davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world., 1921-12-10

profits, or the determination of the
Industrial rights of men, are always
points controversial in character.
1.-The American Trades Union move
ment has stood from the first, and it
has had no occasion to change it's at
titude, for collective bargaining ar
rived at by conciliation or by arbi-
tration. The principle Of collective
bargaining contemplates that the
rights of those in controversy shall
be safeguarded, that the facts with
respect to the conduct Of industry
shall determine the points Of contro-
versy, and that the joint interests of
all of the units of industry shall be
protected in othat there shall be no
stoppage of the wheels Of progress
and productivity upon which all of
the units are dependent.
''The American Trades Union move
ment, as I = understand It,, has. very
properly said that the cost Of living
should not be the determining factor
in the adjustment Of wages, either
upward or downward because the de-
termination Of wages by: such a sys-
tenn. is unfair and economically un-
sound; but we apply the same theory
to; the employer as we would apply
to ourselves and that is. that the eI1-
| ployer, because Of his .intina ate knowl-
The labor world., 1921-12-10

edge and association with the details
Of industry, best knows it's physical
conditions and that he should be per-
mitted and should be required in the
interest of all concerned to present
the facts with regard to the condition
of the industry to the end that truth
might be the determining influence
instead Of the fluctuation in the STAN
dard of the cost of living.
There unfortunately exists in this
country the impression that the work
ing men and women of America are
responsible for the continuation Of the
high cost Of living and the unsettled
( industrial conditions. Why such the
cries are. accepted by the public is
inconceivable to me in face OF the re-
affirmed declarations of the organized
workers of America that they are will
ing to determine any issue that ex-
| ists between them and the employers
! upon the basis of fact. It has not
been said nor is it being said now
that labor has closed its eyes upon
the problem Of readjustment. To do
so would be 1shortsigh htedness.s Neither
1.-The employer or the emp1oye organi-
zation can ever close their eyes and
idhregard the value OF read justmeuts.
Rsadju stments should be made as
often g 4 .s Ea EfaaIrs a s
The labor world., 1921-12-10

The address of George l.. Berry,
president Of the International Print
ing Pressmen and Assistants Union,
representative Of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor at the recent con-
vention Of the American Legion in
Kansas City, made a profound impress
sion and continues TO be the subject
of favorable comment
Mr.. Berry was elected vice-com-
mander Of the Legion at the conven-
ton here
while the purposes Of organization
Of the American Federation Of Labor
and the American Legion are not the
same in all respects, yet fundamen entail
~ the aspirations OF the two organi-
cations are IDENTICAL" said Mr.. Ber-
ry in his address to the Legion con-
vention.
AS the spokesman for the American
Federation Of Labor to the Legion
convention Mr.. Berry pointed out the
identity Of aims and interests il part
as follows:
1T Is not to be expected that in
these two great American organiza-
tions-the Legion and the Federation
we shall be completely immune
from irresponsible persons. Neither
organization can boast of a state of
perfection because there is no such
The labor world., 1921-12-10
ROADS FOREIGN
SHIP DEAL MAY
COST BIG LOAN
Senators Enraged Over Discrinn.
ination Shown Against Ships
Carrying American Flag,

WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator
Ransdell, of Louisiana, would amend
the S500.0O0.000 railroad refunding
bill by withholding every part of this
money from railroads. that have con-
tracted with foreign shipping COM
panies to give them preference over
American shipping companies.
Senator RanSdellS recent exposure
Of the agreements has created an
awkward situation for those patriots,
including railroad owners, who in
sist that the LaFollette seamen's law
Is responsible for this country's: failure
to build up merchant marine.
1t is shown that such railroads as
the Pennsylvania, Baltimore and
Ohio, Boston and Albany (New York
CentraD, Norfolk and. Western,
Southern railway, Missouri Pacific
and other trunk lines have contracted
with foreign vessel owners to supply
them freight over all competitors. In
some instances the railroads agree to
give the foreign vessels free dockage,
coal at prices lower than the pre-
vailing market rates and assist them
in securing exemption from taxation.
These railroads are all operating
under the Cummins- -Esch law, where
in they are assured railroad and pas
senger rates that will guarantee them
5 II per cent interest on their invest
n1ent and Il per cent interest for the
purpose Of making improvements.
The labor world., 1921-12-10

