THE LABOR ADVOCATE
Hustling Town
" Only Built
Memphis, Tenn. Mound Uayou, Boli
var county, Miss., is an exclusively negro
town, carved from the virgin forests of
hardwood and cane. Isaiah T. Mont
gomery founded the town 27 years ago.
A party of his relatives and friends
braved the panther, hear, wolf and other
wild animlas which infested liolivar
county at that time and labored with
him in dragging a surveyor's chain
through tanglewood for the town site.
Foremost among these pioneers were
Henjauiin Titus Green, J. P. T. Mont
gomery, Simon Gaiter, W. T. Montgom
ery, William Simmons, William II.
Granger, Perry Strong and 1!. J. Ar
rington. In casting their lot at this" point the
colonists selected what proved the center
of the largest cottoii;ijrbdlfcing county
in the world. The soiUis black loam in
the higher parts a'mPstfcky, dense black
land in thclower parts. The loam pul
verizes easily and is almost ideal for
cotton raising. It also produces pas
ture crops. The black land is the famous
buckshot, which becomes flinty in sum
mer, cracks and forms itself into clods
resembling shot. This is the land that
makes cotton grow eight feet and pro
duces more than a bale to an acre.
7,000 In Settlement.
The population of the town has grown
from a small group to 1,000 in the cor
porate limits and to 7,000 in the settle
ment. The business has grown with it.
There are L'll stores and shops, includ
ing two drug stores and a photograph
gallery. The business of these stores
is considerable ami is growing. Each
year the merchants are compelled to sell
on closer margin, but much of the trade
which sought nearby towns on account
of greater variety of goods or lower
prices made possible by larger stocks or
betier credit arrangements is pleased to
stay at home. The American Express
maintains an office there, with a negro
agent, and its business is upward of $.100
a month.
MANY PROTESTS FILED
AGAINST FIRING NEARING
Philadelphia. Protests from all over
.OMHUxv-Ugainst the dismissal. .01
Prof. Nearing are reaching the Univer
sity of Pennsylvania trustees, who are
charged with opposing free speech. Gif
ford Piuchot refers to the trustees' ac
tion as "controlled action," and in a pub
lic statement says :
"No believer in freedom can escape
strong indignation when he learns how
the trustees of the University of Penn
sylvania dismissed Scott Nearing. This
action is so obviously a blow at free
dom of thought that the world of liberal
minded men appears to be united
against it.
"If that is so, little more need be said.
Vet there is one point which does not
seem to have been sufficiently empha
sized. The dismissal of Scott Nearing
is a perfect illustration of the control
of education by accumulated wealth.
This, to my mind, is the greatest dan
ger that now threatens the universities
of the United btates. 1 do not know
that there is any organized power among
men more effective for evil than the
power to control education against the
public good. As a man thiuketh, so is
lie. As he learns, so he thinks. I o con
trot the teachings of a nation is to
control the nation itself.
OIUKOT TO COPKT'S I'OWIMI.
Adelaide. South Australia. The tend
ency of courts to check the people's will
prevails in this commonwealth as well
as in other parts of the world. At the
recent conference of the Australian labor
party, held in this city, the following
resolution was discussed for two days
" n amendment to the constitution to
deprive the high court of its interpreta
tive powers in regard to the federal con
stitution.
One delegate declared that this court
Mood above the constitution; that the
courts nan no right to nullity the laws;
that it rested with the people to correct
abuses in legislation,- and that this was
fhe power of democracy which Aus
tralians were denied by the high court.
The motion was lost. The majority
agreed with the sentiments, but insisted
that the interpretative power of the
court is necessary as long as the com
monwealth of Australia is a federation
of states.
Itciiiiirkulile.
"A Mohammedan is permitted by law
to marry four wives."
"Yes, and the funny part of it is, some
of 'em haven't got any more sense than
to do it."
Country Mfe.
"I low do you like living in the coun
try?" "firml. Pinncl nlnn. vim ..... ,- ci...
.... . ....... ,....... j..,. w., .-.,,,
Best train service in the world. Why,
my wile and I come into town nearly
ttcij nielli ami iiiisu 111 u rooi Karucn
., ., "
or soincuung.
of Negroes
in Mississippi
The railroad station, which is operat
ed by a negro, is about the ninth or
tenth in importance between Vicksburg
and Memphis. The commission to the
ticket agent amounts to $1,200 a year.
