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The Labor Advocate INDEPENDENT NON-PARTISAN "4 PAPER FOR ALL WHO TOIL" ' Official Organ of the Building Trades Council of Cincinnati and Vicinity Vol. III. No. 17 CINCINNATI, OHIO, AUGUST 14, 1915 One Dollar a Year f I'V 7 C. l: CO' K I Gov. Willis, Who Betrayed Labor, Is Candidate for Presidential Nomination Ohio Executive Builds Up Political Machine to Aid Him in His Aspirations Broke His Promises and Balked Legislation Favorable to Workingmen Trying to Side-Track Burton. Gov. Frank B. Willis, of Ohio, is a candidate for the Republican nomina tion for Hie Presidency. This an nouncement was made in Columbus this week by Lieutenant-Governor John Arnold, who is casting his politi cal eye on the horizon to see his own candidacy materialize as the successor of Governor Willis. Arnold went on to say that an effort was under way to sidetrack former Senator Theodore E. Burton to the United States scnatorship, and that those behind the movement were back ing Ralph. D. Cole, who was defeated by Willis in the primaries a year ago, to succeed Willis. This latter part of the program, naturally, does not meet Mr. Arnold's unqualified endorsement. That Governor Willis would become an avowed candidate for the Republi can nomination for the Presidency long has been known to political ob servers in Ohio. Never before, per haps, has there been such a mushroom growth of a political boom as that nursed by Governor Willis. Before a political accident made him governor, Willis was practically unknown outside his own congressional district. His record in the lower house was that of hundreds of other mediocre congress men. Tie initiated nothing, did noth ing, to draw public attention to him- Miami I ton'' County "Sorry Hamilton County is responsible for Mr. Willis' election to the governor ship, and Hamilton County now is sorry for the part it took in that trans action. Not that his election to the governorship gives Mr. Willis a chance for the Presidency, for he has none. In the first place, he can not be nominated, and in the second place, should the Re publican National Convention be crazy, which it will 'not be, and should, in a moment of mental aberration, name him to head the ticket, he would he de feated worse than were Horace Greeley and William Howard Taft. Mr. Willis went into the governor ship on a deal with the liquor interests, backed by a fight on the Cox political machine. That Governor Cox had a perfectly working and well oiled ma- 'Safety First9 Now Slogan Of Car Men By Ciiaki.ks II. Sampson. The "Saftey First" movement is on in earnest in Cincinnati. Coroner Foertmcyer has written an article on this important subject, before the meet ing of the Federated improvement As sociation. 1 understand this great civic organization is considering the taking up of this matter and conducting an active campaign in its behalf. Now, the street car men's organiza tion is not asleep. Our membership is always wide awake and looking for an opportunity to better our city and help our friends, the public. We believe in putting our safeguards where they will do the most good. As servants of the public, we put in practically all of our working hours upon the streets. We observe the conditions that exist, and can truthfully say that over .1(1 per cent of the accidents that occur upon the streets of this City are caused by carlessness and inefficiency on the part of those who cause the accidents. A 'man who is careless and deliber ately disregards the safety of his fellow man should be punished, and the inef ficient person should be debarred, so as to prevent the possibility of causing ac cidents. Education is the only course left open to the public in order to protect life, limb and property. The slogan, "Safety First," appeals to everyone, and points out the only safe way to go chine is not open to doubt. But in his palmiest days "Jimmy" Cox, astute politcian as lie is, never had a machine like the one Governor Willis has build cd in his one year in office. The Cox machine was a Ford runabout to a high priced touring car when compared with the Willis political car. Look at his backers in his presi dential campaign : Prof. James M. Carr, State oil inspector; Charles B. Gal breath, State librarian: Secretary C. A. Jones, of the State Tax Commission, and Sherman A. Cuneo, his press agent during the gubernatorial campaign. Quite a galaxy of officeholders, all ap pointees of Governor Willis. ISi-oke His Promises. Tin: Laiiok Advocate is especially in terested in Governor Willis, owing to his altitude on labor legislation. He has broken every promise he made to organized labor. During the last ses sion of the Ohio General Assembly he aligned himself w.ith the employers against the workers; he did nothing to advance the interests of labor, content ing himself with saying that his "posi tion on those questions was too well known to require comment." His position is well known here, and it is time that the union men of Ohio made it their business to sec that his -ai$; tud c-ii .ra-darjaiavwi ta.ur.ifii'.. ir.en throughout the entire United states. Aside from his enmity toward union labor, Governor Willis, is not presi dential size. Big questions are daily arising that require the judgment of a big man, and Willis lacks mental weight to handle them. Can any one fancy Mr. Willis as President, handling the questions which have arisen out of the European war, or the imbroglio in Mexico? Mr. Wilson will be renominated liv the Democrats. Where would Frank B. Willis, the Ada statesman, run against a man of President Wilson's at tainments? His nomination is impos sible, his candidacy a joke, but organ ized labor should use the opportunity to notify the country where Frank B. Willis stands on laws