davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

ward trend in wages is just as strik-
ing as was the upward tendency in
the spring and summer Of 1919. If the
general movement upward involved a
fallacy, must not similar fallacy
lurk in the movement downward?
Then the fallacy consisted in the fact
that the consequent rise in prices
soon absorbed whatever had been
gained through wage advances. The
working men were the dupes, in that
case. Is it not just as inevitable that
the prevailing policy of cutting wages
will be followed by declining prices?
What. does it profit the employer to
get his labor cheaper If he must sell
his products correspondingly cheaper?
It is now the employers who are
dupes, gyrating fatuousl. in the vi
cious circle Of wages cutting. Some
how it has mot yet occurred to the
captains Of industry nor to President
Wilson to proclaim the inherent folly
Of wages cutting. But that might seem
superfluous. Anyone can see for him.
self that If the argument Of 1919
against wages advances was sound,
the same situation must condemn <the
cutting Of wages.
What ground Is there, in fact, for
regarding the present downward trend
of prices and wages as inevitable and
irresistible? Let us not beguile our
selves with especious gene-alities such
as "the aftermath Of war;" In: definite
points, indeed, the war and the peace
that followed Eexerted 4 baleful. in
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
SEATTLESTREET'
RAILWAY People
COT OLE HANSON
Had Him Recommend. Purchase
Of System for $1Q,000,000
More Than Real Value.

SEATTLE, WASH, Feb. 1O.-Ole
Hanson, who started and suppressed
the seattle revolution" in February,
1919, is in the limelight gain as the
star actor in little drama which was
calculated to mulct from the city Of
Seattle 10 million dollars. This is the
charge made by a grand jury which
has just submitted u report following
an investigation of the transactions
which eliminated in the city buying
the street car lines. A special attorney
for the city has recommended that the
municipality ask that the car lines be
returned to the former owners and
the money paid by them by bond
issue be returned to the city.
If the former private owners refuse
the attorney advises, and he is backed
by mayor Caldwell, that a suit be
started to void the whole transaction.
The lines and equipment were sold
to the city, while Hanson was mayor,
the grand jury discloses that the valu-
alton at the time was bu+ $5,000,000.
Shortly after the city acquired the
traction system. Hanson diverted the
attention from the deal by announc-
ing that a general strike in Seattle
was g. revolution and he proceeded to
do the most spectacular thing he
could think of by calling in troops and
patrolling the city streets with armed
men, although there was no threat of
violence. He managed to get adver-
tised by the press of the nation as the
hero Of the hour. He then proceeded
to capitalize this publicity by resign
ing as mayor and signing a speaking
contract which he admitted under
oath had brought him several thou
sands of dollars each month.
The grand jury exposure has just
about completely discredited the four
flushing Hanson. Seett residents
for some time have begun to realize
that they were deceived by Hanson
and the daily newspapers Of Seattle
regarding the true character Of the
strike, and now they can see an added
reason for the former mayors desire
to cover up his trail by making vocif-
erous attacks on union labor.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

Not much more than a year ago our
industrial leaders were presenting vie-
orous exposures Of the fallacy of wage
increases. AS wages rose, prices rose
also.- The laborer might force the
employer to give him more dollars.
but what did that avail him when
each dollar brought him less of the
necessaries and comforts Of life?
Those laborers who won their de-
mands first and got ahead of the inev-
table rise in prices might indeed
profit for little while, just as those
who were slow in moving for higher
wages suffered loss not fully to be
made up by subsequent increases. But
setting such minor losses Of the one
group against the minor gains of the
other we are not justified in asserting
that the working class as q whole, for
all the collective pressure brought by
organized labor and for all the indi-
vidual shopping around of the unor-
ganized, remained about where II
was? Rising wages and rising prices;
that is nothing but vicious circle. SO
said the captains of industry; 20 said
also many of our intellectual and po-
litical leaders, the President most dog
matically of all.
But now the times have changed.
From every quarter comes reports OF
wages cutting; 20 per cent, 40 per
cent or even more, affecting hundreds
of thousands Of workmen. The down
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

