davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

All employers are not oppressors
of labor, and advocates of the open
shop" There are far-sighted, earn
est men in industry who are travel
ing as rapidly as conditions will
permit the road that leads to in
dustria democracy They recognize
in the campaign that is being waged
by certain large employers a dan
ger that strikes at the foundations
of society.
Notable deliverances on the rela-
tions of employer and employe come
from Oliver T. Remmers, one of the
largest, if not the largest, employer
in st. Louis, and Mervin w. Han
sen, a leading Ohio contractor and
dealer. Mr.. Remmers was address
ing the Chamber of Commerce Of
st. Louis in opposition to a reso-
luton committing that organlza-
tion to the "open shop" campaign
and he influenced the members to
vote it down. Mr.. Hansen spoke
before the convention of the Ohio
State Association of Electrical Con
tractors and Dealers, at Springfield.
Both consider the "open shop"
campaign as ill-advised and un-
American, and insist that nteli-
gent employers should encourage
labor organizations and deal with
them fairly and freely.
The resolution before the ST.
Louis Chamber of Commerce was
denounced by RI Remmers as
paid propaganda" stimulated by
professional secretaries" who
SHOULD be producing instead of
agitating and stirring up strife
They seek to perpetuate their
Jobs" said Mr.. Remmers. "This
resolution, which has been read,
was not prepared by any member OF
this organization, but, in newpaper
parlance, is boiler plate or canned
matter If we adopt the resolu-
tion the fellows in the propaganda
office will pat themselves on the
back, reassemble the mutual ad
miration society, and get out a
sheet announcing the great work
they are doing for the cause, sub
timely Indifferent to the strife it
might cause"
A great deal is said about walk
ing delegates" Mr.. Remmers re-
minded his associates, but he could
not join in the chorus of denuncia-
tion. "The labor delegate is a paid
representative of his fellowman to
obtain for him decent working CON
ditions and better wages to help
his family live and have at least
few comforts and educate his
children. If he cannot gain these
through ordinary persuasion or logic
or justice, he must resort to his
only weapon-the strike. But these
paid secretaries are delegates or
hirelings for capital to suppress
and Cypress labor with honeyed
words. Society cannot tolerate them
with safety
These gentry had found chambers
of commerce fruitful soil in which
to plant the seeds of hate, Mr.
Remmers declared, and he thought
it was time to call a halt on their
activities. THE chambers para
mount duty is to foster peace and
harmony and it should not NEEDLE
in private industrial affairs" he
said. "The best safeguard of any
nation against autocracy and die
tatorship, whether of an organ
lied autocracy or a misguided sec
tion of the working people is
strong, intelligent and well-organiz-
ed trade union movement.
Industry owes an everlasting
debt of gratitude to the conserva-
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Mayor Hugh M. Caldwell, of Sc
attic, has decided that the acute
unemployment problem now con-
fronting the City of Seattle, as
we'll as the state generally, should
at least as far as Seattle is con-
cerned be dealt with through the
city government, and has named a
commission to survey the problem
and submit recommendations look
ing towards relief. His letter, ad-
dressed to the members of the
commission, follows:
"Seattle, Sept. II, 1921.
"Messrs. Lawrence Booth,
Alvin H. Hankins,
William Short,
Josiah Collins,
Frank Kinnear,
Mrs. Henry Landes,
Reverend Ambrose Bailey.
"On account of statements as to
existing unemployment in Seattle
and probable increase of the same
during the coming winter it has
seemed desirable that Seattle make
a survey of present and prospec-
tive unemployment and outline a
plan of procedure for meeting the
situation.
81 have therefore appointed the
above named as committee and
trust that you will be able to serve
thereon.
at is my idea that various agen-
cies in the city in touch with un-
employment will lay the facts and
figures before you and that you
may make your findings as to con-
ditions as they now exist and will
probably exist the coming winter
unless some action is taken to meet
mr. nreyent the same
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
THROW LIGHT
ON GRAFTERS
st. Louis Building Tradesmen
Smoke Out PrOfiteers.

