Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-22
BIG INCREASE
IN IOWA WAGES
STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS
REPORT SHOWS CONDITIONS
IN YEAR.

| Des Molnes, Iowa, Oct 21-State
| Labor Commissioner Brighams report
which is about ready for the press
shows that with reference to about
$1,000 organized laboring men in Iowa
the minimum scale Of wages paid
| union men has increased S.S1 per cent
during the last two years over the
year 1905, and the wages of the max
imum scale have increased 7.64 per
cent. The maximum refers to the
highest wages paid to the workers in
| the various trades unions and the
minimum to the lowest. The mini
mum therefore, has increased more
rapidly than the maximum showing
| that the wage scale of the state is be-
i coming more equalized.
The startling feature of the report,
however, is the decrease in the num-
Der of strikes. During the two year
| period Just past there were only 20
strikes reported in all branches of or
| ganized labor and in but one instance
was there more than one strike in any
one union during the period. Compared
with the six year period from 1894 to
| 1900 when there were SCI strikes
| among organized laborers in Iowa, or
an average of about 1928 a year. the
figures will reveal an extraordinary
peaceful condition in Iowa organized
union labor circles. While the average
for each of the six years prior to 1900
was 12S, the average Of each of the
last two years was only 14h.
The lesson of these figures is the
wonderful growth OF organized labor
in the state. With their ranks more
! firmly welded together and more po-
tent for better wages and better con-
ditions, organized labor has been able
to accomplish its purposes peacefully,
where formerly the industrial world
was continually rent with dissensions,
effecting every section.
1t is not only the figures which show
the chaotic condition Of union labor in
the COS. The preface of the Iowa labor
report for 1897 says: During the ex-
tremely hard times Of the past few
years. the labor organizations through
| out the state suffered to a very great
extent both from numerical and
| financial standpoint. Some found it
necessary to absolutely disband, others
to curtall expenses in various ways
and to amend their laws to the ex-
listing conditions" The returning pros
perity showed, however better things
in sight and a renewed determination
on the part Of organized labor to profit
by the sufferings of the hard times
years and guide their steps according
ly.
The present prosperous condition Of
the labor unions presents to the mem
bership forcibly the necessity of main
tanning the principles which have in
sured the opportunity of their growth
during the past ten years. The great
| labor Increase in the wealth Of the
country, and the demand for labor has
given them an opportunity to perfect
and strengthen their organizations and
secure more equal distribution of
wealth.
They have been aided in their eff
| forts by republican national and state
administrations. Not the least potent
In the preparation Of labor statistics
and in bringing to the public attention
the necessity of strong labor organize
tons. have been the labor bureaus Of
state and nation. In the United States
| government the head of the labor
! bureau has been made a member of
the presidents cabinet. Laws have
been passed aiding labor organizations
In some of their most vital struggles,
for instance the eight hour labor law,
the government setting the example to
other employers by declaring that none
of its employees shall be required to
work longer than eight hours day,
and that no contractors or sub-con-
tractors shall require their employees to
so labor.
In its fight for the children Of the
| land, to keep them from the sweat
| shops and factories, the government
has gone as far as it could under the
constitution and enacted a model child
labor law for the district of Columbia.
which comes under it's immediate
supervision.
1t has reversed the legal status of
centuries. by enacting an employers
liability law, making it no bar, in a
federal court, to the recovery of dam
ages, because a fellow employee has
been negligent, or because the employee
himself has been but partly at fault.
The constitution does not allow the
United States government to be sued,
but recognizing the justice Of the
claim that the government should re-
imburse its employees if they are in
jured in line of duty, congress has pro-
vided the government liability law.
These are only few of the measures
which have helped organized labor to
reach its present powerful position in
the industrial world.
Perhaps the most important, being
fundamental. principle by which labor
unions have progressed and been
strengthened, was laid down by the
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