davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
BUSINESS INTERESTS
REPuDIATE CONTRACTS

IT statements by the New York
Annallst, leading financial paper, are
true, business men who denounce
workers who occasionally break
contract should Spank their own ba-
bies" first.
In leading article entitled, "The
Business Structure Is Shaken by Con-
tract Reputation" the Annalist
says:
"A question for which only the
future has an answer is whether hon.
esty in business will not get a serious
setback from what is now happening
in the commercial world. Invalid con-
tracts the world has known in the
past, but on no such scale as at pres
ent
I'm short, comm ercial honesty. as
far as business mans word is con-
cerned, seems at discount the world
over and long-esta blished trade prin-
clples have been overturned abroad
as we'll as here.
MANY instances have been related
Of goods ordered for export being de-
livered to more profitable channels.
Of inferior goods being shipped in
place of the qualities desired, and of
deliveries put off until later orders
had been supplied. Almost as much
criticism has been heard on this score
as on the lack of study given to for
eign markets.
"A situation has now developed in
various industries, however. in which
more serious consequences are seen,
Recently the most upright buyers,
representing companies with millions
of capital, have descended to the COM
mon tactics of the demi- monde of the
business world. 1t is fact that con-
tracts with firms of the first order
are now asked to be considered less
than scraps of paper. In Short the
frank admission is made that to abide
by the terms of the contract would
mean financial disaster"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
TRAMP. EASILY LEARNED
HOW TO Be CAPITALIST

He was sitting on gatepost idly
swinging his legs, a short clay pipe
IN his mouth. He was, in fact, one
OF the most disre putable of the species
tramp I had ever met.
Got any 'baccy, mate?" he asked.
[ handed him my pouch, and he
helped himself so literally that I was
inclined to ask him for the "fll' and
give him what was left in the pouch.
Looking for work." I inquired.
"Wot? Me! Why I gotta job"
What doing?"
pipe to man who was chopping fur
lously at a heap of hardwood.
'Choppin' wood" was his replv.
|. But you're not chopping wood"
said.
"Oh, yes, I am, boss. You sec. it's
TINS way l walks up to this 'ouse and
arsts the lady for bit Of grub. Well
SEES she, if you'll chop me that heap
of firewood I'll give yer five bob and a
teed' Well, there was my poor mate
standing at the gate dom nothing,
and thought it was pity to see i'm
on the unemployed market; so 7
hands the Job over to him, and I'm
slyin' i'm 'arf-a-dollar for 'imself and
keeps the other 'arf dollar. Yousee.
I'm dom i'm a good turn as we'll as
mese1f"
i think you're abominably lazy
replied. "Why don't you help him
chop the wood and SHARE the work as
we'll as the money!
why should II" was his answer
Aaln't I dom wot every other Cant
tallst does, sharin', the reward fer
work and givin' the work out?"
felt I could not argue further. and
went on my way, pondering.-Inter-
national
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
FEARS LABOR MAY Be
LED FROM RIGHT PATH

1t is doubtful if the pioneers Of the
modern trade union movement con-
sciously contemplated social or politi-
cal gains through the organization of
labor. Trade unionism was inauyu-
rated as an economic movement to
ameliorate the conditions that existed
for the worker in Industry But with
economic betterment and as result
of it came measure of social and
political progress. The socia! status
of a class of people depends almost
entirely upon their economic status
Their political status. for number Of
reasons depends largely upon the
same consideration. And SO it would
seem that the organization of the
| workers, along lines that will mean
economic betterment, is the funda-
mental function of organized labor.
There are other important considera-
tons, but all are subordinate, and
must remain so. to the economic is
sue.
The Free Press does not hold that
organized labor should not concern
itself with issues other than the eco
nomic betterment of the workers. hut
| there is grave danger in labor being
led out of the main stream Of progress
| into small tributaries of social or po-
litical interests and theory, which
while important in themselves are all
| dependent upon and are Influenced
and regulated by economic conditions
When person makes a statement to
the effect that any interest is bigger
than a mere question of wages or
working conditions, such a statement
is open to serious contradiction if we
are to assume that wages mean the
| share which the workers receive Of
what they produce. Raise the eco
nonic status Of the workers and their
social status, including the ability to
| enjoy education, esthetics and a COM
! Portable living will be raised as
natural consequence Political free
dom will follow as a matter of course.
Edmonton Free Press
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
HIGH CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

