davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
LONG HOURS AND SPEED
REASON FOR SLACKERS

London, England. - While British
newspapers have roundly condemned
"slackers" in industry, committee ap-
pointed by the government shows that
it is both human and logical for men
working long hours under speeding
up system to shirk and slack This
committee was appointed to consider the
health of war munitions workers, and
it reports that efficiency is impossible
where working conditions destroy the
vigor and enthusiasm of employees.
Under wrong conditions of work,
with excessive overtime, it is to be ex-
pected, indeed" says the committee,
that some deliberate Stacking of the
workers might actually give an improve
ment of output over period OF some
length by sparing wasteful fatigue, just
as the nursing of boat crew over part
of long course may improve their per-
formance."
The Manchester Cotton Factory Times
makes this comment on the committees
findings:
at all amounts to this, that the ca
pacity of the body for labor is limited,
and it is useless to make drafts upon
energy that is not there. A study of
this memorandum might drive it into
the craniums of those who toll not,
neither do they spin, that it is not sheer
caprice or cussedness that has inspired
those who do toll with either hand or
BRAIN or both, to press in the past for
shorter hours of labor and extended
holiday periods. 1t has been an actual
physical necessity, due to the gradually
increasing strain imposed by modern
machinery and methods
"ln various ways the committee en-
pfasizc that failure to conserve the
maximum efficiency of the workers must
be wasteful and dsadvantageous. The
sooner this fact is recognized and acted
upon all round the better it will be for
the race in general"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06

hours. 1t follows that even with a
shorter work day of eight hours the
freight train crew of today can move
a greater amount of tonnage than the
same crew moved in ten hours a decade
ago.
BY increasing the tonnage moved by
the train crew from year to year, the
railroads increase their revenues enor-
mouSly without increasing the expense
of moving the train.
In the testimony of Daniel Willard
president of the b. & O. railroad before
the Interstate Commerce Commission
April 10, 1914, he makes statement
that the increase in the train load on the
B. q. from 1910 to 1913 resulted in
a saving of $4 100000 in train movement
expenses.
If only one railroad can save $780,
600 by increasing the work Of their train
crews, the corresponding saving to all
the roads in the United States amount
to a tremendous total.
And yet, the railway officials inform
us that the granting of an cight-hour day
would cost the railroads one hundred
million dollars. Aside from the fact that
this estimate is "a figure of the imagina-
ton" it is assumed without any consid-
Grafton whatever of the economics of
train operation.
Should not a part of the Saving" to
which President Willard refers. 90 to-
ward bettering the condition Of the train
crews whose work makes the savings ?"
Railroad officials anticipate that freight
trains will continue to become heavier
and OF greater tonnage.
The employees claim that by all rules
OF right and justice, they are entitled to
"A shorter work day, as their work be-
comes more and more arduous, taking
their strength and endurance to the limit.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
INCREASE IN CAR FARES
Is Demanded by Pittsburg Company
Following Strike Settlement.

Pittsburg, Penn.-In full-page news
paper advertisement, addressed to the
people of Pittsburg the Pittsburg Street
Railways Company announced that by
the terms of the settlement of the street
car strike that the payroll Of $25OOO0 900
is increased by 100000, which the COM
pany is unable to meet from its earn
ings, and it is proposed to increase its
car fares. Notice is served on the Pitts
burg Council that immediate steps will
be taken to this end.
Might cars are notoriously unproht-
able" the announcement says. "The fare
for this special service is now cents
within the city limits. 1t should be 10
cents Up to few years ago street
car fares after midnight were doubled
and within the city were 10 cents
The announcement also says that fares
to the adjoining boroughs should be in
creased and that ANY ride exceeding
three and half to four miles in length
is made at a loss to the company"
The railways company also announced
that the merchant mediators expressed
it as their belief that the facts and con-
dtions warranted an adjustment of
fares to secure increased revenue"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
TRACTOR PLANT STORMED.
Riot Call Brings Police, Who Quick
Iy Drive Back Strikers.

