Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-08
IN LABOR CIRCLES
.

ldDof- Ii Is Sdlu the general OucerS OF the
organization have become very much dis
satisfied with several decisions OF the fed
Grafton involving claims to trade jurisdic-
ton, which were adverse to the metal
workers and which resulted in the with
drawal of a large number of them from
the organization.
In the current number OF the Inter
national Metal Worker, the official organ
of the organization. General Secretary
Charles o. Sherman says:
Il believe the time has passed when
trade autonomy can be preserved. | be-
leve the machine has taken the place of
the individual mechanic and, If the trades
union movement does not advance the
same line of progress in the method of
production, then the trades union move
! ment cannot fill or perform the mission it
is intended to do. That is the reason why
your executive board has sent out a de-
mand upon their local unions to vote on
the question of making the United Metal
Workers International Union industrial
organization"
1t is also proposed to form an organiza-
ton based upon the principle of great
Industrial union embracing all industries
providing for craft autonomy locally, In
dustrial autonomy nationally, and working
class unity generally. For this purpose
convention has been called to meet at
| Chicago, June q. 1905. Should the pro-
moters succeed in forming an organization
| based upon the principle of industrial
| unionism'' it will be at war with the Ameri-
| can Federation of Labor which declares
| for strict trade autonomy.
The manifesto of the call for the con-
vention is strongly socialistic in sentiment
/ and 1t is very probable that the gather
| ing will be largely composed of those who
| have been persistent in their efforts to COM
nit the American labor movement to
| socialism.
| The following communication from A.
Stern, secretary of Retail Clerks Local
n JaI Con
| trail Labor Union and Endorsed by that
| body:
The impression prevailing in the minds
| of the merchants ofthis city that certain
| new enterprise known as the Union out
| filters to Men Company, is under the aus
| pieces of, and controlled and fostered by the
| Retail Clerks Union, No. 262 and as this
opinion is calculated to work to the detri-
ment and injury of this organization. and
| as it is only just that this local should be
placed in the true and proper position in
| the estimation of the public, and that its
prestige may not be impaired, 1t owes Il to
| itself to issue public statement to the
| effect That this local, known Retail
Clerks Union, No 81, is in no way, even
remotely, connected with either the store
known as the Union Outfitters to Men
Company its management.
John Mcneil, president of the Brother
| hood of BoilermakerS and Iron Ship Build
| ers. has been deposed because of alleged
| acknowledgement of the affairs of the asso-
citation.
The Journeyman Tailors' International
Union is in session this week at Blooming
ton. III. This organization was formed in
1856, and in the meantime but three
ventionS have been held, its affairs having
been conducted by the referendum.
At the biennial convention of the Interna-
tionai Stone Masons Union. just closed at
Indianapolis it was decided to make ap-
plication for admission to the American
Federation Of Labor The association was
reported to be entirely out of debt with
balance of over $4,000 in the treasury
The officers elected were: Thomas F
ONeal, Kansas City, Mo-, president; Jacob
Nogei, Indianapolis. first vice president;
Frank McWebb McAllister, Indian terri
tory, second vice president; MaIcomb Ged-
dis. st. Paul. Mimi. third vice president.
john Byrne, st. Louis, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ana John Schwab, st. Louis, national or
ganizer. Vi
Credentlais have been presented to the
Sei.tlal LABOR Union and the delegates
seated as follows: Grocery Clerks, No. 5s3-
l.: H. Marmaduke, George F.. Joachim
THOMAS l.. Smith, James Thomson and
S S u. Schamel Bakers Union No. s05-
SIlas A. Blount. Electrotypers' Union No.
Ii. &. SchultZe
The organization of public school teachers
lnto unions Is favored by several of the
Washington labor leaders Mr. A. F
Bloomer. prominent member Of Columbia
Typographical Union has this to say on
the subject in the Trades Unonist:
Il watched with great interest the re-
cent debates in Congress on the subject of
increasing the salaries of school teachers
IN TINS District, and was not surprised to
learn that many Of the unskilled and evan
mental occupations in the departments are
more remuneratfve than that of school
teacher.
Make the compensation Of school teach
ers what 1t should beat least equal to
that of a frst-class mechanic and 1t should
be equal to that Of the skilled craftsman,
the electrical engineer, the analytical chem
list or any other of the occupations reauir-
ing ability and appfcation-and the voca-
ton will attract and retain bright minds.
instead of being used by men as something
TO tide them over until a position worth
having Is attainabe and by women until
marriage relieves them from it,
But how can this ideal condition be
brought about? It can be brought about in
the only way that great good for great
numbers is ever accomplished-by organf-
cation of the teachers in their own interest
Let the school teachers organize for the
betterment Of their own condition. each
civil division having control of teachers in
one union-yes, you had better call 1t a |
union" for then you will form part of the |
great chain of trades unions that Is becom- |
ing the strongest element for resistance of |
oppression in this country and thereby |
gain its sympathy, aid and cooperation.
Disabuse your minds of the idea that |
union and estrike" are synonymous |
ments, whether national or local. There |
are better and easier ways of accomplishing |
results.
'You are but toilers. He who yields a |
piece of chalk on a blackboard for a salary !
is no less a toiler than he who yields a |
hammer over an anvil for wages. Then /
resort to the means that have been re- /
sorted to by the more effectively educated |
wage-earner for getting a larger share Of |
his due. Join or die! was the cry at the |
formation of this republic. Join or be a |
slave" is equally true now.
Mr.. Frank Morrison, secretary of the |
American Federation of Labor. has given |
me some figures showing that in some sec
tons of the country the school teachers |
are realizing the necessity of organizing on |
trades union lines and are giving in their |
allegiance to that great organization. There |
are four teachers unions chartered by the |
A. F. of 1.-two in California, one In Texas
and one in Illinois. one of which secured an
increase Of Is per cent in salary almost |
Immediately. The school teachers of |
Chicago are organized. as result of which
they have already received favorable legls- |
lation at the hands of the state legisla
ture.'
Coincident with the steps that are being
taken by the Central Labor Union for the
erection in this city of temple of labor.