davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
MUCH BUILDING
WORK HELD Up
Expected Drop in Prices Not to
Be Rea|ized--E Early Re-
adjustment Expected.

WASHINGTON, d. C.-The DEPART
Ment or Labor has been taking stock
OF what was said at the recent con-
ference of governors and mayors held
IN washington, of the reports made
from various localities of the prob
IONS presented and the solutions Of
fcred. Also, letters have been re-
celNcd from some of the delegates
since they returned home which give
an indication Of the sentiment of the
country.
One Of the proposals made at the
conference was that of Professor Irv-
ing Fisher that prices are not going
10 drop, as most persons expect them
to do. Because they are awaiting
that drop, they arc putting a brake
on the entire machinery of production
and distribution. The Department Of
Labor. commenting on this statement
Says that billions of dollars worth of
work. private and public, has been
held up for this reason.
1t is not that mon were anxious to
dodge their responsibilities, but they
had the natural feeling that if prices
were to drop, they Gid not see why
they should adventure in advance of
that drop ON large undertakings, SAYS
the statement, but long before Pro-
lessor Fisher prepared his paper, the
experts of the Department of Labor
working in the construction division
had reached the same conclusion from
a study of conditions following the
Civil War;
nat came out Of the governors
and mayors conference, when reduced
10 plain, concise language, is the
agreement reached on 10 points which,
1t Is believed, can be used everywhere
as Il platform OH which to go forward
with plans for needed improvements
and such new work as will be Of adj
vantage to the community. They are:
1. The Department of Labor's pol
icy Of deportation for such aliens as
advocate or plot the overthrow of the
present government was indUrsed
.. The federal government should
!, go ahead with such railroad improve
ments and expansions as are essential
if our transportation systems are to
approximate their possibilities as an
aid to commerce.
). There should lie no hard and
fast price fixing by governmental
agencies, but these should investigate
and make public their conclusions as
to fair and equitable prices, permit
ting public opinion to do the rest.
i. Present freight rates on road
and building materials should be re-
Vivcd.
D. There should be no reduction of
the labor wage level or living condi-
tons for labor
q. The federal government ought
to continue it's survey Of natural re-
sources, to the end that the conserva-
tions imperative in war might be en-
couraGed in peace activities.
Z. The federal employment service
ought not to be discontinued during
the period Of transition.
S. 1t would he helpful if lemopil-
lzatlon might be effected through
local draft boards. SO that men in the
army would not be released uni! they
were returned to their original COM
munitics.
3. Memorials should be undertaken
and should be Of a ultilitarian, rather
than of a purely ornamental character
10. States should he devising a
way to force into use such natural
resources as arc held by Spectators.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
MEXICAN STRIKE
RIGHT May Be
LOST TO LABOR
American Exp|oiters Plan to
Amend Constitution TO Regain
Lost Possessions.

WASHINGTON, April Ito Sc
cure control of Mexico's vast petro-
leum products and at the same time
secure .anti-strike legislation in that
country is the bold plan of exploit
ers, according to Luis N. Morones,
secretary of the Mexican Fedora ton
Of Labor Confederation Regional
Obrera Mexicana), representing $685.
90 workers. Morenes is visiting this
country to interest the trade union
movement in the crisis confrontins
Mexico's organized labor
TIE present Mexican constitution
declares that workers have the right
to strike. There is another provision
which declares that Sin the nation is
vested direct ownership of petro-
leum," etc.
Next month a special session Of the
Mexican congress will assemble for
the purpose of amending the consti-
tutinon by providing that the petro-
leun section shall be changed from
direct ownership by the nation to a
harmless government control. An
other amendment provides that nc
strike that "effects the public inter-
est shall be permitted unless it is
sanctioned by the executive-the
president of the republic.
These propositions are presented II
such manner that they must be &C.
copied or rejected together BY this
method. the exploiters are expecting
that every anti-labor force in Mexico
will accept the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
include surrendering Mexico's natur-
al resources-if strikes are outlawed
and the peonage system again .es-
tablished.
Wall street authorities are ouot,u
that the investments owned and con-
trolled by American capitalists in
Mexico total over 100000. IT
strikes are abolished in Mexico the
American-owned: mines, mills. and oil
wells would menace workers in. this
country, and this, Secretary Morones
showed, makes the question one ot
movement of the United States,
aside from the principle involved. II
is stated that the only Mexican force
that IS opposing the constitutional
amendment is the organized work
ers. This change: if it takes place
is bound to. have a depressing effec,
upon the workers in Central anG
South American republics.
With this Mexican situation may be
connected the recent formation /:
New York city of the American pc.
troleum institute, which was argan.
lied at a meeting attended by 1900
persons, representing oil holdings 1r
the United States, Canada, Mexico
and Central America.
Representatives of the British Ital.
ian and French governments were
present, as were John D. Rockefeller
]r., and several presidents of state
Standard Oil companies. "A. C. Bed
ford. Standard Oil, was selected head
of this. worldwide oil combination
with the title of chairman of the
board Of directors.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
TRADE UN IONS TO
Open A COLLEGE
Boston Central Labor Union
Plans on Economic Educa-
tionaI Institution,

