Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-20
UNIONS ON INCREASE
Organized Labor Has Prospered
in Iowa Under Repub-
lican Rule
BRIGHAM ISSUES HIS REPORT
Wages Increased and Conditions Gen.
orally Bettered-Present Conditions
Compared With Those of the COS,
Whom Democrats Were in Power -
TAFT Leads in Work for Labor.
Special to Times Republican.

/
Des Moines, Oct. 20.-State Labor
Commissioner Brigham's report which
is about ready for the press, shows
! that with reference to about $4,000
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 maximum scale
have increased 1854 per cent. The
paid to the workers in the various
| trades unions and the minimum to the
| lowest The minimum therefore, has
increased more rapidly than the max
imum showing that the wage scale OF
the state is becoming more equalized.
The startling feature of the report.
however, is the decrease in the number
of strikes. During the two-year per-
iod Just past there were only twenty
| nine strikes reported in all branches
| of organized labor, and in but one in
stance 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 S3l
strikes among organized laborers in
Iowa, or an average of about l2S
year, the figures will reveal an extra
ordinary peaceful condition in Iowa
organized union labor circles. While
the average for each of the six years
prior to 1900 was 1913, the average of
each of the last two. years was only
14k.
The lesson Of these figures is the
wonderful growth Of organized labor in
the state With their ranks more
firmly welded together and more potent
for better wages and better conditions,
organized labor has been able to ac-
complish its purposes peacefully, where
formerly the Industrial world was con-
tinually rent with dissensions, affect
ing every section.
In Democratic Times.
It is not only the figures which show
the chaotic condition Of union labor in
the CO.'S The preface to the Iowa
labor report for 1897 says: During the
extremely hard times of the past few
years. the labor organizations turnout
the state suffered to very great ex-
tent both from numerical and imam
cial standpoint. Some found it neces-
sary to absolutely disband, others to
curtail expenses in various ways and to
amend their laws to the existing condi-
tions." The returning prosperity
showed, however, better things in sight
and a renewed determination on the
part Of organized labor to profit by the
sufferlngs of the hard times years and
guide their steps accordingly.
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
increase in the wealth of the country,
and the demand for labor has given
them an opportunity to perfect and
strengthen their organizations and Sc
cure more equal distribution OF
wealth.
They have been aided in their efforts
by republican national and state ad-
Not the least potent IN
the preparation of labor statistics and
in bringing to the public attention the
necessity of strong labor organizations,
have been the labor bureaus of state
and nation In the United States gov
eminent the head Of the labor bureau
has been made a member of the presi-
dents cabinet Laws have been passed
aiding labor organizations In some OF
their most vital struggles, for instance
the eight hour labor law, the govern
ment setting the example to other en-
ployers by declaring that none of its
employees shall be required to work
longer than eight hours a day. and that
no contractors or sub-contractors shall
require their employees to so labor
Taft Leads in Work.
Perhaps the most important, being
principle by which labor
unions have progressed and been
strengthened, was laid down by the
man who is now republican candidate
for president of the United States. :,
Coupled with an action which tho with
in the law, was in the heat of the mo-
ment Objectionable to organized labor, |
Judge Taft laid down for the first time
as a fundamental the principle that Ia |
borers have a right to organize them
selves into labor unions which would |
take action as to the terms of their
He went further and out
lined their rights under such organiza-
ton, namely to join other unions, and
elect officers and place themselves I'M
der the guidance of these officers and |