them, and the readjustments in every
instance should be based upon the
productivities Of the industries in
volved in negotiations.
1T is unfair In theory and prin-
ciple to expect the workers Of Amer
ica to accept a reduction in wages
and the imposition Of additional hard
ships of. employment in order that a
few non-producers might continue to
enjoy false standard to practice the
system of extravaganza, that in my
judgment is largely responsible for the
Industrial situation in America. at this
time. -,.7a
'The organization of. employers or
the organization of employees that de-
clines TO. permit its industrial differ
ences to be settled in the peaceful
constructive way--by arbitration-and
thus perpetuates industrial, discord by
its refusal, is acting in q manner not
only destructive to the interest OF the
community AZ p whole but is practic-
ings game OF selfishness that should
be #repudiated by every fair-minded
citizen Of our country. & s.
"There is = great difference be-
tween the statesman and the politi-
clan. the American Legion and the
american Fed ton ef I.abor have
4 Continued son pakes ~
The labor world., 1921-12-10
RAILROAD WAGE I'll.
FIGURES FALSE
Average Shown Is Too High,
Brotherhood Chief Tells
Rail Labor Board.

The Associated Press this week car
ried story to the effect that the
railroad wage figures, supplied by
merce commission and. the railroad
labor board were branded as 'statis-
tical fallacies'' by Frank J. Verne,
economist for the railroad brother
hoods in a discussion Of railroad ques-
tions before the Senate Interstate
Commerce committee.
He charged that the railroads data
in many respects was untrue, and in
others entirely misleading, and in
tended to show a higher average wage
than any employe had received.
The railroad heads, Mr.. Warne as
serted, made the higher wage show
ing by including in the wage figures
the salaries Of highly paid executives
and general officers. He cited as one
instance the grouping Of an official
with a salary Of 100000 a year with
81 employees whose annual pay aver
aged about $500. The witness add
ed the ability OF the executives to
5"get away" with the arrangement
had resulted in tremendous increases
in the salaries Of general officers with
q consequent showing Of increases in
the payrolls OF the corporations and
= higher general average. ..z +.
Mr.. Warne told the committee tina.
these salaries Of officials were not
properly q part Of the railway wage
problem and demanded that they be
eliminated from FaGe statistics.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
CHEAP LABOR IS
BANE TO NATION
|||iteraey Is Cause; Importance
Of Teaching English! and
Americdnisn TO Aliens.

CLEVELAND, Dec. S.-Because OF
cheap labor and illiteracy. the in
dustrial centers of our country are
lnillstones raound the neck OF the
nation, said Frank BOhn, OF New
York, in a speech before business men
In this city.
The speaker traced American his
tory from the. economic standpoint.
He said that slavery, the greatest blum
der in the United States. was caused
by desire for cheap labor, and that
the organized economic forces of
America are now committing blum
der which promises to be greater by
Demanding cheap labor in industry.
If we continue free or seml-tree
immigration for the next 10 years,
he said. this nation is. lost in our day
and nothing can be done to save 1t.
Immigrants came to this country
before the civil war because the coun-
try had something to offer them.
Now the, come because we demand
cheap labor. =
IT,. New York will never be Amer
lcanized in our day. 1t is a ignorant
and preposterous idea to think we. can
have. unified nation in q country
where IS languages are spoken.
~ have no animostly for the for1
eigner. We must educate him, teach
him to speak English and instill
- American pr:a ciples into his think,
AA6s ~, SeslfS&s u. 5t525+s.1IE ~
The labor world., 1921-12-10
|R0kW0OD PLUMBERS GET
$500 PER CENT RETURNS

"There is a Very good object lesson
in trade unionism in the case of the
Ironwood, Mich, Plumbers union -
said H. r. Tinkham, secretary of the
local Plumbers union in a report to
the union Tuesday evening.
Il was sent to 1ronweod about a
year. ago by the International office
to install a newly organized union,"
continued MI. Tinkham. ''Plumbers
were then getting so cents an houi.
for the 10-hour day. was sent there
again last week to do some work for
the International and found that the
union had secured for every plumber
and filter in it's jurisdiction mimi
mum wage. of IS cents an hour under
the eight-hour day. The pay enve-
lope OF every member now contains
s46.S0 more money every month than
before there was a union, and the
working time has been reduced by So
hours a month. AS the dues of the
union are $3.50 month, Ironwood
plumbers are realizing financial
gain of 3, 500 per cent on their union
investment. and a leisure and recre-
ational time gain of 90 per cent
The labor world., 1921-12-10
Gets TIRED Of
OPEN SHOP WAR
Cleveland Employer Sees Fa|-
lacy Of Movement to Reduce
Wages Of Labor.