Apart from our failure to find for
eign markets for our agricultural sur
plus. what single influence from be-
yond our own borders is operating
against us? Our general exports con-
tinue' In volume that before the war
would have seemed colossal. No
branch Of our industry can argue
with any show OF Justice that it is
depressed by ''cut-throat" foreign
competition. No foreign country can
be accused Of drawing away the gold
upon which our credit structure is
based. It goes without saying that we
should prosper better II the nations
with which we trade were on their
feet, financially and economically.
But it does not follow that because
they are not a country like, America,
whose productive resources are un-
impaired, should decline toward eco
nomic collapse. After all, we pro-
duce, In the main. for ourselves.
Whether We suffer depression or en-
Joy prosperity IL mainly q matter Of
our own internal relations.
It is now said that our Industrial
power is now 20 great that only q
progressively expanding foreign mar
ket can save us from chronic over
production. The, absurdity of this
view was sufficiently exposed by
Garet Garrett in our st issue. ITO
rebuild and develop our Neglected
transportation system. to reclaim, by
drainage and irrigatic q our swamp
and arid lands, in area greater than
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

France, and to- make the standard of
American housing decent, there is
need for more labor and capital than
can be found in two generations"
But to do these. things, as -rell as
to make the best practicable DISPOSE
sion of such products as we happen
to have in excess. requires concerted
effort under intelligent l. l>adcrship. It
requires courage AMI the willingness
to work toward remote ends. What
to be gained, however, is worth the
effort. If we resolutely turned our
productive power toward the con-
structive needs of the country, we
should create new values, to Increase
the demand for our Industrial pro-
ducts and to~sustain theirs prices. That
Is one way out Of our present eco
nomtc difficulties. The other way,
apparently the way our business COM
munity is pursuing. II to accept fatal
isticAlly the falling off in demand and
declining prices and to attempt an ad-
justment through reduced wages. to
be followed by, further decline in
prices and further reduction in wages
until we find ourselves amon0 the
wreckage on hard bottom. 1t may
be that the industry: which is first in
cutting wages may enjoy temporary
advantage before prices fall. But is
it not plain that in thus seeking its
own gain that industry is preparing
the way for the loss OF all? There is
no road to business salvation through
the vicious circle q, wages cutting. s.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

fluence upon our economic life. We
have been deprived Of markets for
part of our agricultural production,
with the natural consequence Of a
slump in the prices Of all our agricul-
tural production. There was nothing
absolutely irremediablo about this
condition. We knew in advance. or
should have known, that unless we
found a way Of opening the central
European markets to our wheat and
meat and cotton we should encounter
just this condition. Our leaders of
finance and industry knew, or should
have known, that a gre: decline in
the purchasing power Of the asricul-
tural community would entail serious
consequences for trade and industry.
But is there the slightest evidence Of
any organized effort on their part to
ward off the evil? It was naturally
the political propaganda Of the party
in power to assert that nothing could
be done about the mt tier 30 long As
America remained out of the league
Of nations and the indemnity question
remained unsettled. Certainly keen
sighted business men. could not have
accepted naively the convenient view
that there was one road and only one
to the desired end. Yet what have they
done to make the best Of even the
highly unfavorable circumstances?
They exhibited quite different quail
ity of initiative when the question was
one Of getting America into shape for
conducting the war. !.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
WILL GO TO MAT WITH LINCOLN
CLUbF0RPE0PLE'S Government
All Good Candidates Endorsed at Well Attended Meeting Of
Workers Political Committee; Unions Take Stand for Good
Government; Labor Asks for Nothing for Itself Alone.

