davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
THE TARIFF A TAX ON WAGES.

If a poll tax of So, 46 per annum should be d.
rectly levied every man, woman and child in the
United States would it not be unlawful burden
on the wage earning populationY The average an
nual income of American wage earners is less than
$780, The average family consists of five persons.
tax Of $3.46 per capita means SIT 80 tax the
family of a man getting less than 5000. That is
equivalent to an income tax Of about per cent.
Many wage workers get much less than the aver
age and many of these charged with the support
of larger families than the average In the pro-
tected wooden mills of Lawrence Massachusetts, for
instance, Of these with large families are
getting from but $500 to 5000 week. Cases are
by means rare where per capita tax of So 46
means as much as $500 or $4,000 per annum on a
getting but 5000 or $500 year. That is
equivalent to income wage tax OF from 9 per
cent. to 13 per cent. At the same time a millionaire
with no family would pay but $346 year.
Now may say that such tax is contem-
plated would be tolerated if levied. AS far as
levying it openly and directly that is true enough
But the fact that federal revenues are raised by
such tax levied indirectly and under cover is ad-
mtted by less authority than the Republican Ma
tional Committee.
In statement published as an advertisement in
one or more magazines the Committee declares that
the tariff increases the cost of living to each ind
vidual "only' So 46 year. That it is the same as
poll tax of "only'' 1916 year. The Committee
actually asks the wage workers to believe that a
tax of per cent. to 13 per cent their wages is
good thing for them and sure to make them pros
porous
1t would be bad enough if the Committee's esti-
mate of the cost of the tariff was the whole truth
But unfortunately it is not. 1t figures the amount
of duties that go into the public treasury as the
whole cost of the tariff when it is in fact but very
small part The tariff enables trusts to form and to
initiate prices Of domestic goods. In the increased
price of these goods it is levyng tax the wages
of labor that is many times greater than the 49,
head that goes into the public treasury. Then the
tariff is not the only tax that has such an effect.
All indirect taxes work the same way
Because this tax is hidden it is tolerated and
even encouraged But the robbery has reached
such awful proportions that the people begin
ming to suspect the true nature of the operation.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
"A DURABLE DISEASE"

The Thomas A. Edison Company has just released
for production in motion picture theaters through
out the United States film entitled "a Durable
Disease The prominent feature Of the picture
is taken from scenes at the Union Printers Home,
at Colorado Springs, Colo. It is strong dramatic
story, and deals with the <white plague showing
the conditions that arise in the life of young
linotype machine operator who contracts tubercu-
losis while working New York daily.
AS IN nearly all films of this character, there is
woven through it love story. The principal figure
is depicted as showing his deep, affection for a
young girl and eventually his engagement and pre-
paration for marriage.
All goes we'll until within few DAYS Of the
wedding, when the machine operator hears from the
doctor that he has become a victim of the dread
disease.
With the admontion of his medical adviser that
he should not marry until cured he takes advantage
OF the opportunity, which the International Typo
mediatey seeking entrance into the Union Printers
Home at Colorado Springs.
The film then portrays all of the interesting
points in connection with the home 'Ewhose bounty
is unpurchasable.''
The American Federation of Labor has lust been
notified in advance of the contemplated distribution
OF the flm Local organizations of labor desiring to
have this film displayed should consult the mana
gers OF moving picture theaters and inform them
of the existence Of this film and the company which
is in possession of it.
picture of this kind cannot but help to ma
terially assist in informing the general public of
the great work which is being done by the trade
unions, and which, to very large extent, is un-
known to but very few outside of the trade unions
themselves.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
GOOD ROADS COMMITTEE.

