davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
WAGES AND THE
COST OF LIVING.
By CHARLES EDWARD RUSSELL

BY CHARLES EDWARD RUSSELL.
Up goes the cost of living, up and
always up.
For twenty years it has been going
up.
Some years it has gone up more
than other years. But in all years it
has been. rising, and always rising
faster than wages and the average of
ordinary incomes have increased.
That is the main point; that is the
great, fatal, overwhelming disaster of
it-faster than wages
1t means that the country is being
impoverished. If it goes on there is
but one thing ahead and that is ruin.
Even now, vast masses Of our popu-
1ation are being peri1ously underfed
because at the prevailing prices they
cannot afford to buy themselves
enough food. The mum bers that are
under this appalling blight are stead
lily increasing. In the last twenty years
enough have been afflicted with it to
enable us to see some of its results,
and I declare to you on the faith of a
man and an American that they are
terrifying.
We are developing a race of physi-
cal detectives. Another generation
will see us a race of .weaklings
It is no theory we deal with, no doc
trine and no fad. It is with facts
Already three young men in every
four that offer themselves for enlist
ment in the United States army or
navy must be rejected for physical de-
fects. Three times in four the de-
fects are the results Of bad living
conditions.
Always the cost of living going up
and up; always wages tagging farther
and farther behind that increase.
What would you expect?
In times Of national danger from
foreign or domestic foe the govern
ment of the United States is expected
to take extraordinary measures for
the public defense.
The emergency has come. The
enemy is upon us. 1t is a foe far more
dangerous and destructive than any
armed invader could be, and Tie first
step needful for the national defense
is plain before us.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
Vocational Education.
BY Representative Thomas ID. Schall
of Minnesota.

6y Representative lnOI0dS IL. SCnalk
of Minnesota.
Vocational education is planned to
lessen the gap between the few think
ing men at the top and the great
army of automatic toilers. It will
evolve profitable servants of society,
not dumb toilers on the one hand and
exclusive culturists on the other.
When in Sing Sing prison an oppor-
tunity was given the men to learn a
trade, over seven hundred responded.
1t was the first chance they had ever
had to know how to make an honest
living. The whole social system Of a
nation is wrong when a. man must go
to Jail before the state will teach him
how to live. Who can say what pro-
portion of these crimes would have
been prevented if the same opportun-
ity for training had been given them
in youth?
What we now waste through ignor-
ance might in time be prevented by
intelligent training in vocational edu-
cation. The American nation is the
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
PICKING UP THE SPILLED BEANS.

1t would have been much better had the Com
merc1al club stepped aside and permitted the mayor
OF Duluth to appoint the local Council of National
Defense. For some or other the masses do
not take kindly to such projects promoted by bust
ness mems organizations. They feel that as Presi-
dent Wilson appointed the Council Of National De-
tense and Governor Burnquist the State Public
Safety Commission, Mayor Magney should have been
permitted to name the local council Of National De-
tense. Indeed the mayor had his list about ready
to announce to the public when the Commercial club
committee was given out for publication
Had the Federated Trades and Labor assembly,
the recognized central body of Duluth s wage earn
ers, named local Council of National Defense little
cooperation if any would be expected from the bust
ness interests. Union labor would have regarded it
as presumptuOus to have named such a committee
1t would naturally look to the mayor, the duly &C.
credited representative Of all the people, to have
taken such a step.
But that which has been done can not be undone.
While the Commercial club has spilled the beans it
may not be too late to pick most of them up Every
class and sectional prejudice should be obterated
we need now more than at any other time united
community. The first and foremost thing to do is
to work together for the common good. Begin by
getting back yards and every available vacant lot
ready for cultivation. The people in the various
sections of the city should cooperate in having pow
ing and narrowing done, and in purchasing seed
R1ch men could assist greatly by furnishing teams
and advancing seed. Every little bit will plav its
part IN relieving the food situation next winter
| The local Council Of National Defense has no
time to lose. The planting does not wait for
men to organize In few weeks it will be too late
Gentlemen, get busy, we depending on YOU to
make good. When you say the word we will get
behind you to man.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
UNION METHODS AND CoNsCR1PT1oN.