The union labor of Duluth citizens through their duly
Samuel snve for of p Phillips and Fred Vos
for commissioners.
The action taken delegate meeting Of labor held
Woodlands hall last Sunday afternoon following three hours dis
cussion There than 100 delegates representing
50 unions.
W. McEwen editor Of The Labor World John Jensen
Federated Trades assembly, each urged
to become candidates for but they both gracefully declined
the Of Mr. snivey whom they said
would be all the people than Of particular
group Mr. Snive unsesh the people times
related to the delegates and when learned that he
thought right social and political questions he unanimously
endorsed.
Union Labor Asks Nothing for ITSELF
Commissioners Phillips and Voss given endorse
mnts None OF the candidates named had solicited official
endorsement Of union labor It handed them grautousy
made plain that organized labor wanted
city government Union labor had request
city for the of that
much benefit to all the people it labor It
special privilege and immunity It has been the only organized
champion OF the peoples general interests several
years.
One Of the speakers at the meeting brought the
the workers not seeking class They only
to prevent In the matter Of handling the strikes
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
ANOTHER CHURCH
SHOWS UP! open
SHOP DECEPTION
Methodist Social Service Bu||e:
tin Latest to boInbard Move
I1ent Of AntI-UnIonists.

NEW YORK, Feb. 10.-The Social
Service Bulletin, issued by the Meth
odist federation for social service, is
the latest to bonn bard the alleged
"open" shop. This attack Is one Of
the many being launched against the
anti-union movement by church men
of all creeds.
''The real ISSUE" says the Social
Service Bulletin, lis the method Of
negotiating with employees. It is a
question Of collective bargaining, as
against Individual bargaining. The
personal liberty and freedom Of con-
tract, for which the employing group
stands. leaves entire control Of hiring
and firing, management, amount and
quality Of product, system of pay in
the hands Of the employer. An 1ndi
vidual, even though a union man. is
powerless to bargain over these mat
ters.
''That this is the real issue of the
campaign Is evident in the repeated
assurance Of employing groups that
they will not discriminate : against
union men as such, but that they will
deal with them only as individuals.
"Experience Of the steel corpora
ton in maintaining the open shop
policy indicates that tlis policy is not
enforced without an army Of spies.
Such spy systems established by this
and other corporations breed distrust,
suspicion and disruption in commun-
ity life.
- I'm West Virginia at the present
time, the determination Of coal oper-
ators to maintain open shop condi-
tions is leading to a: situation which
threatens civil strife in that area.
TN Alabama. military rule has sup.
planted civil administration because
coal operators are determined to keep
out Of the union.
'Is the public ready to substitute
for the, collective bargaining. Of labor
the closed. shop Of industrial autoc-
racy with its social consequences? Is
it willing to have these social results
extended 2"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
MEXICAN'S SHARP>REPLY
. TO SAN DIEGO MERCHANTS

SAN DIEGO, CAL. Feb. 10.-Busi-
ness men in tt his city were handed a
tart reply by the secretary Of Presi-
dent Obregon Of Mexico, in anser to
their plea that the Mexican govern
ment do not interfere with gambling
in Lower California.
The business. men said that. ''the
citizens of San Diego recognize the
place as true center Of DIVERSION -
In declining the request the Mexi-
can suggested that the business men
start gambling in their own, city,
>'where surely, in addition to being
eractical for you, you would avoid
a long trip for the purpose Of seeking
DIVERSION
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
MINERS PAY 81 4 MONTH
HELP STRIKING MINERS

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 10.-Officials
Of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea have levied d assessment Of 81
a month for two months on the men,
bership for the benefit of Alabama
and West Virginia miners. The Ala
bama miners are striking to secure
the enforcement Of an award made by
the presidents bituminous coal COM
mission, appointed when the nation
wide strike was called off last fall.
The West Virginia miners are striking
against the victimizing polic; Of coal
owners who are opposed to unionism.
It is estimated that the assessment
will total over $1,OOO,O0O.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