favorable to the working man. about your business. Wc arc now working on a resolution which has been adopted by our Executive Board. We propose to have it introduced in the City Council. It guarantees safe passage to the public and protects all. In this case our future members will have to make some sacrifices, but when you consider the amount of good ac complished and the measure of protec tion given, we believe the sacrifice is worth it. Division 027 is always willing and ready to co-operate with any move whereby the City of Cincinnati will be benefited. Let us hope the "Safely First" move ment will develop and grow-, and that much good will come from it. COUItTIIOUSK WOltlf KTAItTKI). Actual construction work on the new court house dated from Wednesday, yhcn the contractors began the construc tion of the concrete footings for the north wall of the building. CINCINNATI KIKHT. Oscar Matthews, secretary of Paint ers' District Council No. 12, has en rolled Manager John F. Royal, of B. F. Keith's Theater, in the "Boost Cin cinnati" club. Matthews wrote the fol lowing letter to Royal: "I was instructed by Painters' Dis trict Council No. 12 to communicate with you to show their appreciation of vour irivmir the decorating of the li. l, Keith Theater to a Cincinnati deco rator. We feel sure that you have not made any mistake in so doing, as wc know that we have hist as cood de?o- rato.'s in Cincinnati as anywhere in the country." Republicans Break Promise To Union Men Ever since the present Republican administration has been in power in Cincinnati it has shown, whenever pos sible, its antagonism to union labor. Scarcely a month has passed that some complaint has not been lodged with the heads of city departments that non union men were being employed in preference to union labor, and these complaints have usually been ignored or nullified by delay. All this has been in the face of pro testations of good will toward the unions. None has been louder in these protestations than the present admin istration, and none has broken its promises so often and so flagrantly. I he latest evidence of the adminis tration's preference for non-union la bor is shown in the recent appoint ment of an electrician in the Water Works Department. On July 7 Richard Paulsen, of Cleve land, was named for this position. Paulsen is a resident of Cleveland; he is non-union; he is not even a citizen of Cincinnati, never having voted here, and is not on the eligible list. This is only one, and the latest, case known to union business agents. It is time that union men awakened and realized that promises by this Re publican administration arc worthless. Present Republican heads of city de partments care nothing for union labor except on election day. They arc not to be trusted, as the past has clearly shown, and the time is ripe for union men to see to it that men arc elected who will show by their actions, and not by pre-election promises, that they arc friendly to union, labor. Liability Companies Given Power to Write Workmen3 s Compensation in Ohio Superintendent .of Insurance Taggart Grants Plea of Companies Over the Protest of The Ohio State Federation of Labor Fight to Protect Law Will Be Carried to Courts. ( By Thos. J. Donnelly, Secretary Treasurer O. S. I'". of L.) Evidently fearful that they would suffer a defeat in their effort to have the Industrial Commission recognize them in the writing of workmen's compensa tion insurance, the liability insurance companies did not, as promised two weeks ago, file their brief in support of their contention with the industrial Com mission, but transferred their field of en deavors to the Department of Insurance of Ohio and the Superintendent thereof, Judge Taggart. hor the purpose ot securing a decision upon their asserted right to solicit and write workmen's compensation in Ohio, tile insurance interests had threc coin panics the London Guarantee. Travel ers and Aetna ask Superintendent Tag gart to pass on the micstion ol their tirllf in f o this kind ot business in the Stale, and requesting licenses permitting them to do same. A hearing was set for Thursday, July 22, at the Department of Insurance, by Supt. Taggart. In attendance were ex Suneriutendcnt of Insurance A, I. Vorys (representing the insurance com panics), the members of the Industrial Commission and Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Stale Federation of Labor. At that time Chairman Yaple replied to the argument of Mr. Vorys, and opposed granting to the insurance companies the right to solicit and write workmen's compensation in Ohio. Later he filed a brief with the Superintendent of Insur ance more fully setting forth his argu ment against granting the request of these companies. Taggni't Issues Licenses. On July :io Supt. Taggart handed down a decision favorable to the insur ance companies, and which was followed by the issuing of licenses permitting them to compete with the State in the writing of workmen's compensation. Building Trades Council Goes on Record Against State-Wide Prohibition Passes Resolution to Help Ohio Home Rule League in Fight to Aid Allied Unions Names Delegate to Meeting of League Take Action on Spear & Co. Delegate Obligated. The Cincinnati Building Trades Coun cil, at its regular weekly meeting Thurs day night, went on record in opposition to state-wide prohibition in Ohio. This action was taken following re ceipt of a communication from the Ohio Labor Home Rule League, asking the Council for its co-operation in fighting prohibition Ed Lane was named as the Council's delegate to meet with the Home Rule League. Trades unions do not look upon pro hibition as a political issue. It is purely economic, from their viewpoint, and they can not in justice to themselves or in justice to the tens of