davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
ACQUITTAL OF UHLICH
INDICATES NEW POLICY?

TRINIDAD, Colo, June S.-Union-
lists are asking If the acquittal OF Rob
ert Uhlich. union official. charged
with murder, indicates that new poll
cies will be followed by the powers
that be?
Scores of miners are under indict-
ment and two have been found guilty
John r. Lawson and Louis Zancan-
elli. The latter was convicted on a
murder charge and sentenced for life
on the second trial. The dismissal of
Uhlich, following the expose of Rookie
feller methods at Washington, Is sig
nificant, as 1t is believed the nation
wide protests are bearing fruit. Uh'
Itch was arrested by the militia Nov
ember 25, 1913. For month he was
held In Jail without being permitted to
see friends. He managed to smuggle
a letter to the outside telling of the
brutal treatment accorded military
prisoners, and later refused to exon
crate militia officials on the promise
of release. For nine months he was
held in a Jail where he contracted
tuberculosis. Later he was released
on bail.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
WANT GENTLEMEN"
DEPUTIES

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., June T.
At the trial of strike deputies, charged
with murder, in connection with the
strike of workers at the Roosevelt
chemical works, last January, Joseph
D. Williams, one of the accused, testi.
fled that when he was sworn in the
sheriff told him to act as a gentle
man" Williams said he fired several
shots at the strikers, two of whom
were killed and 19 injured
Another deputy, Edward Parties, tes-
titled that he was connected with the
O'Brien detective agency and since
the shooting was employed as a la
borer in one of the fertilizer plants,
and was an officer in the union.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
CONVICT STRIKE DEPUTIES

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., June s.
Guilty of manslaughter" is the YER
dict of the jury in the case of nine
deputies who have been on trial for a
week in connection with the killing of
two strikers and wounding of nineteen
others last January. One Of the de-
puties was discharged early in the
trial because Of failure of state wit
nesses to identify him. The maximum
penalty is ten years Imprisonment
Another indictment for murder is
pending against the deputies, and fif-
teen others are awaiting trial. The
prisoners, 1t is stated. are much de-
pressed" because of the verdict, They
were furnished by the O'Brien detec-
tive agency when the strike of work
ers in fertilizer plants started January
because of wage reductions. About
500 were involved On January 19 the
strikers surrounded a train that was
supposed to have strikebreakers on
board. When the strikers discovered
their mistake they began to dispense
in peaceful manner when they were
fired upon by the deputies. The un.
provoked assault aroused a storm OF
protest.
The strikers were assisted by the
American Federation of Labor which
organized them into a union and sue
ceeded in affecting a settlement tha,
included the workers original de
mands.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
BOSSED CRY BOSSES"

CHICAGO, June 10.-When union
carpenters were considering the wage
compromise submitted by their en-
ployers, the latter made public de-
mands that the trade unionists hold a
secret ballot. This interference was
answered as follows by Business
Agent De Young:
They (employers) criticise and de-
cry what they call the boss system
in the union, a criticism which our
members know has no foundation
when, by the common admission of
their own members, but five men have
had full power and control of all mat
ters connected with the agreement for
their association. no direct ballot hav.
ing been held"
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
CHILD LABOR DENOUNCED

SAN FRANCISCO, June 10.-"North
and South Carolina have larger per
cent of child workers in the manufac-
turing industry than any other states
in the country" said Wiley H. Swift
in an address on legislative needs to
correct this evil.
Continuing his reference to these
states, the speaker said that IL per-
sons engaged in industries would
march by, every ninth one would be
a child under sixteen.
These little children leave school
forever at twelve-often younger in
North Carolina-where there Is prac-
tically no enforcement - to work
eleven hours day in our factories" F"
he said.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
WALSH PRAISED

BOSTON, June 9.-The attempt to
discredit Chairman Walsh, of the In
dustrial relations commission, because
of his vigorous cross-examination of
John d. Rockefeller, jr., was answer
ed by the Unitarian fellowship OF So
cial justice, which passed the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved. That the Unitarian fel.
lowship of social justice sends its
greetings to the Hon. Frank Walsh
chairman of the United States com
mission on industrial relations, and
rejoices in his wisdom and courage in
pursuing a relentless investigation OF
the Rockefeller interests and the Col
orado strike"
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
WORLD UNIoNIsM
IS ADVANCING

