Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-02-12
UNION LABOR ACTION.
Tn-city Congress Concurs in Ex-
ecutiYe Committee Tele-
phone Endorsement.
FEDERAL LABOR UNIONS POSITION.

Thinks Council Did Wrong In Refus-
Ing an Independent Franchise-MONe
ment to hi. cS Book Trast's Local
Enorts-A Resolutions Are
Adopted.
The Tri-City Labor congress at its
regular monthly meeting Yesterday at
the Industrial home Endorsed the ac-
ton taken by the executive commit
tee in petitioning the city council TO
grant the Union Electric Telephone
and Telegraph company franchise to
install telephone exchange.
a copy of resolutions submitted by
Federal union No. 7O51, OF Rock
Island. roundly scoring the city coun-
ell for its action last Monday on the
telephone subject was read. The res
olution SAYS that the position of
some of the labor representatives. in
the council is deplorable from labor
standpoint and they cannot be
too severely condemned for their
action in the matter" The reading
of the resolution was the signal for
an animated discussion. Benton
A(SAf - osl4& IL as
action and extremely harsh
and proposed. that it be tabled, the
Federal Labor union requesting en-
dorsement. James Cavanaugh, in a
short talk, said it was not too harsh.
The action of the executive board and
the presence of President Berry in
the council chamber to subserve and
protect the interests of the taxpayers.
1t was proper, but the treatment he
received at the hands of the aldermen,
men who were from the ranks of labor,
was ungrateful.
Aid. Willis was present and eN
pressed his position in the matter.
He was one on the side with the con-
gress, and he thought two-thirds of
the voters were in favor
of an independent telephone,
but in his opinion President Berry's
speech before the aldermen did not do
the Independent cause much good, be-
cause it provoked some of the council
men. In conclusion AID. Willis sug-
gested that the congress endorse the
ordinance of the Tri-City Mutual Tele-
phone company, as ii, too, seemed to
he wholly in sympathy with organized
lIOOl- anu W bS 'fibAtlt'I ~ u HuOH-
President Berry ended further discus
sion of the subject by declaring it was
generally known the mutual company
was working in the interest of the
Bell corporation. Thomas Mccain
moved the tabling of the Federal
Unions resolution, but action was
deferred one month on recommended
ton of President Berry, who said il
would be wiser to allow the council
more time, as there was possibility
the aldermen would reconsider their
vote on the telephone proposition.
No Book Monopoly.
The committee delegated to confer
with the Rock Island board of educa-
ton and protest against considera-
tion of the efforts of the book trust
to monoPolize the sale of books in the
local schools reported that a satisfac-
tory answer had been received.
John Kolloff, who assisted the Re-
tail clerks in canvassing the business
men in the interest of the early-clos-
ing movement, said all but very few
had signed the agreement.
The Davenport BARRIERS union
asked the assistance of the congress in
discriminating the 5-cent shaving
shop. The congress refused to take
Il hand in the case, as the Davenport
BARRIERS were not affiliated with the
National BARRIERS association.
The congress received a proposition
from Morrison & Dolly announcing a
desire to unionize their cigar factory
in this city. and asking permits
sion TO job in eastern cigars in con-
nection with the manufacture of
goods. Benton Davis,
}. W. Cavanaugh and c. A. futile
were appointed committee to inves-
tigate. Morrison IL Dolly represent
that they have been Disseminated
against. as other firms in the three
cities have been permitted TO carry on
their business with the unions sane
ton Inder the same conditions they
have been endeavoring to bring about |
since they were established. They
expect soon to be giving employment |
TO 50 cigarmakers.
Delegates We're admitted from Stove |
Mounsers, No. Is, Rock Island; Federal |
Labor union, No. 7051, Rock Island;
No. Us, and Journeymen BARRIERS,
No. 113, Rock Island.
Peoples Rights.
The following was submitted by O.. |
f. Morgan and adopted: Believing
hat the logical development of repub-
lean principles in a democratic form
IF government should proceed upon
the theory that the people are to be
trusted and given every opportunity
10 express their thoughts not only
with the election of public officials,
but in regard to important legislation
IF general character whenever a rea- !
sonable proportion of the public de-
sire so to do;
Whereas. The object can success