davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

was made by Prof. Scott Nearing. To.
ledo university, Sunday night, in Mil
waukee. His subject was "Working
and Owning for a Living"
From medieval times," said Near
Ing, society has faced a situation in
which the few have said to the many.
you work and earn bread and we will
eat it,
"The statement of Capt. John Smith
to the Virginia colonists, he that will
not work neither shall he eat is one
OF the most concise statements of
economic justice ever made.
Should Work or Own.
Economic theories to be of value
to us now must fit the facts, must ex-
plain the facts and must be applicable
to economic conditions which exist
here and now.
What are the facts in America to-
day? You must either work for liv-
ing or own for a. living. The railroad
laborer works 5000 hours and re:
cleves $500 in wages. Another man
owns or has left to him $4,000 rail-
road bond and draws; 500 in interest.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
RW MAfI% DECLARES NATION HAS LOST ITS IDEALS OF DEM0AC]

An economic system as undemo-
cratic and feudalistic as the system
against which our ancestors revolted
a few hundred years ago, has been
built up and perfected in the United
States.
Income may be classed as earnings.
findings or stealings-and stealing in
cludes holding up a passenger on. a
street car platform and taking from
him scent fare for Scent ride.
Scores Modern System
There are two ways of making a
living-working for it and owning
property for it.
Our Industrial system always puts
the dollar above the man.
If we believe in democracy and that
is destined to be it's great ex-
p plar, we must stand for democra-
cy that will put people above profits.
A scorching arraignment Of the
modern industrial and economic sys-
tenn now existing in the United States
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

Haven railroad: interests,) to help
weld the rake. Rival lawyers in gen.
eEation-old cases, were saught ont by
Overman and Clarke and brought to
Washington at government expense to
tell why they did not like: the lawyer
who had won the case against, them.
Old trials have been retired, all kinds
of ancient straw stirred UP; in>the ap-
parent hope that something might be
found which would give some SEM
bfance Of reason for an unfavorable
report. Muck, sticks and straw have
been, as in "Pilgrinq's Progress" the
harvest.
The wielders of the rake have had
their work for nothing. Nothing has
been developed which in any way can
be interpreted as rejecting in the
slightest degree on Brandeis'~ reputa-
tion.: The senate has succeeded only
in setting up precedent-the: prece-
dent Of public hearings and, free in
quiry-which in future will justify
some real Investigations into the rec
ords and endorsements Of judicial can
didates whose past may not so we'll
bear the muckrake test.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
Declares Against Federalized
Militia Unless Exempt From
Strike Duty.
, :AREDNESS IS AN
ECONOMIC PROBLEM
Principles Of Human Welfare
Can Not Be Ignored In Plans
For Defense.

NEW YORK, March 1.-THE
Washington correspondent of The
New York Tribune quotes President
Gompers as opposing any plan to
'fedcralize" the state militia unless
there is included provision against
its further use in the suppression of
strikes. Another declaration by the
A. +. Of L. executive is that "the bur-
den Of costs for increasing armament
must be distributed equally among all
classes, instead of bearing most heav-
lily on the wage earners and consun1-
ers, as heretofore"
THE fact that we have chosen to
call our system of government in the
United States repuhlic," Gompers
said, docs not insurv us either pro-
lection or peace. Preparedness is an
economic as we'll as a civic and mill
tary problem. The principles OF
human welfare can not be ignored in
plans for national defense any more
than they can be ignored in industry
or commerce. The safeguarding of
human rights and freedom are of
fundamental Importance, and are
WA NAe~IOu Will 1ldIlO1ld1 ucIcuSc.
They must not be sacrificed to any
false concept of national defense.
1t Must Be Genuine
ITO what end will a nation be
saved if the citizens are denied that
which gives life value and purpose?
The preparedness favored by labor
must be genuine. There must be no
sham, no pretence, no halfway meas
ures. There must be Industrial, COM
mercial, political, social, moral as
we'll as military defense. Citizen SOL
dlery must be established and ex-
tended. It must be democratically
organized, officered and controlled.
We must put an end to the present
wasteful and unfair administration of
our military affairs.
ITO say that we will leave the ad-
mlnistratiOn of such. powers in the
hands of the privileged few is to - sur
render it in advance. It can only be
in the hands of the democracy of
America. Wherever the spirit of
democracy is absent, there the ac-
companying evil of militarism fastens
Its deadly clutches upon freedom and
civic opportunity, just as, conversely,
where the spirit of democracy obtains
1t is to the abolition of military castles
and the vicious dangers of militarism.
Preparedness democratic prepar-
edness, must b. against enemies at
home as we'll as enemies without our
borders. 1t must take in many fac
tors. Labor and the poor ought not
to bear the bulk of the burden-the
cost of war at home and the sacrifice
of war at the 'front.'
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

