The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-02-23
CURRENT LABOR ITEMS

which appear to be as high as those of
the federal law, and in some respects
higher: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky,
Massachusetts,, Minnesota, North Da-
kota, New York, Montana, Nebraska,
Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. In
every other state, except North Caro-
lima, New Mexico and Wyoming, the
fourteen-year age limit is in part es-
tablished by state law. However, In
California, Colorado, Delaware, Dis"
trict of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Ma
ryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washing
ton the age limit under which children
and especially boys, may be employed
is variously reduced by exemptions for
specific industries, such as canning,
and by poverty and other exemptions.
In 20 states and the District of Column
bia the state law fixes an eight-hour
day for children between fourteen and
sixteen years of age.
The American Federation of Labor
virtually has issued an ultimatum to
the United Hebrew Trades forbidding
the latter from harboring independent
bodies of workers or supporting unions
that secede from the federation. Pres
ident Gompers announced that the
American Federation Of Labor execu-
tive council, to be held in Washington
February II, will make public the de-
cision of the United Hebrew Trades,
the latter organization having asked
for time to prepare its report.
How the labor power of Germany is
being cut by the war is illustrated In
two copies of the Grundstein, the
weekly organ Of the German Building
Trades unions. The issue Of August
8, 1917, contains a list Of 1044 mem
beers of these unions who have fallen
on the battlefield, while that of March
II, 1917, gives the names Of 939. About
80 per cent of the German masons and
their helpers are in the military serv-
ice.
Thousands of government workers
have begun q campaign through the
federal employers union affiliated with
the American Federation Of Labor,
urging that a petition be forwarded to
congress and the secretaries of war
and navy, asking that government
clerks be given the right to buy goods
and foodstuffs at the army and navy
commiSsaries.
During the recent strike Of mechan-
les in the airplane engine factories at
Coventry, a fleet Of army airplanes
flew from their aerodrome in the west
Of England and circled over the town,
scattering through the streets thou
sands of leaflets appealing to the strik-
ers to return to work. The strike was
settled the following day.
All danger of a strike of more than
1000 operators of the New England
Telephone company, in Boston, was
averted through the intercesslon OF
Henry B. Endicott, executive manager
of the Massachusetts committee on
public safety. Mr.. Endicott persuad-
ed both sides to accept certain condi-
tons.
Federal Judge Humphrey Of the
United States district court, in Spring.
field, ILL.,, imposed a fine of $1,000
against Sheriff jenkins because that
official arrested strikebreakers EN-
ployed by the st. Louis Smelling and
Refining company at Collinsville.
The anti-picketing ordinance at El
Paso, Tex, has been declared consti-
tutional by the court of appeals. The
/. state Federation Of Labor intends tc
carry the case to the Supreme court, as
the legislature has passed law legal
izing the right to picket.
Importation Of Chinese laborers dur
ing the war was recommended in the
report of the California state commit
tee on farm labor. Senator Hoke Smitf
Of Georgia proposes that convict labol
be employed to manufacture war sup
plies.
Hayes Wheel company, Jackson
Mich, has closed a 100000 war con
tract with the government for severa
thousand motor truck wheels. The or
der requires 1000 wheels day. Ad
ditional workmen will be employed.
Industrial unrest in the United State
} is reported by the department of labo
to be at minimum. Officials ascrib
the improved conditions TO the spiri
of accommodation brought about be
tween capital and labor.
Compensation legislation will be at
/ tempted at the legislative sessions o
! 1918 in Georgia. Mississippi, South Car
t DINA and. Virginia and may possibly b
enacted in Georgia and Virginia.
: Hugh L. Frayne, labor representativ
r on the war industries board, has bee
/, intrusted with the duty Of looking al
, ter the welfare of men and women en-
ployed In war work.