The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1910-10-27
TALKING TO LABORERS
Former Iron Worker Discussing
Politics In This District.

i . i .
David Armstrong, of Cleveland,
Ohio. Is doing some effective cam.
paign work in this district. Mr.Arm.
strong is an old time iron worker, hav.
ing been employed as laborer in the
mills up to eight years ago, and his
discussion of the labor situation in
politics is given from actual expert.
ence and is therefore most effective.
He had a fine meeting at White City
last night, and will speak at Cricket
this evening,
In conversation with Herald man
in town today, Mr.. Armstrong was
asked concerning his connection with
the iron industry. Il worked at the
business for IS years." said Mr.. Arm
strong.
Then you would be in a position to
give a comparison of the wages paid
under democratic and republican ad.
ministrations." !Yentured the Herald
man.
Yes, replied Mr.. Armstrong. in
1892 every mill from Harrisburgh, Pa,
to Birmingham, Ala, was under the
jurisdiction of the Amalgamated AS.
ISOLATION Of Iron, Steel and Tin Work.
ers. at that time received $3.50 a
ton for making iron commonly called
puddling). The above wages were
paid up to July, 1898, the end of our
scale year. On August 8, 1893, Gro.
yer Cleveland called congress togeth.
er to revise the tariff, or in other
words to repeal the Mckinley law,
which was protectiv tariff law. II
was finally repealed and in August,
1894, that which was known as the
Wilson Bill, a revenue only or freq
trade bill, was put in It's place. Our
wager on that account kept going
down until in 1895 and 1896, to $500
"a ton, and short time, viz: two days
a week; while up to July /, 1893, we
worked every day. receiving $500"
Ed; What will a furnace average
per day?'
Mr.. A.: "A furnace will average
$500 turn, or for 9.15 minutes. I'm.
der the democratic revision of 1894,
at $500, would net $500 a day, for
myself and helper,-S3.15 for me and
$1.S5 for helper; $500 a week; $500
a month. Under the revision of 1897
by the republican party, our wages
kept going up until 1900 to 1915 and
$4,000; March /, 1909, $5.621a; and in
July, 1910, $6.121a." . VT:
rs Ed: Now what would be the diff.
ference, comparing wages in 1895, Tin
der democracy, and now under the
republican administration
Mr.. A.: We'll, as ! told you. $3.50
a month, which represented two days
wages; now full time and republican
we count two days at
$500 ton would net me $3.50 a
month and % days at $6.12k a ton.
would make me S106.60 a month. In
short comparing the wages paid in
1896 and 1910 for the same work,
there Is difference in favor of 1910
for me of $81.40 month. $2.65 per
ton above that paid In 1896, or So
per cent. But when percentage is
counted, don't forget $S1.40 besides"
Ed: What do you think OF the
present political 0utlook?"
/ Mr.. A.: 1T looks very good. find
the sentiment very much in favor OF
Mr. Kendall. He has proved himself
faithful servant Of the people, and
especially of the working people.
Working men that lived here in
1896 dread a free. trade administra-
tion, and we should all remember that
the tactics made In 1892 are the same
that are now being spread forth, and
the poison in 1892 will be as detri-
mental TO our nation in 1910 if we
should be foolish enough to take it,.
Democratic legislation of 1894 seems
to be discarded by it's supporters, as
not a word in speech or paper do we
find in reference to it. No looking
back with pride. Even the, para.
mount issue of 1860 cent dollar
is thing of the past. Even Imperial
ism is crowded out of the book; dis
carded all the old bugaboos, finding
fault, while the republican party goes
along in the even tenor of its way.
finding work for all, with the best
wages ever paid, more money in cir
eulation than, ever before, more work
than ever before, work for all, and,
thank God, not a soup house in the
land" .g .,.e.. g .,