courts, our constitutions, our goven-
'msnts. are for. Suppose we apply
corporation finance methods to wage
earners. -.
Modern corporations pay from
their receipts all expenses Of opera
ton. The remainder is gross income.
From this they pay interest on in
vestment, insurance and depreciation
What is left is net income and is laid
by for a rainy day.
Then Subtract Interest.
1.-THE worker is engaged in the most
important business in the world
raising a family. Suppose corpora
ton bookkeeping methods are applied
to his business. Take from his wages
the expense of keeping himself and
family. '.. .,.': .'.'.
''Then from his gross income, sub
tract interest on the $500 or $4,000
invested by his parents and his 'wife's
parents in them; insurance against
death, sickness, accident, old age; a
generous allowance for, depreciation,
for workers depreciate just as, ma.
chinery does. s ...s....... .... ...s,.,.. .:s:
/ THE result would be minus nearly
81. .000l The average ,worker.is bank
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

one works, the other owns.
This is the basis of our American
economic system. Dividends are paid
on one kind of ownership and inter-
est on another kind of ownership.
This is true of every corporation in
the United States. OF every s22 re-
celved by the railroads of the country.
$l3 are paid to the;workers and 50 to
the owners
What we must consider. in this
connection are facts and not theories
OF value. The facts are that under
our modern economic system the
worker works three days for himself
and two days for the owners.
Un>American Not Nice.
; This is neither American nor nice.
It is the worst anti-social influence
possible. 1t is opposed to the well-be-
ing OF society. It places the en-
phasis on property instead of on men.
"They tell US the owner plays an
important part in industry. If all men
employed in operating railroad trains
between here and Chicago died tonight
there would be no trains running in
the morning, but IT, all the stockhold-
ers and bondholders: died the trains
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
SUFFRAGE LEADERS
LINING UPf0RcES
Say 1000, 900 Women Eligible to
Vote-Denounce Stand of
Democratic Party.

WASHINGTON, March 17-Taking
exception to- the statement of Mrs.
Carrie Chapman Gait that there are
less than 100000 women voters in
the western states. the Congressional
union issued statement that at least
100000 women will be eligible to
vote at the 1916 elections.
The statistics are based on the Gen.
sus Of 1910, which gives the female
population above 21 years in the vot-
ing states at 3,666,445. BY comput-
ing the increase during the last five
years at one-half, the approximate
female population at the present time
is said by the union to be 4,400,114.
In its call the union says:
1.-THE candidate of the party in
power will run on the record Of his
party for the last four years. If these
100000 women, or any considerable
number of them, believe that the su-
preme issue in this country today is
the Issue Of political liberty tor all
American citizens on equal terms
they cannot support a party which
not only fails to support the issue but
uses its party machinery to block it's
consideration"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

