davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
WHO PAYS THE DEFICIT7

1t is announced that the Democratic
National committee faces a deficit of
$4,000, while the Republican National
committee overdrew its bank account
mere trifle Of $1,5oO,000. We are
assuded that the politicians responsible
for these deficits are not alarmed. They
are confident some one will raise the
necessary funds.
We do not think they will be dis
appointed, but the men who advance
the money will demand something in
return.
They will want a mortgage on the
Democratic and the Republican parties
and they will come pretty near getting
it. At least their particular CRAFTS will
not be disturbed.
In this connection it should be noted
that under the law it will not be nee.
essary for the campaign committees to
make public the names Of the "angels'
who guarantee the deficits.
That's one Of the "jokers' in the
law.
Before and after the election each
committee submits list of contribu-
tions received. Questionable contribu-
tions need not be accepted until after
these reports have been filed. Then
the "tainted money! may be used to
pay the deficit and the dear public is
none the wiser.
Nice arrangement, isn't it,
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
WAR CAUSES MoRAL sLUm.

That war always demoralizes the
morals of a nation is admitted in times
Of peace. To make such an assertion
while we are engaged in war is to
invite serious trouble. But now that
the world war is over-not technically,
so far as we are concerned-the West
ern Christian Advocate (Methodist)
presents some interesting figures to
prove that our war losses may not be
computed in lives lost on the battle
field nor in dollars expended. It seems
that we arc destined to pay for gen.
GRAFTON by the weakening Of the moral
fiber.
Says the Advocate:
'*During the year 1910 there were
479-7S9 persons behind prison bars,
124,424 being women, and 24,s74 being
juvenile offenders. Over 5000 of these
were for life, while 23,449 were for
less than one year, and over $4,000
were indeterminate. But note the con-
trast for the year 1916, for these fig
ures apply to America. Reports are
that there were enrolled in lis reform
schools 61,o95 boys and girls. In six
years the number has almost doubled.
But four years have passed since that
time. The war has closed and tho
loosening up has been more deadly than
anyone could dream. The courts of do.
nestle relations in all our large cities
have a docket that no single Judge
could handle. Substations have had to
be created and departments formed to
dispatch the ever-increasing volume of
business, while juvenile delinquency has
Increased over 200 per cent?
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
HIGHER PHONE RATES.

Now comes the Northwestern Tele-
phone company and asks the railroad
and warehouse commission to authorize
an increase in rates. It wants the priv
jcge to raise the rates on home phones
IS year and SIP year on business
phones throughout the section of the
state in which it operates.
That is quite an increase to ask for
at one jump in view Of the fact a
fairly good rate was authorized during
the time the company was under fed
rral control, at which time it was also
authorized to make charges for the in
stallation and removal of phones. 1t
is hoped that the city officials will
make every effort to present the side
of the people at the hearings on the
request to be conducted by the COM
mission.
The public utility situation presents
some strange features for consideration
by the public at this time. Hore is our
water and light department, owned and
operated by the city, which is serving
consumers with gas and water at the
same rate that obtained before the pres
ent era Of high prices. There is no
thought of increasing water or gas rates
here, as the department is piling up a
neat surplus every year in spite of ab-
normal prices.
Then there is the Duluth Edison Elcc-
trio company, which is serving the peo-
pie Of Duluth with electric light and
power at the lowest rate obtaining in
the country under similar conditions.
This company has not raised it's rates
does not contemplate asking for an in
crease.
The Duluth Street Railway is still
carrying passengers for five cents under
protest. The people on two occasions
have turned down ordinances authorize
ing the city to permit Of a six-cent fare
such ordinances were not rejected on
heir merits, but on account of certain
Hrejudiccs held by the people against
The tactics and policy Of the manage
meut. In all probability the traction
interests Of Minnesota will seek relief
from the next legislature and an at
tempt will be made to put street rail
way companies under the supervision
# the railroad and warehouse commits
sion. The people of the cities will, as
hey should, oppose any such program.
However, it is neither fair nor just
20 make fish out Of one and fowl out
# another. The city or state cannot
afford to play favoritcs These inter-
lists should be given a square deal, no
more or no less, and that means square
aoal for the people as we'll as for the
companies.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
THE RALsTON.NOLAN BILL.