The workers are keenly interested in
charges that huge campaign funds are
being gathered for the purpose of buy
ing the election. It was labor that
made the first protest against the de-
bauchery of the presidential primary
and forced congress to undertake an
investigation that eliminated the prin-
cipal corruptionists. Labor today is
just as insistent as ever that corrup-
ton shall be rebuked, and the candidate
or the party that dep ENDS upon the
money Of Wall street to carry him or
it to victory is certain to be disil-
lusioned.
1t is unthinkable that in this time
Of great crisis money is sufficient to
determine the popular will. TO concede
this would be an amission that the
workers Of the nation are purchasable
that they are negligent Of their own
interests and would barter sacred her
itages for the unclean dollars of the
exploiters.
Money did not determine the pri-
mary, and it will not determine the
election. It is not possible to buy
up millions Of voters. although this
fact has not yet become clear to man.
ayers who are relying on old methods
to meet new and ever changing condi-
tions.
1t will be sorry day for this couH-
try when Wall street and the bold,
brazen mem who have been footing the
government and defrauding the people
can name man Of thir own choosing
and then establish him in the highest
office in the gift Of the people simply
because they control the wealth Of the
nation and the consciences, or what
pass as consciences, of the politicians.
When that day comes, if it ever does,
our democratic institutions will be over
thrown and liberty will have departed.
Labor, and labor alone, can rebuke
this assault upon the most sacred ira
ditions Of the republic. Labor, pos
sessing the voting power, must be cor
ruptcd if the election is debauched, and
the party that attempts it confesses
itself unworthy Of the support or sym
pathv Of the decent men and women
who are going to name the next presi-
dent and say what kind of government
we shall have during the next four
wears.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
TO LABOR

Shall you complain who feed the
world?
Who clothe the world.
Who house the world?
Shall you complain who are the world.
Of what the world may do:
AS from this hour
You are the power.
The world must follow you.
The worlds life hangs on your right
hand?
Your strong right hand!
Your skilled right hand.
You hold the whole world in your
hand,
See to it what you do:
Or dark or light
Or wrong or right.
The world is made by you:
Then rise as you never rose before.
Nor hoped before!
Nor dared before!
The power that lies in YOU!
Stand all as one!
See justice done.
Believe! and Dare! and Do!
Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
CARPENTERS RAISE WAGES.
PORTLAND, Me-, Sept 16.-The
Carpenters union raised wages from
671z cents an hour to 81 an hour.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
TROOPS IN WEST VIRGINIA,

The sending Of troops to West Vir-
ginia, where coal miners are making
a stand against the persistent and
brutal tyranny of coal operators, is just
what the workers have been demanding
for months. They have made several
appeals to the federal government to
send soldiers there to re.establish con-
stitutional guarantees and check the
encroachments of the employers upon
the rights of the citizenship.
In certain sections of West Virginia
the operators have been ruling with
mob law: They have maintained gangs
of cutthroats who have invaded the
lives and the properties of every man
and woman who refused to accept their
will as the. supreme authority. Men
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
CHURCH WILL STAND FIRM.

