Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1908 — FRIEND OF WAGEWORKER. [ARTICLE]

FRIEND OF WAGEWORKER.

The big railroads have succeeded tn killing the “ashpan” bill of Senator Hemenway. The brotherhoods of railroad employes are disheartened. The railroads have many strong friends in the United States senate, and the lawyers they sent to Washington to lobby against the measure of the Junior senator from Indiana were able on Monday to Induce the members of the interstate commerce committee to postpone further hearings on the bill fcm two weeks, thus sending it to sleep for the remainder of this session. But It will awake next winter. This "ashpan” bill Is designed to save locomotive firemen from risk of losing their lives in getting under their engines and cleaning out the ashes. Last year 138 firemen were killed or maimed In their performance of this particular duty. The fact should have caused swift acceptance and enactment of the Hemenway bill providing for the adoption of automatic ashpans. . Mr. Hemenway worked hard for 1L He has the Interest and safety of workingmen always at heart, and throughout his congressional career he has urged and supported all legislation, for their benefit. He sh child be remembered by all laborers as their friend. Work for one section of organised labor Is work for wageearners In every sphere of industrial activity. The election of: a Republican legislature in this state In November is necessary that James Alexander Hemenway be retained tn the national congress, where he is prominent, respected and eminently valuable to the nation. In voting ter state representatives on November 3 the laboring man is expected to vote tor his own best Interest and support each Republican candidate.