Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-13
Com missioner LYONS
Makes First Report.
Treats on Building Operations
In Maine During Year
Also Conditions Of the Various
Labor Organizations.

Advance copies of the first annual
report OF the Hon. Thomas J. Lyons
OF Flnalhaven, commissioner of in
dustrial and labor statistics. which
nave been given to the press, treat of
the building operations in Maine for
the past year and of the conditions Of
the labor organizations. The report
proper Will not be ready for distribu-
ton until the early part of March.
The report shows that during the
past year 1873 buildings We're enlarged,
and completed for manufacturing pur-
poses, situated in 50 cities and towns
The total cost of these buildings is
S4,14O.960 and they will give employ
ment to 1856 hands. The increase
in the cost of the buildings is $1,5O3,-
400 over the preceding year.
According to the report there are
225 local labor organizations in the
state, located in 6S cities, towns and
plantations, ranging from one to 80
unions in a town. Five unions known
to exist have failed to report, and
four others that have sent in returns
failed to report their membership.
This leaves PIC unions reporting
membership amounting to 1864. The
result of the investigation last year
showed els unions in the state, Of
which number 1876 reported member
ship of 14,112. This shows a net
gain of 10 unions and 4 gain in in
Dictated membership of 2.032. Forty
new unions not shown last year have
sent in returns and 80 are reported
disbanded during the year,
The report further says:
Replies to the question What
have you accomplished for labor by
organization take wide range, but The
great majority of them assert that
higher wages and shorter hours, as
we'll as improved working conditions.
and social benefits have been gained.
A study of the individual returns will
prove that, while those trades that are
poorly organized show but little i'm
provement over former conditions,
those that are thoroughly organized
are reaping large benefits from their
experience in carefully dealing with all
questions arising between the work.
men and their employers.
Returns from 172 unions answered
the question DO non-union men en-
JOY the same conditions as to labor.
wages and steady employment as
union mem This refers to nom
union men, within the jurisdiction of
the union, in the same trade or calling
as the men composing the union MAX
ing the return. Answers from So
unions indicate that non-union men
enjoy equal conditions with union
men, and from 1913 they do not.
while there have been some labor
disturbances in the state during the
past year including several strikes or
lock-outs, there has been nothing of a
serious nature. The troubles have
been mostly adjusted without much
loss Of time. and in most cases the old
employees have been retained. In a
very few instances the places of
strikers have been filled with new
men, Certainly less time and money
has been lost in Maine on account of
strikes and lock outs during the past
year than for many years past, which
shows a better understanding between
labor and capital and that more sensi :
BILE methods are being used in the
settlement Of labor difficulties
The Atlantic coast seamen have
branches in Bangor and Portland
Local membership cannot be stated
Total membership of the order for the
whole Atlantic coast, 1852. Minimum
daily wages, $500 and board.
The BARRIERS have unions in Augusta,
Bangor. Lewiston, Portland and Rock
land. with a membership of 1870, They
work from liz to IA hours per day,
with minimum daily wage from SIG!
to $500.
The blacksmiths have unions in
Biddeford, Portland and Waterville,
with a membership Of so. They work
from to 10 hours per day with a
minimum daily wage from $500 to