The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-05-08

CLEARED up, contractors ana builders
have been busy with pen and writing
tabs figuring out what the arguments
of the past six weeks are going to
cost. Estimates based on the average
wage increase and the number of men
engaged in the building industry
showed that about S3.0o0.0 900 a year
additional will go into the pockets of
the various building trades craftsmen.
The contractors have concluded that
the agitation was worth while so FAR
as the mechanics are concerned. The
estimate, of s3,oo0.00 was said by
contractors not to be too high with the
prospects for steady employment as
bright as they appear at the present
time 1t is based on an average in
crease of IS cents a day for 10000
men, working on an average of 300
days in the year
Washington.-It was decided at a
session of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor that
organized labor and all reform forces
be urged to begin agitation and or
ganiZe so as to be prepared to take
action in the next congressional cleo
ton looking to the passage of legis-
lation favorable to organized labor.
Labor men were urged to participate
in the national congress for the pro
motion of international peace to be
held in Chicago in May next.
Allentown, Pa.-Rather than see the
plant shut down the employees Of the
Donaldson Iron Company at Emaus
agreed to wage reductions of eight
per cent. When the company an
nounced ten per cent. reduction the
600 men employed threatened to
strike. The company announced the
suspension of operations. The men
sought conference and the matter
was compromised on the basis of an
eight per cent. wage reduction. The
plant makes cast iron pipe.
Chicago-The Building Laborers In
ternational union is said TO be assum-
! ing controlling influence in the west.
Boston. Mass-Joseph F. Valentine.
seventh vice-president of the A. F. of
L. and president of the International
| Iron holders union, was operated upon
| for appendicitis in Cincinnati. A let
| ter lately receives states that the pa
tient is making good recovery, al
though still very weak.
/ Boston. Mass.-The state senate
killed both the bill 10 permit labor
unions TO fine their members under
certain conditions and also the bill to
| have prison-made goods labeled as
such. Boston machinists' lodge 264 has
condemned the senate for its action
on the fine BILL and instructed every
member to do all in his power to de
feat for reelection every senator who
| voted against the measure.
Boston Peter w. Collins, in
ternational treasurer of the Brother
hood of Electrical Workers unions has
! notified the Boston unions that the
seeding factions suits and court pro
| cedure in Illinois had all been de
cided in favor of the international
brotherhood and of Mr. Collins and
the other officers elected at the regu-
lar convention.
Paris. France-The French teleg-
| raphers held formal meeting here
| and Joined the postal employees and the
teachers in demandin. the privilege OF
forming unions under the laws OF
1884. which includes The right to
strike.
| Winnipeg. Mantle agreement OF
| the Canadian Pacific with its mechan
les has expired. and the men are re-
organizing
Chicago-The strike of the sailors
on the great lakes, or, rather, their re-
fusal to work, is now in effect. Fully
$1,000 men. from engineers to deck
hands. are affected by the decision OF
the union organizations not to operate
boats belonging to members of the
Lake Carriers association until its
ayowed purpose TO enforce an open
shop on the lake boats is abandoned
Washington-Sufflcie funds fol
the present to meet the expenses OF
the federation's legal defense in the
injunction and contempt proceedings
! in the case of the Bucks Stove and
Range Company of ST. Louis have
been raised and it will not be neces
sary to levy an assessment of one pei
cent per member per month, as au
thorized by the Denver convention
Chicago-The strike of the cleo
trical workers. which began on April
l and involved nearly 900 men. was
| cuu0u Wu0u d COulIHittcc III Tic uAlol
and of the Electrical Contractors as
ISOLATION signed an agreement to run
for two years at an increase from five
dollars to $3.50 d day from April 1
The strikers returned to work.
New York-New York Typograph
ical union recently decided to donate
$50 weekly to the locked-out hatters
London, Eng-The national unior
of boot and shoe operatives of Great
Britain, according to its half-yearly
financial statement, just issued, has
$685., 200 In its treasury. The mem
bership of the union is 30, sos.
Glasgow. Scotland.-The Hamilton
Corporation will in the future pay al
workmen for holidays, half pay to BIZ