davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
uTERACY CY:TEST
IS BEST PLAN
Chicago Tribune Says Opponents
Are Against Any Check
Upon immigration.

CHICAGO, Jan. 25.-1n an editorial
favoring the literacy test in the pend
ing immigration restriction bill, the
Chicago Tribune calls attention to the
fact that friends of the test agree it
is not ideal, but that opponents fail to
offer better one.
IF better check can be DEVISED"
says this paper, 1T will be welcomed,
but as matter of fact the opponents
Of the literacy test are opposed to any
real check upon immigration.
''Those who believe, as the Tribune
does, that the republic needs a long
period Of undisturbed digestion, are
anxious to shut the doors upon the
alien influx which may come after the
war. Sentimentalists, internationalists
and more selfish forces that profit by
immigration in one way or another
seem to have the greater influence at
Washington. They are better organ
lied. It is one of the serious weak
nesses Of our national psychology that
it still fails to grasp this phase of ma
tional defense. An intense and inspir-
ing nationality exists among every
great people except our own. We are
the clay pot among the metal ones"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
RAILROADS. USE
OLD ARGUMENT
In Opposing Legislation to Pro-
tect Employees or Improve
Service,

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 25.-The
Railroad Trainmen, official magazine
of the Brotherhood OF I.ailroad Train
men, quotes the Congressional Record
to show that the railroads have al
ways used the same argument when-
ever legislation intended to protect
employees or improve service was ad-
vOcated.
In 1898, when the safety appliance
act was passed, the railroads were
aghast at the proposal to compel them
to use automatic couplers. One con-
gresham, Mr.. Washington Of Ten
nessee, declared that "$1OO each on
100000 freight cars, amounting to
$100.000,000, does not begin to fully
measure the financial cost Of the
piece of experimental legislation to
the railroads Of the country.
For the congress of the United
States," continued this lawmaker, ito
deliberately require railroads to ex-
pend $100,000,000 in putting appli-
ances upon their existing equipment
within the next five years, or the next
two years, is certainly most remark
able piece Of legislation.
IF this legislation is constitutional
and right, then the door is wide open
for absolute control of all private en-
terprise by congress, and it is but a
short step to government ownership
of all the instruments of interstate
commerce and travel. Then central
ization and Imperialism will be at
hand"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
| M M S%$% |
IS PASSED B !
STATE SENATE
Amendment Limits It to Two
Years-Fund of $50, 1000 for
Governor.

The I. w. w. bill, which was in
troduced in the state legislature for
the purpose of providing means for
the suppression Of the activities of
that organization in the northern part
Of the state, passed the senate
Wednesday morning with only Sen
ators Rockne and Andrews casting
negative votes.
The bill was amended in two par
ticulars from the original draft. In
stead Of the emergency fund Of $780,
900 year made available for the gov
ernor being perpetual with annual ac-
countings and returns to the general
fund, it was provided for two years,
until the next meeting of the legisla-
ture; and another amendment pro-
vided that all deputies employed dur
Ing similar trouble shall be residents
of the state.
Expected to Pass House.
It is claimed that the bill will not
have as easy sailing in tn, house as it
did in the senate, although it. is ex-
pected to pass. 1t came up in the up
per house Wednesday morning on the
calendar and was passed under sus-
pension of the rules.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
OFFICIAL APPROVES
TRADE UN|0N|SM

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Jan. 25.-
'These statistics show organized Ia
Dor to be more prosperous and en-
joying shorter hours of labor and
better wages than the unorganized."
says Commissioner Clary in his bien-
nial report on labor conditions in this
state.
He says that at least so per cent
of the unorganized are receiving as
low as $3.50 :" day, and some even
less, and one-half of these workers
are men CT families.
''It seems to u.s. continues the
state official, impossible for man
to supprt his family and educate his
children OH $3.50 day, yet these
conditions exist TO better these con-
ditions we heartily indorse organized
labor Labor organizations have be-
come a. part of our latter-day civiliza-
ton, and the right of the working
man to bargain through his labor
organization with his employer must
be upheld. AS an individual, the
wageearner has little chance to de-
termine the wage he is to receive,
yet he is compelled to purchase the
product of his own labor and pay
whatever is demanded from him for
it, and his only opportunity for bet
tering his condition is to combine
with his fellow workmen. Organized
labor has done much for the wage
earners of Arkansas. In fact, it is
through their efforts that we have
the labor laws we now have on our
statutes'
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
WHAT'S THE MATTER .
WITH NEW York;

