Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-18
Typographical Union said:

International Typographical Union said:
las compared with four years ago, l be-
lieVe that the condition of organized labor
has been much improved And the condi-
ton Of organized labor four years ago as
compared with that four years previously,
will also show wonderful Improvement.
Four years ago the members of the Inter-
national Typographical Union working at
the book and lob branch of the trade were
laboring nine hours per day, ffty-four
hours per week: today these members are
working not more than eight hours per
day, or fOrty-eght hours per week. Wages
in our trade during the past four years
have been materially advanced, the total
increase representing millions of dollars.
We find that wherever the eight-hour day
has been in effect for year or more wage
increases are forthcoming. and with COM
paratively little friction AS a general
proposition, of course, wages have not in
creased in proportion with the upward
trend in the cost of living. The advance
In the cost of living has been by leaps and
bounds. but through the trade-union move
ment we have at least been able to lessen
the burden of that increased cost to our
members 1t is the unorganized wage
Garner who is suffering because of the un-
precedented increase in the necessities of
life: his wages remain stationary.
AS to the future. a-vast amount of work
requires attention We still stand for the
complete attainment of all of the reforms
advocated by the labor movement.
I'VE must continue to agitate for free
schools, free text books and compulsory
education the abolition of all forms of
Involuntary Servitude. except punishment
for crime; we oppose the abuse of the IN
junction process; We demand universal
wOrkday of not more than eight hours,
six days to constitute a weeks work; ma
tionalization of the telegraph and telephone
lines; the passage OF anti-child labor laws
in states where they do not now exist, and
their rigid enforcement in states where
they are on the statute books. In short,
labOrs program Is comprehensive and Is
inherently right.
The International Typographical Union
will continue to press, and even more
forcefully, for improved sanitary condi-
tons in composing rooms. We are enlisted
in the war against tuberculosis. The great
white plague has been allowed free rein In
our craft; we propose to curb the disease,
and as nearly as may be possible stamp 1t
out.
I'VE also have under consideration GER
tain benefit features that will greatly
strengthen our union, because they are
just and humanitarian. The first of these,
an old-age pension scheme, Will shortly go
to referendum vote.
I'VE believe that wages and hours. i'm
portant as they are to our material welfare,
are not the only subjects in the ken of
trade-union action, and we intend to con-
slider and eventually make effective, meas
ures that will make for the greater comfort
and happiness of our membership.
I'm short we intend to be most pro-
nounced factor in the development of So
ciety along correct lines
The outlook in the West Virginia coal
fields for the coming winter is considered
grave by coal operators, owing TO the scar
CITY of miners In the P.ttsburg district,
however, both miners and operators declare
that conditions are normal; in fact. a little
better now than they were at the same
period a year ago.
Working conditions the miners claim, is
the cause Of the scarcity of men, and were
tnnn
securing enough men to give each mine
full quota Of practical and experienced
miners. Eastern operators predict a coal
famine In midwinter, but these conditions,
1t is expected will not reach the Pittsburg
district.
In the West Virginia fields the operators
will meet in Charleston tomorrow to devise
ways and means to secure more men. This
Is the first time that the operators of West
Virginia were ever seriously confronted
with a scarcity of men, and the meeting
promises some lively developments.
In the West Virginia field the operators
have large bookings from western railroads
which they are unable to fill. 1t is said
the mines will be unable to meet the in
creased winter demands unless the labor
supply is more efficient The fact that
western roads are buying higher priced
eastern coal and paying the freight Is an
indica ton that they doubt the ability of
western operators to fill their orders Prac-
tically all railroads are now making heavy
storage of coal Tor the winter months:
AS to what shape the Pittsburg district
would be in during the coming winter
President Francis L. Robbins of the Mo-
nongahela River Consolidated Coal and
Coke Company pointed to the operations
of his company for the nine months end
ing July 81. The tonnage amounted to
total of 5,136660, an increase of 412s14
tons.
President Francis Feehan Of the United
Mine Workers, district No. 5. declared that
were wages and working conditions in the
affected territories in good shape enough
men could be secured to operate the plants
Notwithstanding the increased demands for
coal.
1t is said Information has been received
at international headquarters in this city
to the effect that the International Associa-
ton of Machinists at present in session In
annual convention, adopted a resolution
providing that each member of the associa-
ton lay aside one days pay each year to
go into a general strike benefit and emer-
gency fund. This movement was Endorsed
by the officers and by the local delegation.
1t Is figured that in a few years the fund
will run into the millions.
Socialism Among Miners.