davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
SWITCHMEN GET 8.HOUR DAY

New York-ln an award that includ-
ed dissenting opinions by the railroads
and workers, an arbitration board favorS
the eight-hour day for switchmen en-
ployed on eastern and middle western
railroads.
The decision says that eight hours
or less shall constitute days work, "
increases wages 5 cents an hour and
rules that overtime shall be paid at
pro rata rates, to be computed on the
basis OF the actual time worked.
Swltchmen at present receive maxi
mum hourly rate of 40 cents. The
award increases this rate to As cents,
so that, as explained by Judge Charles
b. HoWry, chairman of the board on
the eight-hour basis they will receive
$3.50 for days work, 40 cents less than
they received under the 10-hour basis.
By working 10 hours under the new rate
they will receive $3.50 or so cents more
than under the old rate.
Representatives of the switchmeil-
James b. Connors and w. A. Titus-dis-
sented from the Scent increase and the
overtime veto. They insisted on 10 per
cent increase and a charge for overtime
| that would make the long hour work day
under ordinary circumstances practical
ly prohibitive.
The railroads representatives filed a
report dissenting from the eight-hour
decision.
In a statement appended to the award
Judge Howry and Prof Jeremiah w.
jerks, the neutral members of the board,
express the opinion that the long hours
of switchmen do not imply excessive
physical labor" In defending the scent
increase, however, they make the rather
interesting statement that the increase
is necessary because of the high cost
of living and the hazards and hardships
OF the work"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
WAGES NOT SUFFICIENT.

Milwaukee.-"It is impossible for a
man with family of more than three,
and working for ordinary wages, to
make both ends meet" declared Mrs.
Katherine Van Wyck, secretary of the
Associated Charities. High prices are
forcing into semi-dependency many
families who in previous years were self
supporting" she said.
Mrs. Van Wyck cited this case as one
of many confronting her organization :
"A man having a wife and six children
asks for aid. He earns 50 a day. The
family lives in three rooms and pays 81
rent. The monthly surplus after rent has
been paid and fuel and food purchased is
1925. There still remains to be pur-
chased clothing for eight people, There
is nothing left for medicine or medical
care. Saving cannot be thought Of. We
must supplement the wages OF the man,
or the children will go without suffi-
cient food and clothing"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
CONVICT LEASE SYSTEM
In ALABAMA OPPOSED

Birmingham, Ala-The grand jury,
in its report filed with Judge Heflin,
scores the Alabama convict lease sys
TEN as follows:
eve have had occasion to investigate
the conditions of prisoners who are
working in the mines in this county.
We desire to protest against the sys-
TEN tolerated by this State OF hiring out
its convicts to work for companies
whose sole interest in their welfare is to
exact the maximum amount OF money.
We believe that this system is funda-
mentally wrong. We believe that the
. end sought to be obtained by the State
in the treatment OF unfortunate prison
ers should be improvement OF the
prisoner rather than profits to the State
We recommend that the people do
everything in their power to create
sentiment which will abolish this prac-
tce OF the State, which we consider to
be destructive of human character and
a prolific producer OF criminals, and
seek to bring about such change as
early as possible as will give to the man
or woman who has violated the laws OF
society some kind OF chance and OPP
portunity for moral and physical de
velopmcnt A system such as our turns
out men and women who are embittercd
against the laws and usagcs OF our coun-
try, and sends its poison into all avenues
of good government and makes worse
the social disease it is intended to cure.
Individual reformation OF prisoner is
necessary in order for him to aid society
when he is released and returned to it,
and this object can not be accomplished
by Il system which treats prisoner as
machine for profit, rather than as a
human being"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
CLOTHING WORKERS
Agree To Accept Agreement Provid-
ing 4S-HOur Week.

New York, Jan. 2.-Thirty-hve thou
sand clothing workers, who have been
on strike in this city, agreed by unani-
nous vote at maSS-mcetings tonight to
accept the agreement reached Saturday
night between officials of the Amalga
mated Clothing Workers OF America
and the American Clothing Manuiac-
turcrS' Association and return to work
Immediately.
The new agreement becomes effective
January %, and provides Tor a working
week OF IS hours, with a wage increase
of 81 a week for tailorS and 81 for cut
tcrs, These terms are said to be vir-
tually the same that the union made
with individual manufacturers during
the strike, although the first demand Of
the strikers had been a fiat increase OF
So a week.
"The strike has virtually established
the 4S-hour work week in this market" ,"
said President EIilman oi the Amalga-
mated Clothing Workers, and Tor the
workers in the mems and boys clothing
industry OF the United States, for all
other markets must follow the lead OF
this city"
1t was also announced tonight that a
strike OF nearly 10000 members OF the
Ladies Waist and Dressmakers' Union
had been averted by an agreement
reached with the Waist and Dress
Manufacturers Association.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
A TRIBUTE
To Hon. Samuel w. Bell, BY n Police
Court Hanger-On.

