davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
WAGES OF TRAINMEN
Facts and Figures Upheld Contention Of the
BrOtherhOOds Demanding Increase

A statement issued recently by the
Railroad Transportation Brother
hoods shows that freight train en-
ployes have one of the most hazard
GUS of all occupations.
Railroad officials lay much stress
on the statement, that l8 per cent of
all railroad employees now receive
2S per. cent OF the total wages paid
This claim means nothing what
ever, because it fails to take into con-
sideration the years of preparation for
the job and the fact that the line be-
tween life and death is so thin, that
when a train employe leaves on his
run, he is never sure when he will
return.
The last annual report of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission shows a
train man is killed on an average of
every hours and forty minutes, and
a man crippled every minutes and
30 seconds. And this does not tell all
the story, because if man does not
die from his injuries within "a hours,
he is not reported to the Commission
as killed and unless the injury dis
ables him for three days he is not
counted as injured.
Out of every 100 men who start
work as firemen, only II ever become
engineers. out of every 100 men do
become engineers, only become pas
senger engineers.
The average length of service is
eleven and half years.
Train service employees are picked
men in every sense of the word
Few realize the rigid physical ex-
animation they are required to pass
and which is more severe than the
United States Government requires
for enlistment in the army or navy.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
The Cigar Makers to Hold Second Referendum

Chicago-Officials of the Cigar
Makers international union are pre-
pairing for second referendum, to
be held July 8. Under the laws of
this union candidate for office must
receive majority of all votes. At the
recent election there were 20 candi-
dates for A. F. of L. delegates. Of
these only Samuel Gompers and
Thomas F. Tracy secured majority
vote. The constitution makes Presi-
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

dent Pergins delegate by virtue of
his office. and at the July election
two other delegates will be voted for.
Another ballot is necessary to elect
a third vice president, fifth vice presi-
dent, sixth vice president and seventh
vice president.
At the first referendum President
Perkins. First Vice President Com
pers, Second Vice President Tracy
and Treasurer Weber were elected.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
Mission Of the Trades Council

There are many men in every COM
munity who question the value of a
local trades council if they do not
openly flout it as a wasteful expendi-
ture of their local money. These may
be roughly divided in two classes
those who are not familiar with the
duties of the council and those who
are not satisfied, for various reasons
with the actions of the existing CEN
trail body. Both of these classes have
one point in sympathy-that they re-
fuse to serve as delegate to the
council.
The Trades Council or local city or
county central body by whatever
name it may be called is an essential
feature of our trade-union movement
and to decrie or attempt to belittle its
influence is a serious mistake. When
the dignity and Importance of its mis-
sion are appreciated and delegates
are sent to represent the various
locals that are intellingent and sin
cere workers in the union movement
it quickly assumes its place as the
bulwark of the labor movement in its
community.
The purposes of local central
labor body are to weld into closer re-
lationship the local unions in its juris-
diction; first, that they may have the
greater influence in the settlement Of
any disputes that may exist between
employees and the members of any
affiliated local of the council; second
to make it possible to cooperate in
the extension of organization; third
to give an opportunity for harmonious
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

cooperation in the selection of men
and measures in political sense.
When the unions in any locality ap-
proach their local trades council with
a clear understanding of these func-
tons i'll their mind and make their
attainment possible blythe selection of
their most capable men there is no
dissatisfaction with the work of their
central organization. We are but re-
peating truism when we write that
ninety-nine per cent of the dissatis-
faction with trades-councils can be
directly traced to neglect or an ig-
norance OF the part it plays in the
scheme of trades unionism.
The too common method of leaving
the responsibility of the work of a
trades council to few willing work
ers is sure to promote dissatisfaction
and discord. 1t is a work that singul-
arly demands the untiring efforts of
the best men in che unions in oredr
that the best results may be achieved.
This is not written as defense of
local central bodies but as an explana-
tion to the many Idaho workers who
are inclined to underestimate their inn
portance.
Let each union affiliated with the
Boise, Pocatello and Wallace tradee
councils, send their best talent to these
organizations and, if the delegates will
enter the work with an appreciation of
its importance and real desire to see
the cause of organized labor advance,
they will quickly realize the impetus
that such a body can give to their
movement.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

