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TRADE UNION INVESTMENTS.

The United States Bureau of Labor reports that in ten years, from 1897 to 1907, wages of bricklayers increased 411⁄2 per cent.; carpenters, 50%; cornice makers, 47; gas fitters, 532; hodcarriers, 36; building laborers, 282; painters, 412; paperhangers, 41%; outside electric wiremen, 50%; lathers, 342; plasterers, 392; steam fitters, 452; roofers, 332; plumbers, 47; stone masons, 39; structural iron workers, 864. This is an official report; it amply verifies statistics issued by organizations of the trades mentioned, and emphasizes most clearly what excellent dividends are secured through investment in a well managed trade union.

CIGARMAKERS' STATISTICS.

The bulletins issued by the United States Census Bureau show that in 1904, 159,406 persons were engaged as wage earners in the cigar-making business, their average annual wages amounted to $392, the value of their product averaged $2,077 per capita; in 1909, the number of wage earners had increased to 166,810, the average annual wages had increased to $415, and the average per capita production had increased to $2,437. This shows an increase in wages, during the five years, of 6 per

cent., and an increase in productivity, for the same period, of 17 per cent.

The report of the foundry industry shows the same relation between earnings and wages-that of the greater amount of wealth created by his labor the worker receives but a fraction, that his share of the returns from the business decreases as that of the employer grows larger. As the small increase in wages is less than the increase in the cost of living the worker is, in fact, worse off than he was ten years ago.

ONLY A SPOOL OF THREAD. The J. P. Coats Company, the largest thread manufacturers in the world, declared a dividend for the year 1911 of 35 per cent. The paid-up capital of this company is about $50,000,000, and its surplus fund -saved after paying such remarkable dividends-has accumulated to $41,000,000. The stock of this company is quoted at 510, putting the thread manufacturing industry in the same class as Standard Oil. Remember that this is one of the highly protected industries, in which women and children are largely employed, at very low wages. Coats Company has factories in Scotland, Germany, the United States and Polandin short, it has no country and cares for no flag but that of profits.

The

REPORT OF DISTRICT ORGANIZER SIKMANN

Cincinnati Finishers Unionized.

HE Cincinnati General Assembly placed the firms of Robert Mitchell and the Meador Company, of Cincinnati, manufacturers of furniture and of building trim, on the unfair list. After an investigation by General Vice-President Finan and a committee of District Council No. 12, I was instructed to take up the work of organizing the finishers employed by these firms. After a few weeks' hard work, I secured enough names to forward an application for a charter for Local Union No. 836. At this time I have every finisher working for Robert Mitchell and for the Meador Company in the union, which now has a membership of 155, which will be increased as we succeed in unionizing other large furniture factories in this city. No doubt the members in other cities who have in the past been compelled to refuse to work on the trim furnished by these firms will be pleased to hear the good

news.

The efforts of the District Council and the business agents were greatly strengthened by the help given in other cities in which the firms had contracts. They become convinced that we held the key to the situation and threw up their hands and agreed to the terms that we proposed, that they en ploy none but members of the Brotherhood and that their finishing departments be strictly union from now on.

Now that we have been successful in bringing the Robert Mitchell Company and the Meador Company into line, District Council No. 12 of Cincinnati and vicinity asks the General Executive Board to take the aforementioned firms off the unfair list and to report such action in the "Painter and Decorator." District Council No. 12 appreciates the good work done by its business agents and the assistance given by the membership of other organizations in bringing to an end this long and hard-fought battle. ROBERT SIEKMANN.

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THE ATLANTA CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR

Report of Brotherhood Delegates.

HE Thirty-First Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor was held in Auditorium Hall, Atlanta, Ga., commencing Monday,

November 13, 1911.

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The sun shone brightly, but the air was keen and frosty as, on the opening day, the delegates stepped briskly through streets to the inspiriting strains of "Dixie" and "John B own's Body." The prominent citizens and the members of the Executive Council on the platform buttoned their coats tightly and the delegates on the floor shivered in sympathy during the opening ceremonies in the great hall which will easily seat 8,000 people. Genial Jerome Jones, who, more than any one man, was responsible for the choice of Atlanta as the convention city, was almost embarrassed, but neatly evaded responsibility for the weather by declaring that it was a stranger which had accompanied the delegates from less favored sections and as such would be The given a hearty southern welcome. roses which he had promised at St. Louis, he said, could be seen in the faces of the women and girls of Atlanta, while the eternal sunshine would be found in the hearts and in the welcome extended by all. Using the similie in little different way, he said that every smile upon the face of a child taken from a Georgia cotton mill or factory and placed in the school room, every bit of happiness brought to woman emancipated from drudgery and toil was

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the sunshine brought into the lives of the workers through the labor movement.

