Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-08
A UNIVERSAL LABEL
A Question Being Discussed in Or
ganized Labor Circles.
WABASH LABOR TROUBLES. SETTLED

The Coming Miners State Convention
| Believed That Conservative Ele.
ment Will Control-ThA
Paris Exhibit.
1.-THE matter published in this col
umn is prepared by the officers of. the
Federation of Labor.1 a
From Wednesdays Daily.
President Gompers in his recent re-
port to the American Federation of
Labor, devotes considerable space to
the subject of universal union label,
which appears to be in much favor in
the ranks of organized labor. The re-
port says, the union label has, during
the past year, been in more general
demand than ever before. The label
is an emblem insuring that the article
which it adorns was made under fair,
union conditions. Mr.. Gompers says:
The demand for the union label up
on the product Of any other trade than
that at which the member is employed,
is in itself manifestation as well as
recognition of the solidarity and the
identity of the interests of labor. In
demanding the union label, we do not
necessarily antagonize the non-union-
list or the unfriendly employer, other
than by indirection, as we give our
patronage and encouragement to those
who are associated with us in the eff
fort to benefit the entire working pop
ulation; in other words, we give our
practical support to our associates, and
our friendship to our friends. The
more faithful, intense and persistent
we shall be in the demand for union
labeled goods, the greater will grow
the fraternal sentiment, feeling, and
interest which shall entwine the hearts
of the workers in one grand brother
hood of labor"
Wabash Labor Troubles.
The threatened general strike on the
Wabash system will not take place.
The management and employees OF the
road have adjusted their difficulties
satisfactorily to all concerned. 1t is
gratifying to note that both employer
and employee are beginning to realize
the importance of adjusting all wage
scales and conditions under which men
are employed, without strikes. The
employer is responsible in great
measure for the condition under which
his employe works, and the latter by
his skill and labor responsible to
very great extent for the success of
those who employ him. Therefore,
the interest of one is the concern of
the other, and, if possible, all matters
between them should be adjusted with
out reverting to struggles that endan-
ger the interests of both. Taking
broader view of the question, the en-
ployer and employee should come close
together for mutual welfare.
Miners State Convention.
The state miners convention will
convene in Des Moines, Tuesday, Feb.
13, and will meet in joint convention
with the operators day or two fol-
lowing. The miners expect an increase
equal to that obtained in competitive
fields in other states, or in other
words, the scale of wages for mining
that was agreed upon at the joint con-
yention at Indianapolis last week. 1t
is predicted that both conventions will
be harmonious and that everything
pertaining TO the interest of both par
ties will be satisfactorily adjusted. It
can be said with assurance that the
conservative element of the miners
delegates will control their convention.
The Paris Exhibit.
There is much regret expressed on
every hand that the affiliated unions
of the Federation did not respond more
literally to the proposition to make an
exhibit at the Paris exposition in 1900.
The American Federation of Labor
was advised that a special effort would
be made in this direction, for the pur-
pose of demonstrating the economic
and social progress made in the sew
eral countries. In America, the
American Federation of Labor urged
every affiliated union to furnish it
with copies of charter, constitution,
convention proceedings, official jour-
nails, and any other matters of inter-
est. The responses We're very meager,
in fact so much so, as to render such
an exhibit impossible. However, the
assembly is engaged in preparing an
exhibit of general character and
which it is hoped will be creditable TO
the movement.
Local Labor Notes.
The team drivers will meet Friday
evening at Labor hall and all members
are requested to be present.
Charlton Robinson and Moses Jones,
will represent the North Side local
miners union at the state convention
next week.
The South Side local miners union
met in regular session at Billiards. hall
Monday evening. Important business
was transacted in the interest of those
miners now on a strike at the Star
coal mine.
IOWA LEGISLATURE,
Record of the Business Done at Tues
days Session.
Des Aoines, Feb. THE morning