davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

impression on the congressman and
senators none the less.
From pro-war sources comes the
rumor that the Council of National
defense, government-financ addi-
ticn to the war department, is going
to prepare all necessary plans for the
seizure of the nations food supplv
by. the government in case of war,
According TO this story, which seems
TO nave been set af1oat to quiet the
fears of famine which have been ex-
pressed by a large section of the
labor movement, the president is per-
fectly willing to establish a food-dic-
tatorship and to arrange for the
handling and selling, at reasonable
prices, of all the grain, fruit, canned
goods, meat, ETC., in the United
States
These reports are probably lies,
made out of whole cloth. The Coun-
Gil of National Defense is not sitting
up nights worrying about the right
OF the American wage-earner to eat
three square meals day at half his
present cost for food. It is busy
with the problem of getting him. to
agree that ho wants a big standing
army and universal military service
to boot. If the next house of repre-
sentatives were as strongly. Demo-
cratic as the present one, they would
get 1t, too. Only the fact that-the
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

sent cablegram to Karl Legien,
president of the German Federation
of Trade Unions, on the day follow
ing President Wilson's dismissal of
the German ambassador, urging
Legien to use his influence with the
German government to prevent war.
Legien answered with an appeal to
the American labor movement to
seek through our government to put
an end to England's "war Of starva-
ton" against the women, children,
and old men of Germany. He recited
that the German working class was
anxious for peace, and was opposed
to the extension Of the war.
So much was allowed by the Brit
ish censor TO come to America by
cable, IL the form of news dispatch.
But tho significant thing about the
message which Legien sent by wire
less to this country, was not allowed
by the British censor to reach our
press. This was Legien's appeal to
American sailors to "refuse to be-
come the catpaws of the war-mon-
gers by sailing through the war
zones" and his further declaration
that the workers of all countries
must strive "unflinchingly'' for peace.
Here is a fair sample of the result
of war-off1ce jurisdiction over 4
working-class message. .Legien ap-
pealed to American workers to re-
fuse to start war between the United
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
PENDING ESPIONAGE BILL MIGHT CURB RIGHTS OF LABOR UNION

oers OF the committee who appeared.
from their remarks during the hear
ing, to agree with the labo- spokos-
man, were Nelson of Wisconsin, Car
raWay of Arkansas, and Walsh CT
massachusetts,. 1t is likely that the
democratic organization will jam this
Dill through the house during the final
hours of the session, but there re-
mains a possibility that it will be
stopped. Once the present CONGRESS-
dles' and the new congress comes IN.
this reactionary scheme would have
not the slightest chance of xoing
through
AT this same house committee hear
ing on the espionage bill appeared
representatives of the Enlergcncv
feace Federation, which is just now
conducting campaign 20 bring public
opinion to bear on the preside 1T and
congress to prevent any unnecessary
war. Delegates from forty-iye col
ieges and universities were in WASH
lhgton that day to take the peace
leoeratlon's message to the house
ana senate committees and to the
president. They interviewed over
zoo congressman before they were
through, and told each member that
they wanted the espionage bill de-
ieated as means Of restoring sanity
10 the country at large. OF course
they were practically shut out of the
press dispatches. but they made an
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
FACTORY DEATHS REDUCED

PHILADELPHIA, March 1.-safe-
ty devices and safety first instruction
In local factories have reduced fatal
accidents SO per cent>in January of
this year, as compared with the same
month last year. Factory inspectors
have ordered the installation of 17O.-
900 guards and 10000 other safety
appliances. It is stated that the pres
sure of the compensation law has
done marvellous things in safeguard
ing the workers. In 1911, before the
compensation law was passed, only
41S safety appliances were installed
Last. year there were nearly 10000
Manufacturers forced to conserve
their workers lives because of the
workmen's compensation rates, have
organized safety committees, installed
appliances costing more than $1,000
600 and, in reducing their compensa-
ton costs, have cut the death toll of
Industry in half.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

