davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
Boilerrnakers Form
System Federation

Boiler Makers of the Baltimore and
Ohio, The Baltimore and Ohio South
aWest, and the c., H. & d. railroads
formed a System Federation in
Wheeling Sunday.
The meeting was held in the Ohio
Valley Trades and Labor Assembly
hall and was attended by representa-
tives Of the Boiler Makers Unions
from Baltimore, Cumberland, Keyser,
Connellsville,. Garrett, Newark, on the
lB. & o.; Chillicothe and Washington.
Ind, on the BS& o. s. W., and Gin
cinnati, Hamilton and Lima on the
c., H. & D.
Officers were elected, Delegate
Horscher, of Baltimore, being chosen
president, and Adolph Buehle, of Mad
isonville, o., secretary-treasurer. An
executive board was formed of two
representatives from each railroad.
John J. Sweeney presided as chair
man of the meeting, and was the
cause of bringing it about Mr.. Swee-
ney, who is from Philadelphia, Pa,
is an international organizer of the
Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron
Ship Builders and Helpers OF Ameri-
ca, and has been working for some
time now in perfecting the railroad
organizations. On the preceding Sat
urday night he reorganized the boil
er makers of the B. & o. shops at
M'Mechen, re-establishing Local Nor
498. It is the intention to later form
a System Federation of all the unions
in the shops ofQthe railroads included
in the centralized organization out
lined above.
Mr.. Sweeney left the city Monday
for Parkersburg,
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
Berger Wants Congress To
Investigate Railroading OF
''Conspirators''

Washington, D. c., Jan. 2S.-(spe-
cial )-Representative Victor L. Ber-
ger, Socialist Congressman from Mil
waukee, believes that the federal Off
Gals at Indianapolis used "a little too
much foresight" in ordering on Novem
Der 19-Forty days before the iron
workers charged with the dynamiting
conspiracy were convicted-a special
train to take them from Indianapolis
to the federal prisonxat Fort Leayen-
worth. st. Louis Labor" reproduced
Photographic copies of letters, the
first dated November 10, and others
dated December IA and "a, advising
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23

I expect my proposal to receive ser
ious consideration by Congress"
Berger's bill will ask a constitu-
tional amendment providing for the
election of federal judges for terms
of four years. The amendment viii
also carry with it the right of popular
recall.
The other bill which is being drawn
up by Berger prescribes conditions
under which the Supreme Court of
the United States will be permitted to
pass upon constitutionality of federal
laws. The Constitution now gives the
Supreme Court certain appellate juris-
diction in specified cases, but with
such exceptions and under such regu-
lations as the congress shall make. "
Representative Berger proposes to
make some of these regulations.
He proposed: First, that no federal
law shall be declared unconstitutional
unless the membership of the Supreme
Court is unanimous in the decisions
second, that in any case congress may
add to law provision prohibiting
the Supreme Court from Questionlne
its constitutionnlity.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
take place until December 3D?

take place until December 31?
On January 8, 1913 the question OF
granting writ Of sHpersedas was up
before the United States Circuit Court
OF Appeals in Chicago, and it was
then and there that Judge Baker in
timated that undue haste was mani
the defendants 10 prison. :
When Judge Baker made those re-
marks he had no iknu ledge of the let.
tiers and documents which we present
to our readers today. If he had
known of them he might have added
that 1T seems that there was some
railroading done In connection with
securing the conviction eof Frank M.
Ryan and his comrades
That the program as outlined in the
letters of the railroad officials, and
as shown in the copies printed in this
issue of st. Louis Labor, was carried
out is proven by the folIoWing news
item which appeared in the st. Louis
Globe Democrat OF January /:
Who are the men that were in COM
munication with the railroad COM
panies? Who arranged for railroad
Accommodation weeks before the
men were convicted and sentenced?
Who fixed the program for the trial?
Under what suspicious influence was
the jury kept at work.? It. is up TO
Judge Anderson to explain this queer
railroad story as told in the following
letters. II uour,n
Copies OF Letters Sent by Railroad
Officials.
Copt to Mr.. ]. J. Coakley,
Supt. TRRA. City. &
The Missouri Pacific Railway Co.,
st. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern
Railway Co.
st. Louis, Mo-, November 10, 1912.
Mr.. F. K. Tut, Master Mechanic, City.
Mr.. R. H. Mccullough, Gen Yard
master, M. p
Yard
IMr. G. H. stohlman, Chief Clerk to
G. Y. M.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
Timers Ask
Wage Increase

