The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 11, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 17, 1912 Page: 3 of 4
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CRY OF POVERTY
AND PERSECUTION
SHEET METAL
WORKERS GROWING
YET RAILROADS SEEM TO
OVERBURDENED WITH SUR-
PLUS WRUNG FROM LABOR
of
Washington, Aug. 14.—In spite
the cry of poverty and persecution, the
"poor railroads" and the 41 struggling
trusts" still seem to be over burdened
with surplus dollars wrung from labor
and the people through the unholy com-
bination of low wages and high prices.
As, for instance, the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad officials reported in June
that its gross earnings exceeded $4,000,-
000 more than the fiscal year preceding,
and that its' net earnings were over 7
per cent.
Of course, that includes 7 per cent, on
"water" as well as legitimate stock.
During the first five months of the year
the New York Central shows .a gross
increase of $20,000,000 over the previous
year. The Pennsylvania railroad for
the same interval had an increase of
$12,000,000. On July 25, the General
Electric added $25,000,000 worth of-wa-
ter to its stock and declared a dividend
of $.'30 per share, payable in stock of the
company at par. On July 27, the Colo-
rado Southern candidly admitted it was
able to earn 2 per cent, on its common
stock over the last fiscal year, and in
addition earned $532,749 from "other
income," which is supposed to repre-
tftut its control of the Trinity and Bra-
Pos railroad.
The Standard Gas and Electric com-
pany showed nearly $2,000,000 increase
in gross earnings. The Denver and Rio
Grande, after paying its regular divi-
dend, deposited $1,000,000 in its surplus
fund, a sum equal to 21/* per cent on
its preferred stock. On July 29, the
"good old stock of the Standard Oil*
company" of New Jersey sold on the
curb for $1,000 a share. This is an in-
crease of $325 per share since the Unit-
ed States Supreme Court smashed the
Standard oil trust. The market price
of Standard Oil, including subsidiaries,
baa increased $300,000,000 since it was
ordered to dissolve. Mr. John D. Rocke-
feller's part of this amount is esti-
mated to be $80,000,000. On July 30,
the United States Steel Corporation
showed that it had added a neat surplus
after all expenses were paid of over
$25,000,000 during the quarter. On July
31, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit showed
a surplus of almost $4,000,000, being an
increase of $672,000 over the previous
year. On August 5, the Westinghouse
Electric company declared a dividend
equal to 6 per cent on its common stock,
and then adds, as an encouragement to
investors, that "the company is earn-
ing 15 per cent, on common." On the
same date, the Norfolk and Western
railway showed total gross earnings of
$40,000,000, an increase of $4,200,000
over tie previous year, or the equival-
ent of 12 per cent.
The earnings of this road have in-
creased 130 per cent, in ten years and
is now earning $20,000 gross per mile.
The Great Northern railroad 's earnings
increase for the month ot June were
$293,000, and so it goes—the more wa-
ter that is poured into these corporate
investments, the more sweat is squeezed
out of the toiler and consumer.
Washington, Aug. 12.—During the
second quarter of this year, the Amal-
gamated Sheet Metal Workers granted
charters to eight new locals. Editor
Bray reports in the July Johrnal that
BE the strike agaiust the Milwaukee Brew-
ers' association by local No. 24 of the
Amalgamated has been settled in every
way entirely satisfactory to the sheet
metal workers. In reaching a final set-
tlement an agreement was entered into
which will ruu for three years. This
agreement not only provides a liberal
wage increase, but makes concession in
the way of improved working condi-
tions for the men.
ACTIVITY IN TOPEKA, KANS.
Organizer Sim A. Bramlette, of the
Kansas State Federation of Labor, has
instituted new locals of Hotel and Res-
taurant Employes and a Horseshoers'
Union at Topeka, Kans.