Chicago.-Several hundred striking
employees Of the International Harves-
ter Company stormed the tractor plant
a riot call was turned in and the police
quickly drove the strikers back. Two
men were injured
According to the police, about 800 or
GOO men, armed with sticks and stones,
stormed the plant \ policeman held
them away from the entrance with his re-
volvcr until reserves arrived. The dam
age done to the plant was slight.
An effort upon the part of the State
Board of Arbitration to end the strike
is under way About 10000 employees
from the Decring and Mccormick plants
OF the company are out.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
The Railroad Brotherhood
Present Many Sound Reasons Why They Should Get An
Eight-Hour Day-As Their Work Becomes More
and More Arduous, Taxing Their Strength
and Endurance to the Limit

Cleveland, Ohio, May 4.--The railroad
brotherhoods are asking the railroads to
better their conditions and grant an
eight-hour day.
The men claim that the revenues of
the companies have increased enormous
ly on account of long, heavy tonnage
freight trains.
The men desire relief from the long
hours of arduous labor which have in
creased greatly in recent years on ac-
count Of the heavier and longer trains.
Official reports shows that there has
been an increase of 80 per cent in the
tractive power of locomotives, an in
crease OF 80 per cent in the capacity Of
freight cars, all increase of 80 per cent
in the number of freight cars in a train,
an increase of % per cent in the number
of loaded cars i'll a train, an increase
OF 10 per cent in the tons carried in the
loaded car and total increase of AZ
per cent in the tons carried by the aver
age freight train.
A statement issued by the executive
committee of the Association of Western
Railways, April %, 1916, declares that
the railroads received in the year 1890,
Sl.6j per freight train per mile and in
1914 the earnings pere freight train per
mile were $3.31 or an increase Of 100
per cent over 1890.
ne freight train crews are producing
double the revenue for the railroads ac-
cording TO this statement by the roads
themselves
All this shows that the freight train
crew OF the present time is moving a far
greater amount Of traffic and producing
far greater revenue for the roads than
the crew OF few years ago A greater
amount OF tonnage movement is thus
concentrated in each of the working
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
FEDERAL SAFETY ACT
STIFFENED BY COURT


Washlngton.-ln decision in the case
OF thc leXas x Pacilc Railway Com
pahy VS.. Kigsby, the United States Su-
prenc court has narrowed the chances
or railroads escaping damages for vio-
lation OF the Federal Safety Appliance
'Acf. vg. y .V sf.sys
iiefeloiore courts, IN many instances,
nave held against injured ailway en-
Pioyes because car or portion OF its
lrei9ht' was destined to some portion OF
the same state IN which the injury oc-
CURED Even thotgil the railroad was
ifterstatc-running IRON State to State
courts nave held that the car was in
'l'ras,ale !Wllliln thc State) commerce
ana ilat the fcderal Safety Appliance
ACT did not apply.
me Ohiled states supreme Court has
aiiluIled ms theory IN the case OF the
lcNaS racine VS.. Kigsby. The latter
was brakeman at Marshall Texas. A
poN car marked Dad order was
switched on the man track preparatory
to taking II to the shops Tor repair.
A''eT Se'tihG tnc brake kigsby IN de-
SccndiilS from the car, seized detective
gran IRON tllat formed the rungs OF the
'auuer ana lcll' sustaining injuries. re
was was awarded ~ 900 damages by the
Ia1 nSa.'La ,h Iu''" a. Oo"'t, H. "'In l.e COMPANY
"i,p,'l'u ,, 'no ,"se ~ 'n' ouplei''t .oull
W. nn, '',r , Sao,.p'I p'u p,ea .,l"' N,ssps was
,a Io' tmH'Eou ~ ;, ,,',,r s."'e J"'n,le,Te a'
,''r ''''. u. WIS '.}u''u, anu was li'eIe- re-,
;3aL, ;;oS.ni ioS Gl'o ,mG p,"'H'.,o'' u ''e
~ ,TIa a. , ,,",'.s Mpp''T'Je ,,; NG. l., =,
no ~ tma "r, "'ImHou Inn;.;o ',' ,,h;nh vi,iu ~ v
ii"E ,o!'''ol u'tlS'o'' III Wi'''' IT was
nr,o @ @ ona' % alncna,nt''tS .In 10 'nr redcra, ,,
"M navy navy, '''"u, ''.", s'"'".t t''''' "Tv a''
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
MINIMUM WAGE FOR STAGE.

Boston-At a conference between the
Central Labor Union, White Rats Ac-
tors union and the United Booking COM
pany a minimum wage will be paid to
actors and actresses. the first in stage
history in this country, it is stated. The
wage agreed to is 50 a day in Boston
with transportation If sent out Of town.
The managers officially recognize the
White Rats Actors union, which is COM
posed Of vaudeville actors and actresses
and is affiliated to the American Fedora
ton OF Labor.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
DEMANDS GRANTED.

