NOME INDUSTRIAL WORKER
TRI-WEEKLY
Published Tuesday. Thursday,
and Saturday.
My Nome Mine Workers’ Union, No. 240, International Union of Mine,
Mill and Smelter Workers.
Subscription Price
One Year ..,.$20.00
Six Months . 10.00
One Month . 2-00
"To secure to each laborer the whole product of his labor, or ae
rtarly as possible is a worthy object of any good government —Abra
ham Lincoln.
AH changes in advertisements must reach this office before 9 A. Jl.
on day of publication to insure insersion in same issue.
Advertising rates made kuewn on application.
Address all communications to Tn-Weekly Nome Industrial Worker.
Box 210, Nome, Alaska. Thone, Black 134.
Entered as second class matter March 1, 1911, at the post office at
Nome, Alaska, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
THE LABOR SITUATION’
The arrival here of a mediator from
the Department of Labor, who conies
with the intention of adjusting if
possible the causes which have creat
ed friction in this camp, is in itself
a hopeful sign of the times.
It is not usual for labor to receive
this much consideration from federal
administrations, and it is a new policy
which has been adopted, and adopted
with success in those sections where
now it has been frequently tried.
Such an adjustment must neces
sarily be in a nature temporary
merely, for conditions change from
time to time, agd it would be impos
sible in the nature of things to effect
a settlement which would be perman
ently suited to all such changing con
ditions. .
The question which arises in this
camp is not primarily a wage ques
tion, but primarily affects the length
-of the working day. The workers
in the placer mines demands the eight
hour day. Hut '.hat demand has been
ignored by one set of employers, and
’without making an effort at adjust
ment, they have sought to obtain
men who will make no such demand.
The eight hour day, to revert to an
o sent history now, has been demanded
hy organized labor at various times
in this camp. It was made the law
iti government and municipal work.
It was obtained by the Bartenders
Union years ago and in several other
lines it has been obtained by the ef
forts of organized labor.
The miners union faced a constant
struggle to resist attempted reduc
tions in wages from time to time, so
that all it could do was to save the es
tablished scale wihout attempting to
shorten the hours per day, although
time and time again the matter was
brought up for action and dropped as
lather a hopeless task.
Before the first legislature sat,
there broke out finally a struggle
for the eight hour day. The first
legislature of the Territory reflected
the need of action in this r gat’d and
several measures were brot in which
concerned this subject, but open cut
and dredging mining were eliminated
from the law was passed. Moreover
as applied to underground placer
mining, which was passed by the sec
ond legislature it was declared uncon
stitutional by Judge Bunnell “in the
silliest decision it has ever beeri my
privilege to read as given by a judge”
to quote the exact words of Judge
Wickersham.
The third legislature amended the
law which is •now on the statute
Sjuoks. In the meantime the legisla
ture had in its second session evaded
thu question of a general eight hour
clay by directing that a referendum
vote be taken by the people on the
subject at the next general election.
That referendum vote carried in the
Affirmative by the enormous majority
of 8 4 per cent of the voters.
In response to this plebiscite, the
general eight hour law was passed,
again to be declared unconstitutional
by the ever accomodating Judge Bun
nell one of the brightest ornaments
of the democratic machine in the
Fourth Division.
This decision was not final as far
sis the workers were concerned, and
.although the miners saw that politi
cally thru the courts the plebiscite
was negatived, they decided to en
force the eight hour day thru eco
nomic action.
Then the opening of the mining
•season, this year of grace, brot in a
number of men who had been secured
outside as strike breakers. Both em
ployers and employees affected to Ig
nore the strike in these cases, and the
employees who freely admitted on the
*oat and in Seattle that they knew
•a strike was on, when arriving here,
affected to be in complete ignorance
of the situation. A scab will not
balk at a little deceit to conceal his
treachery to his own class.
Now the situation has righted itself
to some extent by avenues of employ
ment opening up for union men, the
eight hour day admitted and at the
present time there are approximately
200 members in good standing, or
over, working the eight hour day and
for the union scale.
The dry weather that prevailed, the
depth to which frost penetrated the
ground, and the generally backward
condition of the season, has somewhat
aided the employers in this way: they
could not work even if they could
get the men and in consequence they
were not compelled to secure men at
all costs for mining operations.
In Dime creek where union men
predominate there has been no trou
ble. The scale is six dollars for eight
hours. In all underground working
there was a question of the eight
hour day. In the Candle section
one firm alone is working two twelve
hour shifts. In the Kougarok ex
cept the two dredges, the eight hour
day for six dollars is the working
condition that has been established.
It is remarkable that the expen
sive method of working underground,
hoisting and sluicing the dirt by
steam, is paying the full scale and
working the eight hour shift suc
cessfully and that where the ground
is low grade. That is not all. Dime
creek deposits of gold are essentially
low grade. But the freighting costs
are much higher than Nome: every
thing in the way of supplies etc are
dearer there than here, yet in spite
of this. that, camp has been one of the
Godsends which merchants here will
not question as far as making Nome
enjoy some degree of commercial ac
tivity.