OUR IMMIGRANT BROTHERS
By the Rev. Charles Stelzle
Hungry, oppressed, exploited, deceived | of tuberculosis. Suppose Americans
—born in lands where the word "gov-l'®«'d 8>,ow <> > record!
ernment'' means oppression—the immi-
| In the state of New York there are
{about two million depositors in the sav-
grant is coming to America at the rate ; ing8 banks, these having deposited
enough money to pay off the debt of the
United States government, and having
about $7.\000,000. Seventy per cent of
of a million a year, looking upon our
country as the land of promise. Like
a great wave they are coming, threaten-
ing to flood our eastern states, swelling
the tide toward the west, and splashing
the spray everywhere.
Eveu though immigration should at
this time be absolutely restricted, the
present generation of Americans will
have all it can do to adequately meet
the needs of those who are already here.
But they will continue to come. Every
law which affects human life—physical,
social, political, economic — seems to
have conspired to make America the
Mecca of the oppressed races of the
earth. Settling principally in our cities,
they form their "Ghettos," their " Lit-
tle Italys," their "Bohemian Hills,"
often retaining their old country ideas
and customs.
But what kind of folks are they—
these foreigners? Some call them "the
scum of the earth," "the off-scouring
of Europe," "the criminal refuse of the
old world," "reeking with disease and
immorality." At a tuberculosis confer-
ence held in Washington, Commissioner
Watchorn then of Ellis Island said that,
of two million immigrants examined
very critically by the medical experts
on Ellis Island during a certain period,
only 208 were afflicted with any form
these depositors are foreign born!
Doesn't look much like a pauoer class,
does itf
The cry is being raised that we are
now getting the very worst element
from southern Europe. But our immi-
gration officials declare that they are
just as good as any class that ever came
to America. Those who have been in
this country for erven a comparatively
short period, usually look with contempt
upon those who follow them. The Pil-
grim Fathers despised the "riffraff"
which came here shortly after they*
landed. These in turn disliked the class
which followed them. The Germans
scorned the Irish, the Irish hated the
Italians, the Italians despise the Slav,—
and so it goes. How hard it seem for
men to learn that we are of one blood,
and that we have one Father, through
Whom we are all brothers. True enough,
the immigrant brings his problems with
him. But they are such that they can
be solved by friendship and sympathy.
And that is the least that they deserve.
They ask no special favors—they want
simply a man's chance to make a living.
In this desire they should have the
hearty help of every fellowman who is
making the same fight.
PRUDENT AND FORESIGHTED
j Washington, Aug. 14.—The boiler-
j makers enacted the following progres-
sive provisions at the tenth convention
recently held at Little Rock. Per cap-
ita tax to grand lodge increased fro*
50c to $1 per month for journeymen
land t 0c per month for apprentices and
helpers. Fifty per cent of this amount
will go into the strike benefit fund, 30
per cent, for general expenses, 11 per
cent, for disabilities and deaths, 7 per
cent, for the Journal, and 2 per cent,
for transportation of delegates to con-
tention. The death benefits were in-
creased from $100 to $250 and a disa-
bility benefit of $800 in eases where
both eyes, both hands or both feet are
lost. The Journal will be made free and
nt to each individual member. Special
grand lodge assessments will be abol-
ished. All strikes in future must be
sanctioned by the executive council in
order to secure strike benefits. The
grand lodge will bond all the financial
officers of local and district lodges. The
journeymen boilermakers and helpers'
lodges are to be consolidated. The new
laws will take effect January 1, 1918.
T. E. BLESH
Representing the Oklahoma City
Typographical Union, as one of its
three delegates.
build-
hich re-
SPECIFY UNION CONDITIONS
Vancouver, B. C., Aug. 12 The board
of school trustees of South Vancouver
recently awarded contracts aggregating
over $100,000 for the erection of addi-
tions to three of the school buildings.
In the specifications for these
ings was inserted a clause
quires that union conditions, in so fan
as wages and hours, existing in the sev-
eral building trades at the time of sign
ing the contracts shall prevail through-
out the construction of the additions.
This result was attributable in a large
measure from the fact that the secre-
tary of the local typographical union
fcj, member of the board of trustee!
' having been elected last spring as a
member of the board by the working
men of South Vancouver.
