davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

Last week The Labor World asked the question
"Is Commission Government 4 Failure - .
The Labor World did not seek 70 answer that ques-
tion in the affirmative. It simply sought to provoke
discussion subject that is uppermost In the minds
Of public spirited citizens Of Duluth at the
ent time ~ :.... ~.. .":... =, 49,
We do not feethat the legislative and executive func-
tions Of city government should be combined In
body of 1t leads to too many half baked laws
We have too many laws and ordinances now. When any
minor difficulty n the executive branch Of the govern
ment presents itself, it is simple matter pass
ordinance, and the farce Of the two jitney
dlnances shows just how half baked these laws may
The first tney ordinance thrown of the courts
and the second almost an exact duplicate Of the first
the manner in which 1t passed setting at naught the
erendum provision of the city charter. j.,
But these matters for discussion another time.
The commissioners sought to answer the statement OF
The Labor World that increasing rapidly
than the population. The answer, Of course was to
point the fact that the rate has been raised.
Granted The rate has not been raised materially,
perhaps but lets look at the valuations Of the FEW
years. =. - ...
In 1900 the real estate assessed at $20 724
In 1914 the real estate assessed at $4o344465.
In 1900 the personal property assessed at
$4.1s26os. - O. '>
In 1914 the personal property assessed at 49,
,12s, and this exclusive of 72s In moneys
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
UNION WINS 1850, ,oooI
GOLDEN HOURS A. WEEK

Within the past three months, dur
ing which the machinists' fight. for an
eight-hour day has. been carried on
in the east, it is claimed by President
w. H. Johnston of the International
Association Of ''Machinists that, be-
tween 10000 and '175,00O employees
have gained an, ,eight-hour day. Prob
ably one-third of these are machin-
lists, but the others are those who
work with them and are affected by
the concessions made to the machin-
lists, he reports. ~ 49, ID. -:
"Just, think of it," said Mr.. John
ston. 'These people have gained on
an average of seven hours: week for
themselves and their families, mil
lion and a quarter golden hours. a
week--which may be devoted to their
.1improvenae ent,: to the society: Of their
families and social intercourse p
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

ana credits, assessed separately under 1sH law. IT.
that time, therefore, the total valuation has grown
.sss to 377e7z, ,zszs L ms uonsys ana
ara included. to if they are not.
The total tax rate IN vas $40 per thousand of
The total tax OIL purposes in 1914
t34so Der thousand. yaluation has more than
doabled the tax rate has Increased neary five mills
population in that Tine doubled. It has
increased from $4,000 to about $4,000. It IL still
short of doubling but the total amount Of money
raed for All has nearly tripled 1900 the
totl tax levy was s,ooss9, while in 1914 1t was
$1,S7so6s.1a. d. -: ~ ~ = 1tyr
There is no use in whipping the Devil around II
the issue by saying the tax rate is
no higher, the valuaton &c increased Those fikurss
mesh that Duluthians psyng more taxes than they
ddia 1900 The growth Of the city has not
OF 4hes increase in taxesA >szH, Is zz : *s >tY:
criticism was not intended as petty fault find
inxagainst the commission. BN the growing tax prob
lem h one that must be faced and The Labor World
hopes that the commissioners are big enough to
tackle It in big w and seriously study chances FOR
economy It IS time TO look for leaks in the city Tin
anees big and little It is not atime Tor shifting the
bame for extraysEance from one department te the
other from the city to the county the county
school board The becoming heavy tor
thesma home owner IN Duluth II is too heavy for the
business man. Quibblng the rate Won't tighten IT,
when the valuation shows such tremendous increases
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
PRESIDENT G!0|nPERRSS
SUPPORTS s.s!||J1lRAcf. |
II ,and Trade 1niiop11l ia - !
Great Modern Movements = \
* for Freedoan.