BOSTON, Mass, April 11,-"In
order to make directly. accessible: to
working men and working women the
study of subjects which will further
the progress of organized labor" the
Trade Union College organized by the
Boston Central Labor Union will open
it's career on Monday evening, April
IA. at the High School of Practical
Arts.
Although the new educational in
stitution is properly designated as a
college, it has few if any of the tradi-
tional features which~-the-- public is
accustomed to associate with colleges.
There are no examinations for en-
trance nor apparently are there any
preliminary requirements such as
diploma from a public high school.
The college starts upon its work with
out special funds and with no build
ing Of its own. - There are no cere-
monies in connection with any of its
functions. There is no social at
mosphere''
Shorn of all unnecessary adjuncts
the new labor college is simply a
com bination Of lecture courses to be
conducted by leaders in their line.
professors and instructors from Har-
ward and other universities and tech
nical schools, and open to all trade
unionists of the American Federation
of Labor and members of their inn
mediate families for the nominal sum
of $3.50 for each course. Incident
ally there will be periods of. study
and discussion
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
0RPHEUM BILL FOR COMING WEEK
HEADLINED BY IRISH PLAYLET

For the
will offer to its patrons the eadner lovely Molly M
scntd The other
Willard Msck
Ovie Whited Mack
"IIe
stock trade
Of
big vaudeville show, the
of
The Orphum makes
starting Sunday, The
thrilling
andI in leading
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
BOSS BREEDER
OF LSHEv|SM
Bourbon Like Employers Stub
born|y Refuse to Deal With
EN- |oyes Collective ".

because wrong in principle and un-
fair in application We decline positive
ly to enter into any contract with our
employees collectively, but we are will
ing now, as always in the past, to meet
each one individually for adjustment
of wage differences in an equitable
way"
This statement was not made five
years ago, but this week at Rockford,
ILL.,, by the owners of furniture fac
tory whose employees are on strike
for a decent wage. Twenty eight fac
tories are involved and it is believed
the above sentiment is the expression
of every owner. Unions of painters,
cabinet makers and ~ood carvers are
on strike. 1t is claimed that 80 per
cent of the employees are members of
the three unions.
Rockford is a cheap labor town, and
employers in the furniture and other
wood working factories have long op-
posed the entrance of organized labor
in that community. They fought union
labor through the past, and now that
the war is over and a new labor situ-
alton presents itself they are still turn
ing their faces to the yesterday of
industrialism. !
The, Rockford unions are receiving
assistance from other labor organ
izations in Illinois and from their in
ternatlonal unions. a long fight is ex-
pected, the men are standing firm and
they hope to sufficiently long to
win a, signal VICTORY.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
JACK CARNEY BIDS "GO0D
NIGHT" TO J, 4. JOHNSON

