davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

tions OF Moline and Rock Island ex-
pend large sums of money in beautify-
ing their homes, and 1t is gratifying
to see the strides that labor is max
ing in this direction. The Industrial
Home association of Davenport is still
struggling along, trying to raise suf-
f1cient sums to erect structure on
the property they now own, and if
they stick to it they eventually will
succeed. We are of the opinion, how
ever, that if there was more coopera-
ton between the labor movement in
general and the several Industrial
Home associations, that a great deal
more could be accomplished, and we
would ask that the delegates to this
body apply themselves to the task of
making that possible.
+ Labor Day.
at has been the practice for many
years past that the Labor day celebra-
ton be. held in each city alternately,
under the auspices of the Industrial
Home association of the city in which
the celebration was held, and there
was a time when this arrangement
worked out very satisfactorily and the
Industrial Home association was able
to make considerable money. But
from all indications that time has
passed The two principal sources
from which money was raised was
from the sale Of advertising space in
the Labor day program and from the
sale of beverages. The former source
is about exhausted, due to the fact that
the advertising public has tired of
paying IS, $40 or $40 for so many
inches of blue sky, and the funds de-
rived from the latter source has be-
come impossible in two of the cities,
owing to the fact that Davenport and
Moline have become prohibition ter
ritory, and it is a self-evident fact that
| Labor day is fast losing its signifi-
canoe among the people. We are,
therefore, face to face with one of two
| things. Either something must
be done to reestablish the popularity
of Labor day among our people or
| else we may sit quietly by and watch
Labor dav die out as far as it affects
the tri-cities. We are unreservedly of
!, the opinion that the Labor day cele-
bration could be made a gigantic sue
cess If twas held under the auspices
of the Tri-City Federation of Labor,
where it properly belongs, and we are
satisfied that satisfactory arrange
ments can be made with the several
( Industrial Home associations about a
split of the financial proceeds. There
fore, we recommend that the execu-
tive board stand instructed to take
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

further than to say these men are
now receiving 20 cents per hour and
appear to be satisfied for the time
being.
The next case in order was the
strike OF 900 men at the Bettendorf
car works. While these men were out
on strike We succeeded in obtaining
32o written pledges that they would
form an organization, but only 80 ever
paid the initiation. The men secured
10 per cent increases in wages and
returned to work, and we labored FIVE
weeks. day and night, but it has been
impossible to accomplish anything, SO
far, as we never could get more than
10 or 20 to meeting. The next mat
ter that claimed our attention was
that OF the laborers employed at the
Rock Island Manufacturing company,
and the history OF this case is SO clear
ly identical with the Bettendorf case
that it need not be repeated; and we
have learned this much, that when
ever any more Of these unorganized
strikes occur, no assistance will be
given from us unless those involved
show their good faith by first filing
out an application and paying an
initiation. for it appears that
there are thousands OF workers in
this district who are content to go
along for years, accepting whatever
conditions the employer chooses to
! impose upon Them when these con-
ditions become unbearable they rush
to the, labor movement for assistance,
but very seldom are sufficiently inter
ested to keep faith and maintain an
/ organization. once they secure some
! temporary advantage, and we intend to
pursue the foregoing policy, unless in
structed otherwise.
THE organizations established dur
ing the year are as follows: One local
Of painters in Davenport, one local of
tr.-city local electrical workers in
Davenport. one tri-city local Of rail-
road clerks, one tri-city local of sec
ton men, one local of tri-city local OF
maintenance carpenters, one local OF
railroad laborers in Rock Island. and
Rock Island firemen. Locals reorgan-
lied and locals for whom considerable
work has been done:
Moline retail clerks; successful
"Tri-C;ty teamsters; successful
Moving picture operators; success
full
Federal employees: successful
"Hodcarriers: partly successful.
Culinary alliance; partly success
full
Butcher workers; partly success
full.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