Samuel Gompers; president of the
american Federation of Labor, in an
official bulletin urges organized labor
to- fight for: wonfans suffrage. He says
! there are two tremendous movements
labor movement and the. woman suf-
frage movement. The Wonnen's Trade
Union League is visible proof Of the
ability Of women to determine and
manage their own affairs !and to ap-
preciate and to assume responsibility
as members Of society. The bulletin
goes on to say:
"Women cannot. assume equal
rights with free men in the industrial
struggle while classified with idiots
and irrespopsib1es inapo1itical affairs
The ballot cannot long be denied
them Industrial freedom is not sex
problem, 1t is a human problem. Men
and women work side, by side and
until both have. voice In the. estab-
lishment OF working conditions the
problems will not be: settled. Men
1 workers will find women exploited
against. them Just as long as women
are denied responsibility as members
Of the; political society. =
CAS- = result Of former conditions.
traditions and customs, protection
and support have been assumed for
all women. This fiction was. main
tanned: even though. women went out
of their. homes to earn. .livings: in shop,
factory and store. Some women have
learned to break through stultifying
conditions to brush aside: fiction and
to recognize facts-they have learned
that a. free individual must stand
erect, be responsible for her own life
and acts, give and accept Justice, not
special privilege"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

eompers Reveals to President
Scheme to Tie. Up Many
U. s. Factc N,,-
PRESENTS INFORMAT1u., Capf
ABOUT TEUTON AGENTS
Also Discusses Union Labor's S
Program for Legislation From
Next Session of Congress.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-Conceal-
Ing the real purpose Of his call behind
a statement. that it concerned labor
legislation to be introduced at the
coming session of congress, Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation Of Labor, today laid before
President Wilson the details of a new
and gigantic plot on the part Of Ger
man agents in this country to tie up
munition factories making war sup
plies for the allies.
Confronted with the direct question
as to whether he had discussed these
matters with the President, Gompers
said:
Il can not tell you anything further
than that talked with the President
regarding labor legislation and labor
matters"
-GOmpers Has Information.
From other sources, however, it
was learned that Gompers was able to-
give the president information con-
corning not only the recently exposed
plot in New York, involving a scheme
OF alleged German agents to blow up
ships carrying war munitions to Eng
land, France and Russia, but likewise
OF the widespread activities to bring
about walkouts in certain of the larg-
est munitions plants.
When Gompers emerged from his
conference with the President, he said
he had told the President that labor,
during the coming congress, would
ask legislation on three big subjects.
They are:
Industrial education, vocational
training and conservation Of human
life.
Makes No Comment.
THE President listened to what I
had said carefully and interestedly," "
Gompers said, "but he made no COM
ment aside from an expression of ap-
probation of my having laid the mat
ters before him.
Gompers also told. the President: of
the, effort made by labor. workers to
maintain International relations with
the workers Of the European coun-
tries.
He took with him to the white
house, a mass Of Correspondence
which has passed between labor or
ganizations in America and abroad
The President, Gompers said, showed
particular interest in, this correspond
enCe.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
WIN Resist the Demands.
WAR HELPS UNIONS .s1
Il Il. WIN EIGHT HOUR DAY

!. NEW .YCRK-As a result Of rush
war orders. agitation for the eight
hour day, began in the east, will, be
carried to all parts OF tho: country, ac-
cordlng to labor: leaders. q Threat OF a
general strike: changed Bridgeport,
Conn, where many Of the largest mu-
;nition plants In the country are: lo-
Gated, from = non-union; ten hour
center, to an ,eight-hour center domi-
mated by the forces OF organized
labor . 35 a: 5 .s s s.. 81 s $5S
Approximately 400 00S workers have
won their demand for ten hours pay
for eight hours work. Manufactur-
ing plants are. nov elnpl ployang three
shifts s.ss s 70 4
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
mine WORKERS AND
TROOPS FRATERN|zE
Strikers So Fond of Militia They
Plan Dance in Honor of
"Peace Guardians"