New York's State Agricultural COM
missioner, Charles S. Wilson, notes
that there are 100000 acres of land
in that thickly populated state pro-
duclng nothing. The land could be
Cultivated, the commissioner ends. or
could be raised to raise cattle and
Shcal
Commissioner Wilson should get in
touch with the New York State Sim
gletax league. He would then learn
why it is that land needed for produc-
ticn is being withheld from use, and
what should be done to force it into
use. And he will probably learn
sonething more. He will learn that
there are men in the state sufficiently
powerful to control the legislature,
and that II ese men would ra her see
the Whole population suffer for want
of what this unused land might be
made to produce, than allow the 1egis-
lature to pass the law necessary to
force it into use.
He will also learn that rather than
offend tn, Sc powerful individuals by
passing a Singletax law. New York
legislators are quite willing that their
constituents should be deprived Of
opportunities for employment, or be
robbed through high prices for COM
modities, due to curtai1ed produce
ton,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
PATTERN
MAKERS WIN
THEIR STRIKE
Get Eight-Hour Day and 44-Hour
Week-Wages Increased 10
to Is Cents an Hour.

DETROIT, Mich, Jan. 25.-After
being out on strike for eleven months,
during which time it was bitterly op-
posed by the Detroit Employers asso
citation, the Pattern Makers associa-
ton has succeed in securing it's de-
mands-an eight-hour day and A.
hour week. The wages were also ad-
vanced 10 to IS cents { hour.
The strike just ended was one of
the most bitterly contested ever
staged in this city. The employers
were solidly bacrec up by the police
and courts. and many drastic meth.
ods Of persecution were resorted tc
in an endeavor to crush tie union.
I'VE nave no feeling of aninosity
toward any of the jobbers for the part
taken in this struggle for humane
conditions" said Business Agent
Krogstad. 1--WE feel that pressure was
brought to bear by the 'higher-ups
who seek to control the destinies OF
the small business man as well as the
Wage-earners. We hope the jobbers
will profit by their experience of being
made the goat by these other per-
sons"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
ClGARMAKERS ARE
WAGING STRONG FIGHT

