davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01
IN CORPORATIONS GRASP.

At the late session of the legis-
lature the corporations, mine
owners associations and other
representatives of the "interests'
presented that had tendency to
benefit labor and the masses of the
people, Notwithstanding that both
political parties were pledged to
enact remedial labor laws, and
thus again labor was betrayed and
will continue to be betrayed as
long as the wage earners of West
Virginia vote to leave the power of
making and interpreting and exc
cutting the laws in the hands Of
professional political grafters who
are financed by corporations.
directed by corporations and
pledged to the maintenance of the
property interests of the corpor-
ations. They have allowed them
selves to be deceived by the
obviously false but tlattering state
ment that "There are no classes in
this country and by the advice
given them by politicians and
"labor's friends (?)n that ."The
labor movement must be kept out
OF politics and politics kept out
of the labor movement So, al
though forced to organize for self
defense as class, although often
locked out or biackliSted and often
forced to strike as workingmen, as
class of workingmeu. they have
as yet failed to think about politics
rs worklngmen or to think about
the labor movement as citizens.
They have worked hard and
fought hard i'll their unions, but
have played in politics-and have
"been worked" by the corporations
and owning class, directly or
through their political hirelings
and tools.
The Legislative bodies and other
departments of state, are dictated
and controlled by corporate in
fuence, Just as the mines, factories
and railroads are owned and oper.
ateu
1t Is used for the benefit of the
possessing class, lust as those
material things are used for their
benefit. no matter how inconsis-
tent they may be with the welfare
OF the workers who are also the
majority of the voters.
This condition of affairs will
continue until such time as the
"orklngmen use their ballots in
telllgently by electing good. honest
business men and woIkingmen to
these offices and relegate the pro-
fesslonal office seekers and CARPET
bagge'S to the rear. The ballot
must be nscd as the strike and
boycott. Eliminate corporatiou
tools and elect men to office.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The Dixon Mail is not very hi
larlous over some of the nominees
on the republican municipal ticket,
but says that the voters will Gre
move the wheat from the chaff'' on
election day. The Editor of that
journal speaks from experience,
about two years ago he was dump
ed in the "chaff' heap.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

Show that you appreciate the ad
Vertising patronage extended to
your paper by mentioning the fact
when you make purchases. The
organized workers of this city
should receive d far greater amount
OF these announcements than is
now customary, and would were it
made known to merchants that Or
ganiZed workingmen are better
able to buy products because of
receiving better wages than unor-
gained workingmen. Don't put
your light under the bushel, but
make 1t known that you expect to
be recognized and insist that it be
done. Your cause deserves it, and
you cannot reasonably expect
others to do it for you.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01
STARVATION AMONG US.


The gravest crisis that ever con-
fronted the wage earners of West
Virginia is upon them today.
Wages in the unorganized coal
fields have been forced down and
down until with steady work the
men and their families could barely
exist, but now with the greatest
industrial depression in the coun.
try's history lowering over them
thousands of families are suffering
from the pangs of hunger and the
speccter of starvation stalks among
them casting misery and desola-
ton in its trail. And the horror
of it all is that they can expect
little, if any help from other states
as we find today nearly seven mil
lion unemployed working people
in the United States, and this
army of unemployed is fountain
of enjoyment for the criminal cor
pOrations.
They welcome them with all
their hearts since with them they
hope to suppress labor organiza.
tions. They fight with possible
and impossible means and with all
their efforts against the endeavors
OF the working class to bring about
conditions under which looking for
employment shall be a matter of
the past. The profit living class
considers it conspiracy to fight
for human dignity and opportunity
for work, and crime to wish for
all men, women and children that
they may have enough to eat and
shelter over their heads.
By suppressing labor meetings
and demonstrations of the unem.
ployed, as has been done in the
past year in many of the industrial
centers throughout our land, and
declaring that the police club and
winchesters of the "guards' is
mightier than the constitution of
the United States and should be
the ruling power in our country,
the ruling class has kept the
workers in partial subsection. But
the problem of unemployed,
hungry workers cannot and will
not be solved by brute force, such
as is now being applied by the
proft-living class-the real an
archists. The general treatment
of the unemployed problem can
only be solved when the working
class shall organize into unions
for mutual benefit and protection
and exercise their power at the
ballot box. Then, and not until
then, will the problem be solved.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