According to The Arizona Gazette,
the organ of the mine workers, the
striking miners in Clifton, Ariz., are
fraternizing and the employers are
very much distressed.
A letter received from a member
Of the state militia, in Clifton tells of
the mixing of the strikers and troops.
He says the strikers are really 50 fond
of the troopers that they are enter
tanning them, donating them cigars,
pop, and other presents, and that the
strikers are arranging to give dance
Tor the guardsn1en, says The Gazette.
= Managers Refuse Meeting.
The mine managers, who have fled
to Ell Paso, Tex, because, as they al
lage, of terrorism by the strikers. re-
fused: to meet the committee ap-
pointed by the strikers, giving as an
excuse that it was under the influence
of the Western Federation Of Miners.
The strikers have shown g. Willingness
to oblige and have elected another
committee. -
e." Strike leaders said they were en-
: tirely capable of preserving order and
at' the first hint of lawlessness would
resort to the simple expedient Of bar
ring the peace disturbers from the
commissary maintained by the union
relief commission, thus making it i'm
possible for them to remain in camp:
Enlisting Social Members. -.
A committee Of strikers is convass-
ing the Clifton business men to take
out cards as social members Of the
Western Federation of Miners. These
sued the first day. 49,.
J.. G. Cooper, purchasing agent for
cards cost S. and % of them were is
the Arizona Copper company, the
largest of the three concerns aected
by the strike has returned to Clifton.
He said If the strikers appointed the
proper committee they would be as
sured of a hearing by the manasers.
He DECLINED to reply to: the question
as to whether Or not the mine man
ayers would guarantee not to dismiss
i, the men active in the. strike, nor
would he discuss the charge made by
the Strikers that men employed on
the same. grade. OF work received diff
4srent rates Of pay. =, =
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
lIApIIOlIoRBERS
' -
- y - Il &c 49,. y =, =
e|E'||||||'''B||l||'l|l1|E:R!||. n /: !||.
J 4ah
!. Typhoid sAecide dent Decision
Is Unique: ri: Il; ,:
:sss ~ = -; !;

;. MADISON, wis, Oct 2s-That :ty-
phoid fever contracted while. per
forming services growing out OF, and
incidental to employment" Is an .acci-
dei1t, :asaeenstr rued sby the workmen'a 4
comp lon act, was the decision o1
the Wisconsin supreme court this
morning In the case of Vennen versue
The New Dells Lannber company Of
Eau! Claire. 49,, :. :. :. = H.. !.
This is one Of the most unique and
;far-reaching decisions ever handed
down by the supreme court Of Wis
consin, and the only one on the sub
ject ever decided in the United States
Vennen drank polluted water while
working for the lumber company. He
contracted typhoid fever rvand died:
The, company filed notice Of elec.
ltion to- accept the workmen's nompen.
.sation act. The industrial commission
awarded Mrs. .Vennen $1,000 and the
lumber company appealed to the su:
.pre,ne court, which upheld the com.
mission 49, ~. .
-: This decision is far. reaching and
opens up an entirely new field for thu
workmen's COMPENSATION act. One
effect undoubtedly will: be that EN-:
ployers' in the state will: take man,
hitherto neglected steps to protect
themselves from actions Of this kind
by added sanitation, measures. g. =
That: fdelity1 bonds are subject t.
the same construction. as ordinary in
surance contracts, Is the judgment OF
the supreme court: in the case of Flea.
nor5.B. Whinfield versus Massachusett.
Bonding and Insnrance, company, IL
affirming, the decision of the, lower
court. 49,, a.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
PENSIONS I IfEyyEAIs suFEERINc,,