Steubenvlle, Ohio.-The demands OF
the motormen and conductors on the
Stcubenville and East Liverpool traction
line, city lines and the Stcubenville,
Wellsburg and Wcirton interurban line
were granted by the companies. A two
centS-an-hour increase was given all,
making the siN-months men receive 2s
cents an hour, the one-year men 80 cents
and all over year - cents.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
JOIN NEW YORK STRIKERS.

Newark, n. .J.--l'ivc hundred employ
ccs, affiliated with the garment workers
on strike in New York City, quit work
here recently, tying up etfectually about
20 OF the shops in this city. All but two
of these shops have contracts for New
York concerns and the strikers in New
York were able to convince the workers
here that they should join the strike.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
RAILROAD HEADS GATHER.

New York.-Executives of the rail
roads in all territory affected by the de-
mands of the four brotherhoods of rail
way employees for an eight-hour day
and pay for overtime met in this city last
week to make preliminary arrangements
for the coming negotiations with the rep
rcsentatives of the brotherhoods.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
TRANSFERS RAISE WAGES.

Anaconda, Mont. - The Tcamstcrs'
Union has raised wages 80 cents day.
The new rates are So 80 for eight hours,
50 for nine hours and one-half days
pay for feeding horses on Sunday.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-05-06
PAINTERS WIN STRIKE.

Danville, lll.-Employing painters have
signed an agreement with their striking
employees. Improved working conditions
are agreed to.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
find MUT|LATED
BODY OF YANKEE
Nude Corpse Shot Full Of Holes Found
Hanging to Tree-Murdered at
Hands of Villa Band.

Ell Paso, Texas. March 23.-Addi-
tional details of the finding Of thu
body of H. J. C. Mckinney, the Amer
lean ranch foreman, killed by Villas
command on it's march on Columbus
two weeks ago, today we're reported to
military authorities here. The body
was found by infantrymen under COM
mand of Captain Richmond Smith,
Sixth infantry, hanging from cotton
wood tree about a mile from Boca
Grandes, 10 miles south OF Columbus.
according to the report. 1t was nude
and terribly mutilated. In addition
to being hanged, McWhinney had been
shot numerous times. The tree from
which the body swung was the only
one in sandy waste emphasized here
and there with clumps of sage brush
and mesquite. Two weeks time had
obliberated any signs of the struggle
that may have taken place.
The story of the murder of McKin-
ney and two American companions
was told by Mrs. Maud Hawk Wright,
wife of an American ranchman, who,
after her husband had been killed,
was forced to accompany the bandits
from her home in Chihuahua for nine
days before the raid on Columbus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
TRYING TO SAVE
LIFE or DOCTOR
HELD IN MURDER

New York, March ,23.-Detectives
sent today to arrest DIR. Arthur War
rem Waite in connection with the death
of John E. Peck, millionaire druggist
of Grand Rapids. Mich, found him in a
condition of stupor as a result of an
opiate, administered. Physicians
at noon today were working on him
to save his life.
While awaiting the arrival OF DR.
Waite, the district attorney had under
examination Dora Heller. maid en-
ployed in Dr. Waite's home at the
time of the death of Mr. and Mrs.
Peck.
1t was given out by the district at
torney's office that Miss Heller had
said that on two occasions she saw Dr.
Waite pour something out of a bottle
into Peck's soup. Peck complained of
the taste and DR.. Waite, she is stated
to have said, blamed the cook. On
another occasion, the maid was de-
clared to have said she saw DR.. Waite
pour something also into Peck's tea.
District Attorney Swan. emerging
from Dr. Waite's apartment shortly
before o'clock made this announce
ment:
Il shall charge Dr. Waite with muir
der in the first degree"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
THE WAR TODAY

