The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1905-01-20
To the Lawmakers of
The State of Nebraska

Gentlemen of the Nebraska Legislature.
Greeting: The Wageworker, representing
the interests of organized workingmen,
and speaking in their behalf, desires to
lay few matters before you, and asks
your consideration thereof. In making
these requests for organized labor, The
Wageworker seeks only to advance the
material interests Of the whole state OF
Nebraska, and asks nothing that will not
be beneficial alike to all classes Of our
citizenship. Organized labor stands upon
platform Of unselfshness, for members
Of labor unions have for years been bear
ing the burden and sharing the expense
of securing better conditions for the toll
ing millions, whether organized or unor-
ganized. Every laborer, be he union or
non-union. is today the beneficiary of the
tolls and sacrifices of men banded to-
gether in labor unions for the purpose CT
eIevating the toiier, reducing the burdens
laid upon his shoulders and making life
worth living.
Organized labor is asking nothing un-
fair or unjust at your hands-it is only
asking for justice and fairness; for what
it knows from experience to be the best
for all classes, and for the best interests
OF the commonwealth. There are several
things which organized labor will ask at
your hands, and the proper bills will be
presented to you in due time. Before
these bills are submitted for your inspec-
tion organized labor desires to acquaint
you with it's objects, and asks you to give
them careful consideration. 1t asks you
to lay aside any pre- conceived notions Of
labor unionism, to stury the matter from
an unbiased standpoint, and to act as
your best judgment dictates.
Organized labor will ask you to enact
law compelling the brand "convict made"
to appear on all goods made in the state
ask that it be not compelled to compete
in the open market with the convict
whose labor is farmed out to the prison
contractors. And men and women have
right to demand that some distinguishing
mark be placed upon convict made goods
SO that they will know them when Offer
ed to the--. We realize that the convicts
must work, but there are many ways in
which they may be employed without
coming into competition with the free la
borers Of Nebraska. Every convict en-
pioyed in making brooms harness or
buttons, a like article, dspiaces free
Iaborer who is thus thrown upon the
world and compelled to either seek work
elsewhere or resort to crime to keep from
starving. The employment of convicts in
such work is premium on crime,
wrong put upon free labor and an injury
to the state at large. This demand is in
the interests OF unorganized as we'll as
organized labor, and as mere matter
of justice should appeal to every fair
minded man among you.
Organized labor will ask you to enact
law making the Allied Printing Trades
label the standard Of excellence by which
label the standard OF excellence by which
the state. This is just and reasonable
request, because the printing office en-
titled to the uee of that label pays living
wages, and the great state of Nebraska,
standing at the head of all the states in
education and enlightenment, certainly
cannot afford to practice a false economy
that will result in lowering of wages,
the lowering of the standard of living and
bringing into her borders the horrors OF
the '.sweat shops as they now exist in
the east. BY making this label the stand
ard Of excellence the state will be insured
the very best work, and is an injustice
to no man engaged in the printing busi
ness.
ORGANIZED labor will protest against the
enactment of a garnishee law, not be-