davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

Washington-The committee on
industrial relations, formed by Frank
2. Walsh, in cooperation with trade
unionists and others who recognize
labor's leadership, will hold its first
formal meeting at the headquarters Of
the committee in Washington next
Saturday. Members of the committee
are now putting the finishing touches
to the bills which congress will be
asked to pass in order to strike down
the abuses exposed by the commits
sion on industrial relations, with es-
pecially reference to the forces that
block labor in its effort to organize
One of the most important Of these
measures is intended to prohibit the
importation in interstate commerce
of strikebreakers, armed guards and
machine guns.
The A. F. of L. convention at San
Francisco had this to say of the new
committee:
We most heartily indorse the work
of the United States commission on
industrial relations and welcome the
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
CF4TLDLABORLEGISLATION

During last Congress many bills
were introduced for the purpose Of
improving the child labor laws Of the
District OF Columbia, and many were
introduced for the purpose of regu-
lating the labor of children or pro-
hibiting their labor under certain ages
when engaged in the manufacture or
preparation of goods for interstate
commerce. Some OF the latter bills
introduced contained penalties max
ing the common carrier liable for the
transportation, from one city to an
other, of goods manufactured in whole
or in part by children under certain
ages and other bills made the manu-
facturer or shipper of such goods IL
able.
The Owen-Palmer bill was un-
doubtedly the best prepared measure
1t received the greatest consideration
and undoubtedly it would have been
the most effective, if it had been en-
acted into law. After extended hear
ings by the House Committee on La
Dor, the Palmer bill was redrafted and
favorably reported to the House on
August 13, 1914 by Representative
Lewis, chairman of the House Com
mittee on Labor. 1t passed the House
after most interesting and vigorous
debate, on February IS, 1915, by a
vote of 233 ayes" to 43 mays" The
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
Why N. Y. Voted NO

William Marion Reedy. in Reeds
Mirror of ST. Louis, Mo, gives these
reasons for the defeat OF New York's
constitution at the recent election:
"A lot of highbrows, dazed by the
defeat OF the proposed new constitu-
ton for New York, are wondering
why it happened There's no wonder
about it at all. The constitution was
defeated because its supposed pro-
gressive provisions gave the people
no direct voice in government Its
home rule for cities was a fake, It
removed taxation still further, If any
thing, from popular control, and it
gave the voter no power to check the
growth of the privileged corporations.
The document was not definite in its
provisions as to any important
matter, and it left everything too wide
open to judicial Interpretation No
was made to the principle
of direct legislation. Wherever the
people had any power under the in
strument the power was difficult to
exercise and could be nulliied after
exercise. The new constitution was
defeated because It was an attempt
to make the people stand stock still
in moving universe"
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

for a family Of fve-not for every
family, but for a workingman's fam
lily.
No druggist compounding a medi-
cine could exceed the attention this
$4,000 year paternalistic gentleman
gave to his weekly(can also be spell
led "weakly') bill of fare-for work
ingmen. Wednesdays menu shows
that oyster stew, crackers, tea, jam
and Jelly will suffice for lunch. No
limit is placed on the number OF
crackers necessary to sustain life.
For diner, to be eaten the same day,
butter is tabooed, because of the jam
and jelly excesses at lunch time. So
the evening meal, after a hard days
work, is arranged thusly: Baked
beans, stewed tomatoes, bread let
tuce salad, cinnamon buns.
For Saturdays dinner, these "hands"
who risked their lives all week, are
given the privilege of eating meat
the first since Monday But lest they
acquire extravagant notions, Mr..
Couzcns provides that the third meal
on Sunday shall be bread, batter,
jam and cocoa.
DESPITE the general hangers
closest estimate, which totals $97140
per annum, he ignores such necessi-
ties as newspapers, books, music and
magazines These seem TO be in
cluded in education" which is listed
as free For recreation amusements
and HOLIDAYS" he allows S12 per year,
or a little less than 25 cents a week.
For street cars, $50 per year, or a
fraction over 81 cents week, is de-
clared sufficient.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
A PROFIT in PREPAREDNESS
{ By Marcus Day)

