The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-08-20
HOLDS AN ENTHUSIASTIC
MEETING AT PYTHIAN
HALL-20O PRESENT
TO BE PERMANENT
Will Tackle High Cost of Living
First-Other Reforms
TO Follow.

i MONDAY nlRHJ. Two nuHuTSu uSlS-
gates were present and the following
labor and trade organization were
represented: Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers and Firemen, Or
der of Railway Conductors, Order of
Railway Trainmen, BARRIERS Union,
Machinists' Union, Brotherhood of
Railroad Clerks, Boilermakers and
others.
The purpose of the meeting was
to hear an address from Mr.. J. w.
Jones, secretary and treasurer of the
State Federation of Labor, of Merid-
ian. The meeting was presided over
by Mr.. C. R. Roper, president Of the
Council, and Mr.. ]. T. Champeys Of
ficiated as secretary,
Mr.. Jones was introduced and ex-
planned the policies and purpose of
the American Federation Of Labor,
enumerating the things it stands for,
the reforms it is asking in our in
dustrial life and the advantages
which come to its members and their
community through the enforcement
of its policies. He urged that the
local council affiliate with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, and action
was taken asking for a charter from
this organization. Among other ac-
tions taken Monday night was the
determination of the local council to
unite its influence against the high
cost of living, and the following COM
mittee was appointed to 90 before
the Mayor and City Council and ask
that the city undertake at once dis
tribution Of It's shafe af the govern
ment food supplies The committee
is composed of the following; George
Mosby, Machinists; Fred Rsyslette.
Clerks; C. f. Hodgin, Railroad
Clerks; J. f. Gray, BARRIERS; Joe
Gordon, Carmen, and Mr.. Cummings,
Firen1en.
The Council fostered the move
ment to organize the clerks Of the
city, and temporary organization
was effected with Mr.. F. V. Price as
chairman, and Mr.. Jim Egger, Jr., as
secretary.
Labor Day will be celebrated in
Columbus for the first time in our
history this year. 1t is planned by
the Council to make it local holi-
day with all stores closed, and the
affiliated in the Coun-
cid will parade and hold an apprOpri-
ate celebration.
Mr. Jones, who appeared before
the Council hast night with the COM
mittee, asking that the Council share
in the government food distribution
for the people of this city, was asked
to outline the policies advocated by
the American Federation of Labor in
this State and he gave out the fol-
lowing:
l. A State Department Of Labor
and better factory inspection laws.
2 Workmen's compensation law.
8. Compulsory education Law.
4. A law making it a penal Of
fense for any contractor, firm, cor
poration or individual to advertise
for an influx Of labor in any locality
IN excess of demand for the purpose
Of bringing into that locality more
laborers than are reasonably needed
to supply that locality, and thereby .
causing a hardship on the working |
people in that locality. (
5. Two Platoon system for city
iremen- (
6. License Law requiring eXamina /
ion Of stationary engineers and fire
men a.
z. Establishment of state and
branch institutions for retaining
and fitting fallen women for industry
and society.
8. Eight hour work day law to ap-
ply to state and municipal work.
8. Eight hour work day as basis
# contract, except agricultural work.
10 To amend the present state
Injunction laws to conform to the !
'ederal anti-iniunetion laws.
II. Favor of more effective oper-
alton of schools for incorrigible
-ouths and on a larger scale
II. Creating an employment ser (
yice in cooperation with the fed
raj service.
l3. 4 better law against eOHvicts g.