MELBOURNE, Australia. June S.
According to a report issued by fed
eral authorities, the total number of
unions in the various states of this
commonwealth increased from 62l in
1912 to 710 in 1913, and the member
ship from 433,224 to 4e7.s25 This is
an average increase OF 11.5 per cent.
divided among the states as follows:
New South Wales, IL per cent; Vic
toria, 11.2 per cent; Queensland. 115
per cent; South Australia, 10.7 per
cent; West Australia, 106 per cent;
Tasmania, 11.6 per cent.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
ArOuSing Enthusiasm!
LABEL LEAGUE HOLDS
ROUSING GET-TO-
GETHER MEETING

The large hall in the Labor Temple
was well filled last Monday evening,
the occasion being the "get-together"
meeting held under the auspices of
the Ladies' Label League. The meet
ing was planned to bring representa-
tiyes of the various unions in the city
together to discuss how best the in
terests OF each organization could be
promoted. Members of most of the
unions were present and told the state
of each body and how the Label
League could help. Mrs. Tyler, presi-
dent of the league, presided, and call
ed on each organization in turn.
President Marsh, of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor, spoke briefly and
was followed by Chas. Perry Taylor,
secretary-treasurer of the State Fed
GRAFTON. Bro. Taylor reviewed the re-
ports of the various unions and gave
an interesting sketch of the work ac-
complished by each International
union, as we'll as its hopes and plans
for the future.
Particularly interesting was Bro.
Taylor's story of the Labor Forward
campaign carried on in the city of
Tacoma, his home city. He recited
the history of the movement, paying
glowing tribute to the band of work
ers in the Tacoma unions who went
night after night to every part of the
city and in all kinds of weather to
visit the various unions and enthuse
them in the campaign.
Last Sunday" said Secretary Tay-
lor, "the musicians union of Tacoma
donated fifty-piece band for an open
air concert in Wright park and ten
thousand people attended. Several
speakers spoke briefly to the big
crowd and were listened to attentive
ly This month a corps of interna-
tfonal organizers will work in Tacoma
and We intend to make of that city
one of the best organized towns in
the west"
He urged similar movements in all
trade union centers, dwelling upon the
necessity of more thorough organiza-
ton and the good to be derived from
closer acquaintanceship
Bro, Taylor is an able speaker and
numbers many warm friends among
Everett unionists. He is always sure
of welcome in Everett.
At the conclusion of the talks every
body adjourned upstairs where the
ladies had provided substantial re-
freshments. Dancing and social in
tercourse followed until a late hour.
Everybody went home we'll satisfied
that the union labor cause in Everett
had been materially advanced through
the efforts of the league. Several ap-
plications for membership were re-
ceived.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
Effects of Minimum Wage Laws

with other establishments paying less
than a living wage.
Massachusetts Was First.
Massachusetts, in June, 1912, passed
the first minimum wage law, and Ore
gon, Utah, Washington, Nebraska,
Minnesota, Colorado, California and
Wisconsin followed in the order
named.
1t is noteworthy that the minimum
wage laws have been made to apply to
men as well as to women and children
in every country except the United
States where only women and chill
dren are protected.
In Utah the rates are fixed by the
statute. In all the other American
states the necessary cost of living
is made the basis for the minimum
wage, and the administration of the
law Is in the hands of appointed COM
missioners, who act upon the findings
and recommendations of wage boards,
composed of an equal number of rep
resentatives of the employers and of
the employees, together with one or
more representatives of the public.
All the evidence obtainable from
American states which have put in
effect the legal minimum wage goes
to confirm the experience of the Aus
tralian states, where the prosperity
Of the working class has been raised,
gross Sweating" reduced, and general
business conditions have thriven. In
Utah, for example, where a minimum
wage law became effective early in
1913, the wages of women and girls
were raised, pay rolls were not in
creased more than per cent, wages
failed to tend down to the minimum
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
Profits Not Diminished
Up" Offsets Wage Increases

