Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-12-09
NEWS OF THE LABOR WORLD.

Items of Interest Gathered from Many
Sources.
Chicago in 1903 had $50 strikes, in
volving 1876, 900 men.
A State Federation of Labor has
been organized in Utah, and efforts
are on foot to thoroughly organize the
workmen in that territory.
Philip Weinsheimer, the former
New York labor leader, convicted OF
extUrtion, was sentenced to state pris-
on for not less than one year and
eight months and not more than two
years and eight months.
Trade unions were practically I'M
known in Sweden until the period 1881
to 1885. The first national organiza-
tion was formed by the printers IN
1886. A National Federation of Labor
was organized in April, 1899, by eleven
national unions.
Charging violation of an agreement,
125 girls went on strike at the shoe
factory of ]. E. Tilt & Co., Chicago,
and unless settled in a few days the
| officers of the union state that 500
other union shoe workers employed
by the firm will be called out in SYM
pathy.
Since 1884 nearly 500 local unions
have been organized in Norway, and
beginning in 1889 various local unions
of the same crafts combined into or
CARNATIONS on national lines, In gen.
eral adopting the system of organiza-
ton which had been established by
the printers.
From 10000 to $4,000 tailors are on
strike in Chicago. They are members
of the Special Order of Clothing Max
ers and have been employed in the
big wholesale establishments which
make clothes for the trade. The
cause of the strike is the refusal OF
the employers to renew the working
agreement with the unions, which
expired Sept. II.
Notices were posted at the mills OF
the five big mines of the Telluride
(Colo) district that in future the
eight hour day would prevail in the
mills. The plants concerned are
those of the Smuggler- Union, Liberty
Bell, Tomboy, Nellie and Alta. 1t
was the demand for this concession
in the mills of the state that precipi-
tated the big strike in Colorado, and
caused the bitter strife between union
lists and mine owners in the Telluride
and Cripple Creek districts.
Preliminary steps were taken at the
recent convention of the International
Longshore, Marine and Transport
Workers Association for the forma-
ton of an organization to include all
the maritime crafts In the world. The
association is directly in touch with
continental Europe, Japan and other
maritime countries. An international
convention of maritime workers will
be held in the near future in Sweden,
at which the question of international
federation will be considered.
The delegates to the American Fed
Grafton of Labor by unanimous vote
decided to aid the striking textile
workers of Fall River to the extent of
$4,000 per week for three weeks. If
by the end of that time it is found
that the strike is not broken the exec
utive council will. if it sees fit, con-
tinue the donation. The money is to
be raised by an assessment OF l cent |
each week levied on each member of |
every labor organization affiliated |
with the American Federation of |
Labor.
The Associated Stenographers and |
Typewriters of Chicago has been re- |
Gently formed. The objects of the as
ISOLATION are to promote the welfare
of the members of the profession, to
conduct a free employment bureau for
its members, to afford opportunities
for self-improvement by means of
classes for speed practice in short
hand, for studying foreign languages,
etc.; to have library on subjects per-
tanning to the profession, to discuss
and deal with all matters of interest
to stenographers, and generally to
raise the status of the profession.
The first Danish trade union formed
for the specific purpose OF securing
higher wages and shorter hours, was
organized in 1869. During the years
1S71-1S7S about thirty unions were or
ganized, many of which were of a
semi-political character. From 1878 to
1884 the trade union movement pro-
crossed very slowly and was confined
In the main to the City of Copen-
hagen. Beginning with the latter year
the organizations began to spread to
other parts of Denmark, and since
1895 trade unions have been estab-
lished throughout the country at large.
Thomas l. Kidd. who has Just re-