The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-05-19

increased wages, have been made BY
$4,000 union men. and in some in
stances negotiations are under way
for a settlement.
The total amount Of benefits paid
by the cigarmakers' union in 1903
amounted TO s374.9eS.O3, while the
total receipts from dues, assessments
.nd initiation fees reached the sum OF
1851 ,942.56. Since the union adopted
the beneficial system twenty-four
years ago it has paid out In benefits
the enormous sum Of So ,930,051.58.
The French transatlantic steam
ship line oficials say there is no pos
sibility that the strike Of officers Of
the merchant marine at Marseilles
viii extend TO transatlantic liners,
mainly because all the officers Of the
transatlantic steamers are attached
to the French navy and therefore not
subject to the agitations Of the mer-
chant marine.
Despite the immense building oper-
ations in Baltimore and consequent
great demand for labor. the situation
at present is said to be more satisfac-
tory than it has been for years. All
the builders are in thorough accord
with the unions, the only matter still
lacking final settlement being the
"card" system. 1t is believed this
system will be generally adopted
When the British trade unions
adopted the superannuation benefit
there were many who ridiculed the
idea, and said it could not be paid. In
surance men said that it might go for
few years, but it would eventually
swamp the unions. It has not done
so, however, for none of the unions
adopting it have defaulted on a single
claim, and the amounts in their treas
uries have been kept up. in spite Of
the drain.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
Several Of the unions in Philadel-
phia are asking for increases in
wages, but the demands are not ac-
companied by a strike uItimatum In
the building trades the principal
skilled br0nehes are under agree
ments, which we're signed some
months ago, and win in some in
stances last through 1905. Tho mas
ter builders advisory board declares
that its stubborn fight Of last year
against strikes, and particularly the
sympathetic strike, has had a salu-
tary effect.
Labor leaders throughout the coun-
try are optimistic in their views of
the labor situation at the present time
and with the annual May day demands
Of the unions and the signing Of new
agreements less trouble is expected
than on any May for years. With
costly lessons learned from past strife
and a more conciliatory feeling pre-
vailirg among employers and en-
ployes. students Of the labor situation
look forward to a year fraught with
less friction and loss on both sides,
and Of great benefit to those affected
directly and indirectly by labor con
troversies.
The local lodge Of Locomotive Fire
men at Lafayette. Ind, has outgrown
its headqarters and is to have new
home. The union has been initiating
new candidates regularly and reports
that a number Of the iiremen have
been promoted to the other side Of
the cab and have gone into the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers. Lo
cal No. SO is one Of the best lodges oi
firemen in the state of Indiana. The
members have just received an in
crease on gattleship type engines
from $3.50 to $3.50 per 100 miles ant
on the Atlantic type Of engines from
$3.50 to S2.05 per 100 miles.
The convention of the international
brotherhood Of Bookbinders which
will open in St. Paul Mimi on JUNE
IA. promises to be one Of unusual in
terest. It will not only be Of Interest
to the bookbinders of Pittsburg. vhC
expect to bring the next convention
I there. but also to the general trade
in this country. Great Britain ant
other countries. IN England and Ger
many. where unions exist and where
shop conditions in some respects arr
much better than in America, step
may be taken to form an internaiiona
agreement between these countries
respecting travelling carls and othel
matters from which great benefit t.
the trade may result.
Ralph Smith. M. p. recently made
in New York the best defense o
unionism ever made there. says an ex
change. He concluded by telling hi
hearers a story Of John Burns, NJ. P.
who once took a part in an importan
cricket match at one OF the large
asylums in the city Of London. Som,
5000 lunatics under the control of hal
a dozen guards we're present to wit
| ness the game. When the sports were
over the chief warden conducted Mr.
Burns around the institution Look
ing upon large crowd OF PATIENTS
strong. robust men as they were-Alr
/ Burns remarked: "Are you not afrai,
that these fellows win organize almos
any day TO kin you?9 No said th'
chief warden, lunatics ne*er organize
That is impossible. We have nothing
to fear from that point Of view Mel
must be capable said he. "of though
and the Importance of united action
to organize. Lunatics are always com
pletely disunited."
Were Amateur Bull Fighters.
A peculiar accident happened recent