davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
DEFECTS in THE NEW PLAN

Philadelphia.-The National Ameri-
canization Committee has opened
headquarters in this city and is pre-
pairing details for a statewide cam
paign to Americanize the thousands
of immigrants that have been poured
into this commonwealth by the steel
and coal trusts, the railroads and the
shipping combine. 1t is announced
that a national conference will be held
in Philadelphia, January lo and 20,
under the auspices of the committee.
The National Americanization Com
mittee was recently organized in New
York by the Astors. the Vanderbilts.
railroad officials and other influences
whose swollen fortunes have been
made possible by the exploitation of
immigrants and the lowering of
American workmen's living standards.
These influences are alive to the dan
ger of increasing agitation against inn
migration, and the committee is pre-
pairing the stage for a general move
ment which it terms. "Americanize
the immigrant" while totally ignoring.
the evils of stimulated immigration
so necessary to cheap labor advocates.
These evils are referred to in a
special report to the federal depart
ment of labor in 1914 by w w. Hus-
band, who made this declaration after
six months study of immigration in
eastern Europe.
"The difficulty in the situation, how
ever, arises chiefly from the fact that
the economic law is constantly inter-
fered with by artificial influences, back
of which is the desire for gain on the
partof those who profit through the
movement. Chief among these in
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
TO REPEAL SHIPPING BILL?

Washington.-Wi few months
of the Eastland horror in the Chicago
River, with the Titanic. the Volturno,
and Empress of Ireland tragedies OF
greed still fresh in the minds of the
world. the shipping trust is already
battering at Andrew Furuseth's Able
Seamen's Act for safety at sea and
fairness to American seamen.
Two bills in Congress to nullify the
Seamen's Act have been introduced.
One is in the Senate by Senator Call
niger of New Hampshire, the other
is in the House by Representative
Humphrey of Washington.
7 he whole labor movement is di-
rectly interested in protecting the
Seamen's Act. Andrew Furuseth's
success, with the especial help of
Senator LaFolIette. after twenty-five
years of fighting, will, if left alone,
restore another great employment TO
American workinmen. restore Ameri-
| Ndll SIiPS ~ lhN SOdos lNllONO tiiN SD
mems occupation from Oriental do
mnation, and lessen the competition
in land work in American coast cities
The two bills i'll Congress are dan
gerous, but the worst danger from
what has been the rule of the Depart.
ment of Commerce.
The pressure for the repeal OF the
Seamen's act, or for its defeat by non
enforcement, is enormous. The con
centFated wealth of the shipping in.
terests of the world is back of the
great efforts to keep American sea
men underpaid slaves. to drive the'r
from the seas, and to recruit the sail
ors of all vessels of all nationalitie:
from cheap Oriptal labor and from
the helpless. hopelt SIS outcasts of tn,
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

fluences are the army of steamship
agents and brokers operating in Eu-
rope and to some extent in the United
States; the transatlantic transporta-
ton companies, and the railways and
lesser steamship lines which serve as
feeders for them. and employers in
the United States who demand an ex-
haustless supply of cheap labor"
Despite the praiseworthy deelara-
tions of the National Americanization
Committee. trade unionists and other
advocates of immigration restriction
are skeptical of the announced pur-
poses of the hackers of this organiza-
ton, who. it is hown, make no, refer
erce to closing the food gates of
eastern and southern European inn
migI alton. 1t is also pointed out that
the railroad and steamship companies,
together with cheap labor employers,
will assist any educational movement
of this character if they are PERMITTED
to swamp the labor market with their
hordes of ilfiterates. through stimulat-
ed immigration.
II is said that the men who gave
financial support last year to the Ma
tional Liberal Immigration League
kave transferred their allegiance to
the newly-formed National American
ization Committee because of the pub
LEGATION by President Gompers, Janu-
airy 60 1915. of the contributions var
ious trusts and employers of cheap la
Dor made to the league. This expose
destroyed the leagues usefulness and
change of tactics was necessary in
the fight to maintain what Federal
Investigator Husband terms "an ex-
haustless supply of cheap labor"
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

