The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-30
LABOR HAS MUCH AT
STAKE SAY LEADERS
County School Superintend-
ents Meet and Plan LegisIa-
tion Which Involves Several
Much Needed Reforms.
Palladium Bureau.
Indianapolis, Dec. 80.

Central Labor Union, last night. indi-
Gates the political action that is To be
taken by organized labor throughout
the state. OF course, 1t is only one
branch of organized labor of the state.
but 1t is the largest and numbers in
its membership some of the state Off
GERS of the Indiana State Federation
of Labor. So whatever the Indianapo-
lis Central Labor Union may do along
that line gives pretty good indication
OF the course that is likely to be fol-
lowed by labor throughout the state.
Took Active Part.
During the campaign just closed or
ganized labor took an active part, ev-
en- going SO far as to hire special
train and send Samuel Gompers and
other noted labor speakers over the
state to work against the republican
ticket. There has never been any
question that this activity on the part
OF organized labor had something to
do with the defeat of James z. Wat
son for governor and the small plural
ity given Taft in Indiana.
The Central Labor Union had
committee during the campaign that
was known as the political activity
committee. and at the meeting of the
central body this committee made a
final report. In the report IL told of
all the campaigning that labor had
done and reviewed the whole work.
Report Approved.
The report was approved by the
central body and motion carried to
continue the political activity CON-
mittee for future campaigns The
speakers who favored such action
pointed out that labor has much mt
stake and that unless 1t takes care of
itself 1t will get the worst OF II. IL
was pointed out in the speeches that
a city election is to be held next fall
in this city and that other elections
are coming on also. and it agreed that
labor should continue in the fight
Whether other organizations through
out the state will follow suit is not
known. but there is every reason to
believe that they will At least some
OF the Indianapolis labor leaders say
that the propaganda will be pushed.
Altogether it is looked on as an i'm
portant move In labor circles.
School Legislation.
The county superintendents o.
schools from all over the state were
here yesterday planning the legisla-
ton they will ask from the coming
session. They wish their salaries in
creased first OF all. A committee that
has had the matter in charge has ar
ranged the following scale of salaries
which the Legislature will be asked to
embody in law: In counties having
more than 5000 children of school
age. 32.250; from 1900 TO 10000. a
salary of 1880 from 5000 to 10000,
a salary of s1,750: from 5000 to 1000. .
salary OF 1850: and In counties
where the enumeration is under 5000
children, a salary of $1.f00 At the
present time county superintendent
receive 81 day for time actually EN-.
ployed.
Out Reach Of Politics.
Other things that the county supes-
intendents will ask are more strict
qualifications for county superinten-
dents, taking the office out of politics
as much as possible, an extension OF
authority by giving county superinten-
dents judicial power to locate build
ings. erect buildings. select sites,
abandon schools and to employ teach
ers. 1t is also proposed to authorize
the employment OF a deputy county
superintendent in counties where one
is needed
1t was held that man should not
be eligible to become a county super
intendent unless he is capable of hold
ing sixty months teachers license.
a life state license or a diploma from
professional course In an accredited
normal school or college.
More Profit For Dealers.
Changes are also proposed In the
law for hauling children to school in
the country. 1t is proposed to change
the school book law SO as to make a
larger profit for the dealer One OF
the superintendents said in his speech
that he favored the re-establishment
OF some of the district schools i'm the
country.
The eight members OF the Indiana
delegation in congress, who are to re-
tire to private life March 4, are plan
ming to return to Indiana Men who
lose out In public life are often tempt
ed to settle down at the national capi-
tai. but no such temptation seems 10
have taken hold Of the Hoosiers this
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