The Meeker herald., 1908-01-18

here recently. the PRIMERS tF4oeS
unions Of France, Germany. Austria.
Hungary, Croatia, Servia, Italy. Lux
emburg. Belgium, Denmark. Sweden
and Portugal were represented. TWO
British trade unions, the London 30
ciety Of Compositors and the Scotch
Printers Union, were also represent
cd, though they have not Joined the
International organization and had no
vote. The first part Of the proceed
ings were taken up with discussion
Of proposals for building up an inter
national war chest for the defense OF
members. especially In lands where
the organization Is weak. and for In
stituting an ehncient control over the
organizations in the various countries
10 that the money Of the International
Federation shall not be frtvolously
spent.
Chicago.-The labor situation II
causing the western railroads manage
ments . great deal Of uneasiness. In
various parts OF the west different
labor organizations are making de-
mands for increased wages. and on
one road. at least. there II imminent
danger Of switchmen's strike. The
problem confronting the general man.
aSer IL what Is to be done with the
present demands and with future de-
mands which seem certain to come.
At the last session Of the committee
It developed that the presidents Of
nearly all western roads had deter
mined that there shall be no further
increases in wages. The unanimous
sentiment II that the limit has been
reached. and that no more increases
in pay can be granted with safety.
Elwood. Ind.-Word from the ma
tional headquarters Of the national Of
nee Of the Flint Glass Workers union
to the Elmwoed workmen says. that
the count Of the referendum vote has
developed that the sliding scale pre-
sented by the Independent glass man
ufacturers has been adopted and goes
into effect at once. The scale is the
same ~ the men worked under last
year, which was tribe higher than
that paid BY the McBath-Evans Glass
company. until the latter advanced
its men 26 per cent. The latter IL
now paying machine blowers about
one-fourth more shift Of eight hours
than 10 being paid the workmen in the
independent plants.
London.-A union OF the member
ship OF the American Federation OF
Labor. the national trades unions Of
England, Scotland, Germany, Den
mark, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands
and other countries, embracing a
membership of 50.000.0O0 organized
workers. is. according to some labor
men, about to be tried. Included in the
list Of American organizations said
to be eligible for membership in the
new, plan would be the A. F. of L.,
and the American Society OF Equity
1.-THE farmers unions). Cards from
each country would be interchang-
able between members. and In time
one International convention would
result.
Pittsburg.-The oficial list Of VIC
TINS of the Quebec bridge disaster Of
August 20 has been received. 1t shows
that 81 bridge men went down In the
st. Lawrence The majority were
French Canadians and there were q
humber of Iroquois Indians. All were
members OF Local 81 of New Liver
pool Province Of Quebec. which, not
withstanding the terrible disaster that
nearly wiped out its existence, was
represented at the Indianapolis con-
vention by J. H. Bason.
Washington. - Commissioner Gen.
eral of immigration Sargent says that
partial reports received by him upon
the invitation of the cotton spinning
Industry of Massachusetts and else
where, which he instituted some time
ago, Indicate that the proprietors Of
cotton mills are seeking to evade the
allen contract labor law in order tc
keep from employing union men In
their establishments.
Washington.-Thea annual investiga
ton of the bureau Of labor into wages
shows that In the principal manufac
turing and mechanical industries Of
the country average wages per hour II
1906 were As per cent. higher thar
in 1905, the regular hours of labor
per week were 0.5 per cent. lower
and the number of employees in the
establishments Investigated was sever
Per cent. greater.
New York.-As result OF the strik,
early In the summer of 10000 Goa
tAilors belonging to the Brotherhood
Of Tailors. which was repudiated b.
the United Garment Workers, witt
which the brotherhood was afiiliated
tho tailors will form = national orga
nixation Independent of the carmen
workers.
London-At the recent Imperia
Navigation conference . resolution
was carried that 1t be q recommends
ton from the conference to the boar,
of trade that legislation be INTRODUCED
whereby all seamen be paid two
- h~l At mr.