The Washington times., 1904-01-17

not only do they greatly assist in our
progress as a nation. but they viii also
be found to be the greatest antidotes for
the reoccurrence of financial panics. For
the inconsiderate and illegal speculation
by the captains of finance results not
only In interference with the consuming
power Of the body polite. but also in
duces panicky conditions. so where har-
mony is provided through the union
shop. and the consuming power Of the
workers IS protected by minimum wage
rates. the wage-earners will continue TO
buy and consume what IS purchased. al
most to the extent of the remuneration
they receive for their toll. Therefore.
instead Of being parties to the contrac-
ton Of the circulating medium they are
by far the greatest distributors OF
money. AS such. they keep money in
circulation and tend to give to the man
ufacturers a finished product. and 10
the man who raises farm produce the
best possible price for what he has to
sell.
with such conditions kept In healthy
channels it win be seen that the far
reaching effects Of the trade agreement
between organized labor and organized
capital has a great deal more to do with
the general welfare and prosperity OF
the coSntry than appears from a super
hcial or inadequate inspection OF the
subject"
H. w. Sherman. president OF the Cen
trail Labor Union and grand secretary of
the International Brotherhood OF Elec-
trical Workers. was born in Richmond.
Va, November 3, 1857. At the age of
fourteen he moved TO Washington He
left the Capital City in 1876 and worked
in various parts Of the country. event
ually returning here. He became prorni-
nent in labor matters in the early
eighties, and took part in the great
strike Of linemen and telegraphers in
1852. He was elected second vice presl-
dent Of the United Brotherhood of Elec-
trical Workers in 1893. He was elected
president in 1895. AID in 1897 was elected
secretary. which position ne has held
since that time.
Mr.. Sherman is a good business man
and applies business principles to the
conduct of his work. He is conservative
and careful at all times. but a thor
oughly ardent labor man.
Believes in Business Principles.
II believe in conservatism" said Mr..
Sherman. Labor organizations. like
any other business concern. must be
conducted on business principles 1 am
in favor OF arbitration / am also op-
posed TO the open shop. because expert
cree in the labor movement has con-
WINGED me that it is impossible for union
and non-union men to work in harmony.
A shop should contain all union men or
all non-union men II it is to pay
L pay little attention TO that class
which is always bowling about the in
dependence OF the American working
man. as / know that cry is but sub
terfuge to have labOrers break away
from organizations The working man
gets patted on the back and is made to
believe in independence. and at the same
time he is being paid starvation wages
and is working long hours"
President O'Connell, of the Machinists.
James O'Connen. president OF the In
terna donal Association of Machinists
and third vice president OF the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. was. as he
puts it. born of poor but Irish par
ents' at Minersville, Schuylkiii county.
Pa. August D. 1855.
After receiving an ordinary school edu-
cation at the age Of sixteen he entered
his apprenticeship as machinist in the
shops Of the w. ]. Innis Engine Works.
at which place he worked six years.
He next went to Detroit. Mich. where
he worked a year. after which he re-
turned to the oil regions and went to
work for the Oil Well Supply Company.
where he remained for two years. leav-
ing this position to accept charge of the
w. n. Y. & P. roundhouse at Oil City.
Pa. In 1852 Mr.. O'ConnelI left the sS4op
and entered into the oil business. and for
a while was very successful. In 1884 he
went &c Corning. n. Y, where he en-
tered the employ of the Fall Brook Coal
Company, where he remained until 1857.