There are two licensed physicians, two
lawyers and a real estate agent. There
are six churches, and the value of their
property is around $17,000.
The weak point is the school. The
enrollment is more than :i()0, while the
equipment is inadequate for 50 pupils.
The teachers arc poorly paid and the,
term is not more than five months.
A Itaptlsl College.
The Baptist College, which is main
tained by a board of negro women
known as the "Women's Auxiliary,"
holds forth in a two-story frame build
ing and has some little provisions for
boarding pupils; but its funds are very
slim. Thc American Missionary Asso
ciation maintains a normal and indus
trial institute. The value of its property
is about $4,000 and it costs about $2,000
a year. Efforts have been made, but
with little success, to erect ,a small mod
ern dormitory for boys.
The fraternal insurance societies are
well represented and the treasury de
partment of the Masonic Order, which
handles about $100,000 a year, is there
tinder the guidance of Charles Hanks.
The timber industry lias been plied
since the beginning of the town and still
yields a neat revenue in logs, furniture,
staves and spokes. Other woods are cut
into framing material by the town saw
mills.
The three gins of the town wrap and
tie most of the cotton raised in the com
munity. The crop will yield this season
more than 1,000 bales.
The Cumberland Telephone Company
three years ago installed its system
there with a negro as local manager and
with a ( woman assistant. It has 71
phones in operation.
STOXHOUTTIOR AT $3.50 I'HK DA V
has coi;iiixiK nio(iiti:i:s.
Mc.ljiireii Speaks Seven liMlinuuges
llns Wide Acquaintance With
- Noted Menr
Cambridge, Mass. With two college
degrees and an acquaintanceship with
men of letters abroad, John McLaren,
A.B., A.M., is working as a stone cutter
here for $a.fi() a day. Both his degrees
arc from the University of Glasgow and
he speaks seven languages.
He was a prominent labor organizer
in England, lie is a friend of George
Bernard Shaw and adviser of Kier
Hardie, the labor leader and member of
parliament, and a great admirer of Mrs,
Pankhiirst.
His present employment is due to his
philosophy of life. He is known as No.
MH7 and has been on the job here for
six months.
CHICAGO KTIIIKIO HltTTIjHD.
Mayor filings Carpenters anil Con
structors to An Agreement.
Chicago. Building operations were
resumed in Chicago with a bang Monday
morning, following a settlement of the
carpenters' strike and the lifting by the
Allied Building Construction Material
interests of the ban on the delivery of
materials.
The carpenters' strike involving 10,000
men was settled at an all night "shirt
sleeve" conference directed by Mayor
William Hale Thompson.
The agreement was reached after a
13-hour session in which the differences
were ironed out completely as the sun
began to rise over the lake. The new
agreement will run three years and the
carpenters gain live cents 'an hour but
lose other points.
Not Guilty.
"Hey, you big bnsherl" yelled an ex
cited fan as the pitcher of the home
team issued Ins fourth successive base
on balls, forcing a runner across the
nlate. "Where did you learn to pitch?
In a correspondence .school?"
If the pitcher heard, he made no sign,
but another spectator sitting near the
excited one administered a stinging re
buke. "You talk like a fisli.'i, he. said scorn
fully. "What makes Von think, fliat' dub
ever learned to pitch Ainywhere?w ',
', i
Ills Only" Chance.
'Robinson is aiu awful nest a the
club. He talks ariil talks all the tihieT
"Oh, well, you can't blame him. nfior
rlmilt III line n umT, niul Hie... . n....l.
,.. ... ........ ..v ..mm .imh; ,,uK
ters at imme.g.
Generous.
I want, to buy a nlionouranh. What
arc your terms?"
"A dollar down and a dollar a month
until u net tired."
;;And then?"
.Then wc take the machine awav at
!ir own expense."
COURT CITESJLAWSON JUDGE
Must Prove Ho In Qualified to Sit
On Strike Cases,
COLORADO SUPllKMK COUNT ACTS
Miners Charge That .Midge Hillyei-
Ih Prejudiced Ills Connections
With Operators Ileferretl To.