The necessity OF great prepared
ness by this country in order to keep
ZIP the market price of war munitions
stock has been a powerful factor in
starting the pro-miltary propaganda
At the end of the war in Europe
there will be an end of war purchases
may be bankruptcy that will pre-
vent any further military efforts on
the part of European governments.
Can any one not see that this would
blow up the whole war munitions
graft-provided there was not an
other market created for war muni-
tions at home.
When the preparedness program is
brought up by President Wilson, his
measure will be fought bitterly by
reactionary influences in Congress-
Their interest in preparedness is di-
rected in furthering the profits of
the present manufacturers who can
see the end of their war munitions
game when Europe goes broke and
can pay for nothing further in this
line
But if Congress makes of prepared
ness an economical affair in which
the government will manufacture the
bulk of its own war munitions there
will be different story. In the first
place, there will be a very sudden
slackening in enthusiasm for war
preparations by those who cannot
make of it proft-taking affair for
themselves but if Congress furthers
methods of making the rich pay their
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
They Won't Fight the Unions

Portland, Ore.-The Crocers and
Merchants association of this city
have notified President Stockton, of
the Oregon Retail Merchants assoc
citation that it is not in sympathy with
his action in advising members to
join the anti-union Oregon Employ
ers' association.
The local association declares this
would tend to bring on an industrial
war in Portland" that Portland mer-
chants have always been friendly to-
ward organized labor" and that the
gPortland Grocers and Merchants as
sociation is absolutely opposed to any
such consolidation and will not be
bound to any such action of the
state association in this matter"
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
Increase Social Laws

Washington-Health insurance for
employees will be the livest issue in
social legislation in this country dur
ing the next five years, declares Dr.
Henry J. Harris OF the library OF con-
gress, in an interview in local news
paper He said careful statisticians
estimated that there were 100000
persons sick in the United States in
any one year. and that each wage
Garner was estimated to lose, on an
average. nine days year on account
OF sickness, and that if 81 day was
taken as the average wage, the wage
loss from sickness annually totals
$5oo,0Oo,0o0
''In FIVE years" said DR.. Harris, mo
less than p states have enacted laws
that provide pensions for widows. and
in FIVE years 81 states have enacted
laws to compensate workmen injured
at work. When the movement for
health insurance is universal it is
probable that It will meet with no
less phenomenal success"
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

add to the distress every winter in
the large centers of population.
] hope the American Federation Of
Labor will stand behind such a de-
mand before Congress at the present
session and if they do so it will pass
because there is not proposed mea-
sure that would be more universally
popular with the people
If this matter is taken up it should
bring into consideration the inspec-
ton Of immigrant ships before they
depart from European shores. In
the past all sorts OF swindles have
been worked on the immigrants by
the ship companies and hundred Of
thousands OF immigrants have come
over here under a false CONCEPTION Of
conditions. The time to stop the un-
desirables is before they board the
ships.
After the close Of the present war
there will be millions Of Europeans
who will come to the United States in
order to escape the burden Of taxa
ton that will be levied against Eur
ope and we can either take the cream
and reject the junk or bulk 1t all to-
gether, according to the amount Of
brains we use in handling a serious
situat;on
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

are against it. Under old conditions
matters were so manipulated that the
labor supply could be controlled alb
solutely-under the Seamen's Act
the sailor is free to choose his own
employer. The Ship monopolists do
not fear the higher wage nearly as
much as they do the independence of
action on the part of sailors because
under square deal and no favor
other independent ship concerns are
certain to spring up and bid for the
services of these men. If the Ship
ping Trust retained their monopoly
they could unload their burden Of
higher wages on the shipper and con-
sumer by an increase of freight rates.
Under an opening TIP of competition
they cannot carry out this policy be-
cause competition will fix the rate
OF freight charges and the increased
wage will be loss to the companies.
They do not like higher wages but
they dread the curtailment of their
monopoly much more because that
lays back of the wage increases and
makes certain further wage advances
as the growth of shipping increases.
That the ship monopolists are op-
posed to the smashing Of a cinch need
surprise no one but what must any
one think of politicians and news
papers who lend their services to
such an effort as that now under tap.
which is nothing but laughable
swindle to humbug the reading
public.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
SMALL FARE FOR WORKERS

Toronto, Canada-General Manag-
er Couzens, of the Toronto hydro
electric system, government-owned
utility, has his own views on the
amount OF food necessary to sustain
a big muscled electrical worker. He
believes, for instance, a Saturday
lunch for these huskies should only
consist of boiled rice, apple pie, bread,
butter and tea For Mondays
lunch he is quite sure potato salad,
bread, jelly and tea is sufficient, while
he would arrange Tuesdays midday
banquet as follows: Vegetable SOUP
without meat) bread, butter, jam and
tea.
The general manager is paid sal
ary of $4,000 per year, which is more
than the chief justice or the premier
of Canada receives. The electrical
workers employed by the hydro elec-
trio system are on strike because the
commissioners in charge ofthis public
utility have refused to accept an
award given by board appointed
under the industrial disputes act Of
Canada. This law makes it illegal to
call strike or enforce lockout in
a public utility until a government
appointed board investigates the dis
pute. In the present case the board
indorsed the workers request for
wage increases, and now the hydro
electric commission refuses to accept
the award.
To support his claim that the en-
ployes should not receive a wage in
creas. Twelve-Thousand- Dollars-a
Year General Manager Couzens COM
piled schedule of things necessary
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