States and Germany. He appealed
to the American labor movement,
and through it to the workers in all
neutral and belligerent countries. to
hasten the day of peace. The censor
suppressed his plea.
Republican senators have made it
practically certain that special ses-
sion of congress will be called in
April, or possibly the latter part of
March. They have prevented the
completion of the administrations
program of appropriations and they
probably have stopped passage Of the
revenue bill. It is likely that March
4 will see all labor measures dead, and
the situation in the new house 50
doubtful that weeks must elapse be-
fore the American Federation of La
Dor, the National Women's Trade
Union League and the National Con-
sumers' league will know what is to
be their plan of campaign for their
several labor bills.
One of the most important matters
with which the American Federation
Of Labor will concern itself at the
outset, If war still threatens, viii be
the proposal that women. be am
ployed in government munition work.
The labor movement does not object
to their employment under reason
able safeguards az to their health
and security from accident, ,@but. II
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
VOCATIONAL BILL
PASSED BY CONGRESS
Two Branches Adjust Differences
and Agree On Compromise
Measure,

WASHINGTON, March 1.-The
house and senate have adjusted all
differences between the two vocational
bills passed by these two bodies and
the bill is now before the president for
approval. There were 1877 differences
between the two bills. The most i'm
portant difference was in the manner
in which the law should be adminis-
tered. The senate favored g. board
consisting Of five cabinet officials who
would select an advisory board of
seven members. The house favored
appointment by the president of a.
board consisting of a representative
Of labor, manufacturing, commerce
and agriculture to act with the fed
eral commissioner of education.
These differences have been COM
promised by blending the two plans
so that the secretary of agriculture,
secretary OF commerce, secretary Of
labor, and the commissioner of edu-
cation are ex-offcio members of the
board and the president shall appoint,
with the advice and consent of the
senate, representatives Of labor, man.
ufacturing, commerce and agricul-
ture to act with the board.
Under this act the federal govern
ment will assist states, by appropria-
tions. in preparing persons for the
teaching of trade, home economics,
industrial and agricultural subjects.
The American Federation of Labor
has been a continuous advocate Of this
legislation.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

Republicans and Democrats in con-
gress after March will be balanced
off, while five independent progress
sive members Of the. house hold the
house hold the deciding vote on ad-
ministration matters, will possibly
prevent the adoption of the militarist
system entirely.
They're just doubling a two-mil-
lion-dollar item in the military ap-
preparation BILL" said Representative
Heating of Colorado, the other day,
as he stood at the door of the house
chamber. Nobody knows why they
want four million, but it will be
voted. We are going to so the whole
militarist route unless the European
war is brought to an end. When
that end comes, this militarist
scheme will collapse like a broken
bubble"
Meanwhile the railroads have used
all their cars for carrying munitions
to the Atlantic seaboard, and none
for carrying food, until the cities are
hungry. There will be no Immediate
government control of the food situ-
alton, and wages will not go up to
keep pace with the higher cost of
what food can be bought. Labor Of
ficials in Washington are convinced
of that. ~ ~s5 ~ss5 = =: -
Samuel sGompers. as president Of
the Ameriesa Federation of Labor.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
COMPANY
EARNS 83 PER CENT

NEW YORK, March 1.-The Pa
cific Mail Steamship company last
year earned 80 per cent on it's invest
ment of $1,030,O00 in the operation
Of its Panama fleet Of steamers, ac-
cording to the annual report to stock
holders, just made public.
This is the company that "was
driven out of the Pacific trade be-
cause Of the seamen's act" It was
later shown that the company sold
the steamships Mongolia, Manchuria,
Korea and China to the In
ternational Mercantile Marine COM
pany, not because Of the seamen's
law, but because Of fabulous prices.
Pacific Mail then purchased the
Venezuela, the Colombia and the
Ecuador. These vessels have been
converted to oil-burning craft to ad-
nit of greater economics of operation
and huge dividends on the venture
have silenced newspapers that Joined
in the howl against the seamen's law
in the hope that frightened congress
would repeal the statute.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
(By Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March ia PAN
DORA S Box" was the title bestowed
upon the pending espionage bill. at =
hearing before the house judiciary
committee, on Washington's birthday.
by Arthur E. Holder, legislative agent
OF the American Federation of Labor.
He attacked particularly the section
OF the bill entitled "Untruthful State
ments,' which prescribes five years.
imprisonment and heavy fine as
penalties for the attempt, by use of
raise statements under oath, made
willingly and knowingly, to influence
the action Of any part of the United
States government.
Holder pointed out that this clause
might be construed as .forbidding a
LABOR union to petition congress, it's
sworn statements being subject to the
courts denial of their truth and sim
cerlty A reactionary Federal judge
IN West Virginia or Alabama might
decide that a statement sworn to by
a group of strikers, in an appeal to
"a congressman or other official, were
1alse; In which case he could inflict
the penalty.
Il This was but one of series of dan
gerous provisions which Holder held
up to the gaze of the house commit
tee, of which Representative Webb
81 North Carolina, is chairman. Mem
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