CARMEN MAKING GOOD
Washington. Aug. 13.—The Brothei-
hood of Railway Carmen have succeed
ed in negotiating a schedule with the
management of the Pere Marquette
Kailway by which the Carmen have re
ceived an increase from %e up to 2%c
per hour. Piece work rates were in
creased proportionately. A very satis-
factory set of shop conditions were ob-
tained. The best of feeling exists be-
tween the officers of the organization
and the management of the railway
company. The carmen also made a set
tlement with the Big Four Railway, one
of the branches of the New York < en-
tral, by which all car inspectors, safety
appliance men and oilers received an in
crease in wages ranging from l%o to
2W,c per hour. These employes will in
future be paid at the rate of time and a
half for all holidays.
CLERKS IN EARNEST
Washington, Aug. 13.—A strike of
ninety retail clerks in the Loeb & Hene
Department Store at Lafayette, Ind.,
on August 3, threatens to develop into
a general walk-out of all the union cler-
ical forces in that city. The little town
in all unstrung over the walk-out, it be-
ing so very unusual to suppose that
clerks and salespeople would ever as-
sert themselves strongly enough to en-
force their demands by a strike.
The walk-out came about because of
the controversy between the store pro-
prietors and the union clerks relative to
working hours and a minimum wage
scale for the girl clerks, which could
not be satisfactorily arranged. The va
rious unions in the city, representing
2,200 men, have pledged themselves to
support the clerks in behalf of their
demands.
At Metropolis, Fla., eight account-
ants, formerly employed in the local of-
fices of the K. G. Dun company, came
out on strike on August 2, declaring
that the office conditions were unbear-
able. General Organizer Terry, of the
American Federation of Labor, now in
Jacksonville, Fla., has the case in hand,
and will make an effort to adjust the
grievances of the accountants, and ob
tain better conditions for them.
MEMBERSHIP AND BENEFITS
OF LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN
Washington, Aug. 12.—The locomo-
tive firemen and enginemen had a net
increase in their membership for the
month of April of 978; May. -165; June,
109, making a total of 1,552 net gain
in the past three months. The total
membership on July 1, 1912, was 82,993.
During the month of June the firemen
paid 43 death claims at $55,000; 15
disability claims, at $19,000, or a total
paid by these two benefits of $74,000.
The net gain in the general funds of
the membership for the month of June
was $215,677, and on the first day of
July the balance in the protective fund
passed the half million dollar mark.
MOOTED QUESTION DECIDED
Washington, Aug. 14—The interstate
commerce commission has held that pipe
line companies, transporting oil between
the states are common carriers. This
means that in the oil fields where in-
dependent companies are operating and
where trust combinations have pipe
lines the product of the independents
must be taken by the trust pipe lines
and transmitted the same as railroads
are compelled to accept freight.
GARMENT WORKERS HUSTLING j Organizer Schwartz has concluded an
j agreement with the Case Manufaetur-
Washington, Aug. 13.—The United ing company of Parkersburg, W. Va..
Garment MTorkers of America have sue- for hte use of the Garment Workers'
ceeded in unionizing the American Union label.
Woolen Mills, of Newport, Ky., and
granted it the use of the union label.
The strike at the factory of Lesser &
Tunco, New York, which has been in
progress for nine weeks, involving 175
shirt ironers, has been settled. By the
terms of the adjustment,, the strikers
have gained a complete victory, which
will materially aid them in organizing
several non-union shops which have
been a hindrance to the progress of
local No. 142 for some time past.
STRIKE OF CIGARMAKERS WON
Chicago. Aug. 13.—The members of
Local Union 129, at Denver, Colo., ob-
tained improved shop conditions and
consequently increased earning capacity
through a strike which lasted ten days
The state of trade in the cigarmaking
industry is reported to be better than
it has been for five years.
FRED F. PRICE
Miner of Coalgate and re-elected
Firse Vice-President of the Federation.
FRED W. HOLT
Secretary Miners District
Will address the Convention.
FAIR PARK
THEATRE
NORTH BROS.' STOCK CO.