The timers of Wheeling, compris-
ing Local 131, Amalgamated Sheet
Metal Workers Association, have
formulated demand for the new
year, asking for wage rate of $3.50
per day, or As cents per hour. They
are at present receiving So per day,
as the minimum, although many are
receiving above this.
The timers are the lowest paid of
all the building crafts, and they have
been longest without an increase. Al
though their work is difficult and dan
gerous, and as precarious as the other
building crafts, the timers have al
ways been considerable behind the
others in the matter of wages.
For this reason it is not believed
that the employers will fight this de-
mand. 1t is backed by the Interna-
tional, the Building Trades Section
and the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor
Assembly.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
sTOGIEMAKERs

Wednesday, January 10, being the
third Wednesday of the month there
was no meeting of the Sfogies Makers
The shippers met instead, land elect
ed the following officers: Joseph Ba-
keE, president; Harry Berger, vice
president. This organization abs
undoubtedly the distinction of being
the youngest labor union in America,
if not in the entire world. The spirit
of unionism and cooperation interest
instead of individual selfishness dis
played by these young people is de-
serving of the highest praise. They
have a 100 per cent organization with
a membership of 40 members. Since
organizing they have been able to
gain 10 per cent increase in their
wages. Their conditions in the fac
tories in which they are employed
have been considerably improved. In
case of a strike they receive benefit
of So per week. The organization
has been brought up to the present
high standard through the persistent
and untiring efforts of Brothers H.
P. Corcoran, Charles Higgins, Fred
Sonderman and Henry Berger, of the
National Stogie Makers League.
AlbertNoltz has returned to work
after having entirely recovered from
tonsilitis.
Henry Heller has recovered from
his sick spell.
Edward McIllvaine went to Mounds
vile to spend Sunday with friends.
Joseph Smulo returned from trip
to Sharon, Pa.
Walter Boderman has entirely re
covered from the operation perform
ed on him for appendicitis =
Walter Fulner goes home to his
dinner now. His physician advised
him to do it on account of his health
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
TRADES ASSEMBLY
NEW DELEGATES

| Machinists No, 818-C. E. Schild
camp, J. B. Moore. ~
Crescent No. 8-Matt Gretr, Mike
Mahoney, Louis Leonard, John Ulrich
Jas. O'Toole.
Firemen No. 21-L. F. Sprouse, F.
A. Darr, c. Stiehm, G. G. Taylor, Aug
ust Schrumpf.
Garfield Stogie Makers No. IF
W. Sonderman, H. P. -Corcoran, Ches
Higgins, Edw. McIrRain, John Rutter
John Maher, John Frohnne, Frank
zottz. Edw. Lapham, Geo. Humrich,
Leo Heinrich, Henry Burger, James
Scalley, J.. T. Hecker
Sheet Metal Workers No. 131-
Sherwood Kochrsen.
Edw. Clarity, j. W. Stewart, Sep
Cook, H. Rauch.
Stage Employees No. Edward
Brummelle, E. B. Barker, Walter
Davis, c. Carver.
Musicians No. 142-J. J. Stiehm, +.
H. Appenzoeller.
Retail Clerks No. 18Th. J. Ninness
Chas. A. Ward. Morris Sugarman.
Walter Conrad, Earl Bennington.
Molders No. 364-H. ]. Ninness,
Roland Jones, AL Dinwiddie, Otto
thinner, VIM. Rowley.
BARRIERS No. 257-W. L. Cumber-
lidge, Robt. Frame.
Butchers No. I'll. B. Vessel. H
Roeder, Paul Kotchka, Harry Seig,
VIM. Fritz.
Belmont Assembly-Geo. Barrett
Alfred Hinsley, Frank Carpenter.
Typographical Union No.. 79-Leo J.
LaFlam, John Weaver, Hupp E. Otto
John D. Doyle, Ed. C .Bauman.
, Brewery Workers No. 53-Wm
Niedermeyer, Phi. Reuther, E. Schu-
bert. H. Mapes, L. Hayes.
J Electrical Workers No. 141-G. H
Higgins, ]. A. Armstrong, Harry
Brandfass, C. r. Denniston, ]. H
earle.
Carpenters No. &C. E. Baker, J
8 Chenowith, j. s. Chambers, P. H
Gear, NJ: C. Taylor, Thos. v. Sails
bury, e. J. Weekley.
Potters No. 28-Thos. Gilligan, Geo
Horton, Elmer Armbruster.
Beer Drivers No. 42-Hermar
Fisher, Joseph Manley, Albert Peck
stein, Edward Plankey, Clinton Hall
Tailors No. 246-V. Hariik, A. An
derson, NJ. Kuhn.
| Leather Workers No. 60-Chas. D
Ryan, James Carr, Chas. Habig, VIM
e. Gin, Edward StahI.
Street Railway Employees No. 1913
w. C. Ferguson, c. e. Bartlebaugh
j. T. Moore, O. NJ. Smith, A II. Crum
ley;GT. /. Padden, G.. L. Hicks
Thomas Short.
Stationary Engineers No 131-S. R
Lenkard, John Tippman, Percy B
Britt, ]. T. Carney, A. v. Fisher.
Painters No. 91-Chas. Selvey, Johl
Fleming, John Corcoran, John 3
iKirchgessner, NJ. Eskin.
Potters No. 46-AL HartzelL Johl
i Kline, Fred GolIner.
Manchester Lodge Mo-. 81
Monroe, Geo. Kopp. L. D. Potts, VIM
Lewis, Ollie PARTS.
i Bartenders No. 292-Geo. g. Burke
Chas. Driehorst, Jos Klemm, n Coz
coran, VIM. Falck.
| Cigar Makers no. isl ouis Becl
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
Start Lecture.
LyCGunl Here