capitals OF Europe and America.
American shipping interests have
from 800 to 400 million dollars invest
ed in vessels flying foreign flags,
Their interests are tied up with the
federated shipping interests of all the
world on all the seven seas.
These shipping interests fight the
Seamen's Act because: (1) it makes
the seamen free man, free to quit his
vessel in port of call. as any other
worker can quit his job; (2) it gives
the seaman a right to receive half his
wages if he quits, so that his indivi-
dual liberty of action becomes real
economic liberty; (3) it raises the
standard of efficiency, provides that
from 90 to 65 per cent of all crews
must have had three years experience
as sailors, and requires rs per cent OF
the deck crews to understand the
language OF the ships officers; (4)
it abolishes the present real crime by
which the police power of the United
States is now employed in every
American nort to hunt down the sea
men of foreign vessels and force
them back into involuntary servitude
(5) it increases the equipment foi
safety to passengers on all boats, ant
(6) because all these provisions. ap
plying to all vessels. American OF
foreign, that touch an American port
will eventually raise the wages of al
sean1en, not only on American vessels
hit throughout the shipping trade o
the world.
Most powerful interests, the com
bined shipping wealth throughout tn,
world, are now assailing and irving tC
undermine the Seamen's Act Will th
people of the United States stand fo
it?
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

The Napoleanic era ushered in the
present dying national spirit and the
great Corsican's ultimate defeat at
Waterloo left Europe with conspic-
ious spirit in its several different, am
bilious and aspiring nations Il COM
petitive and necessary striving to gain
advantage to each over the other
which had much to do with the pro-
gress of the world materially.
The very thing that the Great Dis
turber of Europe saw and took steps
to bring about himself by force, an
European confederation, came not at
that time because the condition was
not ripe and the method bad. Napo-
leans defeat at Waterloo, instead of
putting an end to nationalism made il
much more powerful specifically and
has led to the present climax of the
competition in the cosmic hurricane OF
destruction which is reducing nations
to the dust of poverty. impotency and
general ruin commercially and finan-
cially, but making them one in spirit
II may be long, long time in the
moulding but Europe will rise out Of
this conflict one in spirit instead Of
the present competitive and factional
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
ETHICS OF THE CASE
The Rights and Duties Of ROckefellers-W War
SituatiOn--LabOr's Opponents
(By Marcus Day.

strife of its parts, which are on the
verge of learning that there was no
real difference between them and that
the very things they were fighting for
thy already had but were unconscious
of and that there is only one way to
bring about universal peace and that
is by the refusal to recognize nat
onal boundary, which is of the flesh
only and which has never governed
the spirit except to weaken the unity
of peoples to both their material as
well as their spiritual growth.
Nationalism was a step forward in
the evolution of the human race-it
is now passing by the same process of
evolution into internationalism and
the great European war is the culmi-
nation of that great parting of the
ways that will lead to universal peace
versal democracy, the hurting into the
scrap heap of kings and the last and
final death of aristocracy on the earth.
On the surface there appears as yet
only the vainglorious bossting of what
one nation is going to do to another
but there is nothing more certain than
that Europe is going democratic at
the present bloody election and that
the new party is made up of the whole
which will have just found each other.
Be fore the end of the war the move
ments for European confederation will
have taken hold OF the common Eu-
ropean mind in the army, in the civil
ian population and in many of the
more intelligent of the aristocracy and
and there will Immediately follow the
close of hostilities a universal anc
spontaneous getting together into
legalized unity.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
ANOTHER GOOD NATIONAL SONG

The dry wave which is rolling and
bouncing about the country is giving
rise to its own songs. One which is
said to have originated in Nashville is
now sort of national anthem along
the north Pacific where the thirsty
citizens Of Washington and Oregon
are looking for a cloud, even though
it be as small as mans hand. The
words run:
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
MEETING OF TRADES COUNCIL