Richer ground, with modern devices
for operations, machines which are
specially invented for the purpose of
handling ground which is low grade
or rich at a profitable rate of exploi
tation is held by owners in this com
munity who have been the most rigid
opponents of the installation of the
eight hour day.
Moreover there never has been an j
effort made to adjust any difficulties [
that arose, and the situation provoked j
no further developments beyond the
rather simple one that labor went!
one way and the employers opposed j
to the eight hour day went another.
The worst feature, from every j
point of view, is that so many work
ers left this camp, workers whose j
ability as miners and whose exper-!
ience none could question. They were '
men who prospected in winter or in I
summer or worked for wages during
both seasons; but they were of that
class upon which not only the well
being but the very development of
the camp materially depended. They
were the same class of miners who
went to Dime creek and opened up a
camp which has been the backbone
of commercial Nome now for two
years. And their loss can never be
replaced.
It is possible the government med
iator may be able to adjust the min
ing situation. It has been done else
where and elsewhere where the out
look for such an adjustment seemed
impossible. It is not impossible here
any more than it has not been impos
sible in other places where success
ful mediation has been tried, and
doubtless employers here are no more
reluctant to have some sort of work
ing conditions established so tha,t
they will know where they are at, any
more than are the working miners.
It is bolieved that with a thoro re
view of the question from top to bot
tom, and with neither side adopting
an entirely recalcitrant attitude, the
eight hour day may be successfully
and peaceably instituted in this camp
in a manner satirfactory to both sides
of the question.
Any way the miners hope so.
THE KAISERS
Momentous was that conference
where Kaiser Wilhelm and Kaiser
Karl pledged one another in mutually
melodramatic manner to conquer or
to perish together. Evidently they
will not face the future unprepared
and evidently like the despairing
Trojans, they believe that the only
hope of the vanquished is the hope for
none.
But such a pledge, melodrama and
all, was not necessary. For by the
same token, it is fit to foretell that
should one or the other be eliminated
by the hand of fate, the other also
would be reft of his crown nor ever
share the feast.
The social process which has been
proceeding with less dramatic ac
tivity than the actual contests be
tween the belligerents, since the war
began, none the less has been as ruth
less and as remorseless as time itself.
The war threw men, institutions,
beliefs, conventions, customs and
habits into the melting pot. Those
that were fit will survive. Those that
were useless, unnecessary, dangerous
or evil will fail the fire test and be
cast upon the slag pile of discarded
things.
Not in any age has there been such
a revolutionary torment, and it is
wholly immaterial that legal forms
may have been adopted by the war
ring nations to prevent expression
to that ferment, or to make beiieve
that that ferment is non-existent, it
still persists, and it still persists to
destroy as well as to save.
Man’s humdrum existence during
days of peace has been interrupted.
His customary aspect upon human
things destroyed. And while it is
true that his vision on some subjects
is less penetrating and less clear, on
the whole the mirage of convention
and accepted things is removed and
his view point is wider, more open
and distinct than ever before.
But the ruthless discipline of the
centuries is till mankind’s hereditary
influence, connecting him with the
past and while developing a reluct
ance to destroy those things that in
the past have been regarded as ven
erable, subjects his reasoning to the
machine process which insists upon
discarding the unfit, the unnecessary,
the unessential and promoting a more
utilitarian view of things.
In Germany and Austria as else
where the people have been subjected
to this machine discipline. Its first
premise is that the unnecessary be
eliminated. No machine, in this dis
cipline, is tolerated which possesses
parts which function in no manner
usefully and which may be removed
without loss of efficiency. To the
state that theory involuntarily and
unconsciously is applied by human
minds which have been subjected to
its discipline, and the very first to
feel its effects are the crowned heads
of the different states.
They are the portions of the social
organism which have outlived their
usefulness and which much more than
being unnecessary and functionless
have revealed themselves, like the ver
miform appendix from time to time in
man, a positive danger to the body
politic of their own particular sphere
and also to the world.
These Kaisers are beginning to read
the handwriting on the wall. They
know that they will expect in vain
the return of those happy days when
the crowned heads were as the Lord’s
annointed. The fate of “Dear Nicky”
has not passed without its lesson to
Karl or to Wilhelm. Happier is Franz
Josef sleeping in his mausoleum, if
alter life’s dirful fever he sleeps,
well. For them is the future, uncer
tain and terrible, terrible the more
because uncertain.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE
To John Ellis, your heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns:
You and each of you are hereby
notified that the undersigned has
expended in labor and improvements
the sum of one hundred dollars
during each of the years of 1914,
1915, and 1916, upon the following
described placer mining claim, sit- '
uate, lying and being in the Cape
Nome Recording Precinct, Alaska,
to-wit:—
The “Allie” claim on Snake river,
as described in location notice there
of filed for record in the offioe of
the Recorder of said Recording
district on the 4th day of January,
1904, and recorded therein in vol
ume 133, at page 344.
