United labor bulletin., 1912-04-11

the united states has in the commerce
| of the world.
The rules committee of the house has
decided to drop lis investigation of the
strike of the textile workers at Law
renee, Mass. The reason assigned is that
4, the strike is practically settled, and that
the bureau of labor has already made an
Investigation. The bureaus report has
not yet been made public.
The census bureau, in a statement
| just issued, says that the manufacturing
industries of the United States employed
as wage-earners 6,615.046 persons, or
about 1415 per cent of the total popula-
ton. The number of wage-earners has
increased 4O.4 per cent. since 1899.
News coming from Minnesota is to the
effect that trade unionists will demand
that the next state legislature adopt a
law restricting the hours of labor in the
state prison at saltwater to eight hours
per day.
Unions of painters, plumbers, machin-
lists and teamsters have recently been
organized at Petaluma, Cal.
A story comes from Chicago that
number of women are now preparing to
pass city examinations as chauffeurs,
and are to be employed by one OF the
largest taxi-cab companies in the city.
There seems to be desire by employers
in every line of business to supplant men
with women.
1t is reported 20 headquarters by the
local organizer at Lead, S. D., that the
movement in that city, which has been
torn asunder by the difficulties existing
between the miners and the operators,
. t. #n+r Il har hn
business men who have been fayorins
the unfair mining companies are begin
ming to realize that their interests are
being seriously affected by their attitude
toward union men, and il is predicted
that revival OF union interest is at
hand.
After a warm debate in the house the
bill fathered by Congressman Hughes OF
New Jersey, which imposes prohibitiye
tax on phosphorus matches in the United
States, passed by vote of 163 to 80.
A communication received at head
quarters from the Amalgamated Meat
Cutters and Butcher Workmen is to the
enect that the organization is gaining in
membership.
Printers at Springfield, Mass. have
obtained an increase in wages without
strike.
A strike is on against firm at Birk-
enhead, England, TO enforce demand
for a raise in wages of the engineers,
about 1000 men being affected.
Try Principe de Lees for good
smoke.
There is an active effort being made
to unite the various plumbers associa
tions in London. England.
Bradford. England, woolcombers have
been granted an increase in wages
Those earning ei week will get Is in
crease. and those under E1 will get Id.
About a year ago 1000 operatives struck
for the advance which has now come
into effect.
The Sheffield. England, railway work
ers have adopted resolutions demanding
that II the government legislates upon
a minimum wage the labor party shall
not support any measure which does not
guarantee a minimum wage for all
workers.
A bill providing for an eight-hour day
has been passed by the chamber Of dep
utfes OF France. This action, it is be
lieved will have the effect of forestall'
ing a general coal strike.
James f. Grimes, at one time mem
ber of the legislative committee of the
American Federation of Labor, and
widely known as an organizer ana
writer. is dead in Houston, Texas
Senator Watson of West Virginia has
introduced a joint resolution into the
senate providing for the appointment OF
n committee to investigate the diner
ences in the dispute between the coal
operators and coal miners, and to report
its findings. with recommendations, TO
congress.
The South Omaha high school debat
ing team won from the Fremont high
school recently, before an audience that
was engrossed with the question OF the
union shop VS. open shop, as discussed
by the contestants. Much abinty was
shown by both the affirmative and mega
tive sides, but the affirmative won, not
only by n preponderance of argument,
hut because Ii presented the subject in
its true economic light
As a sequel to the strike of London
taxi.cab drivers, who returned to work
ON ihe promise that their grievances
would be inquired into, the award has
lust been issued which proved that the
men were right in promulgating their
various demands.
Throughout the cities in Great Britain
where public utilities are owned and op
Grated by municipalities. there has been
a general agitation by the employees Tor
an increase in wages. Many cities have
increased the wages as result of this
agitation There is now serious impend-
ing trouble in Manchester.
There is great unrest in the Lanca-
shire, England. cotton mills, due to the
fact that trade has been booming and
wages have remained almost stationary,
with the cost of living steadily advanc-