LANCASTER, Pa, Jan. 25.-The
locked out Cfnco ,cigarmakers of this
city, since the beginning of this year
are waging the strongest fight ever
against their former employers, Otto
Eisenlohr Bros, Inc, for decent, hu-
name conditions. The firm just a
short while before their inhuman
treatment of their c:garmakers
formed corporation capitalized at
S9,000,00O. Tactics unthought of be-
fore have been resorted to not only
at their Lancaster factory, but in
their other nineteen factories in the
First and Ninth internal revenue dis
tricts of Pennsylvania. Victimiza-
ton for the slightest provocation
seems to be their weapon to drive
their employees into subsection for
cheaper wages. Six cigarmakers at
Reading, Pa, and eight at York, Pa,
working in their factories were dis
charged for merely speaking to their
fellow workmen about what was a
beneficial matter concerning their
trade. This action has brought about
monthly conferences composed OF
delegates from each local union
where an Eisenlohr factory is locat-
ed. BY this. plan many movements
are being inaugurated to bring this
firm to their senses to cause settle
ment with their grieved and ill-treat-
ed cigarmakers of this CITY,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
NEWSPAPERS
MANUFACTURE
PUBLIC OPINION
Says Gompers at Hearing Before
Senate Interstate Commerce
Commission.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-"It is not
yet understood how perfectly safe
freedom u.s." declared President Com
pers in opposition to compulsion in
industrial disputes, at a hearing be-
fore the senate committee on inter-
state commerce.
..rhe- though underlying all this
species of legislation" said the A. F.
of L. executive, 'is how to tie men to
their tasks, how to take from men
some of their new-found freedom. For
ages and ages employers of the world
were masters Of all their surveyed.
Government has always been on the
side of the employers, but the work
ers, through organization and educa-
ton, have esta blished new concepts
and have insisted upon new relations.
Now it is proposed that the govern
ment step in to in some way revert
back to ole orders.
IF this legislation, in it's mildest
form, is passed, it is only the fore
runner of what is to come"
Senator Newlands, chairman Of the
committee and an advocate Of COM
pulsion, suggested that a public opin-
ion would be possible if the facts in
industrial disputes were known. Presi-
dent Gompers replied that public
opinion in these cases is 'manufac-
tured' by newspapers and magazines
that are practically all owned by op-
ponents of the workers. He cited the
repeal Of the Missouri railroad full
crew. law by referendum vote re-
Gently, when newspapers made nc
pretense of presenting both sides. A
similar campaign to repeal the Penn.
sylvania full crew law was also re-
ferred to by the trade unionist, who
explained the difference between q
referendum vote on an industrial
question. on which newspapers line
up against the workers, and a refer.
endum vote on a bond issue, for in.
stance, where the economic interests
of all newspaper owners are not iden.
tical. In the latter case, the unionis
stated, it is possible for both sides OF
the question to be presented in a com.
plete manner for the voters enlight.
eminent.
President Gompers said that il
congress dfd not pass an eight-houn
law last September and a genera
TdllfOdO SIflke was Cdlleu, an ADJUST.
ment swould be reached in "a hours.
''1n my judgment, with the infor.
nation. have on the subject, thi:
would be the extent of the strike," hi
said.
IT am pleading more than I an
arguing" he concluded, "that you dt
not introduce into our system of gov
ernment any form of compulsion ii
the relations of man and man, of EN-
ployer and employe. If that step b,
taken it will be followed by others t,
strengthen the law. It would b,
wiped out in time. but I am fearful
how it would be wiped out. IT Nigh
be by revulsion of feeling; it Nigh
he by a revolt
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
POINTS OUT NEED
FOR CONSERVATION

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-In CALL
ing attention to the need for conser-
walton legislation, committees repre-
senting the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States report that during
the last 25 years the danger in in
dustries to life and limb has grown
in breadth and intensity, and that
there are annually $4,000 deaths in
this country as a result of industrial
accidents
In the conservation of natural re-
sources it is stated that only about
25 per cent of the total volume of
lumber as it stands in the forest now
reaches the ultimate consumer, most
of the remainder being wasted. Mil
lions of barrels of oil are lost and a
condition equally as bad exists in
connection with natural gas and
many other natural resources. The
director of the federal bureau OF
mines is quoted as saying that about
40 per cent of the coal in the seam
is lost, so far as beneficial utilization
is cOncerned
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
THE WAY COURTS
DEFEAT WORKERS

CHICAGO, Jan. 25.-There is one
more instance in which the decision
Of judge, though reversed by a
higher court, has given the employ
ing corporation the necessary time
and opportunity to practically put
the employees union out of business"
The above comment by the Union
Leader, official newspaper of Chi
cago's organized street car men, re-
fers to reversal by the federal court
OF appeals of Federal Judge Ander-
sons injunction which restrained In
dianapolis street car men from strik-
Ing. Judge Anderson's order was is
sued Sept. 23, 1914, and was reversed
Jan. 2, 1917, on the ground that his
court lacked jurisdiction. During
these long judicial contests the In
dianapolis Traction company locked
out it's union employees and this phase
of the dispute is still on.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
kNT|-P|!CKET ACT
IS DENOUNCED
BY HIGH COURT
Says fright to Picket Is a Con-
stitutional Privilege of
Citizens.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 25.-
Judges of the cripinal court of ap-
peals here have boldly struck at the
anti-picket ordinance recently adopt
ed here, b. declaring that the right
to picket is a constitutional privi-
lege of citizens which the city has
no right to curtail or suppress.
''The city might as we'll say that
people will have to leave town as to
say they can't walk up and down in
front. of store, or factory, or thea
ter. Persons have a right to walk
up and down all day and all night
on any street, SO long as they are
peaceable and don't block traffic"
That was the refreshing statement
made by Judge j. r. Armstrong in q
test case. When Frank Watson.
counsel for the city, persisted in his
effort to convince the judges that the
auti-picketing ordinance should be
held valid, the judge declared:
'"There is just one thing to
this. No city council has the
right to keep the people from us
ing the streets, so long as they
conduct themselves in an orderly
manner"
While decision in the case has
been reserved, it is believed from the
sentiments expressed by the judges
that the ordinance will be held in
valid.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
REAL PREPAREDNESS.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Jan. 25.-
Editor Scharrenberg of the Coast Sea-
mems Journal calls attention to the
affirmation by the last seamen's con-
Vention Of the principle of low initia-
ton fees and high dues.
Labor organizations that try to
maintain themselves" says this paper,
ION low dues and high initiation fees
are ineffective and importent to carry
out the requirements of the present.
day industrial struggle, and the soon
er the members of our unions realize
this the better. For when the history
of the worlds labor movement is
analyzed, it will be found that the
unions with high d ues have been the
most successful in increasing wages.
shortening hours and generally i'm
proving conditions for their men,
bers."
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
VIOLATES N1NE-HOUR LAW.

