The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-28
RECORD YEARFOR
STRIKES IN US.
Figures lust Compiled Show
3,108 Walk Outs in 1916.
MEN WIN IN MORE THAN 700
Scarcity of Labor and High Food
Prices Held Chief Causes of Un.
rest-old-Age Pension Sys-
TEN for Freshmen.


Scarcity of labor and high food
prices made 1915 a record year for
strikes in the United States. Statistics
just compiled by the department of
labor show there were 3,10S walk-outs
of all kinds during the year. Demands
for higher wages and shorter hours
caused two-thirds of the strikes. Most
of the others were due to differences
concerning unionization of labor. In
more than 700 of the strikes the strik-
ers won, and employers were victori-
GUS in nearly 500. Others were COM
promised.
Old-age pensions will be paid to
members of the Webb Pressmen's
union over the age of sixty years by
terms of nationwide referendum
vote. The system will be patterned
after that of the International Typo
graphical union.
Agitation by the American Fedora
ton of Labor and its 30 affiliated fed
eral employees unions resulted in
wage increases for 100000 federal en-
ployees by the SiXty-fourth congress,
which adjourned March 4.
The Missouri child-labor law pro-
hibits the employment of boys and
girls under sixteen years of age in
any pursuit with the exception of ag-
ricultural or domestic service.
Eighty per cent Of the Canadian op-
eratives employed in the execution of
new and continuation contracts for
shells of all sizes from 2.75 inches to
4.5 inches are women.
AS a result of the special 1-cent as
sessment to organize women, approx
mately 10000 woman workers have
Joined the trade union movement with
In year.
Richmond (Va.) Painters and Paper
hangers union has asked employers to
increase wages 10 per cent, or to So
a day for painters and $3.50 for paper
hangers.
Nashville (Tenn.) Stereotypers and
Electrotypers' union has established a
minimum wage scale Of $25 week
for foremen and secured one-year
AS.ssIirrexy. & 7asssts,s -.s-, 4 =
One hundred years ago women and
children were the majority of factory
hands, and an employer might beat
them If he chose to think they were
Sinking.
officers Of the International Printing
Pressmen and Assistants union report
that the oid-age pension plan has been
adopted by nearly 2-to-1 referendum
vote.
Dissatisfied with bonus Of $25 a
year to meet the high cost Of living,
the woman schoolteachers Of Gait,
Canada, are seeking an additional $25.
According to survey made by the
municipal court, a family of modern
size cannot live in Philadelphia above
the starvation line at less than 1892.
Reports recently made in England
on the manufacture Of war supplies
stated that more and better work was
obtained on eight-hour shifts.
The Arkansas general assembly
passed Il bill providing for compulsory
school attendance and free school
books to INDECENT children.
Over 800 girl students Of Toronto
university will don overalls during the
summer vacation and work in the mu-
milton factories.
Northumberland (England) coal
miners have refused to go on strike
without a ballot Of the members first
being taken.
Hamilton (Ohio) city council has
passed an ordinance giving firemen a
two-platoon system, to take effect
June l.
Belleville Ul) Carpenters union
has prepared new wage scale. Wages
are increased from 80 to 60 cents an
hour.
Woman cab drivers are stated to be
a success in Glasgow, Scotland. One
firm has about 40 women driving cabs.
The British railwaymen's vigilance
committee has decided to ask for an
increase of $3.50 a week in wages.
From mines In Japan and South
Manchuria the Japanese are mining
100000 tons Of coal annually.
| Hamilton, Canada, will establish
municipal coal yards, the initial ex-
pense being estimated at $4,000.
The California state supreme court
has ruled that the workmen's compen-
satlon laws applies to seamen.
Fort Smith (Ark.) laundry workers
have secured higher wages and i'm
proved working conditions.
Abilene, (Kan) painters have in
creased wages 25 cents a day, reduc-
ing the work day one hour.
A 54-hour bill has been introduced
for the employment of women and
minors in New Hampshire.
British Columbia fruit growers have
asked the authorities to remove the
$500 head tax on Chinese.