st. Louis, Mo-, Sept. II. Local
building material dealers who
thought they could fool the public
and scare labor by shouting the
customary lies about "high" wages
being the cause of building stag
nation have been handed hot DO
tato.
Determined to protect its mem
bership and the people against con-
tinued exploitation, the st. Louis
building trades council began an
investigation which has had sensa-
tional results and will end in court
trials at an early date, with the
business men as defendants.
The unionists' action was the re-
suit of what they declare is collu-
sion between material mems organ
izations and the chamber of COM
merce to bring about the repeal of
a city ordinance which provides for
an eight-hour day on work done
for the municipality and for the
payment of the prevailing wage,
which is accepted as approximating
the union wage.
The contractors refused, according
to building trades union officials,
to bid on municipal work while
these provisions were in force.
During their campaign" said
Secretary Cassidy of the building
trades council, "the contractors and
material men used the argument
that if the ordinance was repealed
prices of material would come down
and building operations resumed.
After the ordinance was repealed
the only thing that came down was
the wages Of non-union employees
of the material dealing companies.
Later they reduced the price of
cement in proportion to the reduc-
ton of the price of cement sacks
and barrels, but this did not stim-
ulate building.
"We maintained that the cost of
building materials had not come
down and that there was a COM
bination of building material deal
ers and contractors.
Newspapers took up the charge
and made Investigations of their
own. The building trade council
employed attorneys to conduct our
investigation. Much information
was secured-sufficient to prove
our contention. The state attor-
ney general issued a public call for
all who cared to volunteer testi-
mony to come to his office. He
promised no immunity"
1t is known that certain dealers
inquired if it would help them if
thew would withdraw from the
Millmen's Association, an organiza-
tion charged with controlling the
output of planning mills. They re-
ceived no satisfaction.
In this connection trade unionists
were able to arrange surprise
party for certain dealers, who gath
cred their political friends and as
sociates and called on the attorney
general. Presumably they had hoped
to plead their cause unheralded to
the world, but it happened that at
the same time a group of newspa-
per men also called to pay their
respects to the attorney general.
From all available information
the attorney general is determined
to carry the cases through, as he
has declared he is going Fright af
ter" all cases arising out of the in
vestigation.
The trials are scheduled for the
October term of court in jefferson
City. The building trades council
will be represented during the en-
tire court proceedings.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

81 will be glad to lay before the
committee such information as
have heretofore received and the
course followed in other cities in
meeting the situation.
During last winter no particular
study was made of conditions and
public funds were appropriated
with the idea of furnishing some
public employment and of relieving
the distress and poverty.
at occurs to me, if conditions
seem to require it, that we should
take steps to provide some sort
of employment for those willing to
work rather than dispense the linn
tied money that will be available
purely as charity. An impartial
investigation and recommendation
by representative committee
should do much to enlist the in
terest of all right-thinking people
in solving the problem.
81 suggest that you have meet
ing on Wednesday afternoon next
at 200 o'clock, for the purpose of
organizing and outlining the pro-
cedure to be followed. For this
purpose you are extended the use
of my office. My suggestion is
that the first meeting be not a
public meeting but one for the
purpose of organizing the commit
tee and the procedure to be fol-
lowed.
"Yours very truly,
"HUGH M. CALDWELL,
mayor"
Since writing the foregoing let
ter, the name of John c. Mundy,
President of the Seattle Central
Labor Council, has been added to
the Commission.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
Epigramatic
Paragraphs
From Labor"