In the last weeks issue of The
Labor World we. thought we had put
the lid on in these columns to the
personal tilt between John ALVIN
Johnson former member of the So
cialist party, and Jack Carney, editor
of "Truth.' Out of fairness to our
contemporary Well lift the lid long
enough to give Mr.. Carney the final
shot.
To the Editor Of The; Labor World:
Just a final word to John Alvin
Johnson.
The German workers are MY conf
rades. The organized workers of all
nations are members of the internal
tional labor movement, of which
have been a member for the last II
years. We join the labor movement,
because We believe that an injury to
one is the concern of all. What the
German workers did in Belgium is
to be .deplored, so is the work of the
Belgian workers in the Congo. The
workers of both nations are but the
victims of a cruel and brutalized So
,cial system. Johnson, the SOCIAL
ist' ought to know that.
Jack Carney cooked the political
goose of John Alvin Johnson ana
feels kind of proud of himself. When
read a card asking the voters to
Vote for Johnson and Hicken and
then l heard. n.en. in, the West End
asking the voters to vote for john
son and Murnian, we'll just went out
and I helped to- eliminate Johnson
from the ballot. Murnian Won be-
lost because he tried to be a poll
tician.
Furthermore, I want to ask john
son a question: why is he not a
member Of the labor movement" Is
it because he is a travelling salesman
and thinks that it would shatter his
dignity to become a member of the
labor movement? If he is a lover of
his country. WY not join the move
ment that seeks to make the coun-
try all the more lovable?
1t is not impossible for an alien
to understand an Americans love for
his country. 1t is impossible for an
alien to understand a cheap poll
tician's boast of love for his coun-
try. I love all countries. and.aI love
the workers of all countries more
so. John D. Rockefeller, Burnquist
and McGiffert love America, so does
John Alvin Johnson. -:
Goodnight.
.--------- LACK CARNEY. j;
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
BURLES0N CONTRACT
WITH BELL COMPANY

NEW YORK, April 11,-The Postal
Telegraph Commercial Gable Com
pany's official organ charges that A.
5. Burleson, the Postmaster General
Of the United States, is committed to
an increase in the telephone rates in
1919 which will increase the tele-
phone revenues $30,000,C0O and that
there will be further increases. 1t
is also charged that the following
is what the Bell Company has got
ten out of the people through it's con-
tract with Mr.. Burleson: An annual
compensation of $G5,14S,641, which
is more than the company could have
earned had it kept it's lines; S16,-
100000 rake Off from subsidiary
companies, representing four and one
half per cent of the gross receipts of
the latter; all interest, expenses. de-
probation and taxes to be paid by
the government"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
BURLES0N IS IN
BAD WITH LABOR
7e|egraphets' Head Says Rate
Increase to Meet Wages Is
Huge Joke.

Inc December wage increase to
telegraph operators is a joke and
Postmaster General Burelson has add
ed insult to injury is the comment by
President konencamp of the Com
merclal Photographers union on the
postmaster generals claim that wage
increases forced him to raise tele-
graph rates.
Two financial interests in the tele-
graph business have clashed and be-
cause of this fact the postmaster gen.
eral will not be permitted to use the
workers as a shield.
These two groups are the Western
Union and American Telegraph and
Telephone company (Bell systen) on
one side and the Postal Telegraph
company on the other. Only recent
ly Mr.. Burleson doposed President
Mackay and other officers of the
Postal for. refusing to obey ORDERS -
and now, when the postmaster gener-
al says wages cause the 20 per cent
increase in telegraph rates. the Postal
people, through the Postal Telegraph
their official magazine, declare that
Mr.. Burleson has livery generously
awarded to the Bell company, in addi-
ton to the very handsome compensa-
ton of $65,24S,641 which he gave
them, has alse awarded the Bell COM
pany an additional rake off" of $16,-
100000 from the subsidiary COM
panies.
1.-The whole wire control arrange
ment," continues the Postal Tele-
graph, has developed into gigan-
tic job whereby the American Tele-
phone and Telegraph company has
been and will be enabled to exploit
the public through the medium of the
post office department.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
DENVED CARPENTERS GET
ST FOR EIGHT HOUR DAY

