The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-08

to-day there are two hundred. and I am
convinced that the question OF what shall
be done with the negro molder IS one whlch
IN the near future will demand more OF our
attention If we would maintain Tor our
selves fair wages and conditions in the
South.
Unfortunately. the question is surround
ed with a deep-rOOted race prejudice that
offers an almost insurmOuntable barrier 10
efforts that might be made 10 raise the re
gro mechanic 10 a higher plane. IL is the
sentimental side OF the problem, but he Will
make a mistake who attempts to ignore 1t
while prosecuting his labors on behalf Of
the freedman. We Of the North do not en-
ter into full sympathy with IL, but II is
there and must be reckoned with. That is
the sentimental side Of the problem, but
there is "A practical side which will appeal
with greater force TO trade-uniOnists-
The negro il here, and while at one
time we may have regarded the danger of
competition with him as a mechanic with
that same contempt as We did the machine
when IL was first introduced into the foun-
dry, experience has demonstrated in both
cases that each has achieved such "A meas
ure of success as to compel us TO revise our
opinion and look about for means TO repair
the damage our lack of foresight has
brought upon Us.
Many negro molders. as their work testi-
fies. deserve to be classed as mechanics.
Were their competition with white molders
confined TO relative mechanical skill 1t
would constitute no more serious PROPOSE
ton than competition OF white with each
other. But there is a very serious addi-
tiOnal factor which enters into negro COM
petition. and that is the lower wages which
he is paid and is content TO receive. That
is the dangerous feature and the one which
as a matter OF self-preservation Will COM
pei the white mOlder or the South 10 so far
overcome his race prejudice as to assist in
educating the negro TO a better understand
ing of his rights and privileges and in en-
cOuraging him TO organize for their main
tenance and protection.
mot only are the ranks OF the negro
mOlders being recruited in the regular way,
but the penitentiaries Of the South, where,
by permission of the State, criminals are
assisting In the task OF reducing the wages
OF honest labor and driving it's product
from the market, are each month setting
adrift negroes who, during their confine-
ment, have acquired some rudimentary
knowledge Of our craft in convict foundries.
Not all of these follow holding thereafter,
but some do, for when an unskilled and
low-paid labOrer. whether he be black or
white. is given an opportunity TO acquire
some knowledge Of a trade and increase his
earning power he Will very generally
seize it."
Frank Chandler. of Manchester, and Ben
Tillett. of London. carpenters by trade,
were sent to America TO represent 1000, 900
organized workingmen Of England at the
convention of the American Federation of
Labor held in Scranton, Pa, last week.
The new mayor or Bridgeport, Conn, a
stoker by trade. was earning $14 a week
when elected.
A pallbearers' union has been organized
in Chicago.
Five hundred carpenters of Limerick, Ire
land. have been imprisoned for combining
TO raise their wages.
The early store-closing movement has
reached Philadelphia.
XXX
A new fraternal order, the Gardeners,
proposes TO revolutionize fraternal insur-
ance by providing pensions for working
men over sixty-one years old.
Organized -workingmen of Cleveland, o..
are talking of making their organizations
a political factor.
The Newsboys' Protective Union OF Bos-
ton is the youngest that ever joined the
American Federation of Labor.
The Episcopal Church of Cleveland is at
tempting to organize mems clubs in each
of its parishes. Whenever labor difficulties
arise in which club MEMBERS are involved
the board of Cancellation. together with the
influence of the church, will attempt TO eff
feet a settlement without strike or lockout.
AT the recent convention of the Episcopal
Church in San Francisco a resolution was
adopted for the appointment of a labor
commission to assist in settling labor
troubles
1t is said that the Amalgamated Steel
Workers are providing a gigantic fund in
order to open hostilities against the steel
trust next year.
The printers union of London has a mem
bsrship of II, 900 and a treasury Of 1886, 900.
The carpenters of Toronto, Canada, have
started q technical school for their craft.