That minimum wage legislation has
not diminished profits wherever 1t
has been in effect long enough to show
results is one Of the conclusions to
be drawn from Bulletin No. 167, just
issued by the United States bureau of
labor statistics of the department of
labor, covering minimum wage laws
in the United States and foreign coun-
tries. The movement has apparently
benefited employers and to a certain
extent, employees. In New Zealand
and Australia, where minimum wage
laws have been in operation for more
than Is years, industries have grown
steadily and minimum wage laws have
in no way checked their growth.
The minimum wage study Of the
bureau of labor statistics covers min
imum wage legislation in the United
States, the Australian states, and New
Zealand, where the idea was origin
ally put into practice, and in Great
Britain. The trade boards Of Ger
many and the proposed legislation Of
France are also included. A histori-
cal survey of the movement, reports
of progress, analysis of legislation,
and the workings of the various laws,
together with the full text of the Am
erican laws and Of the most important
foreign laws comprise the bulletin.
The minimum wage movement in
the United States, according to the
bureau, is not sudden development,
in spite of the fact that no less than
nine states enacted minimum wage
laws in 1912 and 1918. These laws
are the outgrowth Of much investiga-
tion in this country and of investiga-
tion, agitation, and experience in New
Zealand, Australia and England,
where for more than 20 years reme-
dies to deal with low wage conditions
have been sought. In the United
States minimum wage legislation was
brought about because of disclosures
made by official and private investiga-
tions, showing that thousands of
women wage earners were being paid
wages too low to afford them "rea-
sonable standard of living" A case in
point of the many which are cited Is
that of department and retail stores
in New York, Chicago, and Philadel
phia, where the weekly earnings Of
40 per cent were less than So, while
"a per cent earned less than So Z
week. An additional argument ad-
vanced for the minimum wage was
the fact that in practically all indus
tries employing women establish
ments paying living wage were
found to be competing successfully
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS
CONVENTION IN SEATTLE
JUNE Il, 15 AND 16
REDUCED RATES ON RAILWAYS
Interesting Program Arranged

Interesting Program Arranged
BY Saturday evening June IL every
thing will be in absolute readiness for
the National tuberculosis convention
in Seattle, June IA, IS and Is.
The first delegation from the east
will arrive in special cars Sunday eve-
ming, June 13. They will be met by
a large committee, and escorted to
their hotels. Practically all the lead
ing business houses will be decorated
in honor Of the occasion.
Delegations from Oregon, Idaho,
Montana and British Columbia and
representatives from practically every
section of Washington will assist in
the official reception to guests and
delegates at Plymouth church, conven-
tion headquarters, Monday afternoon
from to 5, Tuesday afternoon an
automobile drive to the "Firlands"
sanitorium and over the boulevards
has been planned, while Wednesday
AFTERNOON trip about Puget Sound
has been arranged, stopping at Point
Defiance park for a clam-bake and
picnic supper, as guests of Tacoma
and the Pierce County Anti-Tubercul-
oss league.
The program opens Monday evening
at Sis with Child Welfare in Its
Relation to tuberculosis" as the
topic. The most eminent authorities
in the country will discuss the sub
ject. The sessions Tuesday and We'd
nesday forenoon are divided into three
sections, offering wide range Of sub
jects and speakers.
Every one is urged to attend. A
fare and third has been secured on
all lines in this and adjoining states;
the meetings are open to all. This
opportunity will probably not come to
us again. Come to the meeting, help
receive and entertain those who are
leading in the fight to control a COM
mon enemy-tuberculos
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
SAFETY IN MINES

WASHINGTON.-The federal bu-
reau of mines is investigating the
question OF explosion-proof motors for
use in mines where an electric spark
or flash might ignite inflammable
gases or dust A technical paper
No. 101-just issued. mentions the de-
tails OF construction that the bureau
considers essential for satisfactory
service, and describes tests OF an ex,
plosion-proof mining machine motor
and accessories approved by the bu-
reau.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
LAWSON MUST BE FREED
President Gompers Voices Organ
lied Labor's Demand
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT
Unionists' Economic Power Is Fore.
ing New Concepts of Human
Life and Liberty.

Lawson Must be Freed" declares
President Gompers in the leading edi-
torial of American Federationist, June
issue. The causes that forced Colo
rado miners on strike are recorded,
as are other recent events in that
state.
"This attempt" writes President
Gompers, "to hold John r. Lawson
responsible in connection with the
death of a man of which he had no
knowledge, stands in vivid contrast
to the studied efforts of John D.
Rockefeller, jr, to establish his COM
plete ignorance Of the Colorado strike
and hence his complete Irresponsible
ity John r. Lawson had nothing to
gain by the death of John Nimmo but
John D. Rockefeller had profits at
stake in the suppression of the Colo
RADIO strike.
Holders of property have created
tradition Of the paramount import
ance of property and have exalted and
exaggerated the part that property
has in production. At the same time
they have minimized and detracted
from the service that the laborers
render. Through their political in
fluence gained by their economic pow
er they have incorporated this mis-
conception into governmental and le-
gal theory. 1t is against this Unequal
ity, this Injustice, that the workers
are now directing the power of the
labor movement.
Slowly the workers are learning to
appreciate their great economic pow
er. AS producers they have the world
in their grasp. Through their economic
power they have been slowly inject
ing into political and legal thought
the conception of the sacredness of
human life and the paramount i'm
portance OF humanity. They are try
ing to establish real equality OF op-
portunity in industrial and political
affairs; they are trying to secure
equal governmental protection to all
human beings. This is the real rev.
olution the labor movement is work
ing.
"The great injustice and wrong al
ready inflicted on Lawson must be
undone and rightsd.
John r. Lawson must be freed"
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11
PLOT EXPOSED AND FALLS TO
THE GRoUND-EVERY EFFORT
BENT TO DISRUPT LEGlSlA-
TIVE ALLIANCE.
GUMSHOERS AFTER KEG
LEY'S SCALP
BY e. P. MARSH