Palpitating patriots in the Senate
are determined that no impious
hand shall take the "toot' out of
the Constitution.
Desperate as the situation is, the
government is willing to try any
thing except those who have looted
the treasury,
1t is very clear that in framing
the tax laws Penrose and Smoot for
the wishes of the public don't give
a hoot.
If President Harding wants to set
tie the situation in West Virginia,
he might try sending that state
new governor.
Helen Maria Dawes is paying too
much attention to the spigot and
overlooking the expenditures that
are flowing out of the bunghole.
Another reason why governments
are always popular is that they
never begin to give consideration
to problem until it becomes
crisis.
There would be greater interest
in the prediction that the lives Of
men may be extended indefinitely
were it not for knowledge that
high taxes would continue right
along with them.
A study of the growing soup
lines indicates that the time has
come for some bright young pub
licity chaser to start another over
all movement.
By giving a little lift to the
railroad subsidy, the forthcoming
unemployment conference will be
real blessing to a small army of
idle coupon cutters.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon, now at home
on vacation, sends back word that
this is to be his last term in Con
gress. Evidently "Uncle joe has
been talking it over with the vot-
ers.
Landlords continue to raise rents
just as though they had never
read a line of all that deflation
news that has been appearing in
the financial pages of the daily
press.
There are many valid arguments
against a sales tax, but the most
cogent, from the standpoint of the
public, is that it has the approval
of the United States Chamber of
Commerce.
Mr.. Edison laments that a ma
iority of Americans don't know the
names of two Congressman. Why
should they know. when there are
ever so many other things worth
knowing?
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
44-HOur Week in
Australia and
New Zealand

Sidney, N. S., Sept. 10.-All paper
mill employees in New South Wales
have been granted the 44-hour week,
the working time to be divided into
5 1-2 days. The same working
condition will apply to coachmak-
ers, coach painters, coach trimmers,
wheelwrights, metal workers on
coaches and all laborers and as
sistants in the coachmaking indus
try. Brush and broom makers malt
ing house employees and bridge and
wharf carpenters also obtain the
shorter work week. Practically all
of the workers of Queensland, New
Zealand and New South Wales are
now on a 44-hour week basis.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
THE CENTRAL
LABOR COUNCIL

wednesday, Sept. Il, ISZI.
President Moncur called the Coun-
Gil to order at 8 p. m.
Credentials were received from
Bro. NJ. Wilson of Carpenters
Union No. 2110 (Piledrivers.) The
new delegate was obligated and
seated.
A communication was received
from Bremerton Machinists local
asking the Council to write letter
to the Navy Board protesting
against unjust and unreasonable
reduction of wages. The Council
voted to comply with the request.
Union Record Boosters
A letter was received from the
Union Record Boosters inviting the
Council and all unions to send
representatives to their First Mon
ster Annual Event in Metropolitan
Theatre, Saturday night, October
1st. All organized labor is in
vited to this entertainment and all
unions are requested to send rep
resentatives. Don't forget the date,
Saturday night, October 1st.
The Education Committee made a
partial report.
The Disarmament Committee will
meet at the Labor Temple next
Sunday morning at IL o'clock All
members are requested to be pres
ent.
Reports of Unions
The Molders reported small
meeting and transacted routine bus
mess.
The Plumbers had a good meet
ing.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE
WIN. STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
JUDGE GRIFFITHS MAKES IMPORTANT RULING IN
MINERS INJUNCTION CASE

Austin E. Griffiths, Judge of
the Superior Court at Seattle, DEM
onstrated last week that at least
his court will uphold the law of
the State and protect the constitu-
tional rights of the people. The
injunction sought by the coal COM
panies was aimed to restrain the
striking miners from peacefully
persuading the non-union miners
from taking their places in and
around the mines.
Mr.. Halverstad, the notorious
anti-labor attorney of the employ
ers' association, made a terrifice
assault on the rights of the strik-
ing miners in support of the argu-
ment for the permanent restrain
ing order, basing his argument,
mainly on the supremacy before
the law of property rights. Mr..
Halverstad and his associate coun-
sci Immediately gave notice of ap-
peal to the Supreme Court. One
of the most important legal bat
ties of recent years will be staged
when the case comes before the
State Supreme Court.
There is no law on the statute
books of the state prohibiting peace
full picketing and peaceful persua-
sion of strike breakers to desist
taking the places of union men.
Not only is there no law in the
statutes to this effect, but when the
Legislature of 1915 attempted to
pass such a law, the people revolt
ed against it, and through the
initiative, held it up and had it
referred to the voters at the next
general election, when it was de-
feated by majority of four to
one. The notorious st. Germain de-
cision, handed down by the Su-
preme Court several years ago, pro-
hibiting peaceful picketing, has no
foundation in the laws of our state,
and most of the judges responsible
for the decision have since been
repudiated by the people and re-
moved from office.
Judge Griffiths has both in the
decision above referred to and in
the general conduct of his court,
done much to restore the confidence
of the people in the fundamental
justice of our judicial system, which
in recent years has been so badly
demoralized by the frequent flag
rant abuse at the hands of SO many
of the courts of the constitutional
guaranteed rights of the people.
Judge Griffiths' splendid example
should inspire the people to the
necessity of electing more of his
kind to administer impartially and
Justly the laws of our state. His
decision, in full, follows:
Gentlemen, this case on both
sides has been carefully prepared
and ably presented. l doubt if
any facts or any law relating to
the subject matter of this partic-
ular branch of the case has been
omitted, any fact or point of law
in the minds of counsel bearing
upon the particular issue before the
court. A number of months ago
a case was before me-I have for
gotten the title of tit may be
on appeal-very much similarity
between that case and this-that
was strike case involving some
business plant on the water front
of this city, and it was argued
after submission of it, upon affi-
davits, but it was not argued, it
wasn't presented so thoroughly as
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

