Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-17


gates held that if the resolution is aim
ed at the piece work system. used 10 a
large extent at the arsenal. the action
of the federation could not be upheld
too strongly. but that if the sense of
the resolution aimed al the sanitary
conditions at the arsenal. as the ordin-
airy Interpretation would lead one to
believe. ii could not be disapproved too
firmly.
Common interpretation.
The delegate who brought the mat
ter before the congress held that the
common Interpretation of sweat shops
is shops where unsanitary. disease
breeding conditions prevail. He OPP
posed the piece work system as firmly
as any. but held that the resolution
circulated broadcast would give the i'm
preston of unsanitary. filthy condi-
tiOns.
His motion provided for d complete
denial of the designation of sweat
shops to the arsenal. and disapprov-
al at once OF the action of the central
organization. Business Agent +. w
Herges. who argued in favor of laying
the matter on the table held that until
the entire scope of the resolution is
learned. any action would be unjust.
He admitted that the arsenal shops are
good. clean sanitary places to work,
but condemned the piece work system.
and admitted that the arsenal shops
are not. in the common meaning of the
term. sweat shops.
Not Entire Arsenal.
One delegate took the stand that
the resolution is unjust in the condem-
nation of the entire arsenal, where the
| injustice TO working men lies only in
those shops where piece work pre-
walls. The delegates related scores of
instances of alleged injustice to the
| labOTeTs under the piece work system,
and one delegate said, Sweat shop is
none too good a term for some of the
shops at Rock Island arsenal"
This delegate cited an instance i'll
which he said 80 men were discharged.
! Seven of these men. he stated were
considered the best workmCn in the
shops. On investigation of the reasons
! for their discharge, the men found on
| the back of their department cards the
! Endorsement Discharged for holding
out The men. he said had been in
; formed that they were laid off because
I of lack of orders. while the indorse-
ment on their cards showed that they
| were charged by those over them with
| taking more than required time for the
piece of work in order that the scale
of prices for the work might be main
| tanned. He said that all of these men
/ 4 fhat tbnxv N
guilty of holding out" ana he cited
an instance where the charges were
taken up. and could not be sustained.
| Condemn Practices
| In condemning the piece work sys-
TEN. and the action OF those in charge
| in cutting prices. and compelling
greater labor. the delegates were una
nimOus One delegate. who said ITO
call them sweat shops is an untruth. -"
added. No man would more readily
fight the piece work system than /.
never seen more sanitary, clean, and
well equipped place 10 work than
Rock Island arsenal"
Pleased With RESOLUTION.
The position of one man was stated
| in his remark that he was ready 10
fight the commandant to the last
ditch on the proposition to kill the
piece work system" Another said, "All
but one man were well pleased that
the federation had taken the action it
did | am surprised at the objections
raised. The men in our shops work
| under piece work pay, and know the
meaning of its drudgerY
Business Agent Herges. in conclud-
ing strong argument TO learn first
whether the resolution aims at piece
work or al sanitary conditions. moved
that the matter be tabled The motion
| carried with huf ono discerning yote