will insist that women get he same
pay as men for doing the same work.
The International Association Of
Machinists modified its constitution,
six years ago, to admit women to
membership. The machinists will have
jurisdiction over this work. They rec
ognize that women are actually quick
er and more efficient than men in cer.,
tain of the lighter processes of muni-.
tion-making, and they are willing that
women shall do this work at the same
rate as would be allowed to- men. But
they are not willing that women work
at a lower rate than men.
The issue is raised by q proposal in
the military appropriation bill that
women receive only slightly moro than
half as much, in these Jobs, as mem
are paid. Representative Keating has
made protest against this discrimina-'
tion. :.
The United States Department OF
Justice announced this week that It.
would appeal the decision Of the Fed.
eral district Judge in New York city
reversing the opinion of the attorney
general that all ships lforecastles must
be improved, under the terms Of tho
Le Toilette Seaman's act. The Judge
held that only ships built since the
passage Of the Ia Toilette act should
have forecastles according to specid-
cations made In the law. .5ss S.ss.t
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
PUBLIC HEARING IS Held
IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER
Bills Would Reduce Taxes Products Of Labor and Dis
courage Land Speculation n-Many Members of Tax
Committee In Favor of Measure

ST. PAUL. Mimi, March 1-Fday afternoon before large
audience the house chamber the committee held public
nearing on the bills introduced into the
Jones and several Others and into the house by
Edward Indrehus and about dozen more.
These bills materially reduce taxes all farm crops machinery
cattle and household goods all merchandise xures
material machinery and finished producs and on all
structures and improvements in and land including
the value of clearing, drainage, and fertilizng.
Former Governor John Lind very Vigorous speech in
favor of the general principle bills and strongly
urged legislation in this direction. e'
tie showed how the system penalties working farmer
and the specuator farm land city
and home fined by the of vacant
lots is encouraged by low taxation ~
These bills Governor Lind insisted would relieve the situation
Ihe entire hearing interesting Governor Lind
rose to nigh and declared
general good. e w. ~
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
THOMAS /. TRACY To
Be TRIED MARCH !

SEATTLE, Wash, March lon
Monday, March S, the trial of Thomas
H. Tracy, one of the "a men held on
murder charges at Everett, will be-
gin, and it is expected that sennsa-
tional tactics will be employed In the
attempt of the prosecution to convict
the accused men.
Whether the curtain is to descend
upon victory or a defeat rests en-
tirely with the working-class OF
America. If the response is great
enough, they will be able to put up q
fight worth while. The-,74 men in
jail in Everett have done their share
towards the winning of liberty for the
working-class. Now it is up to the
rest of the workers on the outside to
see that the masters do not take them
away for life.
Protests and resolutions should be
sent to President Wilson and to Coy
ernor Lister, Olympia, Wash.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
FIREMEN FORM UNION
in PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA. March lin an
effort to procure q. two-platoon system
and other improved working condi-
tions, moro than 500 city flremen have
formed union and are now af-
filiated with the American Federation
Of Labor. The organization is known
as City -Firemen's Local Union, No.
1910, and received the Endorsement
Of the delegatesstp the, Central Labor
union alta 1neetss held at 2s2 North
Ninth street.
During the meeting announcement
was made that legislation will shortly
be introduced at Harrisburg to pro-
vide for the two-platoon system for
firemen in this city. Firefghters in
second-classe cities have enjoyed i'm
proved working conditions since 1915,
and it is the purpose of the new union
to work for the passage of laws that
will include cities of the first class,
as far as the operation of the two
platoon system is. concerned.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