Moving Picture Machine Operators
was present and spoke OF the detri-
mental effect upon the show business
OF the national war tax and read a
communication from their interna-
tional union asserting that SO per cent
of the stage employees had been
thrown out of work on account of the
conditions arising from this tax. A
committee was appointed to draft
resolutions protesting against this tax.
An appeal for assistance was read
in behalf of the meat cutters OF Port
land now on strike for ten hour day.
The members were given a genuine
treat by present from William Ohm,
local cigar manufacturer, of box
of Elmo" cigars made in Boise by
union labor.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

Here are a few easily recongized
facts which organized labor must take
into immediate consideration regard
ing the question of military arma-
mcnts:
The oppressors Of labor are solid
unit for extravagent expenditures.
The enemies of the proposition
number those who have been the abb
lest fighters for justice for all.
Large armaments and preparedness
was the universal European program
before the great war and each and
every government in Europe emphat-
ically stated that their own prepared
ness was for the express purpose OF
preserving the peace.
That these large armaments failed
to do what their promoters claimed
That peaceful intents changed rap
idly as armaments grew in strength
and when one great power felt itself
better ready to start conflict than
its neighbors. it broke relations with
the others and declared war.
That the producing classes are pay
ing the whole of the cost both with
their blood and treasure, thru taxa
ton.
That bankruptcy stares all of them
in the face if the war continues and
that long periods of misery. starvation
and degradation thru poverty is inevi-
table.
That the rulers who were response
bic for the war are more interested
in holding power and escaping the
logical outcome of defeat at arms
than they are in the misery that is re-
quired to continue.
That our wealthiest classes in the
United States are making more
money out Of the war in proposition
to their service than are the 1aborers
who are temporarily employed in the
making of ammunitions and guns.
That all great minds have predicted
that plutocratic wealth in the United
States would try every means at its
command TO created military gov
ernment
That they are now giving the idea
support and standing behind politi
clans who have always betrayed tn,
public interests.
! defy anyone who has read historl
to contradict the above statement
specifically by citing an example tc
the contrary.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

There are many people guessing as
to what will be the policy of the
younger Rockefeller toward the great
and increasing army of employees un-
der his employ, but all of them seem
to sidestep the most important ques-
ton concerning his relations to la
borers and the public in general.
He will inherit, we will say one
billion of dollars, invested in highly
profitable monopolistic concerns, in
Guiding oil refineries, railroads, steel
plants, etc. etc. which are automatical-
Iy increasing the total of his wealth
and spreading its financial control
over the continent and the world. Do
his apologists and those who really
hope for a more just treatment in his
policy toward labor think that the
country should accept his views as
final?
To recognize his right to say what
shall be the policy toward labor and
the country is certainly confessing a
belief in an un-American principle of
economics. The majority of our pro-
duers and onsumers have not as yet
passed into such state of mind-if
they have, the country is already past
redemption. To recognize the right
of Mr. Rockefeller to say what will be
his future policy over thousands of
employees is equivelant to recogni-
ton of his Divine Right over the lives
of all our people.
1t would be an acceptance of an in
dustrial paternalism, with complete
recognition. socially. politically and
economically of one man power and
an aristocracy to take the place of
this Republic of Jefferson and Lincoln.
The writer hopes that Mr.. Rookie
feller will treat his laborers generous
w and that he is more humane than
his father He is showing evidences
of marked Improvement. but the ec-
onomic questions of this country will
be se'tled 7 feel sure. without taking
him into council and there will he a
thoro change in our relations to such
as he in the the future.
The question of how man gains
his wealth is going to take the place
of worshiping him because he already
has barrel There will also be a
questioning of those who reap where
they do no SOW
We have reason to believe that John
d. Rockefeller, Jr.. has human heart
and will do better than his father
this will be of immediate benefit both
to himself and his employees. But
the question of democracy in this
country is going to reach down basic
1y into economics and the passing oil
individual control over labor is going
TO evolve into amalgamated as we'll as
individual service OF all units for the
benefit of all. with the power of al
to remove any one of their number
who attempts to dictate against theii
will
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
Al WAYS GET RECEIPT IN full

