davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
TAXATION AND WORKINGMEN

Bills have been introduced into the senate by
Senators Richard Jones Of Duluth, William A.
Campbell Of Minneapolis, and others, and in the
house by Representatives Ryberg InCrehls, and
others, that of the greatest interest to all work
ingmen.
They reduce taxes on homes, that will make it
easier to have home-morc homes-more men at
work-higher wages.
They increase taxes vacant lots and lands
cheaper lots-cheaper lands-more lots and lands to
put to use-more men Observation-Disclosures wages
better conditions.
These bills reduce taxes on all products of labor
Cheaper goods-more goods used-more men de-
manded to make them. Hence higher wages
Every reduction of taxes on things that labor
makes-crops, cattle, machinery merchandise of all
kinds houses, barns, fences, everything that labor
makes-all benefits the working farmer the
mechanic, the common laborer the clerk the office
man, the DOCTOR the lawyer the teacher and all Of
every trade trade, of every profession or no
profession; in short, all who perform any useful
service.
The only people injured by lower taxes on labor
products and higher taxes on idle lands are the fore
stallers and land grabbcrs who get in ahead Of the
producers and demand big prices before they will let
anyone go to work
Why are men idle? Because lots and lands are
held idle. Why are lots and lands held idle? Be-
cause there is profit inst
And why is there profit in it?
because our tax system fines and penalties in
dustry with heavy taxation, and offers premium to
the forestaers and spectators in the shape of low
taxes SO long as they refuse to put their land to USE
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
MOONEY FOUND GUILTY.

Thomas J. Mooney, charged with murder in con-
nection with the preparedness day bomb explosion
in San Francisco, found guilty by the jury after
six hours elaboration. The verdict was entirely
unlocked for and is staggering blow to organized
labor Mooney is labor leader and his prosecution
was part of a monstrous and perncious attempt of
San Francisco.
Ed Gammons labor press correspondent at the
trial. had this to say before the case was given to
the jury:
"Only verdict can be rendered on the evil
dence produced in the case and that is verdict Of
acquittal. The prosecution has not proved single
circumstances Of their case and the defense has
proved the absolute impossibility Of Mooney being
at Market and Steuart streets at any Of the times
sworn to by the sefcontradictory prosecution wit
nesses.'
The conviction Of Mooney is an outrage per-
version of justice, and crime against civilization
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
JUST SPEAKING
OF SLAVERY.
BY SCOTT NEARING.

A great deal has been said and
written about the "stupendous'' debts
that are being piled up by the Euro
'"This huge debt" exclaim the most
radical of the DIRECTORS. represents
a taxing power that will enslave
Europe for centuries"
The European war debts certainly
represent the power of the present
to fetter the future-the slavery of
the new generation to the tyranny OF
the old.
But is the situation so unusual or
remarkable?
The comment which American edi-
tors have made on the enslavement
of future generations by means OF
the European war debt might lead
the unthinking to conclude that
nothing of the kind had ever oc-
Cured in the United States within
the memory of the oldest inhabitant
AS a matter of fact, we are busy en-
shaving ourselves every day of the
year, and we have done the job more
thoroughly than the Europeans.
Lie OIltcu OIdIcS COMMISSIONER VI
internal revenue reports for 1913,
that the corporations which are sub.
ject to corporation income tax have
a total bonded Indebtedness of about
IS billions, and a total of IS billions
of corporate stock. The entire paper
value of the corporate securities in
the United States is therefore up
wards of 100 billions, Upon this
huge valuation the people of che
United States pay annually S billions
a year i'm interest and dividends.
Notice that there is not included
in this estimate property held by
partnerships or by private individ-
uals. Many small manufacturing
concerns, most retailers, most farm
owners, most real estate owners, are
not incorporated. Many even of the
largest businesses are still conducted
by partnerships or by private indi-
viduals., The corporate values alone
yield to their owners an annual prop
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
SOME MORE ONE-MAN RULE.