The New York World rises to the
truth of the situation in West Vir-
ginia; will not some of the other
so-called public opinion moulders rise
also to the defense Of thruth p
Tobacco Worker.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
ApneaI for Russians

Geneva. Sept. 21@Pope Bene-
dict has addressed to President Van
Karnebeek of the assembly of the
League of Nations an appeal for
the famine suffers of Russia.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

By a vote of 3,4O3 to 244 the
Cleveland Chamber of Commerce
voted to destroy Organized Labor
Unions. The minority was hardly
large enough to save the chambers
face.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
MILK PRICES DOWN

Spokane, Sept. 21. The retail
price of milk, distributed to con-
sumers. was cut to 10 cents a
quart by private concerns today to
meet like price put into effect
here last Sunday by a cooperative
association of producers. One large
distributing company only retained
a price of IL cents.
So the Inland Empire Producers
Association made them come down
from ID cents.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
Farmers Leaving u. s.

Winnipeg. Sept. 10.-The Cana
dian Department of immigration re-
ports that during the year 1920,
20,398 settlers entered Canada from
the United States via ports in
western Canada and that rs per
cent of them located on farms.
Wealth estimated at $7,759,0S3 and
effects valued at $2,322,745 were
brought in with them.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

During the last ten years the la
Dor union membership in France
increased from $4,000 to 2,50O,0O0.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Unemployment grows apace; it is
now per cent below pre-war per-
iod which was thought bad, indeed.
by those who take the backward
look
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Kansas City musicians struck
for shorter hours.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Governor Hart has appointed
committe of prominent citizens to
investigate alleged wrong-doing at
the Sedro-W Woolley and Steilacoom
insane asylums.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

After short talks by several del
egates on topics of interest to or
ganized labor the Council ad-
iourned.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23
The public is informed that the
EVERETT FRUIT PRODUCTS
COMPANY

Unfair to Organized Labor
reports to the contrary notwith-
standing.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Smoke OLYMPIC CLUB 1Oc cigar.
The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-09-23

Smoke CHALLENGE 1Oe Cigar.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-01
LITTLE BENNY'S NOTE BOOK

Me and Sid Hunt was setting on
Sfds frunt steps and SO was Sids little
brother Bert, and sed. Hay Sid, wat
do you say let's go GROUND to Sniders
and get some ice GREEN.
G. all rite, sed Sid.
Can ] go with you, sed sids little
brother Bert.
Certeny not. you amt got eny money
to buy eny ice GREEN. SGD Sid.
Well Ill jest set there and watch
Like fun you Will. sed sid. and Bert
sed, Yes 1 will too, and Sid sed, Hay
watts the matter with you, don't you
knew wen you're not wunted. and Bert
sed, No.
amt going to get eny ice GREEN enyway.
And ! winked at Sid. saying Lets don't
get eny ice GREEN. lets jest take a
wawk insted.
q. all rite. that's o good ideer. sed
Sid winking back. and Bert sed, Can
I wawk with you?
certeny not. you cant wawk fast
enuff, hurry up, Benny, sed Sid. And
him and me quick jumped up and
started to wawk fest as enything in
the opposite direction to Sniders ice
him all rite, we'll tern GROUND as
soon as we get out of ste and go back
to Sniders. this will fool him all rite.
Sure, gosh, this will fool him all
rite, sed Sid. AND We started to go
back down other streets and wen we
got to Sniders who was standing out
side waiting but Sidss Little brother
Bert, saying, Hay. I thawt you was
going to take a wawk.
Well, watts the matter, cant We
wawk past Sniders on the way? sed.
WITCH we did, leeving Bert still stand
ing there, and we went to some new
place and got the ice GREEN, not being
as good as Sniders but being better
than Sniders with Bert setting there
staring at us.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-01
WHAT Is ECONOMY?

