davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
PLAN TO REDUCE J j
AbSEN1EE|SM
Proves Among Most T Effective
Methods to Keep Factory
Attendance.

"A proft-sharing plan, under which
every employe realizes that by being
absent or late he is cutting down his
own income and that Of his fellows,
has been found effective by a Con-
necticut machinery plant for reducing
absenteeism by the Information and
Education Service, United States De-
partment of Labor.
The plan also tends to create a
public opinion within the plant
against irregular attendance, for since
all the employees have personal in
:terest in full production, they are
keen to-. keep in touch with any
worker who may fail to keep up to
the work and encourage him or bring
pressure to bear on him to stick to
the job. -
The premium system also has been
found successful in a. number Of fac
tories in Eastern states. A Massa-
chusetts company pays 5 per cent Of
his wages to every workman who is
neither absent nor tardy. and S per
t1ona1 to those who remain for three
months. A New York firm pays 10
per cent premium for full weeks
work. An Illinois house offers a 10
per cent premium to every employe
who is neither late nor absent for six
months, and docks. a worker 1 per
cent of his six months pay for each
tardiness, 2 per cent for each half
days absence and per cent for
every full days absence.
The workman does not lose his
premium If he is absent because Of
illness, in general. provided he shows
a physicians certificate.
In addition. most plants paying
premiums provide welfare workers,
who follow up absentees and encour-
age them and help them to return
and stick for it co-operates with
all branches of their Jobs.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
DEFINE COMPETENCY.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE ma
tional war labor board ruled in the
case of Coffeyville. Kan, coopers that
no employe shall be discharged as in
competent after 80 days in the en-
ploy~of the company unless for good
and sufficient cause; the determina-
ton of which shall be left to the de-
cision Of the superintendent. after
conferring with the coopers' shop
committee.
The coopers are employed by the
Sinclair Refining company, and this
decision will serve as a check in the
discharging of active trade unionists
on the ground that they are "incom-
petent."
Wage adjustments are made and
the board also orders:
Sufficient sanitary drinking facili-
ties, lockers and bathing facilities
shall be installed and kept in a clean
and sanitary condition. Ventilators
shall be installed in the cooper shop
and sufficient heat supplied in the
shop in cold weather to make the
shop comfortable and healthfu1 to
work in."
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
STRONG UNION CONTRACT.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Dec. IA
contract between the National Zinc
company and local No. 1877 of. the
International Union of Mine, Mill and
Smelter Workers provides for union
recognition. No employe shall be per-
mitted to work unless he has a paid
up union card. Where an employe
expresses his intention of leaving his
employment "the foreman of the de-
partment in which he is employed
shall require said ernploye to show his
union card or a statement from the
secretary of the union before he is
permitted to draw his. time"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH
RAILROADS AFTER WARS end?

Following is President Wilson's attitude ON the
message to congress before leaving for Europe. We
commend it to the careful consideration of the read
ers OF The Labor World. Undoubtedly the question
as to what will be done with the railroads is to be
one OF the most important issues during the next
two years:
The question which causes me the greatest con.
Germ Is the question Of the policy to be adopted
wards the railroads. frankly turn to you for coun-
sci upon it. have no confident Judgment of nv
own. L don't see how any thoughtful man can
have who knows anything of the complexity of the
problem 1t is a problem which must be studied
studied Immediately and studied without bias or
prejudice. Nothing be gained by becoming
partfsans of any particular plan of settlement.
1t was necessary that the administration of the
railways should be taken over by the government
possible otherwise to establish and carry through
under single direction the necessary priorities of
shipments. 1t would have been impossible other
wise to combine maximum production with the
maximum possible car supply to take the products
to the ports and markets. impossible to route trooD
shipments and freight shipments without regard to
ployed; impossible to subordinate, when necessary
all questions of convenience to the public neces
sty impossible to give the necessary financial sup
port to the roads from the public treasury But
all these necessities have been served and
the question is, what is best for the railroads and
Tor the public In the future.
Exceptional circumstances and exceptional
methods of administration were not needed to con
vince us that the railroads were not equal to the
immense tasks of transportation imposed upon
them 6y the rapid and continuous development of
the industries of the country. We knew that al
ready. And we knew that they were unequal to it
partly because their full cooperation was rendered
impossible by law and their competition made
obligatory so that it has been impossible to assign
to them severally the traffic which best could be
carried by their respective lines in the interest of
expedition and national economy.
Peace BY Spring.
We may hope, I believe, for the formal CON-
cluson OF the war by treaty by the time spring has
come. The ri months to which the present con.
trol Of the railroads is limited after formal proc
at the farthest, take it for granted, only to jan
uary OF 1921: The full equipment Of the railway
planned could not be completed without anv snct
period. The present law does not permit the use
OF the revenues OF the several roads the execu-
ton OF such plans except by formal contract with
their directors, some of whom will consent while
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
VACATIONS WITH PAY.