On the bench of the Police Court sits
the Blind Judge. To him every man is
brother" whether the millionaire, sum
moned to the bar for endangering the
lives of thousands by his reckless driv-
ing, or the poor derelict, arrested for moi
obeying quickly enough the peremptory
command of the autocrat of the law, tc
move on"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
STRIKEBREAK KERS BLAMED.

New York. - Nice-Prcsdent Maher,
of the Third Avenue Railway company,
told the public service commission that
poor service was caused by the quality
of our motormen and conductors"
Since the recent strike it has been
very difficult TO get competent men, he
said
Trade unionists agree with Mr. Maher
il he will change the word recent to
present"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
JURY TRIAL RIGHT PROTECTED.

Oklahoma City, Okla.-Judge Thomas
H. Doyle, OF the criminal court of ap-
peas, has ended the practice of muni.,
cipal courts in this State 'railroading'
violators of the penal code to the coun-
ty road camp without giving them the
right of trial by jury, The decision
censured the practices of these petty
courts, which are declared to be CON
trary to reason, right and justice"
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
OPPOSE SUNDAY WORK.

Kansas City, Mo- Butcher Workmen's
union is conducting an agitation against
Sunday employment. These workers
now labor from 13 to Is hours a day
from Monday until Saturday, and on
the latter day they labor from until
II p. m, Sunday hours are from 6 80
in the morning until noon.
The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-01-06
Hard to Say.

Passenger-What makes this train
run so slow?
Irate Conductor-If you don't like it
you can get off and walk.
Passenger would, only am not
expected until train n-time.-Squib.
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
Says NeutraIs Touether.

London.-The Manchester Guardian believes that President Wilson already has received assurances that other great neutral powers will follow the lead of the United States "The Unit ed States says the Guardian, takes her fitting place as the greatest of the neutral powers and their leader. I take it for granted said President Wilson, that all neutrals will take the same course. He would hardly have made such statement without authority. If other powers notably, we suppose practically the whole of the powers of South America, should join the United States in this step there is strong probability that they will also join in the next and decisive one of entering side by side into the war;
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
"Means End of War. Y

Petrograd via London.-"The end of the war now is in sight" This was the remark of the president of the Duma, Machel V Rodzianko. "In vel
 coming Americas decisive step" he continued, q am not only speaking for myself, but expressing the attitude of the allies, whose representatives dis cussed with me, the rupture of Ger man-American relations. I feel that an American declaration of war on Germany must follow and in that case the Scandinavian countries and Hoi- land undoubtedly would follow the leas of the United States, resulting in the complete isolation of Germany and her allies from the rest of the world. This undoubtedly would end the war"
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
SWISS WILL NOT
 FOLLOW J. s. LEAD
STAINS ACTION INTERPRETED AS INDICATING NATION WILL NOT
 BREAK WITH GERMANY.
WILL ACT FOR AMERICA
King Alfonso Has Been Officially Stat ed On Several Occasions To Be Waiting For Opportunity to Fur
 ther Moves For Peace.

Washington Information that Switzerland will not adopt President Wilson's suggestion that in the inter- est of the world peace other neutrals follow the lead of the United States and break off diplomatic relations with Germany, was received here. So far as is known this is the first re- ply.
 Spain's taking over the American interests in Germany and Switzer- lands similar action for German in terests here, are interpreted as remoy- ing both these neutrals from parti- cipation in the break in relations.
 Spanish Ambassador Riano, who conferred with state department off cials, said he had advices that Spain's answer to the German notification would be made public, but that he did not know it's contents He intimat- ed it was doubtful if Spain would for mally reply to President Wilson's note to neutals, as her taking over of Amer ican interests in Germany indicated that no matter how seriously she might protest Germany's actions she would not as yet sever diplomatic re- Ilations.
 Spain is the largest neutral now absolutely free from entanglement in the war, and is by far the best equipped Automatically to serve as an Intermediary between the belligerenI groups. The practical certainy that an American break with Austria also cannot be avoided makes it more de- sirable than ever that Spain should remain outside the struggle
 King Alfonso has been officially stat ed on several occasions to be waiting for an opportunity that may present itself to further moves toward peace, and now that the usefulness of the United States has been impaired l stands as the most likely mediator.
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
ALL GERMAN CREWS
 DETAINED ON BOARD
GUARDS ABOUT NEW YORK PIER ARE DOUBLED-SHIPS MAY
 BE SEIZED.

