The wageworker., 1909-12-25

Chicago-Gratified at the apparent
success of the pension fund for super
annuated or disabled employees, which
was established year ago, Morris &
Co., the packers, have launched an
Employees Benefit association, which
begins operations January l, 1910,
and is destined to benefit those
classes of employees which are not al
lowed to take advantage OF the pen
sion fund, although those who have
already subscribed to the pension
fund are not barred. AS, in the case
of the pension fund, Morris & Co.
start the benefit association out with
an endowment contribution of $4,000.
This is given to defray the expenses
of organization and maintenance OF
the association and also to help en-
ployes or employers families deserv-
ing of assistance, even though they do
not become contributors to the asso-
citation. The donation will be repeated
annually until the fund reaches $oOO,-
900, so that no part of the employees
contribution may be paid out for ex-
penses, but shall be available for
benefits.
Cincinnati. O.-After several days
of futile negotiations between COM
mittee representing the Big Four te-
legraphers and the officials of the rail-
road, referendum vote has been or
dered by the operators. Whether or
not a strike will be ordered will now
depend on the way the 1000 telegra-
piers employed by the system vote.
The demands of the men are for 20
per cent. increase in pay and for the
inclusion in their ranks of the tele-
phone operators, interlOcking tower
men. station agents and staff men.
Both of these demands have been def
nitely refused by General Manager
Van Wrinkle, who declares that the te-
legraphers have been granted two sub
stantial increases in pay within the
last few years.
New York-Vice-Preside James
Murdoch of the Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainmen said the demands for
wage increases which will be made by
the men upon the railroads would
amount in some cases to 100 per cent.
advance. In connection with this an
important statement bearing on the
attitude of the railroads in the matter
was made by w. c. Brown. president
of the New York Central. He said
| that if any increase in wages was
| granted there would have to be an in
crease in railroad rates.
New York. = The international
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join
ers' financial statement for October
shows that the receipts for the month
| we're $46,534.61. Death and dfsabil
ity claims aggregating $17,914.90 were
| paid. The donations to unions OF
strike or in litigation amounted tt
$1,000, of which $1,000 was to the New
York district council. The balance or
hand, including 100000 in real es
tate, was $451, ,150.52.
Boston.-Five more cornice firm!
signed the new agreement of Boston
Sheet Metal Workers union No. II
The ventilating and metal ceiling
firms all signed previously. But foul
firms have not as yet signed. Thu
new scale calls for a 1915 day wag'
on January 1 and four dollars on ant
after June 1 next. The present wag'
is $3.50 day.
Boston.-The Massachusetts union
of steam engineers have started
movement for a monument on tn
grave of the late Frank B. Monaghan
who was former international pres
ident and for years national cour
cilor and officer and. at the time O
his death editor OF the unions inter
national publication.
New York.-The factory girls @
this city, in spite of the fact tina
they are now better protected in thei
working conditions, are inferior Il
physical strength and organization t
the western girls in the opinion @
Mrs. Raymond Robins, president g
the National Women's Trades Unio
league.
Indianapolis, Ind.-The vote of tn
International Printing Pressmen'
union on the establishment of san
tarium for members suffering wit
tuberculosis, and also a home fo
mountains Of Tennessee, was in favo
by more than $4,000 majority.
Fall River, Mass-Recently anothe
six months of the sliding scale in tn
textile industries expired. The con
mittees of the Manufacturers asst
citation and the textile council wi
soon meet to decide upon the seal
for the next six months.
Neutrality-suspicious. feature of tn
great labor demonstrations, or strikes
that have occupied public attentio
for the last year has been the un
form demand on the part of the worl
ers for arbitration of their grie'
ances.
Toronto, Canada.-At the CONVEX
tion of the American Federation
Labor the Piano and Organ Maker
International Union of America pr
sented resolution saying that to el
able the wage workers to becom
politically Independent as well as ec
nomically a labor party should
formed.
-