NORTHERN Minnesota is especial
~ " interested in the good roads
amendment, No. ! on the ballot, per-
hitting the legislature TO levy not
more than one mill for the state road
fund. - t#," VI ~ -
The constitution now authorizes a
state road tax Of not more than one
fourth OF mill, which gives fund
Of 100000 a year. II the Dunn
amendment Is adopted, the tax may
be any amount up to one mill, or
$1,20o,000 q year on the present valu-
alton. E.E 5 a....
The Northern Minnesota Develop
ment association has endorsed the
amendment and q great many Of the
commercial organizations have advo-
Gated It. 1ss If AN ", 81 ;El$
st. Louis county. is one Of three
counties in the state that Will pay
into the treasury more than 1t: takes
out: nevertheless. the representatives
from st. Louis county organizations In
the county are on record ii ito favor.
The evelopment of northern Mime
sofa hich VIII b. forwarded by the
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
WHAT PROTECTION COSTS.

GOVERNMENT reports show i'm
~ ports Of meat and dairy products
for the year ending June 80, 1911. to
nave amounted to something more
than thirteen millions in value. Now
the Republican National Committee
announces through Chairman TIilles
and Secretary Reynolds that the du-
ties collected on these imports at the
custom house were all that the tariff
on meats cost American consumers.
Without taking into consideration
commissions to custom house brokers
and profits on duties, the tariff on
meats cost consumers far more than
the comparatively small amount paid
at the custom house. The amount Of
the duty is not only added to the
price of imported meats but causes an
increase In the price Of the domestic
article also. The extent to which this
occurs in the case of meats is shown
by the fact that American sirloin sold
in the London market for 10 cents at
the same time that it sold for % cents
in New York.
According to the census the pro-
duct of the American meat packing
AAAooNAy 4OI Low was OttI 1,CVV mill
lions in value or about ono hundred
times the value Of meat importations
for the year ending June 80, 1911
Some of this was exported, but the
greater part was consumed in this
country and on all that was consumed
here the American people paid a tax
to the Beef Trust that would not have
been imposed or collected but for the
tariff on imported meats. The amount
of this tax to private corporations can
not be accurately figured, but it is GER
ta1nly many times more than the
amount of duties on meats collected
at the custom house. 1t is probably
as much as the earning power of
American consumers will permit.
What consumers pay in exorbitant
prices for American meats while enor-
nous, is but small part of what
protection costs the American people.
A similar showing can be made with
other protected commodities.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
BOOSTS AND SLAMS y
=. b. ON CURRENT EVENTS
GETTING READY FOR TT.

DARCELs POST will soon be an
L actually in this country; Under
the law as passed by the last session
OF congress this boon to the people is
to be effective on Jan. I, and the post
Office department is working nightly
to get the machinery for it into work.
Ing shape. ,:s~, NJ.
r. There Is a great deal to be done to
get this machinery into condition to
start country wide parcels service
on a given day. It means a great deal
OF extra service for the department,
more room for the handling Of the
packages, more transportation facili-
ties. the solution of collection and de-
livery questions, the formulating and
carrying out Of regulations for the
the great business it is expected will
be created.
But that department is not the only
one interested. Farmers are flooding
the postoffices with questions. They
are preparing to deal directly with
consumers, and in some sections are
already organizing trade routes to
which they plan to send postal mar
ket baskets" is baskets of mixed
farm and garden supplies to custom.
ers in town over the postal route. BY
means of this direct selling they ex-
pect to better their own condition
and reduce the cost Of supplies to
the city folks.
Then, too, the country store keep
ers who for SO long have fought this
service, are taking an interest. They
believe the zone system Of rates will
not aid the big mail order houses, but
will aid them and, extend their areas
Of activity.
1t was believed by many advocates
Of the postal service that the move
ment would be largely from the cities.
Close students, however, believed that
the movement Of package mail city,
ward would soon become as strong
as the movement the other way, and
this interest being taken by the farm
ers shows they were right.
The country has begged for this
service for generation. In II weeks
it will have it.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
THE WoRKINGMAN's WIFE,