There is lot Of foolish opposition to selective
CONSUMPTION among American. workngmen and
others. Union labor men believe in certain kind
OF consumption in industry They want every work
Eangman to belong to the union OF course they use
moral suasion, but sometimes they do not Their
)chlef concern is in making their organizations 100
per cent strong: A union shop agreement possesses
a rather conscription-ke aspect, in that every man
must belong to the union or seek work elsewhere.
!. Then when there is strike every member is
expected to do picket duty whether he likes it or
not. No favorites played. Each must do his
and 1t he does not do it he is fined by the union
ut ne does not pay the fine he Is suspended Or ex-
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
I PROTEST..

To sit in silence when we should pro-
test
Makes towards out of men. The
human race
Has climbed on protest. Had no voice
been raised
Against injustice, ignorance and lust,
The inquisition yet would serve the
law, =
And guillotines decide our least dis
putes.
The few who dare must speak and
speak again
To right the wrongs of many. Speech,
thank God,
No vested power in this great day and
land
Can gag or throttle. Press and voice
may cry
Loud disapproval of existing ills;
May criticize oppression and condemn
The law1essness of wealth-protecting
laws
That let the children and child bear.
ers toll
To purchase ease for idle millionaires
Therefore, I do protest against the
/ boast
VI independence in this mighty 'iand.
Call no chain. strong which holds one
rusted link
Call no land tree. that holds one fet.
tered slave.
Until the manacled slim wrists Of
babes ,.@
Are loosed to toss in childish spor
and glee; p
Until the mother bears no burden
save - '.s5e -->'.
The precious one beneath her heart
until y
Gods soil is rescued from the clutci
of greed, u - .'sz. -.
And given back to labor. let no man
Call this the land OF freedom. ~.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
What Other Papers Say.
WILL WEALTH PAY THE DEBIT

Tacoma Labor Advocate:-Begin-
ming at the eleventh hour, a group of
people, sincere, perhaps, in their pur-
pose, put too late for action against
an immense bond issue of $7,00O,O0O,-
OOO' ask Tor legislation to tax incomes,
or, IN other words, make private for
tunes pay the nations war debt. In
the first appeal sent forth from New
YORK city, headquarters of the Amer
lean Committee on War Finance, they
say:
IN war the country needs two
things: men and money. Rich and
poor alike must be ready to make
patriotic sacrifices. But the poor man
will make the greatest sacrifice. He
will do the bulk of the fighting, be-
cause he forms the bulk of the popu-
lation. He will offer to his country
more than life itself-for, if killed or
disabled, he leaves wife and children
helpless, dependent on charity or the
state.
war requires limitless eXpendit-
ure of money. What, then, is the
duty of all citizens of means, those
who have comfortable surplus, and
eSPoA"AIy oil WHO Will EeHldlH at nome
protected by the sacrifice of the ma
TONS young manhood? The burden
of finance must be borne by those who
are financially strong and able to
give.
I'm our Civil war a million men-a
quarter of the whole population of
military age-volunteered at Lincoln's
call during the first year. But the ma
TONS private fortunes did not volun-
teer. They declared for patriotism,
while they profited on the country's
necessity
Now we say, why issue any bonds so
that the wealthy can purchase them
and receive interest in stupendous
sums? Non-taxable bonds if you
please. No, the financial world has
seen to it that the war debt will be
put on those not able to bear the bur-
den. The greed for gold is greater
than patriotism with the wealthy of
this United States. Private fortunes
will not volunteer now.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

1t is good to know that a judge can
be the pronounced and consistent
friend of organized labor and not suf-
fer for it. Judge E. J. Jeffries has
been reelected associate judge of the
recorders court in Detroit by the
largest majority ever received by
candidate for that office.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

The Minneapolis Labor Review, which has pub
hshed a weekly edition of eight pages, has an
nounced that, owing to the high cost of print paper
1t will reduce the size of the paper to four pages
1t IS hoped that this retrenchment will not mate
rally decrease the effectiveness of the Labor Review
in the labor movement and that conditions will soon
readjust themselves that the former size of the
paper may be resumed.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

There are over 10000 children
working for the tobacco trust for less
than 81 cents a day. Think this over
when you buy your scab cigars and
tobacco and you may be converted to
the cause Of the label.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

When the next tax levy is made for
the state the rate will be SIS mills.
the highest in the history of the state
with the exception Of 1865, when it
was 6 mills. Large grants for school
aid and the war appropriation &C
count for the increase.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

Save part of your potatoes for seed. Cut cone
shaped pieces around every seed the potato, lay
them on paper and in a cool place to. dry: Plant
the seed when all danger of frost is past You will
he surprised at the economy in this method
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05

Congress- first duty is to ASCERTAIN
the will of the majority; Its second.
to execute It. ~ / .ils ss.ss
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
MOTORCYCLE IN WAR
T0TESMACHIIE GUNS
Capt. Louis Keene, Of English
Army, Tells Experience.

