The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-11-09
SINGLE WEAVERS
ACTED WISELY IN
CONTINUING STRIKE

ing plainly shown every day since
our special convention We are
not losing any ground, and a few
more mills have been added to the
list on the eight-hour day basis.
Several of the smaller mill owners
who were anxious to line up with the
big logging companies in their eff
fort to defeat our organization now
find that they have entered into
an agreement that may mean that
they will have an opportunity to
cease operations entirely. They were
unwilling to listen to advice of men
who could plainly see that it was
only an attempt on the part of the
large logging concerns to get fur
Their control of the timber supply
of the state.
We feel that it is now up to these
mill owners to get out of the diff
Guilty as best they may. 1t is not
a part of our program to let our
members be used as a catspaw to
pull their chestnuts out Of the fire.
In the first place that $500 day
forfeit is all bunk. The only way
that a mill owner breaking that
agreement can be sued is for some
individual of the Lumbermen's Pro-
tective League to start suit; that
procedure would surely fail, and the
league does not dare to sue as an
organization. Seeking to further
browbeat the small operator, the
loggers are sending out word that
if they will only return to the ten
hour day logs will be supplied. That
is also bunk-they cannot deliver
logs to either eight or ten-hour mills
because they have no logs to de-
liver.
Timbermen Have Failed
Now comes word that the United
States will have to take over the
mills to insure the production of
war orders because "disloyal men
refuse to work" Before the State
Council Of Defense last July the
mill, owners said: "Just leave us
alone and we will deliver the goods.".
They have failed; they knew at
that time that they would fail, and
now seek to throw the blame on the
men. The men are not disloyal, but
they will not work ten hours. Es-
tablish the eight-hour day and the
lumber will be forthcoming. Make
the timber industry democratic
industry and there will be peace in
that industry.
1t has been said that patriotism is
the last refuge of a scoundrel. |
am inclined to believe it is true in
the case of the lumbermen of this
section. They have refused every
offer of mediation and settlement Of
fered by the men, and now find that
they have their backs to the wall.
We should worry. We will have
the eight-hour day. The way to
justice is sometimes long, but it
is sure.
Our men are willing to go to
France, but we are also going to be
sure that there will be peace in the
industry so that they may be well
provided for when they return. We
know that the draft is sapping the
supply of labor in America and that
there is now no reserve to draw
from to take the places of the SOL
diers of industry who are all worn
out by long hours and hard work
ing conditions.
Plans for Improvement
AT a congress of loggers recently
held in the city of Seattle several
papers were read on the subject of
food conservation, labor, etc. One
learned gentleman said that scient-
lists had proven that if people eat
slowly they eat less and attain just
as good results. Then he suggested
as a means to induce loggers to eat
slowly that the mess house walls be
adorned with pictures and that phon-
ographs be provided so that music
, might be enjoyed during the meal.
Then it was stated by another that
motion picture shows should be es-
tablished to induce the men to stay
at the camps. Another expressed
the fear that if the employers did
, not educate the men that the labor
+ agitators would.
The deep thinkers are looking only
. on the surface. We do not need
their petty larceny reform. Leave
= the men alone. They are capable
of educating themselves; they know
! what they need to better their con-
ditions. They are not looking for
gifts from above; they are going