selves along line to which they are
best adapted, the rights Of men to de-
termine what forms Of government
they will be responsible to. These
are the ideals which labor has been
expounding for many years. but until
recently ours has been a lone voice.
crying out in the wilderness; but
while we are thus engaged In pursu-
ing an ideal, 1t behooves US to be ever
vigilant and see to it well that none
of the standards which has been set
up with years of struggle and sacri-
fee is broken down by anyone, for
while the earth is cursed by mad mil
itarists. who glory in despoiling the
earth, we are also cursed by indus
trial autocrats, who, while giving lip
service to the country, are scheming.
day and night, as to the best means OF
keeping labor and the masses in sub
lection and servility, and of bleeding
the public of the last cent OF prof1t
for their products. SO that they may
wax fat out of the misery OF our peo-
pie. There appears to be concerted
effort being made to create an arti-
women may be employed at lower
wages, and now we hear the hue and
cry set up by large employers that
our immigration laws are unfair, and
they propose to have the Asiatic ex-
clusion laws repealed, or set aside, SO
that it may be possible to import
Chinese coolies in unlimited numbers.
and it is only natural that We should
view with alarm and distrust such
sweeping activities on the part of
capital. Labor will not stand in the
way of any action deemed necessary
to win this war, but exhaustive inves-
LEGATIONS prove to the satisfaction OF
all fair-minded men that the shortage
of labor is only myth fOstered by
those whose principal object in life Is
to break down the standards Of Amer
lean citizenship, for they realize that
the average American working man
can be depended upon to insist upon
fair wage and decent hours, OF Ia
Dor. and they are taking advantage
of this opportunity to fill the coun-
try with class Of people whose
standards of living are the exact OPP
pOSltc VI OuAS, duu VIC Suoutu NO vi
the alert and see to it that while our
boys are in the trenches and in train
ing camps, that their Jobs are not
filled with people who have nothing In
common with American ideals and
which will result in our soldiers hav-
ing to walk the streets and starve after
they return from fighting the fight OF
democracy" e
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

guns and full equipment, after four
hours of vigorous work. Within sight
of my building this afternoon. there
are squads of machine gun men drill
ing in the use of their weapons, repro
ducing as fully as possible the condi-
tions of the battlefield companies at
bayonet practice, going "over the
top" with enthusiasm. and prodding
the life out of the dummies which act
as substitutes for the real live boches;
companies doing company and battal-
ion drill in field maneuvres; and all
sorts of work of that kind, which is
most absorbing in its interest for
civilian like myself. 1t looks like prep
aration for serious business.
Il am glad to report my family all
we'll, and thoroughly enjoying the i'm
proved conditions as to weather and
surroundings"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

camp. and it is q very warlike place.
There are between thirty thousand
and forty thousand men here at this
time, but the number varies contin-
ually, as some are being sent on,
while additional troops are coming in
at intervals.
"The Y. NJ. c. A. workers here are
mostly from Pennsylvania, though I
have found a few friends from back
in Illinois and neighboring states. The
work of the association has been we'll
organized, and a high grade Of activ-
ity is being carried on.
Il have been assigned as building
secretary for a brand new building
which is just now being completed,
which is to be known as building No
232. 1t is located in the heart of the
camp, right on the parade ground,
and is quite the largest and most at
tractive building in the camp. l count
myself fortunate in having the priv
ilege Of opening the work in such fav-
orable circumstances. We shall serve
the One Hundred Eleventh infantry,
and certain companies of machine gun
troops. There are three or four thou
sand men in my territory who will use
this building
THE military activities in the camp
are most interesting. The men are
drilling about eight hours day. and
as the weather is SO fine. all their out
door. work is carried on regularly. At
1880 each day. and again about five,
the bands take their places by regi-
iments. and the men are marched off
the drill grounds by companies and
battalions in very fine order. 1t is an
inspiring sight to see the masses OF
troops thus. swinging by, with their
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

