Portland labor press., December 21, 1911, Page 8, Image 8

PORTLAND LABOR PRESS
<-«K* muut
MRS. EHRCOTT DELIVERS
AN INTERESTING ADDRESS
Thursday, Decemh^
«nroNwowoRSHOHTiNo.
ing in Muscatine, Iowa.
Meier & Frank’s
Mrs. Sarah B. F. Ehrgott delivered a very ! M uscatine , I a .—This city has lxx-n in the
interesting illustrated lecture Tuesday even-I throes of a lockout, and later a strike, in-
ing at the W. O. W. Hall, on the Eaat Side.! volving the pearl button factories, for nearly
C. E. S. Wood introduced the speaker with a year. Notwithstanding that at one time
one of his strongest short speeches. Mrs. it was thought a settlement had l»een reach-
Ehrgott exhibited pictures on a large screen I ed, the owners of the factories violated their
of the leading characters of the Loa Angeles i part of the agreement, and, as a conse-
trial.
1 quenee, the employees rebelled.
She (stinted
(minted out that evolution means
A few days ago one of the news-gathering
growth, and that history should not only re­ associations sent Neal Jones to this city, and
late but foretell. Society has evolved from as a result, five illustrated articles are to a|>-
slavery to feudalism, and is now in a tran- jxiar in a large number of papers distributed
o jnt state through capitalism to higher con- throughout the country. In the first article,
uitions. Privilege is the basis of all causes which has just appeared, the writer says:
“Two thousand people, mostly button-
for the downfall of civilizations from the
earliest dawn of history to the present time. cutters and their families, have left the town.
The Los Angeles difficulty started twenty Fifty small merchants are pinched for money.
years ago when the Times of that city defied Men and women are going underfed and
the Typographical Union. Harrison G. Otts pale-faced children are shivering for lack of
was not a fair opjsment. He made a most proper clothing. And all on account of nine
determined and vicious fight against all inill-headed button manufacturers. These
forms of organized labor, and^year in and nine manufacturers have turned the little
year out kept up misrepresentation and viru­ corn belt city upside down, and for ncny
lent abuse of every person connected with or­ months have held Muscatine in a state of
civil war. Many of the people carry guns.
ganized labor.
The speaker forcefully presented the idea Everybody here knows it is- a downright
that labor must organize since capital had shame, and now, at the eleventh hour, figur­
done so. The workingman had only his atively, they are awakening to the fact that
hands and his brain power. If he did not or­ the manufacturers themselves are almost
ganize he was lost. The closed shop was the entirely to blame.
“These manufacturers say that there is no
only way that the worker could maintain his
way to settle the trouble, but there is always
organization successfully.
“ Labor implicitly believed McNamaras in­ a way, just as in th Des Moines Railway
nocent,” she declared. Public sentiment strike, and the people of Muscatine who have
was strongly in favor of them in Los Angeles previously backed the manufacturers, are
and the big interests were well aware of it. beginning to realize that the manufacturers
The people were simply stunned when the are goldbricking them. The manufacturers
confession was made, and the reaction un­ have bluffed their way through, inspiring the
_
«
doubtedly resulted in the defeat of Harri­ police, sheriff, and hired Chicago thugs to
man jor mayor. Large interests with grafts burst the heads of tottering old men. They
unprecedented in he history of Los Angeles have offered no remonstrance to the jailing
at stake needed that confession when they of wqmen and girls, deluded through some
strange process of reasoning into believing
got it.
In closing, Mrs. Ehrgott reminded the em­ that brutality will bring the strikers to time.
T h ou san d s o f
ployers of labor that the conviction of two It is amazing to note that even here and
G if t s f o r Men,
men in the destruction of life in the Times there can be found otherwise reputable citi­
S p e c ia ls in
W o m e n and
building did not settle the conflict between zens of Muscatine, who believe that this sort
labor and privilege. The great issue between of anarchy is the way to settle a labor dis­
Eatery S e c tio n
C H ilcIr’n , P rices
privilege or monopoly on the one hand, and pute.
o
f
tE
e
S
to
r
e
“
Yet
good
citizens
are
found
encouraging
t h e L ow est
labor and justice on the other, would con­
III
tinue. The people demand justice, the lawlessness, and even the dignified Commer­
cial Club has passed resolutions heaping em­
workers want justice.”
“ You have only pulled off the head of the bers os the flames. Men who stand high
weed when you have punished a few who commercially, professionally and socially harm. Let it not add syndicalism to the al­
AFTER COUNTY AUTHORITIES.