WASHINGTON. Dec 12.-After the
first of the year employees Of the
telegraph companies. now controlled
by the government, will receive an
nual vacations with pay at their regu-
lar ratings, as follows:
All regularly assigned employees who
have been in the service of the COM
pany continuously for two years or
more shall receive two weeks vaca-
tion and for one years continuous
service: one weeks vacation. These
leaves can not be saved up from year
to year and thereby extended into a
longer period. II the vacation is not
taken, no additional compensation
will be allowed.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
TAX CHILD LABOR PRODUCTS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-A bill
has been introduced for a tax of 10
per cent on the net profits of persons
employing child labor within prohib-
tied ages in addition to all other taxes.
The theory Of this legislation is in
,dorsed by child labor opponents who
have been studying methods to evade
the decision Of the. United States su-'
preme court when it invalidated the
federal child labor law last summer,
that congress can not bar child labor
products from interstate commerce:
The new legislation is based on the
theory that the court will hold that
congress has the right to regulate this
commerce.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
RAILWAY CLERKS GAIN.

MOBILE, Ala., Dec. 12.-The. Mo-
bile & Ohio and Southern RAILROADS
have signed a working agreement with
the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks.
About 1000 employees are INVOLVED in
an understanding that includes over
time and working conditinos. Wages
have been set by the director general
Of railroads. + ~ ts<ss. 81
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
Big Mass Meeting.

, I4OA VI :AdUOfs nave through Lnelr
absolute fidelity to the principles of
freedom and democracy contributed
beyond measure to the winning Of
Americas great war; and,
9 "Whereas, The position of Ameri-
(: can labor was made clear before our
: republic entered into the conflict, CIV
Ing assurance beyond doubt to. our
people and our government: and,
Whereas, We have now come
through the struggle to victory; be it,
therefore,
Resolved, That this mass meeting
of American workers and citizens,
deeply concerned in the maintenance
of our free institutions. and in the
welfare Of our republic and its people,
definitely and with all possible en-
phas1s commends and endorses the
record Of the American labor move
ment in the war and its pronounce
ments since the defeat of the Teutonic
autocracies; and be it further
'"Resolved, That we commend and
.indorse the emphasis laid by the
American labor movement upon the
following propositions:
'There must be no lowering of the
present American standards of life;
on the contrary, these standards must
be bettered so that the working
people Of our country may be ad-
vanced with the continued progress
of industry and civilization:
''There must be. no lowering of
wages or lengthening Of working
hours.
There must be relentless and i'm
mediate curbing of profiteering and
an adjustment Of cost of living to a
point commensurate with income.
"There must be full and free appli-
cation of the principle established
during the war providing for effective
labor representation on all boards and
commissions met up by the govern
nent and having to do with affairs
affecting working people.
''There must be- 100 percent tsAmeri-
canism, expressing itself through one
language and one citizenship. true to
the noble ideals of our republic as
expressed by our nations code in the
great war, and there must be no re-
action from that high plane in our
national concept of the relations be-
ween man and man or between nation
and nation; and be it further
''Resolved, That this mass meeting
commends and indorses the patriotic
effort of the American Alliance for
Labor and Democracy and; that we
commend the action of it's executive
council in determining to continue it's
patriotic work in support of the great
labor movement and the principles of
freedom andtdemocracy for which our
war has been won; and be it further
Resolved, That we call upon all
Americans to remain true and stead
fast in their loyalty and devotion dur
ing the period Of rebuilding and re-
construction just ahead, giving their
most profound thought and energy to
the end that the fruit of our struggle
may be the finest and of greatest
benefit to all mankind" s.s :
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14

