davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Low Wages Degrading to Labor

American industrialism and its
blighting effect on the lives of those
engaged in it is exposed in startling
report recently by the United States
Public Health Service. Strain and
over-work i'll shops and factories to-
gether with accidents are responsible
for $4,000 deaths and over 100000
wounded each year. Startling, isn't
it? Many of these deaths are caused
by preventable diseases, according to
the findings of the health service. Ii
further says that each of the 30,000,-
600 workers in the United States los
es on the average about nine days
every year on account of sickness
alone" 1t is the consensus of opin-
ion of State and Federal inspectors
and those. employed by reputable uni
versities that low wages are playing
havoc with the lives and health OF, the
workers. Government experts, having
established the prevalence of disease
among wage-earners, then proceed to
its causes. They are as follows:
The occupational hazards of dis
ease; irregularity of employment; un-
healthful conditions OF living; the en-
ployment of women in industry un-
der modern conditions of work, par
ticularly of married women; and the
economic disadvantage at which a
large proportion of wage-workers
and their families are placed as the
result of low wages and insufficient
annual income. We quote:
Income statistics published by
Federal and State governments in the
last few years indicate that a consid-
cradle proportion of the families OF
wage-workers have not been able to
maintain a diet that will provide for
proper nourishment
A larger proportion can maintain
an adequate diet only at the sacrifice
OF healthful environment and of 9th
er items which go to constitute a
reasonable standard OF living. There
can only be no doubt that nourishing
food is sacrificed in large number
of instances in order to obtain some
OF the comforts and amusements and
to crafty some of the wants which
are entirely natural and to be expect
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
d of the average American.

ed OF the average American.
Less Than Half Earn Enough
An examination OF number of
studies of the budgets of American
workingmen's families indicate that
the point'of adequate subsistence is not
reached until the family income is
about $500 a year. Less than half Of
the wage-earners' families in the Unit
ed States have an annual income of
that size, according to all statistics of
income for workingmen's families.
"If this be true, over half of the
families of the American wage-earn-
ers must either lower their standard
of life in other respects in order to
have an adequate diet, or make sac
rifices i'll their diet in order to secure
healthful housing, favorable communi-
ty environment, and few Of the reas-
enable comforts.
THE effect of the rapid increase in
the retail prices OF foods that have
been found to constitute the diet OF
workingmen's families cannot be over
looked as an additional factor in this
connection. Between 1900 and 1918
the average increase in the retail
prices of foods was about 60 per cent,
according to statistics published by
the Department of Labor. During
the same period wages increased less
than 30 per cent, according to the
same authority.
at is clearly evident that the tend
ency during the period 1o00-l9l3 has
been toward an impoverishment Of
the diet of families with low incomes" 3"
Many pages could be filled with
some of the more striking illustrations
of how low wages kill and MAIN. The
report describes bad housing condi-
tions due to meager incomes, and the
neglect by the community of the
drainage and sanitation of the districts
where the underpaid workers live. 1t
tells how the piece work system
breaks down the health Of the workers
in the shops by causing strain and
fatigue. 1t describes the effect of ir-
regular employment and lack of en-
ployment on the health of the victims
The report should be read in full by
every person interested in the wage
earner's welfare.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

ing obedience to the dictums that
come from 20 Broadway, New York,
and have grown tired OF the circum-
scribed limits, beyond which they
must not go, to be considered desir-
able citizens and worthy Of remain
ing on a starvation payroll that be-
queaths the legacy of starvation wage
and absolute servility to the captains
of industry.
"The impoverished victims of cor
porate cupidity with no protection,
save the union organized by Rookie
feller and his henchmen, has awaken
ed to the fact that the visit of the
son of the richest man in America
to the coal fields of Colorado, brought
no material prosperity to the robbed,
starved and imprisoned victims of the
mine, and that Rockefeller, jr., shak-
ing hands with his slaves, munching
a luncheon at miners cabin, slum-
bering in a Golfers nightie' or trip
ping the light fantastic with the wives
daughters and sweethearts of miners
did not chase the gloom that shrouds
the miners sky with the midnight
blackness of adversely"
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
TO ORGANIZE LABOR.
Benefits to be Derived Are Essential to
Progress Of Humanity

