The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-12
LABOR NEWS OF INTEREST

| A decision expected 10 nave O direct
bearing on shipbuildfng interests
throughout the country was announced
by Henry B. Endicott, executive man
ager of the Massachusetts state commit
| tee on public safety, in the form of a
Redistribution of the 1900 mechanics
at the Fore River Shipbuilding COM
pany plant to conform with conditions
at the Boston navy yard. Under the
new arrangement, more than 700 en-
ployees are grant ~ higher ratings with
consequent increasi in pay. Mr.. Endi-
colt was called into the situation as q
result Of strike of machinists, bolt
ers, reamers, helpers and cranemen at
the fore River plant early in Noyem-
Der.
The basis on which President VIII
sons mediation commission settled the
Oil situation in southern California has
been made public. The settlement COW
ers all refineries and pipe lines except
those belonging to the Standard Oil
company and affects about 10000 men.
The principle of an eight-hour day was
adopted, effective January l, and q
minimum wage Of 81 for eight hours
work, effective December 1, was de-
clared The agreement also provides
that workingmen affected shall at the
request of the government, beginning
January 1, work eight hours per day
| n,1lnlnUArc nn1
many more hours as the president or
his representatives may request.
Mediation of the strike demands by
about 1890 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
telegraphers revealed that railroad
telegraphers throughout the United
States have asked increased wages, an
eight-hour day and pay for Sunday
work. The demands have been made
by the men of the individual systems.
In three cases the men have been given
increased wages, pay for Sunday over
tune ana 2 reduetian In AoIsrs ", labsss
i These are the prosperous days foF
the miner. Analysis of the new wage
scale of the FL. G. Prick Co. shows that
some employees were boosted 221a per
cent. The new rate makes it possible
for the average miner to earn $50 to
500 every two weeks, and 1irst-class
miners-men who can mine and load
500 bushels a day-upward of $3.50 In
two weeks. An average workman
mines and loads 300 bushels daily.
Oklahoma coal operators and FL. A.
Garfield, federal fuel administrator,
have smoothed over their differences,
according to John Wilkinson, president
of the observation-disclosures District,
United Mine Workers of America. A
tentative agreement has been reached
which will allow the operators an ad-
vance of 25 cents ton, the advance to
be- retroactive to November !, Wilkin-
son said in his telegram.
Investigation of the Pacific North
western timber labor situation was be.
gun at Seattle by Secretary of Labor
w. B. Wilson and members Of the fed
eral mediation commission, of which he
is chairman. Secretary Wilson was re.
ported as having improved in health
, considerably since arriving In Seattle
He was taken i'll while in Portland
Ore.
A comparison Of food costs IN d
cities and towns in this country by the
} New York health department shows
that cheapest food for family of five
consisting of man, wife and three chill
dren, is $9.43 week. This does moi
include clothing, fuel, rent, medicine
education and The many necessities
that are necessary to normal life.
Unemployment increased at the ratt
of 5000 persons in week In COpen
hagen during November. The number
of unemployed now is estimated at %,
600. The building industry has alm0s
been Frustrated by lack of cement
which cannot be manufactured unit
, more coal is received.
Attracted by the offer of steady win
ter employment at good wages, plus ai
opportunity to be Of material assist
ance to the government In spruce pro
I, duction, hundreds of men have alread,
applied for positions in Portland, Orc
Responding to the request of 1t
men for higher wages the Louisvill
(Ky.) Railways company announces Al
| increase of three cents an hour fla
! for all motormen and conductors 1
it's employ.
: During the second quarter of 191
: there were 1896 women employed 4
: German mines, Of whom 5,7S5 were 1
Upper Silesia. During the fourth quar-
/ ter In 1916 there were 1883 SO EN-
ployed.
: The mayors committee Of Nations
I Defense, New York city, has complete
s plans to establish clearing house fo
e the SO or more free employment ageI
cies dealing with men and boys.
a The Master Butchers association |
L Utica, N. Y, is considering deman
e made by the Meat Cutters and Butcht
Y Workmen's Union, Local No. Is, II
higher wages and shorter hours.