The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15
'fksy Enter with Zest Into the Spirit
of Wherever 1t Is
Possible.
Ntws OF THE LOCAL UNIONS
I1ftIKE AT INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDRY
COMPANY STILL ON.
" ne Workers OficiaIs and the Colo
fudo Sftuatfon-Strfke OF Struc-
turaI Iron Workers.

0- 1LL< 11A NboL HOAhCA RAa ~ NH-
world OF industry is not so small;
Ek| nor is their part in the great So
EElN5N ciety OF organized labor SO fncon-
- siderable that 1t Is not felt, not
opH within their own unions, but also with
ouk One of the strongest unions in the
Gig In point OF compact organization. IRE
spfctive Of any of the mems unions, Is the
lodkl branch OF the United Garment Work
erk OF America. In all, there are about 300
yokng working girls of the city affiliated
with the local, which meets once every
tws weeks. The interest that Is taken in
thu organization by the girls and the work
thft they have done in its interests has
m de 1t not only the strongest of those OF
thu city, but one of the most prominent of
TIKI international organization of garment
w$kers. The reputation that has been
established for the unions Is due not only
tokhe sincere work of the whole body, but
tofan even greater extent TO the work of
ft4 president. Miss Lillian Fredericks. Miss
FItdericks has been the leader of the local
gaEment workers for many years and she
haf managed the affairs of the organization
$ Ecapably that recently she was made a
mknber of the international. Even outside
ofkher own union she is recognized as an
affs indicator of the working people. She
hsk held many local offices in the labor
alliances of the city and is always promi-
ntSt in movements that aim at the better
mf1t of the working class. 1T present she
Is d delegate and member OF the executive
bdfrd OF the Central Labor Union and it
Is Expected that at the present convention
ofkthe American Federation Of Labor, now
I'M session in Boston. she will be given an
aT~fointment-
9he work accomplished by the local union
eli garment workers. the members say.
hi reaped many benefits to the girls who
wtrk in the shops. 1t has abolished the
sySat shops as they existed here and has
gterally improved the conditions Of the
w4rkers. both in their employment and
th1ir wages. Since its inception here the
uIton has had a phenomenal growth. At
tn present time it practically includes all
tn garment workers of the city, both men
al women. 1t has devoted much of its
tile and attention. too. to other working
gi2s of the city. Investigating the condi-
tiHas under which they work and doing
wat 1t can to alleviate their position. The
eff1rts have not been in vain, for it is well
kaown what they nave accomplished for
IN working women OF the city.
their attitude towards the girls who toll
ishweIl shown I'm their action taken recent
lyS In regard to the employment of young
gSls OF fifteen and sixteen years OF age as
messengers for the telegraph companies.
Al their last meeting the three hundred
Numbers Of the union voted unanimously
tt condemn such employment and to make
eYry possible effort to abolish the prac-
tile. Such action illustrates we'll the inter-
Ell taken by the garment working girls
tdvard the laboring women. 1t is said the
rdkl good accomplished by the union can
nj be equaled by any union in the city. 1t
hes succeeded I'm making not only the lives
o. It's three hundred members much hap
PR and better. but likewise those of many
Of the working girls who are not organized
ITO unions.
khere are not a great number OF organized
v3rking women in the country-not as
nj ny as organized labor desires-but their
nkmbers are increasing rapidly, as the
wsmen begin to see the good results that
they enjoy. The lot of the working woman
uSder most conditions is a hard one. Their
hfurs are long and their wages are small.
Al Investigation taken some years ago by
tf Department of Labor showed that in
tfenty-two cities of the United States the
wtges of women varied from a minimum of
SIS in. Atlanta to a minimum of $6.91 in
SIN Francisco. or IN average of less than
$50 a week. The increasing numbers Of
vtrking women has tended TO lessen even
nlDre the wage Of the women. AS yet the
Etoportion OF the working women who are
members OF trade unions are small, being
About 10 per cent.
Organized labor credits itself with having
btought great benefit to the working
vtmen. The trade unions, 1t Is stated.
hive always stood for the principle of
efual pay for equal work irrespective of
SIX and the various organizations affiliated
With the American Federation of Labor
1--we done many things to aid the cause of
women. One or the chief efforts of organ
I'D labor in lessening the hardships of
tfe working women has been directed to-
vfrds the exclusion OF them from certain
l1ads of employment that is derogatory to
tteir development. the shortening of their
Y1rking day and the Improvement OF the
stnitary conditions of their work. There
was a time when women were employed
mines. but organized labor long ago put
sfstop to such inhuman toll.
kat the present time women are engaged in
tides that are difficult TO organize, but
IL those trades where they are thrown to-
fkther in their daily employment their
Organization has been rapid. A great many
afe also joining unions OF which men are
Members. as the constitutions of the var
itis unions do not prohibit women. Repre-
ftntative OF the changing attitude of
ytDmen towards labor unions is the action OF
tie Chicago Federation OF Teachers. who
ttganized recently and became affiliated
Yth the Chicago Federation of Labor. The
sStion was Immediately repeated In three
4her cities and seems to DE but the be-
spanning OF a large organization OF school
TEACHERS.
STRIKE OF HOLDERS.