The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-16
ORGANIZED LABOR
 HEARS ADDRESSES
President w. B. Huber of Car
 penterS Union Speaks
LABOR PROBLEM DISCUSSED
Audience of Fair Size Greet Speakers at Gelders' Hall-Mechanics Are Urged to Stick Together.
 Child Labor Condemned.

Union labor was addressed last night by leaders of the labor movement. Notwith- standing the indictment weather a fair crowd assembled in Gelders' hall to greet the speakers.
 Those who spoke were: Robert E. l.. Connelley of Birmingham. organizer of the Carpenters union; John w. Adams, St. Louis. district organizer of the Car penters' union James Kirby. president National Structural Building Trades all liance William B. Huber, national pres- dent of the United Brotherhood of Car penters and Joiners of America.
 President w. R. Davis of local union No. 70, presided over the meeting and intro- duced each speaker.
 MT. Connelley was the first to address the audience. He urged his hearers to re- main steadfast to the principles of or ganized labor and referred to benefits tat accrue to men who follow unionism.
 John w. Adams of St. Louis was the next speaker. He stated that his belief in the principles of unionism were well known to his hearers He spoke in favor of organized labor and urged his hearers to examine into conditions and ascertain for themselves what can be gained from organization
 President James Kirby of the National Structural Building Trades alliance was introduced by Chairman Davis and was received with cheers. He stated that after his long trip he was tired, but was never too fatigued to speak in the inter est of organized labor. He stated that in every circle organization was the slogan and he argued that laboring men had as much right to organize as other people.
 Hubers Talk.
 President Huber was the last on the pro- gramme and he made an eloquent address. He devoted himself to union matters and during the course of his remarks brought in several humorous incidents that pleased his hearers, judging from the applause.
 MT. Huber stated that citizens of lead ing southern cities were getting ready to reap the benefits of organization, and he thought that the laboring man should join in and get his share. All cities want mechanics, especially carpenters" he said. and added that never in the history of the country were conditions better for organized labor.
 MT. Huber said he was opposed tC strikes, as he believed that such things were bad both for the employer and em- l poye. He said that organized labor had fought for better conditions and will con tinue to fight, but added that he had | Q i0b ct fc ha thing for the employer and employe and the general public" He said that he be- | ieved 1t would be better for both sides 1 to "get down to business and argue the | points at issue like business men, and | from a business point of view. He be- lieved the day would soon come when strikes would be filings of the past. l MT. Huber asserted that employers and | employees have rights, and said that both must be respected. Trivial matters, he | said should not cause hard feelings be- | tween employer and employe, but should be settled by common sense argument 1 Previous to the creation of organizes | labor bodies, MT. Huber continued, me chancs would accept what was offered them by employers, but added that sucf l a condition did not exist now. Instead that employers paid what competent me chanics reasonably demanded. 1 MT. Huber said that organized labol had for it's object betterment of condi I tions and to aid humanity.
 Child Labor Condemned.
 The speaker paid tribute to woman | and added that he would rather have ths | sympathy of one genuine union woman than that of hundred half-hearted and | weak-kneed laboring men. He condemned in strong terms the practice of womer and children working in factories, whicf he termed "sweatboxes."
 "No woman should work in factories sweatshops or department stores while men walk the streets,'' he said. "Womar was born to beautify home and brins happiness to mankind and all others"
 He urged his hearers to practice what they preached, and to demand the unior label on all goods they purchase.
 In discussing the "open shop" he stated that the union is open to non-union men | He said that every man should be able to pay his tax or get out. He asked tha ~~~-~~-~~~-c~~~~~~~~~
 (Continued on Tenth Paqe)