"Bust that coalition of farmers and
trades unionists and bust it right Is
the order that has apparently gone
out from the re-actionary forces of
Washington. l base this assertion
upon the sensational developments Of
the annual convention Of the State
Grange held in Centralia last week
where an attempt to put stick OF
dynamite under State Master c. B.
Kegley ANONYMOUSLY failed.
attended the sessions early In the
week as fraternal delegate from our
Federation and was told Of the plot
that was Matching. Inasmuch as Bro.
Kegley's annual report, wherein he
scored the re-actionary forces, re-
ceived an ovation at the hands of the
delegates, had no fear for the out
come. But the attempt to SOW dis
sension in the ranks of the organized
farmers Is worthy of recital.
Bro. Kegley has been for ten years
State Master. In all that time he has
been a militant progressive, ready to
fight at the drop of the hat for pro-
gressive ideas in government and for
a progressive citizenship. He has
been noted insurgent in the national
body. With the formation of the Joint
Legislative Committee, Bro. Kegley,
who resembles nothing so much as
human dynamo once he gets in ac-
ton, threw his talent and his energy
into the work Of cementing friendly
relations between farmers and union
lists. 1t was agreed from the outset
that the joint forces would work to-
gether for the things upon which they
could agree, not allowing questions
upon which they differed to be in
jected into their joint program. That
agreement has been most literally car
ried out and has been the secret OF
the harmonious relations that exist.
Such a combination as this, if al
lONeu W hooS
spell disaster for the standpat forces.
The combination had to be smashed.
So the trade unionists were told that
if ''they expected to get anywhere.
they had to cut loose from the farm
ars." And the farmers were told
they could never hope to succeed
while tied up to those radical, dyna-
hitting, I. w. w. union fellows"
But the combination stood. The
defeat of most of the initiative mea-
sures failed to break it. The diverg-
ence of opinion upon the statewide
prohibition question failed to smash
it though some bitter feeling develop
ed. The late legislature brought
them closer together than ever and
the referendum campaign was taken
up and directed by the Joint Legisla-
tive Committee with the rank and file
of all organizations cooperating In
the circulation of petitions.
1t became all the more necessary
to destroy the influence among the
organized farmers of Mr.. Kegley. So
the gumshoers got busy.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-06-11

None Of the predictions made about
the minimum wage before the pass
age of the law in Washington state
came about to any appreciable extent,
according to statements gathered from
local authorities. There was no
wholesale discharge of women en-
ployes, no general leveling of wages,
no general replacing of women en-
ployes by cheaper help, and no tend.
ency to make the minimum wage the
maximum wage. The report quotes
letter written by Seattle garment
manufacturer, who opposed the min
imum wage law from the start:
Personally, l find that my busi-
ness has been benefited, as the neces-
sity for greater discipline and more
rigid enforcement of regular hours of
work has become fully apparent. We
have raised our average weekly pay
roll, think l am safe in saying, at
least 81 per girl If not more. Some
Of our help, to be sure, have always
done their best and have shown but
little change, but those who were
satisfied with less, the minimum wage
has benefited, as they saw they must
earn more or quit.
II am writing you this personal let
ter about my personal experience in
an individual case. II has been
benefit in this factory in raising the
standard of efficiency and in forcing
a closer application to duty on the
part of the operator and necessarily
has been a benefit to the employer. l
am not in position to speak for other
factories and industries, but, aside
from some hardship that the law may
work on the less competent, can not
see why it will not give greater eff
ficiency to our factory forces"
AS 1t Works in Great Britain
No less significant is the statement
of one of the secretaries of the Brit
ish board of trade made to parliam-
entary committee. when, after stating
that the ultimate effects of the act
could not be judged upon the present
short experience, he said that the
working of the act had thus far been
successful beyond what anybody i'm
agined possible and that large num-
Der of applications had come from
employers, as well as employees, to
have their trades brought under the
act.
The bureau is just completing and
will publish shortly study of the
effects of the Oregon minimum wage
law upon the numbers of girls and
adult women employed, upon the rates
which they are paid, and upon the la
Dor cost to the employer of the rates
established under the minimum wage
law.