Any fear that may have existed con-
corning the disposition Of the leaders
of the lnterchurch World movement to
continue their investigations into in
dustrial conditions has been dispelfed
by statement recently issued by
Bishop Francis J. Mcconnell and DR..
Daniel A. Polling, chairman and vice
chairman, respectively, Of a commission
that recently surveyed the steel indus
try and made report that is at once
the most exhaustive and most condem-
natory Of the autocracy of Garyism that
has ever been published.
When this report was ready for the
public large business interests, impelled
by the steel industry, made very effort
to prevent is publication. When CO.
ercion and criminal methods did not
avail the interests, they withdrew from
the Interchurch movement promised f.
nancial help and the machinery Of the
cooperative effort came to dead stop,
1t was quite generally apprehended then
that there would be no further inquiry
into industrial situations that are in
flaming workers and creating unhealthy
social and industrial relations.
The eminent churchmen who have ad-
dressed open letters to the public and
to the steel corporation have raised the
hopes Of those who recognized the good
this commission was capable of doing.
They declare that their findings are
fully justified by recent developments,
and adhere to their original position
that a great industry will witness q
reneway Of strife unless the public in.
tervenes and forces the kings Of steel
and finance to deal with their workers
in conformity with accepted American
ideas.
They ask the steel men if the black
list and the spy system are the indus
try''s pride, and assure them that the
public will be satisfied with nothing
short of reasoned discussion of the
facts disclosed and action thereon. Mer
responsible for the lives of more than
100000 humans must make reply to
inquiries addressed to them by we'll
meaning men, and they must reply with.
out delay.
It is, perhaps, noteworthy that only
the brazenly frank organs of privilege
have attempted to meet with vitupera-
ton, the deliberate statements of tho
church commission. That is the most
significant fact in connection with the
discussion provoked by the publication
Of its epoch-making report. Disguised
propagandists dare not brand with hate:
Installing words men Of unquestioned
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
EFFORTS BEARING FRUITS

That labor's political efforts against
privilege and reaction are bearing fruit
is evidenced by the results of primaries
conducted in Texas, Montana and else
where throughout the nation. The
workers are not meeting with uniform
success everywhere, and that is not 10
be expected. Effective political action
is based upon intelligent organization,
and the toilers have been at work too
short a time to compete successfully
with dominant political machines sup
ported by unlimited campaign funds
Fd which have the advantage that
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18

integrity and high standing in their
denomination organizations. Their rep
utation is sufficient protection against
all such assaults.
A few trade and class periodicals
have attempted to discredit the steel
report by alleging that the investigation
was conducted BY reds" and imprac-
teal and misguided men. They do not
attempt to refute charges that have
been substantiated by a mass of un-
questioned testimony. They resort to
the poor expedient of defaming those
whom they are unable to meet in fair
controversy.
It is equally important that leaders
of \32 religious organizations offer to
lead the public in demand for indus
trial justice. They tell the steel barons
that their threats are not feared and
that their punishments are futile. The
church is aroused and militant and is
going forward with new zeal to a PFC.
determined cleansing of the ulcer Of
Garyism. It is not to be swerved from
its course by the maiIed-fist of autoc-
racy or the ostracism and abuse Of
biased newspapers.
The steel industry will be a subject
OF pertinent discussion until the twelve
hour day, the seven-day week, the sus-
pension of civil liberties, tn elaborate
system Of spies and under-covcr men,
are permanently and definitely things
Of the past. Mr.. Gary will fail as dis
mally in turning back the rising tides
OF dlsapprobation of his methods as a
legendary despot failed in checking the
tides of the ocean.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
comes of practically complete control
Of the newspapers.

comes of practically complete control
Of the newspapers
The results in Texas and Montana,
however, are heartening evidence Of
what can be done when the workers
are fully aroused. In the first named
state the issue was clcar.cut and un.
equivocal. Former Senator Joseph w.
Bailey made his campaign on the "open
shop issue and opposition to the eight
hour day. With all his elouence and
ability, he assaulted the workers and
played upon the hate of the exploiters.
He made his plea to the, farmers, charg-
my that the high cost Of living re-
suited from the high wages paid to
workers, but he did not win many Of
them to his support. He is defeated
by vote of nearly $4,000, and his
opponent Pat NJ. Neff, crossed the wire
because he made his appeal to the toll
ers and they believed his protestatio
of friendship and interest.
In Montana a coalition of farmers
and workers made a clean sweep, nom
mating candidates for every office that
was contested They have captured
the Democratic party and are going
forward eagerly for the final struggle
in November, when they will be op-
posed not only by the reactionaries in
the Republican party, but also by the
reactiouary Democrats who do not rel
ish the idea Of having men in high
places who refuse to do the bidding Of
privilege.
In scores Of districts throughout the
country the farmers and workers have
made an impression upon primary con-
tests that will not soon be forgotten
by their enemies. The kept press may
make much of an occasional defeat,
but no amount of "playing up' II
reverses will disguise the fact that the
liberal element is making substantial
Roadway, nor lessen in any degree the
value of the final victory that is to
be won when the real struggle comes.
If the workers, in few short months,
can accomplish so much, what may then
not gain when they have perfected
their organizations and esta blishcd all
enlightened self interest among those in
whose interest this contest for decen:y
and justice is being waged' All power
rests with the toilers, political as we'll
as economic, and when they are deter
mined that this shall be government
of, for and by the people, reaction will
be checked and privilege will be COM
PEELED to give way for the new order.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
1.-THE SIX MEN OF DORSET