Presents
NEXT WEEK
"The Woman in
the Case"
G. W. LINDSAY
Fifth Vice-President, one of the re
elected Miner members of the Execu
tivQ Board,
To the Readers of the Labor Unit:
This store has, for the last five years made a strong pull for the
Union Label merchandise patronage and we ar still after it. We have
made a special effort in supplying you with merchandise bearing the
label and merchandise that we know and you know as dependable mer-
chandise.
We are having our final cut price clearance sale and the prices we
are making on Suits, Shirts, Straw Hats, Shoes, etc., should be an in-
centive for you to patronize us. We appreciate your patronage and
want it.
5-15.00 and $18.00 Suits
sell for
$20.00 and $22.50 Suits
sell for
$25.00, $27.50 and $30.00 Suits
sell for
$10,00
$13,50
$16.50
Shirts that You Know Have Value Above
What We are Asking
$1.50 Values
sell for .
$2.00 Values
sell for .
$2.50 Values
sell for .
$1,15
$1,40
$1,75
Straw Hats are selling for one-half the original price. 25 per cent,
discount on all Summer Underwear, noi including contract merchandise.
SHOES! SHOES!! SHOES!!!
If you are in need of shoes we can supply you at a price that will
be a liberal saving to you by investing during this sale.
$6.00 Values 0V| 7K
or TilU
$5.50 Values m A f] r
vh4iZj
$5.00 Values CQ 7K
gjil 3
$3.50 and $4.00 Values O 7R
vp/i I u
We want you take advantage of this sale. We will stand back of
all merchandise that leaves this store with the same guaraitee that we
do when merchandise is sold at regular price.
Knight, Beck & Company
115 Main Street
JESSE L. DAY
Formerly prominent in Federation
circles, now in the newspaper business
at Wewoka. Will renew old acquaint-
ances at Shawnee.
CONVICT LABOR
IS CONTRACTED
Washington, Aug. 14.—In response to
complaints made by the organized
workers of Iowa, Gov. Carroll, of that
state, appointed a commission consist-
ing of George Casson, attorney general;
M. A. Roberts, and C. Sheldon, to in-
vestigate industrial conditions at the
Fort Madison penitentiary. This com-
mission has now reported and sustains
in every particular the position so long
maintained by the labor organizations
in the state.
The commission says "the system of
private exploitation by contractors of
the convicts is the main cause of the
cruelty reported and of the absolute
failure of the institution as a reforma-
tory." The commission found that the
contractors, as is usually the case wher-
ever this undesirable system is toler-
ated, has undertaken and managed to
control the prison for their own profit,
and in that particular they had suc-
ceeded. .
The crudest punishment was inflicted
upon those who could not or did not ac-
complish the tasks set for them by th
contractors. The commission also found
that good willing workers among th
convicts, who should have been paroled
under ordinary circumstances and und>
state requirements, were held in prison
longer than others; their paroles were
denied them for the simple and specific
reason that they were too valuablo to
the contractors to be released.
This again bears out the contentions
of organized labor in its protest against
the abominable system of contracting
convicts. Wherever the third party
contract system has been investigated
the same story is told. Reformation,
justice, kindness, education—all are lost
sight of and the entire state institution
with its unfortunate tenants are ruth
lessly turned over to the business of
grinding out profits for the contractors,
who, of course, have no interest in th<
welfare of the state and no interest in
the welfare or reformation of the pris
oner. Profits—more profits, actuatc
their every deed.
.. ARE
GAINING GROUND
BUSINESS GENERALLY BETTER IN
THIS TRADE THAN IT HAS
BEEN FOR YEARS
Washington, Aug. 13.—International
President William H. Johnston, of the
machinists' union, in his annual report
says that forty-four new agreements
have been made by the organization
with employers during the fiscal year
closing June 30, 1912, and that "a much
larger number of agreements have been
entered into with employers by local
organizations, but which have not been
reported to the international," the last
agreements being, One with the Martin
Gable Machine company of Louisville,
Ky., in which a union shop agreement
was made, granting a nine-hour day
and a minimum rate of 33 1-3 cents per
hour.