A very earnest and helpful program
was planned for May 25th by Mrs.
Janet Worden, lecturer of Meridian
Grange. The subject was Peace and
the entire program emphasized the
need of peace for our country and the
way to secure it. There were several
recitations, some good musical NUM-
bers and a number of the men spoke
10 behalf Of Peace. The ladies OF the
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
AT The Boise Trades Council

Owing to a small attendance and
no business of importance before the
body, the Boise Trades Council held
brief session last evening. A dis
cussion was had in regard to renting
larger and better quarters where ali
organized bodies of the city can
meet and the matter will be carried
over to future meeting.
A communication was read from
the American Association for Labor
| |Legislationasking prompt action sup
porting Kern-McGillicudy compensa-
ton bill Oh. r. 1890 in advance of
the Democratic national convention
and the REQUESTS of com. upon motion
instructed complied with. This bill
which provides uniform workmen's
compensation for all injured en-
ployes of the United States govern
ment on scale similar to that re-
quired of private employers in the
leading industrial states and includes
no provision not in successful opera
ton. 1t has been endorsed by the
u. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and
the American Federation of Labor
and by dozens of civic organizations.
Employers as well as employees, law
yers and economists, public officials
and private citizens have urged its
passage for these long years. No
open opposition has ever been en-
countered. 1t was reported favor
ably April 2l, 1914, and again May
II, 1916, by the House Judiciary Com
mite, with recommendations that
said bill do pass" 1t was never
brought to vote, although majority
of the members of Congress are
pledged in its favor. The House Ju-
dietary Committee has twice permitted
other matters to set this bill aside.
These delays give additional color to
the statement that the bill was favor
ably reported to satisfy constituents,
without any intention to bring it to
vote.
Among the communications were
two letters which are of general
interest:
To All Members of Organized Labor
Coffeyville, Kansas, May 81, 1916.
Dear Sirs and Brothers:
At meeting of members OF Smell
termen's Union No. 246, representa-
tives of the Central Labor Union,
Mr.. Box, assistant general manager
of the Ozark Smelling and Mining
company and Judge Chas. S. Reed,
general attorney for the Sherwin-
Williams Paint company, it has been
ascertained that the agreement en-
tered into May llth was made in good
faith by the Sherwin-W Williams COM
pany and the general officers of the
Ozark company, and that the hitch
in the agreement was the result of a
misunderstand ding of the agreement
on the part of the local superintend-
ent of the plant, and at the meeting
mentioned above (on May30) an
amicable adjustment was reached and
the company is to carry out their
agreement to the letter, all the men
returning to work to their former
positions with the right to organize
granted them.
The observation-disclosures company
has shown its good faith in the matter
and is worthy of the support aid good
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
mabel Kittredge in The New Re
public

