The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1907-12-06

Pittsburg, Pa.-The new miners are
machines. One of the most notable
features presented by the statistics of
bituminous coal production during the
mast wear or two is the increase in
the use of machines and in the guam
THY of machine mined coal. In 1883
the percentage of machine mlneo
tonnage was 90; in 1906, 35.1. In the
number of machines in use and in the
amount of machine tonnage as in the
total production of coal, Pennsylvania
stands far in the lead with 40 per
cent. of the number of machines and
45.6 per cent of the machine mined
coal West Virginia stands second.
Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana rank
next. These states contribute over 80
per cent. of the total machine mined
coal.
Escanaba, Mich.-Following the an
nouncement of a further cut in wages
25 experienced machinists employed
in the Northwestern shops here
struck Northwestern officials re-
duced the working time of all the shop
men from ten hours to eight hours
working time of shop employees to four
days a week. The first reduction was
accepted without question, but the
second resulted in a walkout. 1t is
claimed that orders have been issued
to reduce the company's pay roll in
the peninsula division 35 per cent.
New York-On behalf of the Build
iv,0 do, III iofi ~,
official statement was made of present
conditions in this city and the inten-
tons of the employers. Not for many
years have there been SO many men
idle in the building industry as now,
says the statement. The prevailing
sentiment among the members of the
association is not for reducing wages
in the trades whose agreements expire
at the end of December, but to exercise
the privilege of selecting the best me-
chanic for any work they have in
hand
Reading. Pa.-Employes at the loco
motive shop of the Reading company
who have been working SO hours a
week, will work As hours. or five days
of nine hours. A suspension of at
least five per cent. of the force of en-
ployes will be made in the different
departments. The employees at the
car shops will work 47k hours, with a
half holiday on Saturdays. Seven hun
dred men in the roadway department
of the Reading system were laid off
The remainder of the force will be
put on nine hours day.
New York-Returns made to the
state bureau of labor statistics for Sep
TENDER show that the conditions OF
employment during the first half of the
year were not SO favorable as those
Of 1906, but better than those of 1905
There were more disputes between
employers and employees up to the end
of the second quarter of the year than
for the last five years.
Lexington, Ky.-The suspension Of
light work on Thomas F. Ryan's South
& Western railroad, the great new
trunk line from the southwestern Ken
| lucky coal fields to the Atlantic coast
has left 5000 men idle. A telephone
message received here states that the
| contractors are reducing wages, anG
fully a thousand more men have quiz
on that account
| Harrisburg. Pat was announced
by the Pennsylvania Railroad com
pany that all shop forces here will b,
put on an eight-hour day. There viii
also be a large reduction Of freigh
crews shortly, and a number of yart
| crews have been laid of.
| Norfolk, Va.-The American Fed
Grafton of Labor, with but few dis
senting votes, placed itself ON recort
as favoring a system of government
postal savings banks and unanimOusl!
Endorsed an appeal by the Porto Rical
delegates to President Roosevelt ant
congress for reforms in that insula
possession, with but one amendment
accepted by the Porto Ricans. calling
for an immediate territorial form o
government for Porto Rico.
Washington.-Of the 303 occupation
followed by male bread winners all blu
nine have been adopted by one o
more women. No women are reporte'
as United States soldiers, sailors o
marines, as members of city fire dc
partments. as telegraph or telephOn
linemen, as apprentices or helpers t
roofers and skaters, or as helpers t
steam boiler makers or to brass work
ers.
New York.-A canvass of the stu
alton reveals that 10000 skilled work
men In the building trades are idle il
New York. In 1903 and 1905, 5000
iv lit,
time, and work was accumulate
ahead, waiting for men. To-day les
than half of these have regular worf
st. Louis.-An effort is being mad
in Missouri to obtain an appropriate
of $4,000 for the establishment of
steel plant at Jefferson City, to be OF
Grated by prison labor. 1t is designe
that this plant shall turn out shape
demanded by the counties for bridg
h,ti1diuU and other ir,prOvomoufS