The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-05-15

Philadelphia-John Mitchell, sec
ond vicepresident of the A F. of L.
and ex-president of the United Mine
Workers union. addressed the Penn
sylvania legislature on trade union
ism. He said that wage agreements
had to be made collectively by wage
earners, and quoted President Taft's
views on that question in support. A
strike is a method of bargaining, Mr..
Mitchell said, quoting Abraham Lin
coins speech at Hartford in 1860 on
that phase. Mr.. Mitchell told in de-
tail of the benefits secured by or
ganized labor for the promotion OF
health. of the decrease of deaths
from consumption where unions exist
ed and the increase of deaths among
| non-union workers. That children are
| compelled to work while strong men
chafe in fdleness was an especial
curse, he declared, and advised the
regulation of child labor by the legis-
lature.
Indianapolis, Ind.-The various local
unions of the Bricklayers' and Ma
| sons International union throughout
the country began voting the first of
the month on proposition to estab-
lish the initiative and referendum sys-
| tenn. The votes are to be received at
| international headquarters in this city
not later than June 1, and If the propo-
sition is carried it is to go into effect
July 1. 1t will take two-thirds of the
votes cast to adopt this proposition,
nd <h1r -
well versed in the matter that it will
not carry. The proposed system would
provide for the nomination and cleo
ton Of officers by referendum, instead
of in convention as at present, and
would also provide for the initiative
and referendum for new laws and
changes in the constitution.
Wilmington. Del-To alleviate the
hardships caused in many cases by
the enforcement of the child labor
laws In Delaware. the Consumer
league has established scholarship
funds as a trial remedy. Where a
family depends on the earnings of a
child. and that child is obliged by
law to discontinue work and attend
school, the league plans to give the
family stated sum each month equal
to the child's earnings until such time
as the boy or girl can return to work.
i New York.-A proposition to estab-
lish death benefit Of $50 In the
Coopers' International union, recently
submitted to the subordinate unions
for referendum vote, has been car
ried by a vote of 1852 to 1.O41. The
general executive board is now pre-
pairing rules for the distribution of
such benefits.
Fort Smith, Ark-Judge j. " Bour-
land issued an unusual order here
J when, in appointing R. A. Young re-
ceiver for the Hiawatha Smokeless
Coal Company of Coaldale, Ark, he di.
; rected that the receiver employ only
union men in the mine or sell it.
; Judge Bourland presides over the
: chancery court, and at banquet OF
the Arkansas Federation of Labor
: here few months ago said he never
: would grant an injunction against a
t labor union in the interests of a corpo
: ration.
: Indianapolis.-As result of the Wis
! it of delegates to the last session OF
the American Federation of Labor to
: the Union Printers home, many 9th
4 er trades have the matter of estab
5 fishing homes under serious consid
I Grafton, and the present year will
doubtless see plans matured for still
; other establishments on the lines laid
{ down by the pioneer Union Printers
home.
: Washington.-In view of the fact
, that in the east very large number
: of teamsters have been displaced by
: ehauffeurs who run freight autos that
i are used in the transportation of mer
/ chandise formerly carried on trucks
d the International Brotherhood Of
e Transfers has made application to tbs
+ A F. of L. to change its charter so as
' to admit chauffeurs, also for permits
: sion to change the name of the or
o ganization to International Brother
/ hood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs an6
Helpers.
e Indianapolis. INTERPRETATIONS ar,
, under way for the proper celebration
+ of the silver jubilee of the Indiana
e State Federation of Labor The JUDI
S lee will at the twenty-fifth annua
5 convention of the organization, whicl
+ will be held in South Bend, beginnin.
# the last Tuesday in September, an,
e continuing three days.
Chicago.-An increase In wages ha
n been given to the hodcarriers an,
d building laborers- At a meeting of
( committee of the union and the Mas
If ons and Builders association, a three
G years agreement was signed up to run
e from July 1 at a raise from $3.50 t
t. 50 a day. The laborers asked TO
1920 a day.
.e Berlin, Germany.-During a recen
Is year the German labor exchange
IN found situations for 1,250. 900 persons
al Portland, Ore.-There have been III
y, strikes in this city for the past fou
years.