H. H. Phelps, member of the charter commits
slon took just occasion this week to remind the city
commissioners that their habit Of permitting the
director Of any city division to be complete master
of the policy to be followed therein without the
other commissioners having any voice in the matter,
is contrary to the letter, spirit and theory of our
city charter.
Dr. S. II. Boyer, and there is no better public
spirited man in Duluth, maintains that the city
should employ all time director Of the health
department. lie declares that Commissioner Silber
stein made prediction promise to appoint such
person, but to pay political obligation and at the
expense of the public service he forced to change
his plans DR.. Boyer it is understood, is supported
in his demand for the employment of an * all time
health official by the st. Louis County Medical
society,"
Now comes Commissioner Sibersein with a
statement in reply to DR.. Boyer that he never made
a prediction promise; that he will not employ an
all time health officer, and even if he were so
disposed the city is in position to pay for such
service. Then he added that DR.. Boyer was
prompted in his position by an Interior motive, a
subtle charge made for the sole purpose of discrcdt
ing the DOCTOR But those who know DR.. Boyer,
and particularly those who have followed his unset
fish and llntiring work in matters pertaining to
public health, will not be mised by any such crafty
charge. The Labor World happens to have knowl-
edge of the matter to which Commissioner Silber-
stein REFERS have also members of the fire depart
'ment, and its publicity mi ght disclose the fact that
racial ncpotism is playing little part in the COM
missioner attitude. But this is beside the question:
The thing to be discussed now u.s. should the COM
missioner Of public safety have the sole right of
determining whether or not director of public
health should give all of his time to the city, or only
portion of his time 1t is the opinion of the charter
commissioners that such matters should be decided
by the city commissioners sitting in council In
their Judgment this is the theory Of the charter but
Commissioner Silberstein and his colleagues have
evidently gotten into the oneman rule habit so
deeply that they are blind to their general obliga-
tons to the people
The commissioners have failed in large measure
to install real government by the commission in this
city, but rather have encouraged one-man govern
ment in each Of the five divisions, and because of
this fact there is movement foot to return to the
old war system. If real commission government
were given an honest trial in Duluth there would be
little cause for dissatisfaction among the people.
Mr. Phelps has sounded timely note on the subject
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

erty income of nearly five billions Of
dollars.
What is this but a power, created
fetter it, economically-to en-
slave it?
The present generation sanctions.
the issue of stocks and bonds. These
titles to a share of the corporate in,
come enable those who own them,
and their descendants forever, to live
without work, upon the values that
are created by others. The owner
ship, by one man, of the resources
and capital with which other men
must live, places those other men.
who must take the job in order to
tive, in a position of economic infe-
riority, which is very close to slav-
cry.
Furthermore, our problem is i'm
mensely greater than that of the
European war debt. At the end Of
Decenlb Der, two and a half years of
war had piled up debt of only fifty
billions. The debt of the American
people to the American corporations
alone is over a hundred billions. All
of the nations at war will pay only
about two and half billions a yeac
on their war debt. The American
people alone pay about five billions
each year on their debt to those who
own the great businesses of the
United States
The nations at war, exclusive of
their colonies and dependencies, con-
tain more than four hundred mil
lions of people. There are only a
quarter as many in the United States
who must carry this burden of debt
that calls for an annual tribute of
five billions to the owners of corpo-
rate property.
It is highly commendable for the
United States to sympathize with the
millions enslaved by Europe's bat
tie fields, but we should reserve
few precious drops for the mill
liens at home, enslaved by the Amer.
lean Industrial system.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
LETTING GEORGE DO IT.