DENVER, April 11.-Building con-
tractors are regretting that they did
not accept a wage compromise sug-
gested by the state industrial COM
mission.
The carpenters were receiving Sc a
day and struck for 81 increase. The
commission recommended that the
rate be advanced 60 cents a day and
the carpenters agreed. The contrac-
tors refused and then the workers fell
back on their original demand. which
employers have been forced to accept
and have signed a contract to this ef-
feet.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
PANAMA CANAL ZONE
WORKERS IN PROTEST

PANAMA, Panama, April 1.-THE
Canal Zone Federation of Labor and
the Metal Trades Council, both affil-
lated with the American Federation
of Labor, have protested to national
headquarters against the activities of
two agents from the Maintenance of
Way Employees union of the United
States, who are trying to organize the
West Indian laborers here. promising
I them that they will get 40 cents an
hour for track work. The West In
dams now receive from II cents an
hour for common labor to 20 cents
for mechanical helpers.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
SEAMEN'S WAGE
AIDS SHIPPING
Chairman Hurley Demo|ishes the
Claim Of Vessel Owners, Edi-
tors and Others.

WASH NGTON, April LIN a re-
port to the United States shipping
board on his recent mission abroad
Edward N. Hurley. chairman of the
board. demolishes the claim of vessel
owners, editors and others who insist
that high wages and the seamen's law
are the ruination of Americas mer-
chant marine. He says:
"My observations abroad convince
me that here are no adequate rea-
sons why America should reccde from
the very high standards of wages and
conditions Of life she has adopted for
her scumen.;:
Chairman Hurley says the facts in
his possession will dsmay those per-
sons who are agitating for lower
scale Oil American ships
I'VE are paying our seamen SIS a
month";" he declares. THAT fact is
we'll known and frequently comment
ed upon England during the war
paid her seamen s72 a month. That
fact is not so we'll known. The Brit
ish ships are manned by English men
today. So much has been said re-
garding the cheap eastern labor that
makes it possible for British ships to
operate at a great profit that I deem
it wise that you should know that
practically every maritime nation of
the earth has now turned toward the
conclusion that it is better to operate
their own ships with labor of their
own citizens.
THE war has witnessed a great fall
ing off Of the foreign labor employed
under maritime flags.
1T is my conviction that the future
will witness development of this
tendency along lines more and more
ma joOu1icf ic' -
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
BOSTON Elevated MEN
DEMAND HIGHER WAGESE

BOSTON, April II. - Organized
street car men employed by the Bos-
ton Elevated Railroad company have
presented a new wage scale to the
company. The spresent rates: call for
a maximum of 4s cents an hour with
working day from nine to II hours,
The car men want the rate advanced
and the work day reduced to eight
hours.
If the controversy cannot be settled
1t will be referred to the national war
labor board, according to an agree
ment between the parties in interest.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
Inventor OF UNLOADING
DEVICE PLEADS OWN CASE

WASHINGTON, April 11.-The nine
Justices of the United States supreme
court permitted William +. Brothers,
a Brooklyn Inventor, to plead his case
against the government, whom he
charges with using his unloading de-
vice without his consent in the con-
struction of tho Panama canal. The
inventor told the court he was too
poor to employ counsel and asked that
he be awarded damages against the
government.
Brothers made an extended argu-
ment which he illustrated by small
model of his invention. He was fire.
quently interrupted by members Of
the court, who asked him questions.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
PRESIDENT Of Miners
URGES 3O.HOUR WEEK

INDIANAPOLIS, April 11.-A six
hour work day and five-dav work
week and naturalization of coal mines
was urged by Frank J. Hays, president
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea in his address at the opening ses-
sion of the policy committee of the
organization The trade unionist
called attention to unemplo y1-.ent and
the hazards of employment under the
present ownership. In urging wage
increases he cited the cost of living
and the lack of opportunity for miners
to make an average wage because: Of
ldleneSS at the mines
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
NOVA SCOTIA Miners
Want 36-HOUR WEEK

