Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-06-04
SECOND DAY OF LABOR
CONFERENCE AT WATERV!LLE

Al Spite VI INTENSE summer heat two
Wen attended sessions of the Maine
Federation of Labor were held at
American Legion hall yesterday. IT
was the second day of the 22nd annual
convention and a number of interest
ing speakers were heard.
James Duncan, first vice president
of the American Federation of Labor.
who is attending the convention as the
personal representative of President
Green, and Antonio Morena, vice pres
ldent OF the Journeyman BARRIERS
Union OF America, were seated as fra
ternal delegates at the morning ses-
sion.
announcement was made by E. E.
Carey Of Waterville, chairman of the
general convention committee, that
the delegates had been extended an in
vitation to visit the Keyes Fibre Co.
Secretary Woodside announced that
the Waterville and Winslow Chamber
OF Commerce had made arrangements
for an automobile tour of the city for
the delegates, and this will take place
this afternoon at o'clock.
The Morning Speakers
Edgar Wallace, legislative represent
alive Of the American Federation Of
Labor, in his address said he had been
assigned to Maine for an indefinite
period to aid in building up the trade
movement in this State, but might be
called away at any time. He referred
| to the remarks of President Coils
Lovely on the day preceding concern
ing the alleged exorbitant wages paid
to coal miners, subject with which he
was familiar. He was formerly editor
of the Mine Workers Journal He said
while $3.50 a ton was paid for coal in
Maine they loaded anthracite on the
cars at the mines for $40 a. ton and
bituminous for $1.40 ton.
While editor of the Journal he re-
ceived letter asking of a report that
miner had received $3.50 for one
weeks wages. He answered that the
miner received 81 ton, which would
necessitate his having loaded $50 tons
for the week. He spoke of what those
ESQ tons would have cost the consum-
er here If he had cotton out any such
amount and asked, in view of this
figure. why worry about what the
miner got?
In speaking of the relation of wages
to cost of commodities he said that
machinery had developed to such an
extent that plenty could be produced
w
are no organizations of workers the
lowest bidder gets the job. Immense
over-production complexities the stu
alton.
Organized labor recognizes that the
workers are entitled to a wage that
will enable them to live any buy each
others products, according to Mr.. Wall
lace. Some selfish men, he said, insist
an having more than their share and it
becomes necessary to fight for the
workers rights. This results in what
is termed inconvenience to the public.
Organized labor claims to represent a
good part of that public itself-with
$1,000 900 members of the A. F. of l..
and 100000 of the railroad organiza-
tions, total of 100000, and, figur-
ing conservatively, four members to
each family. Labor feels justified,
said Mr.. Wallace, that it forms large
, part of the public Inconvenience. But,
he added, in the final analysis the pub
lie is benefited from the Inconvenience
through better conditions and greater
prosperity for all.
Referring to meeting of the in
ternational officers held the evening
before, he said it was the consensus
of opinion that If Maine is to be
helped it must place itself in posi-
ton to help itself. This means that
paid men must be put in the field to
do the work. The officer; Gf the
, Maine labor organizations n addi-
ton to their duties have their jobs
.. to take care of. They have not, said
he, the time to do the work neces-
sary.
He referred to the organization of
the farmers and industry, spoken of
in the legislative agents report, EN-
phasizing it's strength. That is the
sort of organization labor must meet
here, averred Mr.. Wallace. lie spoke
of ,the benefit that would accrue
from a slight increase in the per
capita of the members enabling the
officers of the state federation or
their representatives to get into the
field and accomplish something
worthwhile.
What Maine needs, he added, are
! men permanently in the field, not
haphazard temporary visits from
men outside.
The speaker then reviewed some Of
the legislation affecting labor which
has been passed or defeated refer
ring particularly to the bill before
the last state legislature which
would have out1awed the functions
of organized labor but which was de-
feated through the vigilance of Leg
islative Agent Woodside.
In speaking of the child labor
amendment he believed in state reg
ulation of it's affairs in most in
stances but he said In this instance
the same men who oppose the child
labor amendment opposed the AZ
hour week because it placed them in
unfair competition with other states.
The opponents OF the measure he
added, were able to misinform the
public as to the true intent of this
law and he said that although it had
failed of ratification it is by no
means dead. lie urged that labor In
Maine use it's best efforts to prop
erly inform the people of the state on
the subject and he felt sure that II
If did the measure would be ratified
at the next session of the legislature.
In closing he emphasized the bene-
fits to be accrued from the consis-
tent and general demand for the I'M
ion label
George T. Thornton, vice president
of the bricklayers, masons and plas-
terers international union in his adj.
dress spoke of the difference of the
work required in organization In
Maine from other states. A lesson
could be learned. he said. from the
report of the legislative agent. NO
support can be expected from any
body outside of union men and he
referred to the alliance evident be-
tween the farmers of the state ana
the Industrial interests. Maine, he
added. was a state where 1t Is ne
cessary to be up and doing constant
" and he had learned from 10 years
experience in close touch WIN N
,.4...,1 oaicorc and their locals.