PENSIONS REVEALS SUFFERING
II : :=-:.oKItAf4uAI1A;--clI Okla; oct. 3s.
county Jud zVtck says the moth
ers' pension law-in1 force In. thiastate.
has ''opaned my ex1Srt q - wonderful
amount off ,,mf55ss y. and @decriptitude''
because sof the large mum q berz q wom-
en- who cannot bs sided by tho law
which provides q WIDOW II must
! have ~, two yAars.ss resi-
:dence in FI!ai county fore making ap-
s::plication org {, her husband nlipt be
either dead or. In as prison or Asylum.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
|GREl' BOOM Is0N
hlAkR 1 | /. R|lFT|G|
Vessel Owners Are Putting Into
Commission Every Graft That
@ e. s s: s Il i Available. = : 81. 5zs !.
RECORD BREAKING RATES
.,, ,,:,5.. INDUCE ovERLoADnya
Despite Increased Risks and Prof
it's Lake seamen Got No Bene-
fit From Rush.

: A tremendous boom in lake traffic
has sent freight rates skyward. ". ssN. !.
:; In consequences, vessel owners are
putting every possible craft into COM
mission, and are crowding. them 10
full Of freight that disaster and seri-
GUS loss Of life are threatened.
: So declare lake seatnen, who point
out that this rush Of traffic will coin
eide with the fall storms on the great.
lakes when each year. some vessels
are wrecked and lives lost. One big
storm would sink dozens of overload
ed and unseaworthy craft they say.
;.s. IS. Say boats Overloaded.
Il. Il Owing To- the feet that the water at
the 500 80 now s.6 feet deep the
sfrAighter6: that are built to draw 16
feet Are being loaded to Is, it is said.
& owners have been getting as
high sas, cents a >bushel for trans
porting: wheat from the head Of the
lakes, Duluth, instead OF seven-eights
OF a cent when; the season opened.
On ore the rate is $1.25, an Jnheard
OF figure, only partly approached in
1909 when $1.0O was paid. I.
At the close Of navigati tionza1l boats
that hold storage grain will get at
least s cents a bushel. with the result
that the large freighters known as
the $e0o-footers, will clear at least
IS 20, COCOON a trip ,sf. sEssis taas a,5a
s. = a.. l.. 3ss rf War Plays Part. -, s..
E The unusual demand Of the steel
mills for Iron ore, due; to- the enor-
NOUS munitions industry, and the In
ability OF the railroads to handle .,
large part Of the grain crop OF the
northwest, have caused many COM
panies to press old and unseaWorthy
boats into: service I {. g. s3 81
y According to- William Curry, busi-
ness agent Of the Lake :Searhen.A I'M
ion in Cleveland. .at 'least boats
making that port are. pTefIo loaded.
Despite the risks which they are
forced to ke Tor the i. OF tho
[Nessel oNner.s profit. Lake. seaman
and 1dsthere-Sri:es- 1hSan On fi1s
lakes viii set no benefits Al incfeas-
id wages s. ss5:$a s$s's &. .
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
DENVER STREET CAR 6: =. !.
MEN MAY ORGANIZE

DENVER, Colo, Oct 2s. street car
men in this city are not organized.
They. did not believe it was necessary.
as the general manager paid good
wages. Now the general manager is
discharged and the workers are dis
cussing orga Hon, an they fear
wages will be reduced. 5... I
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

But This Scheme Tor Settling Dis.
j. putes is Repugnant to
Grown Men. II u 8

The Rockefeller plan Of settling
disputes with employees might be feas-
-ible II these workers were children,
but to grown men the scheme Is re-
ipugnant.5 This lis the verdict Of q
committee representing the interna-
gt1onal executive board. United Mine
|SWorkers of America, now in charge
Of Colorado affairs. es II. |
y The committee says: ~
1.-THE calm assurance on the part OF
the company that the result Of the
joint conference. was foregone con-
clusion speaks eloquently Of their firm:
conviction that. the plan to work at
all, must work in harmony, with their
desires. II 81: $szs -. 4s5 4s5 ISL
'The great fundamental principles
Of industrial democracy, and the right
of collective bargaining, which alone
can guarantee to the Colorado worker
his civil and political liberties, have
no place in the document that has
been so elaborately prepared by Mr.,
Rockefeller and his associates, for the
future guidance OF his silent and ap-
parently non-consulted partners in
the mining camps OF southern Colo-.
rado.- .'tssefs-slsssss :s:
t'''The plan fails to provide for meet
ings or conventions OF the miners ex-.
cept locally, and by doing 80 insures
company domination Of Its workingk.
ALI meetings except local mine
meetings are to. be joint meetings
where, the company will have equal
representation, thus eliminating the
danger OF the collective action that
might result II the men from several
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