+ All others may win fame, money or
distinction out of disorder. Labor
cannot function productivity except
in peaceful, orderly surroundings.
System and order are the laws OF
its being, and that is true of no other
class of men. The despoiler thrives
in lack of system, or order and de-
cency, the lawyer could not exist with
out the disorder and lack OF system
and sense that makes him necessary;
the doctor would be gone if the lack
of order and system that makes dis
ease were gone.
No matter how much we study and
ponder all come finally to the neces-
sity for the unification OF labor-labor
united is the hope of the world.
Unions are not mere collections of
men organized to increase wages.
That is very necessary part of their
work. They are the school in which
workers shall learn to know them
selves for what they are-not only the
salt of the earth, but the force which
keeps the world going.
The upheaval in Europe has proven
the necessity of all workingmen to
get in line with each other. That has
proven the utter futility of relying
either for guidance or knowledge on
outsiders.
Organize unions, bring them close
together, keep them free from the
elements that make for disorder, have
for members only those that work for
wages and see that they are Differed,
led and directed by workingmen who
work
No woman can act the mother for
another in giving birth to another
woman's child.
So likewise, no other section Of
humanity can act for labor. 1t must
do its own work and do it itself. Let
every workingman join with his fell
lows in making the union strong and
effective-Jackson (Fla) Artisan.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

The organizations OF labor are facts
they are here because of neces.
sity; Labor needs them and must have
them.
All the talk against them cannot
prevent their existence, nor can il
stop their development and progress.
In these days labor can see that
with labor not united this world would
be in shambles. And labor is learn
ing the lesson that labor itself is the
only friend that labor has.
Take conditions in Europe.
There tremendous organizations OF
labor had been gotten together.
Where are they now?
Labor did not govern the countries
at war; labor did not rule the minds
of those in control.
With the result that the naturally
anarchistic tendencies OF those i'll
power brought forth the fruit OF an
archy-war, with its brutalities, its
senseless disregard of order and its
destruction of the results of toll.
Not alone must labor organize to
get better wages and hours. 1t must
organize to prevent the wanton ex-
cess and brutal extravagances of the
alleged better elements. 1t must pro-
tect itself from day to day. 1t must
so organize as to prevent for all time
the destruction of its work, its hopes
and its aspirations.
Throughout this world labor has
help itself too cheap; it has followed
the unfit and unlearned; it has con-
sidersd the well-meaning. scholarly
person who never worked and never
would, as better fitted to advise than
to rely on its own experience for its
guidance.
1t has sought for leaders among
those foreign to it, and has suffered
thereby.
The only ones in the world who
cannot hope to make out of disorder
are those engaged in productive labor
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
INDUSTRIAL REPORT
Senate Orders Extra Copies Printed and
Question Goes to House

Washington, April 22.-By a yea
and nay vote the senate, last Monday,
ordered printed 100000 copies of the
report and 10000 copies of the testi-
mony taken by the recent commission
on industrial relations.
The resolution now goes to the
house for concurrence, as the resolu-
tion passed that body provided that
thereport ALONE be printed.
Before the final vote in the senate
Senator Hoke Smith, who had pre-
viously blocked consideration of the
resolution, notified his colleagues that
Il will oppose the motion, but | will
not endeavor to prevent the senate
voting on it." The Georgia lawmaker
insisted that the expenditure of $780,
900 to print the testimony was a waste
of money and that the printed volumes
would be speedily thrown out as junk
after being received"
Several senators differed with this
statement and declared that not only
workers, but libraries and universities,
have asked for copies of the testimony,
which was secured at a cost of nearly
half a million dollars.
There was no opposition to printing
the report of the commission. This
consists of final recommendation by
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Labor in Porto Rico Bread Bill Is Defeated

