ of the Oklahoma County Farmers Union No. 6y, and Various Local Labor Unions.
FIVE Ci-NTS I'ER COPY
BIG CONVENTION
CONVENES MONDAY
State Federation of La-
bor Will Gather at
Ardmore.
J. LUTHER LANGSTON
WHITHER ARE
WE DRIFTING
Oklahoma City. Knid, Guthrie. Shaw-
nee. Muskogee and other of the larger j
cities of Oklahoma will send delegates
to Ardmore to attend tin* annual con-
vention of the State Federation of La-
hoi. which begins at that place Mon-
day, July 27. Twenty delegates and a
score or more laymen will attend from
this city. \V. H. Dickerson first vice-
president of the state organization,
and .1 Luther Langston, secretary,
will he among those who attend from
here.
This convention will be the most
largely attended of any convention
ever held by the state federation of
labor in Oklahoma. Officers will be
elected and committees appointed.
Governor Haskell. Senator Gore, State
Senator Franklin and other distin-
guished men will make addreaes. A
large crowd is expected on Monday, as
Governor Haskell will address the con-
vention on the opening day.
The following are thoes who will at-
tend as delegates from here.
Trades assembly—W. J. Dunn.
Garment workers—Miss Nellie Mor-
ris and Miss Bessie Mobley.
Stage employes—W. H. Adams.
Gas t'iters—11. M. Beers.
Carpenter*—J. S. Earlewlne, F. 11.
Davis, John Childress, George Arnold
and J. I. Hess.
Barbers—H. J. Miller.
Leatherworkers—(\ Zeiglar.
Electrical workers—\V. A. Nash.
Clgarmakers—L. O. Huey.
Painters—W. R. Walter and Frank
Martin.
Pointers—Ollie S. Wilson and Mont
R. Powell.
Telegraphers—O. A. Smith
Fraternal eDlegates. Women's Label
League—Mrs. Laura \N Corde
Mrs. Ida Porter Hover.
and
FARMERS' UNION MEETING
The Oklahoma State Farmers' Vn
Ion will meet the third Tuesday in
August, In the City <>i Shawnee, this
being the 18th day, at 9:00 a. m. Each
county is allowed one delegate at
large and one for every thousand
members .in the oounty, r 'major
fraction thereof. It Is hoped that the
counties will elect their delegates
that will attend and remain until the
business of the State Union is com-
pleted.
.1 A WKST. State Prest.
Attest: .1. S. MURRAY, State Sec.
Secretary State Federation cf Labor
PUSH THE LABEL.
Organized Labor Should Buy Only
Union-Made Goods.
Within a very snort time the United
States Supreme Court has scored
Whither are we drifting? And
there's the rub. In a number ot in-
stances in these columns we have
<; lied attention to what might be ex-
acted under the practleal operation
of the provisions of the now famous,
yea, even notorious. Interstate Com-
merce Act of the United States, but
recent developments have shown that
that document in the hands of the
skillful attorneys and adroit judges
can be made more far reaching than
even Its earliest critics predicted. The
recent use made of it shows that the
policy of our great country, even al-
though labeled as being democratic, is
becoming intensely imperialistic
States' rights are being trampled un-
der the cloven hoof of this act with
impunity, and the language compos-
ing it is being so construed that
actions of associations and individuals
are as liable to be circumscribed as
are rights of the States invaded. The
conception of our theory of govern
ENID UNIONS
ARE TAKING
NEW SPIRIT
The labor organizations of Enid
have taken action in a verv important
matter which has been pending for
some time. At last week's meeting of
the Trades Council the results of the
referendum vote t'o * business agent
were canvassed and Mr. II A. Rreln-
tensteln, of the Barbers' Union, was
found to have been elected by an al-
most unanimous vote. He received
hearty congratulations and in re-
sponse expressed his gratitude for the
honor conferred and his determination
to Rive his best efforts to the dis-
charge of the duties which will de-
volve upon him.
Discussing the labor situation in
Knid. and defining his position In
regard to different matters, he in-
dicated a disposition ft.) deal with
them i 11 mi a most careful *uid con-
servative manner. Among other
things he said:
•Labor matters have been fr t a
Istand-still here for a considerable
period of time, almost two years. We
win take up the roost important prob-
lems as opportunities present them-
I selevs for dealln:' w'th them In the
manner most satisfactory to all con-
cerned.
