The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-04-13
National Secretary Tells Of Re-
suits in the WindoW-Glass
Industry.
ESTIMATES ON SUSPENSION
He Looks for Shortage Of About Half
the Yearly output--Worsted Mills
Advance Waoes--Labor News
In General.

the closing OF 40 such plants, largely
distributed through Pennsylvania,
Ohio and West Virginia, John r. John
son, secretary Of the National Associa-
ton of Window-Glass manufacturers,
said the early-closing order resulted In
great saving of fuel, labor and
freight. The suspension, Johnson says,
resulted in the saving Of 100000 tons
Of coal, $4,000 freight cars and $500
workmen. The loss to the glass blow
ers. he says, will approximate $3,0O0,-
600. The shortage of window glass;
he estimates at 100000 boxes, or
about half the yearly output.
The Wagner Electric Manufactur.
ing company Of st. Louis operates at
full capacity when the majority Of
$500 workers, men and women, re-
turned to work after being out on
strike for several days. It was
said by the union leaders that
several workmen were refused work
when they reported for work, and
there were rumors that another strike
would be called. Company officials
admitted that several men were not al
lowed to 60 to work, but explained
that the men reported late and that
1t had been rule of the company
for considerable time that anyone
who was late should lose half days
work. The strike was settled through
the efforts Of Maj. w. G. Rogers Of the
ordnance department in Washington,
who has charge Of inspecting the mu-
nitions made at the Wagner plant.
A labor union made up wholly Of ne
groes was organized at Chicago by col
ored employees of the stockyards and
packing plants. About 500 attend
ed the meeting and 300 became mem
bers. The union will not affiliate with
the American Federation Of Labor,
nor any other central or national or
ganization. Its name is the Ameri-
can Utility Labor union, and locals
will be established in every city that
has a packing plant, beginning with
Omaha.
Union calkers in the Puget Sound
shipbuilding district have consented to
train an equal number Of apprentices
in their trade, according to word re-
ceived by the shipping board. The
number Of calkers must be more than
doubled If the wooden ship program
Is put through. The calkers previous
ly had refused to work with appren-
tees.
The Atlantic mills, the largest Of the
independent mills in Olneyville, r. l.,
announced new scale Of wages in eff
feet. The mills employ about $500
hands. The Lymanville and the Cen.
tredale Worsted mills, employing close
to LOO operatives, also announced a
raise In wages. The Centredale
Worsted operates four mills and the
Lymansville one.
There were 1881 strikes, 2S3, 402
men idle and 6,2S5,519 days of produc-
ton lost in the last six months, ac-
cordlng to the report issued by the ma
tional industrial conference board on
strikes in American Industries In war
time. Increased cost of living, 1t is
said, has proved one Of the important
causes Of many of the strikes.
The strike Of carpenters, machin-
lists and electrical workers at Hog Is
land shipbuilding yard was salts
factorily adjusted. 1t involved a
little more than 5000 men. who had
struck because they had been paid
only time and half for overtime.
The question of overtime wages, 1t
was claimed, was misunderstood.
Abolition Of the nine subtreasuries
and an increase Of $40 month in the
salaries of government employees
earning from $3.50 to $4,000 year are
provided for In the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill
as 1t was passed by the house. The
measure, which carries total Of $780,
100000, now goes to the senate.
Four additional states filled their
quotas of shipard volunteers, the labor
department announced. They were
Vermont, Ohio, Utah and Massachu-
sets. A total Of 100000 mechanics
are known TO be enrolled. The full
quota of 100000 Is expected to be
reached soon.
Union textile girls at Mahoning City,
Pa, have secured an increase In pay
and union recognition.
The SusQuehanna Galleries company
has appointed the first woman weigh
master In the anthracite region.
The six-hour day will be put into eff
feet in April at Lever Bros, one Of the
worlds largest soap factories at Liver
pool, England, 1t was stated.
The South Carolina state legislature
adjourned without empowering the
state executive to suspend the labor
laws of that state. The governor ask
ed for this power.
One thousand feather boa workers
In New York city struck for 4S-hour
week and substantial increases In
wages.
Los Angeles (Cal.) Reed and Rattan
Workers union has reduced hours and
increased wages.
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