The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-09-28

II Is estimated that 5000, 900 womer
are earning wages in the British isles
Ten women sorters empIoved IN the
government paper mill in Pittsfeld.
Mass, which supplies the treasury de.
partment with banknote D went
on strike for al increase of from 81 %
to $l.25 a day.
Inc New Zealand parliament, now
IN session, IS considering fayorably a
proposal to increase the mount of
pensions payable under the statute
which has been some years in
force, comforting 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 }, f. I %fieffer, of Milwaukee, secre-
tary, The clerks are ambitious to
have as strong an organization as the
letter carriers. The latter have the
elght-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-
ti0nlng the lawmakers for better treat
ment. In the bill of grievances" pre-
scented to the president, the American
Federation of Labor made an issue of
the question, demanding that the right
or 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 been
prominent in the affairs of the Chi.
cagO Federation of Labor for the last
or three years. Johannsen was
born in Germany in 1872, and came TO
mis- country when a boy. He learned
ne WoodWorkers' trade in Clinton. a..
md came to Chicago in 1899. Soon he
began to take an active part in the
Affairs Of the union. He was presi.
lent OF the wOOdworkers' council or
.wo years, and II year e he repre.
'ented the Chicago Federation of La.
DOR In the convention of the Ameri.
'an Federation at Pittsburg.
The sixteenth annual convention of
he National Brotherhood of Operative
'otters, held in Akron, O., July Ola,
marked an epoch in the history of
organization. Beginning with a
membership Of less than 500, it TODAY
las on its roster almost every worker
n the pottery trade, and report a
financial strength sufficient to carry
he organization through a strike,
mould such event arise, and pay each
benefits for IS months.
he sessions of the convention were
marked by the degree of harmony pre-.
and considerable legislation
long advanced union lines was en-
.cted.
II the labor unions owned the fac
cries in which they work, would they
insist on an e%ight-hour day? There is
town in Spain in which 1000 labor
rs have for the last six years been
heir own employers, but their hours
( labor are Tx a day! comments
he New York Post. The name of
town is Char; it is a station on
he railway line between San Sebas-
and Bilboa. From time imme.
aerial the manufacture of weapons
as been its speciality. OF the 1900
lhabitants, more than one-half belong
0 a socialistic union, formed in 1900.
Industrial wages paid in the United
'tates for 1905 We're 1.6 per cent.
igher thar for the preceding year, ac-
ording to official figures. The cost
( food increased by 0.6 per cent,
left the workingman / per cent.
dditional revenue.
OF 500 unions with a membership of
3, 800 making returns on the state of
Employment Of the American Fedora.
of Labor for the month of July,
A per cent. of the members were
Without employment. In the proceed
ng month 937 unions with a member.
hip of $500 reported 1.5 per cent.
Unemployed.