Congress is to assemble next Tuesday
and one of the first measures it will
take up is the Ralston-Nolan bill,
bill designed to levy nominal tax on
the privilege of holding idle land.
This bill is opposed by the big in
terests and the holders Of large tracts
Of idle land. In October the National
Industrial Conference board, represent
ing the railroad kings, the coal barons,
the steel magnats, the OIL copper, tim
Der, waterpower and other powerful
landed princes of America, and con-
trolling the lives Of "between 100000
and 100000 men aud women" went
on record against the Ralston N olan
BILL
Does labor want this bill killed?
Surely not. It means more to farmers,
laborers and the legitimate business
men Of the nation than any other bill
now in congress. It means more than
merely making our vast unimproved
lands and undeveloped natural resources
bear small part of the crushing fed
eral tax load. Such lands arc worth
between $50,000,0 100000 and $60,000,-
100000 and are largely exempt from
taxation.
The passage Of this bill would put a
damper" on the policy Of keeping in
idleness vast empire of valuable agri-
cultural and building ground, and the
holding out of use Of millions of acres
OF rich farm, coal, oil, iron, copper,
timber, waterpower and mineral lands.
It would bring immediate relief to the
housing situation, not only through
chcapening of building lots, but through
cheapening in all building materials.
1t would mean a halt to the ruthless
profiteering and gouging Of the con-
sumer, with large reduction in the
cost OF coal, gas, food, clothing, shelter
and all the necessities and comforts
OF life. It would result in giving wider
opportunities, better business, steadier
employment, and more abundant pros
perity to all.
In addition to all this the passage
of the bill would reduce federal taxes
on business, labor and agriculture and
would increase it on idle city lots, farm,
timber, coal, iron and other idle lands.
1t would encourage business, enterprise,
trade, manufacturing, farming and
every line Of useful endeavor. It would
stimulate the use Of idle land, and in
crease production, which would be the
legitimate and lasting way of promot-
ing industry, extending development,
advancing enterprise, and reducing the
cost of living, for it strikes at the root
Of every social and economic evil Of
which we complain. -
1t hits at the monopolist, the spec
ulator, the profiteer, and not the con-
suner. It is a tax that can not be
~.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
THE MASS THAT COUNTS.

Trade union opponents imagine they
deliver a telling blow when they point
to some wage Garner who has risen to
executive station.
"'This is proof" say our opponents,
"that there is room at the top; that
the workers have no need for unions
if they are industrious and would strive
to ADVANCED
Our opponents forget-if they ever
knew-that unionism is intended to i'm
prove conditions on the job.
. If one worker in plant employing
100 is advanced to high position, or
if the impossible happened and the 100
workers were advanced, the jobs and
the poor working conditions would still
remain. The necessity for trade union
ism would still exist.
Trade unionism is a mass movement.
It is not intended TO make success
for the few possible, but to advance
workers as whole by improving the
jobs.
When a building is raised, the entire
structure is slowing lifted at the same
time.
The trade union movement is the
jack screw on which wage earners rest.
Through this force the wage earners,
as a mass, are steadily pushed up,
up, up.
When wages are increased it means
better homes, food and clothing for the
worker and his family, and education
for the children. When hours are
shortened it means longer life, mental
development, little recreation and re-
lief from the dull monotony of stand
ing before a machine. These result
in higher standard Of citizenship.
When sanitary conditions in the shop
are secured it means less disease.
The prosperity of an individual
worker is nothing in this great human.
izing, uplift movement, except where
that individual takes advantage Of his
improved position to urge the cause Of
justice for, the mass, to plead for .
larger liberty, to protest against de-
bassing working conditions-to demand
that the jobs be bettered.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
operators is a most dangerous expert