The Germans have gained a
fO0thold northwest of Verdun on
the small hill of Hauch0urt, after
a vigorous b0mbardment and an
infantry attack. Northeast OF YER
dun intense artillery fire has
been kept up by the Germans and
a number Of infantry attacks have
been made, but the French have
kept them from advancing by the
activity OF their big guns.
The French are still clinging to
a part of the little hill of Haul
court, southwest of Malanc0urt,
on which the Germans gained a
footing last evening in an attack
along the trent between AvOc0urt
wood and Malanc0urt, northwest
OF Verdun.
The persistence with which the
Germans are pounding the French
positions near Vaux and Damloup
indicates that probably they are
preparing for new attempts to
break through i'm the sector where
their lines have been pushed near
est to the heart OF the stronghold.
In northwestern Russia a battle
is in progress around Postay and
the fighting is described as des.
parate, with the Russians on the
offensive in most instances. The
German official report declares
that the Russian losses have been
tremendous in the fighting which
is proceeding day and night.
The Russians captured three
lines of trenches from the Ger
mans on the shore of Lake NorOcz
where it is declared the battle is
developing in favor OF the Rus.
slams.
An unofficial report says that
the Austrians have abandoned
Czern0witz, capital Of Bukowina.
Bad weather prevails over the
ltalian-Austrian front, but violent
bombardments are kept up by
both sides.
The famous Galloper lightship
at the mouth of the Thames has
been sunk by torpedo.
Besides striving hard against
German positions along the Dyina
and below Dvinsk on the north.
ern end Of the Russian line,
where Petrograd declares some
successes have been scored, the
Russians are displaying notable
activity in Galicia. The Austrians
reply with artillery along their
front with Infantry advances Mt
some points. These are declared
to have been repulsed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
House Takes
Quick
on ArmyBill

Washington, March 23.-Considera-
tion~of the Hay army increase bill was
continued in the house today with only
two important sections of the measure
still awaiting disposition. One was the
military pay provision under which the
bill is expected to produce a force of
425,000 national guardsmen within five
years as a substitute for the admins
tration's continental army proposal,
and the other was that providing for
the construction of nitrate plant.
Prospects were that these provisions
would cause extended debate, but pas
sage of the bill virtually was assured
during the day.
When the house resumed work Rep
resentative Gardeners amendment pro-
posing to substitute for the militia pay
provision the volunteer provisions of
the Chamberlain senate bill, was pend
ing.
The Chamberlain bill, doubling the
number of cadets at West Points Mill
tary academy, passed by the senate
late yesterday by a vote of SO to 2 and
went to the house today.
The provision for drafting was
quickly adopted with little debate.
Representative Gardner of Massachu-
sets, however, expressed fear that it
would accomplish little in time of war,
pointing out that during the Civil war
only $4,000 were obtained out of 776,-
900 subjected to draft.
On the first vote to strike out the
provision for a government plant to
take nitrogen from the air for man
ufacture Of explosives, the motion to
eliminate the project carried, 122 to
100 A record vote was demanded
The administration plan was shown
by the record vote to be defeated, 154
to 1873 This eliminated the entire
provision for securing nitrogen as a
national defense safeguard, designed
to make the country Independent of
the supply Of nitrates from Chile.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
TOMAKE ANOTHER
EFFORT FOR POLE
Captain ROald Amundsen, Noted Arc.
tic Explorer, Decides to Again Go
on An Expedition.

London. March 23.-Captain Road
Amundsen, according to Central
News dispatch from Christiana, will
start on north pole expedition in the
spring of 1917. AS money conditions
are now more favorable he has decid>
ed to accept the subsidy Of 100000
kroner granted by the storthing be-
fore the outbreak of the war, but which
he had not accepted on the ground that
in the new conditions the state might
find more useful employment for the
money.r-.--.s-,ss...,xyt 7-
Captain Amundsen, the dispatch
adds, intends to use new 100-ton
motor vessel and to sail from Behring
Strait toward the pole and to return
between Spitzbergen and Greenland.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
Progress by Germans in Yer
dun Region Is Claimed
by Berlin.
IN STRIKING DISTANCE
Is Pointed Out Kaiser's Men
Are Now in Position to
Deliver Blow.

