Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1907 — ONIONS AND EGGS JOIN UNION. [ARTICLE]

ONIONS AND EGGS JOIN UNION.

Tomatoes and Peas Likewise Affiliated—All Mast Bear Label. Garden truck bearing union labels Is the latest thing proposed In Newburg, N. Y. Farmers in that vicinity have organized and asked for affiliation with the Central Labor Union, says the New York World. The only rock In the path of the brand-new Idea Is whether a union label can be affixed to vegetables. If farmers can overcome this difficulty they will be welcomed by the labor unions and walking delegates will Include kitchen inspection among their duties. The farmers recently met at SearsTllle and formed the Orange County Union. Their Idea is to cut out the middleman's profits and sell directly to consumers. For some years exactions by commission merchants have grovtn and profits to tillers of the soil havd been cut. The plan Is to form a company composed exclusively of members bf the union to operate a large exchange In Newburg and deal directly With the people, selling union potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage and garden truck of all kinds slightly below present nonunion prices. To secure co-operation of the labor Interests the farmers have asked to Join the Ceqtral Labor. Union. Union men In Newburg are enthusiastic over the project and say they will need no compulsion to purchase union vegetables if the prices are lower. It Is acknowledged, however, that the question of how to place union labels •o goods is perplexing, and unless ad may keep the farmers outside the Breastworks of organized labor. It io maintained by some persons that Eery vegetable must be stamped, hereupon critics ask how It will be possible to label ripe tomatoes without Cuaohlng them. Others say It will not to label pea pods, but that each separate pea must reeclve Its certificate of character. This would also treats work for The unemployed. Then there has arisen the problem of how " succotash can be labeled. When It comes to eggs, some of the labor men say It may be necessary to Include hens In the union. If this be done the question of keeping them from working overtime and the matter of limiting their output will have to be solved. ----