The wageworker., 1906-01-13
CENTRAL UNIONS OPEN HOUSE
Central Labor Union Holds Open House and
a Fine Time Enjoyed by the Goodly Crowd
Present-Two Ministers Who are Personal
ly Interested in the Work of the Labor
Women Can Do.

The Central Labor Union held its first open
session of the year at the hall, 1854 O street,
last Tuesday evening. The meeting
great success in every way save attendance,
and even the attendance was larger than some
of the faithful workers expected. The hall
should have been crowded to the doors-but
it wasn't. However, there were enough there
to give the appearance OF interest, and those
who did attend were we'll repaid
President Mark T. Caster presided and
called upon different ones to make short talks,
and the responses were ready and eloquent.
A new speaker appeared before the unionists
on this occaSion-a minister OF the gospel who
is himself union man-Rev. p. M. Orr, pas
tor of St. Marks Reformed church. And Rev.
Mr. Orr made friends on this occasion to the
exact number of union men and women in the
hall His speech was witty, humorous, full of
solid meat and strong plea for higher and
better things. MIR. Orr is a Scotchman, and
came to this country early in his life. He
learned the trade of ships blacksmith and for
several years worked in the great Cramp ship
yards at Philadelphia. OF course he belonged
to the union of his craft. While working at
the forge he began taking special instructions
and studying for the ministry, and in due time
became preacher of the word. He hasn't
forgotten the days when he carried union
card and worked at the forge, and naturally
his sympathies with the workingman and
with the unions. Tuesday night he talked
the question Of whether membership in labor
union precludes steps to higher things. And
his negative answer at once emphatic and
convincing. He told number of clever anec-
dotes, all illustrative of some point he wished
to drive home, and concluded with earnest
plea for workingmen to pattern after and fol-
low in the footsteps of the Man of Galilee,
who was Himself tradesman In order that
Rev. Mr.. Orr may be prepared, The Wage
worker officially informs him that he is going
to be in great demand as speaker at future
meetings of union men and women in this
city.
Rev. Samuel T. Batten, pastor of the First
Baptist church., and fraterna delegate from
the Ministers Union to the Central Labor
Unon made brief but eloquent talk along
labor and religious lines Rev. Mr. Batten's
position on the union labor question is too we'll
known among Lincoln unionists to need men
tion here. He believes in unionism, and he is
ever ready to advise men to join two organiza-
tions-the church and the union of his craft.
He has endeared himself to large number of
unonists in Lincoln by of his habit of
calling spade spade, and when he arises to
address audience of union men and women
they know that he is going to say something
worth while, and they like it. even if he does
occasionally sandpaper off a little cutcle.
Tuesday night he urged his hearers to study
and think for themselves, to pursue original
iiiCS vi lliNSotlSdtioli, dHu ~ INc DC-
lore God and man.
Mrs. H. w. Smith, member OF Capital
Auxiliary to Typographical Union No. 2O9,
was assigned the topic, What the Women
Can Do" and she told it in few well chosen
sentences. She told of the campaign the print
ers' wives had waged against unfair news
paper in Los Angeles, and told why the wives
of Union men should take a more active inter
est in union work. Gen. r. c. Kelsey, speak
ing on behalf of the Label League, urged
more loyal support of an interest in that or
ganization.
A bountiful supply of fruit having been pro-
vided, it passed around, and while it was
being consumed the unionists present got bet
ter acquainted. The success of the meeting
was SO great that it was the general opinion
of all present that the Central Labor Union
should have open meeting month,
selecting some evening other than the regular
meeting night of the union.