bill was then referred by the Senate
to the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce on March /, 1915,
and was favorably reported to the
Senate with certain amendments.
Several efforts were made by Senators
Robinson of Arkansas, and Norris
of Nebraska, to obtain consideration
of the bill in the Senate, but the con-
gested condition of business before
the Senate at that late day prevented
action beng taken. 1t was called to
the attention of the Senate that the
Owen-Palmer bill would prevent any
factory selling its product in any 9th
er State if such product was pro-
duced by child labor 1t is our opin-
ion that if the bill could have been
properly brought before the Senate
at that session it would have become
law.
We are confident that this measure
or one similar to it will become law
in the near future, because we believe
that the Congress of the United States
is not inclined to set itself against the
enlightened public sentiment OF the
people in behalf of better opportuni-
ties for the children.
We recommend that this issue be
made one of the chief features in
our forthcoming legislative program,
From A. T. of L. Executive Councils
Report.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

As Congress is now in the last regu-
lar session before election it is to be
hoped that there will be a measure in
troduced that will have for its pur-
pose a sane immigration law which
covers the point concerning cripples.
insane, diseased and the physically
unfit, caused by the great war in
Europe. If there is to be law COW
ering this ground the present session
Of Congress should bring it forth.
There will be bitter attack against
such thing by the great employers
Of labor and few silly sentimental
lists but it is demanded by the best
interests OF the country as a protec-
ton against the spread of disease,
the overtaxing OF charitable institu-
tions and the increase of the surplus
of the perpetually unemployed.
We have too many Of this
class now. We have the right to de-
mand of Europe that it take care of
its own product All able bodied and
healthy Europeans are welcome
they are a permanent asset to the
country Every willing worker from
Europe adds to the employing
strength of the country but non-pro-
ducers who become a charge on the
country weaken rs and continually
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
The Boise Musicians Entertain

Last Sunday evening The Musi-
clans Protective Association held
their annual entertainment at the
Grunbaum hall At $50 P. NJ. the
program opened with orchestra music
after which the Municipal band play
cd few selections followed with 9th
er music. singing and speaking. Sup
per was announced at 10 o'clock and
there being only room for forty
couples at the tables at one time. the
program was continued to the delight
Of those who remained in the hall.
That the musicians know how to
entertain goes without saying and
every one present declared it the
most enjoyable event Of its kind held
in Bois. in many moons.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
DEMAND FOR SLAVES.
Such Is the Program Of Opponents Of the
Seamen'S Act
(By Marcus Day)

The demand of the selfish inte rests
for the Repeal of the Seamen's Act
is equivalent to a statement that it
is necessary Tor slavery conditions to
exist, lcr labor to be poorly paid and
that this labor must be made up of
Chinese and Japanese coolies in order
10 have ali American mercantile mar
inc. Eut it is hardly likely that Con-
gress wall allow itself to be buncoed
into a repeal oil single provision of
this Act at the bidding of the interests
who desire the law nullifed because
there is probably not a contention
they are fathering that can be justi-
fed by proof.
Their campaign against the law
thru the subsidized press is the most
farcical of many humbugging efforts
along the same lines.
The Pacific Mail incident and the
latter's alleged withdrawal-then its
sale-is now quoted as caused by the
Seamen's Act 1t has been pointed
out positively by Secretary McAdoo
that the sale was necessary in order
to comply with the law against rail-
roads owning steamships,
The great cause OF the hostility to-
ward the Seamen's Act is really not
so much a matter Of wages as it is a
question OF monopoly The Act
equalizes shipping conditions--it gives
every one who wishes to enter the
ocean carrying trade square deal
This is the reason the Plunderbund
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
No Cause For Uneasiness

1t is really unfortunate that COM
mon sense in the discussion of the
necessity of war preparedness seems
to be out of the question. There
really is not much necessity for extra
ordinary efforts in this direction now
as there was when Germany was at
the height of her power, July, 1914
There never was any other possible
aggressor against our dominant in
fluence in South America and sine
that time she has fallen in relative i'm
portance as a danger. 1t is not at
all unlikely that If this measure OF
great preparedness could be blocked
during the present winter session of
Congress that it would be very un-
popular with the people Does it not
look as if the war munitions people
understand this and are making hay
while the sun shines? If they can
rot commit the country to their pro-
gram now they will never see another
opportunity and they are acting with
the promptness that has put them on
top Of the country's best interests.
II the people were as cautious and as
alert as the business interests, what
a change there would be in national
legislation.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
Good Report by Movie Men

