The copper era., 1911-09-15

mIniKzg districts of Belgium A new law has come into force reducing the working day to nine hours. but, in or der to protect the reducer against dangerous disturbance the mine own era are enabled to increase the pen alties against workingmen taking hoE- days without leave, ss is frequentiy tine ease with Belgian coIIiers, espe- csRlly during the potato crop season or during local popular festivities The mine owners having given notice Oi these new mine regulations, the men are eyinciDg the utmost dfscon- tent They gladly greet the reduction Of working hours, but will not hear of any time compensation for their en1- pIOyere. and threaten a general strike rather than abide. in this respect. with the new law. The Association of Mine Owners is urging the govern mept and parliament to use their in- - hnence with the colIiers and request their compliance with law con eefved fin their own interest; but it Is hardly expected that the miners will listen to any counsel, and a serious conflict between labor and capital is feared
 WasbingtDn-Amoug the various subjects discussed by the National Civic Federation none WAS felt 10 be more vital by thase representing the industrial interests of the country than that of mediation or compulsory arbitration of strikes. After much discussion President Low introduced 6 proposed amendment to the con sOftdated laws that in case of a dis pute involving 25 or more employees End in which one party is a corpora- ton, the governor of the state may refrain from sn inquiry and appoint . board of conclliatton to have all the powers of 6 board of arbitration This was referred to the executive council. The old officers were re- elected
 Rome. Italy.-The majority of rail way men in Italy, who are opposed to violence, decided to defer the threat ened strike, in order to give the gov eminent and parliament time to amend the bill granting them an annual in crease Of $4,0O0, 900. Objection to the measure is made on the grounds that the increase should be greater and proportioned differently. The govern msnt. however. Is not taking any chances and is furthering arrange ments to insure the railway service at any cost
 Washfngton.-Theref Is word from San Francisco that George A. Tracy of that city, first vice president of he International Typographical union. who suffered a stroke of apoplexy a few days ago. has returned to his du- ties on the San Francisco Call. and is steadily regaining his health. MT. Tracy was the democratic candidate in the fifth California district for the lower house of congress in 1908, and has wide circle of friends in labor walks here.
 St. Joseph, Mo.-The local union of the Amalgamatcd Association Of Street and Electric Railway Fm- ploYees has surrendered it's charter as . culmfnation of the trouble between the union carmen and street railway company several weeks ago, when a majority of the employees refused to go on strike ordered by a national association organizer. This probably will result in the selection of another city in which to hold the international convention of the association next September.
 Ottawa, Canada.-AntiIabOr legisla- ton by the present Canadian pariiR- naent Is feared by the organized work CTS. according to an editorial in the Typographical Journal, the official publication of the International Typo graphical Union. According to the editorial. one of the most radical of the measures proposed would make 1t Illegal for the employees of public utilities industries to go on strike, snd would also prohibit lockouts
 Columbus, O.-FTancis C. Feehan, president of District No. B. Pittsburg, Pa. whose. seat in the convention of he United Mine Workers of America was contested by Thomas Caput of the same district. was seated in the national convention on the recommen- 1ation of the credentials committee and by a unanimous vote of the con gention.
 Minneapolis. Minn.-Wilham E. Mo Ewen. labor commissioner of the state 1f Minnesota. will visit the northern part of that state as a representative of the American Federation of Labor and inaugurate plan which will in- volve the bringing into the fold of or ganized labor the migratory workers in that section a rne state. A simi- ar campaign is mapped out for other states.
 London. Eng.+The last report of she Amalgamated Society of Engineers & Great Britain states that the mem bership is now 110.043, as compared with los, ,SS1 in October The general fund now stands at S8eO, 1850, as com pared with $s65, ,22O at the end of June, the approximation reserve fund also showing a marked increase
 Boston.-The Arkwright club, an or Tanization of the treasurers of cotton