The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-10-12
LABOR NOTES

Increases in wages to it's 1900 en-
ployees, aggregating $1,250,000 a year,
were announced by Theodore p.
Shonts, president Of the New York
Railways company, in anticipation of
authorization being given to charge
higher fares. The increases represent
an advance OF about 20 per cent. The
Interborough Rapid Transit company,
which operates the elevated and sub
way lines in the boroughs Of Manhat-
tan and the Bronx, also announced a
wage increase to it's $4,000 employees,
of approximately $2,500000, or about
20 per cent.
Officers Of the International Ladies'
Garment Workers union are preparing
to make effective the declaration of
their last convention for an education
al campaign to be conducted by five
members appointed by the president of
! the international. 1t was voted to APP
Rpropriate 1O,00O annually for the
yworlf. This movement will include
popular education through lectures,
the study of the English language, pub
lie speaking and all subjects pertain
ing to trade unionism and the labor
movement. Literature will be distrib-
uted to the membership without cost
or at nominal cost.
The shortage in Great Britain of
adult labor for civil purposes has
caused the authorities to reduce the
age limit for the issue of motor driving
licenses. Youths Of sixteen and upward
will be able to get licenses after pass
Ing driving tests. These juvenile Ii
censes are not available for public
service vehicles or for heavy motor
cars.
The British trades union congress
after heated discussion, shelved the
resolution of the seamen declaring a
boycott on the Germans after the war;
The resolution was voted down by an
overwhelming majority, nearly 4,000,-
600 on the card vote opposing and only
half million supporting the measure.
The miners federation stoutly refused
to countenance German boycott.
In ordinary times Uncle Sam en-
ploys 100000 hands in various civilian
posts. War times have altered this
figure and thousands of men and wom-
en- have been put on his pay roll. In
Washington alone 10000 civil workers
have been added to the number en-
ployed there before the war. These
figures do not include soldiers and
sailors.
Following a meeting at Scranton,
Pa, of 400 anthracite mine workers,
said to represent every local In dis
trict No. / and held independently of
the officers of the union, committee
met and drew up a resolution calling
for an increase in wages and asking
for a definite answer. The resolution
was sent to President Wilson.
A communication sent by President
Wilson to the striking machinists and
toolmakers Of Bridgeport, Conn.,, is I'M
derstood to call upon them as patriotic
citizens to return to their work in war
plants and to solve their problems
along lines laid down by the war labor
board.
The strike of postal and government
and telegraph employees in the Argen-
tine Republic has spread until the en-
tire personnel in these services, about
10000, is involved. The employees de-
mand higher wages.
The national wooden ship keel lay
ing record was broken at the Gray's
Harbor Motorship corporation yard,
Aberdeen, Wash, ten seconds being the
official time. The previous best time
for placing a wooden keel was eleven
seconds.
Announcement was made that the
Detroit United Railways company, OPP
Grating all street cars in Detroit, Will
employ women conductors owing to
the shortage Of men.
1t is stated that arrangements nave
been made for the release from the
colors of 10000 British workmen with
ship yard experience.