Amid the hurly -burlY of labor troubles and the
fluctuations of the trusts, the world has little
time to recognize the merit of those gentle souls
who are making the world better in the humble
walks of life. = .@~.-
Among these the workingman's wife exerts an
influence tor good that is more far-reaching than
that OF presidents and kings and legislators
captains of industry and philanthropc millionares
In her keeping the characters of the future
citizens and the wives of the future citizens of the
country.
From busy morn till weary night she looks after
the comfort of the if she has
half chance-and with anxious care she strives
to shield her sons and daughters from evil infu-
ences and perfect them in the ways of decent and
honorable manhood and womanhood.
She has little time to worry about facial wrinkles
and the arrival Of the first gray hair. The vanity
OF woman becomes in her sef-sacri6cing pride in
the moral and mental growth of her children
II she ever does wrong loses control of her
temper or has dash Of vinegar in her speech and
actions, the chances are that the neglect of her
helpmate is to blame But even when she is soured
OF illusage and the cares of poverty, beneath the
surface the current of womanly emotion still runs
pure and deep and strong.
. In time the hard conditions Of life NAV cause
her to shrink from disclosing the little vanties
which soften the radiant charm of womanhood as
the downs softens the blush of the peach Yet a
kind act the merest trhing bit of praise may lure
them forth again to give the lie to the wrinkles on
the brow, the bitter word and the world-wearv
look.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

road campaign is worth all it may
cost st. Louis county tax payers.
Take the case, Of q man who IL
paying taxes on valuation Of $4,000.
II the amendment carries and the
legislature levies the full one mill
tax, his contribution to the fund will
be 50 a year. Is 81 q year too much
Tor any man to pay who has any stake
In the county and state, for the
sake Of development? Is there a man
In business, a. property owner any.
where, who would hesitate to sub
scribe that much to q volunteer fund?
But here you have the nonresident
property owner and every other pay
ing their shares in proportion. The
steel corporation and other mining
interests Will be paying 100000 a
year against your one or two dollars;
and they are willing to do it.
Why collect this money through
the state and pay it back to the coun-
ties? Because We get better roads
that way than by county action alone.
Because under the Elwell law we can
combine state and county funds with
local assessments and make the
money go twice as far as by county
action alone. Because under this plan
the work may be done now and paid
OH In 1nstallments in ten years.
If this amendment is adopted, the
several counties of Minnesota may lay
out complete plans for county road
systems and carry them into effect at
once. It will be possible for every
county in northern Minnesota to equip
itself within five years with all the
main roads it will ever need. In fif-
teen years at the outside the first cost
may be paid and written off for all
time, leaving for the future only the
maintenance charge. That will cover,
If the work is judiciously planned, all
the main roads in every county that
it will ever need.
The legislature at each session will
decide whether to raise the full
amount allowed by the constitution.
This amendment will permit the legis-
lature to raise as much as necessary
up to one mill. If it is adopted Min
nesota can get itself at once what
it needs for than anything else, a
complete outfit of good roads.
Vote for amendment No. / at the
general election.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
SLAVERY AND 200 PER CENT. PROFIT

The United Cigar Stores Company has declared
dividend Of 200 per cent for the fiscal year. Along
with this there is surplus which will be given the
stockholders in the shape Of bonus.
In financial circles this record of the United
Cigar Stores Company is received with acclaim and
a great deal Of pleasure.
It that the trust-busting ability of the
United States government is quite harmless as
the fly upon the sheet of sticky fly paper.
However, there is phase of this 200 per cent
dividend which does not appeal with startling force
to the toilers in the trust cigar and tobacco fac
tories.
The many thousands of women and children and
few men have consolation in the prosperity Of
the trust. They have been receiving starvation
wages; in fact, SMALL it is said, that if it were
not for kind neighbors and the assistance by NUM-
clpal governments many Of them would go to the
potters' field when death claimed them.
Along with declaring this dividend of 200 per
cent. the United Cigar Stores Company should issue
a picture OF the homes, novels, in which some of
its employees compelled to live; they should also
issue coupon picture of the and children as
they are at their labor and they leave their en-
ployment; they might also issue picture Of how it
pays to be "dssolved" by trust-busters In fact,
many interesting pictures should be issued and
would form very interesting and entertaining COL
lection for anyone interested in the amelioration of
working conditions of poor and helpless humanity
Every time one purchases an article from one
OF those stores he assists in driving a nail in the
coffin OF some poor consumptive child slave
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
BLIND LEADERS OF THE BLIND