into other states, and the avenues
of graft will also be closed.
Practice what you preach spend
your money where you get it-at
home, employ home labor. pur.
chase home products and Greater
Charlest is bound to follow.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The political grafters who forced
the ''Buy' Partisan charter
through the Legislature will enjoy
the sight Of seeing their pet scheme
tin canned before the 18th.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The public service corporations
placed ban OH the candidacy OF
Mont Topping for Beard of Affairs,
because he at one time belonged to
labor Union. They were afraid
they could not handle him in case
of his election.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

Every union man in this city
should enlist in the fight now being
waged on Tuberculosis by the An
til Tuberculosis League. 1t means
more Tor the wage Garner than any
other class.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The Columns of The Labor Argus
are open to communications from
citizens that will tend toward ele.
waiting the moral and legal welfare
and the upbuilding of the City.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

Cheap ~hiSkey and cigars were as
much In evidence during the pri-
maries last week as heretofore. re
gardless of the tact that those of
the crooked tongue announced that
the new charter would eliminate
TINS currnpt and degrading prac-
tice.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The Union Label and the Ameri-
can Flag both stand for freedom
and Justice. Protect the flag by
purchasing label goods.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

When the c. x O. railroad be-
gins running freight cars over the
traction line the, sleeper in the
Buy Partisan City Charter will
awaken the people.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

Pistol bill, or no pistol bill. the
guards" continue to do business
in the Kanawha and Fayette
county coal fields.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The Dixon Mail says there was
"only patriotism displayed at Fri
days primary And it was put
in jugs, too.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01

The same old ring and the same
OLD slate did business at the old
stand at the recent primaries and
conventions.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-01
DUTY OF THE HOUR.

One year from today a new con-
tract and agreement between, the
miners and operators of this State
will go into effect and it depends
solely upon the miners as to
whether or not it will be an i'm.
provement over the one now in ex-
istence.
To secure more satisfactory
agreement the men must be alive
to their interests during the com
ing year and exert their every
effort towards building up a more
thorough organization and living
up to the letter of their contract.
lfevery nan who is now ENJOYING
the conditions secured through the
efforts of organized action would
do his duty to himself, his family
and his fellow man by getting into
the organization and lending his
aid and assistance in extending the
territory of the United Mine
Workers throughout the state little
difficulty will be experienced in
getting the conditions to which the
miners of the state are justly en-
titled, United action will mean
success. While Indifference and
negligence of duty will make it
hard to hold that which they
have at present.
Unless the miners of the Kan.
awha Valley arouse to action and
aid and assist their local, District
and National officers in building
up the unions in this field aud or
ganizihg the other fields it will
only be but queetion of short
time until the same slavish condi-
tions will prevail that existed be.
fore John Mitchell rescued them
from oppression and chattel
slavery. Now is the time for &C.
ton, tomorrow it may be too late.
Miners of West Virginia awaken
from your slumber and show YOUR
brothers in other states that YOU
can and will assert your manhood
and will not depend solely upon
them tor existence, and they will
lend you helping hand toward
making West Virginia Il state in
which any self respecting miner
may be proud to live, and not a
slave pen and "miner's grave
yard
Above all things attend your
local meetings regularly, keep
your dues paid up and remain
loyal to the men whom you have
elected to represent your interests.
DO this and success will crown
your efforts. for freedom and jus.
tice in the Little Mountain State.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
Greater Rirminuhan1.