Denver, Colo. The state supreme
court has ordered Judge Hillycr, who
presided at the Lawson trial, to show
cause why he should not be debarred
from the consideration of pending
strike cases. This order of Colorado's
highest tribunal is the first interference
with the coal operators' program and
may upset their plan of creating a spe
cial judicial district, presided oyer by
one of their attorneys, to try unionists,
charged with crime. Workers are hope
ful that Judge Hillycr will fail to con
vince the court he is "absolutely fair."
They point to former proceedings of
this character, where the supreme court
has sustained, in practically every case,
the idea of plaintiffs that other judges
should be appointed.
Last week Attorney Hawkins request
ed Judge Hillyer to refer the strike
cases to another judicial jurisdiction on
the ground that he was formerly con
nected with the coal companies. This
was refused, and if the supreme court
docs not come to their rescue workers
charged with crime will face a judge
who, they declare tinder oath, they be
lieve unfair.
PENNSYLVANIA RULING
HITS THE LOAN SHARKS
Philadelphia. City Solicitor Ryan
has ruled that the city shall not recog
nize assignments of wages by city em
ployes. A Portland, Me., concern asked
that it be allowed $11.80 on an alleged
assignment by a city fireman.
The city solicitor ruled :
"It has been for many years the set
tled policy of this state, declared by nu
merous statutes and various decisions of
its courts, not to permit the assignment
of future wages or salary for a present
consideration, but to regard such assign
ments or transfers of future earnings as
contrary to public policy because they
virtually amount to a species of peonage
or chattel slavery.
"There is another line of thought
which, leads to the same result and
wTiicTi invokes tlnTwdll realized 'policy
in this state, forbidding interference
with the prosecution of municipal or
other public work. It is an established
doctrine that cities, counties, and the
like may not be attached or otherwise
harassed at the suit of those holding
claims against persons to whom such
municipalities, etc., may be in debt.
"The ground of this prohibition is that
the interests of the public are paramount
to those of private persons, and that the
welfare of the community at large is
not to be prejudiced in order that rem
edies may be enforced for the collection
of debts as between individuals."
URGES MONTANA
MINERS TO UNIONIZE
Unite, Mont. The Free Lance, of
this city, indorsed by the state federation
of labor, asks Uutte miners: "Don't you
believe that a union of the miners is
needed in this community?"
These workers have been divided for
some time, and in referring to the dif
ferent opinions advocated the Free
Lance gives this wholesome advice:
"Organized and solidified, you will be
able to accomplish a great deal. You
undoubtedly have learned an everlasting
lesson from that which has transpired
in the past. You cannot travel any
faster than the age vc live in. Organ
ized labor is keeping abreast of the
times; it speaks the sentiment of its
members; its acts are the acts of the
membership as a whole. Some there are
who imagine that organized labor is
slow and retrogressive, and is not pro
gressing in accordance with the pro
gressive tendency of this present age.
Some sections of the country are more
progressive than others, and in those
sections considerable criticism has at
times been indulged in by the unthink
ing against those who arc classed as
nonprogressive. They remind you of
an army wherein a company or battalion
become impatient at the delay in attack
ing the enemy and consequently they
attack (on their own hook) a superior
force. As a result they are annihilated.
Thus it is with a few isolated instances
of aggressive unionism."
And That's All.
"Van Lushe says he can take a drink
or let it alone."
"Well, I've often seen him prove the
first half of that statement."
V Knsy.
"I'm thinking of taking up lit
as a proiession. Uo you thmki
anything in it r
"1 don't know much about it .1
the stories they publish in the m;
arc as, easy to write as thev arc
read it ought to be a cinch."
VOTE AGAINST
Union
Ale
AND
Porter
is -crftra-
MADE
5eer
saS Of America r(D
COPYRIGHT &TRADE HARK REGISTERED
THIS IS OUR LABEL
THE
HERAINCOURT
Brewing Co.
STRICl LY
UMO.N
LAGER
COAL
DLJY IT FROM YOUR FRIENDS
THE QUEEN CITY COAL CO.
