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

Statistics recently given out by the
Australian union officials reported that
while for 16 years the workers have
waged an agitation with their employ
ers they are Ill per cent worse Off
today than they were 16 years ago;
while they have succeeded In securing
q wage increase of 29.6 per cent the
cost of living has risen to 50.7 per cent.
Latest figures show that they are about
53 per cent organized.
The federal child labor law does not
affect children on the farms directly,
but indirectly it is expected that 1t
will help the country boys and girls,
especially in those sections where the
greatest problem of illiteracy exists.
For under it's higher standard the ma
ton cannot long permit country boys
and girls to grow up untaught While
children in the industrial centers are
benefiting by better standards.
In it's provisions against night work
by children, the federal law comes
nearer to a national standard than in
any other respect. For Al states have
-a-.FseAibitien-nfs night work for chill
dren substantially the same as that
contained in the federal act. In the
states where this law will bring the
greatest benefits the night employment
of children has been extensive.
Efforts of the national child labor
committee to prevent relaxation Of the
child labor laws on the excuse of war
time necessity have the Endorsement
of President Wilson. In letter to the
committee the president declares that
strict enforcement of the laws not only
will contribute to preservation Of life
and health, but will tend to efficiency
aud economy Of production.
Brotherhood chiefs and Director
General McAdoo met on January B.
holding a three-hour conference. The
brotherhood chiefs assured Mr.. Nc
Adoo of the cooperation of their
unions, and it was said there was no
danger of a general strike. Some read
iustment of wages will probably fol-
low, and it is said, there is likely to be
general wage increase.
Because of the governmental crisis
| In Russia 500 men at work in the West
haven plant of the S. r. Avis & Sons
company, New Haven, Conn.,, have
been discharged. The cancellation Of
an order for gun barrels for the Pet
rograd government was the reason as
signed. 1t is thought that New Haver
factories will easily absorb the mer
| laid off.
In England the national convention
of the trades unions, Labor party anC
war emergency workers profess
against what they term an inequitablt
| distribution of food. 1t is asserted II
/ London that an inter-allied labor con
| ference will be called soon. An invi
| tation to American labor will be ex
| tended.
An order to its employees by TIL
| Tleischmann Yeast company of Cincin
| natl, to claim exemption from the draf
because Of war contracts held by tn
firm will have no effect on the Dallas
(Tex.) exemption boards. The com
pany's employees will be classified In
dividually as are all other Registrars
Settlement of strike Of $4,000 ciga
/ makers in Porto Rico, which had cos
! the government 100000 in revenu
/. during the months cessation of work
has been announced by the department
of labor. A mediator effected a SET
Element of wage questions whiel
caused the strike.
/ Women are to be employed as rus
hour" street car conductors by tn
United Railways company of st. Louis
4 A training school has been establishe
4 and women will be given 16-da
course of instructions.
| In report to the mayor by the br
reau of personal service, the minimum
on which a family of five can live l
! blew York was shown to be $3.50 las
year, as compared with $40 in 1915.
The A. F. of L. has Endorsed the two
platoon system and ordered a charte
issued to unions of municipal firemel
to be known as the International Unio
Of Fire Fighters.