Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-07-08
hat at least $4,000 men would turn


out.
At the convention of the Engineers
Union, in session at Boston, resolu-
tions denouncing General Bell of Colo.
RADIO for what was termed his perse-
cution of the miners and members Of
other labor organizations in the Grip
pie Creek section were adopted and
made part of the record of the En-
gineers' union. When the resolution
was introduced by President William
R. Whelan of Boston every person
present rose to his feet and cheered.
The vote on the adoption was unani-
nous.
The Chicago Federation Of Labor
has gained at least 10000 members In
the last year, according to the report
compiled by Secretary Nockels. with
all the battles organized labor has
fought with employers and employ
ers' associations in the last year,
which resulted in the defeat of num-
Der of unions, we still gained in men,
bership," he said. "A year ago the
Chicago Federation received per capt.
ia tax from unions representing 170,-
900 members; this year $50 locals are
paying on 100000 members"
Tie-up Of lake navigation which,
through the strike of the Masters and
Pilots association, has kept approx
mately 100000 men in idleness and
bottled fleets of grain, ore and coal
and freight vessels in the great lakes
for six weeks, has been definitely
broken. The captains, seeding from
the union in which they were affiliat-
ed with the mates, surrendered to the
Lake Carriers association, leaving the
mates to fight it out alone. The cap
tains decided in Cleveland to return
to work for the Lake Carriers asso-
citation without having gained point
in their struggle. A settlement with
the mates and pilots followed the
capitulation of the shippers.
The first convention Of the Struc-
tural Building Trades Alliance has
been called to meet in Indianapolis,
Aug. 10, where a permanent body is
to be formed. The two preliminary
meetings to form this alliance, which
promises to play an important part
in the labor world, were held in In
dianapolis. At the two previous
meetings no definite action could be
taken, as the organization at that
time was only proposed, but now near
ly all the building trades have taken
favorable action on uniting with the
alliance, and an exact plan of work
and purposes can be adopted The
national and international unions or
building trades which have Endorsed
the formation of this body have
membership of 100000.
Union printers in the district sur
rounding Chicago have started
movement for the establishment Of
the eight hour day for their craft
Throughout the United States. Plans
for the campaign were prepared In
the conference of members of the In
ternational Typographical union at
Chicago. Ats a result OF this confer
ence recommendations will be made
to the coming convention of the union
that the following line Of policy be
adopted: No new agreements to be
entered into except on the eight-hour
basis. The collection Of fund OF
$4,000 by an assessment OF $lO on
each member of the unon, to be used
exclusively for the agitation for the
shorter day. The creation OF COM
petitive districts, in which all locals
shall act together.
The first financial statement of the
United Association of Plumbers Gas
Filters, Steam Filters and Steam Fit
ters' Helpers of the United States and
Canada is just issued and is the most
remarkable showing ever made by a
labor organization in this country
The plumbers, through their high dues
system, paid $1S6,373.95 in dues alone,
against about $4,000 formerly. With
the accumulation of this fund the par
ent organization was enabled to pay
s24,65O in sick benefits, $31, sos in
strike and $4,000 in death benefits.
Local unions were paid $29,322 for
various purposes, and the information
al received only $26,S25 from its To-
calls, making 1t good investment for
the membership at large. The total
receipts from all sources for the year
were 1907, 724.20, and the expenditure
for all purposes $227,241.74, leaving
balance of $50 ,4S2.46 on hand Jan. 1,
1904. The number of members who
paid dues for the year, excepting those
travelling or suspended, was 1894.
The following editorial, clipped from
the Worker, Brisbane, Australia, Is
significant of what has been accom-
plished and may be done by the labor
victories gained in that far-off coun'
try. The editorial reads: Labor has
come to claim its own. 1t is content
as yet with portion only. The time
is not far distant when it will be sat
isfied with nothing less than ALL.
old age pensions-tha is the limit
of demand to-day. But for how long,
think you, can the creators of wealth
be appeased with pauper dole?