OFFICIAL TALLS OF STRIKE.
advocate violence,” she said, “and you have have so lar forgotten themselves as to en­ ready too numerous vipers which, in the
not stamped out the struggle. Unless jus­ courage, in the name of the law, crimes that kindness of its heart, it is warming on its Labor Commissioner Calls Attention to Eva­
Secretary Scott of Shop Federation Boar
tice is done and capital is deprived of privi­ ordinarily send men to the penitentiary. A hearthstone.”
sion of Eight-Hour Law.
Says Roads Will Need Beu.cr Men.
crime
is
a
crime,
whether
it
is
committed
by
leges, the struggle in one form or another
will continue." The weed produces more a button manufacturer, a patrolman, a |x>-
CONGRESS RECONVENES.
Although ignored by the presiding officer
That the Harriman railroad system wil
lice judge or a sheriff, and the sooner Musca­
dowers and more seed.
“All violence is abortive and reacts on tine rddizes that they are hypnotized into Lohg Session Opens—Labor Bills to Receive of the recent County Commissioner’s Con- soon lx? compelled to secure some new en
vention held in Portland, Lalxir Commission-1 gines or get more experienced shop workmen
those who use it. The workers'should use condoning worse acts than any they are able
Consideration at Once.
er
Hoff intends that county authorities shall j is an assertion contained in a bulletin to tin
to
lay
at
the
door
of
labor,
the
sooner
it
will
j
their strongest weapon, which is not violence
--------
1
understand
and hereafter obey the state law striking railroad shopmen of this district la
in any form, but simply power of folding regain its feet. They haye only to ask them
W
ashington .—The Congress of the Unit- limiting the hours of employees on public John Scott, secretary of the Harriman Shot
selves just how much more consideration
their arms.”
States convened in regular session Mon- works.
[ Emloyes’ Federation Executive Board,
£>ie pointed out that in all lands the people should be extended a button manufacturer ed
da;
December
4.
The
bills
in
which
labor
Hoff
was
invited
to
the
recent
convention
Reports from Los Angles, Tucson, Ariz.
were throwing off oppression, and that the than the average business man. and the is interested were all introduced during the , in Portland and solicited to address the body, j Roseville,
Cal.; Caliente, Nev.; bis Vega?
scenes in Los Angeles were not in any sense strike will end.”
extra session and referred to appropriate He had definite information for the various: Nev., and Millford, Utah, arc contained ir
conclusive but merely symptoms of the con­
committees. The eight-hour bill is on the county commissioners, which he knew some bulletins sent to the local m achinists bv Mr
flict ragihg in civilization today. The gen­
calendar, having been favorably reported by , of them needed. He had been on the point of Scott
ULTIMATE
END
OF
“SYNDICALISM”
eral strike was endorsed by her as more ef­
the Labor Committee. In the closing hours writing them, but on receiving the invitation
One from Los Angeles asserts that the Har­
fective than violence or the use of the ballot. Chairman of British Labor Party Severely of the extra session a resolution was passed i to the convention, thought that would be a
riman shops at that place are “ so full of dead
authorizing an investigation of the Taylor good opportunity to acquaint the several engines that no room is left” while in the
Criticicss Policy of Syndicalists.
There ia a million dollars at work greasing
and other kindred efficiency systems, and in county authorities with the exact provisions Tucsan shops it is declared that the big an
the skids for the launching of the Aldrich
W ashington .—In the October number of accordance therewith meetings have been of the eight-hour requirement which was be- hammers and motors have been put almost
central bank scheme, the money trust of ail
held at Watertown, Boston and New York ! ing violated in more than one county.
I completely out of commission for lurk ol
the trusts. Congressmen and Senators are the Socialist Review, J. Ramsay McDonald, and partial investigations made. A hearing
A place was given Mr. Hoff on the program expert attention to the air compressor,
chairman
of
the
English
Lat>or
Party,
says:
the skids.
Let us suppose that the strike is succeed­ before the Judiciary Committee of the House in the ^presence of Judge Cleeton, who pre- i It is stated that one of the call Itovs at t hi-
ing. The authorities will try to break it, and on the Clayton contempt of court bill was sided. * Hoff sat during the convention in I place quit hjs position rather than cidl a non­
plain view of that persanage, but was ignored union foreman and that a theatrical tn>u|w
that will lead to the employment of force. held on December 7.
i by him..
. was compelled to call off its engagement be-
Troops will be mobilized. So the syndicalist
CONTEMPT BILL HEARING.
