The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-07-18

ployees half way. If they would
only practice what they preach,
this $3.50 doctrine" and pay the
men who are working in the mills
and camps decent wages, there
would be no need Of the wives,
mothers and sisters engaging In
work that they are untitled for.
There are many kinds of work that
women are suited for, but it GER
tainly is not found in the saWmills,
shingle-mills or logging-camps. But
if there is shortage of labor at
the present time and it is neces-
sary to place women at work to fill
this shortage, why not start out by
having the Owners, managers, SUI
perintendents, and also the head Of
ficials of the Al start their wives,
mothers, sisters, etc" at work first.
This would not only help to fill the
shortage of labor, but would also
help to keep wages down. Do you
think they would do that? Why,
the idea? We are surprised you
should even think of such a thing.
They couldn't think of allowing
their women folks to work in such
a place, surrounded by such a crowd
of rough men. 1t is a crime for
you to even think of it, The mill
owners will tell you that 1t is not
necessary to place their women
folks at work, as they are in a po-
sition to take care of them. They
have good homes and plenty of
money, and that you who are work
ing for them are forced through
necessity to place your wives,
mothers, sisters, ETC." in the mills.
We will have to admit that they
(mill owners) have the best of the
argument on that point. But what
is the reason for this? There must
be a reason. Is it because the mill
owner is receiving so small a price
for his lumber that he is unable to
pay decent wages to his employees,
any they, in order to feed, clothe
and educate their children, are
forced to place their women folks
at work in the mills? If such is the
case it would be far better to close
up all of the mills as it certainly is
losing proposition for the work
ers.
The mill owners are making
money at the present time and lots
of it. If they are not why are they
making such extensive repairs to
their plants and running these
plants not only day shifts, but some
of them night-shifts as we'll The
price of lumber is steadily on the
increase and if you don't believe it |
go to one of the mills and try to
buy some.
If the AL (milI owners) are real
ly believers in the $3.50 doctrine,
why don't they do the right thing
and pay the men decent wages and
keep the women out of the lumber
industry? 1t is certainly a fine
record and about what you could
expect from such an organization.
You men who are working in the
mills, Just picture to yourselves
your wives, mothers, sisters and
sweethearts, clad in overalls, hand
ling lumber, or in shingle mills, or
in box factories, and not even paid
the same wages as the men, and
then remember the organizati ton re-
5pOnsible for this: The AL, that is
so strong for harmony, cooperation
and the great and only $3.50. If
they believe in the $3.50, let them
place their women at work and
than it is time enough for yours.
If you want to better your condi-
tons and those of your family, join
a real labor organization such as
The "Timberworkers' Union" and
not a boss controlled organization
ike the AL.