thousands of other trades unionists who are employed directly or indirectly in the manufac ture and sale of liquor, vote to throw these men out of employment. The action of the Council was based on the following communication from the Ohio Labor Home Rule League: Ton Thousand Men. Involved. "The Labor Home Rule League of I lamilton County is composed of trades unions directly and indirectly engaged in the liquor industry, and representing over 10,000 trades unionists whose jobs are now placed in jeopardy by the Pro hibitionists torcing us into another cam paign. As trades unionists, wc appeal to you for your moral support to help The excuse for his action is based on the fact that Section 0510, Paragraph 2, General Code, relating to the licensing of insurance companies, and providing for the writing of liability insurance, had not been specifically repealed at the time of the enactment of the Workmen's Compensation law. The fact that nowhere in the statutes is permission given to write workmen's compensation appears to have been over looked. Likewise is the fact apparently overlooked that workmen's compensation has supplanted employers' liability, and that as this latter form of insurance has become a Slate function under the Con stitution and the law, a constitutional change must take place and the statutes be amended to permit the insurance com panies to engage in the writing orguar- I antecing of workmen's compensation. Playing For Advantage. The insurance companies have been playing for a tactical advantage, and from results so far obtained by them there can be no doubt that this caused them to cease their efforts before the industrial Commission and transfer their energies to the Insurance Department. The Ohio State Federation of Labor is convinced that the liability insurance companies have no right to engage in the workmen's compensation business in Ohio, notwithstanding the decision of Superintendent Taggart: and these in terests may as well realize now that Labor of the State will use every lawful means available to see that the privilege just granted them is speedily taken away. We are not excited or hysterical over this (ineslioii, but grimly determined. Every step taken will be duly considered, ami everything possible done to prevent the workes of Ohio falling back into the hands of these profit-mongers and their representatives. defeat the Prohibition movement in Ohio. "To that end we appeal to you for the co-operation of your organization and ask you to send a committee of one or more to represent your membership at the meeting of the League, which will be held August IS, at 8 o'clock p. m., at 140S Walnut street. A committee rep resenting the League will visit you at one of your regular meetings in the near future and will explain the hardships our organizations have suffered because of our continued struggle against the Prohibition menace. Any courtesy you may show the committee will be very much appreciated by the unions involved. "Thanking you for the great help you gave us in the last campaign, and trusting that you will lend us your moral support to defeat our common enemy in November by even a greater major ity, we remain, Fraternally yours." President Cullen presided at the meet ing. 1 lie reports oi mismess ngein Fred Hock and the trustees were read and adopted. All Business Agents re ported business fair. George Trooks, delegate from .the As bestos Workers, was obligated. The r.lnsc Workers nresented their contract with the employers, which was endorsed bv the Council. 'The Secretary was instructed to send n-jt in all. notices "WFDONIT PAT RONIZE"' rarefs -if-Spt'ar:md"eotn-panv, the installment house, which for a long time has been unfair to union labor. CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL Denounces Sentence Passed on Law son In Colorado. Central Labor Council Tuesday even ing adopted resolutions denouncing the sentence imposed on John Lawson, condemned to life imprison, .nt in Col orado, as the result of scheming on the part of big business interests for the purpose of getting rid of obnoxious union labor leaders. Lawson s sentence is nronounccd unjust, and he is assured of the sympathy of the Council and its financial support. . By resolution the unions of the cit are called on to take proper action for showing their sentiments in the matter and to make plain they arc united m condemning the methods used in the Lawson trial. One delegate wanted a copy of the resolutions sent to Mr. Rockefeller, but the move was blocked by another, who objected to the expense. BUILDING PERMITS Alterations to Workhouse, to accom modate jail' prisoners, to cost, $12,000. Mrs. Tillie Fuerst, I'.-story brick dwelling. 2-104 and 240G Vine street, to cost $7,500. . H. W. Megrue, alterations on north west corner of Reading road and Glen wood, to cost $0,000. a,v,i,-T.:,iw fn.. "V?-storv brick dwelling, southeast corner Madison road and Elmhurst, to cost $,r.uu. . Bessie M. Crane, 2S-story bnck d welling, 5030 Bramble avenue, to cost S5.000. y , . , Mary E. Allender, S'S-story brick dwelling, southeast corner Ludlow and Gano, to cost $4,300. . . , Apartment building, Cincinnati. L. J. Lawlcr, architect, 1105 Chestnut .-.rtt Qt T nnis Mo. TJ,i'ii1nnce. Belmont avenue. B. T. Wiscnall, architect, First National Bank Building. Owner, Frank S. Bow man, 504 First National Bank Budd ing. . , . Fenton Dry Cleaning and Dyeing Co., Reading road and Hickman street, Norwood, to build a 1-story brick store on corner of Montgomery and Cleneay. J. B. Schmidt, contrac tor; Louis Dittoc, architect. Cost, $5,000. Bertha Dunn, Sll Dayton street, Cin cinnati, to build a 2J-story brick resi dence on Williams avenue, between Spencer and Regent. Norwood. C. H. Ortman, contractor and architect. Cost, ?0,000.