II am delighted that we are at last to
have the Greater Birmingham" said Maj.
e. Z. Taliaferro a well-informed gen
tleman on real estate values, both in the
business district of the city proper and
of the suburbs. 81 have occasion to visit
North Birmingham and Ensley frequently
and while l know that some of the cit
liens of those towns honestly opposed
being annexed to the big city, it is rea-
sonable to say that in a short time after
the Greater Birmingham act goes into
effect all will agree that it is marked
benefit from every point of view Real
estate values in all the outlying munich
palities will be enhanced. The very fact
that in order to borrow money on subur-
ban property one must pay per cent
interest and sometimes heavy brokerage,
as compared with per cent in the city
of Birmingham, is of much Importance
and would of itself almost justify the
action of the legislature in extending the
city boundaries.
II think the Greater Birmingham legis-
lation is the biggest thing ever done at
Montgomery for this community"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
BUYING A DIAMOND.
Good Idea to Study Man Who Sells
1t To You.
From the Washington Herald.

| From the Washington Herald.
IF a man intends TO buy valuable
diamond said T. A. Lambert, Cincin-
natl jeweer. who is at the National, the
best thing for him to do is to spend his
time studying the man from whom he is
going to buy it, rather than examining
the stone itself. I say this because the
diamond business is a peculiar one-in
many ways unlike any other. You might
say 1t is absolutely impossible for a pros
pective purchaser from the ranks of the
laymen to distinguish between a good
diamond and a bad one. 1t is not so hard
TO differentiate between the dealers. My
advice in such a case, therefore. is: Pick
out thoroughly reliable dealer and tell
him just what you want Then In 80
cases out of 100 you will get what you
are looking for.
while all diamonds are supposed to
be cut according to the same pattern, the
personality of the cutter governs the
value of the stone to a great extent, not
to mention his skill Also, of course, the
nature of the diamond in the rough had
fundamental influence on the quality
of the finished product. For instance,
with some stones the cutter finds 1t i'm
possible TO cut it exactly as he would like
on account of some imperfection which
he must steer clear Of Accordingly, he
may make an unusually fiat stone out of
it. which may be snowy enough and have
greater apparent size than one differently
cut, but which lacks life
That Is one of the things that must be
guarded against in buying a diamond.
Sometimes the cutter, in order to make
the stone appear larger, makes it broad
and fiat, and it lacks luster. AS mat
ter of fact, though. the smaller, deeper
diamond, with plenty of life in it. is 3
much more valuable stone.
1.-The diamondproducing field is practi-
cally limited to South Africa about 80 per
cent of all the diamonds coming from
there. There are a few small fields in
Australia, and every now and then you
hear of diamonds being found in this
country, but l have never heard the re-
ports authenticated. Likewise, practically
the entire diamond industry is in the
hands of the Kimberly interests, accord
ing to reports. The United States uses
three-fourths of all diamonds sold. They
are brought to this country in what are
called packages vah~sd according to the
worth the rough specimens are supposed
to have. For instance a dealer may buy
a $4,000 package, or he may buy 5000, 900
package The rough specimens are then
brought to this country to be cut, in the
great majority of cases.
You ought to make a trip through a
diamond-eutting establishment So many
different kinds of machinery are used in
the process of turning out the finished
product that have lost track of them
myself"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
Prohibition and Politics.

THE published report to the Clio
Press, offering the editor 800 to fight
constitutional prohibition. reminds me of
the fact that nearly all heated political
contests develops smart practice in let
ter writing and publicity as to the same, >
said an old merchant who was once an
active political worker.
IF the ants decide TO make a strong
campaign, and they probably may, l rely
on it that they will not put simpletons
and easy-marks in charge, such as as the
Clio Press has discovered.
"And now that the prohibitionists have
done their best or worst as one may view
it under the influence of an executive
whip and big lobby, I wish to call at
tention to the scheme used in the send
ing of steretyped kilograms from Mont
gomery by the hundreds to be fired on a
given day at wavering or weakening
members on constitutional prohibition.
One prominent member of the Jefferson
delegation, who is a conscientious prohi-
bitionist and voted for all the bills OF
the regular and extra session, declared
to me that he entered a vigorous pro-
test to being thus bombarded. Why,
said he they actually had the audacity
to have my neighbors and friends write
me strong letters-quite out of tone some
of them. He voted against constitutional
prohibition, believing it wrong to write
a police statute in the organic law of the
state"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
M. kina and lis Bill.