some will not, and therefore does not afford suf-
which it would be necessary to undertake them.
Every approach to this difficult subject mat
ter OF decision brings us face to face therefore with
this unanswered question: What is right that
should do with the railroads. in the interest of
the public and in fairness to their owners?
Let me say at noce that have no answer ready.
The only thing that is perfectly clear is that
of the railroads to leave the question unanswered
and that it will presently become my duty to reln-
qish control of the roads, before the expira-
tiOn of statutory period unless there should an.
pear some clear prospect in the meantime Of a
legislative solution. Their release would at least
produce one element of a solution;A namely, Ger.
tainty and quick stimulation of Private initia-
tive.
Alternative CourseA .-:,
1 believe that it will be serviceable for me to
set forth as explicitly possible the alternative
courses that lie open to our choice. We can SIM
ply release the roads and go back to the old con.
ditions of private management, unrestricted COM
petition and multiform regulation by both state
and federal authorities; or we go to the Op-
posite extreme and establish complete government
control, accompanied, if necessary, by actual gov.
a9e4 elnment ownership; or we can adopt an inter-
a more unified and affirmative public regulation
and under such alterations of the law as will per-
init wasteful competition to be avoided and a con.
siderable degree of unificAtion of administration
to be effected, as for example, by regional cor
porations under which the railways Of defnable
area would be in effect combined in single systems
The one conclusion that am ready to state
with confidence is that it would be disservice
alike to the country and to the of the rail-
roads to return to the old conditions unmodified
There are conditions of restraint without de-
velopment. There is nothing affirmative or help
full about them. What the country chiefly needs
is that all it's means of transportation should be
developed, its railways its waterways, its high
ways and its countryside roads. Some new ele.
ment of policy therefore is absolutely necessary
necessary for the release of credit to those who
administering the railways, necessary for the pro.
lection of their security holders. The old policy
may be changed much or little, but surely it can
not wisely be left as it was. hope that the con-
gress will have complete and impartial study Of
the whole problem instituted at once and prose-
cnted as rapidly as possible stand ready and
anxious to release the roads from the present con-
waiting until the statutory limit of time is reached
shall be merely prolonging the period of doubt
and uncertainty which is hurtful to every interest
concerned, -. i, ~ - 80 $. >s.-: z9@3
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
ADVANCE CAR MEMS RATES.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-street
car men employed by the Charleston
Consolidated Railway e. Lighting
company have been awarded these
rates by the national war labor
board : :. -.
For the first three months Of serv-
Ice, sc cents an hour; next nine
months, ss cents, and 40 cents theret
after. The award dates back, to Mo-
yember is. ;.s Zys IS .5s
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14
ALLIANCE WILL CONTINUE
ITS PATRIOTIC PROGRAM
organization Need Now as Much as During War.
Fight Will Be Made For Democratic
Ideals.
Special to The Labor World