operators is a most dangerous expert
ment. The surprise is that there have
not been more Of such accidents as
happened in the Columbia building
Tuesday evening. There probably would
have been others were the elevators not
properly equipped with safety devices.
Some times such devices do not work.
In one building an elevator dropped
four floors the other day and did not
stop until it hit the bottom. The girl
operator suffered severe laceration
of her hand in a desperate attempt to
stop the car in its downward flight.
She hadn't the presence Of mind to
pull the safety cord hanging just above
her head.
Tenants in many Of the office build
ings are complaining about the reck-
less elevator service that is being given
to them, which is due largely to mex
perienced operators. This results from
cheap labor. Competent men operators
have been displaced by inexperienced
persons who are paid the same wages
as were given to experienced operators
before the war.
What is true Of safety in office
building elevators is also true of health
conditions in such buildings. The
journeymen plumbers have called public
attention to the manner in which
plumbing fixtures are installed or re-
placed in office and other buildings
occupied by tenants. Persons not
trained in plumbing are utilized to set
fixtures. 1t appears to them that every
thing is right if the waste water runs
off freely and there is no evidence
Of water leaks. The probability of
escaping sewer gas through the syphon-
age of traps does not occur to them.
They do not know. Any ordinary man
can fit pipe or fixture, but knowl-
edge Of sanitation as applied to plumb
ing comes only after long experience
and study.
Sewer gas may or may not be odor-
less. Like the germs Of tuberculosis
| it does its work insidiously. It's VIC
Tins rarely know the cause Of their
affliction. Accidents happen suddenly
and their causes, which are at least
apparent after they occur, may be easily
determined and repetitions may be pre-
vented. But such is not the case with
the presence Of sewer gas for only ex-
perienced persons can detect it, and we
can only theorize as to whether or not
ones sickness is due to it's slow but
treacherous work.
! In the interest of safety and health
it is the duty Of the city to ignore
the claims Of money and to insist at
once on a rigid supervision of al, office
building elevators and to enforce the
most stringent requirements for the in
stallation and replacement Of all
plumbing FIXTURES having connection
with public sewers.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
ARE AMERICANS GAMBLERS?

When Bobbie Burns-dwclt on the
desirability Of seeing ourselves as others
see US, he probably realized that most
people had unpleasant sights in pros
pect. Yet the wisdom of his wish has
never been doubted. Louis Thomas, a
Frenchman who writes for L'Opinion
on Paris, seems to have caught true
glimpse Of certain phase Of Ameri-
canism
American wastefulness is stupefy-
ing thing to Frenchmen,' say Thomas.
"We are thrifty and we must even
admit we are avcrcious. But our ex-
perts who co-operated with Americans
in war enterprises found them abnom-
inally wasteful, Indifferent to costs and
improvident to the last degree. Every
one in America seems to waste, even
the poor and particularly the women
who do not seem to have time to &C.
quire the habits Of economical house.
keeping possessed by the women Of the
old World.'
The reason, according to Thomas, is
easy to find.
"Americans are gamblers'' he says.
'They do not want to make q moderate
profit, to have a steady regular per-
haps mediocre income but on the con-
trary to make a great deal Of money
in avery short time to get rich quick. ,
"They gamble at investment-not at
roulette or baccarat but it is gambling
all the same.''
For proof Of the truth Of Thomas
charges one need investigate no further
than to know that financial experts
estimate copservatively that more than
$500, 100000 has been lost this year
through investment in fake stocks. No
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
THOSE WHO sow SHALL REAP.

