The San Francisco call., 1910-03-19

effect:
Great. activity is being mani
tested in every direction in the
work of organizing, and 1t is par
tlcularly gratifying to notice that
II is most active in localities where
the need of organization is great
est 1t is not confined to any one
class of labor, but seems to per
meate the whole labor world,
showing an activity greater than
has been noticed for many years
past.
The severe lesson taught by the
recent panic and the consequent
depression that accompanied 1t is
measure for the awakening of the
workers in their activity in the
only direction where they can help
themselves. Men employed in the
production of machinery, and in all
the trades connected Herewith are
particularly active, and because of
this our organization is increasing
in numerical strength in a very
the more pleasing because this is
taking place in many instances
where We could never get foot
hold before and when it meant IN
slant dismissal to the workman
who dared to identify himself with
the trades union movement.
That, for instance, was the con-
dition that existed in South Beth
place last month, which resulted In
almost the complete unionization
of all the workmen of all the
trades, in all the departments and
shops of the Bethlehem steel cor
.poration in that city.
Prior to the strike, organization
in any form was not tolerated by
the management, and whenever
TO organize it was Immediately
checked and stopped by the most
drastic means imaginable. That
organization was necessary was
conditions under which the men
were employed, for long hours and
low wages We're the rule, with
straight time for all overtime and
work done Sundays and holidays.
Work was kept up at high pres
sure and overtime was compulsory.
No excuses We're accepted or per-
mission granted when men wished
to. stop work, when they were worn
out; they were brutally told to
continue or be discharged. This
could only result as it did and the
men, goaded into rebellion, threw
down their tools and walked out.
As they were unorganiZed their
action was spontaneous manifes-
tation of their disapproyal of work
ing conditions which had become
unbearable and which they de-
clined longer to tolerate.
For years the concern in South
Bethlehem has been held up as a
beautiful example of how cheaply
work could be done when compared
with what similar work costs when
performed in shops owned by the
government. Every time that any
activity has been shown by the
working class representatives to
have the eight hour law extended
so that all firms accepting govern
ment contracts would come under
its provisions the South Bethlehem
company has always done every
thing in its power to check it and
use its influence TO prevent the
extension of the law. What has
developed in Bethlehem ought TO
have an Illuminating effect upon
the statesmen who have the mat
ter in charge at present, but it is
very doubtful If it will. as they
always seem to be more easily in
fuenced by powerful corporations
than they are by the desire of their
constituents. In the meantime or
ganization is being perfected where
it was heretofore forbidden, and
from now on the machinists and
other workmen employed in the big
shops in Bethlehem will work and
agitate for the wages, hours and
working conditions that are en-
Joyed by the workmen employed
by Uncle Sam in his navy yards
and arsenals.
The local unions are soon TO bt
called upon to take action in the di.
-ection of assisting the farmers unions
Of the state to rid the farms and or.
chards of Japanese help. How this
IAN be done will be a subject for dis.
,ussion. The reason that the farmers
nave employed Japanese on the farms
s due to the nonorganizati ton of casua
abor in the state. Some time ago
member of the farmers union OF
Fresno in addressing the central labor
body of this city, said: 1.-The farmers
and orchardists are forced to employ
such help as it is possible for them Il
secure, for the crop must be gathered
With such help as can be obtained, anC
Japanese must be hired. A farmer whc
wants white help applies for such, ant
4 he needs so men he may secure hal
4 dozen. If he goes to japanese
agent and says that he wants that
number Of men he has them inside O.
36 hours"
1t is probable that an effort will b.
made to enlist the union in the line o.
listing out of work men at some cen.
trail point so that when the farmer.
and fruit raisers want white help the,
will know where to send an order
This, it is thought, will eliminate the
Japanese from the farms and orchards
The anti-Japanese laundry league ha.
adopted a new method to reach patron,
IF Japanese laundries, and, from result,
obtained in the last 10 days, it is ex-
oected that many who are now sendins
their washing to oriental laundries
will make a change.
The league has given a contract .fol
100 nine sheet posters. which will bt
put up on the dead walls in different
parts of the city to draw attention te
he inroads the Japanese are makine
on the trades and the laundry industr,
n particular.
The law and legislative COMMITTEES
IF the league has been furnished 2
copy of the amended Hayes immirra
ion bill intended to keep out the IN.
desirable from other countries. The
committee will present a report on this
1t the next meeting.
BARRIERS union, local No. 14s in.
ENDS to secure several small donkeys
Ind place them in front of seyeral
barber shops that have been declared
Infair to the union and have upon the
back of each animal a cloth drawing
he attention of passersby to the fact
hat the shops are unfair to the union
and that they keep open during certain
hours in contravention of the union
The animals will be on
iuty Saturdays and Sundays
The cooks helpers union, local No
10, is still quietly engaged in CARRYING
IN the war against Asiatic employees
T. A.