The San Francisco call., 1908-03-18
RENEW FIGHT ON
PRISON PRODUCTS
Labor Council Will Join VigOr-
Gus National Crusade Against
Convict Competition
Deep Interest Stirred by Forth
coming Report on Use
of Injunctions

I ~~4E66kSl5<> idOOIs. council ana
state federation of
labor soon viii take up the subject of
convict labor and recommend it's aboli-
ton on the ground that the sale of
prison products interferes with the on
portunity of the free wage Garner to
obtain a living.
During discussion in the San Fran
cisco labor council short time ago
on the proposition to recommend to the
California representatives in congress
that they support an act prohibiting
the shipment of prison goods from one
state to another it was shown that the
trades most affected by convict labor
are the shoe, clothing, furniture, house
hold goods, grain bagging, broom and
stove trades
| 1t is said that these unions through
their law and legislative committees
will go before the next legislature and
demand that convict competition with
free labor be discontinued in the state
prisons. The wage earners declare that
as each has to pay a share toward the
maintenance of those who commit
wrongs against the commonw ealth, It
! is not just that the criminals should
be permitted to compete industrially
with those who feed them.
The American federation of labor so
the local unions have been advised.
intends to make strong campaign
against convict products in every state.
The promised report of the San Fran
cisco labor council committee Oh in
functions and supreme court decisions
has attracted great deal of attention.
and a number of persons not identified
with the labo0 movement have called
on Secretary Gallagher to ascertain IL
they would be permitted to attend the
next meeting of the council to hear the
report One of those who inquired is a
member of the judiciary. He wanted
speak on the subject. He was told he
would be welcome, and that if he
asked for the floor the privilege un-
doubtedly would be granted.
A number of persons have asked for
advance copy. of the report of the COM
mittee, but this. in each instance, has
been denied.
In connection with this report it is
possible that Sthe council will take
action toward starting an inquiry into
the constitution of the supreme court.
The cigar makers have received in
formation from cigar makers union No.
/ 129 of Denver upon a proposition to
draw more attention to union made
cigars. The plan is to have the union
join with the manufacturers home in
presenting interesting and instructive
statistics relative to the consumption
| of home made cigars. The union as
serts that the weekly consumption OF
home made cigars in Denver is 10000
as against $4,000 not made there 1t
computes that s2.92s.e00 is sent out of
the city yearly TO pay for cigars, so per
cent of which with the assistance of
/ labor people, could be kept at home.
If the plan is carried into effect and it
is productive of good results to the
| cigar makers, the local union will be
asked to adopt the plan.
| The subject of prohibition is one that
is attracting the attention of many of
the labor unions in view of the appeal
sent out all over the United States bv
the united brewery workers union of
America, representing $4,000 working
men. This is to the effect that if pro-
hibition gains ground this number of
men. will be thrown out of employment
and that it will affect at least 1876, 900
who depend on the earnings of the
workers. The matter is to be taken up
by the unions. on the request that each
place itself on record as opposed to
prohibition on the ground that it is an
interference with personal liberty AS
q result of the agitation it is probable
| that at the next session of the Amer
lean federation of labor that body will
be asked to take a decided stand on
the question.
Electrical workers union No. 537 will
hold a special meeting Monday night
to consider several propositions OF
great Importance to the union. The ball
given recently by this organization for
the benefit of its fund for the relief
of the sick and distressed netted 1925
The meeting of the mattresses union
Monday in Jefferson Square hall was
addressed by A. Lewis on sanitation
and political economy. He was fol-
lowed by Lillian Harris Coffin. who
spoke on woman suffrage. The mem
bers are taking a deep interest in the
work of the Equal Suffrage league
During the session the union initiated
four candidates.
The laundry workers at their meet
ing Monday night. had a large attend
ance, and after receiving several appli-
cations initiated IL candidates. All the
members of the union are employed
The book binders have been advised
II officially by the international secretary
that there are now not more than 1,00C
members of the craft who have not
been granted the eight hour day, and
that these are still out on strike. All
the others are now enjoying the bene-
fits of the shorter work day.
Branch No. of the amalgamated
carpenters and joiners at it's meeting
last night elected the following officers
for the ensuing term: Donald Morrison
president. Sidney Weare vice president
Arthur Mansell check stewart, w
lOgilvy and Alexander McCrea sick
stewards, Thomas Hooper door keeper
George Jamison and Colin McIness
auditors. These officers will be installed
at the next meeting.
Millmen's union No. 423 at meeting
held last night in Sheet Metal Workers
hall decided to hold a summoned meet
ing next Tuesday night to discuss sew
efal trade questions. The union ini-
ated one candidate an dadmitted tive
members from other locals by card
The report of conditions of the Graf,
were of a satisfactory character.
The following named have been ap-
Il