The wageworker., 1909-04-24

tions for legislation on the subject of
child labor in the south. The follow
ing. are the recommendations in sub
stance: The employment in factories
of no child under the age of IA years
The employment in n mine or quarry
of no child under the age of I6 years.
The employment of no child under the
age of 16 years in any gainful occu-
patton except agricultural and domes
tic service. unless such child can read
and write simple sentences in the
English language. That no boy under
the age ot 16 nor girl under the age
of Is years. except in agricultural or
domestic service. be employed be-
tween the hours of seven p. m. and
six a. m. An eight-hour day law for
children under g years of age and for
all women. Employment under the
certificate plan. The employment by
the state of proper officials for the
inspection of all mines and factories,
with the power to prosecute viola
tions. Thorough sanitary and safety
regulations. The conference was made
a permanent organization.
London. Eng-The agreement con-
cluded in England between ten of the
largest trade unions combining the
semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
generally termed ''laborers" in nu-
merous grades of industry. some of
them of large extent, is an event of
some Importance. and may have far
reaching results. The aggregate mem
bership is stated to be over 100. 900
men. The combination comprises
many of the more aggressive trade
unions. and some of them are. or We're
urgent for what is called 'ssympathe-
tic strikes" 1t is proposed that there
shall be a mutual recognition of each
others cards of membership. the trans
fer of members from one society to
another in cases of change of employ
ment. and mutual help in all cases of
dispute.
New York.-It is definitely an
nounced on the best of authority that
a cut in wages would be made by the
various subsidiary companies making
There will be no wage cut by the cor
pOlation itself The subsidiary COM
panies of the steel corporation have
been holding back their announcement
of wage cuts with the purpose of let
ting all the Independent companies do
their cutting first This has not only
the advantage of letting the independ-
ents accumulate the brunt of the
odium for wage reduction. but insures
that there will not be an exodus of
skilled combine workmen into the in
dependent mills.
Memphis. Tenn.-A thoughtful dis
cussion is being indulged in by some
of the older heads in the trades union
movement a~>nt the question of a
wider public of the inner workings
of labor organizations. The fact has
impressed itself on them that much
of the antagonism manifested by many
otherwise fair-minded citizens, who
are unquestionably in favor of the
moral uplift of the community. but
who continually oppose labor unions.
are actuated in this opposition by a
misconception of the purpose and prin-
ciples of the unions. which has been
fostered and developed by the unions
behind closed doors.
Brooklyn, n. Y.-Many pastors have
promised to help the grocery clerks
in their movement for shorter work
day and Sunday closing
Brooklyn, n. "a cooperative com
pany has been organized by working
men. The name of the company is
the Brooklyn Mechanics Cooperative
Company, and the announced object
Ito start operations for mutual bene-
fit.
London. Eng.-The awards of the
umpires in the coal trade are adverse
to the miners. both in Scotland and
South Wales In the former the re-
duction is 6L per cent. In South
Wales the reduction is per cent 1t
is said that the suggestion of the coal
owners for a further reduction short
ly was not encouraged by the indie
pendent chairman of the Cancellation
board
Boston, Mass.-Progress is being
made in the final adjustment of the
bottlers' and drivers agreement The
main terms were decided when the
increased wage and general better
working conditions agreement was
signed for brewery workers unions
IA to 30 week before last. but some
working details were left to be ad-
justed in the bottlers' and drivers
case.
Ell Paso, Tex--Work is being done
in the matter of unionizing the brew
ers here.
London, Eng.-The last report of the
British Amalgamated Society of Car
penters and Joiners is still unsatisfac-
tory from the workers point of view.
The total membership was 81 .783. Of
these S.668 were unemployed. 6.744 be-
ing in receipt of donation benefits.
The total on the sick list was ], 1,934,
and ON superannuatcd benefit 2.9O7.
Pittsburg, Pa--Among nut and bolt
workers of Pennsylvania the returns
of the chief factory inspector show
the fatal accident rate during ten