Berlin, March % (by wireless to
Sayville. 1.-The Lokal Anzeiger says
that in view of the progress made
yesterday by German troops near
Avocourt the French line between
Bethincourt and Malancourt is now
menaced, 1t asserts that the French
positions are threatened from the east
by the German success in the region
of Dead Mans hill and from the west
as a result of the German victory in
the wooded region northeast of Avo-
court.
The newspaper points out that the
town Of Avocourt is only seven kilo-
metres from the important Verdun-
Paris railroad, the intervening dis
lance being covered with woods and
hills.
Carl Rosner, the correspondent on
the Verdun front of the Lokal An
zeiger, telegraphs that the German
success in the forests of Avocourt and
Malancourt places the French north
WtSttln pOolLlUHS VI anu
Bethincourt in a precarious situation
because they bulge into the German
lines, exposing the communications to
fianking attacks. The correspondent
says. the German losses were quite
moderate.
Paris, March 23.-11:50 a. m-The
French official statement published
this morning says that during the
night violent bombardment took
place to the east of the Mouse river
To the west of the Mouse the fire
diminished in intensity and the gem
eral situation is unchanged
The war Office statement follows:
West of the river Mouse the bonn
bordment diminished last night The
enemy did not renew his attacks on
the little hill of Haucourt (about one
kilometre southwest of M.alancourD
part Of which we hold
East Of the Meuse the lombard
ment has continued with violence at
several points on our front.
West of Pont-A-Mousson surprise
attack upon trench of the enemy in
the vicinity of Fey-En-Haye resulted
in our taking several prisoners"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
PACE LENDS AID
TO COUNTRYKEN
Ambassador at Rome inquiries Into
Cases Where Americans We're Re-
ported Mistreated.

Rome, via Paris, March % 11:35 ..
m.)-Thomas Nelson Page, American
ambassador to Italy today visited Bar
on Sonnino, the Italian minister of
foreign affairs, to make representa-
tions regarding cases of Americans
who complained of i'll treatment in
Italy. Since the beginning of the war
several Americans have been arrested
on suspicion, two cases Of arrest oc-
curing at Como. where difficulty was
experienced in communicating with
American consuls and the arrested
Americans were held for several days
before being able to prove their ident-
ity. Other Americans have been ex-
PEELED from Italy.
Baron Sonnino promised that all the
cases mentioned by the ambassador
would be examined again in the most
friendly spirit
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-23
Rebellion of Two Thousand
Under General Herrera
Causes Alarm.
HEM IN AMERICANS?
Position of the Forces With
Pershing Believed Far
Into Interior.

Ell PasO, March 23.-lgnacio
Enriquez, civil governor of the
state OF chihuahua. sent Il tele-
gram to Consul Garcia at Ell Pas0
today declaring that General Luis
Herrera, commanding the garri-
son at Chihuahua City still was
loyaI to the first chief and not to
credit reports OF his detection to
Villa.
Laredo. Texas, March 23.-0ffi-
cials of the CarranZa government
at NueYO Laredo. today reiterated
their statement denying the defec-
ton Of the Torre0n garrison to
Villa.
The statement OF yesterday that
Luis Herrera, one of the most
loyal Carranza generals. had gone
over to Villa with his 1000 men
caused considerable comment
amORg officials here today.
San Antonio, Texas, March 23.-Or-
ders going from Fort Sam Houston to-
day provided for rapid action at var
ious points along the border should
new rebellions in Mexico make it nee
essary. General Funston was not al
together convinced early this morn
ing Of the truth of the report that
General Luis Herrera, the deposed
military leader at Chihuahua, had en-
tered the field with Villa against the
United States, but the repetition OF
the story in different places and the
absence of acceptable evidence to the
contrary caused him and his staff tc
regard it as probably true.
The imposition of the censorship al
FL Paso by General Bell was done
without direct orders from headquar'
tiers here, but it is known that General
Bell has authority to go far in the
exercise of his own judgment in meet
Ing an extraordinary situation.
staff officers of General Funston
studied a more extended area of north
ern Mexico today. The probable moves
Of Herrera and his 1000 men were
carefully considered, and at every
point along the border where they
might disturb the peace Of those on
the American side, careful note was
taken of the positions Of American
troops and the time it would take tc
get them TO the scene.
Pershing Forces in Danger!
That phase of the situation did not
alarm the army officers, however, who
believed that if Herrera really has re-
Tolted his activities will be confined
to operations that have for their OBJ
1ect the strengthening Of Villas bands
and the harassing Of General Perish
ings forces. 1t is feared that one OF
his earlier moves would be the cut
ting of the Northwestern railway, over
which General Funston hopes to re-
ceive permission TO move supplies tt
the American troops, now almost 200
miles into Mexico. To prevent this
move General Funston is powerless
and it is doubted if Carranza's troops
are in position to oppose Herrera.
Reports at headquarters that Gen
eral Gavira's garrison at Juarez wa:
about to revolt and that the troops a
Torre0n we're manifesting disaffectior
Continued IN pape Eight