"When we engage in making mu-
nitions of war with which men may
slaughter each other we are selling
ourselves for profit, the lowest step
in degradation. We should refuse to
do such a thing.
Preparedness should begin by
preparing a. social system for justice,
for equal opportunity" i *.
In reply to questions, Nearing gave
as his program for constructive ac-
ton: Education, including control OF
public schools by wage workers; an
inheritance tax of 100 per cent; land
tax; socialization of great industries
and sources Of wealth. ~
Should Come Slowly.
These steps should come gradually.
the speaker believed. Organization Of
the workers is necessary to set real
democracy, but education is the great
essential. /
America has lost her ideals Of de-
mocracy and is engaged in. mad
scramble for money; concluded
Nearing: Existing standards OF
ethics and morality do not last be-
yond Sunday night. Welfare workl
is parody On 1usticey
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

would continue to run without inter-
ruption.
"Ownership has nothing to do with
operation. Everything; depends on
those who do the work.
''The distinction between the work.
er and the owner is the basic fact Of
the existing economic system. It is a.
feudalistic system more brutal than
that Of earlier days. Those in respon-
sibility then Recognized their duty to
care for their retainers. Now no pre-
tense is made in that direction.
Guard Property Right.
when it is necessary to: curtail ex-
penses the workers are discharged,
but tho stockholders and bondholders
are not discharged. The owner asks.
If labor is idle why pay waEes?: Why
not ask him, If capital is idle is why
pay interest - ..a - -
If an industrial system run for the
purpose of turning out per; cent in
terest it doesn't make any difference
whether man can support a family
or not. g.. ~. -,
Modern fnapciers have devised an
effective plan Tor safeguarding prop
erty interssts, That Is why !. our
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
K0D CARRIERS EARN
MORE THAN TEACHERS

NEW YORK, March 17.-"You
think that you are professional peo-
pie. but tell you the hod carrier you
see in the streets is getting more
money than you," said President
Gompers in an address to teachers in
this city who are discussing affiliat-
ing with the American Federation vf
Labor.
Musicians did not want to mingle
with machinists some years ago." he
continued. 'Now every impresario of
note belongs to the union and they
are getting so per cent more money
to live on than ever before.
There is not the slightest danger
of your union being called out in a.
sympathetic strike. I pledge you my
word there is no power in the A. F.
of L. that can direct you to strike
or not to strike. That is left in YOUR
hands,"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

workers will the unskilled workers everywhere
Fhe trouble with too many workngmen is they expect
that one Of these days something will strike them and
drive, their wages UP with bang This will never
happen. 1t never has happened
-. Then there are certain workingmen who believe II
they elect the right kind Of public office it will
raise their wages. They have been doing this for a
hundred years and the results are always the same.
There Is hope for the workers by political action
salone. Governments do not control wages They are
Sed by one of two agencies. Where the laborers are
well organized the unions fix the wage SCALE and where
there are unions the employers fix it, When the
employers adjust the scale without giving labor
any voice in the adjustment the is paid according
to the relation between the number jobs on hand
compared with the number of who have no Jobs
When the union has word to say about the wages
that should be paid the number of on hand and
number Of jobs that open little to do with it.
Cost of living the principle factor involved and the
wage scale is made accordingly.
Now the cost Of living in Duluth is far above the
amount paid in wages to the unskilled, unorganized
wage earners: And there is this situation
except that the unskilled workers and many of the
skilled workers have failed to organize Look at this
question from every standpoint and you will come to
but one conclusion, and that 1aborers will
never get living wage unless they organize. This at
The present moment, is the most important thing for
them to do
E. Never mind what the real estate men say Never
mind what any says, labor's only salvation is in
organization.
+ Then when the workers effectualy organize
they can to their demands
1t will be folly to lead out the hope that men who
now receive 81 day at organized stroke receive
{3 day They must pay the penalty for tardiness in
organization. They at least make effort to
receive $225 day. And next year they go after
$3.50, after which they will be position to demand
$275 and keep at it patiently until they paid SO
day. That is how the organized workers played the
game, and that is how they won.
50 if the unorganized workers really want to better
their condition. they should at gather at Browns
ball 10 East Superior street. and tell The
M organized labor that they want to organize These
men only need q hint, and they will do the rest.
The watchword Of Duluth union labor from now on
should be: "organike the unskied workers and put
them the road for So per day wage scale.''
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

