Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-26

difficulties In the way of such a set
Element and in this case it is as in
many Others, the employers have
nothing to arbitrate,' because OF a
fear OF exposing their past and pres
ent methods in treating their en-
ployes in the anthracite region. What
is needed is the financial assistance
and moral assistance of the general
public in the interest of the striking
miners. If the coal barons will arbi-
trate, the matter can be settled with
in twenty-fonr hours. The whole
country should act upon President
MitchelPs appeal for arbitration be-
fore the national convention OF the
United Mine Workers meets next
month. Those that have the power to
help bring about peace by arbitration
should act and act quickly before it is
too late and the whole country is. stir
red up by an industrial strife. AS
compared with the anthracite miner
the Iowa miner has no complaint, his
wages, hours and conditions of life
are SO much better, his Independence
so much greater, and for him there
is so much more happiness in life, ev-
en- as bad as things are, that he has
but little complaint to make as COM
pared with those employed in the an
thracite field.
Boot and Shoe Workers. ,g5
The boot and shoe workers have
about completed their organization and.
will within a few days send for their
charter. There are few who still re-
frain from joining the organization,
but it is expected that in few days
a1lswill be in 3asl
Allied Metal Mechanics.
The employees Of the Nichols Square
Manufacturing CO.. have organized
themselves into Allied Metal Mechan-
lies. 7'Their charter has been sent for
and will be here within few days and
all the goods put out by this firm bears
the union label.
i. .r,, Stationary Engineers. ~;
/ The organization of the stationary
engineers of this city has been com
pleted, their charter has been sent for
and will arrive within short time.
While there are still few of the work
men without the fold it will not be long
until Until all will have become members.
CSC ia Avoidance of Strikes. or
NV Perkins. noted union man
speaks of the matter of strikes land
methods for their avoidance in the
T American! Federationist as follows:
I'i'T Trade disputes or strikes are grow
Ing less in number each year, despite
the fact that the membership is in
creasing and statistics show that we
have made substantial gains in wages.
This bears out the oft-repeated asser-
btion5that better organization means
hbetHefe trade conditions and better
wages, with less strikes. am per
Isepuldtbes avoided without a strike,t afd
PtheG demands obtained if all peaceful
means were first exhausted. II us al
lways igobd policy to exercise the great
est amount of diplomacy and cdneilia-
alton before entering into striker and
| Ilasseft rdhat if this were done many
disputes could be avoided and the
bgains obtained without a strike No
lone likes to be coerced or peremptorily
| told that he must do certain things;
and employers are 70 exception to this
rule A wise, level headed committee
4 can do more with an employer with
calm, logical argument than Gamble &C
comphshed swithc threats and b1'agga
Ldocia.i!s .IM - ,Gnt 6"9i ell sts
| Strikes should eyer be called unit
a competent committee has exhausted
| every effort to bring about a peaceful
| settlement. ~, 5a,9. au,.lt4 ~
Always, be cautious and never over
confident. ~
The warrant for the foregoing asser
ton that strikes are growing less &C
| that in the meantime conditions are
being, improved is borne out by the
record al, strikes and lockouts in, ths
last report which shows, thai
| for the three preceding years we hal
an iaYer9gee, Of 125 strikes annuallyssapfi
that the per cent Of gained strikes wal
4s, while the average number q
strikes for the last five years was 8!
difficulties per year, and that the PEE
faeeeent Of gains in all difficulties was, 81
|SThis furnishes food for reflection, al
/ well asa source of congratulations