BEAUMONT, Tex, Jan. 25.-Fed-
eral officials have filed suits. against
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
railroad for violation Of the nine
hour law which provides that no
telegraph operator handling train or
ders shall be allowed to work more
than nine hours a day in an office
that Is operated continuously. The
suits involve penalties aggregating
$4,000. The government cites
twenty separate violations of the law
between May and 16 inclusive and
claims that operators have been
forced to work twelve hours a day.
President Ripley of this railroad
has attracted some attention because
Of his opposition to the Adamson
law and the present suits would in
dicate that his disregard for all leg
islation of this character has affected
his subordinates.> ~ 5..
:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
REASONS WHY
LABOR OPPOSES
C0NSTA||bULARY

The Minneapolis Labbr Review
gives the Following fourteen reasons
for Labor's opposition to the state
constabulary bill:
1. The state constabulary IN Penn
sylvania has proven to. be band of
well-fed thugs, organized fort pur-
pose of breaking the law and terroriz-
ing the working people.
2. The state constabulary is ever
used to oppress the poor, and never
to enforce the law against the rich.
3. The state constabulary in Penn
sylvania has never been used to pro-
tect the farmers of that state, and on
occasions have broken up meetings of
farmers and forced them to contribute
to furthering the interests of the coal
and steel barons.
4. The women and children of the
Toilers are not safe in a state where
hounds of vandalism, like the state
constabulary, operate under the sane
ton of the law.
5. The state constabulary is
means by which corporations recruit
strike breakers and gunner. The
United States Steel Corporation, the
same interest which established the
constabulary in Pennsylvania, wishes
it established in Minnesota.
6. Under state constabulary,
murder receives the sanction of the
law.
z. A. state constabulary creates
disorder out of ordeN, war out of
peace, and is curse and a menace to
liberty
s. In Pennsylvania the state con-
stabulary has ridden over children.
beaten old men, abused women, and
murdered worlmen.
8. Charles McKeever, member of
the common council of Newcastle, Pa,
says: II regard the Pennsylvania
state constabulary men as brutes, who
are trained in the arts of rioting and
r1urder, for the express purpose of
compelling the working class to hum
bly, submit to the lowest condition of
poverty, misery and starvation that
can be imposed upon them by the
heartless corporations"
10. The minneapolis Journal ad-
vocates a state constabulary.
II. The people of the state of Min
| neso<a are law abiding, and so far as
they are concerned Cossacks are un-
necessary. The interests which de-
mand constabulary have looted the
state of it's timber and iron, and by
! falling to pay their just share of taxa
| ton have cast an unjust burden on
every farmer and property owner in
the state.
IL. The people who would be
crushed by the Steel Trust blood
hounds would have to pay the sal
aries.
49, The nnon1e dn not want = state
| constabulary.
IA. The Steel Trust wants a state
constabulary.
1t is better that famine, flood and
pestilence sweep the state than a state
constabulary be established, for liber-
ty is dearer than life.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
MOLDERS MAKE GAINS.