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, April IL
In it's new constitution the provincial
Federation of Labor declares for a
56-hour work week for this province.
1t also favors, a system of taxation
whereby land held for speculative
purposes will be assessed at the own
er's selling price.
the first preamble of the constitu-
ton declares for free and compulsory
education,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
NEARLY 1000 CHILDREN
FOUND NOT TO Be NORMAL

WASHINGTON, April 11.-Between
5000 and 1000 children under 6 years
OF age have been weighed and meas
nred in the District of Columbia since
the nationwide test of children was
lnaugurated by the children's bureau
of the department of labor. OF this
number 1900 were found below stand
ards recognized for children of their
age. Some of the children were found
to need medical care.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
STR|KEBREAKERS STRIKE
AGAINST WAGE: REDUCTION

DAYTON, Ohio, April 11.-Strike-
breaking iron molders employed at
the Pasteur Chamberlain plant
walked out when their wages were
reduced to So cents an hour. These
free and independents" were assured
that they would be paid the union
rate-70 cents-and now thew are told
that they are not worth more than IS
cents.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
CARPENTERS RAISE WAGES.

MERIDEN, Conn, April 11.-Wages
have been raised from so to IS cents
an hour by Carpenters union No. $40
The signed agreement also calls for
the 44hour week, time and one-half
for overtime and double time for l1oli-
days.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-04-12
SPRING TOP COATS FOR EASTER
THE BIG DULUTH

Many seeds Of kindness are scat
tered in poor SOIL.
1t is the dance music that always
reaches the sole.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-10-14
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
I'm N(sRl

mercial Association is to be re-
quested. The conference brings
together about 500 live young
fellows of high school age in a
Worthwhile meeting. Pendle-
ton can win the conference if
little added influence is
brought to bear. Let the boys
have the support that will win
them their point.
~~s~~~e~>>>@
Highway Commissioner w.
L. Thompson steps out of office
Wednesday with the satisfac-
ton of having done well the
work entrusted to him to do.
Eastern Oregon is grateful to
him for the road program
which is now we'll under way
and which, when completed, |
will mean so much to this sec
ton. Mr.. Thompson made
needs a careful study
and the results are already
showing up well. He takes
with him the thanks of all east
ern Oregon and to his success
sor, J. n. Burgess, are extend
ed the wishes of the section for
an equally successful and use
full term on the commission.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-10-14

Early in the participation of the
United States In the world war, the
American Red Cross perceived the
value of mobilizing the school children
of the country and the Junior Red
Cross was organized. Before the war
ended nine million children were en-
rolled and helped in the war fund
and membership campaigns, in chap
ter production of relief supplies and
manufacturing furniture for the ref
.ugees whose homes and household
goods were destroyed.
Children everywhere in the United
States responded to the call to serv-
ice sounded by President Wilson as
head of the American Red Cross
This photograph is that of an en-
thusiatic young japanese member OF
the Junior Red Cross Of Spokane
wash, starting out on the ambitious
undertaking Of collecting "a mile OF
nenpies" for war relief. A compre-
hensive peace program is now being
worked out for the Junior Red Cross
which is being held intact.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-10-14
6TO JOHNSON

x 1APAN, by its single
vote in the league OF
~ nations, can block the
return of the Shantung penin-
sula to its former owners"
In those, or similar words,
Senator Hiram Johnson, at Ia
coma recently, broke the back
bone of his argument that
Great Britain has six votes in
the league to Americas one. He
made the statement which
gives proof that nothing in the
league can be done without
unanimous consent. If Japan,
as he said, can block with one
vote, the United States, Italy,
or France, likewise can block
with one vote.
The other nations which
have ratified the treaty have
not raised the argument
against the British colonial
votes in the league, for they
understood. They were inter-
ested in the league, not in next
years election. President Will
son cleared up the situation in
his speeches on his recent tour
and only the opponents of the
league, such as California's as
tute and voluble senator, had
the temerity to continue the 6
to l argument.
Mr.. Johnson probably failed
to realize that his statement
was his own trap but he adj
mitted, nevertheless, that the
argument is unsound. He will
doubtless have his assertion on
the Shantung question reap
pearing when he carries his
losing fight to the floor of the
senate.