PRIVATE KXCIUNUU WK8T UN'JO
! FLEISCHMANWS YEAST i
! MAKES :
I THE BEST BREAD I
KKKK SI'KKCliTx Coi,lK(i"KS.
San Francisco. The Evening Bulletin
makes this comment on the Rockefeller
foundation, in connection with the dis
missal of I'rof. Scott Nearing by the
University of Pennsylvania:
"It begins to appear that endowed uni
versities and endowed charitable foun
dations are the gravest enemies to free
thought in America. Endowments now
adays are almost always in the form of
funds invested in corporation securities.
The list of securities of the Rockefeller
foundation, for example, is almost a
roster of the strongest and most highly
centralized corporations in the United
States. The sympathies of this founda
tion will probably always be with the
corporations who thus contribute to its
support. In no different way the sym
pathies of the directors of, an endowed
university are almost sure to be with
money interests, and with all phases of
the present order, whether good or bad,
which help to keep money power in the
hands of a small class."
AX IMilXOIS IX.MJXCTIOX.
Waukcgan, 111. Striking amalgamat
ed lace operatives employed at the Mar
shall Field lace factory, Zion City, have
been enjoined by the Lake county circuit
court. The workers arc ordered not to
call upon lace factory employes "for the
purpose of inducing them to leave their
employment."
The State fedration of labor urged the
recent legislature to check these injunc
tion judges by passing a law similar to
the Clayton act. The Lake county writ
sustains their position that injunctions
of this kind are only issued against
striking workingmen and women, and is
a denial of fundamental rights every
citizen should enjoy.
IUOX WOKKKKS' STKIKK HXIS.
Chicago. Conferences between em
ployers and structural iron workers of
this city have resulted in an agreement
and the strike started on May 1 last is
at an end. About 1,000 men are affected
by the settlement. The iron workers
gain a substantial wage increase for the
last two years of a three year agreement.
For the first year they will receive the
old scale of pay, 03 cents an hour. For
the second vear the scale will be 00
cents, and for the third 70 cents an
hour. Arbitration provisions arc agreed
to. .-
OltCJAXIZK.
PROHIBITION!
DEMAND
PERSONAL LIBERTY
IN CHOOSING WHAT YOU
WILL DRINK
Ask for this Label when
purchasing Beer, Ale
or Porter,
As a guarantee that it is
Union Made
h
1903
STRICTLY
UNION
"MOKXIX OX TIIIO DKSHKT."
Vow the Western Miner.
(Lines found written on the door of
an old cabin in southern Nevada.)
"Mornin' on the desert, and the wind is
blowin' free,
And it's ours, jest for the hreathin', so
let's fill up, you and me.
No more stuffy cities, where you have to
pay to breathe,
Where the helpless human creatures
move and throng and strive and
seethe.
"Mornin' on the desert, and the air is
like a wine,
And it seems like all creation has been
made for me and mine.
No house to stop my vision, save a
neighbor'';, miles away.
And the little 'dobe shanty that belongs
to me and May.
"Lonesome? Not a minute I Why, I've
got these mountains here
That was put there just to please mc.
with their blush an' frown an'
cheer.
They're waitin' when the summer sun
gets too sizzliu' hot.
An' we just go campin' in 'cm with a
pan an' coffee pot.
"Mornin' on the desert, I can smell the
sagebrush smoke.
I hate to see it burnin', hut the land must
sure be broke.
Ain't it just a pity that wherever man
may live
He tears up much that's beautiful that
the good God has to give?
"'Sagebrush a'in't so pretty?' Well, all
eyes don't sec the same.
Have you ever seen the moonlight turn
it to a silvery flame?
An' that greasewood thicket yonder, well,
it smells just awful sweet
When the night wind has been shaking
it, for its smell is hard to beat.
"Lonesome? Well, I guess not! I've
been lonesome in a town,
Uut I sure do love the desert with its
stretches wide and brown.
All day through the sagebrush here the
wind is lilowin' free,
And it's ours, jest for the hreathin', so
let's fill up, you and me."
Hut Soon.
"Is your daughter's education fin
ished?"
"Not yet. She's going to be married
next week.
Vice Versa.
"Jones made his money in I
ninn. duln t her
"Some of it, but most of hi
he result of common sti