The labor world., 1899-12-09

the view of European organized work.
ers.
Another big brick trust, capitalized
at s15,000,000, is being formed in New
York.
Professor Arons, private lecturer in
the University of Berlin, is on trial
for promulgating Socialist doctrine.
Owners of fashionable cafes in large
Eastern cities are combining. Claim
they can save 80 per cent in purchases.
Molders are voting on the question
of abohshing piece work and institut-
ing the eight-l1our day. Vote closes on
Feb. 1.
It is rumored that Ben Hanford, S.
L. P. candidate for governor of New
York last year, has joined the Social
Democratic party.
A $12,500,000 wireless telegraphing
trust has been Incorporated It will
operate the Marconi system and con-
trolls valuable patents.
Official report says about 100000
work people in Great Britain gained
increased wages, averaging % cents a
week during October. Only about 500
sustained reductions.
; The capitalist press Of Switzerland
continues to comment on the marked
increase in the Socialist vote In that
little republic in the recent elections
The c. p. don't like the outlook.
/ The capitalist papers Of Germany
appear pleased because Emperor Will
iam's anti-strike bill was killed in the
Reichstag. By everybody but the
crazy emperor it was regarded as a
boomerang. -. ii
Chicago has opened a municipal
pawn shop at which the poor can bor-
row money at 1 per cent a month and
not be at the mercy of the three-ball
slzinf1ints, who demand 10 per cent
month and upward. ,t. =. -.
Socialists and unionists Of New York
joined hands and arranged and held a
big mass meeting this week, and pro-
tested against the horrible conditions
trict. Similar meetings are being held
or arranged in other cities. % ~
6 In England, Tom Cron1n, general
secretary Of the iron and steel work
.ers, defeated a millionaire opponent
for city council in Hutcheson. The
parties, while Cronin was the nominee
Of the allied Socialist party and trades
unions. E - * ...:%s.
Il Social Dem ocrats announce the or
ganization of new branches in Ala
Media, CAL, and Brighton, Mass. Debs
saiastic municipal campaign is being
fought in Massachusetts towns, and
trades unionists are aiding the Social
Democrats. ri
An Indianapolis Presbyterian min
ster has resigned his job, temporarily
donned overalls and gone to work in
a shop in order to more thoroughly
study the conitiodns Of labor. My!
suppose this fad should become gen
eral; all the preachers would be earn
ing their own living.
Railway combination is now max
ing rapid progress: The daily papers
are full of stories of manipulations be-
tween Morgan and Vanderbilt. The
agent sof the latter industriously deny
stories of combines, but there is hard
ly any doubt that the big magnates
are working some great schemes. .'.
Millerand, the Socialist member Of
the French government, has issued
circular to employing classes calling
their attention to child labor laws and
declaring that they will be strictly
enforced. The circular has aroused
the ire Of the "law and order cap
italistic papers and they are ldenounc-
ing Millerand for "meddling."
The coming conference of Socialist
parties and trade unions in England
for the purpose of arranging to send
labor representatives into parliament
bids fair to be a great success, as
many Of the national and central
bodies have already chosen their dele
gates. The conference is not relished
by the politicians.
The leather trust has combined the
ten separate offices operated by for
mer individual companies in Boston
and let out a small army of book
keepers, clerks, stenographers, ETC.,
who will now have an opportunity to
study the labor question. The bicycle
trust has also shut down a big plant
at KenOsha, Wis.
The London Socialists and unionists
are already preparing for great in
ternational labor day May Day festi-
val next year, and it is proposed that
the progressive bodies Of the entire
country participate, as we'll as dele
cations from foreign countries. Among
many features there will be a histor-
ical exhibition and a labor play, by
Bernard Shaw, will be produced.
The labor situation in Chicago is
no more reassuring than for several
weeks. The building contractors make
no secret of their intention Of de-
stroying the unions, and the latter
are determined to pick up the gaunt-
let if it is thrown down Jan. l. Out
siders seem to think there is great
deal of bluff on both sides, which, of
course is nothing new for Chicago.
President Spalding, of the bike
trust, is reported to have promised
President Mulholland, of the bicycle
,,niop that ha would brioc