,-r,,1 ,7- epee1a1r me LABOR World.
NEW YORK. Dec. 12-The Alliance Labor and
Democracy will continue in active
rucon This decision arrived at by the
alliance in session here.
For the immediate future the upon the propo
stions l'
No reduction of and lengthenng working hours
Elimination of pro6teering from trade in the
Improvement in the present standard of life, keeping prog
industry cvzaton lowering Standards
One citizenship and one language in the United
Support for the American Federation
expression of the and aspirations working people,
Absolute loyalty and fidelity to the American republic
No bo]shevik absoutsm in democracy. =
It the unanimous opinion of those meeting
that the need for the American Alliance Democracy is as
keen during the its
work vigorously possible for the principles during
the actual period of fighting Brought being organizations
developments of the
operation.
Big Mass Meeting.
The position taken by the council was
backed meeting New York unons meeting in
Century heater when the adopted by
unanimous vote the following resolution:
Wheas The working people the
functoning their organized capacity through
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14

company guaranteeing to make any
,aments in case of accident.
This system naturally has resulted
n many injustices. Instead Of being
Wiling to pay the injured workman
vhat was due him, the constant ten
ency has been for the surety COM
,anies to contest payments, any
mount saved in this manner being a
lear gain for the surety company.
Want State in Charge.
Instead Of continuing on this sys-
p en- Minnesota labor proposes that
ne state handle the insurance money
irect, collecting what is necessary by
ssessments upon employers and pay
1g the money out to injured work.
len when injuries occur.
Statistics, collected in eastern
:ates as the result of insurance COM
any Investigations, show that SIS per
mt of the money collected by surety
0mpanies goes to the expense of
onducting the business. soliciting
ew business, advertising, etc.. leav-
lg less than half of the money COL
.cted to pay losses.
Because Of this enormous toll taken
y the surety companies the states of
IL. hio and Washington have both al
eady taken over the handling Of all
orkmen's compensation funds. In
hio it costs the state only 10 per
INT Of the total amount Of money
andled to conduct the business. In
1ashington the cost is even less,
veraging about per cent.
Can Save Money.
In Minnesota a similar saving can
made. AS the result of such a
wing through the state handling the
,surance funds it is believed that the
.mpensation to injured workmen can
} greatly increased without placing
~ greater burden upon employers,
i'd possibly lessening employers
.tyments.
AT the last session of the legisla-
re a. bill providing for state-oper-
ed industrial insurance was beaten.
rne influence that defeated it was the
,position by paid lobbyists of the
.rety companies that have been
king millions from Minnesota in
lstries since the compensation act
-ent into effect. Another influence
ls that Of Minnesota employers who
we been carrying their own insur-
ce.
Because there are some Minnesota
aployers far-sighted enough to in
Ill the best known safety devices,
us making their plants much safer
an the average, the bill that will
. introduced this year will be so
ranged that these employers will
t be forced to come under state in
rance If they object. The bill will
ovide that employers desiring to
rry their own insurance can do so
filing a bond large enough to pay
any inquiries that may be suffered
any workman. This provision, it
believed. will remove the opposi-
n Of this class Of employers.
Labor will ask the legislature to
crease the compensation that is al
we'd an injured workman. Now the
ovision is that an injured man can
t only so per cent Of his usual
>ge, and in no case more than $12
r week.
It is pointed out that the increased
st of living demands :. readjustment
this kind, and that if the state
ndles the insurance. business, the
,ing that will be made in expense
II allow increased compensation
:hout any hardship upon business.
Fumes Cripple.
also asks that the compen-
ion act be changed so that occu-
:ional diseases will be covered as
'~ II as accidents. At the present
le a workman in brass foundry
r'. Continued on Page 81 :.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14

The columns Of this paper afford
an excellent advertising medium for
all kinds OF merchants. Printers Ink
says that space in a labor paper is
superior to that, in any other publi-
cation. reaching the consuming class
and the rates are much lower.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14

- ..T-:. = -T,~ =. :. - q -.
The Labor World is endeavoring to
render Invaluable service to the work
ers by keeping them informed as to j,
the vital problems affecting their well
fare: The labor press must be sup
ported by the workers-therefore
YOU, ought to subscribe-$1 a year.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-14