came that one son was dead. The sec
ond visit told her of the death of the
second son. When he came the third
time she said to him bravely, Il shall
not need to ask which one it Is the
next time you come, for there is only
my husband left"
In speaking of his visit to the ceme-
terry where are buried the brave SOL
diers who fell in the first action of the
American troops, DR.. Lincoln said
Our commission visited this little
cemetery. One Of our men was a
clergyman and he offered a prayer to
the memory Of the brave boys. 1t is in
a region not far from the trenches
within reach Of the shells that fell
around us. There is already on foot
a movement to erect monument on
this hallowed spot. Oh, the sacrifice;
we were told there were nine graves
but we counted eleven. In another
cemetery Is graves had been newly
opened to use for what is sure to come.
The longer they remain and the longer
decisive action is postponed the great
er will be the sacrifice.
do you realize that this is your
war; asked DR.. Lincoln, that
the firing line extends not only
across France from Belgium to
Switzerland, but across the seas, that
this is not only a world war but every
body's war. How have you evidenced
your interest, to what extent are you
doing your share? There must be de-
cisive action at home If there is to be
decisive action at the front.
Exactly the same query is heard
from officers and men everywhere.
What are they doing at home, are
they ever coming across" Much. has
been performed with a heavy heart.
Everyone has a duty to perform and
that duty is loyalty and obedience.
The burden Is comparatively light
when one remembers the boys in the
trenches. We must mobilize an army
Of civilians, the farm must lead There
must be no slackers in this army as
there are no slackers among the Amer
can boys in France. This is no time
for patriotism that cannot be ex-
pressed in self denial. Could you see
as l have seen the sacrifices of life
and countries you would pray God to
forgive you for your indifference and
give you another chance to help
A touching little story was told Of
the Belgian Refugee children for whom
classes are organized. Out of a num-
her OF. children who were asked to
draw a picture Of a house the major
ity OF them drew the picture Of a
ruined house. One little child asked
the woman who was caring for it:
Are you my mother" why, yea my
dear / suppose / am" was the reply.
Then | hope you will stay said the
child for I've already had three
mothers"
When this war is over We shall
have no hatred in our hearts for the
German people. only pity for the peo-
pie of the countries that have suffered.
II will be sweet to know this war was
not in vain, that from 1t shall arise a
stronger manhood and womanhood.
Our energies will be spent In build
ing characters instead of futures" DR..
Lincoln closed his address with the
, immortal words OF Julia Ward Howe.
in the Battle Hymn OF the Republic,
Christ has died to make men holy, let
us die to make men free"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

time. and. as a consequence. all the
energies, all the thought and all the
science of mankind, which has been
accustomed to work along humani-
tartan lines for the uplift and better
ment of the human family, is now
forced to apply itself to the one great
task that is taxing the minds and
bodies of nearly all the civilized peo-
pie of the earth, How to Win the War
Now. while the organized labor move
ment has, ever since its birth, been
one of the greatest advocates of inter-
national peace, going on record time
and time again as being opposed to
war and to all forms of militarism.
nevertheless. there are times when a
departure from Utopian ideals are not
only necessary, but highly advisable.
Wars in general are situations which
we must reckon with, and while our
very souls recoil in horror at the
thought Of slaughtered and mutilated
legions, the outraging of thousands OF
women, the indescribable suffering OF
children and the destruction of use
full and beautiful monuments of mans
genius, yet there are things more
precious than temporary security. for.
if at any time a man finds himself set
upon by band of lawless brigands,
he does not attempt to show them the
error of their ways and cry, Thou
shalt not steal but tries to defend
himself as best he can, and does the
reasoning afterwards; and you can no
~ko ,,cf ccin =,
junkers by honeyed phrases and sweet
sounding sentimentalities than you
! can stop a raging flood by casting
straws upon its surface. This is borne
out by the events of the last few days,
for when the Russian Bolsheviki,
whose pronounced object is to end the
| war, attempted to talk peace, the mask
of kultur was lifted from kaiserism
and we saw for the first time the face
Of greed, avarice and despotism in
every ugly line. The military power
of Germany was willing to make peace
with Russia providing Russia would
consent to give away her most fertile
provinces and agree to the virtual
transfer to German rule of about %.
900 900 people We point out these facts
so that we may, if possible, have a
clearer understanding why our c0un-
try is at war and why the,labo move
ment is intellectually supporting
the government aside from patriotic
reasons. This war is being waged in
the interest Of the most cherished
ideals of labor-a fuller democracy
for all the people of the earth, an op-
portunity for all men to develop them
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02
Heal Skin Diseases