New York.-Officers and men of the 25 German steamships which have been self-detained here since the out break of the European war were or dered to remain on board their yes sells. The guard of custom officials about the piers virtually was doubled, while police ordered visitors to keep away from the approaches to the docks.
 Reports that the government au- thorities contemplated seizing the German ships, the total tonnage of which is 261, ,000, were denied by Dud- ley Field Malone, collector of GUS toms.
 The collector asserted that the off cers and crews of the German yes sels had not been ordered tSorcibly detained,' but that they were simply requested" to remain on their ships. It was learned. however, that MT. Ma lone was cordially received" by the representatives of the two German steamship lines with whom he con ferred concerning his orders from Washington.
 Shortly before the doubling of the guards on the steamship piers re- port was circulated to the effect that the crews of the German vessels tied up at Hoboken had put rhe engines of the ships out of commission. sailor from the Kaiser Wilhelm II was said to have assel ted that the engines of his own and other ships had been damaged beyond repair. No confirma- tion could be obtained
 The first evidence of activity in re- spect to the German ships was the arrival at upper West Side piers, where five of them are berthed, of a platoon of 100 police. The crews of the ships were forbidden to leave The police said they were awaiting the arrival of Collector of the Port Malone.
 The departure of the crews from the ships moored at Hoboken also was stopped
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
GERMAN INTEREST
 ID SWISS NINIS1ER
DISPATCH INTERPRETED Ao DiCATING GERARD HAD LEST
 BERLIN.
NOT TO SEIZE GERMAN SHIPS
It Was Officially Announced That 4. ministration Is Taking Great Cara To See That Nc Right of Any For.
 ei9n Government Is Violated

Washington.--Am Wils,s at Madrid reported to the state do partment that he had received d,. patch from Ambassador Gerard. him self or from American Minister sto wall at Berne. The state department interpreted MT. Willard's dispatch as indicating that MT. Gerard had Ia,, Berlin and travelled as far as tba Swiss capital.
 Minister Ritter of Switzerland va. instructed by his government to take over German diplomatic interests ;r the United States, including the Ger. man embassy here and 12 consulates throughout the country
 The minister informed the state fla partment of his governments actio, ill a note
 Swiss legation officials will mova into the German embassy buildiny when Count von Bernstorff and hls staff depart.
 Instructions have been sent to Swiss consuls to take over the German con. sulates in the following cities: Al. lanta. Chicago, Cincinnati Denver New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis. St. Paul and Manila.
 Special arrangements are being made by the Swiss minister for th. departure from Manila of the German consul there Because of conditions at sea, it is understood that the con sul may be unable to ~eturn to Ger. many. lust where he will go is uncer. tain It is unlikely that he will be permitted to remain in the Philippine Islands.
 Tn line with it's policy of doing Roth- ing to force further strained relations with Germany, it was officially reiter- ated that the administration is taking the greatest care to see that no right of any foreign government or foreign property is violated. It was added that the government has nowhere seized German ships or claimed title of any sort to them.
 It was authoritatively declared on behalf of the administration that ths oniy action taken has been to place vessels and their crews under such guard and protection as to prevent anything being done which would ob- strlct navigation or in any other way violate the laws to which they would in any case be subject
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
DETERMINATION OF
 GERMANY UNSHAKEN
WILL NOT MODIFY ORDERS FOR SUBMARINE WARFARE = IN
 VOKES OLD TREATiESI
#4**a **@* s*.

## < London The following dis * patch was received from German government wireless station: Negotiations now are in course % of procedure at Berlin among par ties interested in regard to the question of how far additional consideration of certain pressing economic requirements of some neutral states, without prejudic- ing the purposes aimed at by un- limited U-boat warfare" : !
 Berlin.-Ambassado James w. Ge- his passports. His plans for depart ure are not yet decided
 Ambassador Gerard called upon Dr. Alfred Zimmerman, the German for eign minister. to ask for his passports.
 Peaceful continuance of German American relations after the depart ure of the respective embassies at Washington and Berlin, in the sense indicated by President Wilson in his address to Congress, appears to be very slight, judging by all the infor- nation, some of the highest authenti- city, gathered by the Associated Press.
 It was stated positively in high DO litieal circles that the German orders for the conduct of submarine war could not and would not be modified; that in Germany the determination co enforce the prohibited zone order was absolute and final and that the only security for shipping was in avoidance of the prohibited zone
 Germany, so the Associated Press was informed, resorted to this meas ure after the shameful" rejection by the entente powers of peace over lures, and only ofter the fullest de termination and as the imperative weapon in defense of it's threatened interests; Germany cannot relin- quish this weapon-the only promis- ing speedy end to the war-reluct- ant as Germany was to take this step.
 The government had hoped that the United States would see it in this light, and was and is actuated by no -animosity to the United States in it's determination. Germany, therefore, so the high informant of the Associat- ed Press continued, Is very keenly disappointed and grived by the terms of Mir. Wilson's message, but the gov ernment cannot alter or modify the course upon which it has determined This official added:
 We can only hope and trust that American ships and American citizens will avoid the danger zones laid down in the German memorandum"
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
Purpose Only Defense Of American Rights.

