The wageworker., 1910-01-29

" w 0SC GdI1lC1 ,
IN rranlk;n9ess \
ordinance that would prevent the I'M
fair competition of irresponsible huck-
sters. The matter has been discussed |
pro and con, and doubtless some good |
will result from the conference. But
the other day the editor of The Wage
worker dropped into a grocery store
operated by member of the associa-
tion and did little "prowling around"
This is what he found: Not cigar in
the case-and it was big case-made
in Lincoln. OF the liberal stock of
candy not an ounce made in Lincoln.
Three brands of -four are carried, not
one of which was ground in Lincoln.
A big stock of penitentiary-made
brooms, and not a broom made by free
labor. This grocer is asking the work
ers of Lincoln to protect him against
unfair competition, yet he is discrimin-
ating against the very men he is ap-
pealing to for help. What some men
sadly need is liberal injection of
"horse sense
Here is little protective tariff item
| for the wage earners to think about:
The wOolen industry is the highest
protected" industry in the country.
The average duty on woolens is more
than 80 per cent. New Jersey leads
in the manufacture of woolen goods.
The average wage of the operatives in
the New Jersey woolen mills is $393.13
year, or $33 month. The tariff is
levied ostensibly for the purpose OF
protecting American labor" The ma
jority of the woolen operatives is made
up of foreigners imported in violation
of the immigration laws. The highest
protected Industries notoriously pay
the lowest average rate of wages. The
highest paid workmen are those in in
dustries in no wise affected by the
tariff. Workers should quit being used
as catspaws to draw chestnuts from
the fire for the delectation of the tar
| iff barons.
When the Tailors' International
Union defeated John B. Lennon for
reelection they defeated the man who
has done most to build up their Or
ganization. Because of his activity he
aroused jealousy and enmity. Because
of his conservation he aroused the op-
position of those who would accom-
plish everything at once. Now comes
the report that Lennon is going TO de-
vote himself to the temperance pro-
paganda in the ranks of organized la
Dor, presumably working along the
lines laid down by Rev. Charles Stel.
has splendid field of effort before
Rim. Some Of us may differ on the
question of prohibition, but none of
us will differ on the question of tenn
perance. And if you want to receive
a surprise, just investigate th,. change
in sentiment on the liquor question in
the ranks of organized labor during
the last ten years.
Just now organized labor is engaged
in a hand-to-hand fight with the ar.
rogant steel trust The steel trust
. is protected" to the limit by our tar.
iff laws. Hundreds of thousands OF
workingmen who are gladly paying
Ion 10 Rrh tr.,e e4
, habitually vote millions of dollars a
, year into the steel trusts Golfers un
, der the mistaken idea that they are
voting to protect themselves. Fol
to fight the steel trust, million is
, poured in to steel trust Golfers by rea
son of the protective" tariff. Query:
How long will it take to "bust" the
steel trust at that rate?
There are now about 60 convicts al
J. work making shirts in the penitentiary
t They are not making them under the
|. recently signed contract They are
t making them for the state, the pris
s at actual cost Before the contractor
[ Is permitted to begin work he will
# have to sign supplemental cOntrac
n embodying some features insisted up
). on by Governor Shallenberger ant
O Warden Smith. This contract was no
Il made by Governor Shallenberger. l
4, was made by the board of public land
e and buildings, which is composed o
p four republicans and one democrat.
q Organized labor opposed this cor
n tract on principle Among those VIII
protested against garment making il