On scale never before attempted
here, the Socialists will have lee
ture lyceum running through the lat
ter part of February and all of
March. The party members have
been working on the plan for some
time but it was not until last week
that all arrangements were completed
and the dates definitely decided upon,
and the speakers listed.
Now, however, complete listing has
been accomplished through the Ma
tional office of the Socialist party and
the first lecture is announced for
February %. The others will follow
on March Z, IA, q and28. Only by
the exceptionally large scope of the
present Lyceum has it been possible
to arrange for such lectures at such
terms. Eleven circuits are provided
through the national offices, with
total of So speakers Each of these
speakers gives his or her services
for practically the expense, involved,
and by this cooperation, a theme so
played upon by Socialists, it has been
possible to give the entire series of
lectures for so cents, but. ten cents
each, and besides, throw In ten cents,
worth of literature, books or newspa-
per subscriptions, for each dime re-
ceived. This makes the lectures prac-
tically free. Such lectures are regu-
larly held in Wheeling with an admis-
sion charge of so cents. Wheeling
will be on what is known as the
Fourth circuit, including Ohio, West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and
Eastern Kentucky.
Dan Hogan First.
Each speaker will take up. some
phase of Socialist philosophy and ex-
plain it, so that one who attends the
entire series will have a thorough.
knowledge of the entire subject. The
first speaker, on February %, will
be Dan Hogan, the eloquent Irish
man from Arkansas, who is well
known in this section.
Samuel w. Ball, William A. Ward
and J. F. Snyder. The meetings will
be held in the A. o. U. W. hall, 1119.
Chapline street.
--
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
Vice President Nolan
Boosts Federations'

all the workers in all the shops pre-
sent united demand to the manage
ment of the road, and they have been
winning.
Saving in Expense.
Besides, it is a wonderful saving
in expense. Formerly 1t cost great
deal for each separate union TO con-
duct its negotiations Men had to DO
sent to the city where the manage
ment could be seen, an dthis vas
each craft. instead, and the cost of
dealing with the employer is at least
so percent less than the cost Of the
old method. This is the work Of four
years. AsN a result there are now
system declarations that protect the
employees Of Nthe c. & o., A. c.. L.. S.
B. A. J., Southern, @. & c., M. & O.,
N. & w, N. & S., Virginia, G.. of G.,
c. W. A. c., and G. S.. & L. We are
now planning Consolidated Fedora
ton of the Southeastern District,
which will include all shopmen of all
roads south of the Ohio river and
east Of the Mississippi
Want Erdman Act Amended.
Another thing that we are direct
ing our efforts toward Is the amend
ing Of the Erdman law. This law pro-
vides that either party to a wage disr
pute affecting the operating depart
ment Of a railroad, upon failure to
agree, may call for the aid Of the
Commissioner of Labor in arbitration.
It affects only tbs operating depart
ment. We want It to include all de-
partments, and we hope to secure
-..a1, -. nmnnd4norxf y
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23