I "Our first object will be to get tin-
different crafts thoroughly organized
and prepared w ith tnelr work In ever;
BIG CELEBRATION
FOR LABOR DAY
CHARLES DAUGHERTY
cutlve branch, whereby laws made by
the law-makers should be carried into
effect: and third, the legal depart
nicut, to construe said laws and arbi-
trate and decide disputed points aris-
ing under them. The conception was
idealistic. It was true democracy. It
three times against organized labor. I was solid rock on which our Re-
nient >viu that itahoud be a sort ot .Hai,lrv |larllrllllir. lt |„ theo-
triple a liance: first, the lawmakmu I organization Is the only means
or Illative branch; second, the < v | ,j „ w\ich W(. „,av h |„
.WMltlVak )l!*!ltw>ll VV 111 IV I: l US 11121,11 ' 11 \
satisfactory solution of labor
problems in this community as
throughout the country. I cherish
with no little fondllness the teachings
of a learned Professor of Political
BSconomv in the ChlcKO University
which have formed the basis for sev-
eral years' study, and the conclu
tnree tunes against organizeu iuuui. , , 7. eral vears' study, and tin- conclu-
The first was the decision declaring j liublicun system wus rounded. 1'"1 1 siimB whlch have resulted therefrom,
the employers' liability law unconstl- time all went well. In fact, as low. j ( h t i 1(ip ox|(,nt of abiiitv
tutlonal. The second wna the settlnK as the rlshts and liberties of the pen- 8()UKhl als(, hv „,|K|„ui Investigation
aside for the same reason of the act! of I"'""' matters to . each possible so-
forbidding the discharge of men he- laid down loi their guidance*«• |uUonB ,,f difficult matters. but I
cause of union affiliations, and the | paiamount. the conception of our sys- ^ ^ (h) |n .lU f(plll!) (lf
third nuts to death the boycott In its j tein of government was practiced and llumon (.nlloavol. 1Iiat ,i„.0ries. how-
velation to interstate commerce. I ", Jf'",' J!' !ho infliieSie ' v.t carefully developed, or however
in an interview. Joseph H. Buchaiv ' ' profound may be the principles fol-
Henrv Derwln of the Guthrie Lead-
er Is a candidate for the legislature
from Logan county, on the Demo-
cratic ticket.
an old member of Denver Typo
graphical I'nion. No. 49, and of Rig
Six. also an economic writer of wide
experience, in answer to the query,
•What will the trades unions do with
this array of court decisions against
them?" said:
"A consesus fr>f the opinions of
many labor men with whom I have
talked about tills latest decision is
that the thing for union labor to do
now is to push the union label. And
It seems to me that would be the
proper procedure. If It is unlawful «o
agitate against the products of a non-
union concern, it certainly is not un-
lawful to advise one's friends to pat-
ronize union manufacturers. Such Idea
might be carried to the extent of re-
fusing to trade with a merchant who
did not handle union label goods when
they were obtainable. This would
change the campaign from one of
'knocking' to one of 'boosting' in-
stead of denouncing the dealer in non-
union made goods the organizations
would praise the dealer in union-made
goods."—The Industrial
P. ' . si(no. fonnerlv business man-
a-.r of the .McAlester Capital. has
purchased of II II Robb'ns hall in-
terest in the McAlester News.
de the Interests profound may be the principle
lowed, do not always meet the cllffl-
of the dollar superi
and influence of the individual, a
change was necessary, and as the
legislative branch could be easily cor-
rected if it went from its allot ted posi-
tion. and the executive could be sim-
ilarly dealt with, the so-called legal
subdivision was selected to answer
the required purpose. Until the time ... ,. . , . -
i Si k I i 11 .... . ..1 'wi. i fi ,;..r be thus continuousb iiiet in such a
when John Murshall was made ( hlef ,i...
cultles of the affairs of life with an
Immediately practical solution. How-
ever, it is the s'im of Kconotnlc Sci-
ence, and Its earnest disciples to do
as much as possible for the solution
of the most pressing difficulties as
they arise In the hope that they may
Oklabon a Clt> will have tin* great-
est Labor Dav demonstration in the
history of the Southwest, on Monday.
September 7th. At a meeting of the
I abor Day committee, Mondav night,
at Lai or hall the committees were
i .lined to arrange the details of the
immense demon:-1 ration and work is
now under way to secure a full con-
sumation of the -'ans. Organized la
bor this vt'iir will be :• political factor
In tin great national campaign and
the ■« es of both political parties ar<
watchinu la I r's everv move Okla-
homa Cli 'i i .i ii s Council Is now iu
better condition than ever, and every
member of organized labor in this eli \
and countv is enthusiastic over the
prospects for the future.
The celebration this year will be
held at the fair grounds, after the
parade down town. (Thousands of
people will participate in this gigantic
parade. No les.> than a dozen bands
from all over tin state will be In line.
Floats will be numerous and will bo
representative not alone of he pro-
gress and development of craftsman
ship among the laboring classes, but
will denote the progress and devel-
opment of the S.aithwest and partle
i arl\ Oklahoma. The Labor Day
One,mi will occnpv a float, and will be
attended by a bevy of beautiful maid*.