1 NIlAlGQSC III IN
public
The visit of two women to Hope
we'll was as unusual an experience for
Hopewell as it was for the women
Ii is evident that mushroom am
munition town is not ready for wo-
men visitors on its first birthday-for
it was April 18th, 1916, that found
us there, and the town was born Ap-
ril 18th, 1915.
We made the trip from Petersburg
to Hopewell over a new trolley line
and the thirty-ive passengers looked
at us with undisguised surprise. lie
country through which we Travelled
was gray clay dotted with tree
stumps. Every few feet the flat mon
otony was broken by sign announc-
ing that a certain area of clay and
stumps was "Hopewell Terrace" or
"Kenwood Heights, the Tuxedo OF
Virginia" and under every sign,
mounted on a wagon, an auctioneer
was shrilly urging the small group OF
men about him TO Get busy now,
Buy your lot in the Wizard City;
then the auctioneer would give his
imagination free play as he told OF
new industries sure to take the place
of ammunition when the war was
over
AS we stepped from the car to the
platform that answers for station
at Hopewell, we were directed to the
principal hotel We found it over
barber shop, and the barber said that
he could give us but one room. we
had a little shooting time here last
night" he went /on to explain IN
matter-of-fact tone, "and the holes
are mostly in that second room.
We looked elsewhere, walking up
and down Broadway. which, like ev-
erv other street, was made OF yellow
dust that constantly rose in binding
clouds. The sidewalks were planks'
with more planks over the holes The
houses looked as though they mad
been erected over night-a brick store
flanked by tent on one side and
tar-paper shanty on the other. EV-
ervwhere business seemed to be done
on the street. We heard a loud dis
cussion between a Rumanian priest
and a Greek merchant, and they
fought If out on the steps OF the a
Mol Cafe" The priest had paid SoOo
for an option on piece OF land, ana
the Greek had in some way secured
the land and was endeavoring to con-
vince the priest that he ought to be
a good sport about it. Life seemed
TO be all a gamble at Hopewell' Pick
ing our way along the plank side
walks. we got glimpses OF men III the
cafes speculating on land. Money
talked"
We were advised to try the DUPONT
Hotel at City Point, but it was Tor
men only, and we ended our search
bv securing two cabins in ferryboat
made into lodging house, where we
dropped our bags with feeling OF
Genuine gratitude. The ferryboat had
us drawbacks. 1t was run by men
for men. and lacked many comforts
but friendly man whispered that al
though the town was dry he stood
ready to fetch US drink at any time
The partitions of our cabins ran
but part way to the ceiling; we gave
IN the idea of sleep and instead learn
ed much of the spirit and the lite
of the place The dupont plant works
three shifts day, so the workmen
were always coming or going. a
vaudeville performer had much tc
say of his world and the uncertainty
of its rewards, and the gamblers prov
ed the prosperity of the town by
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

Physical examinations are repeated
every two or three years.
Eyesight, hearing, color perception.
heart action and blood pressure are all
scrutinized closely.
Although the U. S. Government
prohibits by law the continuous en-
ployment OF train employe more
than 10 hours, it is worthy of note
that in 1915 there were 78,o40 viola
tions reported by the railroads them
selves.
Under the rates of pay now received
by the men, they must work from II
to 70 hours in order to earn enough
to be on a par with the wage earners
in other trades.
What a man receives per hour is
the only proper basis for discussing
wages. The following table shows
the prevailing wages received per
hour by freight crews as compared
to other trades.
Locomotive engineers .-......-............ .48c
Bricklayers, plasters, etc ..............75c
Locomotive firemen ........................3lc
Carpenters, painters, etc ................7Oc
Freight conductors ..........................4 ..4Oc
Laborers in tunnels, wells, etc....571zc
Freight brakemen .......................... .26.7c
EXcavating laborers ........................4Oc
Are these high wages when you
consider the responsibility and skill
required of freight train men9
Excessive hours and the terrific
strain skaters the health and shortens
the lives of these men.
The employees are not asking. for
more pay, only that their working
hours be made less
They desire relief from the present
arduous working conditions so that
their time at home will be heightened
and their chance of relaxation i'm
proved.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

Thirteen members of the Boise milf
tary rifle club won their qualification
scores at the Boise barracks Sunday
and are entitled to the war depart
ment buttons.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

