Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-16
Strength Somewhat Underesti-
mated, 100 New Unions Or
ganized in Six Months
THE FACTORY INSPECTION LAW
Labor Union Leaders of Iowa Active in
Making Sure of Legislation by Next
LesisIature-Decision in Case of Ger
man American Savings Bank Against
Board Of Review Not Satisfactory.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 16.-Leaders among
the labor unions of the state of Iowa
are already taking active steps in the
direction of making sure of some Iegis-
lation by the next legislature of Iowa.
The last legislature did we'll, passing a
number of bills that were in the line of
improving the condition of those em-
ployed in factories or in large establish
ments of all kinds in the cities. The
factory inspection law is regarded as
deficient, but long step in the direc-
ton OF protecting all who labor in fac
tories. In some matters strongly urged
by the labor unions the legislature was
obstinate and refused to act, notably
in the matter of the anti-injunction
bills in congress, an Endorsement OF
which was sought. But there was In
the legislature last winter number or
active and strong men who were out
spokenly for the labor unions IN nearly
everything they desired. Now 1t is pro-
posed that labor leaders take early
STEPS to see that the men nominated TO
the next legislature shall be persons
they can rely on. Some of the labor
leaders are already preparing bills to
present to the men nominated and to
secure in advance their pledges. The
strength of the labor unions In Iowa
has been somewhat underestimated.
They have manifested great activity,
and they are increasing in numbers
RAPIDLY In the past six months nearly
100 new unions have been organized in
the state. These are in leading cities
like Marshalltown 6, Creston s, Boone
10, Muscatine g. Waterloo 8, Iowa City
Z. Fort Dodge 3, Cedar Rapids 10, Oel-
vein s. Mason City 8, Sioux City 3,
Perry i, Centerville 2, and so on. The
last meeting of the state branch OF the
American Federation was one of the
best eyer held, and as a result of plans
laid then state organizer has been
employed who is making 1t his business
to work in the state among the unions.
During the winter it is expected that
the number of unions will be still fur
ther increased.
In the recent congressional elections
in Iowa there was not very much en-
couragement to the labor unions to en-
ter politics In several of the districts
an attempt was made to make use of
the labor union vote to help this or that
candidate. It was claimed all along
that the labor vote in the First district
would cut into the majority of Con-
gresham Thomas Hedge materially,
because few years ago he had refused
to advise a lumber firm with which he
is connected to discharge a non-union
employe who had been with the firm
many years. But an analysis of the re-
turns fails to reveal any such result. In
tie Sixth district John p. Reese, presi-
dent of the district mine workers un-
ion, had great hopes of election. based
on the fact of his connection with the
union. He fell short of election and, in
fact, the majority of Major Lacey was
larger than it has been in some other
campaigns. That Mr.. Reese relied on
this solid vote is certain. Since the
election he has caused to be published a
letter in which he refers to some figures
previously published by another and
adds:
"In conclusion, wish to reply to
Bro. Nevins, of Keb, by saying that
while his statements and figures may
be correct, the fact Still remains that if
every union man In the Sixth district
had voted for me I would have been
elected by large majority. In fact,
if every union man who said he would
vote for me had done so l would have
al In yiSsl,
to discuss this question, for. as stated
before, am not sorry made the race,
for ran ahead of my ticket in every
county in the district, reduced the ma
jorfty about 1,400, and am well salts
fed. am very grateful to every man
who supported me. and very, very sorry
for the union man and miner who
didn't support me, for know they
missed an opportunity to advance the
good cause
Mr.. Reese has since accepted the po-
sition of commissioner for the coal OPP
orators at a salary of $4,000 year to
engage in settlement of differences be-
tween the miners and the operators.
Th attorneys in the case of the Ger
man American Savings Bank against
the board of review of Burlington relat-
ing to inclusion of government bonds
as part of the taxable property of the
stockholders, are not satisfied to let the
matter rest, but are asking the supreme
court of Iowa to Immediately reverse it
self and decide that the bonds should be
deducted from the capital stock. In
this case the bank held the bonds as a
part of the capital stock, and Judge
Smythe ordered that they be deducted.
The supreme court drew a distinction
between the shares of stock and the
banks capital, and held, in some way
not entirely clear to the lay mind, that
the taxing of the bonds as a part of
the property represented in the value
of the shares of stock was not in fact
violation of the law which forbids
taxing government bonds. The attor-
neys plead that the case is one of vast
Importance, that if the decision is al
lowed to stand 1t will especially affect
all savings banks adversely, and that
because of its far-reaching consequent
ces the court should review the case
again.
A question as to the thickness or
thinness Of q mans skull is to come