St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-12
VERY MYSTERIOUS.
The Railway Employees Club
: Taking an Active Politi-
$751; cal Hand.
That Clubs Record Shows It's
Opposition to All Organ
lied Labor.
Half a Loaf Better Than No
Fread in the Eight-Houp
Day.
Labor Notes and Comment
From Various Twin City
- Sources.

Ao CiCCtiOu otly dPpludCucS tiidt itIyS-
ltertous association known as tbeRailway
Employees club is again being brought
into prominence by interested parties.
1t is claimed that the membership runs
into thousands, and its influence is
counted a potent factor among railroad
employees. An inquiry. however, shows
that its meetings are held in railway
officials offices, which looks to an or
binary observer as if its membership is
small and its work ali done under the
supervision of the directors. Most rail-
way employees already thoroughly un-
derStand this fact. The railroad officials
do notrecognize genuine trade unions
among their employees in this manner.
They are constantly being urged to
JOIN this club. On the other hand,
it is a we'll known fact that men
taking an active part in labor organiza-
lions are the first to be laid off in dull
times. Frequently the blacklist is also
brought into use, Recently a trade
union. was formed among certain
branch of the employees. The men were
very cautious not to have the fact pub
hshed. because it would endanger their
positions. At the same time several
officials of different roads were actively
canvaSsing for members to the Railway
club. Promotions were even limited at
to induce the most active men to join.
The arguments, however plausible they
appear. are quite transparent to most
employees. Outside the clerical force
the club does not meet with much favor.
Exception might, perhaps, also be made
for men who have through obvious
causes made themselves Objectionable
to the Legitimate labor unions.
The officials who manage the club as
Sert that recent legislation has been the
cause of reducing the receipts Of the
roads, thus endangering the wages of
employees. Educational work in the
trade unions has taught mechanics that
legislation affecting railroads has never
affected wages. When an exclusive
franchise has been granted, enabling its
owners to amass millions, the men were
never allowed to share the profits. In
railroads, as in other industries, wages
are regulated by the law of supply and
demand, or in other words, by the num-
Der OF unemployed. Another peculiar
feature is, that while wages are said to
be in danger of reduction. yet the high
salaries of the officials and the dividends
remain intact.
1t cannot even be claimed that the
railway club endeavorS to obtain legis-
latien that would protect employees. At
the 5last session of the legislature it
will he remembered that this same club
lobbied for bills favoring the railroads
as a class, against the interests of
others. The employers liability act,
anti Pinkerton law and similar meas
ures were championed by the repre-
sentativeS of legitimate labor organiza-
tons. From interviews with employees
in different shops it is apparent that the
railway clubs are being used for politi-
cal effect and against the real interests
of men employed. However,, the exist
enee of many OF these clubs is only a
myth emanatingfrom the brains of the
directors on various roads.
= Anew wage-earners' association is
among the projects being discussed
by prominent labor representatives.
The existing Owasso association has not
been an unqualified success, and that is
stating the matter mildly. 1t seems,
however, that the generaleplano Ion which
such associations are run is safe one,
and by profting by the experiments
already made new association could
be formed that would be of actual bene.
fit to wOrkingmen. If such a one be or
ganized it will certainly select loca-
ton that has already ample transporta-
ton facilities. The members will also
be only from the ranks of organized
labor. With these safeguards it is
thought that bona-fide wage-earners'
association can be established, and will
materially aid workingmen to secure
homes.
Ehe stonecutters union is preparing
a campaign circular to be scattered all
over the state for political effect. 1t
Will give the history of the building of
Merriam's new bank, the Merchants
National, show the promise he made to
delegates of organized men and how
such promises were deliberately broken;
finally that ''seab" labor is employed on
the building and the men work on SON.
day. Some campaign orators in the
country are fond of telling how popular
Merriam is with the workingmen. The
steHeeutters think they can prove the
contrary.
The pressmen and printers are having
some discussion as to the relative juris-
diction of each union, where an en-
ployer does his own presswork and COM
position. The matter has been referred
to joint committee of delegates to the
trades and labor assembly from both
unions. AS the two branches are under
the international typographical union,
the matter will probably be adjusted
with little trouble.
The settlement of the eiglt-hour day
on city work at 81. 40 a day calls forth
variety of opinions from representative
labor men. Nearly all the unions, an Id
the trades and labor assembly also, are
on record as favoring no compromise.
They regard $3.50 day as the smallest
wage laborer can support family
upon in the city, and think reduction
of ,wages tends to destroy the efficiency
Of. the eight-hour day. Many of the
! labgrers are indignant at the cut on
their already low wages. But on the
other hand, number of labor men
think that the compromise was the only
practicable measure at this time, and
hopeto effect an advance next spring.
t5lI.G COMING EVENTS.
! e2u
Tomorrow evening the cigarmakers'
union gives ball at Turner hall, the
proceeds to be devoted to the aid of the