Another agreement was made with
the Milwaukee Brewers' association
which will run until May 10, 1915, ami
in which an eight-hour day is secured
at a minimum rate of 45 cents per hour.
Time worked after midnight, Saturday
afternoons and on Sunday to be paid at
the rate of double time, 90 cents per
hour. The membership in the lower
towns of Ontario have established a
minimum rate of 30 cents per hour. On
the Quebec and Lake St. John railway
an increase was obtained for machinists
of 2% cents per hour.
Agreements have been made with the
Scott Printing Press company, the Pot-
ter Printing Press company, and the
Hall Printing Press company, of Plain-
field, N. J., by which the eight-hour day
will be obtained on January 1, 1914,
the working time being diminished fif-
teen minutes per day each six months.
The Feigenspan Brewery company of
Newark, N. J., has signed for tho eight-
hour day with a minimum of $3.50 per
day, and the eight-hour day has been
obtained for the machinists in all of
the mills where they are employed by
the International Power company. This
agreement was obtained in conjunction
with the International paper makers
and other organizations working in tho
plants of the paper company.
A very satisfactory agreement was
made on the Federation basis for ma-
chinists, boilermakers, blacksmiths, etc.,
with the New Orleans (La.), Terminal
company at a minimum basis of 40
cents per hour for all above named me-
chanics. In tho Farrell Foundry com-
pany of Ansonia, Conn., an increase in
wages was secured, running from 1 to
2Mj cents per hour.
During the fiscal year just closed sev-
enty-six new lodges were organized,
death benefits amounting to $56,231
were paid, and strike benefits of $527,-
104 were paid from the International
funds. The local organizations paid to
members on strike an estimated amount
of $300,000 additional. This heavy
strike expenditure was incurred because
of the determined effort to secure the
eight-hour day in the machine shops
of New York City and vicinity, and the
strike waged on the Ilarriman and Illi-
nois Central railroad systems in behalf
of the Federation of Federations'
Movement, the men in all avocations
engaged in the strike standing remark-
ably true. Business generally through-
out the country in machine production
is better than it has been for years.
NOTICE
T wish to express my deep gratitud
and appreciation to my many friends
and supporters who assisted me in the
recent democratic primaries.
ALBERT SIDNEY SMITH.
THE MITCHELL SENTENCE
Washington, Aug. 12.—On July 23,
just three years and seven months from
the day the original sentence was im-
posed, in the Buck Stove and Range
case, John Mitchell, 2nd vice-president
of the American Federation of Labor,
was sentenced to 9 months' imprison
ment in the district jail, by Justice 1>.
T. Wright, of the Dintrict of Columbia.
The sentence was imposed during Mr.
Mitchell's absence, he having made the
following request of waiver on July 17:
"Now comes John Mitchell, respondent
in the above entitled cause and showing
to the court that he is at this time at a
great distance from tho city of Wash
ington and that attendance there at this
time would be occasion of serious in-
convenience to him, requests that the
sentence to be imposed upon him in tho
above entitled cause, may be imposed
without requiring his personal presence.
He hereby waiving so far as the imposi-
tion of sentence is concerned, any right
upon his part to be present at the time
of its imposition, and stipulating that
it shall have the*same force and effect
as if he were personally present.
appeal was noted find bonds
to insure the appearance of Mr. Mitchell
should the District Court of Appeals af'
fi.m the decision of Justice Wright.
An
furnished
D. N. FERGUSON
Of Ardmore, re-elected member Board
Auditors and Tellers.
UNION MEN
Do you desire to assist the
cause of Unionism in this
city? If you are true blue
you will smoke
"WE DO"
"OKLAHOMA 46 STAR"
"FACTORY SMOKER"
Best 5c Cigars on the Market
Union Made
The Metropolitan Manu-
facturing Co.
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The Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 11, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 17, 1912, newspaper, August 17, 1912; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc157112/m1/3/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.