The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1913-10-10
WORLD OF LABOR

Announcement has just been
made by the Secretary of the Unit
ed Mine Workers that the paid up
membership on August 81 was
40S, l5S, the largest number in the
history of the organization. In all
mining sections Of the United
States and Canada a vigorous and
aggressive campaign of organiza
ton is being carried on and large
sccessions are being made
At the Red Jacket Pa. furnace
of the Carnegie Steel Company and
the Atlantic furnace of the Repub-
lie lion aud Steel Company molten
iron burst through the base of a
stack at each, killing ore man and
iniuring another in each accident.
At the Atlantic furnace Samuel
Hanna was so burned by molten
metal that his body was scarcely
recognizable George Mitchell was
burned severely, but probably will
recover.
So deplorable were the sanitary
conditions found in the ten sweat
shops in Philadelphia by the repre-
sentatives of the State Department
of Labor that permits were sus-
pended until the shops were put in
healthful condition. No work will
be permitted IN any of these places
until the law is complied with
The reports of the department in
dicate that not more than 25 per
cent. are up to the standard re-
quired by laws of the State. A
vigorous campaign is now being
carried on to correct the evils
which have existed for years past.
Fifteen thousand painters and
paperhangers, members of the In
ternational Painters and Paper
hangers Union, who were on strike
in New York City for twelve days
have returned to work, the fight
having ended in a complete victory
for them. Practically all of the
demands of the union were conced-
ed by the employers at conference
between both sides. By the terms
of the agreement, which will ex
pire in the first week of September
! 1915, the workers win a forty-four
hour work week; strictly closed
shop; not less than $40 day for
painters, and 30 and 35 cents a roll
for paper hangers.
At the Illinois State Federation
of Labor Convention, which will
be held at Decatur, October IA TO
Is, fraternal delegates from the
surrounding States and also from
the Engineers, Firemen, Conduc-
tors, and Trainmen Brotherhoods
will be seated. This movement is
hoped to result in much good and
eventually TO bring into closer re-
lations the interest of the workers
represented, and that it will prob
ably result in other State bodies
following a similar course The
Decatur meeting will be the largest
in the history of the State Fedora
ton; 500 delegates are expected to
be present, which will make it a
record breaking meeting.
Officials of the Illinois United
Mine Workers have begun prepara-
tions to defend a unique charge
that would make the organization
liable tor damages TO an employer
against whom strike was called.
The bill of complaint has been re-
ceived Miners employed by the
Boyd Coal and Coke Company, of
St. Clair County, Illinois, were
called out last April. That COM
pany now sues for damages because
of the loss of business due to the
strike and for loss due to alleged
broken contracts with laborers.
The court is asked to enjoin the
officers of the mine workers from
further interference with the mine
or from inducing the men to remain
away from the mine.