out of the smoke of battle and the
buzz of mosquitoes the name of Repre-
sentative Jere King will come as the true
legislative hero of Greater Birmingham, =
said a member of the Chamber of COM
merce. 1T was his bill that the Cover
nor rescued from those who had curtailed
it. and at the last moment he rescued
the measure from an enrolling clerk who
concluded it did not need an enaeting
clause. That enrolling clerk seems TO
have thought that measure which meets
the just pride of the state would en-
act itself. but 1t would not, and Mr.. King
came to the rescue in the nick o time.
The mishaps of the King measure
from the day of its Introduction in 1907
down to the enrolling clerks error would
fill a book. and throughout them all
Representative King remained patient
firm and watchful. He deserves well
from the greater city, and our people will
not prove ungrateful even If republics
are. All honor to Mr.. King, who will
soon come home with Greater Birmng-
ham in his pocket"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
EleCtrifyine Steam Roads

The electrifying of street car lines
is fast becoming an old story, and so
are interurban roads, and so Is the
application of the modern power to
terminals and suburban lines. The
motors of the New Haven road are
running longer distances, and so are
those of the New York Central The
people of Chicago are demanding and
will soon secure the electrification of
the Illinois Central within at least the
city limits.
None of these changes are, however,
so radical as the change proposed for
the Sacramento division of the South
ern Pacific. This division is 14O miles
long, extending from Sacramento,
which is 500 feet above the sea, to
a 7O0O-foot elevation in the Sierra Ne
vadas, whence it descends to 5000 feet
at Reno, Nevada. The grades are
so steep that freights are greatly
handicapped, and the management of
the road is confronted with the neces-
sity of electrifying the line or tun-
melting the mountains in order to OBJ
tain easier grades for the steam en-
gines. To equip the road in this way
for an improved steam service would
cost from S40,O0O,0OO to $50, 900 900 and
consume eight years; to electrify ii
will demand only $13,OO0,OOO and two
years time.
Mr.. Hartman is said to favor electri-
fication. and the belief is that this plan
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
INTOLERANCE.

From the Troy Herald,
we are, indeed, panied I'd see that ~.
spirit of intolerance, instead of aiml.,sh.
ing seems to be on the Increase.
Inc state-widers flushed with yiptexv
IN the passage of the most drastic laws
ever adopted by any state In the tn,an,
are growing over the opposition and IN
ieet' making 1t unpleasant for them. even
In the churches,
we think that Is bad politics, yo,
may silence g. fellow when you have hin,
down, but you seldom ever cenvinoe hin,
That he Is wrong by intolerance. Wa
Know men who have quit going to their.
church for the reason that they exnect
the preacher to make some political
proposition that they are opposed TO-.
Ihere Is not congregation In INV
'ohurch which Is not divided on this pro
hinition question. for It is politics. pure
and simple.
we are not one of those who believe in
arousing the prejudice or ono class against
the other. If your cause has no merit IN
II on which to base an argument. DOM
Tor the Lords sake, undertake to win bv
ABUSING your opponent Brooks Lawrence
ana MS followers are very fond of call
Ing all who may differ with them
whisky men," while in fact anti's are
on the sound democratic doctrine of loca /
option.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
IN HOTEL LOBBlES
The Old Bel. House.

1.-THE completion of the new Chamber
of Commerce building said an old eiti-
zen, calls to mind the old Relay hotel,
which occupied site directly back of and
including part of the site of the new
building. When the old structure was
demolished some time ago one of the
most familiar landmarks of early Biz
mingham days passed away
The Relay house was the first hotel
in Birmingham. 1t was owned by Mr..
and Mrs. Ketchum. grandparents of eX-
Mayor George B. Ward. At the time it
fiourished the lot opposite, now occupied
by the Morris hotel WIS used as park.
To my knowledge there are at the pres
ent time only two people living of those
once connected with the hosiery. These
are two old darkeys-Pete Clark, a
porter, and the aged cook of the estab-
lishment. They are both in the city now
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
THE GREAT GUEST COMES.