Shall we import Russia into Alnerica? Shall
every poor man be presumed to be guilty until he
proves himself innocent? Shall we empower every
sheriff to order anyone he peases to leave town in
side Of twenty -four hours on penalty of being sent
to prison, "uness he satisfactorily accounts for
hmself''
bill aiming to do this has been introduced in
the legislature by Senator George NJ. Peterson of
Duluth. We can hardly believe that Senator Peter
son himself knows the contents of the bills he intro
duced into the senate Thursday morning of last
week.
One of these bills does just what the above ques-
tons imply. 1t empowers the sheriff of any county
as follows:
'The sheriff Of any county may require Migrants
or dlsorderly persons to leave the county within
twenty-four hours after notice 50 to do'
Ii they do not obey he hales them before a court
and compels them to give satisfactory account of
themselves.
And his other bill is gem in defining who are
Migrants and disorderly persons.
Ii these bills should become laws no PEI ION
would be safe. The sheriff would be made dictator
with almost unlimited arbitrary powers His will
would be the law His prejudices or desires would
be substituted for constitutional rights
The working men and all good citizens of the
West End of Duluth should sit up and take notice.
Either Senator Peterson should come down. or he
should be called down.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

of hosts of persons to realizing of what
really is. IT they are numerous enough and brave
enough then for the first time in history powerful
nation will deliberately choose to act those prn
ciples which rational and humane person would
follow in private affairs.
take it such person would say, II do not drop
my r'ghtful claims on the contrary shall press
them unremittingly, not only for my own sake but
for the sake Of my weaker neighbors. But do
not purpose to resort to the arbtrament of violence
in spite of provocation.' But war is infinitely
below the level of private fighting. Once in war,
people neither fight as it would stop fight
mig when it would. It is caught in the hideous Sc
quence of reprisas. 1t tears to pieces the costly
fabric Of international understanding. War is an
intolerabe anachronism
TO meet the present situation as body of mod
men might meet it is to set standard of
national behavior and to vindcate the possibilities
Of dcmocracy.-Four Lights.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
How Organized Labor
Prevents Sickness
BY the Rev. Charles Sickle.

The 100000 wage-earners of the
form of wages on account of sickness
E$50o,000.oo0.
Doctors fees, medicine and other
material required during illness cost
them $500,0O0,00O more; making a
total of $1,000, 100000 lost annually
by wage earners on account of sick
ness.
This is twice the amount given an
Eually for philanthropic purposes in
the United States.
Workingmen pay terrible tribute
toward our commercial and industrial
prosperity. 1t is conservatively es-
timated that at least 10000 working
men are killed annually in industry
and 100000 more are seriously in
jured, although there are said to be
2.000,O00 industrial accidents of all
kinds
One of the finest things being done
by organized labor is to wipe out the
causes and conditions which lower
vitality and shorten life.
1t does this by securing the shorter
work day and in it's fight for one days
rest in seven, because fatigue is one
of the principal causes of disease.
When a man is completely exhausted
physically lie invites diseased germs
| which may finish him.
It does it through it's fight for high
err wages, because when a man is able
to eat nourishing food he chases away
the devils of disease.
It does it through keeping little
children out of mills and factories, be-
cause the stunted bodies of child
workers cannot successfully resist dis
ease.
! It does it by helping to keep women
out of shops and in their homes, par
ticularly those who are bearing the
burdens of motherhood and home
makers.
| It does it by insisting upon clean
workshops, because bad sanitary con.
ditions in places where men are en-
ployed all day are sure to lower thei'
power Of resistance against disease.
| These are just a few of the ways II
which organized labor is helping tt
decrease sickness and death.
! We have been told by scientists tina
human life may be extended Is year:
in a single generation. If, through tn.
efforts of organized labor, human lif'
in this country were extended onl!
enc year, it would result in saving tn!
equivalent of over 100000 lives o
As years duration each in single
generation.
This means in substance tina
through the activities of organized
labor enough lives would be saves
during a single generation to produce
the equivalent of the complete lives
the entire membership of the Ameri
can Federation of Labor.
Isn't this a job worth while an
should it not receive the support o
every right thinking workingmar
every employer Of labor and every
body else who is interested in tn
well-being of mankind?
A logical inference, therefore.
that we should stand by organize
labor in It's commepdable task.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
MORE MEN.

