Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-27
BROTHERH0ODS VIM
FARMERS WIVES LOSE
Democrats UH2tuousIy but Vainly
FlatteF Themselves That TiIleTs
of the Scil ceIiege Their Bunk
Uplift Laws win Improve
Agricultural Conditions.
FkRlN3 WORSE TEAM
tUWLIs;ST RAILROAD HAND

Plight Of Women Lasorers 10 the
Fields pescaiccd By President Pope
OF tho association Of State Presi-
dents OF the. Farmers Union as More
DeplorabIe Than During the Days of
Slavery, and Yet Not a Word Was
Spoken In the Last Congress, Which
Is Boosting of Its Farm Legislation,
About the Woman Who Rakes The
Hay and Gathers the Sheaves.
That the increase in pay OF the men,
bers Of the four railroad brotherhoods.
caused by the enactment of the eight
hour day law by congress. will rest
ultimately upon the farmer was assert
ed by Henry " Pope, newly elected
president OF the Association Of State
Presidents of the Farmers union. in a
statement issued by him.
Mr. Pope declared that the farmers
of the country stand for a fair wage
for both labor and capital and favor
an eight hour working day, but that
he personally doubted the wisdom of
congress fixing wages for labor en-
ployed by private enterprise. Il doubt,
said he, IF 1t is in the interest of
either labor. capital or the people to
make the wage schedule of railroad
employees a political issue
The condition of the farmers of the
country is worse than that of the most
lowly railroad laborer. Mr.. Pope stat
ed. with an average farm income of
only SLIT day, out of which must
be paid the expenses of the family.
The condition of women laborers in
the fields he described as worse than
during the days of slavery.
Not a Word Fer Farmers.
mot word has been spoken by con-
gress in defense of the woman who
rakes the hay and gathers the
sheaves." said Mr.. Pope. Little has
been done that has increased the In
come Of the farmer or enabled him 10
pay a higher wage to his iabOrers.
But today we find the highest paid
laborers in the world ma king three
times more money than a farmer de-
handing 25 per cent Increase. and con-
gress fastening to their relief This
increase must in the end rest upon the
back Of tie farmer and will reduce his
income, increase his hours of labor
and call for another levy of farm
mothers from the homie TO the field
THE farmers Of this nation must
fight through organization 10 hold what
they have and to get what is rightfuliy
theirs from the government
Mr.. Pope stated that by the enact
ment Of the eight hour day law con-
gress had thrust upon the people OF
the country a new responsibility and
organized labor now stands committed
to the principle OF government regula-
ton OF wages. The government, he
said. should fix wages for all classes
Of railroad employees and should have
the power to decrease as we'll as to IN
crease wages to remedy comparative
inequalities.
Square Deal" For All.
"In my opinion" he continued. "the
next session OF congress should read
just the wages OF all railroad employ
ees. from railroad president to section
laborer, giving all a square deal and
fixing a schedule Of pay based upon
business justice and human rights.
submit a schedule OF wages taken
from official government reports which
presents conclusive evidence of the
inequalities of the present daily wages:
General officers, SIGH: other Off
GERS. S6.49; general office clerks. $253:
station agents, s2.37; other station
men, $3.50; enginemen. S52s: fremen,
1929: conductors. $40; other train
men, $3.11; all shopmen. $237, and
trackmen. S1.5O."
Mr.. Pope declared that the foregoing
schedule showed that the 10000 sec
ton hands In the country were con-
demned TO life Of poverty. He said
ne believed that congress, having I'M
icftaken to regulate the wages of
higher paid employees, should review
their wages.
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