The costume worn by the Queen this
vcar w'll be the most elaborate over
se< ii hi -he iiiibwest and her attend-
ants wilt be dressed In white.
ICxcursions will be run Into Okla-
homa City from all over the state, and
the h'rp«I thor Dav crowd ever
gathered together in the Southwest
will mark the celebration of Labor
Day annlversnry, September 7, 1908.
1 he following officers and com-
mittees were chosen:
\\ R. Walter, Painters' local, prosi
dent; William Pralil. Rricklayers,
vice president, I Luther Langston,
Typographical, secretary; <' C. Zelg
lar, Leatherworkers, treasurer; W. A
Nash. Klectricnl No. 15ft, assistant
| secretary ; S. White, Painters, ser-
j geant-at-arnis.
Printing Coinnilitee H. M. Casler,
Typographical; C. S Hall. Pressmen;
J. Luther Langston, Typographical.
('■rounds Committee H. I. Miller,
barber; William Prahl, bricklayer; W.
R. Walter, palntei
Speakers Committee—.1 Luther
Langston, Typographical; O. A. Smith.
I Telegra niters John Von H3lm, Loath-
Justice of the Supreme Court with an
entirely new board of judges, selected
evidently for the purpose in question,
it had not been considered proper for
tin' Supremo Court, or any other fed-
eral court, or even State courts, to
declare acts of legislation by the Con-
gress or by State Legislatures as be-
ing unconstitutional, with tile Intro-
duction of tlie new legal regime, it
was decided that the legislative and
the executive branches of our gov-
ernment might err. but that the le
manner as shall keep open the wavs
of human progress at all times and
under all conditions to all classes of
mankind, and most of all to the men
i w ho toil.
Ring it. ye hells of the Kirk.
That the Lord of Love
Came down from above
To live with the men who work."
"Prom the beginning of the Ghrii
tian era. the ministers of religion
have devoted themselyes with spec-
ial solicitude jo the lightening of tin
State Labor Commissioner
POLITICS IN THE UNION.
The opponent of the display of poli-
tics In the union is right. What is
wanted is for the union man to get
Into politics. Not cheap peanut j oll-
tics for the sake of defeating one man
or a set of men, but united, intelli-
gent action for the electing of union
men to office. The one reason why
the old army veteran has been able
to receive such signal recognition is
because he Is organized—politically
organized. If the 2,000,000 members
of organized labor iti America will in
tellgently mass their votes tills fall
for the leKislative offices, there will
be a wonderful amount of bills passed
by the next Congress and the next
session of the State Legislature iu
the real interests of labor. There
will at the same time be a wonderful
awakening among the judges of the
various courls or the country. The
reason whv adverse decisions to la
bor conies so thick and fast Is because
is a scattered and broken poll- i ,.,.worb,.,
Ileal factor. The en,ploying power, | ^ ~ d „ ,Hll„nK committee -
..I the countrv. through their iiiagni ,, s ,,.(1I ; ,, o iir|g|,t.
Ilcent press, have been able ti the la8terer. v Armentrout. gas fitter.
past lo Iteep labor split and divided Commlttee-W. A.
.11,St about even. This made thel, I Klectrlcal No Ifm; A. C. Heln.
enormous vote of no politic power Klect'rk-al No. I.'.tf: C S. Hull, press-
The laborer is insistent on this
point. It feels confident that If all 1 «., , ...
1 x J Finance ( ommlttei
barber; K. C. Short,
Huey. clgarmaker.
— II. .1 Miller,
horseshoer. L.
gal branch could not do so; and from hlsul'ry '.?X^"of''Sn
SAMUEL GOMPERS
that period citizens have never been
safe in the utility or stability of a
legislative act until the Supreme
Court can pass upon Its constitution
ality. Until the time just me
it was, as was originally intended,
the purpose of the Supreme Court
and other federal courts to interpret
disputed points in the legislative en-
actments. but not to make or unmake
legislation. The mill has been grind
ing slowly ever since, but never so
noticeable as within the last few-
months, when every act of Congress
recently passed dealing with labor
has be"ti declared unconstitutional,
owing, it is said, to the legislation
being an interference with some part
of the Interstate commerce act.
