The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-04-03
WHAT THE AMERICAN
PRINTERS ARE DOING
Are Putting Forth Strong Efforts
to Make Union Conditions
International.

The industry, energy and loyalty to
the trades union mo3e.nent of the
members of the Typographical union
is evidenced by TIE fact. that the fol-
lowing article was translated and
published in labor papers in France,
Australia. Switzerland, Holland, Bel
GUM, Norway and Sweden.l
The Article Published.
The printers Of the United States
have sent to Europe delegation to
avail themselves of the solidarity and
thorough organization of the work.
men Of the continent.
The printers of the United States
have been fighting for three years to
establish the eight-hour workday in
the commercial shops
In spite of the bitter opposition Of
the organized employers Omitted Ty-
pothetae Of Anerica) they have sue
ceeded in establishing the eigdt-hour
day in 80 per cent. of the printing
ablishments, but many Of the Or
ganized employers are still opposed
to granting eight hours and union
conditions, and strikes have been in
progress for three years. The or
ganized employers have used every
means that money can purchase to
thwart the efforts of the. unions, en-
ploying "strikebreakers," injunctions
and al 1.-The other devices Of capital
ist oppression.
Enemies Of Labor.
At the head Of these mortal enemies
Of organized labor stands the Butter
lex Publishing company, located in
New York city, This concern is the
greatest pattern and fashion maya
zine publishing house in the world,
being capitalized for $15,00O,000, and
had, before the strike btgan, almost
monopoly of the business. They are
the leaders in this fight and are now
trying to place the officers of New
York Typographical union No. in
Jail.
Up to November "a, 1905, only
union men were employed by the But
terick company. On this day they
placed scabs in the composing room,
and the union men were discharged.
Since that time the printers of the
United States have been trying to
force recognition Of the union and
the eight-hour day. Much money and
effort have been spent to bring them
to settlement.
The Butterick Company.
That this work has not been in
vain is attested by the fact that the
:Butterick company, on January 1, this
year, was forced to grant the eight.
hour day, but still refuses to recog-
nize the union or concede union con-
ditions.
They depend for support on the in
ternational character of their bust
the world and are printed in all Ian
guages. In Germany, besides the
Butterick patterns, they print in. the
German language Modem Revue, But
terick's Modem Album, Butterick's
MoNen den Hauptstadte.,
Because Of the widespread reputa-,
ton and sale of their goods, they feel
safe in defying the American labor or
ganizations, trusting to recoup their
losses by the profits from abroad.
:. They declare that although their
business has ben hurt In the United
States the power of the workers is not
worldwide and the American work
men have no influence in Europe.
They do not reckon with the fact
that the labor movement is universal
and that the solidarity Of the work
ing class Is one Of their grandest vir-
tues. ~ .|
Appeal to Europeans. 4
If the working people Of Europe,
especially the women, lend their as
sistance in this work by refusing to
buy the Butterick patterns and fash
ion magazines, they can help to &C
>cemplish that object which: till now
the American workmen have not ac-
complished alone. They can demon
strate that the injury to one is the
concern OF all workers, and prove their
divotion to the good cause
n We know that the Butterick COM
pany has been seriously embarrassed,
and one more blow and the victory
will be won. With the defeat OF the
Butterick company the citadael OF OPP
10 fho at IL,