The Pacific Mail Steamship COM
,pany refused ;toszgtye the new sea-
thdrew
from the Pacific trade because it
could Sell five steamers at a, profit OF
more than 100000 .. RI H..
F., s.s. hese scaarxa,ees are: made ::secre-
tary: az Commerce Retddfield in ii answer
to: the claim Of Pacific Mail steamers
that they were. compelled to: sell'their
vessels and withdrew from the Tar
eastern trade because Of the:seamen's
law. 49,
The Pacific Mail company objected
particularly to the language: clause
of tho seamen's: law, which it., held
would require the abandonment, OF
Asiatic crews, with . consequent pro-
| hfbitive cost OF wage and food. ~.
/: Secretary Redf1eld declares, how
ever the ,dspartment had not pre-
pared regulations for, the enforce
,ment Of: the law when the steamers
were. sold, and the owners Of the
company did not seek TO-. learn" the
spirit in, which the law would be 1ad-
rni11istered,* but acted on an assumed
Interpretation of the: law which had
no official sanction. ~ 4:
Moreover, Secretary Redf1eld: said
he wrote r.. p. Schwerin. general
manager of the company, and assured
him that the department would not
put the construction on the language
test that the company had put upon
it, and suggested that the company
give the law q, six months trial be.
Tore sacrificing its business. Il.
In announcing his conclusion tina,
the company was not forced out OF
business but sold out at a. profit, Sec.
retary Redfields charged that. the. Pa.
| cif1c Mail company was heavily. over.
! capitalized. The last two years had
been the most prosperous in the firms
history, the secretary declared; and
since April its ships have left, thou:
sands cf.tons. of freight behind them
at ports which they were unable Stc
carry. 4 =. 5>s i, 49,. =.
1t was from this prosperous bust.
ness the company withdrew, without
asking any questions Secretary Red:
field added: !, i ... - ..ss: -,
The sale OF the ave Pacific Mail
steamers. for $3,750,oo Secretary
Redfeld said, shows IAN apparent
profit in excess OF a million. dollars
over what ! the. normal ,yaluatipn OF
the: boats would have been at. 5 per
cent. depreciation charges. The fac,
that the company's stock sold for Is
|: last. .March.and id sfoae4s2 g. In August, at.
&A,s 1,ss.. ~. <. - Z -.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
ILLINOIS TEACHERS ARE =
URGED TO; JOIN UNION

ALTON, ILL.,, Oct 2s.--A fight for a
teachers union IN Illinois was Launched
by r., C.. Moore; ,Car1invtlle, in his
address. before the Illinois Federation
OF Labor, in session here. Moore, who
IL q: county superintendent OF schools,
said he was heartily in, favor Of. q
state teachers union and hoped to see
one: affiliated with the federation OF
labor. -. ID: a,.: :, ,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30

:. OMAHA, Neb;,so Oct: 2s.-Biily sun.
day. Sunday wound up, his. seven
weeks revival here, and left}la night
for his home in Winona Lake, Ind.
Billy took with him .$2s,4255 OF Omaha
money. t7s . A 5s s5s { ~ # - @ : .,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
SETTLES. LONG STRIKE.

