The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-03
conditions through trade unions. In


the textile trade, particularly in Mas
sachusetts, the women are strongly Or
ganized. At the last convention Of the
United Textile Workers nearly one
tenth of the delegates were women,
and In Fall River, Mass, which is the
headquarters Of their national union,
women are rapidly converting the en-
tire city into a union label center. The
Fall River women weavers know even
the Importance of the political vote for
women, and this year polled the Sec
ond largest women's vote In the state
on the only question on which they
are allowed to vote. :.
In the garment trade. which ranks
second In the number Of women en-
ployed, women are already an import
ant factor in trade organizations, out
ranking in number the women organ
lied in any other national union. The
Natioal Garment Workers union is
composed of about $50 local unions, Of
which more than half are women
workers, and in the locals" which
admit them there are usually more
women than men members, because in
those branches Of the trade women
predominant.
OF the various branches of mems
ready-made garment work, the most
thoroughly factorized is the overall
trade" and in this trade women have
often been first to organize, and have
even been known to organize the men
later, as in New York city. In this
city is Is now woman who serves as
the delegate to the General Federated
Union.
uWorasn: in nciaarrTrsde.
The cigar trade has large women's
organizations. especially In Boston and
New York city. The national conven-
lions Of the Boot and Shoe Workers
have long been influenced, to consid-
cradle extent, by women delegates
from large womens locals throughout
the country, and the women felt hat
trimmers of Connecticut and Massa-
chusetts have been important mem
bers Of the United Hatters' organiza-
ton for many years.
One might go on indefinitely down
throughout the list: The laundry
workers, hotel and restaurant en-
ployes. cloth hat and cap makers,
glove makers neckwear makers, book
binders, retail clerks, school teachers
all boast unions Of years standing
and considerable hours. conditions and
wages.
1t Is such far-sighted women as
these who are now. endeavoring to en-
list their less progressive sisters in
the women's labor movement, to &C.
cure for their own sakes and for the
welfare Of the country conditions
which shall not threaten the physical.
mental and moral health of Americas
future mothers,
heretofore, moreover, women have
played but a modest role In meetings
OF labor declarations and national con.
vent1ons. AS a rule they have taken
little part In general discussions, con-
inning themselves to very definite
business which they have been sent
to present from their local trade
unions. Upon such points they have
usually spoken sensibly and gained the
support Of men delegates. In commit
tee work they have performed valu-
able service and their very presence at
a national convention has usually been
an influence for good.
No2, however, groups Of women
over the country are beginning to feel
| that women must take a more areres-
| sive part in the American labor move
! ments, that they must gain confidence
IN their rights and awake to their re-
sponsibilities and especially must fur
IND, til
and children. It is for this reason
That the call for a great tri-city con-
vention has been issued.