big BUSINESS BLOCKS
. PROBE on SPEcuLAToRS

: ALBANY, N. Feb. 1o.-Ff-
nancial interests bave blocked a
probe of their affairs by the Lock-
wood commission that has been in
vestigating the so-called building
trust in New York city. The COM
mission asked the legislature to ex-
tend its authority so it could in.
..quire into "the organization.
management, conduct, business
and affairs" of all insurance COM
panies, banks. and trust companies.
The resolution was attacked by
the most powerful influences in the
nation, and as finally passed it pro-
vtdes only for an investigation of
loans on real estate mortgages.
It is claimed that one life insur-
ance company narrowly escaped
being wrecked because of specula-
ton by officials who used the peo-
pies money in the sugar market.
This is but one of the many things
that might be Gu1l covered by the
commission, but its wings ar
commission, but tits wings are
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
GERMAN POST OFFICE
EMPLOYEES ARE RESTLESS

BERLIN, Feb. 10.-Ths director
general Of the postoffice recently Is
sued an order against strikes In his
department and the trade unionists
concerned declared that they would
exercise their right to strike II their
demand for increased wages was re-
fused. The threat produced partial
results, az the, reichstag adopted the
recommendations of commission
dealing with this question, which has
also been approved by the govern
ment. The employees insist that the
increases are not sufficient and the.
question u being further discussed.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

he held that property was entitled to
protection, but that the workers
should not be restrained from doing
anything the law gave them a per-
feet right to do so long as they pur.
sued lawful methods in doing It.
Only Square Deal. ., -.
- 1t is, believed the, candidates EN-.
dorsed by the workers will see that
labor is given a square deal and that
1t is not Disseminated against by the
officials of the peoples government.
Mr. Snively enjoys the reputation Of
standing up squarely for personal
rights. He is an old fashioned Amer
lean. holding fast to the ideals Of the
founders Of the republic.
In another issue Of The Labor
World the simple story of Mr.. Sniv-
elys great contribution to Duluth and
her prosperity will be told to the peo-
pie. This will treat Of his heroic fight
Tor the purchase of the old gas and
water plant when he gave freely Of
his time, energy and money to the
great cause then at issue, his construc-
ton Of boulevards and highways from
his private purse to hasten the de-
Velopment of our park system and the
settlement Of country tributary to
Duluth, and his other public service.
No man has done more for Du-
luth than Samuel F. Snively.
Snively Does Things.
One OF his old friends put It very
properly yesterday wnen he said:
Talk about doing it for Duluth! Why
Sn1vely has been puttig things over
for years while the other fellows have
been talking about it." That tells tho
whole story. Few men are better
equipped to become head of Duluth's
city government than he.
Then there is Fred J. Voss with
an unparalleled record for public serv-
ice. He hasn't done everything we'll
but In the, long run he has been a
top notcher as a public official. Du-
luth's splendid financial standing is
due to his wise administration of the
finance department Of the city.
P. G. Phillips needs no boost from
this paper. There is his public record.
It speaks for itself: During the past
two years Of his administration there
has not been the slightest criticism Of
the management Of the water. and
light department. Mr.. Phillips has
been in several good scraps over
water and light policies and he has
won in every instan >e.~ He has been
on the job early and late and is en-
titled to the support of every citizen
who believes in rewarding men for
the good services they have rendered.
Stand for Principle. .~~.'
Snively, Voss and Phillips will be
the ticket with which labor and the
common folks will combat the candi-
dates Of Duluth's new Tammany,
known as the Lincoln club. Every
one of these men stand for well de-
fined principles. All have public
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
DETROIT Carmen Vote
TO REJECT WAGE CUT

DETROIT, Mich, Feb. 10.-By a
vote Of 1868 to 4 organized street
car men in this city have refused to
accept wage reduction. Recently
the proposal was unanimously re-
jected at a mass meeting of these
workers, who declared that the COM
pany's plan was "flagrant viola
ton of contract"
.Thetcompany replied that the mass
meeting was not representative Of q
majority, of it's employees. The union
then arranged for a secret ballot and
four votes out Of 1857 were cast in
6-vor .ok the company. II
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