Albany-The state senate has re
peatedly declared for preparedness"
in various military forms, but last
Monday defeated the Coffey pure
bread bill which was intended to pro-
tect the public health. Debate on the
bill was marked by much bitterness.
Senator Sam Jones insisted it was a
strike measure" and senator Walker
answered that the Hon. Mr.. Jones
dined and went auto riding with the
head OF the Ward Baking company.
Senator Mills hotly declared that the
bill was fostered by a yeast concern
and that if it became law the Ward
Baking company would be forced to
discard its secret process of making
bread and substitute more yeast.
The merits of the Dill, of course,
were lost i'll the mass of charges and
the cause of pure bread was defeated.
Senator Walker read Endorsements
of the bill from all the Bakers unions
of the state. He said that if the bill
was passed no more bread would be
sold containing plaster of paris and
other ingredients injurious to health.
The Ward Baking company is one
of the principal opponents of the Bak-
ers' union
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Look Out for ''Bitz' Z

According to reports from Portland,
the Portland Brewing company is
running an open shop" And this,
says the report is the gratitude
shown its employees after they had
stood by the brewing company in its
fight with alleged interests against
the tide Of prohibition. 1t seems that
after the prohibition wave struck, the
brewing company. readjusted its busi-
ness and started to make near
beer called "Blitz," When approach
ed by members Of the Brewery Work.
ers Union, officials of the company
calmly stated that they proposed tc
run an open shop. Wherefore, the
former brewery workers are asking
that "Blitz" be side-tracked as a bever-
age by unions and those. who have
the welfare Of unionism at heart.
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Hand Picked Union Is Wavering

Unless Mr.. Rockefeller grants a
few concessions to his hand-picke1
union" it is likely that it will col
lapse. And rather than see it be
shaken like reed in a wind storm,
it is also quite likely that the con-
cessions will be granted in order to
stay the inevitable. According to the
Trinidad, (Colo.) Free Press, the pre-
dictions OF Mr. Rockefeller and his
expensive press agent have not been
fulfilled. In the last issue of his
paper Editor O'Neill says:
"The vast majority of the miners in
the southern coal fields are in abject
poverty. Their labor in the mines
gives them a hand to-mouth exis-
tence. The conditions that prevail
preclude the possibility of reaching a
standard of living fit for human be-
ings, and the mutterings of discon-
tent presage a day not far distant
when slaves i'll the dungeons OF the
coal mines will serve notice that they
are worthy of humane consideration
and refuse to wear upon their necks
the collar of corporate subjugation
They are becoming weary of render
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Send Labor Men to Congress

Washington-The best group OF Re
presentatives in this present Congress
is the Labor group.
They are only a score in number.
but considering their number they are
the most effective men in Congress.
In the five or six years it has been in
existence this gradually growing
group has been the driving force, so
far as Congress itself is concerned,
behind all legislation in the real in
terest of the people. Working quietly
and with only handful of members
this gropu is today the most hopeful
thing under the dome of the Capitol
Yet its existence today is only a pro-
phecy, not a fulfillment of what can
be accomplished.
If labor was represented by at least
fifty men in the next congress. the
labor group would hold the balance of
power They could compel legislation
for the rights of labor. They could
prevent the passage Of bills to grab
the public wealth and to monopolize
natural resources.
Every special interest antagonistic
to Labor has the fullest representation
in Congress it can get The bansk.
the railroads. the political machines,
the steel and oil and coal trusts have
their groups,-and all these unite in
one General groun AGAINST the rights
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

The testimony of witnesses who ap.
peared before the commission, how
ever, tells its own story 1t lays bare
mining conditions in Colorado; of the
southern tenent farmer and cotton
mill worker in the west, and in a
graphic manner shows present-day in-
dustrial conditions in every section
OF the country.
This feature of the commissions
work is evidently to the element that
fears publicity, and which has raised
the cry of economy" in an effort to
suppress the first attempt of the gov
ernment to secure information relative
to our economic hfe.
A mapority of the senators, how
ever, did not believe this information
should be buried after spending such
vast sum to secure it and they or
dered the report printed. 1t is esti-
mated that the testimony will COM
prise about a dozen volumes of 500
pages each and the report will con-
sist Of one volume of the same number
of pages. 1t is intended that each
senator and congressman be allotted
number of both documents for public
distribution and the superintendent
of documents will be authorized to
print additional copies, according to
( the law governing the sale of public
dOrtt,11a
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