The vast unthinking crowds that
throng the street
Bent only on the quest of pleasure
sweet,
Reminds us that in all the ages
through,
The multitudes have revelled, while
the few
More cunning than the rest, have
slyly spun
A subtle web about each needless
one.
And in each generation there has
sprung
A prophet, who has hayed with bitter
tongue,
The evils that beset his time-and
He tried to rouse his sleeping fell
low-men,
Who, drugged with creeds and patri-
otto pride,
Have oft their benefactors crucified.
When will this tide of mental chaos
end,
This state of apathy, this thought!ess
trend
Twill only end when everyone is
freed
From man-made politics and man.
made creed;
When both in church and state the
Truth abides;
When all adhere to Right whate'el
betides;
And to this end we pray more mer
may see
And seeing-help to set their broth
ers free! "A. S. King.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
PEACE UNDER PRoV0CAT1oN "

In the last agony Of the great European struggle
one OF the combatants defies the requirements al
ready definitely set up by the American government
Diplomatic relations have been severed as an almost
automatic consequence. The country is tense with
expectation of the outcome
What this outcome will be depends on how far
the United States u.s. as Wells has called it, incur
ably pacific or as should prefer to say, how truly
enlightened and humane
This country has unique opportunity to be of
service along the lines outlined in the president s
noble "declaraion of interdependence' of January
r. 1t it takes part in the fight it turns it's back
Oh this unparalleled opportunity to act as mediator
and dlsinterested friend when the time Of settlement
comes.
And not only this: this war has opened the minds
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
ROAD TO HAPPINESS.

If you will take these three
thoughts with you inp your union
meetings, into the workshop, into
your home, into your political activ-
tties-in word--into all the activ-
tiles of your life, you will be strong
person and your days will be full of
happiness and satisfaction:
If there is any pure luck in the
world or If it ever really does hurt
others, it will hure me more.
I have had many troubles--most
of them never happened. Worry is q
terrible waste of peace of mind and
health.
1 must exercise my own individu-
ality in all personal things. I must
not interfere with the individuality
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

of others in the things that are indi-
vidual to them. In all things that
are common, I must seek agreement
with others and merge myself into
the pleasure of the common will in
which have had my full part-no
more and no less. In these things
shall know have been tyrant to
none, just to myself, and found OPP
portunity for the highest expression
of life which leads to the one and
only neutrality-suspicious.. .zs s
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
TOr0'S Latest Folly.

Milwaukee Leader: Henry Ford S
case is getting hopeless. In the opin-
ion Of most of our captains of industry
he never did hit on four. But COM
pared with his latest break, his pay
installing an e:ght-hour day in his
factories is nothing at ALL His most
recent folly is to offer to the govern
ment the use of his auto factory at
Detroit for government munitions
work and to agree to operate it with
out profit.
Can you beat it? Has Ford no
appreciation of the finer feelings of
our patriots who stand ready to
speed up their factories in order that
they may supply the government with
war materials at "reasona BILE"
profit? Here is Charles Schwab ex-
planning in newspaper" advertiser ents
why the business of supplying NUM-
tons to our captious war department
is a luxury that only a millionaire can
afford to engage in. And just when it
looks as if enough orders might come
his way to save him from the poor
house Ford throws a monkey wrench
lulO tue I11dCulleIy NY OlLeIlIIS W make
munitions for the government without
profit.
Next to taking the joy out of life
what can compare in tragedy vith
ing the profit out of the munition
business? He who does the latter has
done the former as far as the NUM-
ton makers are concerned.
Such a man deserves to he kidded
In vaudeville.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
RESTAURANTS UNIONIZED.

BELLEVILLE, ILL.,, Feb. 1.-THE
Walters union of East St. Louis, ILL.,,
has secured agreements with Belleville
restaurants that provide for a mini
mum wage of IS a week and a 1O-heur
work day.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
WHAT OTHER
PAPERS SAY
The Union Is Necessary.

