Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-04-29
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national brotherhood of transfers in
Chicago have a membership of co.
900, and include nearly everyone who
drives horse for hire. The strength
of the brotherhood Is such that farm
ers removing refuse from the alleys
must wear transfers button.
without organization a house is
only pile of bricks" says the editor
of the Car Worker. without organi-
cation locomotive is only heap Of
scrap iron. Without organization
Brooklyn bridge would be only tan
gle of wire and planks. Without or
ganization shops crew is only
rabble of drudges."
The Iowa house Of representatives =
has passed bill prohibiting railroads
from compelling trainmen to work
more than sixteen hours in twenty
four, excepting in cases Of wrecks,
which was urged by the trainmen's
organizations. A proposed bill to pun
ish picketing, boycotting and black
listing was defeated.
The International freight handlers
union may organize the railroad tow
| ermen. The officers realize that the
assistance of the tower and gate men
in the railroad yards would be Of great
Importance and application may be
made at once to the American Fedora
ton of Labor to increase the power
of the freight handlers charter.
Lake Seamen's Union has elected
the following officers and port agents:
Secretary, William Penje, Chicago;
treasurer, Thomas A. Hanson, Chi
cago; port agents, Milwaukee, Arthur
Pierce; Tonawanda, Thomas Lester;
Buffalo, George Hanson; Ashtabula,
Fred Benson; Cleveland, William
Shaw; Toledo, Andrew Hagolew.
An act has passed the Rhode Island
House Of Representatives prescribing
a penalty of from three to six months
| Imprisonment or $500 to 5000 fine, or
both, upon any employing person or
corporation who shall, as condition
of new or continued employment, at
tempt to prevent working people from
belonging to labor organization.
Albert Young, general organizer Of
the International Brotherhood of
Transfers, has returned to Chicago
from trip to the Pacific coast. He
reported having brought the indie
pendent Transfers union, of San
Francisco, into the brotherhood, and
the organization of locals in San Jose
and Los Angeles, with about 1000
members.
The Trades and Labor council OF
| Cleveland has decided to send a pro-
test to the President of the United
States and to Congress against the
alleged military outrages being car
ried on in Colorado. Owing to the
rigid press censorship being main
tanned by the commanding officers of
the troops, it is hard to get correct
idea of the situation.
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
| A. F. of L., was lately asked to ex-
| plain unionism in sentence. He
replied: "The labor movement has for
| it's purpose the securing of the best
| possible economic and social condi-
tions for the masses, and the attain
ment of these with the least possible
| friction; the meeting of problems as
they confront us; the making of the
| day after this a better day than the
one preceding"
Officials of the Illinois Brick COM
pany at Chicago signed an agreement
with the Brickmakers union, and it
| is regarded as one of the most far
reaching in existence. The agreement
provides for an eight-hour day, admis-
sion of the business agent to all yards
at any hour of the day, closed shop,
and that union teamsters shall haul
all brick in Evanston and Chicago.
The union label will be placed upon
all brick manufactured.
General Secretary Frank Duffy of
| the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners says that at the coming con.
vention of the brotherhood at Milwau-
kee he will recommend the starting
of bank with the unions funds. We
could easily capitalize such an insti-
tuition with a million dollars" adds
Secretary Duffy Ten dollars per
capita on the membership of our in
ternational organization would more
than meet the requirements, and the
general office could conserve the ad-
vantages from it's own banking bust
ness"
The bituminous coal miners OF In
diana, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa and West
ern Pennsylvania were on the brink
of bitter fight beginning April l.
They had refused to accept reduc-
ton of 10 per cent from the present
wage scale. The supreme efforts OF
President Mitchell and the conserva-
tive element of the mine workers have
averted the trouble for the time being.
1t was pointed out that wages in, the
bituminous mines had been rising
since 1894 and that the great improve
ment had been obtained by peaceful
methods.
The National Economic League OF
New York has begun the publication
of a monthly magazine. The pros
naotus IF the magazine among other