The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-09-07


get back. No doubt their wives pay 20
for a pair of gloves.
"This agreement will be signed for
three years when you men and women
stop scabbing on union clerks. You buy'
ing people, who are paying money 70
non.union clerks, why do you want 10
assist the merchants in whipping the
little clerks union? This should be
rallying point, this desire TO cooperate.
Stand behind them for one week, and
the victory is won" The speaker then
held aloft union store card and urged
that the purchasing public remember ~
when they are buying goods.
In his peroration, Mr.. Byrne briefly
traced the history Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, from the day of its in
ception "a years ago to the present time.
To-day the United Mine Workers, one
of its branches, he said, numbering 400,-
900 people, are more populous than the
entire state Of Vermont. The carpenters
are 256,000 strong, and the bricklayers
10000, the painters 10000. Here in Yer
mont, in Burlington, carpenters were
getting l7ls cents for ten hours only IA
years ago, and now they are working on
an eight hour day schedule for "A cents.
Labor is not organized for selfish ends,
but to bring shorter hours, better educa-
tion, and improved conditions all around
to the workingmen. 1t is organized to
put women on the same plane with the
men where they are employed in the
industry. Here in Vermont, it has
brought about the passing of working
mems compensation law. It's accomplish
ments are manifold, the speaker went on.
Mr.. Byrne tarried long enough to take
a fling at the /. w. w. organization
The federation, he said, is opposed by
some people who imagine they have
something better, or who are in touch
with the National Association of En-
ployers and their vast resources. Once
union is honestly organized for the full
benefit of the workingman, along comes
the l. w. W. and seeks to destroy it.
1t is wrong policy, and ruinous. There
is room enough to work among unorgan-
lied laborers. Thirty-four years of ex-
istence has demonstrated the value of
the A. F. of L. as against such forces as
the |. w. W., socialistic alliances, and
unfair employers. Mr.. Byrne expressed
an occasional belief of his that the |. w.
WIS are side partners of the employers.
The American Federation, he declared, is
something to anchor to, and why should
workers quarrel among themselves while
their employers ehuckle over their diff
ferences.
The speaker paid tribute to Presi-
dent Duncan of the granite cutters, by
asserting that he stands so high among
those who know him that no one can
tear him down. He also spoke fayorably
of the plan to organize labor by indus
tries and said he understood that this
organization policy had been followed
with better than fair success among the
granite cutters and quarry workers and
allied trades. Mr.. Byrne gave his hear
ers the benefit of his long travels and
wide experience in the labor field, and his
range Of vision in labor activities was
not better reflected than when he was
describing miuutely conditions at Lud-
low, Cripple Creek. Trinidad and Butte.
Sometimes, he said, he had seen things
which made him wish for the moment
that he could take the law into his own
hand. although invariably sober second
thought convinced him that justice lay
only in obeying the law. The speaker
prodded the Colorado Fuel 4 Iron Co.,
along with John d. Rockefeller. and be-
fore turning TO discuss the clerks ques-
tion, he appealed for support in the
movement TO liberate John r. lawson,
held in connection with happenings in
the Colorado mining district.
A Few Races.
Preceding the baseball game were two
races, one BY girls II years Of age and
under. and the other by boys - years
OF age or younger. A large number OF
contestants entered both of these races,
and for the girls Moilie Milne come in
first; Dorothy Humphrey, second Mar
raret Wilson, third; and Mary Milne,
fourth. In the boys race, James Griggs
got first; Reid Taylor, second Harold
oliver, third and George Ironside,
fourth.
Credit for the successful manner in
which the celebration plans were carried
through 20 termination Is due the follow
ing committeeman Fred w Suitor,
chairman Of the general committee; John
s. Mcdonald. sports; George ,. Richards,
refreshments; grounds and transports-
ton. Cyrus Y. Hall; music, Wesley Hof.
man: finance, II. J. Houghtoni dance,