Danv1lle (M.) Labor Leader: Be-
cause employers for the most part
nave come to class their workmen as
so many animated units in the ma
chlnery of the plant; because the av-
erage employer has become a mere
profit-taker rather than man
If the employer would take a. kindly
interest, as man of great opportunl
tles' IN his workman the industrial
friction would be less, but the cold
blooded attitude of the employer has
1Crced MS men to organize in self-de-
tense. If the teachings Of Moses am
Christ have left no impress on the
stony hearts Of the masters, is it to be
expected that they will meet with any
thlng put resistance from the men,
who have wives and children who must
live?
Legislation can never settle the re-
latlons between employer and employe.
The lowly Nazarene long ago showed
the world the way. The Fighting
the wrongs of the world must start in
the hearts of men and women Men
and women, because many of our
ablest men are selfish because of the
influence of selfish women.
We shall stumble along perhars un-
til the hearts of men and women are
touched to know that we are all chill
dren OF one Father and that the man
of greater talents has a responsibility
for the welfare of those he influences
as leader or employer. If the day
comes when the mea Of great wealth
and power play the parts of helpful
big brothers to their less fortunat>
fellows the union will no longer be
necessary.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

Thomas A. Edison, who was 70 years old on Feb
II, says the secret of his good health is light eating
Discreet use of food is matter requiring the atten-
ton Of all who who would feel healthy and cheerful
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

In the Argentine republic if man engaged to
marry hesitates beyond reasonable time in leading
his tiancee to the altar he is heavily fined, and if
resident of the republic should fail to marry he is
taxed until he reaches the age of &c.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17

Ask your baker grocer for bread bearing the
union label It is obtainable.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-02-17
True Battle Cry.

Steel Plant News: Every man
whose heart responds to the sentiment,
"Our country, right or wrong" is a
traitor to humanity and a traitor to
the American flag. The true Ameri-
cans battle cry is: LET my country
be right first then I will fight for her
If need be- It only requires little
war talk to bring out the true senti-
ments of some newspapers that have
pretended to labor in benefit of hu-
manity and democracy-at election
times.
The daily Alaskan., 1917-12-12
Inc Handy Man.

The jack of all tradcs,' known ia miliarly as the handy man, is seri- ous drawback to the industries of the United States. because his knowledge and training are not based on the funda- mental rules of any craft. Such men are the bane of any industry, and more especially of high grade machine shops, for their work cannot bc relied upon. Doubtless 1t is d good thing to know something about everything, but the perfect mechanic and high grade fore man is the man who knows everything about George w. Bowie in Industrial Management.
The daily Alaskan., 1917-12-12
JOHN IS A GREAT NAME.
Known In Nearly All Lands, rt Has .
 Famous Family Tree.

Famous Family Tree.
 The name John Is one of our best, also one of our oldest. It is found in nearly all languages, and no matter how disguised, from Juan to Johannes, it is almost certain to be identified. The Johns have a magnificent family tree.
 There was an apostle named John and also John the Baptist. There have been twenty-twO popes and one anu-pope by the name of John. Three kings of Aragoa and Castile, one at least of Bohemia and several of Portu. gal, France and England have borne the name of John.
 There was John Sobieskl, the great. est of the Poles" There was John, sur named Lacklund, who was forced to sign the Magma Charta. There was John the Good. RunhIng down the ia nous list, we find also John the Fortu. nate. John tie Perfect, John the Fear less, John tie Constant.
 Then there was Jack of the Bean Stalk, also Little John, who was not little. but who. on the contrary, was tall and strong, and who was one Of the EoSt impUdeut followers of Robin Hood.
 If old King John gave England the Magma Charta John Hancock helped to give Us our Declaration of Independ. ence. If the historical and symbolical Johns seem too numerous We might add John Rockefeller and John Doe Indianapolis News.
The daily Alaskan., 1917-12-12
Weather and tho spidsr,s Web.

One of the simplest of natures ba- rometers is q spiders web When there is a prospect uf wind or rain the spider shortens the RlamentS by which It's web Is sustained and leaves 1t In this state as long IS the weather is vari- able. If it tlOugatcs its threads 1t is a sign of fine, calm weather, the dura- tion Of which may be judged by the length to which tue threads are let out If the spider remains inactive 1t is sign of rain; if 1t keeps ut work dur ing rain tue downpour VII not last long and will be followed by dne weather. Observation has taught that the spider makes changes in it's web every twenty-fouf hours and that if such changes are made in the evening just before sunset the night will be clear and beautiful.