CLEN NELAND, Dec. Sat least one
business man in this city is awake
to the purposes Of anti-union employ
ers. Writing in the Cleveland ress,
he says:
"All this effort to force the open
shop into all lines of industry does
not appeal to me now as it did in
the beginning. We were swayed by
flowery talk. I see the fallacy of
such a plan now. Low wages will
not adjust. The most prosperous
period of my business life was when
men were paid good wages. Every
merchant must depend upon the pa
tronage Of the wage earners. whether
employed in factory, office or store.
If wages are forced down by the
American PLAN association to such an
extent that the workers scarcely have
enough with which to buy the actual
necessities of life, how can the mer-
chant ever hope to enjoy a prosper
Gus business?''
The labor world., 1921-12-10
BRICKS HURLED
At income TAX
BILL BY LABOR
No One Can Be Found to Defend
Measure Passed by Congress
at Special Session.

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-Congress
has passed the new revenue bill but
no one can be found to- defend it.
When it passed the senate it was
kicked around the chamber, even
some of it's authors Fastening to dis
avow paternity for the act. It is now
explained that the bill is Temporary
legislation and the matter must be
given comprehensive study by the
next congress.
comprehensive study" has sooth-
ing sound and will be used to good
effect in the congressional primaries
next summer. The plan to create a
commission to probe the question will
be another good alibi.
Nest e'e- the brick r. eair.eA at tic
bill come from labor and the farmers
because of the elimination of excess
profits. The large number of citi-
zens who have incomes ranging
around $4,000 are also grumbling
because their surtaxes are not reduc-
ed in the same proportion as incomes
Of 100000 and more.
Big business is the only element
that has not joined the brickthrowing
brigade. Big business has received
its plun1-abolition Of the excess pro-
fits tax, which amounted to approxi-
nately $3.50, 100000, last year and will
amount to approximately half that
sum this year. This indicates the
tidy sum big business will put on the
credit side of the ledger next year.
Therefore, it has not Joined the pro-
testers, but like Uncle Eben's possum
it is lies layin' low"
The entire tax question will un-
doubtedly be reopened at the next
session of congress and advocates of
the sales tax will more strongly in
sist that their consumption-tax be
adopted.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
ANT|-!|<2{ {JN|STS
H|T%!.xAS |! With
!%,$>-STR|KE BILL
Organized to Mould Sentiment
in State for Hand-Cuff Law
Like That in Kansas.