You are further notified that if
within ninety (90) days after the
publication of this notice you fail
or neglect to contribute your pro
portion of such expenditure, your
interest in said mining claim if any,
will become the property of the un- :
dersigned, your co-owner, under
section 2324 of the Revised Statutes
of the United States.
EVERETT SUTHERLAND
Co-owner.
Date of first publication June 13,
1918. :
Date of last publication Sept. 12 .
1918
IF YOU DESIRE RUTTER AND
EGOS OF THE VERY BEST GO
TO LEHMANN’S.
Keep Posted, Read the WORKER.
'.\li> ADVERTISEMENTS
WASHINGTON STATE I
FEDERATION OF LABOR
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
EVERETTE, WASH. Sept, 9th, 1916.
To Trade Unionists of Alaska,
Greeting.
Ordinarily we would not think of making any sugges
tions to you concerning political candidacies in your Territory
hut in the present situation we feel justified in doing so. The
interests of labor in the entire northwestern group of states
and particularly Washington, is closely allied with the interest
of labor in Alaska. We have watched with growing concern
the efforts of large corporate aggregations to tighten their
hold upon the wealth of your country and have watched the
splendid fight waged in Congress by your Delegate Mr Wick
ersham.
It is because we believe Mr Wickersham is fighting in
Congress against the exploitation of labor and. the great nat
ural wealth of Alaska by powerful private, interests, that we
are taking^ the liebrty of urging our fellow unionists in Alaska
to rally to his support in his campaign for re-election.
Knowing that you will accept this communication in the
spirit in which it is written and assuring you the continued co
operation and good will of your fellow trade unionists, we beg
leave to remain,
3’ yi‘ r7 *' *' t1" Fraternally Yours,
f V v-*~T*^’iar-:-’5y • E. p. marsh
President Washington State Federation of Labor.
CHAS, R. CASE
Chairman Legislative Committee, Seattle Central Labor Council.
J. G BROWN
President International Shingle Weavers’ Union of America.
WILLIAM SHORT
Sec.-Treas. Dist. No. 10, United M^ne Workers of America.
•i
H
H
H
H
■I
H
JLm A JL. A *
FOR DELEGATE TO CONGRESS
* '
HON. CHAS. A. SULZER
(Democrat)
ELECTION, NOVHMBBR, 5, ISIS
ALASKA STEAMSHIP Cl.
S. S. VICTORIA
Leave
Seattle
Aug. - - - 25th
Oct. - - - ist
Leave
Nome
Sept. - - - 7th
Oct. - - - 16th
A. Carroll Agent, yVo/nej
LAST SAILING OF SEASON
S.S.ADM. WATSON
■ _
Leave
Seattle
Sept
12th
Leave
Nome
Sept
27th
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO C HANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
ALL RESERVATIONS SHOULD BE
CONFIRMED AT ONCE
Pacific S. S. Co.
L/C. Wolfe Agent==Nome
SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR
THE WORKER
Charles L. Ross
Milling, Lumber, Contractor
HAVING TAKEN OVER THE FREIGHTING & TRANSFER
BUSINESS OF YV. STEIGELMAlEIt AND OF LEO KENT,
FREIGHT ORDERS AND TRANSFER CONTRACTS WILL RE
CEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION.
3RD AND B STREET. PHONE BLACK 162.
» 5
[Miners and Merchants Bank?
v«4l(*tt «*'i ••»#••*««•••?•*
>**••»<»• *MMi«««#• >WH—H«MH<MMMMHWMwA«»*>iiSS8 W
Nome, Alaska j
★
Capital $100,000.00 *
★
Workingmen’s Accounts Solicited.
The Dawson Hotel
►I* *!* *1* *1* *1- 'I* *2* *J* *1* ►!* v »J* •!• “I* *2* *2* .;. -v.%.«.-r..»..;, .r, .r. „*.
*
+
4*
■fr
(Includes THE DAWSON, Oil KEN TREE and THE LINCOLN) *1*
Finest Rooms In Nome !
HOMELIKE AND COMFORTABLE QUARTERS FOR TRANS- *
IENT OR PERMANENT GUESTS.
T
4*
Proprietor *2*
r*•* ' *
•I- *1* *!• v v -I* -I* v v *2* * v v 4* *1* *2* *1* »J- *J* -J. .j. 4. .g. .j. .g, ^
BY DAY, WEEK OR MONTH.
BARNEY GIBNEY.
b *!■ *!* *2* *!* -!* *2* *2* -2- *2* *2* *2* *2* *2* -2-v -b *2* *2- *2* *2- *2* *2* 4* *J* ^ .j,
North Pole Bakery
& Coffee House
BREAD
15 cents per loaf
2 Loaxes 25c.
•2**2**2*,2**2,,2**J**2**2‘*l**i**21*2**M*>2**J1*fr>iN.lj..$..|..$..$..|..|..j..|11j.
*
*
•2*
+
*
*
*
•2*
+
*
+
*
*
*