Everybody seems to think that ev-
erybody else's prices should come
down. Also, everybody thinks that
the other fellow should economize.
Preachments on economy continually
are hurled at the railroads. Some
years ago Judge Brandies pointed out
that the roads could save fabulous
sums by altering their methods of
conducting their business.
One of the faults Of Economists"
who have had no practical experience
is that they know too many things
that are not so. W. Jet LauelS.
economist" of the railroad brother
hoods. for instance, asserts that the
railroads could save millions of doll
lars by modernizing their locomotives.
Daniel Willard, who learned railroad
ing by entering the service at the age
of Is and filling almost every grade OF
position during a period of forty
years, submitted a very practical al
swer to Lauck. He admitted that a
saving of s1O.o0o.oO0 a year could be
effected on the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad by undertaking the locomo-
tives, but to do the undermining would
cost $165, 00o,0o0 He estimated that
a saving of $25o,ooO. 600 might he ef-
fected on all the railroads of the
country by modernizing the locomo-
tives, but this would require an in
vestment of more than $4,000, 10000
of new capital. He asserted that'it is
not possible to obtain the amount OF
capital that would be needed to
",acdernize" the locomotives.
Every business man and every
farmer can see opportunities for re-
ducing his costs of operation, provid-
ed he can buy new and modern equip
ment. But it takes capital to buy new
equipment, hence many shop is run
with old equipment. Every farmer
uses out-of-date machinery, and every
factory gets along with appliances
that are wasteful.
Mr.. Lauek could visit almost any
farm in the country and point out
opportunities for savings. He would
tell the farm owner of the immense
loss resulting from using horses when
farm tractor could be bought for
$4,000; of the injury to grain that
stands in the shock waiting for the
thresheF to come, when he could
| thresh promptly If he owned thresh-
ing machine of his own, and of the
saying in farm labor II he would tear
down his old barns and erect new
structures with modern appliances tor
handling hay, grain and other feeds.
M. Lauck probably would go broke
trying to run farm himself. APP
parently he has had the good sense
not to try. He makes more money
being an Economist for the railroad
brotherhoods.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-01

lived his life. but he draws the line
at doing it over again.
The frankness of Mr.. Secretary
Christian appeals to us. I'VE dis
cussed politics and nothing else" he
said when asked about his visit to
Senator Penrose. 1t is the custom,
when two gentlemen get together to
iron cut political difficulties. to say
politics was not mentioned,
Mr.. Christian Is the gentleman who
declined to permit US to interview
President Harding. We wish to say
to him that his refusal to traffic in
the sold stuff has almost wiped out
the memory OF that bitter humih-
alton.
Go back far enough into the life of
any man over forty years OF age and
the probabilities are that you will
find a ceIluloid collar.
While it was a satisfaction to lift
the polo cup. the form in which the
trophy is wrought will be disappoint-
ing to many. Americas idea of a
neat and tasty effect in silver is
flask.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-01


Evidence brought out before the
senate committee which is investigat-
ing the railroad situation shows that
three attendants at a pumping station
at Baldwin, Mich. where q dynamo
was used to supply power and lights,
had been classed as bumpers without
previous experience but under the
agreements they were classed as gen.
orator attendants and given over
$4,000 in back pay. When the agree
Tnents have been abolished the rail-
loads will receive back pay but it will
come thru the federal treasury and
out Of the pockets of the taxpayers.
In all the manipulations of pay rolls,
rates, working rules or what not, al
ways it is the ultimate consumer who
pays.