Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-26
WHY so TERMED
Reason of American Federation
of labor's Sweat Shop"
Resolu ion.
RELATING TO The ARSENAL
Piece Work System Employed There
the Basis Of the Allega-
ton.

| The resolution of the Pittsburg con-
vention of the American Federation of
Labor regarding Rock Island arsenal.
in which, according to the press dis
patches sent out, the arsenal was
termed sweat shop" is printed in
full in the published proceedings of
he federation which have Just been
received in this city. The resolution
was introduced on the second day of
the convention, Nov. ii, by Edward ].
| Baker, the third vice president of the
| l. L. B. Leather Workers on Horse
Goods. In was the eighth resolution
submitted TO the convention, and was
referred to the committee on resolu-
| tons, and at the afternoon session of
the same day was concerned in by the
federation on the recommendation of
the committee oFllowing is the COM
plete text of the resolution:
Whereas. The conditions as regards
wages paid leather workers at the gov.
eminent arsenal al Rock Island, H.,
are not what they should be; ana.
Whereas The niece work system
carried on there makes it nothing
more than a sweat shop; therefore
be IL
Resolved, That the incoming Off
GERS of the American Federation of
Labor be instructed to give all the as
sistance at their command to the Off
GERS of the International Brother hood
of Leather Workers on Horse Goods in
their efforts TO do away with the piece
work system. and establish a minimum
wage scale for cay work"
Piece Work the Evil.
1t is the system of piece work. involv-
ing the pace maker that the local la
Dor organizations have contended
against with reference to Rock Island
arsenal all along, as has been repeat
edly asserted in The Argus, and in this
connection It will be remembered that
T.. G. Berry, editor of the Tri-City
Unionist, the official paper of the Tri-
City Labor congress, in an interview
published in The Argus at the time the
sweat shop" resolution was passed by
the American Federation of Labor, stat
ed that the term sweat shop" did not
necessarily imply foul air or dingy
shops more than the conditions under
which labor was employed.
Another Local Resolution.
There was another resolution of To-
cal importance adopted by the Ameri-
can Federation, IL having been present
ed by Delegate Henry H. BOettger, Of
Davenport Trades and Labor assem-
bly,. and which read as follows:
Whereas, A continual difference
exists between the Davenport Trades
and Labor assembly and the Tri-City
Labor congress. the latter having for
its object the disruption of our cen
trial body. as well as discouraging
unions from CIR city in atliliating with
us, especially tri-c.ty organizations;
and.
Whereas, BY so doing it is detri-
mental to both sides, as well as to the
labor movement in general, for it dis
couFages organization of new crafts;
therefore. be il
Resolved, That the executive coun-
ell of the American Federation of La
Dor instruct the national organizations
that their locals elf such exist in Dav
tnpOil. NHCNHOi lil-titN VI nut. ihust
affiliate with our central body. and that
tri-city organizations only pay per
capita tax on the number of members
residing in Davenport Oowa). the Tri-
City Labor congress 10 receive the 9th
err and by so doing it will create more
perfect harmony in both cities, and
will eliminate the everlasting struggle
for supremacy so detrimental to both
sides once and for all"
The committee recommended that
the matter be referred to the executive
council. with instructions to send rep
lresentative to that city and try TO bring
about harmony among the contending
| factions.
on motion. the report of the commit
tee was adopted.