With clear appreciation Of what in.
creasing unemployment and approaching
winter portend, charitable organizations
in larger cities are making frantic ap-
peals for funds with which to carry
through anticipated relief work. Calls
now being made upon them are heavier
than since 1912, and it is the opinion
Of those whose business it is to study
social and industrial conditions that we
are in for protracted period Of priva-
ton and suffering for millions of our
people.
It is unfortunate that our statesmen
and economists are not equally sensible
to the significance of tactics Of large
employers of labor. While it is prob
ably true that changing economic fac
tors have temporarily disorganized CON-
merce and made certain amount Of
unemployment unavoidable, it is not
denied that the situation has been
grasped by professional haters Of labor
to get out Of their systems the venom
that accumulated during the years when
a labor shortage compelled them to deal
with workmen as human beings.
Those who sow hate will reap hate.
Vengeance is an ignoble thing, but when
it takes the form Of depriving men Of
the right to live it is execrable.
If the public is so calloused that it
can regard without protest or misgiv-
ing a campaign Of wholesale reprisal
that involves suffering not only for
workers, but for their wives and chill
dren, innocent bystanders Of the brutal
feud, the conclusion will be that great
floods Of emotion that found expression
in heavy sacrifices for the victims of
European autocracy were mere froth
and sham.
If outraged sentiment does not check
this shameless thing, then some latent
glimmer of common.sense in the heads
of the votaries Of unbridled individual
ism should restrain them from embark
ing upon course that must surely be
attended with the direct consequences.
When jobs are doled out ~ charity,
or when they are used as clubs to force
free men into abject submission, we
will have embarked upon an adventure
of the most calamitous possibilities.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
WAGES BY LAW:

The Minnesota Minimum Wage COM
mission has issued an order increasing
the minimum wage in this state from
$11 to $12 a week. That's :. raise of
one dollar week, a little better than
16 cents day or two cents an hour.
What are the working girls going to
do with all that moneys
In seven years the minimum wage has
been raised from nine dollars week
to $12, an increase Of 80 1-3 per cent.
During that period the cost of living
has advanced 100 per cent. To meet
present living costs the wage should
have been fixed at $1S, although we
are advised the workers were willing
to accept SIS.
Over in North Dakota the commits
sion of that state has fixed the mini
mum wage at SIG. In Washington it
has been fixed at $18. The orders Of
both commissions are in the courts, it's
opponents contending in each instance
that it is a "luxury wage''-luxury
indeed.
A working girl cannot maintain her
self and keep up appearance on $12 a
week. 1t is less than living wage.
To expect her to work for such is an
invitation to her to make up the de-
ficiency in her living expenses by find
ing other things to do after working
hours. It is no defense to woman
who is battling alone in the world. 1t
is poor economy on the part Of the
state to NEEDLE in the matter at all
unless it can recognize it's duty in ar
irving at an equitable living wage. An
occupation or industry that can not pay
a living wage is pauper institution
and should go out Of business.
1t is true that there are girls living
at home who may get along with
wage Of $l2 a week, but self-supporting
girls should not be called upon to COM
pete against them, and the state should
do Everything within its power to dis
courage such unfair competition.
However, we haven It very much con-
| fidence in this scheme Of fixing wages
by law. The employers have all the
advantage. Working girls, like work
ing men, should get away from the idea
Of " having the state do it for them.'
They should learn to do things for them
selves. That is the American way. The
other, Of having the state do such things
for the workers, is more like the Prus-
sian way.
The real American way to get re-
suits is for the working girls to or
ganize into trade unions, just as the
men are doing. They will then be in
! a position to deal directly with their
employers without the interference of
the state, and to use their collective
economic power to enforce their de-
mand.s
After all that is the only way to get
results, and the working girls will come
to it when they learn of the futility of
minimum wage laws. There will then
be no costly and tardy court expert
ences to encounter and no trimming
wage board decisions to suffer.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
DOLLARS AND SAFETY.

