The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-11-12

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buildings in those cities in process %
construction are now at a standstill.
Demands Of Employers.
The employers who have forced the
lockout have made the following de.
mands upon the unions: First. that
unions recognize the employers agen.
cies, where records are kept of each
and every workman, similar in opera
ton to the scheme inaugurated by the
mine owners of Colorado. following
the industrial war in that state; sec
ond, that labor should work the ten
| hour day, the unions wanting the
nine-hour workday; third, the abol-
ition of propaganda literature on the
jobs at any time; fourth no agitation
by the unions against piece work; and
the fifth is a minimum wage to the
capable men, with lower classifca-
ton for others.
Mistake of Manufacturers.
From this 1t can readily be seen
that the struggle of the working class
es is about the same the world over.
However, it seems to me the manu-
facturers were unwise in one respect
They have been working for FIVE years
to have all trade agreements expire
at the same time. In America the
employees would have done lust the re-
verse to prevent a sympathetic strike
Labor was loaded for the lockout. and
a good reserve fund has been created.
All of the building tradesmen who
are working in Berlin and Hamburg
are contributing one mark a day from
their wages. All of the paid trade
union officials in the unions involved
in the lockout contribute one-h half of
their salaries. There are about thirty
Of these in Berlin alone.
Best Paid Mechanics.
The tile roofers are the best paid
building mechanics. They receive
wage Of about S210 per day. Brick
layers and carpenters come next with
a wage of $1.S7 per day. The average
wage of building mechanics is about
$500 per year.
Woodworkers Not Out but HeIpinu
The woodworkers OF the country
are not yet involved in the strike.
Each of them Is contributing literally
from his wages. The Leipzig local is
1000 marks week. The
employers have agents securing
Europe for strike breakers, and large
are expected daily, but this
does not seem to discourage the men
on strike.
Unions of UnskilIed Wcrkmsn Stronu.
The German unions are exception
ally strong among the unskilled /
branches of labor. In this we are |
weak in America Of course we have
a large number of nationalities to /
deal with, while in Germany they are
Ill of one people who think, act and
work alike.
Wages Regulated by Law.
According to an ordinance passed /
by the Berlin city council, the wages /
for common labor amount to three
marks and so pfennigs day. This Is
equal approximately to 81 cents IN /
american money. The wages prevt /
BUS to April, 1910. were Q marks and |
20 pfennigs. or less than 70 cents a
lay.
Preventable Accidents Reduced.
Germany has made great progress
n decreasing the number of prevent.
able accidents. Just outside of Ber-
In the government has established
md Is maintaining a museum of safe
.y and sanitation, where there ID ON
exhibition every worthy device for the |.
saving Of human lives in workshops
Ind factories. All safeguards are
painted red. 1t is said that this
LANCER sign has marvellous effect I.
warming workmen of the danger about
'og wheels, pulleys and saws.
Belt shutters are of the most mod
I'm kind. and II is surprising how
Iuickly piece Of machinery can be
topped In an emergency. Everything
done to render It unnecessary for
. workman to get his hand caught in
he machinery.
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