That working men must be brought
ever closer and closer together so
that they caA fight in one solid mass,
instead of being licked in small di-
visions, is the contention of Thomas
Nolan. vice president of the Boiler
Makers International Union, in an in
terview with a Majority man this
week.
Mr.. Nolan, who was in the city for
a day or two in connection. with the
formation, of system federation here,
on his way to Baltimore, has just re-
turned from trip through the south,
where he saw the practical workings
of solidarity through the development
of the system decorations of the shop
employees of the railroads.
"Federations are the things, said
Mr.. Nolan System Federations of
each craft, then the federation of
Federations, and finally, the Consoli-
dated Federation of all Federations
of an entire district. Down south
the railroad workers are developing
wonderfully along this line. In the
railroad shops of the south the men
of all the crafts have developed 100
percent organizations, and their de-
mands are listened to and received
by the railroad managers, and every
year they haze been getting an ad-
vance in wages.
1T is all because they are organ
lied and upon the right lines. They
used to present their demands sepa-
fateIy. If one craft got concession
the men were so glad that they paid
no attention to the other crafts, and
this was exactly what the companies
wanted. But now ali IS changed and
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
F3VOrS Convict
Labor On Roads

( Moundsville Trades and Labor AS.
sembly holds well attended meet
ing last Sunday New delegates from
following locals were obligated: Elec-
trieal Workers No 141, VIM. Rolf;
Painters, Decorators and Paperhang-
ers No. 423, G. w. Price, R. W. Keffer,
Lee McGinty, Chas. Jefferson and Aus
tin; Edw. McIlWain from o. V. T. &
L A., Wheeling The Assembly went
on record as endorsing the Employ
ers' Liability law framed by the Joint
committees at Wheeling, and also en-
dorsed the law abolishing convict la
Dor at the state penitentiary. The sec
rotary was instructed to write the
state senator and representatives of
their action Talking in regard to
this law, delegate said he had talk
ed with one of the men connected
with the state penitentiary in regard
to having the convicts work on the
roads, and he stated they were not
able to work on the roads, that the
food that they get did not get them
in shape to do that class of work;
they have to tie them up by the.
wrists to get some of them owork
at all. It seems if the conyicts can
work inside, and it is well understood
that they can work over time all right,
and why? If the men can turn out
lot of our work which they are forced
to do, does the state or the convicts
get any extra remuneration? And
how about the men on the farm? Are
they fed extra? 1t seems if they can
work on the farm they could be got
in shape to work on the roads. Per
\ no of q n
| have horses for the guards to ride SO
they would not become so exhausted.
The organization committee was in
structed to get busy with the Printers
and organize a local. A representa-
tive was present by the name OF Ru-
| long, who stated that they could get
eleven men to join. The committee
was also instructed to have meet
| ing with the Plumbers. Armstrong
reported that the Wheeling Plumbers
would take them into their organfza-
| ton, as they hold jurisdiction over
Moundsville.
Fraternal Delegates Ryan and Arm
strong made an interesting report
from the Ohio Valley Trades and La
Dor Assembly. Jos. A. Armstrong was
elected a delegate to the State Fed
6raLlOn COnV6HtlOn 10 De u0I4 dI
/ Charleston Feb. 10th.
Beautify the Mound.
| The condition of the Mound was
taken up. It is in a very deplorable
condition and something should be
done in the matter. Some years ago
the school children took up collec-
ton to purchase the mound. The fol-
lloWing committee was appointed
ISchroeder, Cullen, Endorse Martin.
IThey are to find out who has charge
Iof the mound and if they can get some
action taken to identifying it. The
idea is to have a band stand and
benches erected for the accommoda-
4 ton Of the many people who insist
ION it every year. The mound is a
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
dynamite Special"
0rdered4O Days Ahead
Original Letters Show Special Train Was Ordered Nov 49,
Nearly Month and Half Before Verdict !:
Was Rendered