That was sad and unfortunate acct
lent that happened in the Columbia
'uildlng Tuesday evening which re-
mlted in the shocking death of Mrs.
{. Herbert Merritt, so we'll known to
many Duluth people before her mar
aage as Glen. Blackwood. She was
the act of stepping into the elevator
When it shot upward, her head striking
sgainst every floor until the car reached
The fourth floor when it was stopped.
Death was instantaneous.
A new and inexperienced elevator Oh.
rator, one unfamiliar with the opera
aon Of this particular car at least.
tarted work as new man on the lob
It six O'Clock. The accident happened
1t 6:45. In the emergency he was
telpless. He did not know what to
10. In his excitement he may have
brown the lever the wrong way. It
reported by the woman whose lob
The new operator had just taken that
he car had frequently started on its
'wn accord without anyone touching
he lever. That might have happened
n this instance. Proper manipulation
# the lever would have prevented the
ar from ascending the moment it
tarted to move upward, and if such
lad been done Mrs. Merritt's life would
ave been saved.
This is only another instance of the
acrifice Of safety for dollars. Rents
many office buildings have been
doubled in the past two years. There
no doubt but that upkeep, labor.
uel and material have greatly increased
n cost to the owners and agents and
hey have been forced to resort to great
economy to insure fair return on their
Investments. Some Of this economy has
zen wise and some Of it has been verv
polish. Indeed, it has been criminal,
nd it not almost so.
In any event the employment of in.
experienced men and women as elevator
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
been $500, e50, 900, exclusive Of expsaM'

been $500, e5o, 900, exclusive Of expsaU"
lures for military purposes.
If the government assigned thu
building and operation Of this public
utility to private corporation, there
would be about one billion dollars Of
bonds issued and twice that amount Of
stock, with charges on vessels goinx
through the canal sufficient to pay in.
terest on this vast amount Of water.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
PANAMA CANAL PAYS.

The Panama canal closed it's last
fiscal year with an excess Of $2,3s7, 5a9
in revenue over operation and main
tenance.
In his annual report, just made pub
lie, Brigadier General Harding, gov
ernor Of the canal, predicted that within
a reasonable period Of normal world
conditions the big waterway will earn
an actual profit on it's cost, which has
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-04
GENTLE WITH BOSSES.

The Kansas court Of industrial rela-
tions investigated several millers who
have reduced production. Under Gov.
ernor Aliens "can 't-strike" law the
court has this power.
The event was delightful, although
somewhat in contrast to the court 3
determination to enforce the law when
it jails striking workers.
The millers were first notified that
tho hearing was not in the nature Of
trial and that they would not hare
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-08-11
CLASSIFIED ADS.

FOR SALE-Baby buggy. good as
new: phone 1862. 1913 Up
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-08-11
KASH SAYS HURST
MEN PADDED VOTE

Jackson, KY, August 11.-W. L..
Rash, of Jacksno, candidate for the
republican nomination for circuit
judge of the 23rd district, will file a
suit in the Franklin circuit court to
restrain state election commission
erS from canvaSSing the vote in the
Spring Fork precinct, this county, on
the ground of raud.
A similar suit was filed in the coun-
ty judges court here today, charging
that the number of ballots cast in the
precinct was changed from 81 to II,
enough to overcome Kash's lead in
the district over Sam Hurst, Beatty
vile, while election officers were
bringing the ballots to Jackson.
Election commissioners here yester-
day ignored the temporary restrain
ing order of County Judge Hagin and
canvassed the vote in the precinct in
question. Kash men charge that tw }
election commissioners, favorable to
Nh. Hurst, were intercepted while
carrying the ballot boxes to the coun-
ty seat and the box was stuffed with
20 votes.
kash men claim this wiped out his
total lead of six votes in the three
counties-Estiil, Lee and Breathitt.
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-08-11
MAY NOT PUBLISH
LIST OF SLACKERS

washington, August 1.-THE list of
draft deserters may not be made pub
lie, after all. Although previous an
nouncements from the war depart
ment have referred to the 'publica-
ton" of the list of draft evaders thru
out the country, Secretary Baker saya
there has been no assurance that the
list will ever be made public
Secretary Baker said that he ser
iously doubted the justice of making
public a list of more than $50, 600
names of draft evaders md deseltera
when such a list inevitably would car
ry the names of innocent men, such
as men who have died, others who
failed to receive their draft notices,
lliterates who may have failed to I'M
derstand the operation of the selec-
tive draft and still of others who saw
service, but whose names are erro-
neusly on the Stacker list.