The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-08
UNIONS ARE GRATED
BY BUNCH OF FAK|RS
Spokane Labor Organizations and
Business Men Victimized by
Grafters.
Much Activity Experienced
Among Worldngmen in Paci-
fic Coast Cities.

Spokane, WASH, Dec 6.-George
Stecher, who with E. H. Quick, has
been in the city Jail since Oct. 81 on
suspicion Of swindling businessmen Of
Spokane by representing himself as
agent working for the Switchmen's
union of North America turned states
evidence Nov. 26, declaring that his
partner had sent more than $4,000,
obtained by the advertising game to
c. C. Craig at st. Louis. In Justice
Hinlke's court he declared that Quick
and Craig, the latter an ex-convict
had connived in a fake program for
the annual meeting of the switchmen
and that he was paid 20 per cent Of
the business he secured. He asid:
1--WE worked st. Louis Springfield,
ILL.,; Chicago, South Bend, Peoria, Lima
O.: Columbus, o.: Pittsburg, Spring.
field, O., Washington. Norfolk, Omaha
and other cities. Craig also sent out
other solicitors. The police of Omaha
took Quick in hand, but let him go
when an ex-switchman, now ply
stefan, vouched for him."
Quick's bail was fixed at $3.50 by
Judge Hinkle, who also directed that
Stecher be detained as a witness in
the superior court.
Want Higher Wages.
Street metal workers union of Spo-
kane will put into effect the first Of
the year a new wage scale Of $3.50
for eight hours work. This is an adj
vance Of so cents a day. The union
has increased it's membership during
| the year, and it Is now in a flourish
ing condition. Advance notice Of the
| new scale has been served on employ
ers and it is understood that a ma
jority of the employers have already
agreed.
Oregon Labor News.
o. P. Hoff, labor commissioner Of
Oregon, who was in Spokane few
days ago thus summarizes the sub
jects upon legislation will be asked
| when the next legislature meets at
| Salem:
Regulating the maximum hours that
| trainmen can be allowed to be on
duty without rest and sleep.
Preventing the railroad companies
| from working telegraphers who han
die train orders more than 10 hours
| der 10 years Of age to perform that
work.
Compelling adequate tenders for
street cars and to have aisles in CEN
ter of open cars.
Requiring the union label on all pub
! lie printing.
Prohibiting convicts competing with
free labor. One union suggests that
they be set to work building state
| roads.
| To abolish boarding house licenses.
! Eight hour law for all labor.
| Raising the age limit. in the child
! labor law from IA to 16 years.
Extending the 10 hour law for fe-
| males to include all female workers.
A law such as exists in eastern
| cities compelling the carrying of a
solid false floor beneath the men work.
ing on steel buildings, for the protec-
| ton Of the men and the public that
| may be near.
Regulating boiler inspection, and
| putting a practical boiler maker to do
| the work.
Making corporations responsible for
! carelessness Of their foremen and sub
! foremen.
Calling for an arbitration board to
settle all labor troubles
Clerks are Busy.
House cards Of the Spokane Clerks
union have been posted and it Is given
out that the new organization is grow
ing rapidly The union with 100 men,
bers, has affiliated with the central
labor body and it's delegates were
| seated this week. George Cody, or
ganizer, gave out this statement:
"All our attention for the present
will be directed toward the organiza =
ton Of the men clerks land as soon
as we are on a strong footing we will
start to organize the girls who are en-
ployed In department stores. Man.
ayers Of the stores are all willing to
have the clerks organized, 50 that in
a short time we should have one of
the strongest unions in the CITY,"
| Open Assembly Meetings.
| Two important matters marked the
progress Of the trades union movement
in Spokane this week. One was the
decision of the central labor body to
hold open meetings. the other being
the declaration Of the Structural Build
ing Trades alliance to deprive the
board Of business agents of the power
to call men out on strike. Among a