ToRRINEToN Conn, Oct. 28..-.- -
,Representativess 81 the United States
department Of labor were successful
IN settling the six weeks strike be-
tween. the Hende ey, Machine tc company
and its en- ployes The workers: have
secured 8 ! 8 .psr cent increase "a the
hourly wage rate. q 81 4-hour week and
time and d half for overtime Several
hundred men are ececte Is s;5.f.ss
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
hQADlQ|1Ill|l
Ask VICE |I||l|||CR|E'.l|sIE| !
Movement May Include Half NIL
lion Railroad Workers. Of !
/ l.. Various clsssesll.; y: 81
Conductors and Trainmen q I'm
Il. II ion. saiid 10 Be Now Pre-
I..st#: pairing Schedules +

& A big movement: among the railroad
brotherhoods to unite in a. demand for
an increase in wages and change in
working cond ditions is now In progress:
Among the principal demands to be
made are an eight hour day. time and
one-hAH for overtime, an increase ~
from 2 to cents an hour for yardmsn
and abolition Of the rule: requiring
Etrainmen to ride on top Of freight
trains. s>'S -.
81 The Order of Railway Conductor.
and Brotherhood Of Railway Train
men are reported to be formulating
the. demands The two bodies repre-
sent more than 100000. railroad men
'brakemeli, hagmen,
Eswitchmen, train bagsagenen md
:eIectrtcians. ~. 81 ess!7Ts$ s:sqt:S5s
The trainmen are not .to. make my
demands for al, increase In wages, but
want the basis: Of payment OF over
time for passenger service changed to
twenty miles n an hour. II this
concession, is made by the roads, II
will be the same as: an increase. VI -
.4<-@1 Action Starts In Chicago. ss5.,,
1; The demands TOR increased wages
for switchmen will start at Chicago,
with a demand for an increase for s
cents an hour. When the Chicago
standard is established, the movement
is to be taken" up in all other yards
Of the West and q proportionate In
crease asked of the railroads. Dem
yer. Colorado Springs, #PPueblo, Lead
willie. Trinidad. Grand junction land
:other cities where .switchnten are. EN-
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
4 = 8 J, l, 9 8NGsCoai1IoDrrIlY.,, Il III =

. DALLAS, Tg1as = 81 q
meeting of ha bal llas-I abor Temple
associ alton II was decided that this
inscrip ptiont should be arranged ths q
circle On 81 stone IN front ofa the build.
}inE: aIab0r 90 n6 connnao dlty. az !. J.
sds Ell ted that unions VIM oc-
cupy the new: stru tturs sby Deceun-
sber IS
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-30
j 1day Involve 500, 900 Men,

,'ss@ liay Involve 500, ,0o0s Men. Z
j: An effort has, been made TO bring in
the loconotiXesan bremen
". in the, name ! Of the four great
brotherhoods. If this Is DONE, the
movement will represent SOC, 900 rail-
road workers, !: the-most -Btup pendous
I'm oYement OF tl11ess under
taken by any;organi nized body of work
ers.' The akreement. between the
Western roads and the firemen and
engineers does not expire: until May
I'll, 1916. This prevents: the two EN-
Eginemen's brotherhoods from par.
ticipating until thirty days prior to
that time; as notice must be given OF
the abrogation of%%the agreement one
month in advance OF the date of it's
expiration. 4a .sr
II the; trainmen and conductors de-
t:cide to: go It. alone, they will make
their demands in December Prac-
ticallys every railroad man IN the West
will be affected directly or indirectly
by the movement. ~ 49, Is. :'5s.s =: 4
WIN Resist the Demands.
- Railroads centering in Chicago are
! already preparing to resist the move
ment to force an Increase of flve cents
an hour Tor switchmen. They say the
Chicago switchmen are already the
highest paid in the world. Officials OF
the Trunk line are making the usual
claim that in case the entire list sot
demands is garnted, it: would result in
bankruptcy. to, many of the roads.
They will organize the biggest body Of
corporation representatives ever got
ten together in America to resist the
demands Of the workers.