The wageworker., 1908-11-07


ness depression the revenues of the
Western Union Telegraph Company
decreased $4,274,194 during the fiscal
year ended June 80 last. Notwith
standing drastic economies in every
direction the company's net revenues
were only $3,i02.997, a decrease of
S2,921,213. The surplus showed de-
crease of $2,49O,925. The company
has been carrying on its books sur
plus of $l4, 4,393,S56. That this, how
ever. is purely a bookkeeping device
aud has no actual existence is shown
by the fact that in this year of de-
preston the company was unable to
pay cash dividends, but adopted the
eXpedient of issuing $2,447, 100 in
scrip. The company paid cash divi-
dend Of one per cent.
Chicago.-"A gateway should be
opened to enable working women to
keep some of the Ten Commandments.
The poorer girls and women are espe-
cially unfavored in life, their average
wage being but SAB a week, while
the average cost of living is five dol
lars. Such an inequality is naturally
demoralizing" These were the words
of Dr. ii. b. Cooley, superintendent of
the department of charities and cor
rection in Cleveland, o., in a lecture
before the Chicago Woman's club, in
which he reviewed the work done re-
Gently in Cleveland for social better
ment.
Albany, N. Y.-John Williams, COM
missioner of labor, has sent letter
to all steam railroad corporations in
the state warning them that the law
requiring semi-monthly payment of
wages to employees must be. obeyed
and that a severe penalty is provided
,, for each violation, viz: A civil pen
atty of $50, and that failure to pay the
wages OF each employe in accordance
with the new law constitutes sep.
arate and distinct violation. Mr.. VIII
liams says he will not hesitate to ex-
ercise the authority conferred on him
to sue to recover these penalties.
| Scranton, Pat is regarded as
| highly probable that the large anthra-
| cite mining concerns will adopt the
| idea of providing educational facili-
| ties for their employees, giving prac-
| tically every mine worker in the an
| thracite region the opportunity to
| Learn. The door TO promotion will
thus be thrown open to the humblest
toilcr. One of the effects of the plan,
mining officials think, will be to lessen
the number of accidents in the mines.
New York.-Through the ordering
out of men employed in the indepen-
dent paper mills there are indications
that efforts are being made to make
the paper strike general. Several irl-
dependent concerns were compelled
to close because the men were ordered
| to go on strike by J. 7. Carey. presi-
dent of the papermakers' union.
Muskogee, Okla.-Lester L. Levy,
a member of a street paving company,
was arrested here charged with vio-
lating the eight-hour law. The law
provides that men shall not be worked
on public building contract more, than
eight hours per day. The street-pav.
ing companies will combine and fight
| the case.
Boston-Boston Sheet Metal Work
ers' union and the employers have re-
newed for another year the $3.50 eight
hour day agreement. The only changes
are those definitely providing for. va
.ious shop and job matters and rules,
which were insisted upon by the
union.
Lynn, Mass.--The strike of lasters,
which has brought operations in the
majority of the Lynn shoe factories
practically to a standstill for the last
two weeks has been declared off and
the men returned to work in all the
| factories.
st. Paul, Minn.-Monthly dues of
the ST. Paul BARRIERS union have been
increased to 81 month, and a weekly
sick benefit of SIS will be paid in fu-
ture. The latter is in addition to IS
a week paid by the international
union, SO that members on the sick
list will now receive $40 a week.
E.ondon-The very serious matter OF
the unemployed in England came UP
for discussion in the house of com
mons. but larger dole OF money than
last year and eXpediting of the naval
shipbuilding program were the only
expedients proposed by Premier AS
quith to meet the situation.
lndianapolis.-The executive board
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
1cd went OH fecOfu DIS IdNOrlHS dlS
movement which will suppress child
labor. The subject was brought tc
the attention of the board by the Penn
sylvania Child Labor association.
Boston.-The interlocking switch
and signal men Of the B. & M. road
have organized new union for the
Boston terminal division.
Chicago.-Steam Engineers unior
has raised the per capita tax from
10 cents to 20 cents month and es
tablished a .efense fund.
: Pittsburg, Pa.-Iron Molders' Unio1
of North America will celebrate it:
, fiftieth anniversary next year.
Augusta, Ga.-A central labor unioI