Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-17
PLAN FOR LABOR DAY
Trades and Labor Assembly Com
mittee Reports Progress.
10 ORGANIzETWONEW LOCAL UNIONS
Theatrical Stage Workers and Boot
and Shoe Repairers of ottumwa Are
to Have an Organization Established
Soon-Labor Movement Ideals.
[Th, matter published in this col.
umn is furnished by the officers of the
Federation OF Labor

umn is furnished by the officers of the
Federation OF Labor.
| tFrom Fridays Daily.J
The regular semi-monthly meeting
of the Trades and Labor assembly was
held last evening at which time very
important matters pertaining to the
welfare of organized labor in this city
were discussed, among which was the
report of the committee on labor day
celebration. The committee reports
favorable progress and has commenc-
ed active preparations for labor day
celebration in Ottumwa next fall.
There is no doubt but what the cele-
bration this year will be on more
elaborate plan than that of any prev
| ious one ever held in the city. Sub
committees will be appointed to make
further arrangements and one OF the
best speakers than can be secured
from the ranks of organized labor will
be in attendance. The assembly also
has placed business agent in the
field, whose services will begin June
lie. BY referendum vote submitted
Ito the local unions they have decided
to keep representative in the field
in this city and at last evenings meet
j ing Samuel P. Hobbs, of the butcher
workmen, was placed in charge of the
office. 1t goes without saying that a
} great deal of benefit will acrue to or
ganized labor through the efforts of
] Mr.. Hobbs and at the end of six
months the forces of organized labor
in this city will be augmented by many
new members. The assembly will
, meet again on next Sunday afternoon
at which time all the delegates from
the organized labor movement in this
city are requested to attend.
Painters and Decorators.
: The members of the local painters
: and decorators report their union In
better condition than at any time in
? the history of the organization. New
members are continuously focking in
2 to it's fold and the officers report ey-
!. erything to be in harmonious condi-
ton. With the beginning of next year
it is the solemn purpose OF the paint,
ers to endeavor to have every member
of their craft in this city union man.
!. The smoker recently given by the
painters was very enjoyable affair
: and it is hoped that at some time in
= the near future all other unions in the
= city will take up this social feature for
the purpose of advancing the interests
of their members.
Sheet Metal Workers.
o This organization is one of the mos
e conservative of the trades unions il
= the city and although its members are
s active they seldom get into difficulty
e The policy of this union is rather con
IL Citation and they have one of the
a best organized and strongest loca
y unions in Ottumwa.
II The Anthracite Coal Strike.
So many people have but little con
: ception of, the causes that led up tt
. the strike of the miners in the anthra
II cite coal districts and so few know o
= the real conditions Of the miner il
$ that part of the country that they ap
lparently do not understand or els,
they would extend extreme sympath,
IL and loyal support to the unfortunate
t, anthracite miner now on strike.
IL Is no rare case to witness Throughout
Y the Wyoming and Lackawanna valley
in which are situated the great ar
o. thracite mines of Pennsylvania, me-
a. who nave worked continuously iron
} one years end to the other and VIII
D. have been sober and industrious, liz
m ing in the most abject poverty, SUI
O. rounded by all the horrors and miser
a. of want, living in novels and at tn
W end of a hard years work find then
i'd selves indebted to the coal compan
or for the bare necessities of life.
"a some instances as high as forty an
fifty people live in four or five ROOF
house. With all of these unhapp
"a conditions surrounding them and wit
g. no hope for the future except throug
n the loyal support and protection c
~ their union these miners decided t
IN strike after using every possibl
II means to secure better treatment a
&c the hands of their employers. r,
" cent Investigations by old and exp
=. rienced newspaper writer's hay
n. shown to the general public that til
:. strike was justifiable and that tn
N miners should win. There is Away
10 SO much confusion and misrepresel
vs tation of strikes of this character thu
h, some Of the imaginary newspape
II. writer's of this state have endeayore
n to involve the Iowa miners into thi
~. strike. Let it be said that the miner
:, of Iowa have not as an organizatio
ever considered sympathetic strik
but their hearts and money are wit
the anthracite miners, whom the
hope to see come out victorious.
en- en- Bartenders' League.
is The local bartenders' league is col
is graduating itself upon the fine SUI
ne cess of the organization and at til
=