The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-09
GENERAL LABOR NEWS

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The cars government withheld
from Russian workmen the right to
strike by requiring them to give their
employer two weeks notice before
quitting his employment. On the other
hand, the law required the employer
likewise to give them two weeks no.
tice, or, if he dismissed him abruptly
to pay the dismissed employee for two
weeks beyond the term Of employ
ment.
The Automobile and Wagon Work.
ers' council, affiliated with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, has under-
taken campaign Of organizing the
automobile and wagon mechanics and
helpers in Philadelphia and vicinity
for the purpose of increasing wages,
shortening hours and improving the
general conditions under which they
are employed.
Since 1915 the French ministry Of
labor has undertaken the organization
throughout French territory of public
employment bureaus to find work for
the unemployed of both sexes. These
public bureaus were able in 1918 to find
work in $4,000 cases. Today the
number of positions found each month
reaches $4,000, representing an annual
figure of at least 100000.
Three hundred electrical workers at
the United States Nitrate plant No. 2,
Sheffield, Ala, quit work after receiv-
ing information that the government
would not grant an increase in pay
from rs to S71S cents an hour, for
which the men have been contending
since September, 1913 Other con-
struction work at the plant was not
affected.
Hs The government Tntentfs ITO irfss,q \
the Erankford arsenal in Philadelphia
the principal small arms ammunition
mandatory in the country 1T Isl
planned to set up Immediately at the
arsenal equipment sufficient for the,
manufacture Of 100000 rounds Of
small arms ammunition OF all types
per eight-hour day.
Mills of the International Paper.
company in several states, which had
been closed through a strike of the
employees for increased wages, re-
sumed operation. The men returned
to work under orders of the union Of
ficials, pending conference with the
company over the wage demands.
A wage increase of Is per cent for
the 1,200 employees of the Naumkeag
Steam Cotton company and 500 en-
ployees of the Danvers Bleachery in
Peabody, Mass, controlled by the
Naumkeag company was announced
The increase is effective June 2.
Many of the small independent
mines in Minnesota have closed or
have announced their intention to
close and the larger ones have reduced
their working forces 40 to 60 per cent
because of the unsettled conditions in,
the steel market.
Alteration tailors on women's cloth
ing are still onsa strike against eight
cen Chicago firms. They demand a As.
hour week, minimum wage of SIG for
men and $50 for women, recognition
of the union, and improved working
conditions.
In 1914 there were only six dyestuff.
factories in the United States, with a
production of 5000 tons yearly, while
now there are 80 factories, with a
yearly output of $4,000 tons.
The glove fabric industry, which
until the outbreak of the war was a
German monopoly, is being rapidly res
captured by Nottingham (England)
manufacturers.
Over 10000 automobile workers in,
Toledo, o., who have suspended work
until they are granted 48-hour week.
are drawing weekly allowances from,
| their union.
The threatened strike of street car
men in Scranton, Pa, has been avert
ed by the decision of the men TO sub
NIT their wage question to an arbitra-
ton board
Nine hundred meat packers and
butchers employed in Montreal, Cam
ada, quit work with the idea of bring
ing about the recognition of their
union.
Textile mills at LODI, Poland. are
reported by the British economic COM
mission to be comparatively undam-
aged, and capable of production al
most Immediately If supplies of cot.
ton were obtainable
Among the million recipients of I'M
employment donations from the Brit
ish government were $4,000 members
of the forces, 10000 former munitlon.
workers and 100000 cotton operatives
The 700 employees Of the Rurnford
(Me.) mills of the International Paper
company, who have been on strike for
two weeks, informed the management.
EAk =.