All Benefited.
All will be benefited, some more
than others. it is true, but all who
labor and produce; all who build up
and improve, all who engage in use
full service, these will be benefited.
Only the land monopolists will be in
Jured, and they have no claim to con-
slderation. They are employing no
labor, but are preventing employment
by holding lots and lands at pro-
hibitive price. They are producing no
wealth, but are preventing others from
producing.
They are building no homes, OPEN
ing no farms, starting no industries;
hut are hindering and preventing all
these by forestalling the land and
holding it out of use.' -.
Mr.. Armson and Mr.. Lord of the tax
commission strongly favored the prin-
c1ple of the bills; but pointed out cer-
tain practical objections that in their
opinion could easily be overcome.
Senator William A. Campbell of
Minneapolis told the story Of how he
was fined by tax of more than $50
per year because he built a bungalow,
while the four vacant lots lying next
to his home, that in summer were
covered with weeds and unsightly rub
bish in winter were left with tho
sidewalks covered two feet deep with
snow, were taxed only SO each.
"Now isn't this a good way to en-
courage home-owning?" said Senator
Campbell.
Would Employ Labor.
Mr.. Marvin of the committee urged
the favorable consideration of the bills
for the reason that they would en-
ploy labor and help the workingman.
"A vacant lot employs no working
men but when we force the owner to
improve he must hire workingmen,"
said Mr.. Marvin. Higher taxes on
vacant lots will force them into use.
set labor at work, increase the num-
Der of homes and raise the general
level Of prosperity"
Mr.. 1ndyehus of the committee
strongly favored the bills because, he
said. they would make it easier for
those who take up land in the country,
fit it for permanent usefulness, and
raise food for the people.
mo country can long endure whose
rural population are renters" said he.
"No country can long endure where
1andlordism hourishes. And the bull
wark Of landlordism is low taxes on
land values and high taxes on indus
try"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03

Amending Bill.
Former Justice Schaller and c.. D.
O'Brien are working with Assistant
Attorney General Weeks on some
amendments to the bill prepared for
the State Federation of Labor. A few
of these amendments have been
agreed upon and it is said that a
number of others will be put on by
the committee before the measure
finally comes out on the floor of the
house and senate.
Messrs. Schaller and O'Brien are
employed by the State Federation of
Labor while Mr.. Weeks is giving his
services free. The latter is the expert
on insurance law in the office of the
attorney general.
AS soon as the pub!.. hearings are
concluded, the joint committee will
go, into executive session and decide
what amendments shall go into the
Federation's bill, or whether the other
measure shall go out OIL the floor.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
GOVERNOR REPEATS
OBJECTION To BILL
Tells Representatives He Is Not
Particularly Interested in
$4,000 Measure.

ST. PAUL, Mimi, March 1.-Repre-
sentatives w. c.. Briggs and o. c.
Neuman of the house committee on
labor and labor legislation conferred
with Governor Burnquist last week,
on bills in the committee and es-
pecially that to provide the governor
with fund Of $4,000 a year to pay
special deputy sheriffs necessary to
suppress labor difficulties like that in
Northern Minnesota lumber camps,
which was charged to the I. W. w.
agitation.
Representative Briggs said the gov
ernor repeated that he is not particu-
larly interested in the bill and that
he objects mainly to the clause requir-
ing the governor to approve appoint
ments of special deputies by the
sheriffs.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
hi$$@klIND STRONGLY m0RSES JONES TAX Bills
CALIFORNIA LABOR
CAMPS CLEANED UP
Commission Of immigration Has
Found that Half of Workers
Were Immigrants.