1.-THE motorcycle has not only full
filled but exceeded ali expectations
says Capt. Louis Keene, an. English
officer now in the United States on
special detail, who brings with him
the most comprehensive and valuable
fund of information that has 30 far
reached this country concerning mo-
torcycles in European warfare.
Captain Keene spent two years be-
hind and in the trenches in France,
and during most Of the time was in
charge Of q motorcycle machine gun
battery.
That the motorcycle finds its great.
est Importance in modern military
tactics as q machine gun unit IN the
contention OF Captain Keene
81 do not for a moment wish to be-
little the great service OF the Dispatch
riders. for there are heroes among
them by the score, but cannot avoid
the conclusion that 1t IL the motor
cycle machine gun unit that weighs
heaviest In the scales for victory" he
says.
1--WE consider one machine gun
equal in fighting strength to 100 men.
and when It IL possible to move such
weapon quickly from point to point
by means of the motorcycle. you will
understand that the combination IL q
wonderfully strong one"
A surprising bit of news revealed
by Captain Keene IL the fact that
more motorcyclists have been killed
SO far by the motor lorries of their
own army than by enemy bullets
Transport trains have orders to get
through at top speed, regardless Of
other road users-and they follow
those orders. II they run through a
motorcycle squad and smash them
right and left II Is all in the days
work-and the motorcyclist knows II
II a huge motor truck would simply
bump a cyclist on the road and let II
go at that, the case would not be so
bad. but they usually hurl the rider
fifteen or twenty feet ahead on the
road and then run over him.
Under no conditions can a motor
lorrie train stop without orders. Tons
OF high explosives. or equally precious
foodstuffs. must go through at any
cost once they are started. So a very
important part OF the motorcyclists
work Is to keep out Of the way. In
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
NEW MOTORCYCLE FEATURE
Tire Rack and Bundle Platform for
sldeear 10 Development.

A neat little tire rack for attach
ment to the rear OF a motorcycle side
car. and = small platform for carrying
bundles. is the latest development for
motorcycles.
Now the owner Of a motorcycle
and side-car outfit Is in the same class
with his big brother automobile driver
and can carry his luggage on the
rack. similar to that on the most ex-
pensive four-wheelers. The increase In
popularity OF the motorcycle and side
car for touring purposes has made 1t
necessary for some arrangement for
carrying clothing and camping equip
ment
A motorcycle and side car outfit de-
monstrated that Il was a valuable
transportation medium for local post
office work recently at Marinette.
Wis, when George II. Erickson, be-
cause the department would not allow
him extra compensation to cover the
maintenance cost OF his Harley David
son and side car. decided to go back
to the horse and wagon methods. 1t
did not take the postal officials long
to recognize the superior advantages
OF the motorcycle, however, and they
came to Mr.. Erickson shortly after
and asked him to put back the motor
cycle and side car, agreeing to raise
the allowance.
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
MAXWELLS TO TEST
GASOLINE ECONOMY
Next Wednesday VIII See Demon
StraiOn IN Each State.

Residents Of Washington will soon
see the most extensive gasoIene econ.
omy test ever staged by an autouno-
bile company. They will have the
added interest Of seeing the name OF
II. B. Leary, jr-, - q competitor.
Next wednesday in every State
OF the Union and many of the Cana.
dian provinces will be Maxwell Raso-
lene economy proof day.
The contest, planned to give every
Maxwell distributor an equal chance,
Is divided into classes OF cities &C.
cording to population. there being
nve OF these. Each Maxwell distribu-
ter and dealer will enter two cars,
these cars being borrowed" from
Maxwell owners in his town.
There will be four passengers, in
GLIDING the driver in each car, and
special certified one-gaIlon gasolene
cans have been prepared and sent out
to participants in the run. These
cans will be attached to the wind
shield and connected with the car
buretor. Observers will be in the
cars during the. run. and will certify
to the result.
The winner will be that distributor
or dealer who on the single gallon OF
gasolene attains the greatest MILEAGE.
The prizes offered total 5000 In gold.
and. in addition, there Il the national
MAXWELL championship economy CUP.
a gold and silver trophy which VIII
60 with first money prize.
Watch for the red can on the wind
shield of the two local Maxwells on
May 20
The Washington times., 1917-05-19