This space for time has been given over Ito. 4
discussion of the ordinance providing the sale Of the
armory. There is little more to be said about tie
armory matter just The referendum case is to
to the court and all do is to abide
our time and await the decision. = )
While we are waiting it may be we'll to take up
the question OF the unorganzed wage earners in Duluth
The leaders OF the labor movement busiy engaged
in great campaign Of organization in this city, One
union of machine operators of 500 members
is already its way Several weak unions are being
strengthened and all bids well for the skilled work
men. ., = :
But what about the great army of unskled workers,
Has not the time arrived to organize them? This should
be the next the part the labor organizers
No field more ripe for organization No body
OF wage earners is so poorly paid. The unskled
organized workers plodding away the same wage
they were earning twenty years ago. Sometimes when
jobs their take sudden rse but this
only temporary for when jobs become plentiful down
come the to figure far below the cost of living
No workingman in Duluth can decently provide q
home and raise family less than So day. yet many
of them-a great many-receive much less than this
wage Indeed many employers believe they are
gracious and when they offer their working
81 day. But no man can do justice to his
family on such meager wage. He must have more,
and the only way he get it is to organize and
demand it. 1t will be handed him on silver
platter.
So this is appeal to the unskilled workers of
Duluth to take advantage of the opportunity now
presented to them to organize federal labor union
There never better time do it. An unskilled
workers union 1000 strong should be way this
very moment, and it would be if these workers would
wake up "N
Men often ask: 'why is it bricklayers get 80 cents
an hour while the laborers the same job are paid
but 20 cents hour?' The answer is easy 1.-THE
bricklayers organized, and the aborers are not
organized. The is plain"
Longshormen paid so cents an hour They are
so-caed unsked laborers although it requires certain
experience to properly load boat with lumber they
are unskilled laborers nevertheless They paid so
cents an hour because they organzed Before they
were organized they received but 20 centssan hour
Organization raised their wages $50 per cent: -.
What organization did for the unskilled lonsshore
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
GEORGIA EMPLOYERS
WANT CHILD LABOR

WASHINGTON, March 17.-The
Georgia Manufacturers association
has presented protest against the
Keating- Owen child labor bill to the
United States senate. The southern
employers declare this legislation is
Revolutionary in character" and will
eventually result in "the obliteration
OF state jurisdiction over local enter
pcises."
While it is agreed that anti-child
labor agitation in the south is slow,
they insist that it is ''steady," and
that the matter should be settled by
the various states without federal in
tervention. The. Keating.O Owen bill
prohibits the products of child labor
under Ia in interstate commerce. The
bill has passed the house. -,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
WILL ASK STATE To
! INSURE W0RK|N|E|I
State Federation of Labor Exec.
4 utive Council Begins Fight
for State Insurance.
JUDGE O'BRIEN SAYS
IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL
Strong Committee Appointed to
Draft Bill to Be Presented to
Legislature.

. The State Federation Of Labor has
1lfed It's first big gun for state inusr-
ance. Labor is not satisfied with the
Workingmen's compensation act, al
though 1t is admitted that the pres
ent law is far superior to EMPLOYERS
liability. But workingmen are not
content with a. system Of compensa-
ton that permits the claim agents of
private companies to stand between
injured men and their employers in
the settlement Of accident claims.
The executive council! of the State
federation of Labor held a two DAYS
session this week at st. Paul at
which the question of state insurance
was carefully considered. The con-
stltutionality Of union labor's pro-
posed law was brought into question
by it's opponents and an opinion on
the question was obtained from for
mer supreme court justice, Thos. D.
OBrien of st. Paul. He held that
there was nothing in the constitution
of the state to prevent the state from
providing for system Of state insur-
ance.
Bureau of Labor Approves.
Labor Commissioner w. r. Honk
took part in the deliberations and he
was assisted by his statisticians,
FRANK HOFFMAN, and Don D. Lesch-
hler. Many we'll known labor men
from the Twin Cities participated in
the discussion. President Hall ap-
pointed committee of exceptionally
strong men to draft a bill to be pre-
sented to the state legislature at it's
next session. The following were Sc
lected: H. p. Waters, St. Paul; Fred
Hestor, Minneapolis: Henry Pereault,
Duluth; G. w. Lawson, and A. e.
Smith, St. Paul.
- The bill will provide for aminimum
wage of $3.50 and maximum of
$12, as in the Ohio law. The amounts
for permanent disability and for.
death will! also be materially in
creased. -.
: The council, transacted consider:
able business OF Importance to the
workingmen of Minnesota. Secretary
Lawson brought before the meeting
matters pertaining to the child labor
and immigration bills now pending in
congress-. Letters were read from
several congressman and senators in
Which their respective views were
given, and the council went on record
III favor of the passage of both meas
ures. Every Minnesota Representative
In congress was urged to support
each of. the bills when it comes up
for vote.
President Hall and each Of the vice
presidents gave interesting reports of
their activities since the last meeting.
Secretary Lawson reported the plans
made by him for the next annual
convention to be held at Hibbing in
July.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18
EARN $3.50 A WEEK; ).
THEY 60 ON STRIKE

