Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
PLEASING PROGRAM WAS RENDERED
Addresses on Trade Unionlsm and the
Importance Of the Label, by j. r.
Ryrne-A. e. Soderburs and
aud J. f. Rugg Talk.
From Thursdays Daily.

which refreshments were served. The
Schuberts discoursed sweet music at
intervals during the program and en-
tertained the company while the re-
| freshments were being served.
| Following is the program:
| Overture-Schubert mandolin club.
| Duet-Misses Hannah and Hilda Hal
| berg.
Address,. F. Byrne.
Music-Schubert mandolin club.
Piano solo-AIiss Alma Halberg.
| Address,. E. Soderberg.
Music-Schubert mandolin club.
| Misses Hannah and Hilda Hal
berg.
Music Schubert mandolin club.
| Address-John F. Rugg.
Address by J. f. Byrne.
| Mr.. Byrne was introduced and spoke
on the Importance o unions and the
union label. He said that thousands
of dollars worth of goods were sold
in Iowa under the pretense of having
been rightly made but which in real
ity are manufactured in sweat shops;
which reek in filth, and for the manu-
facture of which a pitiable wage is re-
| ceived.
Mr.. Byrne was severe in his con-
demnation of the sample book and
measurement scheme which is being
extensively practiced. He said that
agents are given commission to work
up trade and are furnished with a
sample book and tape line by a con-
Germ that may or may not have an
office. The contracts are sold to a
clothing contractor who in turn sub
lets the work which is done in low
class tenement houses at a wage that
hardly enables the workers to live. He
drew word picture of a New York
one room dwelling in which large
family is huddled together, each mem
Der doing piece work for contractor.
Conditions such as those, Mr.. Byrne
said, cannot but be productive of dis
ease which is communicated to the
clothing and necessarily in a number
of cases to the person who purchases
it.
Speaking of unions and unionism Mr..
Byrne said that the object of labor
union is. to enable a workinginan to
live. The employe should work for the
interest of the employer who in turn
should pay fair wages. The speaker
said that notwithstanding the misrep-
resentation to which unionism is sub
i jected, it would live and would yet
bring the workingman that which is
his right-a chance to live.
| Speaking of strikes, Mr.. Byrne said
that all strikes could be arbitrated
with advantage to all concerned, but
as rule the employer would listen to
nothing looking in that direction.
Politics and unionism do not go
hand in hand said Mr.. Byrne. ''La-
Dor long ago found that the remedy
for their troubles does not rest with
the politician and they are now drop
ping politics and taking up the sub
| ject of unionizing."
Mr.. Byrne made plea for the union
label and asked that nothing be bought
except that which bore the label. He
said that it meant much to the work
ingman and if the rule rather than the
be better.
A. e. soderburg.
Mr.. Soderburg said that he was I'M
able to express himself we'll in the En-
glish language and begged the indul-
gence of the audience while he said
what he had to say in the Swedish
language. He was earnest in what he
said and made a plea for the journey
men tailors as a means of securing 8
continuance of good wages. He told
why all tailors should belong to the
organization and was heartily encorec
at the close of his address.
John F. Rugs.
Mr.. Rugg is an ardent advocate OF
the rights of the workingman and il
acquainted with the history of tn,
: local journeymen tailors' organization
! He said that he had known Of the loca
union ever since its organization ant
!. knew what struggles it has had Il
place itself in the position it now oc
; cupies. '.They have made people think
: said Mr.. Rugg, "and when you are tn,
), cause of putting good thought into
mans head you have accomplished
good deed. Many people do not think
! This may seem startling, but it is true
q Take for instance man who wear
p good clothing, he does not think abou
l. where it is made unless he is aske
and a suggestion will often be til
means of man asking himself abou
the condition of others. When peopl
I think of each other and act in accord
e ance with these thoughts then and no
I until then will the fatherhood of Go
Z and the brotherhood of man be cor
4 dition instead of theory"
AT the close of the program, Charlie
e A. Gustaveson rendered the thanks G
u the journeymen tailors to the peopl
q for their attendance and said a fe,
e words in commentator of the organ
J. zation, after which refreshments we1
served.
The affair was a, success both j
l. point of number in attendance and 81
y cially. AS the events are getting be
N ter known each annual recurrence
n them brings better attendance an
J. serves to better acquaint the poop
is with the fact that the union label an
is good work are synonymous.
lie The finest line Of spring suits /,
n l Il 1.r.~~ IN