Rock Island Argus., 1914-12-31
union STORE IS
OPENED IN CITY
One Of the Leading Enterprises
Of the Year by the Tri-
City Federation.
is PROVING A SUCCESS
Local Organization Has 1000 Enrolled,
So Different Uniens Being
Affiliated.
BY 3. w. NEWTON,

I represents a division of the great
army OF nearly 100000 men and
women comprising the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. There are enrolled
in the Tri-City Federation over 1000
men and women, and there are. nearly
5000 more who are eligible to mem
bership, and II is the desire and pur-
pose Of the federation to get them
all in the fold. and it is working to
that end.
II has been many years since the
roots of organized unionism were
planted in the tri-cities. and the mag
nihcent organization that is npw in
evidence is the result of the early ef-
forts OF those who first conceived the
idea OF organizing the + forces for
atfiliation with the American as well
as the Illinois and Iowa State Fedora
tons. Davenport had the Trades
and Labor assembly. and Rock Island
and Moline the Tri-City Labor con-
gress. A joint committee of the two
organizations was appointed and the
Tri-City Federation was effected in
September. 1910. the first meeting be-
ing held Sept. 10. 1910.
James W. Coleman. chairman OF the
consolidated committee. presided and
the following first officers of the Tri-
City Federation of Labor were elect
ed:
President-Harry tStrohm.
Vice President-H +. Wickham.
Recording Secretary-H T.. Beh-
rens.
Financial secretary-E. J. Aspen
gren.
Has So Unions.
As a result OF the consolidation or
the two organizations there yare over
1000 men and women who are today
closer allied than ever before. Fifty
two different unions have representa-
tion in the federation. and delegates
are sent TO the Illinois and Iowa state
meetings and to the meetings Of the
American Federation of Labor.
The Tri-City federation of Labor
meet the first and third Thursdays
in each month in the Industrial
home. Rock Island. 1t is Differed as
follows:
President-B w. Newton
Vice Fresident-Fred Feuchter.
- Recording Secretary-James W.
Cc'em7n.
Financial Secretary-E. J. Aspen
Ereu.
Treasurer-John A. Nelson.
Sergeant at Arms-Jerome Harper.
The federation maintains a reading
room supplied with a telephone. for
those who -Sare TO take advantage OF
Il. also q place for the unemployed to
loaf II works with the various bust
ness agents. strengthen the smaller
unions and tries to adjust all differ
erces. and assists in many ways in
clearing up the tangles. not only be- I
tween employer and employees, but ,
among themselves.
Store New Enterprise.
The federation is progressive and !
is cndeavoring to promote interests /
that are for the best of those who f.
work. and see that they receive a just /
one Of the boldest. and .
so FAR highly satisfactory moves. Is |
tho union cooperative store in ROCK /
Island Four people are given en-
p!oyment in the fastly growing store
and Svhile one auto delivery has been
able 90 take care Of the trade in the
past fl will soon be necessary TO add
another.
The purpose was to help solve the
nigh cost OF living problem. and II II
was profit that was doing the mis-
chief. TO get at the big profits, and as
, reeurt those who are using the store
are getting goods cheaper. and then
he store is going ahead adding more
Zach dav 70 its list Of customers or
The first venture has proven so sue
.essfu that II Is the intention 10 place
,ne in Moline and one in Davenport
"a the union men can trade at their
,v-n store. and in buying they are
luying Of themselves.
one OF the strong arguments Tor the
rri-City Federation is the solid pha-
anx that il presents to the opposition
!, Gives courage to those who are
Members of organized labor. IT as
,,ras them that unionism is organized I
ar the battle. whatever may present
t-eIf II gives tone to the cause oil ,
,bor for there is no industrial cap ,
atn hut what believes in organiza-
;or and he realizes that he cannot
,ta,,n. 20 crush any one weaker un-
an without fighting the entire cause {
Z labor in the tri-cities- i
THE greatest amount of good to be
arived lsrom the federation is the r
ringing Of the workers. for the great G
ause of labor, into closer relation :
hip. b
DataiIs OF a curious family complica-
on come from St. Gall, Switzerland
naturalized swiss citizen. German Il
= birth. is married to ? Hungarian o
90 brother-in-Iaw is fighting against
,e Seryians and the husband or his
is lighting against the y
ustrians. OF the mans two broth d
= ono fs in n Prussian regiment and