The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-09-20
GENERAL LABOR NEWS

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 a 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 STU cents an hour, for
which the men have been contending
since September, 1918. Other con-
struction work at the plant was, not
affected.
The government intends to make
the Frankfort arsenal in Philadelphia
the principal small arms ammunition
mandatory in the country. 1t is
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 1900 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 womens cloth
ing are still on strike against eight
cen Chicago firms. They demand a 49,
hour week, a minimum wage of $26 for
men and $40 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 so 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 re-
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 munition
workers and 100000 cotton operatives.
The 700 employees of the Rumford
(Me.) mills of the International Paper
company, who have been on strike for
two weeks, informed the management,
that they would return to work.
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