Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-23

! employers don't soon get on the
job, and work with us, we will not
be able to guarantee anything, ana
1t may perhaps be that you gentle
men (employers) will follow suit
as per what the Railroad Workers
of 1918, the official organ of the
American Federation of Railroad
Workers, quotes of an article which
appeared in the Detroit Tribune to
the enect that a millionaire mine
owner of New York City and Mar
quette, Michigan, proposes to bring
to America five hundred thousand
(50O,OO0) Chinese coolies for agri-
culture work.
Now, according to this great pa
trlotlc' American, The agricultural
problem of our country would be
solved If the American Government
would set aside the present Chinese
exclusion act which would give him
the opportunity of bringing to our
country five hundred thousand Chi
nese coolies, rent them out as so
many horses for $3.50 or $500 per
day and their board, which amount
this great patriot" would collect
and in turn pay his dear slaves 60
or 50 cents per day. The wage of
% or so cents per day Che states)
would be big inducement to the
coones, and after three years they
could go back to China with suffi-
clent money to buy small farm ana
and live happidly the rest of their
llVes. Beautiful ending Give happily
tne rest of their lives), somewhat
ike dream. Assuredly this blind
man realizes that in solving the
agricultural problem in this manner
ne would plunge our Government
INTO problems more difficult to ad-
Just than this. While it is admitted
that America is sending millions of
her men to the army and all essen
tlal industries are spending up and
increasing their output, yet it is not
ADMITTED that the supply of labor
Is not adequate. There is short
age OF labor in some places and a
surplus in others.
This condition is being adiustea
daily by the combined efforts of the
Federal and state employment svs-
TENS, OF which our office has become
part and Will Cooperate to bring
the department up to the highest
point attainable. The right result
VIII be effected without any impo-
sltlon upon labor and in a manner
that Will protect the interests of the
brave American boys who have ioin-
ed the army. This will be further
erected by the intelligent mobiliza-
ton and training of the workers by
employers in each industrial com
munity.
This great millionaire patriot evil
uehtly torgets in his mad scheme to
sowing the agricultural problem.
that the days of slavery are no more
IN America, and that different states
nave laws on their statute books
which take care of eXploiters of la
Dor. Now then, let us go a step
tarther, IN the past, you (employ-
ers( have had some trouble from
time to time; but have we not PLAYED
fair. now to eliminate all future diff
hculties and gain the point we are
all after, consider this that Trade
Union recognition is the first essen
tial II you would assist in the mini
niz1ng of Industrial dissatisfaction.
We want you to recognize us and
get together with us, surely we are
not all boneheads, and can realize
that by doing this, we will begin to
educate the poorest workman Won
have, to the fact that he must smoke
up, learn more of his trade, as he
VIII have to do anyway, for the con,
struction of buildings has so chang
ed, some men don't know where to
begin. Personally I extend you an
invitation to call on me or have me
meet you and get together on this
great subject.
While l have been accused of talk
ing your men from some of YOU. il
was done for the purpose of assist
ing Uncle Sam and the betterment
of the mems conditions, a number of
the men were your poorest work.
men. as has beaO Stated 10 poo =.
differen times, but they had to have
a chance, and if you will wake up
and consider these things, and con-
fer with us, you will soon see how
we did it.
Get in line with me, and see what
new system is going to be tried and
pushed to perfection.
Yours very truly,
III. NJ. BROOKS,
Business Manager,
Building Trades.