The Mayor of Atlanta, Governor and Senator-elect Hoke Smith, Congressman Howard, the city attorney, and the presidents of the Central Labor Union and of the Local Building Trades Council welcomed the delegates to Atlanta and Georgia. The speech of the Governor and Senator-elect was less effusive and seemed n ore sincere than the speeches usually delivered on such occasions. He reiterated his belief in the necessity for the organization of the workers and seemed deeply impressed with the potential power of organized labor. Among other good things he said:

"Your organizations are essential. We long for the upbuilding of our fellow men, for their growth mentally, morally, spiritually and financially. Financial success, at least to a reasonable extent, is almost essential to moral, mental and spiritual growth. How can you expect a man to grow if his family is scarcely fed and his children scarcely clothed? How can you expect a man to grow if he has no hours of leisure for thought and study? How can you expect him to grow as a citizen if from daylight to dark he must toil, and then after dark see those dear to him almost destitute? I put it broadly as a National proposition, not as a selfish proposition that belongs simply to you. If our country is to be great it must be great in the greatness of the individual citizens of our states. The whole scheme of our Government was based on that theory that here between the oceans, the lakes and the gulf we would get a type of that plan of Government which would develop the greatest number of splendid men and women. What a power the different Unions and your organization to accomplish this result.

"I welcome your organization to Georgia because you are engaged in the effort to broaden this opportunity and to help prepare the individual man better to use his opportunity. If I were a member of a craft I would always carry with me my Union Card, and I would always seek to maintain a good standing

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MEMBERS OF THE BROTHERHOOD AMONG THE DELEGATES TO CONVENTION OF THE A. F. OF. L.

in my Union. I have no sympathy with prejudice against Union Labor; it comes from narrowness and lack of comprehension. I am as far as any man from uttering a thought that would seek to stir prejudice or bad feeling between men and money; but I would have those who possess a larger share of the money sympathize with my desire to see the improvement of my fellow citizens."

It will be interesting to note whether the Senator-elect lives up to his profession of faith when legislation affecting labor's interests is under consideration in the Senate.

The Credential Committee reported 346 delegates present and entitled to seats, not including the fraternal delegates from other countries and other bodies. In addition to our official representatives (our increased membership entitled us to a sixth delegate this year) the following members of the Brotherhood served as delegates from central bodies:

Peter Hassenpflue, Cleveland,

O.; E. R. Torrey, Butte, Mont.; T. G. Kennedy, Memphis, Tenn.; William Coleman, Milwaukee, Wis.; P. J. Doherty, Mobile,

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Ala.

In his comprehensive report President Gompers reviewed the events of the past year, commenting upon the more important happenings in the political, industrial and social world that had bearing upon the lives of the workers and upon the progress of the labor movement in America. After speaking optimistically of the splendid increase in membership during the year and of the progress made by the various departments, he dealt at length with our efforts to secure legislation, expressing regret that the promises of citizenship made to the people of Porto Rico had not been fulfilled, thus creating distrust in the minds of the people and hindering the organization of the workers. Te quoted reports showing that the exports and imports which in 1897 amounted to $14,500,000 had increased to nearly $79,000,000 in 1911, "but this increased wealth has not brought with it corresponding evidence of benefits to the laboring masses."

The Eight-Hour Day.

He described how Secretary of the Navy Von Meyer had attempted to secure the abolition of the eight-hour provision in the Naval Appropriations Bill and how he succeeded in inducing the Naval Committee to recommend the repeal of the provisions, (1) authorizing the building of one battle ship in a navy yard; (2) requiring contracts of construction to contain an eight-hour clause, and of others that prevented the private contractors from securing all government contracts and establishing such working conditions as they see fit. When,

however, the report of the committee reached the House it was literally torn to pieces, the eight-hour provisions being restored. As amended the bill was approved by the Senate.

Still unwilling to recognize the eighthour day, Secretary Von Meyer consulted the Controller of the Treasury as to the legality of the eight-hour provision. The Controller ruled that the provision applies to all men employed directly in the construction of vessels, but not to those employed in the production of materials entering into the construction of vessels. A bill, to be introduced in the present session, provides that the eight-hour day shall obtain in all work done, directly or indirectly, for the government.