In a recent number OF "Justicia," /"
the official organ fthe Federation
of Labor of Porto Rico, printed at
San Juan, Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation OF Labor,
has an interesting article under the
caption "A Plea For Justice for Porto
Rico" According to President Com
pers' article, and he deals with the
situation first hand because of re-
cent visit to the island, conditions
among the laboring classes are far
from what they should be- He states
that the standards that prevail every
where on the island are disgrace to
our free people. Mr.. Gompers urges
Congress to probe Porto Rico both
so far as the political situation is con-
cerned as well as the labor situation.
Rights assured Porto Rico workers
under Spanish domination are denied
them now," said President Gompers
while addressing the senate com
mittee at Washington on Pacific Is
lands and Porto Rico. Spain, then,
according to this, was better task
master for the laboring element than
the United States. Rather a bitter
reflection, we are inclined to think
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27
Wrong Method in StetsOn Plant

indianapolis, Ind.-Under the cap
ton, Where 'Benevolence' Falls
Down." the United Mine Workers
Journalsays:
"The strike in the John B. stetson
hat factory is not receiving much pub
licity. This company is powerful en-
ough to demand that newspapers
smother any allusion to the strike
and as a consequence it is only thru
circulars sent to the labor press that
the fact of the strike has become
known.
"The John B. stetson company
claims to hold a benevolent interest
in the welfare of its employees. True,
it does not pay wages as high as the
union concerns, but the employees are
encouraged to lead moral life. The
conduct of the workers outside of the
factory is also claimed as the interest
Of the employer.
"Also. this factory has constituted
board of consultation consisting OF
the representatives Of the manage
ment, and Of the employees, but nc
interference by labor unions is toler-
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

of those who labor in factories and on
the railroads and on the farms produce
produce the wealth they covet
Why should not the organized labor
movement, the trade unions and the
organizations of farmers and farm
workers put their own representatives
in Congress-
Benjamin Franklin wrote:
"He who by the plow would thrive
Himself must hold the plow or drive"
If labor is to plow its right furrow
in Congress it must hold the plow or
drive.
Labor need not draw political party
lines in nominating its Congressional
candidates and in electing them. So
long as a man is-pledged to Labor and
will always keep the interests OF La
Dor TO the front, that man would be
member OF the Labor group whatever
party ticket Labor had put him on and
elected him on.
The time is short for action. There
are great issues before the country
preparedness, taxation tomeet large
additional expenditures. the right of
Labor to organize and to bargain col
lectively without suppression by pri-
vately controlled militia and gunmen
IF labor is to have potent voice in
determining these issues its voice in
Cnnnress must he its own voice
The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-04-27

ated.
Until lately they had no trouble on
this concilitatory board. The manag-
ers would express the wish of the COM
pany; the employees representatives
sometimes voiced the hopes of the
workers; then they compromised on
the wishes of the company
Happened that one Edward Nc
Peak was elected, or appointed, as one
of the conciliators; and he actually
thought he could present some Of the
aspirations of those he was supposed
to represent. He was fired instantly.
Then came the strike.
"The roint we would make is--that
there can be no collective relation
ship between, employers and employees
when the former are possessed of all
the power while the latter are prevent
ed by all means from allying them
selves with an organization that would
give them power to press any demand
they might make
Collective bargaining is impossible
with all the power on one side. BEN
evidence always baIks at sharing
lrower."
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-08

