Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-06-03


that has anywhere appeared, says
Henry George, Jr. 1t provides for in
vestigation by and settlement of labor
disputes through the state bureau of
industrial statistics. and the full pub
lication Of the findings, so that public
opinion may be brought to bear II
peace is not effected in the former
way.
Judge William M. Clancy recently
gave q decision in favor Of the Butte
labor unions, to the effect that boy
colt was within their constitutional
rights. Judge Clancy holds that to
print circulars, carrying boycott ban
ners and urging people to cease pa
tronizing the places unfair to organ
lied labor all come within the consti-
tutional rights which guarantee free
speech and freedom to the press. He
says the only recourse the injured
parties have is an action for damages
against the personal offenders if they
abuse their constitutional privilege,
and he refused to enjoin them.
The commercial and industrial stag
nation in Russia resulting from the
war has reached critical point, and
1t seems certain that thousands of in
dustries must go to the wall in the
next few weeks. Even the immediate
cessation of hostilities could save few
of the imperiled concerns. The reac-
ton that is being experienced cannot
fail to bring disaster in every city in
Russia. The suspension of all kinds
of business has thrown out of employ.
ment thousands of men who are the
sole support Of families. The imme-
date result is that thousands among
the laboring classes are in dire want
and distress. From many places calls
for assistance are pouring in.
Statistics on the number Of work
ingmen idle each day in the year In
the United States were computed re-
Gently. 1t is shown that $4,000 cigar.
makers are out of work every day in
the year; 81 900 brick and tile workers
are out Of work every day in the year;
| 10000 mill workers are out of work
every day in the year; 1900. boot and
shoe workers are out of work every
day in the year; 10000 leather work
ers are out Of work every day in the
! year; 26S,000 lumber workers are out
of work every day in the year; 100000
workers in the industries controlled
by 1873 industrial combinations are out
of work every day in the year; $1,000
printers are out of work every day in
the year.
Unless the elevator trust soon
comes to terms with 700 striking ele-
vator constructors in Philadelphia an
international strike will be ordered.
the labor organizations of the United
States, Great Britain and Germany
having already agreed to the plan.
France has rot come into the COM
pact. II an attempt is made to fill
the place of strikers sympathetic
strikes will be ordered, and from this
may come the long delayed and
J threatened general strike of the build.
| ing tradec against the allied employ
ers, involving 100000 men in the
United States alone and AZ equa, or
greater number IN the countries
nameI. There srs 5000 elevator con-
structors in the United States.
Perpetual boycotts against enemies
of organized labor, requiring ali agree
mcnts between employers and unions
to end In May, and declaring that II
an employer violates ar agreement
With one union that his contracts with
al other unions are abrogated were
the sensattona. features in new con-
stitution proposed for the Chicago
Federation of Labor. Tho proposed
law governing boycotts almost prohib.
its them, but In case q business con.
Germ is placed under the ban Of or
ganized labor 1t will be impossible to
ever rescind ths action. Only three
boycotts can be conducted at one
time. Making May the month in
which all agreements with employers
shall expire will place the unions. 1t is
asserted, IL a position to defend their
interests more effectually than under
the present system
The federation OF metal trades.
Which is an alliance Of the various in
ternational and national labor organ
izations Of the metal working crafts.
has made remarkable progress since
it's formation three years ago. 1t Is
comprised OF tho international asso-
citation of machinists. the metal pol
ishers, buffers and platers interna-
.ional union, the brotherhood Of black
smiths, the allied metal mechanics,
the international union Of stove
mounters, pattern makers league of
North America, iron holders union
of North America, the brotherhood OF
boiler-makers and has local councils
in II large cities Of the country. The
object OF the organization is to bring
about a closer relationship OF the
crafts whose interests are identical
and which are employed under the
same roof, and where the work passes
from the hands OF one craft to the
other, SO that by arranging wage
scales and other conditions Of en-
ployment by joint committees, uni
formity can be brought about in the
adjustment of grievances and dis
putes. The federation arranges that
all agreements and scales shall ex-