1t is unnecessary for you to suffer with
eczema, blotches. ringworm, rashes and
similar skin troubles. A little 1emo.
obtained at any drug store for Sc, or
81 co for extra large bottle, and promptly
applied viii usually give instant relief
from itching torture. 1t cleanses and
soothes the skin and heals quickly and
effectively most skin diseases.
Zemo is wonderful. penetrating. dis
appearing liquid and is soothing to the
most delicate skin. It is not greasy. i
easily applied and costs little. Get Il
TODAY and save all further distresa
The E. W. Rose Co, Clevel.ad. O
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02

Jan. 2S.-Major Alexander Macken-
zie is busily- engaged today superin-
tending the packing and shipping of
the contributions of his Office to the
worlds fair at Chicago.
The Rock Island bridges were form
ally opened to the public today and
traffic was resumed by the bridge
, street cars. $40
C. H. Deere was elected president of
the Tri-City improvement League at
a meeting held last night in the
Mitchell and Lynde building.
A horse driven by Ralph Ketford,
and the property of DR.. c. b. Kinyon,
made a dash down Third avenue to
the latter's residence yesterday. The
boy escaped uninjured, but the sleigh
to which the horse was hitched was
damaged.
Jan. 31-Miss Tillie Hass entertain
ed a number of her friends at her
home on First avenue last night The
party was given in honor of Miss Kate
Messoenkop of Princeton. Refresh
ments were served and dancing was
enjoyed.
Gus Kreger, barber at Ranges
shop. accidentally discharged a %
calibre rife while at work today and
splintered the bone in his left index
finger DR.. G. L. Eyster dressed the
injured member.
Feb THE Schnell Social and Lit
erary club held another of its delight
full affairs last night at its club rooms
The program was opened by the Misses
Katie and Josephine Roche. Their
number was followed by an address
by Father Flanagan, assistant at st.
Josephs church. Miss Mamie Rich
ards rendered a vocal solo.
The report of the police for the
month of January issued by Chief of
Police Phil Miller shows there were
II city police court cases and two
state cases. Fifty tramps were
lodged and the Jail bill for 10 meals
was 81. Fines and fees collected by
Magistrate H. c. Wivill amounted to
$32.S5.
Anthony Hill, we'll known in Rock
Island, will open up the old Fourth
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
From The Argus Files of 1893

avenue drug store, it was announced
today. Mr.. Hill has been attending
school in Chicago and has had much
experience in the drug business.
The board of education held q spe-
cial meeting last night to make plans
for erecting another schoo. building
in the No. district The building
will contain IA rooms. 4ss.,-.l
Feb. Miss Hattie Hengstler, who
has been missing from home for the
last week, was discovered in Sioux
City. Iowa, and was brought home by
a Davenport detective. Rumors to the
effect that she had eloped were denied.
The new society. the Santa Maria Of
St. Joseph's parish, gave its first on
tertainment at the home Of Mr.. and
Mrs. c. C. Hodges last night. atl
The monthly meeting of the Citi-
Zen's improvement association was
held at the club rooms in the. Mitchell
& Lynde building last night. Presi-
dent William Jackson presided and in
troduced Mr.. Babcock of Philadel-
phia, who gave short talk on how he
had made proposition to the Tri-
City Columbian committee for the pur-
pose of advertising this locality at the
worlds fair in Chicago.
The Milwaukee passenger train due
here at o'clock last night arrived at
2:30 this morning, being delayed by
immense snow drifts.
William S. Don, while at work in
DOnS bindery yesterday, caught q
finger in the paper cutter which he
was operating and smashed 1t. DR..
Carter dressed the injury and stated
that Don would be unable to work for
some time.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02
Increases Shown.