TN public statement the Republic
i can National Committee discussed
the high cost Of living. One of it's
statements is as follows:
There is no more rich free
land to be given away to new far
mers and settlers. The great cat
tie ranges of the West were prac,
tically abolished by the policies Of
administrations before Mr.. Taft
entered the White House. And
millions of acres of grazing land
are lying idle; the cattle are
gone"
The Labor: World has long called
attention to this same fact. But In
doing 80 we have done what the Re-
publican National Committee wants to
avoid. We have pointed out the logi-
cal remedy.
Why not open up these millions of
acres Of idle grazing lands? Even IL
previous administrations are to blame
for closing them, that does not excuse
the existing administration for MAX
ing no effort to open them. Who is
holding these acres idle? Is it the
government or private owners? II
the government, then whose duty is
1t but that Of the administration to
see that the lands are opened? II pri-
vate owners are holding the lands,
then who but those in charge OF the
government are to blame for clinging
to a policy that encourages the with
holding of land from use?
"There Is no more rich free land
to be given away walls the National
Committee, But does It not know that
there are millions Of acres OF rich
lands being held out Of use by pri-
vate owners that might be opened to
new farmers and settlers? Or does the
Committee hold that the people should
silently endure the evils Of high prices
and scarcity, rather than break the
grip OF monopoly? The census shows
that only IS per cent OF farm lands
are in use. In the cities and mining
districts large areas Of valuable lands
are also withheld from use. An ad-
ministration. sincerely DESTROYS OF end
ing that evil could do much to have
the single tax applied IN the territor-
lies ana the District Of Columbia. and
thus force the holders Of vacant lands
In these places to let hem be proper
Inv used. That would furnish an object
tslesson Tor the state governments that
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
SENATOR HEPBURN,

II HE death Of Senator Hepburn of
l. Idaho removes from the upper
house Of congress a Tory Of Tories.
Ordinarily the senator was a very
pleasant man to meet. He was urbane
and genial. But it may be said in
truth, and we say it without any in
tentton Of disparaging him, that the
dead senator was just about as reac-
tionary in spirit as it is possible for a
man to be. OF all the senate none
was more fixed and Interchangeable in
thought and sentiment than he, none
could, nor did present q more agrees
sive or more unalterable front to the
things which, because of new condi-
lions, are essential to progress. Able
he was, and suaye he could be, but
live in the present and look to the
future he couldsnot ,,:. ..,>
It was the past In which he lived
and it was the. past for which he
fought. It is characteristic of him
that he made the last ''bloody shirt"
speech heard on the floor Of congress
and this was not many months ago
at that. He was one Of the stanchest
members of the Old Guard at Wash
ington-the organization which AID
rich and Cannon commanded for
many years. The intensity of his con-
servatism is demonstrated by the fact
that the very few times that he did
not march shoulder to shoulder with
the other members Of the old guard
were when it seemed to be inclined to
yield a bit to the spirit Of modernity.
His last public act, it is interesting to
note, was an attempted filibuster
against the resolution for a sweeping
investigation of the sources of cam
paign contributions.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
IGNORANCE OR TRICKERY?

