Labor Council Meets: Strikers' Relief, a Labor Press, and the Boy Scouts
Hoquiam's Central Labor Council gathers to fund a sick striking carman, cheer its improving Labor Press, and seat delegates on Aberdeen's new Scout council.
The union Central Council met in regular session Tuesday evening, with interest in the work of the council and no small amount of business on the table. A communication from the United Labor Trades and Labor Council was ordered laid on the table for one week, giving the delegates time in which to digest its contents, and will be acted on at the next meeting.
Brother Dickinson, chairman of the board of directors of the Labor Press, reported on the financial condition of the paper, which has shown quite an improvement over that of a year ago. The Labor Press is now winging its way from week to week. The managing editor, Brother Walton, was given a rising vote of thanks for the time and energy spent in making the Press a success.
Regional Director Dayton of the Boy Scouts gave a short address on welfare work for the boys of the Harbor. He also asked the council to appoint two members of the Scout council to be formed in Aberdeen. The council will be composed of two representatives from the civic, fraternal and industrial organizations of the city. The Central Council concurred in the request and appointed Brothers Cyrus and Walters.
Organizer Lent of the Barbers' Union gave an interesting talk on "Americanization, Immigration and the Union Label." A report of his address will be found elsewhere in this issue.
After some discussion it was decided to ask the American Federation for organizers' credentials for a member of the council. Brother Key of the Carmen was recommended.
It was also reported that Brother Greene, one of the striking Carmen of the O. W. R. N., is in financial distress. The council voted $25 for his relief, and Brother Curtis, with the hat, netted another $12.50.
After adjournment the members of the council enjoyed a spread made by the lady members. Everyone reported having a good time as well as a good feed.
“It was also reported that Brother Greene, one of the striking Carmen of the O. W. R. N., is in financial distress. The council voted $25 for his relief, and Brother Curtis, with the hat, netted another $12.50.”
A century later, the same questions — how unions support workers through a strike, whether a labor movement can sustain its own press, and how organized labor shows up in civic institutions like the Scouts — still define Grays Harbor's working life. The council's $25 relief vote for a striking carman is a reminder that solidarity has always been collected a dollar at a time.
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