To the Officers and Members of Ma
tional and international Unions,
State Federations and City Central
Bodies.
Greeting:
The new seven-story office build
ing of the American Federation OF
Labor will be dedicated on the morn
ing of July Fourth, 1916, for Ser
vice in the Cause of Labor-Justice
-Freedom-Humanity."
The President of the United States
has accepted an invitation to deliver
an address at the dedication cere-
mony.
In addition to the addresses, the
| Washington Central Labor Union
with the officers of the A. +. of l..
and its Departments as Committee
of Arrangement, have provided for a
labor parade and demonstration in
Washington on the morning of the
dedication, July Fourth.
The officers of National and Inter
national Unions, of State Federatiohs
and City Central Bodies, are urgent
ly invited to participate in the dedi-
cation ceremonies.
1t is realized that where the dis
tances are large, it may be imprac-
tica1 or impossible for all to come to
Washington, but it is hoped as many
as can possibly arrange it will do so.
1t is urged, too, that the unions
and Central Bodies located at no
great distance from Washington shall
make such arrangements for as large
number of unions and workers to
personally come to Washington as
possible and participate in the dem
onstration and ceremony.
In cases where the officers of or
ganizations are too far away to come
to Washington, we ask that they may
designate some union member of their
trade, located at or near Washington,
to represent the body in the demon
stration.
1t is also urged that every organiza-
ton forward an American flag and
the banner of the union. so that the
emblem may carry the spirit of Unity
and Fraternity in the demonstration
and ceremony.
Kindly advise me at the earliest
possible date what action you can
and will take regarding the above in
vitation and request.
Fraternally yours,
SAMUEL GOMPERS.
President American Federation oI
Labor
FRANK MORRISON,
Secretary American Federation o.
Labor
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08

will of the union men everywhere
The bar of unfairness placed against
the company has been lifted, and we
are glad to state that the Sherwin-
Williams Paint Co., is fair to organ
lied labor.
Thanking you for the interest you
have taken in the matter and for the
loyal support you have given us, and
assuring you of our heatry apprecia-
tion, we are,
Fraternally yours,
THE COFFEYVILLE LABOR
UNION
Per Frank L. Bryan, Sec
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
A Peace Program Given By Meridian Grange

Grange served lunch atthe close of the
program and everybody present
agreed that Mrs. Worden had ar
ranged a pleasant, beneficial evening.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

ana the steam heat turned entirely Oft.
If ones head feels cold, Il silk cap
will protect it in the cold, we'll aired
room. Eight hours of sleep are i'm
perativc. II ono can sleep but six
hours one night, the full measure
should he made up the following night.
one can retire al midnight and rise at
eight, week in and week out without
any very apparent bad effects; but ten
o'clock to six: or even eleven To seven
will give better complexion ana
more steady nerves at the end of the
season. There is great virtue I'm the
"bcauty sleep" which comes before
midnight--and no lazy hours in bed
after the sun is we'll up can equal the
before midnight snoo2e in beneficial
effects.
The woman who wants TO keep n
smooth, unwrinklcd complexion sleeps
on a low pillow, AS the body sinks
downward in sleep, the face slips down
the high pillow and the skin is pushed
into CreaSeS around the eyes. BY and
by these may result in tiny wrinkles,
if one is "A heavy sleeper and quiet
ono who does not turn about much in
sleep a low pillow also keeps the
back straighter and wards off round
shoulders. The head and shoulders
lying straighter. too, one is apt 10
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

:, ,
enough III HSc4L thcSc way" ~ "'N'i'Ay
Madam Mode. IL must DE 1ashloheu
in the prevailing lines or one might
as well wear ordinary wool material.
I,,irricrs arc ALWAYS on the uui yive to
,....oh WOW. fo.tio, idoas ana ono of
.,'. ,.,,,,,,,,, -, ,,,is s.,sor :,
'''' '''o'' - ,,o .,,,.,.
Tue S'hie''eu' S'''''"- 'P N''''' "'i'> "a
adorns 90 the erh'lHe oPei" wrap
pictured. The very last "oFd III coat
collars is this rigid affair. and one
votes the Young woman who has
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