By Edwin Markham.
While the oobbler unused there passed his
A beggar drenched by the driving rain:
He called him in from the stony street
And gave him shoes for his bruised feet
The beggar went, and there came a crone
Her face with wrinkles of sorrow sown:
A bundle of fagots bowed her back,
And she was spent with the wrench and
rack.
He gave her his loaf and steadied her
load
As she took her way on the weary road
Then to his door came a little child,
Lost and afraid in the world so wild
In the big dark world. Catching it up,
He gave 1t the milk In the waiting cup,
And led 1t home to its mothers arms,
Out of the reach of the worlds alarms.
The day went down in the crimson west,
And with 1t the hope of the blessed
Guest;
And Conrad sighed as the world turned
gray;
"Why is 1t, Lord that your feet delay?
Did you forget that this was the day?'
Then, soft. in the silence a voice he
heard:
Lift up your heart. for kept my word
Three times came to your friendly door.
Three times my shadow was on your
floor.
I was the beggar with bruised feet
l was the woman you gave to eat:
I was the child on the homeless streat.s
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
IolIipons In the IYre.

"Musically educated persons frequently
listen to public speakers whose reference
to musical art and master composers is
ludicrous," said an amateur. 81 have
often wondered why writers and lecturers
who are not up on music would I'M
necessarily run the risk of exposing their
ignorance. The Musical Courier has a
sharp rebuke on what it considers 'lollipops
on the Tyre One of the magazines for
August begins a musical novelette, en-
titled the "A Flat Major Polonaise.'
1.-The Courier reproduces 1900 or 2O0O
words of the part descriptive of the polo
naise and calls it 'slush' The editor of
that publication says he has often pointed
out the absurdites committed by the ma
jority of fiction writers when they plunge
heedlessly into musical subjects without
possessing special knowledge of the tonal
art"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-22
QUEEN ELIZABETH'S WAY.
Had Treasure Ship Blown Up to Keep
It From Spain,

From the Indianapolis News.
Three hundred and twenty years ago,
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, of
blessed memory, the Spanish Armada,
broken and beaten by the English fleet,
fled northward and around Scotland to
meet with storm and wreck on the Scot
fish coast. One of the great ships, the
Florida. more fortunate than others.
found her way into the Bay of Tober-
mory, on the Sound of Null. The Span
iards thinking themselves safe in those
neutral waters, leisurely began repainting
the ship and provisioning the troops.
Scottish visitors came to the vessel and
were Hospitality entertained.
News of these happenedngs came to
Queen Elizabeth. She was advised there
were costly stores and much money on
the Florida. She determined the vessel
should be destroyed and not be allowed to
escape to Spain. The man chosen for the
work of destruction was named Smol-
lett an ancestor, 1t is said, of the novel;
list He went to Null as a drover, and
as he spoke Gaelic and wore the High
land dress, he had no difficulty in going
aboard the Florida. Watching his oppor-
tunity he placed combustibles in the
magazine, and shortly after he went
ashore the ship blew up. Nearly all on
board persisted, including a number of
Scottish visitors.
The vessel and the treasure were gone
but not forgotten, for in this prosaic
money hunting age an effort is being
made to recover the treasure buried so
many years in the sands of Tobermory
bay.
Queen Elizabeth, not by any means al
ways nice in her methods, as witness her
participation in the murder of Mary,
Queen of Scots, by this act did a most
atrocious thing, as the law of nations
should have been a protection to the
Florida in this neutral port This, an
almost forgotten incident in history,
would indicate that the title of good
Queen Bess is hardly appropriate to this
daughter of Henry VIII.