The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-11-12
|SCANNELL AND
SEAMAN SPEAK
Exponent Of UnIonIsm and state Fac
tory Inspector Address keokuk
Union Men Last
Night.
CONDITIONS EXPLAINED
Unlonism Getting Away From Lock-
outs and Strikes, Soannell
States-New Iowa
CONDITIONS EXPLAINED

| MCnOelS VI hoOkuk AAOoAo
two Interesting and instructive ad-
dresses at meeting held at the
Trades Assembly hall last night. THE
Constructive Forces Of Unionism" was
ably expounded in thorough manner
by John J. Scannell of Detroit, gem
eral organizer of the Boot and Shoe
Workers Union, and the workmen's
compensation and child labor laws Of
Iowa, but recently enacted by the gen.
eral assembly was explained by
D. Seaman of Des Moines, state fac
tory inspector.
Scannell proved to be a splendid
orator. His address throughout rang
with originality and he at all times
proved his thorough knowledge OF the
conditions of unionism, its progress
and obstacles. He is possessed with q
voice clear and deep Of tone with
great power Of expression.
He said in part:
my impression Of the fear Of
workers or those Of whom came In
contact with employers and with
whom they must necessarily deal in
their affairs, Is due to apprehension.
There are a number of forces that di-
rectly act in the creation Of that
apprehension.
"The conditions which overcome
that apprehension and carry confi-
dence to the workers is only brought
about by such struggles as the
workers make for their own benefit.
When they reach the point where
they are recognized and dealt with as
man to man, to the mutual advantage
Of all parties concerned.
"The most encouraging feature in
the movement of unionism at this
time is the substitution Of confer
ences and arbitration for the old
system of strike and lockout.
"The better we are organized the
|better results We will be able to re-
cord and the fear OF employer and
/ the use Of radical measures will be
done away with. To show that or
ganization and union tends to de-
crease strikes and also increase the
good conditions for the workingman,
1 will cite a few figures.
I'm the year 1908 the boot and shoe
workers organization contained 49,
900 men and $4,000 was spent on
strikes In the years 1913 and 1914,
when the business depression was the
| greatest, our organization met obl1ga'
tons Of over 100000 in sick and
death benefits to our employees and
spent $4,000 in advertising.
1--WE had fifteen strike sessions and
strikes We're voted at all of them. In
eight cases they were settled before
en-, they resulted advantageously for
the workers. All cost only $4,000.
Position Taken.
eve took the position that the more
the workers money is reduced the
more their purchasing power is de-
creased, and as the workers are the
nations spenders, this adds to the
general depression.
"The question of the so-called
compulsory arbitration leaves con-
fusion because there can be no such
thing. Any compulsory force de-
stroys the very nature of any volun-
tary movement, unless both parties
in the controversary will volunteer to
submit to an impartial umpire their
contention on it's merits and agree
to abide by that decision, you do not
have an arbitration. Men in different
walks OF life and some who suffer
as directly Interested parties In any
industrial upheaval, will often feel
that If arbitration could be forced that
it would solve the situation, but the
fact is, If either party Is compelled
against their judgment to accept the
findings of board of arbitration it is
merely a further invitation to rebel,
because as matter Of honor they
we're never obliged to take part in it.
1.-THE workers feel sometimes that
they would be protected If they had
a state law fixing the amount Of
money they are to receive and regulat-
ing the hours. When laws like this
are passed. the workingman would not
only have to deal with employer to
get Justice but the state back OF him.
And the employer could have the
armed force of the state to back him
up in state made law.
Use Of Union Label.
Zone sees the development OF the
labor movement in the widespread
use OF the union label. Last year the
bakers used $50 millions: the tobacco
workers, who have to fight a great
trust which employees women and
child labor, used 447 millions, and in
many other lines the increase was 100
percent In the year previous. This
shows that the union movement Is
making a definite impression in the
country, for the label is the silent re-
minder Of the organization It stands
for.
There are many who are fighting
the union label. but It is becoming to
mean more and more each year, for
| the label stands for agreement. arbi-
, tration and peace.
IAN industrial commission such as
that in which Frank p Walsh created
! is of moment, for it signifies the pro-
gress OF the movement to point
where it brings about recognition.
! 'The trade union movement at this