cause they can obtain no numbers
without great loss of time.
Now, IL police departments had
records Of all numbers on each of the
individual cars registered in their
state, and further could obtain simi-
lar records from other States, II
would aid Considerably in recovering
stolen cars, because, even though the
thieves are clever enough to wipe
out most Of the numbers, it stands to
reason that there would be a few of
the original numbers left on the ma
chine, even though covered with
paint.
by some means, then, the right
influence must be brought to bear
so that owners shall be required to
obtain from the factories all the
numbers on their cars and register
these numbers with the secretaries of
states when their license Is granted.
The training OF the police and de-
tectives in locating numbers will take
much time and skill. but II can be
done, and by so doing 1t will bring up
the efficiency OF the departments with
regard to recovery of stolen cars
from its present standard of 80 or
20 per cent to nearly 100 per cent"
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
RETSENSTEIN PROUD
OF new BODY DESIGN
Wanted the Distinctive in
Type, and Got It.
LOOKS As IF IMPORTED
Top Of Muleskin and BrOadclOth
Adds Finish.

To Sidney Reisenstein, a local mo
torist, who demanded the distinctive
thing In his new car, belongs the
credit for one of the handSomesi
body Jobs turned out in Washington
this spring.
Reisenstein was impressed with the
car long before he visited the local
dealer. He had friends who were
highly enthusiastic about its perform
ance. He was satisfied that 1t was
his car.
But he had ideas. After picking
the general type he wanted, q seven
passenger tourist model, he decided
that q victoria top would serve q
utility OF comfort, and add a c:rIkinY
note OF beauty to the car.
The result of his planning Is a spe-
cial tonneau top, unusually deep and
good looking. The outside Is OF Sc
lected muleskin and the inside OF fine
blue English broadcloth.
The effect Is that of an imported
car, and Lawton, the maker. Is to be
congratulated on his faithful reaIlza-
tion of Reisentein's ideas.
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
TRAVEL BY MOTOR
WILL BE GENERAL
Summer Touring Promises to Be
Popular Again.

Spring and summer touring, which
reached its height OF popularity last
season on account of the cessation OF
foreign travel, probably will be even
more general throughout the country
this year. according to c. w. Semmes.
The extensive travel by motor car.
he says, is due TO several causes, prin-
cipal among these being the ideal rec
reation afforded. The low cost of
running expenses also is an important
factor.
Undoubtedly many more car own
ers would spend a week or two on the
road each year." said Semmes. "if
they paused to realize how easy It is
to cut the expenses OF such trips
down almost to the mere cost OF gaso-
lene. A small equipment will do It.
and at the same time add to the pleas
ures of the tour, because It gives the
motorists exactly what they seek most
in starting-life outdoors. 1 have in
mind a camp outfit and a few cooking
utensils. We could cite you innumer-
able instances of delightful travel in
this fashion. Only yesterday learn
ed OF the plan adopted by California
couple, which seems particularly ap-
propriate.
az. T. Burdick and wife, who own
a little ranch just outside Lanker-
shims near Los Angeles. made a com.
plete outfit themselves and started
out on a trip which will take them
thousands OF miles, into northern Ari-
IONA, the Grand Canyon, Painted
Desert, cliff dwellings, the petrifled
forest and Montezuma's castle. The
outfit consists OF a Thermos bottle
trunk which carries six Thermos bot
ties. so that they have two quarts OF
hot coffee. two quarts OF cold milk
and two of ice water on tap all the
time.
They made a fireless cooker out of
q candy bucket, the cooking compart-
ment being of aluminium surrounded
by a packing of cork and newspapers.
They built a special blue flame oil
stove just to fit their car, and Mrs.
Burdick with her own hands made a
tent that completely houses the car,
forms a bed room on one side OF the
machine and dining room and kitch-
en- on the other side. The entire out
fit only weighs 145 pounds. the equal
of one person"
The Washington times., 1917-05-19
u S. BRDMEN TO-GET
BETTER FLYING START
War Department VIII Open Uni
VersiB Aviation Courses.