Increases Shown.
"On Jan 1, 1917, our affiliated mem
bership. after deducting the three
crafts above mentioned, was 4,176, and
at the present We have affiliated 6,102
members. Our new members number
9O2. s
Twenty locals show increases ag-
gregating 1860 members; IA locals
show decreases aggregating 227. The
Tri-City Federation of Labor, there
fore. shows net increase for the year
of 1926 members. We had 40 locals
eahswresarcr eaofte hsonneti w. 5shr
affiliated on Jan. I. 1917. Today We
have SO locals affiliated, and there
still remain 10 locals unaffiliated with
a membership Of 2,4S7 These figures,
therefore, show that if we had 100
per cent affiliation we would have
membership Of $3.50, and, figuring ac-
cording to government ratio of five to
a family, We represent directly 44,455
mictcteargonoovgfi acknowledgements r
souls, or about 40 per cent Of the
total population. What an enormous
influence we could WELD, economically
and politically, If only our strength
was consolidated and coordinated?
Let us, therefore, resolve that our
slogan for the year shall be 10000 af-
filiated by 1919
Eve desire to call your attention in
passing to the practice of some locals
hedging in per capita tax. There are
only few. but, according to informa-
ton in our possession. il all locals
paid on their full membership, our to-
tai membership would be increased
some 600 and our revenue increased
about $24 per month.
Our Labor Temples. -.
During the last year we have Wit
messed the Industrial Home associa-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02
"1en Thousand Organised Laborer3 BY
Is the Slogan Federation OF Labor

"Ten thousand organized laborers
N the tri-cities by 1919"
That is the slogan of the Tri-City
rederat!on Of Labor for this year,
president Charles MACEDONIAN says in
ss annual report submitted to the
de,egates of the labor assembly. Mr..
NacGowan makes several recon-
mendations In his report, the most
.nportant Of which is that for a legis-
;a,iye agency TO exercise some dis
,retionary power in selecting men for
public Office,
His report follows:
The organization OF workers in the
,ri-cities has gone steadily on during
the past year, and while we have not
the numerous new locals to report
that we had a year ago, we can report
that seven new locals have been or
eanized. We finished up last year with
large number of new local unions,
hut without any agreements or rec
ignition OF their organization; there
fore, the first thing that was neces-
sary was TO secure these things in
order TO hold the organization togeth-
or We have also been unfortunate
enough TO become involved in numer-
Gus labor difficulties, which have
caused US no end of work, but which
has brought no lasting results. The
first OF these was the strike at the
Nohr Packing company, involving
about fifty men and women. After q
10 days struggle we secured an in
crease in wages and the reinstatement
Of all concerned; but Just as soon as
they returned to work. they listened to
the voice Of the employer, and every
oae dropped their membership in the
butcher workers organization. The
next case was tho one Of the building
lsborers, who attempted to negotiate
On increase and succ aaded; but owing
10 the indifference of those on the in
side the bitter factional fights on the
inside, their organization has not
made any progress. Their strike las,
spring was a farce-comedy, for the
reason that men would come out or
strike on one Job. and 1t often hap.
pened that they would go up the street
and go to work on another job for the
same employer that they were out OF
strike against However, we are yet o
the opinion that we can make a rea
organization out of these people
The next case was the one of the Sill
Wis laborers. This case is so vel
known that it needs no enumeration