CUMBERLAND. Nd. March IT,
A score of girls employed by the
Footer's dye works at a wage Of $3.50
per week, are on strike to enforce
higher rates. A request that working
conditions be improved was also re-
jected by the management. Because
of benzine used in the cleaning Of
gloves. the girls were continually
drenched in tke oil. Their lunches,
kept in the same room, were often
unfit to eat. With the assistance Of
the Trades Council the strikers have
been organized.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

The intelligent, common sense
workingmen prefer to deal with the
problems of today, with which they
must contend if they want to make
advancements, rather than to deal
with a picture or dream.-Gom-
pers.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-03-18

Continued on Page 2
The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1916-10-07
ANNOUNCEMENT.
Dr.. Beverly w. Smith,

DIT. beverly w. smith,
DR.. Espy NJ. Williams.
This ia to announce that both
Or. Smith and DR.. Williams are
orac icing General Medicine and
General Surgery and either vi
entertain and answer oil profea-
-iOnal calls
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-12-05

TESTIMONY OF SLEUTH VINCE
MAY BRING IMPORTANT PROBE
Chicago was treated to anew spec
tacle yesterday that may develop into
an important investigation. Det.-
Serg't Albert K. Winge furnished the
spectacle while a witness in the
ThOmpsOn-Lundin case against Capt.
w. P. O'Brien.
Winge on his salary of $118 a
month owns an automobile, thirty
silk shirts, twelve new suits of latest
cut clothes, pays $50 a month for a
flat, $25 a month for a housekeeper,
and out of the rest of his salary pays
the grocer, butcher, electric light bill,
gas bills, etc., and still has enough
left to buy diamonds and put some
money in the bank, according to his
testimony.
Winge was put on the stand as the
star witness of the ThOmpson-Lun-
in-Healey clique. The administra-
ton is trying hard to get" OBrien
because he gave information against
Chief Healey. Winge is said to
nurse an ancient grudge against
O'Brien, under whom he formerly
worked.
This grudge dates back to a time
when Pearl DWyer, keeper of dis
orderly fiat, made a complaint
against Winge that resulted in
O'Brien filing charges against Winge.
Pearl Dwyer charged Winge with
beating her after they had been close
friends.
On the stand yesterday Winge adj
mitted that he had been so close to
Pearl Dwyer and other women of
the redlight district that he had paid
their bills, but with their money. He
appeared indignant at the sugges-
tons Of Fletcher Dobyns, atty for
O'Brien, that they had given him
money.
WTiroo ~ -
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1916-12-05
HELEN SIMS STILL MISSING

Helen Sims, IA, 5134 Kenmore av.,
a student at the Lake View high
school, who disappeared Nov. "a,
while on her way to school, is still
missing. She wore blue serge suit,
light blue hat and black shoes. She
is 5 feet, Z inches tall and has light
hair and blue eyes. Martha Wallace,
IS, 1928 W. Monroe, employee of
Sears, Roebuck & Co., is still missing.
Ethel Hollitt, IT, 2752 W. Jackson,
missing. May have elOped.
New Someone who doesn't
want name made public gave $780,
900 to Columbia univ, for school Of
business bldg.