The wageworker., 1910-02-12

Local NJ. 1855, Brotherhood of Car
penters aad Joiners. has come out of
its long sleep, and is today wide-awake
enough 20 demarE the persistent ana
insistent attention of the trades
unionists OF the community. That No.
1856 is now thoroughly awake and
right in line with the spirit born OF
the Labor Temple movement, was dem
onstrated Monday night, when what
was perhaps the largest mass meeting
of wage earners ever held in Lincoln
for the purpose of discussing union
ism, was held at the Temple. First
and last more than 400 men were pres
cnt, and as a result of the local COM
mittee's hustling the meeting was not
only hugely successful but the mem
bership OF No. 1866 was practically
doubled.
The planning for this glorious meet
ing has been going on for month,
and the entire membership gave the
committee the right kind of support.
The results show what may be accom-
plished by the right sort of hustling.
There was enough variety in the pro-
gram offered TO please all tastes. The
genial Doc Bixby was there with all
his radiating good nature. and read a
little poem of his own manufacture
which sang with the praises of the
men who WELD the hammer and saw.
lie also told few stories and made
some happy hits, and quilted the plat
form when he had the appetites Of his
auditors whetted up for more. Miss
Dullenty. whose father is live men,
Der of No. 1856, rendered piano solo,
Meditation" with musicianly grace
and finish and was warmly applauded.
A piano duet by Misses ..........
set the feet of the
assembly workers to tapping and
earned for the young ladies hearty
round of applause.
President Frank NJ. Coffey of the
State Federation of Labor was the
first speaker introduced by Chairman
Quick. Mr.. Coffey demonstrated that
unions have justified their existence
and declared that unions demanded nc
favors they were unwilling to concede,
that they demanded justice instead o!
begging favors The speaker was espe,
cially severe In his criticism of some
recent lnjunctions. and asserted that
the time is come when wage earners
must organize to protect themselves
against the aggressions of those who
would enslave them. Mr.. Coffey's ad'
dress was thoughtful and argumenta
tive and was listened to with deep in
terest
T. G. Kelsey spoke briefly, urging or
ganization and independence OF
thought and action.
Rev. Mr.. Zenor. pastor of the East
: Lincoln Christian church and fraternal
delegate from the Ministerial Associa
tion to the Central Labor Union. made
a big hit with the assembly. Rev. Mr.
Zenor frankly admits that up until g
year ago he was rather prejudiceG
against trades unionism. the prejudice
being born of ignorance. He begar
studying the question and associating
with union men for the purpose o.
learning things from their viewpoint
For year he has been n fraterna
delegate. and as a result of his stud,
and associations he Is today one o
IN ca al a
tenders of the principles of trade,
unionism in this section of the coun
try. When he stands up to speak t.
union men they sit straighter. TO
they know they are going to hea
something to their advantage. Th'
reverend gentleman was at his bes
last Monday evening. and as resul
he held the audience for twenty min
utes without losing their attention
once. and he was frequently applaud
I'd. Quick. sharp and ircisive, Rev
Mr.. Zenor's word carry weight. Th,
trades unionists OF this community re
alize that they have a splendid cham
pion In Rev. Mr.. Zenor, and they ar
taking advantage of his generosity an,
using him whenever possible.
Will NJ. Maupin. deputy labor com
missioner. related few anecdotes an,
read couple OF poems Of his owl
manufacture. preferring this to maxim,
any remarks on unionism. He sal,
there were number of better orator
present and he thought it would b
easier and more profitable to let ther
argue while he tried to entertain q iii
tie.
w. ID. Michler, general organizer q
the United Brotherhood of Carpenter
and Joiners, or Kansas City, was tn
last speaker. Mr.. Michler Is we
known in Lincoln union cjrclaa LII