CINCINNATI, Ohio. Jan. 25.-Edi-
tor Frey Of the International Molders'
Journal makes this record of steady
gains by that organization since 1891,
when conference agreements were es-
tablished:
'The first advance, amounting to 10
per cent, took place April /, 1899. The
following year, in April, S per cent
more was added. In April. 1902. an
other per cent, and in April, 1907,
5 per cent more. On January 1, 1911.
another per cent was added, and on
Jan. 1. 1913, per cent more. This
made IS per cent, or it's equivalent,
upon 1898 prices and the advance es-
tablished at the recent conference
with, the Stove Founders National
Defense, association increased this
percentage from s5s to 50 per cent
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
WANT DIRECT LEGISLATION,

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Jan. 25.-
Trade unionists would end the. prac-
tice of the state legislature weaken
ing the initiative and referendum law
by declaring important legislation
"emergency," thereby making it inn
possible, under the direct legislation
act, for the people to pass on same.
Petitions are now being circulated
to amend the law to provide that the
legislature shall not attach the emer-
gency clause to law unless an emer-
gency really exists, and, then only on
the vote of three-fourths Of the mem-
bers elected. :
Another amendment would prevent
the legislature from repeating legis-
lation adopted by the. people by q
two-thirds majority. Legislation INF.
tiated, it is also provided, shall not
be subject to veto. =.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
GOVERNOR DEFINES
"SOClAL JUSTICE''

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Jan. 25.-In
his inaugural message Governor
Lowden save this definition of 80
cial JUSTICE" in opposition to the
theory that our salvation lies in law:
"Social justice does not consider
alone the defective and incompetents
of society. 1t recognizes that. after
all, the business of civilization is
carried forward by the great mass
of independent, self-reso soecting citi-
zens who ask no direct aid from tho
government. A paternalism which
considers only the weaker members
of society to such an extent as to
impair the rugged independence of
these men and Eomen would ulti-
mately defeat it's own ends"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
SEVEN HOUR DAY
IS FAVORED:
United Mine Workers of Ohio
Make Declaration at
Convention.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 25.-The
state convention of the United Mine
Workers union has declared for a.
seven-hour day and a five-day week.
President John Moore presented the
plan in his annual report. He said
statistics prove that miners working
five days of seven hours each a week
can produce all the coal needed for
domestic use and for expectation.
employment would be more steady
by such change, he contended.
Ohio produced between 100000
and 100000 tons of coal last year,
the largest tonnage on record except
in 1913, when the total tonnage
reached S6,000,000. Car shortage
prevented larger production during
1915, he said. At many mines men,
ready to work six days a week, were
kept busy only half that time.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
PITTsBURGH's BIG PROBLEM

PITTSBURGH, Pa, Jan. 25.-No
city in the country has given a wider
welcome to unrestricted immigration
than has Pittsburgh, which is now
awakening to the cost it must pay.
The federal bureau of naturalization
reports that there are about $4,000
aliens in this city who are over II
years Of age and $4,000 of them are
unable to speak English.
This statement has aroused Pitts.
burgh citizens, many of whom have
become immensely wealthy through
the employment of these poorly-pa paid
illiterates. All kinds of "American-
izing" schemes are being urged,
though no mention is made of the
value of a living wage by patriots"
who now talk of s'the perpetuity OF
our glorious institutions.'
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
T. J. M'GRATH.


Tommy J. McGrath.sa member Of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers, was chairman of the labor COM
mittee of the House OF Representa-
tives during the session of 1915.
He is one of the most energetic
members of the legislature, always
on the firing line when labor legisla-
ton is being considered.
Mr.. McGrath did yeoman service
two years ago aiding In the passage of
the semi-monthly pay bill, and never
failed to use his best efforts IN assist
ing in the passage Of legislation in
which labor was interested
In the general shake-up of commit
tees chairmen, following the election
of Representative Ralph}J. Parker as
speaker, Tom McGrath was displaced
as chairman of the labor committee
by George J. Seigel, alsozof st. Paul.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
IMMIGRATION FIGURES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The
Federal bureau of immigration re-
ports that 40,576 immigrants arrived
In his country during the month of
November, last. year, against 28,297
during November, 1915.
e. The effect of the European war is
shown in this latest report, which
states only IL immigrants came from
Bulgaria, Servia, Monenegro and
Roumania. During November. 1913.
or prior to the war, immigration from
these four countries totaled 1852
The grand total for all arrivals dur.
nT ' November 1913. was 117,oa1. !.