The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-01-16
Among the Live Ones
Here and Hereabouts

The Central Labor Unions first
meeting in the new year was unusually
we'll attended ana there were some
interesting features apart from the
usual order of business.
The committee appointed to partici-
late in the work of framing the new
city charter reported with several
printed copies of the instrument, and
the charter was discussed pro and
con. There was a difference of opin-
ion on every topic discussed save one,
and on that there was a unanimity |
that was good to see. This was upon |
lhe provision that the city election be
held on the first Tuesday in May. It
was instantly seen that this would de-
,yriye a large number of honest. hard
orking and taxpaying citizens OF an
opportunity to vote, and it was pretty
generally agreed that the supporters
Of the May date had this very thing
in mind. The central body and its
asfiliated bodies will doubtless oppose
to the last ditch the May date and In
sist upon setting the election not
later than the second Tuesday in
April.
The Central Labor Union unani-
mously decided to take the initiative
and properly celebrating the one
hundredth anniversary of the birth OF
Abraham Lincoln. In support of this
proposition several short talks were
made. and Acting President Quick ap-
pointed the following committee to
Woelhaf and Walker. The committee
was given full power to act.
1t is proposed to secure some we'll
known speaker from abroad to de-
liver the principal address, and to
have two or three local speakers give
short addresses. A brief sketch OF
l.incoln's life will be read and there
will be plenty of patriotic music, vocal
and instrumental. All citizens will
be asked to join with the trades union
lists in properly celebrating the ami
versary.
Delegate Chase, who just came over
f,cm the Carpenters Union, was made
a member of the charter committee,
and thereby becomes also member
ct the legislative committee. In ac-
oepting the appointment Delegate
Chase suggested that it was high time
the unions were training up men to
transact its business, just as corpora
affairs. He also insisted that it would
be just the proper thing to do to
employ a couple of good men to watch
the legislature anu look out for legis-
labor, paying them the wage scale for
tleir work I'VE get it in the neck
tecause We don't try to do our own
business in business way said
Delegate Chase. I'VE demand some
; thing, then forget that we have made
the demand until we find that we have
lost our opportunity. Then we holler
The corporations and the trusts make
their demands and then keep ham,
raering away until their demands are
complied with"
John F. Byers OF Chicago, a member
oil the Painters and Decorators Union,
was present as visitor. and was in
troduced by Delegate Kelsey. Mr..
Byers made a short but eloquent
to address the body. Mr.. Byers is the
author of a labor song entitled The
Ninety and Nine." which has been set
to music and published in sheet music
form by firm that uses the allied
printing trades label. The words and
muslc are fine, and the song SHOULD
be familiar to every trades unionist,
The Wageworker acknowledges the
Is dedicated to the toilers of America
The music is by G. w. Ashley We
venture to print the chorus:
Yes. the ninety and nine who tot
each day
Should receive for their labor fail
days pay.
And the wealth they create in fielt
and mine
Should remain in the hands of the
ninety and nine."
The Central Labor Union will .holt
a protest meeting" some time in tn
near future, probably about the mid
dIe OF next month. At this meetin,
The protest of Lincoln trades unionist
against the Wright decision in tn
case of Gompers. Mitchell and Morri
sen will be presented. The meetin