THE AMERICAN LABOR YEAR BOOK 1917-18 EDITED BY ALEXANDER TRACHTENBERG PUBLISHED BY THE RAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE 7 EAST 15TH ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. Secretaries of National and International Unions, State Fed- THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RESEARCH, Rand School of Social Science. 7 East 15th Street, New York, N. Y. Copyright, 1918, THE RAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE VAIL-BALLOU COMPANY PREFACE The first volume of the American Labor Year Book, published in the Fall of 1916, was accorded an enthusiastic reception in the ranks of the labor movement as well as outside of it The Year Book found its way to many a public and college library, government bureau, industrial and commercial corporation, labor union and Socialist office, as well as to the desks of teachers, publicists, social workers and other persons interested in the progress of the labor movement. Socialist propagandists, labor leaders and university professors have equally found the Year Book a useful reference volume and the editor was assured that the publication supplied a long-felt want. It was hoped that the second volume would be brought out last Fall. The abnormal conditions arising out of the continuance of the international conflict unfortunately caused delay in the preparation of a large portion of the book. The gathering of information concerning the international Socialist and labor movements was especially hampered. With the entrance of the United States into the European war, a number of problems had arisen which demanded consideration and the contents of the book had to be materially changed. The book is again divided into six parts. Articles dealing with the effect of the war on labor, the extent of collectivism and the reaction of the Socialist and labor movements toward the war are included in the first part of the volume. Part II contains material regarding the labor movement in the United States, including accounts of various strikes, labor trials, the railway labor dispute and brief histories of two leading international unions. The editor hopes to print in every edition of the Year Book short histories of different labor unions, written by their active members, which will in time make up a collection of valuable material for the student of labor union history. Articles dealing with labor and the law, including a review of labor legislation, court decisions affecting labor, arbitration in various countries, as well as special articles on workmen's compensation, health insurance, arbitration in Australia and mothers' pensions in the United States, are included in the third section of the book. Part IV contains a number of articles under the head of what the editor chose to call for want of a more definite title Social and Economic Conditions. Here are included, among other things, special articles on the high cost of living, infant mortality, railroad ownership, occupational diseases, the economics of the Negro problem, the land problem, apprentice ship and industrial education, municipal ownership in the United States and abroad, woman suffrage, the initiative and referendum and prohibition. The following section is devoted to a description of the progress of the international Socialist, labor and co-operative movements, by countries. Last year's material is condensed and a great deal of what occurred during the years of 1916 and 1917, the information of which could be obtained, is included. The material for this section was mainly supplied by Ludwig Lore, Associate Editor of the New York Volkszeitung, whose close acquaintance with the international movement was very helpful in the preparation of this portion of the book. The editor drew upon his own sources of information for the article on Russia and it roughly represents his interpretation of the events which occurred there up to the writing of the article. The subsequent developments seem to have substantiated the ideas set forth in the article. The last part of the book deals with the Socialist movement in the United States. Special articles on the results of the last presidential campaign, the activities of Socialists holding public office, the Unity Conference of the two Socialist parties in this country, the St. Louis Convention of the Socialist Party and an account of the results of the recent election are included in this section. The present book is almost entirely a new volume. The editor originally planned to reprint a number of valuable articles from the first volume. Lack of space forced him to omit those articles, as well as a great deal of material which was especially prepared for this edition. It will be almost a necessity for those using the Year Book to secure last year's edition in order to get the background for a great deal of material contained in this volume. The editor takes this opportunity to thank the various contributors whose ready and genuine co-operation was both an inspiration and a great aid. His gratitude is especially due to David P. Berenberg and Spencer Brodney, who gave a great deal of their time and ability to editorial work; to George N. Cohen, who diligently read the proofs, to Frank V. Anderson, who helped with the index and to Edith Heller and Rosalind Kohn who read copy and proofs. The editor again enters his request for helpful criticism and suggestions for guidance in preparation of future editions. January, 1918. ALEXANDER TRACHTENBERG. TABLE OF CONTENTS U. S. in the War, 7; American Labor in the War, 11; Labor Laws in War Time, 15; Labor in the British Govern- ment, 21; English Women and the War, 23; War Time Collectivism in Various Countries, 28; A. F. of L. and Mili- tarism, 42; A. F. of L. and the War, 43; American Socialists PAGE THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES . Extent of Trade Unionism, 54; American Federation of Labor: Principles, 59: Economic Platform, 59; Character, 60; Membership, 61; Finances, 62; Directory, 63; National Women's Trade Union League, 67; Strikes: Statistics of Strikes and Lockouts in the U. S.. 1916, 70; Mesaba Range, 72; N. Y. Carmen's, 73; Bayonne, 76; Chicago Garment Work- ers, 77; Bisbee Deportation, 79; Mooney Case, 80; Murder of Frank Little, 83; Hours of Labor, 84; Fatigue and Duration of Labor, 87; Eight-hour demand of Railway Workers, 89; Chronology of Railroad Labor Dispute, 91; Railroad Acci- dents, 98; Industrial Unionism, 98; Brief History of Inter- national Association of Machinists, 99; Constitution and Plat- form of I. A. of M., 104; Brief History of the International Labor Legislation, 1916, 115; Federal Child Labor Law, 120; Workmen's Compensation, 124; Health Insurance, 126; Court Decisions Affecting Labor, 128; Arbitration in Labor Disputes in Various Countries, 136; Arbitration in Australia, 145; Arbitration of Railroad Labor Disputes in U. S., 148; |