In figuring the total cost Of protection to be but
the amount paid at the custom house Mr. Hilles
and the Republican National Committee were either
of the absurdity of their logic or they were
not If aware then they clearly guilty of a
deliberate and barefaced attempt to deceive the
voters. If not aware then they display an amazing
lack of knowledge. In either case a party with
such persons at its head authorized to explain it's
position public questions is unworthy of conf
dence.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

One of the mistakes prior to the Inauguration of
strike, is to underestimate the strength and nan,
cial of the employers; to brag and boast
about the strength and finances which have no foun-
dalton in fact to utter threats calculated to destroy
the industry in which the rank and file are en-
ployed A dignifed stand free from buster and
loud talk, with view to gaining public sympathy,
potent forces for the speedy settlement Of in
dustrial disputes. $500 IN >:,> "'G%>
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

The growth of the trades union movement is to
some extent periodical; it expands by leaps and
bounds during favorable trade conditions and the
revival of industry after periods of financial panic
and business depression. Plenty Of jobs in view
create courage and independence; the bonds of
sympathy and hope WIDEN eliminating narrow sell
Gshness and pessimism. These are some of the
natural which pave the way for organizations
and unity. :..., r..
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
PRICE OF COAL RAISED.

POTTsvILLE, Pa, Oct. pa
number Of anthracite coal operators
in this section have made a, big raise
In the price Of coal, advancing pea
and chestnut coal IS cents ton. At
this rate chestnut coal at the mines
is now more than IS a ton.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
AN OVERSIGHT.

"Busting'' the tobacco trust, we are told bv the
Chicago Tribune, which has concluded thorough
investigation of the tobacco industry is farce
The consumer is paying much for tobacco as
ever wages have not been raised and no one is any
better off than before the trust was dissolved
The Tribune we fear, has overlooked one i'm
portant feature Of the trust s 'busting'' The con-
sumner may be no better off than he was before COM
petition was restored, but the opportunity is now
open for any citizen who is frugal and industrious.
to become trust magnate by working up' in the
tobacco industry
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

The competition Of the wage Garner receiving low
pay and working long hours is constant menace
to the progress and welfare of the trades unonist
employed under fair conditions and reasonable
hours of labor. Cut-throat competition cannot be
eliminated without organization of the men and
women working long hours at starvation wages
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

straight ahead. The battle-scarred trade union
movement leads straight to a better social and in
dustrial state in which pure, unadulterated human
justice and freedom from petty tyrants and inius-
tice will prevail. &H#, #
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

Cheap labor creates palaces and poorhouses, mil
ionaires and paupers, and destroys manhood and
womanhood, and self-respect and retards civiiza-
ton 1t grnds the bones and flesh of little children
into blood-stained money Trades unions seek to
and do more evenly distribute the fruits received
from the product Of labor 5s ss4GI
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

/ From the feudal ages, through slavery, the
workers struggling under the heavy load 81 brutal
lied opposition Eof the entrenched privileged few,
have learned the priceless lesson or
solidarity and united trade union activity
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

would result in inducing them all to
adopt the same policy. But President
Taft is a. bitter opponent of the single
tax, and consequently a staunch up
holder of land monopoly. To the ex-
tent of his power he is helping to
keep the land out of use and willing
workers unemployed.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26

The diamond is the hardest sub
stance known: also the hardest to get,
he will admit it.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-10-26
AN INSANE BRNKLAYER

A bricklayer, named Sam Kennedy,
was charged, under the Vagrancy Act,
with having no fixed place of abode.
Magistrate-"What age are you,
Sam?"
Prisoner-"Fifty-two yer honor"
Magistrate-"You are bricklayer
by trade?'
Prisoner-"Yes, yer honor
Magistrate long were you
employed at your trade?'
Extraordinarily forty years, yer
honor"
Magistrate-"You must have built
a large number of houses during that
time?''
Prisoner-"Yes. hundreds, yer
honor"
Magistrate-"How many houses do
you own?"
Prisoner-"I. don't own any, yer
honor
Magistrate-"But you've already
admitted you have built hundreds of
houses?"
Prisoner-"Yes, yer honor, for 9TH
er people"
Magistrate-"You don't mean to
tell me you have built hundreds of
houses for others and have not one
for your own use?"
Prisoner-"Yes, sir"
Magistrate (aside)-'This is clearly
a case for lunatic asylum. This man
should have been sent there forty
years ago."-Glasgow Forwards.