The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-17
GENERAL LABOR NOTES

A meeting has been held to bring
about the formation Of a new political
labor party composed strictly of men,
posed to the labor party, which in
cludes the socialistic element. The
meeting did not indicate that the
movement had any great strength.
The majority Of the delegates were
unknown in labor circles and very
few represented any strength in their
unions. The absence Of leaders of
national prominence showed that the
labor politicians do not take the move
ment seriously.
By the end of July it will be neces-
sary to enroll men for merchant ma
rine training, at the rate of 1000 a
month in the next Is months, so great
is the multiplication of the ships of
the merchant fleet. Six hundred new
ships will be put into commission on
the west coast alone, and 1000 new
men will be needed each month for d
year and half merely to man these
vessels. There are now % free navi-
CATION and eight free engineering
schools in operation.
Abolition of the individual wage
contract at the General Electric
works In Pfttst1eld, Mass, mas been
ordered by the national war labor
board, and this has prevented strike
tha II 0n0
This abrogation may be a forerunner
of similar action to eliminate irrita-
ton among many laboring men work
ing under similar conditions. Chair
men Taft and Walsh still endeavor
to work out fair collective bargain
ing plan.
While the house was adopting the
conference agreement on the $780,
! 100000 sundry civil bill it was re-
vealed that it will be the effort of
the war labor policies board to stand
ardize wages as means of meeting
the acute labor situation. Acting Re-
publican Leader Gillette declared he
| believed the labor of the country
would be 'held in the grasp of the
board" and he questioned the wisdom
Of comforting so much power on it.
A resolution protesting against the
prohibition amendment to the agricul.
tural appropriation bill now before
congress was adopted by the Central
Federated Labor union of New York
The resolution urged President viii,
son to use his influence against legis
lation which would deprive working
men Of their food drink"-beer-
which one speaker asserted would be
obtained, whether legally or illegally
The first union of cigarmakers OF
America was formed early in the
fifties, in Baltimore, but it was moi
until June %, 1864, that a national
cigarmakers' union was formed, which
at their convention held in Buffalo
in 1864, was changed into the Cigar
makers International Union of Amer
lea.
In London more than 200 members Of
trades unions met to form politica
party distinct from the present Labor
party. Resolutions were adopted pro
testing against the latter's termination
of the political truce.
Wisconsin's industrial commission
has been asked to fix $3.50 weel
as the minimum wage for women ant
minors employed In that state.
The practicability Of protective
clothing for women and girl workers
has been demonstrated in British in
dustries.
The number of women factory work
ers in Michigan has more than doubled
the last year, according to official rs
Inmates. ...
A recently created ministry Of pub
lie welfare in Austria has control O
industrial and protective labor legis
lation.
The Michigan Association of Work
ers for the Blind is training blind me
chanics to repair gasoline engines.
Six hundred employees Of Lewis
town, Pa, concerns have opened co
operative store.
A movement Is on foot Throughout
Ireland at present to form an Irisl
labor party.
At the Woolwich arsenal in Eng
land $4,000 women workers are EN-
ployed. i,