Six universities have been desig,
mated by the War Department to give
training in the subjects which will
form a ground work for aviation
practice in this country. The profes.
sors will first be trained.
Eighteen technical instructors in
the colleges have been designated for
this preparation Two of them have
spent day at the Curtiss aeroplane
plant on their way to Toronto. In
Toronto they will be given thorough
instruction In the methods employed
at the aviation school there which
closely copy the one maintained at
Oxford, England. These three men are
William H. Magruder, professor OF
mechanical engineering; H. c. Lord,
professor OF astronomy, and william
Knight, assistant professor of ma
chine shop practice, all Of Ohio State
University.
When the college courses have been
organized, the candidates for Instruc-
ton in flying will first be given a
two or three-month course OF inten-
sive study in astronomy. meteorology,
wireless, photography. practical cleo
tricity, military instruction, internal
combustion engines and q. general
knowledge OF the business and du-
ties of a soldier. The training in
the air, when these broad fundamen-
tails have been mastered, can be more
quickly anc inteIligently done.
1t Is understood that the war and
the navy departments have so far re-
ceived more than $4,000 applications
for instruction In aviation. From this
batch, some 1000 or 5000 men will
probably be found available for the
service. Major L. W. B. Rees, of the
British flying corps, here with the
Balfour mission, suggested when he
visited the curtiss plant that the ap-
plications should be limited to young
men between nineteen and twenty
five years. who weigh not more than
160 pounds.
The Washington times., 1917-05-19

and safety Of others.-Switzer v.
Baker, 100 N. w. Qowa) 3T2.
Though the law recognizes q right
OF precedence at Intersections In IA
vor Of pedestrians, II does not permit
pedestrians to loiter upon or obstruct
the crossing: but when persons NOV
ing in different directions approach
q crossing at the same time or in
such manner that II both continued
their courses there Is danger OF COL
lision, the one having the preference
IL entitled to hrst use, and others
must give him reasonable opportunity
for such use.-Swltzer v. Baker, 160
N. w. Qowa) 312.
1t IL not, as matter of law. negli-
gence for q blind person to walk on a
constantly feeling his way with q
stan. While due care Is exaeted OF
the blind a. well as the seeing. and
ordinary care may require more OF
the blind than those who have their
sight, the duty being correlative.
those who may injure the blind
should use more precaution thaA
would be necessary where the one
to be affected was not blind, and both
are required to exercise the reason
able care Of q person Of average pru-
oence ana oresight.-Balcom v. City
OF Independence, 100 N. w. (Iowa)
In q prosecution for violation Of
the motor vehicle law, In failing to
stop and give name. address, etc.
after causing injury to another au-
tomobile, Instructions that unless the
jury and each OF them believed be-
yond reasonable doubt that the de-
PENDANT knew that the other automo-
bile had been injured, he must be &C
Quilted was properly refused: since
"knowledge" of injury to person or
property, within the meaning Of the
statute requiring the operator of q
motor vehicle to stop, does not mean
absolute positive knowledge, but II
injury IL inflicted under such circum-
stances as would ordinarily cause a
reasonable person to believe that in
jury would flow from the accident, Il
was the duty OF the motor operator TO
stop his vehicle.-WooS- v. State, %
So. (Ala-l IN.
The Washington times., 1917-05-19

the early stages OF the war I believe
the motorcycle sections were allowed
20 ride pretty close to the front, but
II was later found advisable to leave
the motors behind when the lads went
up for the lighting"
when asked what the biggest lesson
Is that America has to learn concern
ing the motorcycle in military service,
ne replied that motorcycle service in
war Is not q circus or q carnival-it's
a business, and q bloody business at
mat and you have failed to grasp
mat Idea You could hardly be ex-
pecteo to understand 1t for you have
not seen blood split.
Dlspatch riding Is now considered
rather tame by our boys. They pre-
fer the machine gun motorcycle SER
vice. as 1t IL there that they get
action"