Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-09

formed by the union employees lnolVlo-
ually?
Labor unions have long since been
recognized by the courts OF this coun-
try as a legitimate part Of the indus
trial system Of this nation. The ulti-
mate purpose Of such organizations
is, through combination, to advance
the interests of the members by OBJ
tanning for them adequate compensa-
ton for their labor, and it has been
frequently decided by the American
courts that the fact that this purpose
is sought TO be obtained through com
bination or concerted action Of en-
ployes does not render the means I'M
lawful"
a member of the Amalgamated AS
sociation OF Street and Electric Rail-
way Employees of America named
Harry VI. Kemp, together with a few
others, declined to pay dues and re
signed from the Amalgamated. The
union held meeting and very proper
ly objected, demanding that the men
employment with a street railroad
which did not employ members of the
union. The "seceders" prayed the
courts for an injunction restraining
them from any action which would
mean the loss of their jobs. The lower
court refused the injunction, but the
appellate court granted it. Appeal
was then taken to the state supreme
court by the Amalgamated.
The American Federation of Labor,
I the Amalgamated Association, and the
entire trade union movement threw
/ their undivided support to Division
24l of Chicago, who were conducting
the fight The Illinois State Fedora.
ton of Labor was appealed to tor as
sistance and letters were addressed
/ 70 every trade union in the state from
/ this office. The matter has also been
the subject of many addresses by our
officers and personal letters from this
Office. A consistent campaign was
waged during the whole difficulty. The
decision is victory for all the union
men OF the state and is one OF the
results of our active publicity cam
paign.
Some years ago a law restricting
the hours of employment for women
was placed on our statute books. The
supreme court at the time declared
the law unconstitutional. Three wears
ago we reenacted the law. The court
held the new statute good law. Al
the last session of the legislature the
law was broadened and made to in
clude hotel and other employees. The
measure passed the last night of the
session of the legislature, after all the
trade union representatives had lef
the capitol except the representative.
of the WOmen's Trade Union league
the miners. and the state federation
but We got the law. Now the suprem,
court says the amended and strength
ened law is constitutional
The supreme court said, in uphold
ing this law:
There is no doubt working Ion,
hours day after day under the pressur,
usually attending the labor of An en-
ploye who is subject TO the control
direction, and dismissal of the employ
er, has a tendency 10 weaken an,
impair the health OF women that woulC
not attend shorter hours of employ
ment. The health and vel
fare OF posterfty are as much object
OF public soncitude as those OF tn,
present generation. II the enforce
ment Of this law tends to preserv
the health. strength and vigor OF WON
en- engaged in working in hotels, there
oy conserving the vitality necessar,
10 the proper discharge of their ma
ternal functions, the rearing and edu
eating Of children and the mainte
nance OF the home. its relation TO tn
public health. safety and welfare /
evident"
Another law that organized labo
asked for-a measure licensing chaut
feurs on public automobiles-is ais
upheld.
1t is worth reminding you that tn
court said in UNFOLDING the safet
law:
The duty OF the master has bee
changed. He may no longer conduc
his business in his own way He ma
no longer use such machinery an
appliances as he chooses. The meal
ure OF his duty is no longer REASONABLE
care 10 furnish a safe place and SAT
machinery and tools. but in addition I
such reasonable care he must use /
his business the means and method
! required by the state. The law doe
not leave TO his judgment the reason
ableness OF enclosing or protectin
dangerous machinery, or permit hil
TO expose 70 Increased and unlawfl
dangers such OF his employees as ma
be driven by force OF circumstances I
continue in his employ rather tina
y lEaua q. and .al-n nka-o.- - -