Baltimore-Offcial Of the Moving
Picture Operators union report that
there are less than half a dozen mo-
ton picture theaters III this city that
have refused to sign their new scale
which is agreed to by 8s houses.
These signatures mean an additional
5000 year to the movie" opera
tors.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

just share of the new burden there
will be genuine hostility to the whole
preparedness scheme on the part of
the Plunderbund.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

The Knights Of Pythias will enter
tain this evening at their hall on Ida
no street.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09

Mrs. Isabelle Bambrick Of 10th and
Franklin streets is recovering from
a bad attack Of La Grippe.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1915-12-09
cut OUT The UNFIT
Congress Should Enact New immigration Law
Without Delay
(By Marcus Day.

As Congress distress every winter
lar session before the large population
The day book., 1915-06-01

were eight children who refused to
obey her because she was a step
mother.
Barbea professed to be impartial in
the matter, but his attitude toward
Johanna almost landed him in the
Bridewen on months sentence.
Johanna pleaded that her clothes
might be returned to her, and offered
to pay her father $40 of the alleged
due board money. Barbea refused to
give the clothes until he received all
he said was coming to him and Judge
Fisher. ordered him to turn the
clothes over to Johanna without her
paying anything.
You can't make me do it," Bar
bea retorted. Judge Newcomber told
me l can hold her clothes for her
board bill and I'm going to do it"
A bailiff hauled Barbea off to the
bulI-pen on the months sentence,
but Mrs. Barbea promised that the
clothes would be returned if he were
released, and Judge Fisher suspend
ed the Bridewell sentence, but placed
Barbea on probation for a year.
The day book., 1915-06-01
"CRUEL STEPMOTHER" STORY
STEPS INTO SPOTLIGHT

STEPS INTO SPOTLIGHT
"Cruel stepmother" stories are no
longer the fashion, but one of them
stepped out of the pages of fiction or
off the motion picture screen recent
ly and unraveled itself with all of
the artistic trimmings in the court of
domestic relations.
Johanna, 20; Julia, 18 and Clara,
Is, testified to the alleged cruel
treatment of the stepmother in the
case, Mrs. Paul B. Barbea, $3.50 Car
men av., in the case of Paul B. Bar
bea, charged with contributing to the
dependency of his eight children.
Johanna testified that she had been
turned out of her home and her ia
ther refused to give her her clothes
because she said she should pay
board money she had not paid. Julia
said she had been forbidden the
house and Clara declared that
though she was sick in bed with rheu-
matism her stepmother had left her
in the house alone while she had at
tended the theater and that at other
IlIhCS S11C WOI1lO 4OI S1NC hC1
to eat though she entertained card
parties and made lunches for them.
POIcewoman Johnson said she had
investigated the case for two weeks
as result of the charge made by the
stepmother against Johanna's char
acter after the stepmother had been
arrested on a charge of disorderly
conduct and released by Judge Mar
tin on condition that she would take
care of the stepchildren, and that the
charge against Johanna was false,
but the stories told by the girls of
the neglect of the. stepmother were
true.
Another police officer said that the
real head of the house was the 49,
year-old son of the stepmother, who
advised her when the other children
should be whipped.
On her own behalf the stepmother
i l. i L
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-29
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In the District Court of the Fourth
Judicial District of the State Of Me-
vada, in and for the County of EIko.
In the matter OF the estate of WILL
IAN STEVENS HILLMAN, Deceased.
NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that
the undersigned, Harry A.. Hillman,
was, by al order of the District Court
of the Fourth Judicial District of the
State of Nevada. in and for the County
Of Elko, duly made and entered on
the Gard day of November, A. ID. 1915,
appointed executor of the estate of
William Stevens Hillman, Deceased,
and that he has qualified as such ex
ecutor.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO all
persons having claims against said
estate TO file the same with the sta
tutory affidavits and vouchers at
tached, with the Clerk of the above
entitled court within three months of
the first publication of this notice, or
such claims will be forever barred.
Dated at Elko, Nevada, this 23rd
day of November, A. ID. 1915.
HARRY HILLMAN,
Executor of the Estate of VIII.
lam Stevens Hillman, Deceased.
CANTWELL & CARVILLE, Elko, Ne.
vada. Attorneys for Executor.
Date of first publication Nov. 26. 1915.
Date of last publication Dec. 81, 1916