The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1907-05-17

ST. Louis.-Employers and labor
leaders of st. Louis and the south
west report labor conditions better
for may l this year than for many
years past. Practically all wage
scales in st. Louis and the surround
ing territory for 200 miles are signed.
In st. Louis alone this includes $780,
900 union men, The unions allied with
the building trades council here are
all signed for the year with the ex-
ception of few men employed In
small shops. There are about 10000
men in these unions.
Ottawa, Ont.-Members of the gov.
eminent are greatly concerned over
the news from the strike district of
Alberta and eastern British Columbia.
The fact that so many of the striking
miners have refused to return to work
as required by them by the new in
dustrial disputes act after board of
Cancellation and investigation had
been appointed renders each man la
BILE to minimum fine or $40 day.
The question is asked: Will the gov
eminent prosecute each of the 5000
miners or will the law become q dead
letter?
Fall River, Mass.-Unless unexpect-
ed developments occur, more than 30
900 cotton mill operatives in this city
will have their wages advanced about
ten per cent on May q, when the
working agreement in force between
the textile council and the Fall River
Manufacturers association expires.
At meeting at which representatives
of the textile councils and Manufac-
turers' association were present, the
official announcement was made that
the wage scale had been discussed
and that satisfactory progress has
been made.
Marinette, Wis.-All of the 200 en-
ployes of the N. Ludington company
(the l. Stephenson company were
surprised when getting their pay en-
velopes to find that their wages had
been raised ten per cent. The in
crease was made without any request
by the men or any public announce
ment and was a complete surprise
1t is said the step is in accord with
Mr.. Stephenson's custom of profit
sharing with the men who have been
with him from five to 20 years, al
though all of the employees are in
cluded in the raise.
Chicago.-The annual report of the
Cigarmakers' International union has
just been issued by President George
w. Perkins, and shows that the past
year has been a prosperous one for
the cigar makers. AS the organiza-
ton pays benefits to its members
while they are out of work, the report
| is a good barometer of the state OF
| trade for the year. A total of $23,911
paid for out-of-work benefits Is the
smallest expended in that direction
! for several years. During the year the
| general fund in the treasury increased
| $25, 827.01, making balance on Janu-
airy 1 OF $714,50 the largest
amount ever in the treasury.
| Washington.-One hundred and
eighty-five monthly and 10 weekly
journals in the United States and Can
ada are devoted exclusively to the
advocacy of trade unionism. These
1854 publications, which number does
not include socialist periodicals., reach
a not inconsiderable portion OF the
laboring community and exercise an
influence in 1t which is little sus-
pected. There are in North America
approximately 100000 working PEG.
pie organized into trades unions, and
each of them receives the official or
gan of the craft to which he or she
belongs and usually one of two other
labor papers.-World Today.
L. So
burg and vicinity passed of with less
labor disputes than in previous years
Heretofore considerable difficulty has
been experienced between the work
men and building trades, but this
year scales have been signed and the
men are apparently satisfied. With
the exception of the machinists, about
300 of whom are already on strike, Il
is believed all the wage scales will bt
amicably adjusted. The machfnists
are striking for an Increase of wages
and shorter hours.
Havanna-In consequence of thu
lockout in all the independent olga
factories in Havana 5000 cigar-mak
ers Joined the ranks Of the 5000 EN-
ployes of the HAVANA Tobacco com
pany who struck two months ago, de
handing that their wages be paid II
American instead of Spanish coin.
committee of the strikers visited Gov
ernor Magoon and told him they ha
decided not to hold any meetings o
demonstrations and would guarante
, the preservation of order. They sal
they opposed any sympathetic strikes
! preferring that all the union workme
, should remain at their posts, whic
would assure financial aid.
, st. Paul, Minn.-About 300 unio
, plasterers went out on strike be
, cause their demand for raise in pa
from $3.50 to IS day was refused
i Gill;. Of tho Txzin Cite