The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-04-06


on suburban chicken ranch, l was
surprised and pleased to find that one
OF our nearest ,neighbors was Billy
German. His father, well-to-do
farmer, had been my neighbor years
ago In western New York. Billy had
At FIRST made but poor use OF his abil-
tiles and opportunities, and after a
,small politician had left his country
FOR his country's good. But, soon TAX
Ing a sudden turn for the better, he
,had learned the trade OF a sawyer in
a planning mill in Barberton. o., and
had permanently adopted the life and
habits OF an industrious and thrifty
mechanic. With a view to more rapid
accumulation of worldly goods ne had
followed the star of empire and OF
high wages to San Francisco, coming
by way of Texas. where he worked
two years in the Murray cotton gin
factories in Dallas.
I greatly enjoyed renewing my ac-
quaintance with Billy, who was at his
worst a very interesting and likable
boy. We had many good visits over
our garden fence, in the course Of
which learned much of his interest
ing history since leaving his early
home. I even advised him to shed his
corduroys, now that his steady habits
must be fully confirmed, and take up
again the practice OF the law for which
he had shown great, liking and apti-
tude even as a youth. But he claimed
to be contented with his condition, and
wished to take no further chances with
the excitements and temptations Of the
forum and its environments.
Anything fresh, Billy" I asked
him this morning
why, yes," he replied, Il have had
a letter from my old foreman with
Clark Bros. in Barberton. They are
and directed him to offer me good
place there, II my services are not too
high priced"
had previously known that the
Murray company held out tempting in
ducements to dissuade Billy from leav.
ing Dallas, which he did mainly on ac-
count of the suffering of his family in
the torrid summer climate Of Texas.
Billy" said l. you have been
marked for promotion in every place
where you have worked till you got to
San Francisco. Here you have stood
four years at the same set OF saws,
with no prospect in sight OF ever being
offered better position"
But" Billy rejoined; "if Clark Bros.
gave me a department in Fort Wayne,
I should have TO work at least an hour
longer and for probably half a. dollar
less day than ! get here at my saws y
That may be, but your position here
Is not so good but 1t might be better.
What strikes me is that you have
either lost your superior qualities as Il
man and a cutter and handler Of fine
lumber, or else they are not appre.
ciated here as they have been else
where. Do you know the reason?"
Yes, | do" replied Billy. 1T is the
labor unions here, the same that Sc
cure me better pay for hand work than
Clark Bros. would have to pay for my
alleged superior capabilities in In
diana"
"As to your high wages, | under
cta hat hav a n
those same unions, which may at any
time, without your consent or ap
proval, call you of from your worl
altogether"
Yes, that is true, and you can see,
indicating his pretty home, and 1t:
ample surroundings, what provision
am trying to make against such ar
emergency. Three-fourths OF ou
neighbors. too, are workingmen lik'
me, and are throwing the same kline
OF an anchor to windward."
Well whether or no." pursued, "i
not half a dollar day poor compensa
ton for keeping at manual work whicl
any man could do, and leaving you
nShSi stbu ihOiO NaiuocAS SaPe'SieAS
unused and undeveloped?
20. sive my higher capacities thei
innings out of work hours. l hav
found more than a plenty to do and t
think OF which has been profitable t
me in one way or another"
Yes, Billy; but now let me ask
DO you try as hard to do your best fo
your employer. now that you are
union man working in completed
unionized industry? And does you
employer know or care If you do? I
short, does not your union connectio
tend to make you no better than an
one of dozen sawyers In yonr shops
Perhaps; but at the same time
tends to make each of the dozen sa7
yers as good as I am, which on II
whole is a great gain, eh? OF cours
the unions, like many modern impror
ments, work some disadvantage to,fl
dividuals, but we claim TO show farl
balance OF public benefit to tteir ere
It."
s,p,rt vot, ,v,ouIdp't claim that the