$1.lO a day on every carpenter they(
have in their employ. This saving
is not being returned to the city, but
will go into their own pockets.
The Small Merchant.
The small merchant depends on the
worker for business. If his wages
are reduced how is he to continue
to be q good purchaser. The blindest
man on earth is the merchant who
Identifies himself with the so-called
"open shop movement, which is one
to cut the wages Of labor.
The Minnesota Building Employ
ers' association. in session today at
st. Paul, announces the wage scale
of building mechanics and laborers
for the season of 1921. They pro-
pose to- cut bricklayers and plasterers
from $1.25 an hour to 81 an hour.
They expect to reduce the wages of
carpenters iron erectors. cement fin
ishers, lathers, painters. sheet metal
workers, tile settlers and marble set
ters; from one dollar an hour to 80
cents.
Plumbers and steamfitters will be
cut from one dollar an hour to IS
cents;: teamsters from $1.30 to one
dollar and building laborers from
61A cents an hour to so cents. Coma
mon laborer will be paid 40 cents an
hour. Rough carpenters will get 65
cents.
Exchange Has Meeting.
The Duluth Builders exchange was
in session last Friday morning and
it's members spent several hours dis
cussing the above wage scales. The
unions weren't invited in on the prop
osition. The workers have not
been given word to say about it..
They haven't even felt the unions out
to ascertain whether or not union
labor would be willing to accept a
wage reduction. They intend to
''bulp' their proposition through on
the true to order "open shop plan.
However, union labor will not lie
down as easily as it is expected its
members will. 1t is true union or
two will consent to g. reduction in
wages as the Duluth carpenters have
done but most OF the building trades
unions will contest the issue to a
finish.
You can't build houses without
workers. Reductions in the price OF
building material will not encourage
building alone. There must be some
assurance that labor will be on the
job. This does not mean that labor
will be arbitrary, but the trade unions
at least do not propose to give the
building contractors all the say about
wages and hours. They bargained
with the contractors to get the wages
they are now getting. and they pro-
pose to bargain on any proposed re-
ductions.
Rents Still High.
In the "open shop" conspiracy in
Duluth are a number of real estate
agents and renters Have they started
TC.-t:-,,a5 -, Do~. Tu,oN
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
PALMER IS Blamed FOR
CL0GGlNG Up INDUSTRY

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.-"Almost
every avenue Of industry in this coun-
try is clogged and gutted and the fed
eral department of justice is respon-
sible," said Samuel Untermeyer, coun-
sci for the state commission that is
probing the housing situation in a
speech in this city. The attorney
recounted efforts now being made by
financial interests to block a probe
Of their efforts.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
PACKERS USE WORKERS.

CHICAGO. Feb. 10. Packing inter-
ests in this city are forcing employees
to sign a petition to congress against
the passage Of legislation that would
regulate this industry. Organized en-
ployes in the stock yards denounce
this coercion and have notified mem
besr Of congress.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
LARGE UNION BENEFITS

CHICAGO, Feb: .1O.-International
and local benefits to organized street
car men in this city totaled $780,
144.37 last year. This includes dis
ability and funeral benefits, collec-
tions for sick, members and funeral
benefits. There was but $1,780 Of this
amount paid in strike benefits.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
RESIST WAGE REDUCTION.

NEWARK, N. j.. Feb. 10.-More
than 1000 organized painters in this
city and vicinity suspended work be-
cause Of an attempt by contra ctors
to reduce wages.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

Skilled mine workers in Spain are
leaving for this country in hordes.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

CONTINUED on Page Two
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12
MR.. MERCHANT

L JAS it occurred to you that this paper goes
] into the homes Of the best paid working.
men ii Duluth and surrounding territory
It 10 carefully perused by every adult mem.
ber Of the household. There IL no better ad.
vertising medium anywhere.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

CONTINUED on Page Two)
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-02-12

TAH1S sf4f$6ur paper. It. publishes matter
peSl taning to your life and welfare. Il
wants and needs your support It cannot
exist without it Your cause would be weak
indeed without labor paper to champion It.
Become = reader aud subscriber. =