The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-03
LABOR men MEET
State Society Gathers in To-
peka Today.
No Sign of Friction With State
Federation.
WHAT 1T HAS DONE.
Commissioner johnson Reviews
Work of Society.
President Bramlette Delivers
His Annual Address.

The state society of labor and in
dustry began it's tenth annual con-
vention this morning in representative
| hall and will continue m session I'm
til the business of the meeting is dis
posed of. which will probably be
Wednesday evening.
Owing to the fact that the COM
| mittee on credentials got busy early,
and, in the absence Of any serious
| contest, was able to make it's report
before roll call, the convention was
half day ahead of time when the noon
adjournment was taken and in a posi-
ton to proceed this afternoon with
the presentation of resolutions and
their reference to committees. These
would in this way be disposed of in
time to give other committees the
right Of way at a much earlier hour
than usual. Roll call, was in fact,
made from the report of the COM
| mittee on credentials, showing 225
delegates present.
The officers Of the society, all Of
whom are in attendance, are: Presi-
dent, Charles F. M. Dewesse, Leaven-
| worth; vice president. Charles H.
Danner, Fort Scott; secretary, w. l..
| A. Johnson, Topeka; assistant secre-
tary, Owen Doyle. Mineral.
The convention was called to order
| by President Deweese promptly at 8
o'clock and immediately after the re-
port of the credentials committee, the
report of the commissioner Of labor,
w. L. A. Johnson, on current work Of
the bureau. was read.
The Commissioners Report.
The commissioners report showed
that during the past five sessions of the
legislature thirty labor laws have been
enacted through the good offices Of the
legislative committee, acting under the
endorsement of the State Society, the
| influence of labor in legislation being
felt during that period more than at
any previous time. In the operation of
the bureau of labor and factory inspec-
ton, greater activity and better results
have been accomplished also, due to in
creased appropriations and increased
| force with which to do the work.
| The past year has shown condition
of prosperity in the Industrial move
| ment up until December, when slight
cessation began, owing to the financial
| furry. and during the year wages have
| shown an upward tendency, though
| there seems to be now a disposition to
prophesy a reduction. In Kansas, how
manifest and the Indications bid fair
| for a continuation of reasonably steady
employment at fair wages.
The number of strikes and labor diff
culties during the past year was II, as
compared with As for the year 1905. This
| reduction in the number of strikes in
dicates a more peaceful condition
among the various organizations in the
state These data are taken from the
| reportso 204 organizations The settle
ment of these strikes, as indicated by
! the reports, show that seven were en-
tirely successful; two partially success
| full; four unsuccessful and four still
pending The causes that led up to
these strikes are summarized as whole
and are given as follows: Refusal to
recognize the organization" violation
of seniority agreement" AN EFFORT TO
better working conditions" for an in
crease of wages" for violation Of
agreement" ''for discharge Of employ
es without cause;'' "a demand for short
ar hours" "a refusal to confer with a
committGc.
The total duration of strikes in days
was 2,762; the total number of mem
bers involved in these strikes was 1913;
the total number of days lost by the
men was 5719; the total amount of
wages lost was $113.016. This is ma
terial reduction in the loss of wages on
account Of strikes as compared with
1906 when a loss Of wages was report
ed as 1892, 800. The wage earners of the
state have prof1ted materially in the
matter of settling strikes by adopting
| the plan of arbitration and Cancellation.
This Is becoming now the rule. rather
| than the exception. OF the zO4 organic
| in wages; one reports a decrease In
wages, while the remainder report
wages remaining the same.
The current work of the bureau Of
labor for the year 1907, soon to come
from the press, will give special at
tentfon to the chapter on factory in
spectton and childlabor. The work OF
| factory inspection since July 1, COW
erfne S33 factories shows that the
| total wage eaTners employed in these
| factories was 37,719, OF which 1903
were females. There We're found be-
tween the ages of IA and 16 years a
total number Of children employed of
625; Of these, 495 were males and
lao were females. The range or child
employment will be indicated when
It f. noted that we found on file with
employers 765 certificates. Seventy
Sn,,r 4efecttve certificates were found
and 1874 children were found employ
ed without certificates, though they
were entitled to have certificates In
each case the defective certificates
| were rectifled and certificates requ1r-
ed where the same had not been sup
| piled"
Referring to the Kansas State
| Federation of Labor. the commission
er says:
THE object and aims and purposes
of the state federation, among other
things. are to adopt such measures and
disseminate such principles among the
mechanics and laborers OF our state
and country as will permanently en-
able them to secure the privileges and
rights to which they are Justly en-
titled I believe that all working men.
In whatever field Of endeavor they may
he enployed. will endorse this pre-
ambIe of the Kansas state federation of
labor. Any movement that will mora
thoroughly systematize the work of
organization among the workers and
of Industrial education should have
the endorsement and cooperation of
ovarv lahorer in the land. 1t has been