Learning beyoud a doubt that certain cause of its inability to arrive there on time,
cannot avoid his revolution even if he tried.
i county uthoritics were trying to evade the
Guards have been stationed about the
The old revolutionist knew his business,
W
ashington
.—Hearings
have
been
begun
eight-hour
law
by
hiring
workmen
by
the
|
works
at Roseville, Cal., and Scott declares
faced the facts, laid his plans; the new revo­
lutionist does none of these necessary thingp. before the House Committee on Judiciary on Hour, Mr. Hoff has just mailed the following that the union men are having a hard time
Let us assume that the transport services the bill introduced by Representative Clay­ circular letter to each of the several county in keeping peace and order.
The free board Rystem to strikebreaker? is
are held up, that the markets and shops are ton of Alabama, chairman of the committee, courts:
P r a M tta ff U w m i . Cmuorcd Film Production»
G entlemen : From time to time reports stated in Secretary Scott’s b u lle tin to have
closed, that the workshops are deserted. to define and punish contempts of court.
8TA R— Best Pictures Made, Cream of What follows? The syndicalists make the The Clayton measure contemplates the di­ have reached this office stating that the eight- been discontinued at Caliente. Nev., and it
fatal mistake of calculating that time will be vision of contempts of court into two classes, hour law on public work was being violated, further asserts that 75 of the substitute shops
Musical Attraction».
on
their side. Exactly the opposite. Time direct and indirect, and specifies that con­ and I have written to some of the parties men quit at Las Vegas, where a large nunn
AROADR—Railroad, Historical, Comedy
tempts committed during the sitting of the responsible for the same.
ber of engines are said to lie la id up for re-j
will
work against them.
Features.
Some time ago I considered the advisa­ pairs.
However complete the general strike is to court or of the judge in chambers, or a refusal
OH JOY—“ Home o f W estern H its.”
be, it is only to affect, even to begin with, a to obey the mandate of a lawful subpoena, or bility of writing to all the county judges and
TIVOLI— East Side “ Picture Palace,” majority. There will be a minority holding to refuse to submit books and documents, commissioners regarding the law, but on No­
HOLD FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.
Star Features, Classy Music.
the same opinions as were expressed bv the and the misbehavior of officials of court are vember 16 I received a very cordial invita­
suburban dwellers during the recent railway classed as direct contempts; all other of­ tion from the chairman of the “County Com­ American Association for Labor Ixgislatioi^
Fire-Gent Seoond-Ron Pictures
trouble^. They will represent the resistance fenses against the court are classed as indi­ missioners’ Convention,” which convened in
Will Convene in Nation’s Capital.
Hippodrome, Orpheum, Dream, Casino,
which society must always offer to sudden rect contempts, the accused in such cases Portland, December 12-14, to be present and
Bijou, Palace and Columbia Theatres.
change. Then there will be a great number being allowed a jury trial. The hearings are address the «r same
i on i the subject
• . of
. .^jaiX)r W ashington .—The American Association
on I ublic Works.
I accepted the invita- j for Labor Legislation will convene in annual
of men who will become unemployed without to be continued.
nn« an opportunity to
N(}w R a ,ejgh H o tp | Washing­
tion, as this would give me
in any way sympathizing with the strike or
explain the law and its workings to repre­ ton, D. C., on Thursday, Decemlx-r 2S, and
STRIKE LOOKS BRIGHTER.
its purposes. The striker, every day that
sentatives from each county court.
passes, becomes, in the eyes of an increasing
continue its sessions for three days I be
During the days I was present at the con­ subjects to be discussed may be classified un­
From every quarter comes favorable re­
Motion Pictures and Musical Vaudeville number of people, not the savior but the en­
ports of the great strike on the Harriman vention I learned that some of the members, der three general heads. “The Relation °l
emy of society.
Admission 10c
His assumption is that as the days go by lines and Illinois Central. While it is im­ at least, were not dear on the law and espe­ State to Federal Workmen’s Compensation
PARK AND WASHINGTON STS.
society will become more helpless in his possible to give in detail the exact situation, cially mistaken in believing that the law and Insurance Legislation,” “The I nem-
hands; the fact is that after the first two or yet, from all information at hand the position could be evaded by hiring men to do the work plovment Problem in America” and ‘ ‘Safety
three days, society will begin to organize it­ which the strikers hold is exceedingly good. by the hour.