.(irudually. but slowly, judges are be-
coming our rulers. They figure on
their rights to rule from the 'ln e of
Jehu .Marshall and his colleagu
identity between the primitive Chris-
tian religion and a great labor move-
ment. However, this may be. It is
'VvUoned certain that the religious leaders who
are doinv: the most for the uplifting of
humanity In these davs are those who
concern themselves the most and In-
terest others the most In the prob-
lems of organized labor
'The inspirations of patriotism, no
less than those of religion, should im -
press themselves upon those who de
vote themselves to a study of labor
problems at the present time, a pe-
riod of critical interest in the hlstorv
of the American Republic. I am an
American citizen first; a member of
Organized Labor next Americans or
..II el 'sses and conditions :-re citizens
of one grand country, we believe,
constituting all together the grandest
nation on the face of the globe. The
the trade union locals in tills coun-
try would at each session resolve I
themselves Into a committee of the i
whole, after routine business has been |
completed, and discuss real politics, j
the end would soon he in sight.
caslonal mass meetings should be I 1 . . air<.
, . . . . ,. , people, but unless the people lane
held, and there discussions taken on ^nnlIir,
a wider scope. It Is not mere indi-
viduals that can save labor. It Is by
living fundamental principles given
life and activity by labor Itself. Not
men but measures.
The dav of the strike Is well nlgli ~ ....
over The battle on the economic Some men sire never satisfied, not
field Is crude, clumsv. and easy de- even when tlies have a good thing,
feat awaits the worker. The powers I They want something
CONTINUED ON l'AGE 2 ' n!nrl'
The newspaper man can harangue
• and lecture week In and week out
for reforms in the interests of the
•nough Interest and have courage
enough to g« t up and carry them out.
the newspaper man might as well
close up shop and quit business.—
Farmers Union Advocate.
beyond their
Of this people
md by the Injunction abuse in tower I "«velopnienf of this nation are d.
pendant more upon a careful consid
j courts and the interstate commerce
! act In the Supreme Court, there is
i little freedom now left to the individ-
i mil. excepting the right to breathe,
and who can tell at tiie present law-
making gait of judges but that by and
j b> we may be deprived of it. unless
j we pay a tax or price for it? There
| is not on the statute books of the
I'nlted States or of any Stute statu-
' tor> aillliorlty for judges to issue
i injunctions of any kind disputes, or in
I any other similar disputes. The in-
junction was originally Intended for
j the protection of property and prop-
rty rights, but this latest phas
eratlon of the respective rights of dil
ff.rent classes bv the member* of all
other classes than upon anything else
"As it is in this countrv at large so
it is iu Knid in which the problems
of labor and the various interests of
different classes of citizens present
themselves at every step ot the pro-
gress of our little city toward metro
pclitan proportions. Here life move*
along in accordance with the satin
laws which govern in New York and
Chicago. Here the interest and lives
of different classes are essentially tlx
same, though the conditions of tin
nted are different Kor
; judge-niad'' law making a w rknuili's ,
labor his emplovor's propertv and problems piei . f ., . ,
j therefore subject to the Injunction H'™}'''*' for the g0011 "eo"le of fcn-,d
I process, looks like the application of
i the proverbial straw which broke the
j camel's hack. We bring the subject
| matter thus to the attention of cur
i readers, eo that careful thought can
j be given the subject, and so that as
I much influence as possible can be ex
I ertised in so changing our legislative
and judicial systems especially by the
j election or. selection of level-headed.
square-dealing men. as will giv
citizen under our boasted constltu-
! tion the right of life, liberty and tin-
I pursuit of hnpptne
the
guaraute
had an
PRESIDENT AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
judees ever> lour year.* -o that tin v
would be amenable to the will oi
the people these things complained ot
could not exist, and while the inten
tions of the framers of the constitu
tion were to lift the judiciary out of
political turmoil, they evidently made a
mistake in making their terms too
long, and in removing their selection
so far from the people.
there is 110 congestion of suffering hu
inanity here at the present time. This
Is the most important difference be-
tween the conditions in the thriving
western city and the great centers ol
!>opulation in the old states, and in 1
general way this difference in con-
ditions will continue to exist for an
indefinite period Occasionally, how
ever, as in the cases of towns whlcl
might be cited, an unusual number o
laboring men hpve been allured
abroad b\ misrepresentations l,r'
vailing conditions of work, wares and
general prosperity. Let us hop.- ther.-
■ ill never i e an.thing of the kind In
r'n:d. t..- while the working men
the <it. most earnestIv desire v.e
prosperity of a'l and wil. « t-owerat;
continuously with 1 he!1 • n.-'o; • rs to
promote that good en I there exists
the necessity i >r contin.iotih agree-
ment between them on all matters ol
feet ing the general w elfare, a neces-
sity which will be conceded by all who
CONTINt'ED ON PACE -
SENATOR FRANKLIN
WHO WILL, ADDRl'-S THE CONVENTION AT ARDMORE
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Krogh, Nora I. Oklahoma State Labor News (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1908, newspaper, July 24, 1908; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc154806/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.