The Forrest City times., 1906-09-28

I tu W III not Lear the threat or hell. St. Louis Globe Democrat.
 It is estimated that 5000, GOO women are earning wages in the British isles.
 Ten women sorters employed in the government paper mill in Pittsfeld. Mass, which supplies the treasury de- partment with banknote paper, went on strike for an increase of from $l20 to s1.25 a day.
 The New Zealand parliament, now in session, is considering fayorably proposal to increase the amount of pensions payable under the statute. which has now been some years in force, eonferring pensions on old set tiers.
 The postal clerks of the country are rapidly organizing. At a conference in Chicago recently, which was en- gagged in by delegates from nearly all the principal cities, j. B. Gotha. of Chi. cago. was elected national president. and J. F. tieffer, of Milwaukee. secre- tary. The clerks are ambitious to have as strong an organization as the letter carriers. The latter have the eight-hour day, but the former com plain that they are compelled to work longer hours. The clerks have at tempted to secure relief from con. gress, but President Roosevelt issued al order prohibiting them from peti. tioning the lawmakers for better treat ment. In the bill of grievances" pre- sented to the president, the American Federation of Labor made an issue of the question: demanding that the right Of petition be guaranteed. Many con gressmen have been sounded as to their attitude on this proposition and all recognize the right of the clerks to organize and ask for improved work ing conditions. This matter. doubt less, will come up in congress this winter.
 Anton Johannsen, who recently was elected business agent of the Amalga. mated Woodworkers' council. has bepn prominent in the affairs of the Chi. cago Federation of Labor for the last two or three years. Johannsen was born in Germany in 1872, and came to this country when boy. He learned the woodworkers' trade in Clinton, la and came to Chicago in 1899 Soon he began to take an active part in tbe affairs of the union. He was pres, dent Of the woodworkers' council for two years, and one year ago he repre. sented the Chicago Federation of La. bor Tn the convention of the Anrri. can Federation at Pittsburg.
 The sixteenth annual convention of the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters, held in Akron. O.. July 9.14 marked an epoch in the history of that organization. Beginning with a membership of less than 500. it te1iav has on it's roster almost every worker In the pottery trade, and reports a financial atrength sufficient to carry the organization through a st,ike should such event arise, and pay each member beneNs for IS months The sessions of the convention were marked by the degree of harmony pre- vailing and considerable Legislation along advanced union lines was en- acted.
 IT the labor unions owned the fac tories in which they work, would they insist on an eight-hour day? There Is town in Spain in which 4,0O0 labor CTS have for the last six years been their own employers, but their hours or labor are 1112 a day comments the New York Post. The name of this town is Cibar; it is a station on the railway line between San Sebas. uan and Bilboa. From time imme. morial the manufacture of weanops has been its specially. Of the 1900 inhabitants more than one-half belong to q socialistie union. formed in 1900
 Industrial wages paid in the United states for 1905 were 1.6 per cent higher than for the preceding vegr ac. cording to official figures. The cost or food increased by 0.6 per cent which left the workingman per cent additional revenue.
 Of 699 unions with a membership Inf o5,o00 making returns on the state o- employment of the American Fedora. ton Of Labor for the month of Iplv II per cent. of the members were "''iouI employment. In the preced- Ing month 937 unions with a member. snip Of $500 reported l.5 Der cent unemployed.