Ferer ask NE il ] been good Indian,
| say, yes. He say did you pay debts (
| say, yes, and he say where is receipt!
say. yes. lie say did you pay sub
scription to home paper: Where is
the receipt don't have II. ] have
to run all over hell to find you and
get receipt ~
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

We are nevertheless making prog
ress. First these well-intentioned
men said there was nothing the mat
ter: then they set about mending it,
and ultimately they will unite in the
general effort to extend the blessings
of civilization to all mankind.
1t is not that the rich are more self
ish than the poor, or that they are
more indifferent to the sufferings of
others, but that they are unconscious
of the fact that conditions are unjust
and can be righted As individuals
here and there in the class awaken
to the real conditions they are quick
to acknowledge the wrong and will
ingly lend a hand for its correction.
That it is ignorance that perpetu-
ates these conditions needs no other
evidence than the fact that the very
people who suffer from them have
the power in their ballots to correct
them, yet do not. Both the poor and
the rich suffer from their ignorance.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
FOR HIGHER WAGES
General COrgas Claims These Are Basic Needs
of All Reform

General Gorgas recently visited
Chicago, where he made an address
which caused wide interest. Concern
ing the address The Chicago Herald
says: Not the least of his merits is
his modesty. To hear his simple story
Of the successful campaign against
yellow fever in Cuba and malaria III
Panama stranger to his work would
scarcely know that he had had any
thing to do with it. 1t is indeed
pleasant to see a man of such accom-
plishments bear his honors so mod
estly."
General Gorgas not only made plain
the necessity for higher wages in or
der to overcome insanitary conditions,
but he suggests a way of accomplish
ing that end He calls attention to
the fact that in every city where there
are slums and overcrowding, there is
vast amount of vacant land; and he
proposes the untaxing of houses and
the double taxing of vacant lots. His
idea is that a heavier tax on vacant
lots and an exemption of buildings
will make land speculation less prof
table and building more Iemunerative
If there be an increase in the mum
Der of buildings there will be greater
demand for labor, which will tend tc
raise wages; and more houses, which
will tend to lower pents If wages gC
up and rents come down, there will bt
a movement of the congested popula
ton into roomer and more sanitary
quarters.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

An Oklahoma editor tells Of an old
Indaian who came to his office to sub
cribe for his paper The editor took
the money, and then the Indian
wanted a receipt. After writing it the
editor asked him why be was SO per-
sistent in wanting a receipt. He said,
Il die sometime. go to gate and St
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

Thus will be realized the aim of
the economist, better wages: of the
socio1ogist, better moral conditions.
and of the sanitarian, better physical
conditions.
Peculiar importance attaches to this
suggestion of General Gorgas because
of his reputation as practical man.
Similar suggestions have been made
before, but they have usually been
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

dismissed as theories-and nothing
excites the contempt of the practical
man more than the theorist. General
Gorgas, however, has behind him a
rare record of accomplishment that
proclaims him as sane and practical, as
an efficient man. He not only takes
board view of conditions, but his ex-
perience has verified his theories,
The difficulty in applying his theo-
ries lies in the financial interests that
will be affected. We are still in the
condition of the benevolent minded
shareholders, who devised all manner
of means for ameloriorating the con-
dition of the slave, except to give him
his liberty And so the present men
of affairs, from Mr. Gary and John
D. Rockefeller, Jr., down to the least
of the proht-sharing employers, are
seeking to relieve laber from the
stress of conditions without disturb
ing the benefactors.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20
Hush, little barroom,
Don't you cry.
You'll be a drug store
Bye and Bye.