sswss are The least usefai Of all
the maar actions of the humsu
mouth. They are good for asshts.
except gettisG the ysws~y unpspuIs :
with people who may be tsIkfsa 90
own poems TO him.
lawns ssgsssss ssmswAsvs below
TIE Adam's apple ssA proceed - .
generally nertkern Afrs~taen ussti
shsy shoot out past the teeth. shus
straassng the jaws apart asd mss-
Sss the facial ee"tour Of even the
handsomesf persos-
Nswss do not give any adequate
warning of their fmp~sdisg arrival.
They sneak NJ the throat stealth
ny and thes rush out into the open,
whore all msy see.
The best way 60 avoid yswsiss ..
To GO about eoasfsssly with . bath
towel or large sspkfn stuffed inso
the mouth.
The yswss win thss he effectively
blocked, snd msst get cut By way
of the esrs.
The esr-ysws - almost i.vt.fhs.,
Attic somsti@es u ssss~s the ear.
to vss slightly.
. Washington won tho crow race
from Stanford. and they never had
any practice-on tho county farm.
ANENT THOS. r. COLE
Corporation Counsel Caldwell
may succeed or no may fail in
securing heat in street cars ior
next winter. But the school board
now has been supplied with Cole.
(This was written by . would.be
member OF tho Ford party. Lots
treat him gentiy.)
ABsENr TREATMENT
NJ. McDermott, brakeman on the
Cairo division, has been for the past
three months in Prairie, Tex. for
his wife's heslth.-The Harrisburg
GlL) Chronicle.
WHY ABOLISH THE DEATH
PENALTY WHEN
80 many bassos stIII sing Asleep
In the Deep!"
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-08

ID EPUBLICAN newspapers and poll
In tieians are ehuekling with glec
over the report of the state bureau of in
speetion. which claims that a democrat.
Chairman Floyd Daggett. Of the state
industrial insurance commission. charged
the state 500 more in two years for
expenses than check OF his accounts
revealed.
Daggett and democratic newspapers
claim that the small discrepancy Is due
to the fact that the check on his &C
counts was made by prejudieed repub-
leans who did not take into account
ALL of the expenses.
There you have 1.-THE shallowness
OF partisanship
Because Daggett is democrat. re-
publican papers devote much space to
the alleged 5000 discrepancy. Because
l. d. McArdlc. who wrote the report.
Is frost-bitten republican. no democrat
will believe what he says.
And vet the republican newspapers that
give so much space 10 the Daggett 500
item are trying TO conceal. by their
silence, the fact that one of their eandi-
dates for United States senator, VIII z.
Humphrey, voted himself $1,000 travel
ing expenses for a trip he never intended
TO take.
Partisanship is curse to honest.
meritorious government, because II puts
acts and records OF officials on a partisan
basis instead of broad American basis;
because partisan followers. newspapers
and orators will ever seek. regardless OF
the merits. to minimize the faults OF their
party members and to exaggerate the
faults of the opposing party.
Nonpartisanship places responsible
ity on the MAN. not the party label.
Daggett should stand or fall as MAN
and a a public official-and not be-
cause he IL a democrat or republican
Humphrey should stand or fall as q
MAN, and not because he Is a republican
or democrat. or what not.
NONPARTISANSHIP is THE
CURE.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-08
TOO WEAK
TO FIGHT

Tho "coms-bsek" man was really
never down -and-out His Weakened
condition because OF over-work
lack OF exercise. improper eating
ana living demands stimulation to
satisfy the cry for health giving
nppetlts and the refreshing sleep es-
senual to strength. GOLD MEDAL
isarlem on Capsules. tho National
Remedy OF Holland, will do tho
work. They are wonderful. Three
OF these capsules each day will put
man on his feet before he knows
IL: whether his trouble comes from
uric acid poisoning. the Kidneys
gravel or stone in the bladder, stom-
ach arrangement or other ailments
that befali tho ovsr-zsslous Amert-
can. Dont wait until you are en-
TREY down and out. but take them
today. Your druggist viii gladly
refund your money n they do not
help you. $50. SOC and si0o per
box Accept no substitutes. Look
for the name GOLD MEDAL on
every box. They arc tho pure. or
iginal. Imported Harlem OF Cap
sules For sale and guaranteed by
the owl Drug Co.