Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-03-20

These things are responsible for
the miserable wages and working con-
ditions in the country and in house
hold service, and lis one of the rea-
sons why more and more persons
leave the land and domestic service
to earn their bread in industrial cen
tres. From 1895 to 1907 the number
of agricultural workers decreased
from 2,356,440 to 1,975,345, and house
hold servants from 1,313,957 to L.
249, 1888.
This state of affairs creates dan
ger for the workers in industrial cen
tres, as these deserters from the land
and domestic service increase the
army of unemployed and have bad
effect upon conditions of labor. They
are not accustomed to set themselves
against the efforts of employers to
shape conditions to their own advan-
tage, nor are they used to demanding
the slightest improvements. Domestic
servants, also, who go to industrial
| works, make for cheaper and more
willing labor. From the nature of their
payment their idea of the value of
money is different from that of the
/ workers who have to pay everything,
house rent and provisions, out of their
wages.
All attempts to introduce favorable
legislation on behalf of these workers
has been futile, proof positive that
I the worker must rely upon himself
alone for improvement in the condi-
tons in which he lives. Workers I'M
der unfavorable laws find it not easy
to help themselves, therefore the
trades unions have decided to support
them in the work of organization. The
members of free trades organizations
are lending the Unions of Domestic
Servants and Agricultural Workers
moral and material assistance. 1t has
been proved that ideas of solidarity
are at work in these groups and that
in spite of all difficulties the organi-
cation exercises a great influence in
regard to the conditions of labor. Cen
trail unions for both groups were de-
cided upon by a trades unions con-
gress and arrangements were made
for instituting them.
The Union of Domestic Servants
came into existence on April 1, 1909.
In several towns there were already
district unions of domestics which
joined the union. At the end of the
year 1911 there were 5,751 members
in SO district groups.
The greatest achievement OF the
union was the granting of legal pro-
lection to members. BY the interven-
ton of the union officials and appeal
to the judges it has been possible to
obtain other testimonials for servants
and, also, employers have been COM
PEELED to deliver up belongings of
maids and to pay wages which have
been Withheld. The union has also at
tempted, by instituting inquiry Off
ces, labor bureaus, and meeting
rooms, to draw its members away
| from their employment agencies, and
to- give them the opportunity to turn
their little free time to account in
the useful society of colleagues.
Where it is possible to establish la
Dor bureaus, or to influence the ex-
listing common agencies, wages and
conditions can also be affected. This
has already happened in many in
stances. By concluding private agree
ments it is hoped bit by bit to break
down the provisions of the domestic"
laws. Relative to this the union has
repeatedly petitioned town and state
bodies in order to obtain advantages
for members.
Material advantages granted by the
union for a monthly contribution of
| Sd. are legal protection. sick benefit
land trade journal.
Naturally, the efficacy of the union
lis not such as that Of other organiza-
ltions. Once denial Of the right Of COM
lbination shot the bolt on the 0rgani-