and Health in the Mining Industry.” Aside
Not lteing accorded the opportunity to ex­ from a number of professors, attorneys and
O r e g o n T h e a tr e
self against him, because society as well as the J. W. Kline, president of the International
individual is moved by the will to live. The Brotherhood of Blacksmiths and Helpers, in plain the law to the convention, I beg leave other eminent men interested in advancing
248 FIRST, NEAR MADISON
fact is, that the assumption of a progressive nominal charge of the strike, says: “The through this circular to call your attention labor legislation to conserve the human rej
paralysis is false. Spciety will at once take strike on the Harriman lines and Illinois to the eight-hoi a law on public works. (See sources of the nation, President Gomperd
Pictures Changed Daily
steps
to recover command of itself. It will Central goes on; the prospects look much'Section 5060, lo rd ’s Oregon Laws.) I also John Mitchell, Thomas J. Duffy of the Operl
5c—Admission—5c
nuv yield to the general strike; it will re­ brighter for the men every day. Dead en- ' call your attention to the opinion of the at- ative Potters, Capt. Cole of the Longshore!
gines and bad order cars fill the sidings and | tomey general of this state regarding the men, and other labor men are on the progranf
sist it.
in which he says in part :
On the day of his first triumph, when he clog the yards. There is no doubt atxiut our i same,
to deliver addresses.
<>*
’ m my opinion it is a violation
declares his strike, the syndicalist signs his final victory.”
; of said section (5060, L. O. L.) for any em­
own death warrant and puts the noose alxiut
MANY MEN QUIT.
231 Morrison Street
ployer to permit laborers or mechanics em­
CIQARMAKERS VICTORIOUS.
his own neck. The new revolution which
Change Pictures Dally
ployed by the state or by any county in the
syndicalism and its advocates of the Indus­
W ashington .—Eight hundred men end
L ouisville , K y .—After a controversy ex- ■ state to work more than eight hours in any ployed in the polishing and plating départi
trial Workers of the World contemplate has
avoided none of the errors and pitfalls of the tending over a period of three years a settle­ calendar day, regardless of how they are ment of the Victor Talking Machine < "itH
E m p ir e T h e a t r e
old, but it has added to them a whole scries ment has been reached with the firm of J. A. paid, or whether they are employed by the pany have ceased work because of the intnH
of its own. It is a mere escapade of the Lancaster & Co., cigar manufacturers, and day, hour or minute.”
duction of non-union incn in that
rI'
“ j < / j< iu?c
The Home of Good Shows and Good Music. nursery mind. It is the product of the cre­ the local union of cigarmakers. At the e- i Permit me to suggest fhat you send notice ment. The trouble, it is asserted
ative intelligence of the man who is impa­ ginning of the contest the firm, after having j to all the superintendents, supervisors, etc., by a foreman and if an adjustment i - 1101
G.and and Hawthorne Avenues.
whom you are responsible, calling atten- , «¿on reached 2 (MX) m en will lx> out.
tient because it takes the earth 24 hours to built up a large business through the use of
the Cigarmakers’ label, announced its inten-i tion to this matter. It is my duty as well as ¡’
_ J_____ __________
wheel ’round.
Wherever syndicalism has raised its Cali- tion of conducting a non-union establish- yours to see that this law is observed. The
OPEN EVENINGS.
■ban head, it has declared war on political in­ ment. The result attained is exceedingly penalty for violation is a fine of $100 to J10GO
dustrialism. The hospitality of .he Socialist gratifying to the local union of cigarmakers or imprisonment not niote man six months
Jimmy Dunn's “Store in the Air" "ili
3 8 9 E a st B urnside Srreet
I or both (Sec. 5061, L. O. L.)
- - - - Christmas
-
Wort
movement has offered so generously to all as well as to the movement in general.
open evenings during
weeW»r
4.T»k4
_
. ..T t—7
...
I
Sincerelv yours,
Good Shows
Nothing Better kinds of cranks and scoundrels because they
sale of union-made suits and oyercdal
Every child ifuOiegon is entitled to free
O. P. H off ,
professed to be in revolt against the existing
elevator to room 315 Oregonian Blijc an'l
Daily Change of Program
'
Commissioner
order has already done our movement much text books as a part of his education.
save on the high rent profits.
Can Solve the Gift
Problems^ of the Late
Christmas Shopper!
Thousands of Practical Gifts for
Every Member of the Family!
Furs Will Be Valued
P retty Waists Delight
Gloves Always Acceptable
Comfort in House Slippers
Hosiery Always ./anted
Never too Much Neckwear
Handkerchiefs Please
Purses are Practical
E lE R telFR A N K i
T fA n r m I situili 11
SSTÖR-E1
Union Show Houses
People’s
Amusement Go.
Majestic Theatre
The Novelty Theatre
IRIS THEATRE