"The Six Men of Dorset' Have
you ever heard of thema The story
of their martyrdom is one of the sad
dest ever written. In the first half Of
the last century six working men IN
Dorset, England, led small movement
for higher wages. They organized a
union and called a strike. That was
conspiracy. The laws of England fixed
the wages of labor, the hours Of toll,
and made it unlawful for any person
to refuse to work for the wages and
under the conditions prescribed by law.
These six men recognized that sush
laws were made for employers and by
employers. There was class government
+ in England then and the class in power,
the employing class, made all the rules
and all the regulations and bent every
thing in its own favor. 10 protest
against such was treason. TO strike
was rebellion against the government.
But the law was wrong and the "Six
Men of Dorset set out to break down
the law. They were arrested, tried and
sentenced to a prison ship which was
sent on the high seas to Australia. They
were kept in irons and confined in j
dark and dismal cell, their food served
to them through rusty pipe.
The prison ship was kept at sea for
years. The six men endured every
known hardship. They gave their lives
and their freedom for the holy cause
Of labor and liberty. While their suf-
fering was severe they bore it without
complaint. They rested supremely calm
in the belief that they were martyrs
to great and righteous cause.
The story of their Imprisonment be-
came the main topic Of discussion in
British workshops, factories and mines.
The workers soon arose in protest and
out of it grew and developed what is
now known as the trade union move
ment. What happeneda A revolution
took place in England without the loss
of single life. The old autocratic gov
eminent tottered and fell. A new gov
eminent founded on democratic prin-
ciples took it place and Britain was
regenerated. Old and vicious labor
laws were repealed. The workers were
given the freedom to organize. Women
and children were taken from the mines.
Mothers were unyoked from oxen. Tene-
ment house and sweat shop labor were
abolished and great social change
seame over England. :;
That revolution grew out of the i'm
prisonment Of the "Six Men of Dor
set.' Down in Minneapolis four union
labor men are in Jail. They defied a
bad law, judge-made law, which they
believe to be wrong. They were denied
the right Of trial by jury. The judge
who made the law was its executioner.
The men were fined 1925 each and were
instructed to pay the money over 20
the owner Of the unfair theater. It b.
came debt against private person..
The labor men. had no property to be
attached. They refused to pay the debt
and now they are in debtors CELL
Defenders of such proceedings will
excuse the situation by saying that the
four Minneapolis labor men were in
contempt of court, but that is mere
twisting. Of language. They no DOUBT
have. as much respect for the court az
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18
WOULD SIDETRACK LABOR.

