Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-15


and machinery are sold without re
strictions in an open market, there is
little possibility of the formation OF
successful trusts or combinations. AL
though books and publications are
considered a necessity, it must be
borne in mind that with a great por-
ton of our population they are a lux
ury, and the demand for such products
is one which greatly fluctuates, neces-
stating vast expenditures on the part
of the producer in Offering induce
ments to consumers. This condition
results in an intense competition,
which Of itself is an obstacle to COM
binations. Since the introduction of
the typesetting machine there has
been a tendency manifested toward the
creation of specialists in the printing
trade This tendency should be op-
posed by the Typographical, union, and
general laws should be adopted for
the governing of apprentices, not only
as protection to the competent print
er, but as protection to the employer
The 'alI-round' printer has not been
displaced by the typesetting machine,
but the specialist has. The man whose
knowledge CT the printing trade was
limited to his ability as a typesctter
on straight composition, forms ninety
five per cent of the unemployed print
ers of today"
After a reference to the work of the
organizers during the past year, Mr..
Donnel.y had the following to say
concerning strikes:
''The strike as a weapon of organ
lied labor has been greatly abused. Its
too frequent use has tended to lessen
its effectiveness. Under no circum-
stances should local unions be permit
ted to engage in aggressive strikes
without complying with all the laws
of the International union, and not
then unless the union shall have suf-
ficient funds on hand TO pay strike
benefits and expenses for a period OF
at least eight weeks. With thor
Ough organization, sufficient finances,
and the sympathy of the public, strikes
are successful. The officers and mem
| bers of subordinate unions should
make great preparation before engag-
ing in a strike. OF the nineteen strikes
which occurred during the past eight
months nine were precipitated by
overt acts of employers in violating
the scale and attempting to rat offices,
etc; in fact, three of these nine strikes
were fCmented by employers for the
express purpose of wrecking the es-
adjustments in order that they might
profit personally, being only part own
ers. Of the nineteen strikes, four were
shorter wOrkday strikes on which the
local unions drew no benefit. OF the
number, seven were wen, nine are
pending, and three were lost Through
the efforts of the organizers and the
International officers five threatened
general strikes were averted, and
fcrty-four disputes, which were re-
ported to headquarters as likely to in
volve strikes, were amicabIy adjusted"
Concerning the progress of the agi-
tation fer shorter workday Mr.. Don
nelly said:
Through the efforts of the various
organizers the shorter workday has
been secured for number of towns,
and considering the past eight months
as a criterion by which to judge the
future, il is safe to predict that the
nine-hOur weekday will be an estab
lished rule in all branches of the print
ing trade in every city and hamlet in
the country within one year from the
present date The reports of local
unions relative to the enforcement of
the Syracuse agreement show that,
with a few exceptions, the nine-and-
one-half-hour day has been inaugur-
ated The only city Of any size in
which the enforcement of the shorter
workday met with decided opposition
was the city of Pittsburg.
In towns where local unions were
in good condition no great difficulty
was experienced in enforcing the nine
and-a-half- hour day. The local unions
which have failed to secure the bene-
fits of the shorter workday are, with
few exceptions, those organizations
which have been neglected, and where
the spirit of unionism is very weak.
Organization work is their first need.
In many cases they have shown them
selves incompetent to perform the pre-
liminary work of organization, and it
is necessary for the International
union to place in the field, with the
beginning of the fall season, for a
period of at least three months, en-
ergetic organizers, who are experienced
in the work of local organization, and
know how to bring non-union men
into the fold
President Donne,ly concluded his
address with references to the dispute
between the Typographical union and
the International association CT Ma