United labor bulletin., 1910-11-24

comotive engineers employed on the
railroads west of this city. on the ques-
ton of going on strike. is expected to
be finished December 10. Grand Chief
Warren S.Stone Is authority for the
prediction that the decision will be
Overwhelmingly In favor of the strike.
Should the walk-out occur. it will be
one of the greatest in the history OF
raflroading, as more than 10000 en-
ployees would be affected. The engi-
neers are demanding an increase in
wages of from IL to 15 per cent over
the present rate. An offer of a raise
of nine and one-half cents was refused
because of Objectionable features said
to have been Incorporated in the
proposed new scale. 1t is regarded as
probable that the railroads will appeal
to the United States government for
mediation and arbitration in compli-
ance with the terms Of the. Erdman
act
Boston.-Bridge and Drawtenders'
union will insist upon further confer
ing the restoration to the men of the
wage rates granted in 1907. given for
four weeks and then revoked by the
late Mayor Hfbbard. The union claims
that the city council added $4,000 to
this years appropriation for the de-
partment SO that the men could have
the rate. but that up to date they have
not received 1t. They claim that the
wages now paid are the same as were
in vogue 20 years ago. that every
other branch Of city employees have
been given wage increases In that
period. that the bridge tenders are
fed service. and also that they receive
5000 year less than the drawtenders
employed by the state.
Boston.-The board of wages for
1911 has been appointed at the
Charlestown navy yard. Committees
Of the various trades are presenting
evidence and afidavits az to the wage
rates paid by private firms in this
vicinity which do similar work The
men at the Watertown arsenal are
also compiling statistics for the same
purpose Many Of the trades claim
that the wages at the navy yard and
arsenal are not ~ good as those paid
by outside firms.
Boston--A general strike of eleva-
tor constructors employed by the Otia
Elevator company in various cities Of
the country has become effective One
hundred men In Boston. others In
a.. tor
were among those called out The
strike originated in Chicago. where q
disagreement over wages occurred
some time ago.
New York-John Lundrigan. of the
New York labor department. has beer
appointed general superintendent ol
the industrial department of the Inter
national Paper company. Mr.. Lund
rigah's duties will be the settlement
of disputes with the company's 1000
employees scattered all over the
United States and the prevention OF
strikes
Philadelphia.-The arbitrators act
ing for the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
company and its motormen and con
ductors In an effort to settle questions
growing out OF the last street car
strike in this city announced they were
unable TO agree as to the definition OF
loyal men," but that they would meet
again to take up the matter
St. Paul, Minn.-The recent conven-
ton of plumbers and gas filters at St
Paul cost the union $4,000. The war
fund" of the organization will be in
creased from 100000 to $250.000. A
movement was started for the estab-
lishment of home for aged and in
capaciated members
New York.-A New York organiza-
ton of Jewish bank clerks has issued
a general appeal to employees OF all
institutions to unionie and join the
American Federation of Labor as the
first step in a movement for = shorter
workday and higher wages
New York.-The Commercial Teleg-
raphers' Union has decided to orga-
nize the telephone girls under the
banner of this organization, and
henceforth 1t will be known as the
Commercial Telegraphers' Union and
Telephone Operators Association
Washington.-At the end of 1909
the aggregate membership of the Aus
trian trade unions was 4I5.256, COM
pared with 447.227 at the end of 1905.
During the year there has. therefore.
been a net decrease of IL per cent
in the membership.
Halifax. n. SIN Newfoundland. a
local union of tailors has been or
ganized. This is the first union estab-
lished In Newfoundland and gives the
journeymen tailors the honor of hav-
ing the first branch in that colony.
St Louis. Mo.-The Federation Of
Labor of Missouri indorsed the pro-
posed constitutional amendments pre-
pared by James Eads How Of St. Louis.
providing that the state give every per
son employment who applies for work
The convention also declared for mu-
nicipal lodging houses for the unem-
ployed-
Jola. Kan.-After a shutdown of
two months for repairs where needed.
the United Kansas Portland cement
plant resumed the manufacture Of
cement. More than 500 men who have
been out of employment. returned to