The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-06
LABOR NOTES OF
WIDE INTEREST

Testimony was brought out before the
state factory commission recently that
women have been employed at night
work in the textile mills as an expert
ment.n These women are employed IN
winding the immense spools. There are
approximately $500 women employed at
night in Utica factories, and they re-
ceive from So to $40 per week. They are
Obliged to report at o'clock at night
and work until o'clock in the morning,
with one hour OIL for midnight meal.
1t also developed that there is not
single fire proof factory in Utica, yet
representatives. of the factories are OPP
posed to the contemplated legislation
which provides for adequate fire escapes
and fire proofing in buildings where large
numbers are employed. The commission
is securing valuable data and remedial
legislation will undoubtedly follow at
the meeting of the New York state leg
islature, which will convene next month
There is an old maxim that that
which is past and beyond help should be
forgotten and in the main we agree
with this sentiment but as with nearly
all maxims and rules, there is an excep-
ton and it is so in this case.
The present status of civilization Is
in existence simply because society has
profited by past experience, not the least
of this experience being the mistakes
that have been made from time to time,
and from which lessons have been drawn
that have prevented their repetition;
therefore it is only just tina: we take
ourselves to task and find out just what
we have failed to do as part of our duty
as trade unionists during the year 1912.
Have we been faithful in attending the
meetings of our union and doing our full
share of the work that is necessary to
the conduct of all successful unions and
kept our dues paid up promptly so that
we by our actions, were the means OF
having other members do likewise?
Have we used the knowledge and eX-
perience gained in the trade union moye-
ment to smooth the pathways of our
brothers and sisters or to broaden their
views Of life and humanity so that they
were lifted out of the rut OF seltishness
and made to realize there is more in
this world than the so-called almighty
dollarg
Have we been loyal to our officers and
given them hearty support, so that they
could the better carry on the work with
which they have been entrusted, the
same support which We would expect #
we were in their position?
Have we at all times given support to
the workers in other trades which is due
them as part Of the great labor move
ment by purchasing nothing that did not
bear union label, or made our purchase
where a union store or shop card was
displayed
If we have been guilty of any of these
shortcomings, let us resolve now that be-
ginning january /. 1918, there will be
change for the better. so that when the
new year comes again, we can honestly
wish all happy New Year, because by
having done our duty as trade unionists
in 1913 we will have made it possible to
bring real happiness into the lives OF
many more people than we ever did be-
fore by being consistent ard practising
what we preach.
Let us always remember that real
happiness consists in making other peo-
pie happy, and il we all adhere TO the
teachings Of the labor movement during
the coming year, there will be much less
sorrow. misery and disappointment than
there was in the year just closing, and it
is in this spirit that ] extend best wishes
for 1913.
Somebody's boy is in Jail this minute
because YOU and the rest of us stand by
property instead of humanity"
The world is for those who produce
the wealth of the world. But it VIII
never be handed to us We will never
advance a single inch except by con-
slant hammering and continued agita-
ton. No one man or set of men Will
give us anything. No gains will ever be
handed down-these things must all
come from below-must come from men
and women of factory and shop, and only
as fast as we organize, educate, dis
cipline and federate these forces will
labor develop its units to such power
that society viii more rapidly adjust it.
self to inevitable orders.
WHY are the very rich growing richer?
Why are the poor growing poorerl
WHY are little children compelled to
work while thousands of ablebodied
men are idlef
Why do millions go half nourished
when the land is full of plenty
Why does the cost of living steadily
mount. while the nation produces sur
plus every year, averaging two billion
dollars?