The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-05-20
COMPERS APPEALS To
IRON AND STEEL MEN
Issues Circular Calling Upon
Them To Organize Under A..
F. of L. Banner.

Samuel Gompers, president Of the A.
F. of L., has sent to Duluth unions a
consignment of circulars to be distrib-
uted among the iron and steel workers
of Duluth and vicinity. The A, T. of
L. is making a. special effort to or,
ganize the workers in this industry
The circulars will be distributed
among the workers and an effort will
be made to organize them. It reads
as follows:
Hundreds of thousands of work.
ers in the iron and steel industry are
practically held in subsection by pow
erful and merciless corporations.
1.-THE wages paid make American
standards impossible and workers
are compelled to live. in a poverty
that shortens life, degrades manhood
and destroys home.
"Hours of labor range from ten to
fourteen per day. These long hours
sap the energy and vitality of low
| wage workers, who become an easy
, prey of accident and disease, and
vigorous men become physically
| broken down at an early age.
THE sanitary working conditions
are of the worst and preventable dis
eases are common. Authorities agree
that the number of injuries and
deaths are largely due to the unpro-
| tected machinery in these mills and
to the brutal driving and speeding
up by officials.
These conditions must be
changed. The price paid by toilers
in blood, bone and self-respect, is
too great for the mere chance to
work under inhuman conditions.
1.-THE time to act is now! Crystal
lie the present discomfort against
long hours and low wages by joining
with your fellows under the banner
of the American Federation of Labor.
"Organize, unite and establish the
Eight-Hour Day in the iron and steel
| industry of this country!
"Over two million men and women
toilers are now organized under the
American Federation of Labor, They
comprise every industry, trade ana
calling-both skilled and unskilled.
"Regardless of politics, color. ma
| tionality, religion or sex these toilers
have united, reduced hours, Increased
"e1oNos oA@H p%OCCCC6u Al6 dIu HIND
in. shop. mill, factory and mine.
! 'Street sweepers and teachers,
hodcarriers and cigarmalzers, janitors
and machinists, common laborers
and printers, molders and building
| trades workers-these and others are
united in one grand, fraternity under
the American Federation Of Labor.
! workers in the iron and steel in
dustry, you can change your life of
drudgery and Toll! The American
Federation of Labor stands ready to
| help YOU organize and secure an
eight-hour day, living wage and
improved working conditions.
meetings will be held in your To-
| cality and you are urged to attend
and join the union. Get in touch with
the representatives of the American
Federation of Labor wko will confer
with you and address meetings.
| Learn how to organize and how to
| use your collective strength.
,"Never before has there been such
| an opportunity to organize and i'm
prove conditions. If you would pro-
tect your own tights and promote
your own interests, the time and OPP
portunity is now!
"Fellow workers, give heed. Let
the spirit Of unity and fraternity sink
deep into your hearts and minds. De-
mand the Eight-Hour Day. Orga-
ntze, Unite. Federate!'' :. -