Continued ON Page 81
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-24
EVERY; VILLAGE
is EXPECTING IT'S
WAR WORK BADGE

J St. Paul, Mimi, July 24.-Every vii.
lage and city between he Grand SpO'
kane, which has taken an important
part in war relief campaigns, is ex.
pecting that the government will
eventually recognize these activities
by. presenting the community with q
war trophy. RI,
Letters received by state officials
tana. Indicate how widespread this
feeling has become. In some cases
tentative sites have been selected
and several letters have mentioned
that a German gun, submarine part,
or aircraft, could be displayed to adj
vantage in a~publfc park.
III is understood that state q Off
Gals. who are cooperating with the
government in war and conservation
duties, have taken up this matter at
Washington It is believed that
plan will be devised at the capitol
whereby every section Of the United
States will receive trophies OF Ameri-
can victories. @s';
There has been slight undercur.
rent OF opposition, in few districts
which have a heavy population of en-.
envy aliens and 1t is said that the ar.
gument advanced was that such troph'
les would tend to permanently embit-
ter the present feeling against the
Germans. Patriotic Officials have
pointed out that such trophies have
been used since the beginning Of
time and that the principal reason
70 rtheir display, is to memorable the
bravery of the nations sons and
daughters.
Many dispatches. from the front
during the past ten. days have indi-
Gated that troops from the northwest
states have been In the thick of the
fighting Official casualty lists have
mentioned them again and again.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-24
!. A PROCLAMATION
Enrolment Of United States Student Nurse
Reserve

~ $500 -
WHEREAS, The United States must have $4,000 stu
dent The ages Of 10 and IS release gradu
ate nurses for work at the front, and ssss&%sf
WHEREAS, Our young are fighting for the achieve
the worlds greatest ideals the fields of France
and ocean, and if wounded will suffer for want of
care$unless skilled nurses available, and =:
WHEREAS, North Dakota's quota in this campaign is
$40 young women, and hi .. s..s[ .@s .s:s
HEREAS Ascal has been issued by the Womans Com
mttee Of the Dakota Council of Defense cooperating
with Of the United States army the Amer
lean Red Cross and the nursing committee Of the Council of
Defense asking that the girls Of North Dakota offer
their services for this patriotic war work, and
WHEREAS, The young womenof our state ready and
anxious take work in any place that offers larger field
Of exercise of their talents and Abilities
NOW, THEREFORE,, AS governor Of the state Of North
Dakota hereby set aside the period beginning July 20 and
ending recruiting and enrolling student nurses
and and call the people Of the state to
every way possible to make this campaign complete
and effective order that those who fight battles
have every and be again assured Of the loyal whoear
support every man. and child in this great
m0nwealth. ss 3D.
Done at capitol at Bismarck this 23rd day of July,
1918 ,.zss
sSN*% *si1s@ y BY the Governor: IL II aSss
THOMAS HAIL. LYNN j. FRAZIER,
'#2rs Secretary Of State. Governor.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-24
cHRlsTY A BENEDICT.

J. c. Christensen. "Christy" to the
thousands of Slope fans who have
admirmed his work on the mound, re-
turned to Bismarck last night to re-
rort to the local draft board for a
place with the select service men
who now are en- route to Camp Gus
ter. "Christy' found that the quota
had been filled, and that his turn
would not come until next month. The
interesting feature of the story Is
that "Christy";is now a benedict, hav-
ing married Miss lElma E. Cady OF
Forman at Minneapolis month ago.
Mr.. .Christensen's parents live at
Forman. and it was during visits home
that this romance blossomed. Since
leaving Bismarck, where Christy
starred on the famous semi.pro team
of 1917, and where he was connected
with the Carpenter Lumber Co. until
May Is, he has been employed with
the Minneapolis General Electric Co.
and has been pitching ON the COM
pany's crack team. Before joining the
Bismarck lineup last year, Christen-
sen had pitched with Grand Forks,
and Duluth in the Northern league.