Woman and Child Labor.

The eleven volumes so far issued of the report of the congressional investigation into the conditions of working women and children justify its being made and show the need for drastic legislation to prevent the conscienceless exploitation of women and children in the industries.

The Boycott.

The interesting resume of the case of Loewe vs. The United Hatters and of the contempt proceedings arising out of the controversy with the Buck Stove and Range Company shows that both cases are likely to drag along for an indefinite time unless Congress can be induced to enact legislation which will expressly restore and secure absolute freedom in the exercise of the constitutional right of free speech, including the right to proclaim the unfairness of an employer and to ask friends of organized labor not to purchase his goods.

Referring to the deliberate evasion by Congress of the discussion of bills to amend the Sherman Anti-Trust Law and to pre

vent the abuse of the injunction process, President Gompers said:

"The conduct of the majority of the House of Representatives in the last Congress once more illustrated their subserviency to the interests" rather than their care for the rights of the people. It is regrettable that criticism such as this should be necessary of a great, responsible public body; but I deem it my duty to not only call the attention of the members or organized labor to these things, but to herald them forth so that all the world may know, with the hope that it may arouse the spirit of our countrymen to such an extent that they will see to it that they send men, real men, to represent them in Oongress instead of marionettes, who are ready to jump, dance, run, or kneel, as the vested interests, the power behind the throne, may dictate."

He feels hopeful of our receiving better treatment during the present session and urges that:

"The voice of labor be heard distinctly, vigorously, and persistently. If this be done, no repetition of the disgraceful performances herein recited as to what transpired in the Sixty-first Congress will be possible."

He spoke with satisfaction of the wonderful growth of the movement for direct legislation through the initiative and the referendum which, more than anything else, will free the masses of the people from the tyranny of party politics. After discussing workmen's compensation legislation and the amendment of employers' liability laws, he dealt at some length with measures for the prevention of occupational diseases and incidentally scathingly rebuked Congressman Dalzell, of Pittsburg, who deliberately prevented the consideration of the Esch Bill for the prohibition of the use of poisonous phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. All other civilized countries have already taken this step, but Mr. Dalzell, in the interest of a few avaricious and inhuman manufacturers, stood in the way and doomed many of the workers in the match industry to a lingering and agonizing death. It is to be hoped that the voters of Pittsburg will have sufficient regard for decency and humanity to retire Mr. Dalzell to a disgraceful oblivion.

The report concluded with a tribute to the Labor Press, the organizers of the Federation and his colleagues upon the Executive Council.

Report of Secretary Morrison. Although the report of Secretary Morrison consisted largely of figures, it was wonderfully interesting as it showed that the total membership of the organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor is greater than at any time in its previous history, reaching the splendid total of 1,750,000 and with an excellent prospect of a still larger increase in the coming year.

Report of the Executive Council.

Increase in Per Capita Tax.

The recommendation of the Executive Council that the monthly per capita tax to the American Federation of Labor be increased from one-haif to two-thirds of a cent per member was approved by the committee and the convention.

Building Trades Matters.

The Building Trades Department was instructed to reinstate the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in full affiliation, a conference to be held between that organization, the Sheet Metal Workers and representatives of the American Federation of Labor and of the Building Trades Department to bring about an adjustment of the differences that led to the temporary suspension of the Carpenters from the department.

A recommendation that the Executive Council be instructed to take such steps as may be necessary to establish one organization in the pipe fitting industry to be brought about by the amalgamation of the International Steam, Hot Water and Power Pipe Fitters with the United Association of Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters' Helpers was heartily approved by the convention.

One Trade-One Union.

The declaration of the Adjustment Committee for one organization for one trade (with the understanding that this does not conflict with the declaration of the Scranton Convention) appealed to the sentiment of the convention and there was practically no opposition to the recommendation that the Amalgamated Carpenters and the Amalgamated Wood Workers arrange to consolidate with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and that failing to do so their charters be revoked on July 1, 1912.

Electrical Workers' Controversy. President Reed was instructed to submit to the faction of the Electrical Workers which he represents the proposition agreed to by the committees of the rival organizations sitting in joint session at Rochester. The arrangement is that both factions shall request the court to render an early decision in the pending suit; that neither shall take an appeal, and that the losing litigant shall at once transfer its membership to the organization that is awarded the decision.

All these disputes which have occupied so much of the time of previous conventions were disposed of in short order and

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