Reaction is angered at the publica-
ton of the records of it's political
agents, and it is attempting to switch
labor from the main line of non part
isanship by attacks on A. F. of l.. Of
ficials and President Gompers especi-
ally.
These records stand stern, hard -fea-
tured facts that cannot be explained
away. So big business ignores them and
would lead the workers into blind
alley by attacks on A. F. Of l.. officials
who have published these records under
instructions of the organized wage
earners.
Special interests assume a virtuous
pose, as they: always do when cornered.
The "morality' of big business is
shocked at what it terms "an attempt
to deliver labor's vote.'' These trade
union opponents and labor injunction
advocates, these defenders of special
privilege, corruptors of the electorate,
exploiters Of women and children and
organizers of gun men and private arm
les all express alarm that labor will
be "delivered. They ignore the rec
ords and would gladly have labor fol-
low them into alleys of their making.
The unbroken list Of non bipartisan dec
larations by the. A. F. Of L., since its
inception in 1881, is nothing to reac-
ton. Numerous instructions of A. F.
Of L. conventions that its Officials COM
pile and publish records of candidates
for office, to be used as guide to wage.
earners and other forward looking cit
liens, is ignored by defenders of big
business.
Switch labor from the main line by
abusing officials who are carrying out
these instructions is the sickly policy
Of forces that know no creed but fren-
zied partisanship, back-stairs methods
and jobbery.
Records in favor Of zAandcuffing
workers to their jobs are awkward
things to defend in an election cam
paign. Votes to lengthen the work day
Of government clerks are embarrassing
between now and next November. APP
proval of the Cummins.Esch railroad
bill, the Taylor and other sweat shop
systems in government plants, declara-
tions in favor of individual bargaining
and against trade unionism, war with
Mexico that the natural resources Of
that country may be seized, friendship
for labor Djunctions-all these are OBJ
stacles in the hunt for votes
But these records and declarations
stand. They are facts that cannot oe
defended or explained by election time
friends of labor. Reactions sole
answer is the only one possible-smoke
screens. Attacks on Individual trade
upionists, who are pictured as doing
something morally wrong when they
publish the facts. ::
All this from forces that acknowledge
but one moral crime-when workers are
urged to cast an Independent ballot, or
when they are urged to join trade
unions.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18

have been killed for. no other offense
than refusal to bend to the bludgeon
Of deputy sheriffs or to depart when
told to do so by the operators to keep
the workers in subsection.
it is significant that while the work
ers appealed over many months for re-
lief from an intolerable situation, &C.
ton was not taken until the property
of the operators was in jeopardy.
Human rights were disregarded, but
property rights are still sacred in West
Virginia. A curt telegraphic request
from the operators association did what
the united demand of the decent cit
izenship could not accomplish.
That the workers will gain from the
appearance Of federal troops is unques-
toned. Temporarily, at least, they will
be freed from the murderous reign Of
g,-nmen who are retained by the oper-
ators. Human life will be sacred, and
the right of the workers to improve
their conditions will be recognized.
The government should do more than
send its troops into the disaffected dis
trict. It should institute a sweeping
inquiry into the methods of the en-
ployers. 1t should insist that the laws
and constitution Of that state be re-
spected. 1t should make an end, for
all time, of the system of coercion and
oppression that has enabled the West
Virginia operators to maintain state
of feudalism and deny to Americans
the right that Americans elsewhere
possess without question or hindrance.
West Virginia is fostering sore and
contains enough of menace to Justify
all the attention the government can
give it. Its workers are determin ed
that they shall be safeguarded in their
rights, and that they shall not be in
terfered with when they are acting in
lawful and orderly manner.
Privilege, 50 far as it affects the
coal industry, is making it's last stand
in the lower counties of West Virginia.
There it has set up an over-lordship
that is characterized by brutality, in
humanity and greed. 1t has been pro-
vocative of. a great deal of violence,
and there will be recurrent disorder
just as long as free men are denied the
rights that are guaranteed to them by
their government.
It is high time that we know wheth er
a group of cold-blooded and inhuman
mercenaries are more powerful than the
government Of this nation. That is the
issue in West Virginia. Whether the
people or the coal operators shall con-
troll the lives and destinies of millions
of worthy men and women who ask
only that they be permitted to work
out their own salvation under conditions
less calling and degrading than those
that have been imposed upon them for
several years.
The government has real JOB ahea 4
Of it, and it should proceed fairly and
without prejudice to cleanse that social
ulcer that is poisoning the entire cit
lzenship Of great state and making
liberty a mockery and a byword.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-09-18

IlFF1N, Ohio. Sept. 16.-organ-
Ned labor assisted telephone oper-
ators here to secure wage increases
mat range from rs to 40 per cent