HOUSTON, Texas, Dec. S.-To du-
plicate the Kansas "can't-strike" law
in Texas is the purpose of the in
dustrial equity league, which has
opened offices in this city.
The league informs Texas citizens
that the Kansas act 'is a success"
but modestly states that it has an
improvement on Governor Aliens
handcuff legislation. The final Jail
in.: of the worker, however, is no
different from Kansas. In both cases
he lands behind the bars if he re-
fuses to work under conditions not
satisfactory to him.
The leagues idea is to establish
an industrial court, with a judge who
shall be elected. A jury of II per-
sons shall hear evidence and make
an award that shall be enforced by
the peace officers Of the state. The
jGry shall be drawn from the citi-
zenship Of the entire state and not
from the vicinity where the dispute
is located.
When an industrial disput canno
be settled by the parties involved
the court shall act on complaint o.
either party or the county or district
attorney.
The leagues proposal is an exten
sion of the vicious ''can't-strike" Law
which passed the Texas legislatur,
last year and became effective Jan
2. 1921. This law has been giver
the chloroforming title open port
bill, and was urged by Governor Hob
by, following the strike of Galveston
longshoremen. The bill makes it un
lawful to interfere with the "hand
ling or. moving or transporting" O.
commerce within the state.
This law not only makes a strike
liable to a penitentiary sentence O
from. one to five years, but another
vicious proposal permits the attor
ney general Of the state or a count,
prosecuting attorney to take the tria
OF a striker to another county in thu
event that this official believes h,
cannot secure a conviction. The law
however, denies the same right to s
striker, if he (the striker) believe!
he cannot secure a fair trial in tn,
county in which he is indicted.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
1000 SPEAKERS
LISTED TO MAKE
PEACE CAMP A|GN
General Committee on Limitation
Of Armament, Formed by
Gompers, Is Active.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. s.
With it's departments organized and
functioning at high speed, the Gen
eral Committee on the Limitation of
Arman1ents is on the job for world
peace in Washington.
The General Committee on the
Limitation OF Ar1na a9entst was organ-
lied in response to a .ca1l issued by
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor. Mr..
Gompers declined the Craftsmanship,
but accepted the position Of honor
ary chairman. William H. Short is
executive secretary in active charge
of work. Darwin P. Kingsley, presi-
dent Of the New York Life Insurance
company, is treasurer.
A governing board Of approxi-
mately twenty-five is in final author
ity. Aside from Mr.. Gompers, labor
is represented on the board by Frank
Morrison, secretary of the American
Federation of Labor; John P. Frey.
editor Of the Molders' Journal, and
Matthew Won. president of the In
ternational Photo .Engravers' Union.
Chester NJ. Wright, director of the
A. r. of L. Information and Public
ity Service, is a member of the ed1-
torial board and secretary of the
Committee on Information and Pub
lications.
The General Committee has be-
gun the publication of an official
bulletin. This bulletin expresses the
viewpoint of the committee and con-
veys important information to the
people.
A speakers bureau has been or
ganized under expert supervision, with
list Of more than 1000 speakers on
duty in every section Of the country.
It is announced that the General
Committee desires to be of all pos
sible assistance to local groups every
where and desires to have and to give
the fullest possible cooperation. The
committee occupies suite of offices
in the International building, 1319-21
F. street, Washington, in the heart of
the downtown and hotel section, in
the midst of the international con-
ference circle of activity. The work
of the committee is supported by
voluntary contributions which should
be sent to the treasurer at the WASH
ington headquarters.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
DAILY MAIL IS .
SORE AT WELLS
And FIRES HIM
Big London Paper Says He Is MOI
Impartial; Leads Group Of
Destructive Critics.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. s.
Discontinuance Of the H. G. Wells ar
ticles on the Armament Conference
by the London Daily Mail and edi-
torial reputation of Wells by the Mail
is regarded by progressive observers
here as a. most important development
in connection with the international
Conference.
News of the reputation of Wells
by the Daily Mail reached Washing
ton in a cable dispatch to the New
York Times dispatch quotes in part
as follows from the Daily Mail
I'm the Daily Mail of Friday we indi-
Gated our grave doubts as to the pro-
priety of Dur continuing to publish
the articles of Fl. G. Wells on the
Washington conference. It has been
made abundantly clear to our readers
that Wells in these articles expressed
his own personal views. We had nc
thought Of asking him to do anything
else, as it has always been the Gus
tom of the Daily Mail to accord per-
feet liberty to distinguished writers
in our columns within bounds pre-.
scribed by good sense and good man
ners.
But in the present case our owr
responsibility has become seriously
involved and We have been forced te
realize that we could only continue tc
give complete freedom of expression
to Wells at the cost Of endangerihg
friendly relations between this coun.
try and France.
1--WE regret having to say that he
has not been an impartial reporter OF
the conference. While he has showf
the utmost good will toward Germany
and Russia, he has from the. begin.
ming displayed marked aversion fal
France"
Wells is writing for a group Of
American newspapers. and consider.
able interest in Washington center.
around the speculation as to whether
the example of the Daily Mail will bt
followed by any of the American
group of publications.
Wells is regarded here by a grea
many as the leader Of group of pure.
ly destructive critics sailing undel
the colors of ''liberalism."
The labor world., 1921-12-10
!. 7. U. REVENUE
STILL PILES UP
Million a Month Flows Into
Treasury From Members
Dues and Assessments.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. S.-Receipts
Of the International Typographical
union for the month of September 20
to October 20 totaled $1,047.526.61.
OF this vast amount $883,057.47 was
for the 44-hour week assessment, $54,-
$3.50 for the mortuary fund and $780,
1882 for the old-age assessment.
With more than a million a month
pouring into the treasury of this
union, employers believe they can "get
away" with their contract breaking
policy.
Two years ago these employers
agreed with the union to install the
44-hour week on May 1, 1921. They
have violated this agreement and
their action is approved by every anti
unionist in the country, who lectures
organized labor on, the sacredness of
contracts.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
RECOMMENDS LONG RANGE
PUBLIC WORKS PLANNING

