Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-09-30


Henry White, for several years gen.
eral secretary Of the United Garment
Workers of America, and one of the
best known writer's on labor topics
in the country, was expelled from the
organization at the recent convention.
White was accused Of going over to
the side of the employers on the eve
of strike and writing editorials in
daily paper against the union. The
vote to expel him was unanimous.
White was a prominent member Of
the National Civic Federation.
The amalgamation Of the Interna-
tional Association of Machinists and
the International Association of Allied
Metal Mechanics has been successful
ly carried out under the plans agreed
upon several months ago. There will
be no change in the name of the ma
chinists' organization, which is to abb
sorb the other, and all members OF
the metal mechanics will be trans
| ferred into the other free of cost. All
charters issued from this time will be
issued by the International Associa-
ton of Machinists and the formal
amalgamation dates from Oct. /.
Judge William M. Clancy of Butte,
Mont, gave a decision in favor of the
Butte labor unions to the effect that
4 boycott was within their constitu-
tional rights. Judge Clancy holds that
to print circulars, carry boycott BAN
ners, and urge people to cease patron
izing the places unfair to organized
labor, all come within the constitu-
tional rights which guarantee free
speech and freedom of the press He
says the only recourse the injured per-
sons have is an action for damages
against the personal offenders il they
abuse their constitutional privilege,
and he refused to enjoin them.
According to the statistics compiled
at the headquarters of the American
Federation of Labor, conditions of
employment are improving. Of 1882
unions reporting for July, with an ag-
gregate membership of S5,450, there
were 1.6 out of employment. In the
previous month 1891 unions, with a
membership of S0,S22, reported 81
without employment. The number of
unions affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor Aug. 1 was 1850,
divided as follows: International
unions, 1870; state branches, 80; cen
trail bodies, S54 local trade and fed
eral labor unions, 1880. There were
twenty-three charters issued during
the month of July.
William e. Mason is the new head
of the New York Labor World. And
in him those unions in the Building
Trades Alliance, from whose leader.
ship Philip Weinseimer has retired.
have man who promises to do things
for the great good of unionism. Mason
is As years of age, of straightforward
manner and strong character-a typi-
cal leader. "The reign of cliques in
the Building Trades Alliance is now at
an end" said Mr.. Mason to reporter.
IF l am to continue as president OF
the united unions all that will be
done, every step that is taken and ev-
cry result aimed at, will be by the
will of the entire membership Of the
sixteen organizations"
With the return of the strikers in
force and the desertion of the non
union employees, peace again entered
the packing houses. 1t was estimated
that 1000 of the old men had been
put to work the first day. More gradu
ally will be engaged until every de-
partment is in full operation. The
butchers were not the only workers
in the rush to get back. The coop
ers, carworkers, firemen, steamfitters
carpenters and men of almost every
trade employed in the stockyards
made haste to regain the positions
which they gaze up to go on strike
In all departments the men found the
packers representatives ready to re
ceive them and put them to work ex
actly as had been agreed.
Victory for employers was the out
come of the Cancellation plan of ad
justing wage differences, given its
first great trial in Chicago by the Re
public Iron and Steel company anc
it's 10000 skilled union employees e.
J Ashtabula, O., and elsewhere. Bot
sides accepted the decision, thus
making the second notable settlement
by direct arbitration within the last
year. The united mine workers last
April adjusted their wage differences
with their employers in the same man
ner and renewed their trade agree
ments. The members Of the Amalga
mated Association of Steel and Iror
Workers employed by the Republic
company were forced to submit to 6
reduction in wages. The decrease II
pay will be from 2 to Is per cent.
In an address sent out to organ
izers working under A. F. of l.. au
thority, President Samuel Gompers
says: 1--WE are fully cognizant of the
present industrial situation, the ag
gressions of citizens alliances, manu-
; facturers' associations and other or
; CARNATIONS of employers, and that the
: most determined effort is being made
to besmirch the good name and to dis
rupt the organizations of labor. In
view, therefore, of existing conditions
it behoves us to make even greater