Mr.. W. L. Vowel, Night Yardmaster,
NJ P.
Dear Sir:
Passenger Department advises that
our Vandalia connection will probably
have movement of Federal prisoners
and guards Is or more in number,
from Indianapolis destined to Fort
LeaVenWorth.
1t is our understanding that the en-
tire equipment will probably be
operated through. from Indianapolis
to Fort LeavenWorth. While we have
no definite advise, it is understood in
general way that the business will
come to us at ST. Louis, late in the
evening, and it is desired, if practic-
able to leave st. Louis about HIS
p. M. same date and arrive Fort
Leavenworth by $3.50 following morn
ing. It has also been requested that
the trains be not operated through the
Union Station at st. Louis, or Union
Depot at Kansas City, and it is espe-
cially desired that the matter be
given no more publicity than is neces-
sary.
This movement will in all prob
ability take place within the next few
days and the foregoing is given you
as advance information so that you
can handle accordingly should 4t be
necessary to arrange on Geographic
advice.
Parties will of course, hold regular
ticket transportation and when re,
ceive definite advice as to when the
train will reach us at St Louis, will
wire you referring to this letter.
Yours truly,
(signed), L. L. KENsINGER,
- Supt. Terminals.
Copy to Mr.. ]. J. Coakley,
Sup't TRRA. CITY.
St. Louis, Mo-, December IA, 1912.
Mr.. R. H. Mccullough, General Yard
master, M. P.
Mr.. C. Fl. Stohlman, Chief Clerk to
G. 7. M. 4
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23
VIII Investigate
Idaho Court

80 =
Washington, d. c., Jan. 23.-(Spe-
cial.) "A federal investigation of re-
cent action of Idaho judges which are
said to violate the constitutional guar
anty Of free press may be forced by
Representative Victor l.. Berger. In
addition to the recent heavy punish
ment inflicted upon the proprietors of
the Capital News of Boise City, Idaho,
for printing a telegram from Theodore
Roosevelt which criticized the action
OF the court in barring the Bull Moose
electors from the national ticket in
November, the case of Carl Machold,
a reporter for the Potatello, Idaho,
Tribune, who was thrown into Jail for
six months for criticising Judge j. M.
Stevens of the Blackfoot District
curt, has also been brought to Ber-
gers attention. :
Machold wrote a story demanding
an investigation of Stevens court.
based on court records and includine
sworn affidavit. Stevens immediate
y ordered Machold's arrest on a Grim
inal libel charge, insisted on trying
he case himself, although a change
of venue is guaranteed by the Idaho
constitution, and sentenced Machold
to Jail for six months and to pay costs
amounting to $1,000.
Berger has sent for the documents
in both Machold's case and that of the
Capitol News, and if these bear out
the stories which have come to him,
he will ask Congress to investigate.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-01-23

st. Louis, Mo-, Jan. 23.-St. Louis
Labor prints the following:
In last weeks issue of st. Louis
Labor we characterized the verdict in
the Indianapolis dynamite conspiracy
Century. The Tragi-Comedy of trial
of which Frank M. Ryan, and the
other members of the Structural Iron
Workers are the victims, had been
carefully staged by Sleuth Burns and
his friend District Attorney Miller,
with their chief dynamiter Mechanical.
Now we learn that forty days be-
fore the end of the trial, under date
of November 10, definite arrange
ments were made with certain rail
roads for railroading Frank M. Ryan
and his comrades from Indianapolis
to the Leavenworth (Kans.) Federal
Prison. At this time we have before
Us original documents showing the
detailed arrangements for the 'Dyna-
mite Special" that was to carry the
victims of McManigahsm to Leaven-
worth.
For the information of our readers,
and for the information of the Ameri-
can labor press and the entire Trade
Union movement we hereby submit
copies of the letters written by rail-
road officials and also Photographic
fac SMILES of the same documents.
We ask Judge Anderson of Indiana
polls and his Farmers Jury, and
also United States District Attorney
Miller, this simple question:
"How could the officials Of the St.
Louis Terminal Railroad Association
and Of the Missouri Pacific Railroad
Co. be informed, under date Of Novem-
Der 10, 1912, that rs or more federal
prisoners and guards would be taken
from indianapolis to Fort heaven
worth, Kansas, and that under date
of Dec. "a Superintendent Kensinger
Of the ST. Louis Terminal Railroad
Association could make final arrange
.ments ferthe transportation OF the
prospective federal prisoners on Dec.
% (Which was three days off, for the
movement Of the prisoners did not