SAN FRANCISCO, March lin
Governor Johnson's message to the
state legislature, which is being dis
tributed in pamphlet form, this refer
ence to the commission of immigra-
ton and housing is made:
'"The commission was appointed in
September, 1913, and began its work
in December of that year. In the
three years that have ensued it has
been the pioneer in blazing the trail
for a constructive immigration policy.
1t undertook first the cleaning up of
the thousands of labor camps in the
state. It found that substantially half
of the workers in these camps were
immigrants. A sanitary engineer was
employed and complete handbook
for the creation and maintenance of
model labor camps was prepared and
published, and inspectors were sent
out to educate employers to the real,
and even the mercenary, advantages
Of providing sanitary camps for their
workers. The handbook or pamphlet
has been officially adopted by the
United States and Canadian forestry
service and by many state depart
ments. It provided such simple meth
DDS that it appealed to employers,
and the commission has been able to
bring about an almost miraculous i'm
provement in the living conditions of
the thousands of migratory workers
in California. Up to this time 1850
different labor camps have been in
spected and LILO Of these reinspected,
showing marked improvement in
nearly 73 per cent of the camps. The
population Of these camps was 49,
TIA"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
E|GKT-H0UR BILL
OUT OF COMMITTEE
Similar Bill For All State En-
ployes May Come Up For
Consideration Soon,

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 1.-The
senate labor committee has recon-
mended for passage the bill in
troduced by Senator Callahan, sub
mlttlng a constitutional amendment
for an eight-hour day in all industries
IN Minnesota. Senator Callahan's bill
is a companion bill to that introduced
IN the house by Representatives
Devoid and Strand.
The bill, calling for an eight-hour
day for all state employees, introduced
in the senate by Senator J. D. Sullivan
of St. Cloud, retains it's place on gen.
eral orders. Senator Sullivan saws he
expects to call it up for consideration
in the very near future.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
DULUTH UNIONS
ARE ON THE JOB

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 1.-Duluth
unions are lining up strongly in sup
port of the bill giving women the
right to vote for presidential electors
Several of the largest unions in that
city have sent letters to members Of
the legislature asking them to vote
for the bill and calling attention to
the fact that this is one of the
principal political demands of the
American labor movement.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
WILL END HEARINGS ON
STATE INSURANCE BILLS
State Federations Measure and Bill introduced Two Years
Ago Being Considered, With Considerable Difference
of Opinion as to Merits Of Each.

ST. PAUL. Minn 1.-The hearings being held by the
liability relative the state insurance
bills about close One meetings will probably
wind matters up.
bills introduced covering this subject First
bill prepared by Attorney OBrn Of St Paul. at the request Of
Federation bill seeks only provide state insurance
isso attempt ncease compensation the
waiting tm but merely provides commission to administer the
compensation law The second b the other
comprehensive modelled after the Ohio law and
compensation from to 65 2 per
Of the wages of the personal injured.
There considerable difference of opinion the merits of the
group insisting that the Federation bill all
should this session, while
that the present system should be wiped entirely and law
covering insurance substituted.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
Garment Workers
Strike In Chicago

CHICAGO, March 1.-Nearly
10000 members Of the Interna-
t1Onal LadieS' Garment Work.
erS union. employed i'm 200
shops, have suspended work to
enforce shorter hours, wage in
creases, sanitary shops and rec
.OgntttOn Of shop committees to
adjust grievances. The strikers
asked the manufacturers to ar
bitFate these demands, but were
refused. Most Of the strikers
are women. They claim that in
many cases employers attempt
ed to lock them i'm their work.
rooms the day the strike was
called to prevent them from
walking out.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
TO SEPARATE OFFICE

CARSON CITY, New, March H.
Creation of the office Of labor COM
missioner is sought in a measure in
troduced in the state assembly. The
present labor commissioner is asso-
ciated with the industrial commits
sion, but the bill separates the two
departments.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-03-03
AN AWFUL SUGGESTION.

CINCINNATI, March 1.-samuel S.
Schmidt, superintendent of the Jewish
settlement, advises that surveys of the
rich be made and that settlements be
established where they can reside and
be taught how to live moderately.
The suggestion has shocked up
lifters" and idle rich who devote lives
to advising the poor.