hundreds and hundreds Of the tin.
skins forming beautiful striped pat
tern. and the cape is voluminously
drIped, ioo y broad band Of the
almost priceless silver fox outlines the
foot and edges a wide collar OF spot
less crmine. This ernline collar runs
back as Il lining in the upper part or
the wrap. making Il very rich effect
when the wrap is thrown open, From
the deep crmine yolle-!ininG, Il gath
cred lining of flesh pink soirce sllE
extends TO tie foot.
Erminc AID Skunk.
Another wrap pictured has an
crmuc collar edged with skunk in
deep cape effect. This wrap is OF
broadtall and has the close line over
shoulder and arms and spreading ef-
feet in tho skirt. now fashionable.
Broadtll is enormously expensive and
is usually selected by the older woman.
although even the dcbutante may
wear broadtail il she is dressing in
mourning. Trimmed with black fox
or lynx, broadtail is deep mourning:
in half mourning, it may be trimmed
with Australian chinchilla, ern.ne or
opossum.
The mink coat is of the type called
Il twilight ard dark" fur wrap; that
is, a wrap suitable for dinner or late
afternoon wear over formal frocks
and quite correct for evening wear
because of its richness and distinction
though il has the coat, not the wrap.
shape. Il is built OF matched mink
skins and the surplcc cape collar is n
smart feature. Coming vel! over The
buttonod boot top. II covers up the
frock beneath and is n practical coat
for day and evening use.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

in blue china for her breakfast table
and will not need some parts OF tho
dinner set ar all. Tho stock pat
terms have a wide range 81 prices.
In very charming English blue
chelsea design half a dozen dinner
plates cost but s2.2J; half dozen
dessert or salad plates, s1,T5, Mar
row border patterns are always in good
taste and a fashionable pattern just
now is In amber and black. Floral
designs should be avoided in dinner
china, and the wise bride will not look
at gold bordcred ware at all, until
she is able to afford something really
handsome. That Will come by and by.
when the stock pieces selected in the
happy days of furnishing the first III
tie homo have been relesated TO sec
ond-hcst use.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

York dog does not have particularly
GOOD time, lcashed and mGzzled--one
feels bit sorry for him, poor fellow.
but he is doing infinite good to his
mistress As one gentle little upstate
lady, visiting the Metropolis, put IT,:
"Now York is a wonderful place; but
il does make my heart ache TO see so
many blind people being led arouno by
dogs"
Failing the dog who must he aired
each day. the seeker after "A fresh COM
pleXion (dcspite the demands OF So
cietv) should go in for deep breathing
exercises upon arising in the morning,
With a warm bathgoWn over the thin
ni.ht1lrcss and window thrown wide
open. at least twenty-five long, deep
brcaths should be taken, and slowly
expelled. until every crevice OF the
lungs has been treated to a bath of
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

trimmed with the tails. which ray bc
worn high. in choker effect, or turned
back over the cape. From Prcmet
comes beautiful evening wrap Of
white panne velvet with wide bands
of crminc at the foot and on the
sleeves and a deep collar of the crmino
that can be lifted in chokcr STYLE and
fastened with two crmlnc buttons.
For some reason or other the snort
haired white furs--crminc and its
humble cousin, white concy--are
more fashionable this season than the
long. fluffy white fox. for trimming
handsome wraps. Perhaps this is be-
cause the summer girl rather did
white FOX to death" by disporting it ali
through July and August until one
rather sicltoned Of the sight Of It,
Mole And Mink The Winter
Combination,
Two fttrs that arc travelling in close
company for the first time this season,
are mole ana mink. Nobody over
thought of putting them side by side
before--in fact they were rather kept
away from each others proximity
but, used together now. they have sud
denly become very beautiful as COM
panion furs. one sees the most superb
Limousine coats Of mole with broad
band trimmings of mink, and one coat
OF mole has actually nounCes of mink
from edge to knee and 4 ripple cane
OF mink over the shoulders. There
arc hats Of mole ana mink combined,
also: and much use of mole gray vel
vet with mink fur trimming. Mole
silver fox and ermine. have been COM
bined in n new and sumptuous effect
on one of the wraps pictured. The
wrap itself Is of matched mole skins
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-28

dor, Maine or Canada. Mink from
Arizona and other sounthWestcrn To-
Calities is cCarscr and lighter IN color
ana is sometimes streaked with dye TO
initiate the more costly northern va
ricty. Chinchilla comes from the
mountains OF South America and the
choicest skins have dark blue cast.
shading in the lighter tones 10 soft
gray. The chinchilia is also tiny
animal and his pelt is becoming harder
anu harder 10 procure--and therefore
more ana moro '"''lE' -f"S' '''lih' II