The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-26
LABOR ITEMS OF INTEREST


Industrial workers, both men and
women, in eastern Connecticut, just
now are handling more money weekly
than ever before. Woman spinners,
whose weekly wage is $50 or over are
the majority; while men in some of the
mills are getting $35 to $40 week,
with bonus at New Years. Through
out the mill towns Of that section wage
increases of 10 per cent went into eff
feet the first Monday in December, fol-
lowing similar increase several times
during the fall. Mill owners and man
ayers strive in every way to keep their
employees content, so lessening the
calamity of local or general strikes.
According to the Japan Advertiser,
the most notable social phenomenon In
Japan is the prevalence of strikes.
During the last year $50 strikes, in
volving 10000 workmen, have taken
place, which compare with so strikes
Involving 5000 workmen, last year.
Compared with labor conditions In
America, there Is nothing alarming
about such figures, but in Japan 1t In
vites attention because of the compare
tive freedom from labor troubles in
| the past.
Members of the four great rail broth
erhoods favor government control as a
solution of the railroad situation, A. B.
Garretson, president of the conductors,
informed the White House. This paved
the way for quick and definite action
| by President Wilson, it was said. An
early statement from him outlining the
steps he will take to unity the carriers
for the war was predicted.
Postmaster General Burleson, in his
annual report, submitted to congress,
declares organization of postal en-
lployees is rapidly becoming a men
ace to public welfare, and recommends
that congress repeal the law that al
lows such employees to maintain or
ganization. His statement was repu'
dated by many labor organizations
throughout the country.
Congress will grant an increase Ia
Salary to government clerks, 1t Is ex-
pected. A determined effort will be
made in the houes to force through the
larger program of the federation Of
federal employees for increases rang
ing from 25 per cent for the poorer
paid clerks to 5 per cent for those re-
,, ceiving as high as $500 year.
Arthur E. Holder Of Washington,
member of the federal board of voca-
tional education and member of the
law committee of the international as
ISOLATION of machinists for many years,
is In the Dominion Of Canada to in
vestigate the methods adopted by Can
ada for the training of the returned
soldiers.
There have been 100,531 accidents re-
ported since the Washington State In
dustrial Insurance commission law
e went into effect in October, 1911. Out
:. of the above number of accidents 1851
: have been fatal. In October there
e were 2,07s accidents, % of which were
fatal.
A point on the credit side of mum.
ton factories is that in populous dis
tricts of England they are helping tc
y solve the slum problem by eliminat
! ing the slums, for as fast as factories
), spring up and extend slums come
e down.
u Nearly 100000 men In the lumber In
II dustries in the western states are or
the fence as between the American
e Federation of Labor and the I. w. W
L They will go to the side that is abl'
u to help them secure the eight-hour day
L The New Jersey State Agriculture
= college announces three-montl
Ie course in practical agriculture withou
cost to residents of this state. Thu
d course includes fruit growing, marke
1t gardening, poultry raising and hom
Ell economics.
4 1t is estimated that the wages pait
out in the eastern part Of this countr
le double the amount paid out In 1914.
If Canadian unions will work for Ia
lie Dor representation In the Dominion
N parliament.
An investigation of the condition
TO surrounding the woman workers In bi
$, Industrial plants engaged on war con
o. tracts for the government will be mad
s. by the Pennsylvania state committe
of women in industry.
rs Five thousand women are now 1
N the employ Of the Pennsylvania raj
to road on lines east of Pittsburgh. Thi
u number represents approximately
per cent.
J., To equalize unemployment in tn
t. winter months, members Of Seattl
IT. (Wash.) Painters union will work fiy
r. days week. Saturday will be the o
day.
n TIigh wages for boys in unskille
On occupations, thereby drawing the
ut from school, and an increase Of your
p boys in street trades are reported fro
England.
IN Managers of district steel plants |
ne Youngstown, o., estimated the numb
of of idle men this week due to the CO
g. shortage would be $4,000. All the maj
es plants are operating far below sche
ule.