Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-09-25

Is 10 ne lduHCneu.
Labor was never before so prosper.
GUS as to-day. This is not only true In
the large industrial centers, but all
over the country. Chicago workers
received their share of the increased
wages granted and more than hun
dred unions achieved the nine-hour
work-day since last Labor day. The
unions of Chicago have increased
their membership nearly 100000 in the
last year, nearly 200 new unions were
formed, and altogether the last year
lie year mainly for thankfulness.
Negotiations which have been pend
ing since May between the Illinois
Central railway and the telegraphers
at Chicago have been concluded. The
demands of the telegraphers, slightly
modified were granted. The long
time taken to effect the settlement
was necessary because of the fact
that the schedules Of more than 1,50d
different offices had to be considered
individually. The concessions consist
OF greatly reduced hours and an an
nual increase in the pay roll amount
ing to more than 100000. The aver
age increase in the salaries is Is
per cent
protest from the American FEEDER
alton Of Musicians against the employ
ment Of the United States Marine band
has resulted in the Sovereign Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows canceling con-
tract with the band for its annual en-
campment. which will be held in BAL
timore next month. The same protest
was' Intellectually made to the lSlks
during the recent conclave held by
them last month. The Federstjol Of
Musicians holds that as the United
States Marine band is paid by the gov.
eminent it should not travel AROUND
the country and accept engagements
which deprive other musicians of
work.
Peter ]. MCGUIRE. the valiant war
horse of the labor movement. is recoE-
nized as the father of Labor Day. At
& picnic of the New York Central La
Dor Union, Sept. 5, 1882, P. J. Nc
Ill Tic COllo VI Ills Icudl No,
he being the orator of the day, sug.
gested that the first Monday in Sep
TENDER of each year be set aside for
organized labor as day of rest and
recreation. Mr.. Mcclure Is also the !
founder and builder of the Uslted {
Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Join-
ers of America. He was born Of
irish parents in New York City, July
6, 1852. His education was secured
largely in the night schools of Cooper
Institute and high schools of New
York. AS student he is recorded as;
standing among the highest.
AS an evidence of the improved con.
ditions of the workingmen of the coun.
try during the past four years. George
w. Perkins, president of Cigarmakers'
International Union, quotes some fig.
ures on the growth of the cigar indus.
try He says: "The growth of the
cigar industry within the last four
years has been phenomenal; the con.
,inuous expansion has no parallel In
Ne history of the trade. From yrod.
~:tion of 4530,000,000 for the fiscal
year ended July 1, 1899, it swelled to
the enormous number of 6,786 ,390,535
cigars, an increase in round numbers
of so per cent in the short space OF
four years. This increase In the trade
is chiefly due to an increase in con.
sumption by the laboring classes OF
the country, and to the higher wages
earned by organized labor, which en-.
abled many to discard the pipe for the
cigar"
One of the most difficult and com.
plicated problems in the labor world
is the amalgamation of the two inter-
national organizations of carpenters.
Committees representing the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
snd the Amalgamated Society of Car
penters and Joiners held conferences
in Chicago last week and submitted
briefs to Adolph Strasser, who has
been agreed upon as umpire. 1t is
not expected that decision will DO
given for probably sixty days, as Mr..
Strasser is determined to give the
matter the serious consideration which
the situation requires. Both organi-
cations are to be congratulated on
their selection of an umpire, as Mr..
Nrasser is known as one Of the ablest
labor officials in this country. He also
realizes that he has big problem on
his hands. and will give no hasty de.
cision.
Following closely on the start of the
big window glass plant at Kane, Pa,
already announced, comes the report
that the Getman Glass Company, at
N. Y, and the Vincennes
Window Glass Company, at Vincen-
mes, Ind, each of twenty-four-pot ca
pacity will be put in operation with.
out wage scales or the recognition of
either of the workers. organizations.
Both are cooperative concerns and
last season sold the entire production
10 the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company.
L is understood that the contract has
been renewed for the coming season.
It is now said the independent con-
germs will have no difficulty in get
ing a sufficient force of skilled work.
men to run the factories on account