"We do not desire any hostile con- fiict with the imperial German govern ment. We are the sincere friends of the German people and earnestly de- sire to remain at peace with the gov ernment which speaks for them. We shall not believe that they are hostile to us unless and until we are obliged to believe it, ant we purpose nothing more than the reasonable defense of the undoubted rights of our people. We wish to serve no selfish ends. Wa seek merely to stand true alike in thought and in action, to the imme- morial principles of our people which I sought to express in my address to the senate only two weeks ago-seek merely to vindicate our right to liberty and an unmolested life. These are the bases of peace, not war. Grant that we shall not be challenged to de- fend them by acts of wilful injustice on the part of the government of Ger many"
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09

might appear to be susceptible of tha avoiA any possible misunderstanding the government of the United Statei notifies the imperial government tha il cannot for moment entertain much less discuss, a suggestion thaG respect by German naval authorities for the rights of citizens of the United States upon the high seas should in any way in the slightest degree be made contingent upon the conduct ot any other government affecting the rights of neutrals and noncombatants Responsibility in such matters Is single. not joint; absolute, not rela- tive
 gro this note of the eighth of May the imperial German government made no reply On the thirty-frst of Janu. ary, the Wednesday of the present week. the German ambassador handed to the secretary of state, along with a formal note, memorandum which contains the following statements:
 The imperial government. there. fore, does not doubt that the govern ment of the United States will under stand the situation thus forced upon Germany by the entente allies brutal methods of war and by their determina- tion to destroy the central powers, and that the government of the United states will further realize that the now openly disclosed intentions of the entente allies give back to Germany the freedom Of action which she re served in her note addressed to the government of the United States on May 4. 1916.
 Under these circumstances Ger many will meet the illegal measures of her enemies by forcibly preventing after February 1. 1917, in a zone around Great Britain, France, Italy and in the eastern Mediterranean all navigation. that of neutrals included, from and to England and from and to France, etc. etc. All ships met within the zone will be sunk
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
No Alternative Consistent With Country's Honor.


 "I think that you will agree with me that, in view of this declaration, which suddenly and without prior intimation of any kind deliberately withdraws the solemn assurance given in the im- perial governments note of the fourth of May 1916. this government has no alternative consistent with the dignity and honor of the United States but to take the course which. in its note of the eighteenth of April. 1916. it an- nounced that it would take in the event that the German government did not declare and effect an abandonment of the methods of submarine warfare which it was then employing and to which it now purposes again to re- sort
 T have, therefore. directed the sec retary of state to announce to his ex- cellency the German ambassador that all diplomatic relations between the United States and the German empire are severed and that the American am hassador at Berlin will be Immediately withdrawn, and in accordance with this decision to hand to his exceIlency his passports.
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
Cannot Believe Germany Will Carry Out Threats.

Notwithstanding this unexpected action of the German government, this sudden and deeply deplored re- nunciation of it's assurances, given this government at one of the most critical moments of tension in the re- lations of the two governments, I re- fuse to believe that 1t is the intention of the German authorities to do in fact what they have warned us they will feel at liberty to do. I cannot bring myself to believe that they will indeed pay no regard to the ancient friendship between their people and our own or to the solemn obligations which have been exchanged between them and destroy American ships and take the lives of American citizens in the willful prosecution of the ruth less naval program they have an- nounced their intention to adopt. Only actual overt acts on their part can make me believe it even now.
 "If this inveterate confidence on my part in the sobriety and prudent fore sight of their purpose should unhappily prove unfounded; if American ships and American lives should in fact be sacrificed by their naval commanders in needless contravention of the just and reasonable understandings of in- ternational law and the obvious die tates of humanity, I shall take the lib- erty of coming again before the con gress, to ask that authority be given me to use any means that may be nee essary for protection of our seamen and our people in the prosecution of their peaceful and legitimate errands on the high seas. can do nothing less. I take it for granted that all neutral governments will take the same course.
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
$500. GOO For Relief.

New York-More than $5O0,0 has been pledged to the Commission for Relief in Belgium by members of the Rocky Mountain Club of New York The money originally was subscribed toward the new $11,00O,O00 home in this city, but the members decided to postpone the erection of the clubhouse and devote their energies toward feed ing Belgian children.
The Pulaskian., 1917-02-09
2.452. 900 Niles of Road.

Washington.-There are about D. 452.G00 miles of public roads in the United States outside the limits of in- corporated towns and cities the De partment of Agriculture estimates. Only 277000 miles, or Il 8 per cent are improved with some form of surfac- ing su9faoad roads gre increasing at the rate of about 16,O0O miles a year.