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-Senator
Kenyon has introduced an unem-
ploynent bill which includes a policy
recommended by the presidents con-
ference on unemployment. The bill
provides for long range planning of
public works.
The preamble states that a sound,
economic policy requires that a larger
percentage Of public works and pro-
jects Of the United States be Under
taken and carried to completion dur
ing periods, Of depression when capital
and labor are not fully employed In
private industry, and. on the other
hand, that a smaller percentage of
such projects shall be undertaken
when private industry is active.
The labor world., 1921-12-10
From Unique Platform

From Unique Platform
Mr.. Gompers speaks from plat
form unique in this city now peopled
by noted and important men and
women. AS president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, member of
the official advisory commission to
the American Delegation in the inter-
national conference on limitation of
ornaments, and organizer and honor
ary chairman Of the (unofflclaD
General Committee on Limitation of
Armament, Mr.. Gompers speaks not
only from position of unusual i'm
portance, but from one of varied con-
of events.
But" he continued, '@if the con-
ference stops with the naval pro-
gram, it cannot be said to have sue
ceeded. That would be but begin
ming of success.
Will Not End War.
"Reduction Of naval power will not
end wars. Pruning off proportion
ate shares of the worlds great navies
will not get at the things that really
cause wars. Relative naval strength
will be approximately as it now is.
the difference being that each will
have less.
II have no intention Of anything
except to pay the highest tribute for
the American naval proposal. 1t
was a courageous, constructive pro-
posaf and it's adoption and execution
will be a great historic event.
But it would be idle to think that
lsoritiss,1 believe That ships -of the
line - dreadnaughts, euper-dread
naughts: and battle cruisers-would
sbe the chief reliance Of any nation in
another war. The weapons would be
submarines, airplanes, gases and per-
haps impending inventions Of which
we now know nothing.
: Hit Causes of Wars.
Every person who sincerely locks
for an end of wars must hope with
the deepest -fervor that the confer
ence will go beyond naval limitation
ar I strike hard and true at the causes
of war.
ITO destroy sixty-six ships and to
fail on the Far Eastern and Pacific
problem would be a transient vic
tory in the shadow Of disaster.
'tThe conference must go on to the
deeper questions upon which the is
sue Of continued peace really hangs.
1t is the duty of the American ,peo-
pie to register their conviction and
to repeat it over and over again.
THE people Of America-particu-
'larly the working people-have made
known to their representatives in
Washington their views. their de-
sires, their demands; they will con-
tinue to do so. This is a great dra-
matte hour in the history of the
world. If the will Of the people pre-
walls the hour will end in a great,
immeasurable triumph for humanity.
If their will does not prevail we shall
face tragedy such, I fear, as the
world has never known"
The labor world., 1921-12-10
NAVAL REDUCTIONS ALONE Will NOT Prevent WAR
TRUST HEADS JAILED
UNDER SHERMAN Law

NEW YORK, Dec. S.-Four
months in jail and fine of $4,000
was imposed on three leaders of
the title and marble trust" by Fed
eral Judge Van Fleet. Another
official was sentenced to two
months in Jail and fined $3,500,
and smaller fines were levied on
other defendants who were charg-
ed with violation of the Sherman
antitrust law. It was shown that
they apportioned contracts between
them and then submitted accom-
mediation bids" to the customer to
show him how lucky he was to
give his work to the manufacturer
who was assigned to supply him
with material.
It is stated that this is the first
time in the history Of the Sherman
antitrust law that business man
has been sentenced to Jail.
It might also be said that this
is probably the first time busi-
ness man has pleaded guilty. The
convicted men have made appeal
impossible, it is said, because they
acknowledged their guilt.