Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-02-09
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A plan is on foot to organize a ma
tional union of blacksmith helpers. The
helpers were formerly attached to the
~journeymen's union.
! Charles Dold of Chicago, international
president of the Piano and Organ Work
ars' Union, will establish headquarters in
| Boston for a two months New England
organizing campaign. Last season was
an unpreccdentedly busy one in the trade.
it is stated, and the indications for 1906
are that it will be even buster. ....yF,
In all of the larger cities throughout
| the country the active Socialist organiza-
| tons held meetings and formed street pa
rades in observance of the first anniver-
sary of bloody Sunday" the day on
which Russian workmen who marched 20
the Cars palace with a peaceful pro
test were shot down n trampled by
the soldiery. Besides showing sympathy
| for the Russian Socialists, the speakers
| generally voiced the demand for the So
cialist era in the United States.
The much-maligned chorus girls be-
| came a really effective factor in organ
lied labor when they went IN strike at
the Metropolitan Opera House in New
York for a raise of So a week in pay.
For four nights Director Heinrich Con
| ried had to make what shift he could to
make up for the loss of the chorus. lie
| then granted the demand for more wages
for six performances a week, together
| with the stipulation that the chorus peo-
pie shall receive additional pay for extra
performances.
A convention of delegates of the boiler
1 : - s--~ .nS - -, ~f
New England was held in Boston to dis
cuss international taxation. The Grand
Lodge has suggested a 81 assessment on
every member for a committee on revision
of constitution, and has also doubled the
per capita tax. The Massachusetts, lodges
two years ago led a possible secession
movement because of excessive taxation,
but the matter was satisfactorily adjusted
at that time. The situation now is even
worse, many of the members say, and
they fatty declare that the regular per
capita tax is ample for all grand lodge
needs if it is properly handled and ex-
pended.
By referendum vote of the United Mine
Workers of America, in convention at In
dianapolis, John Mitchell was reelected
president and Messrs. Lewis and Wilson
were Ie-elccltu NlCt pIeSlucHl uHu StcIe'
tary. During the consideration of the
scale committees report Lewis charged
Mitchell with secret and dilatory methods
in the anthracite field. The convention
appeared to support Lewis by pledgina
aid to the anthracite miners in demanding
an eight-hour day and recognition of the
union. The report of the scale commit.
tee demands Il general advance of 1917
per cent over the present scale, an eight
hour day. a uniform outside day wage
scale, and that no boy under 16 years OF
age shall be employed in or around tn.
mines. The convention favored letting
~convicts build the natioa's roads.
The weavers' unions have decided tc
form a national union. The matter has
been under discussion several years. The
weavers' unions are now attached to the
United Textile Workers International as
locals. The spinners have retained theiI
national form of organization and are
affiliated with the general ~internationa'
body in that way, and have preserved
their splendid benefit system and perfect
organization in that manner, as well as
presenting all matters as one solid sub,
stantial union. The weavers' national or
ganization will be on similar lines. 1t is
| Sald IhAI WIN VI etAS AAtSA ~
of the textile workers have expressed dis
favor with the idea, but the weavers
reply that they have no intention of hurt
ing or withdrawing from the U. T. w
and simply desire to establish a proven
good system for the weavers' branch CT
the business and for the viewers protec
ton. ~
After conferences lasting more thar
two months. the Brotherhood of Car
penters of San Francisco have made ar
agreement with the Master Carpenters
Association affecting 1900 men, by
which wages will be increased from $4.5C
to $3.50 a day on July !.
The garment workers have defeated
the proposition to. increase the per capits
tax to the general Office. Hereafter thu
officers of the United Garment Workers
will be a general president, general secre
tary, general treasurer, general auditor
and three trustees. Eleven members viii
constitute the grand executive board.
This and That.
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