Nobody appears TO claim the own
ership Of these vagrant verses, but
the modest author or prophet may
rest assured that he has reached his
audience.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

The Gem Worker is a recogniz-
ed factor in the newspaper life Of
Boise and Of Idaho. It is the
mouth piece of organized labor, and
IS such a welcome visitor in the
homes Of the wage-earners OF the
city. AS an advertising medium it
has no superior for it circulates
among a class who earn good mon
ey and who spend it where It will
bring results. The wise dealer
knows these facts and governs him
self accordingly.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-01-20

Within the last decade the labor
press has become one of the most
potent in publicity work in the
United States. Where a dozen
years ago few labor pepers were
published in a slipshod manner,
now there are hundreds of clean,
well-edited and prosperous sheets
which speak for the wage earners
of their respective Communities.
In Idaho, The Gem Worker is the
recognized spokesman of organiz-
ed labor.
Evening star., 1916-10-20
Allies Pressing On at the Somme.

Comparative inactivity on the western
front for several days has been broken
by announced advances by both French
and British in their operations against
Peronne and Bapaume. The French
have pressed out from their lines at
Sally -Saillisel, which lies about mid
way between Bapaume and Peronne, Civ
ing them full command of the highway
between the two cities. At the same
time they have resumed their attacks
south of Peronne, pressing toward the
river, which flows almost due north and
south at that point. For long time
in fact, ever since the earliest DAYS of
the drive-the French have been con
tent merely to hold their advanced lines
in this sector. There was no strategic
advantage in going ON to the river until
they had chance to cross it and gain
foothold considerably beyond the east
bank. The fact that they have resumed
actiyity at Biaehes, lying Immediately
southwest of Peronne at the rivers bend,
suggests that they are prepared for a
heavy movement, perhaps in the hope
of carrying the Peronne position as a
whole. The British advance along
the Albert Bapaume highway and car
| ries them close to the Ancre, which is
| crossed by the road at Warleneourt The
Evening star., 1916-10-20
Won Kluck and the Marne.

The retirement of Gen. Won Kluck
from active service in the German army
brings back to public mind a name that
figured eonspieuously in the war news
of little more than two years ago. He
has at his own request been placed on
the retired list on the ground of his ad-
vaneed years. he having passed seventy
last May. In all likelihood. however.
Won kluck has retired because of lack of
sympathy between him and the high
command. perhaps the result of what has
been called his failure at the Marine.
Won kluck commanded the army which
composed the German right wing in the
great advance through France in August
and September, 1914 His forces were
most conspieuously in evidence in that
remarkable maneuyer because they bore
the brunt of the fighting as the French
and British fell back
At one time it seemed as though Won
Klucks army would capture Paris, but
this, it soon proved, was not the imme-
diate design of the German strategfsts.
They wished to crush the forces of the
allies or hem them in between the Ger
man lines and the interior boundary.
Then, it was evident, the Germans could
seize Paris at their leisure. Something
went wrong with the German plan. Just
what it was has not been satisfactorily
explained. Much has been written on the
subject, chiefly by French writer's. whose
theory is that the Germans under
estimated the reserve strength of the
French, and in order to meet suddenly
developed new force formed out of
the garrisons Of the Paris defenses,
pulled open the line in the center, which
gave Gen. Foch chance to strike with
0is own newly created army, of the ex-
btence of which it is assumed the Ger
mans were unaware. Won Kluck may
Evening star., 1916-10-20

dispatches note that the British have
pressed forward some distance in the
region of Butte le Warlencourt, domi-
mating height about three miles from Ba-
paume. Heavy German counter attacks
against the newly won British positions
indicate the gravity with which the Ger
mans view this new move. Obviously,
despite German claims that the allied
drive on the Somme is costing in men
disproportionate1y to the gains accom-
pEshed, it is the purpose of the French
and British commanders to press their
campaign unremittingly. They evident
ly hope either to break through at some
weak point and thus be in a position
to roll up the German line north and
south and compel general withdrawal
or by repeated blows to wear down the
German resistance at rate greater than
their own losses