Tbe ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mecklenburg County
|f.: ■ ! . i * ; j . 1 ,| ; . . ;
for • Weekly, It* Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYINv* POWER in Cl n«te
Truthful, Honest, Impartial
<LltF Charlotte labor Journal
2/ AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring
Official Organ < tral
Labor Union; endoS t by
State Federation of it
Endeavoring to Serve the Masses
VOL. V.—No. 4 T—
othimi in Tub Jmmbu. la »
CHARLOTTE, N. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1935
CO AA Dae Vaa■
OUR NEW CITY COUNCIL OFF
TO A GOOD START - PRIDGEN
, GIVES WAY TO J. B. MARSHALL
With J. B. Marshall as our new city manager, and Messrs
Scarborough and Boyd the new city attorneys, things are moving
along apparently smooth. Then there is Dr. Squire* as a new
member of the civil service body and Supt. Vest still holding down
the water department. The new wrestling commission consists of
Messrs. Steffy, Scruggs and Mitcham, with Messrs. Blumenthal,
Boate and Bundy, Griffith and Roberts on the Park and Recrea
tion Commission. L. L. Ledbetter was re-elected city treasurer,
and Marvin Westmoreland accountant. L. J. Huntley was named
recorder pro-tem.
There seems to be a spirit of fellowship among the members
to start off with, but that is no sign that the dove of peace will con
tinue to hover over our city fathers.
[Since the above was written they are commencing to shake
the boys down, and strange as it may seem, most of them are
Union men, being chopped off here and there on account of in
sufficient funds. When a new administration goes in it is cus
tomary to let persons out, and the same old cry is always used of
insufficient annronriation. I
The important committees that will
play a conspicuous part in the new
government follow:
Fire department: J. p. Durham,
chairman, H. H. Baxter, and J. S.
Nance.
Police department: J. F. Boyd,
chairman, J. H. Huntley and L. R.
Sides.
Inspection department: J. S. Tip
ton, J. F. Durham, W. R. Hudson. J
^ Sanitary, incinerator, motor equip
ment departments: J. L. Wilkinson,
chairman, J. H. Huntley and H. H.
Baxter.
Finance committee: L. R. Sides,
chairman, J. F. Durham and W. N.
Hovis.
Public works and engineering de
partments: H. H. Baxter, chairman,
J. F. Boyd and J. L. Wilkinson.
Health department: Claunde L. Al
bea, chairman, J. S. Nance and W. R.
Hudson.
Public buildings: W. R. Hudson,
Claude L. Albea and J. F. Boyd.
Parks and public affairs.: J. S.
Nance, chairman, L. R. Sides, and
J. L. Wilkinson.
Cemetery: W. N. Hovis, J. S. Tip
ton and Claude L. Albea.
Personnel: J. H. Huntley, W. N.
Hovis, and J. S. Tipton.
The committees, Mayor Douglas
said, will start functioning immedi
ately.
Problems of the various depart
ments will be handled by the city
manager in conjunction with the
particular committee involved.
The committees will investigate is
sues to be settled by the council and
will make a detailed report to all mem
bers of the council for action.
Persons having matters to settle and
involving particular departments will
confer with the committees appointed
for that purpose 'and will not directly
deal with the 11 members of the gov
erning board, it was stated.
Through the new system it is be
lieved that efficiency will be increas
ed. All members of the committees
will familiarize themselves with the
functioning of the department to
which they have been assigned and
will advance such ideas as will prove
advantageous to department opera
tion.
Mr. Marshall, of course, will han
dle all routine matters and will confer
with the various committees on prob
lems to be settled. Reports from the
committees will be received at each
council meeting.
ROCKINGHAM TEXTILE WORKERS
HAVE ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS;
STRONG RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
Monday night, May 20th saw a real
textile meeting held in Rockingham,
one that was enthusiastic, largely at
tended and productive of good re
sults for the textile workers for that
section. The meeting was addressed
by E. L. Sandifur, secretary of the
State Federation of Labor and Or
ganizer “Red” Lisk, of the Textile
Workers.
The Journal is informed that an
other charter will be hung by the
Textile Workers of Rockingham in
the near future.
The following resolutions were
passed unanimously, and speak for
themselves:
Whereas, there is now befor Con
gress a bill known as the Wagner La
bor Relations Act, and, whereas, since
it is apparent the Labor section of
NRA, Section 7A, is totally inadequate
to protect Labor in its constitutional
rights; and, whereas, it is our belief
that the passage of the Wagner La
bor Relations bill will go far to bring
about a peace and harmony in re
lationship of Employer and Employee,
as it sets up definite methods for the
settlements of disputes and differ
ences arising during the course of
employment, and grnats Labor the
right to bargain colectively under the
recognized and just principle of ma
jority rule;
Therefore, be it Resolved that we,
a group of workers in mass meeting,
assembled this 20th day of May, 1935,
at Rockingham, N. C., urgently re
quest all Members of Congress from
North Carolina to lend their active
support to securing the passoge of the
Wagner Labor Disputes Bill, the two
year extension of N. R. A., the Thirty
Hour-Week Bill, and other Labor leg
islation favored by the American Fed
eration of Lqbor; and—
Be it further Resolved that a copy
of this Resolution be sent to each
member of Congress, to the Labor
rPess, and to the United Textile
Workers of America.
D. A. McGILL,
President, Local 2305.
May 20, 1935.
Whereas, the recently announced
decision of the Work Assignment
Board in declaring that there only
existed a very few cases of stretch
out in textile plants of the country
is so obviously untrue, and seems to
be utterly biased in its findings, and
Whereas, we, as Textile Workers,
for years are in position to know be
yond doubt as to whether we have
suffered stretchouts; and as of our
own certain knowledge, stretchouts
have, and do, exist; therefore, we,/a
group of Textile Workers, in mass
meeting, assembled at Rockingham, N.
C., May 20, 1935, do hereby regis
ter our sincere' and emphatic disap
proval and denial of the purported
finding of the Wage Assignment
Board, and
Be it further Resolved that a copy
of this protest be sent to the Work
Assignment Board and other Offi-,
cials affected, to the Labor Press,
and the Ul T. W1. of A.
Signed D. A. McGILL,
President Local 2305.
M. C. Sowell
Journal Visitor
From Gastonia
Brother M. C. Sowell, of the Gas
tonia Building Trades Council was a
Journal visitor Tuesday morning. He
brought good news of the activities of
the labor movement in his wide-awake
city and invited the Journal down
for the Friday night meeting.
LABOR RACKETEERING IN
CHARLOTTE CONDEMNED BY
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
Racketeering in the name of Organized Labor in Char
lotte in the advertising, publicity and co-operative field
brought forth the following resolution, which was unanimous
ly passed Tuesday, January 21, by Central Labor Union:
“Resolved, That the Charlotte Labor Journal is
recognized in Charlotte as the only official paper of
this section, and that merchants and business con
cerns are warned against outsiders soliciting adver
tisements or funds in the name of Labor, unless they
have secured the sanction of Central Labor Union.
For information merchants and business men may
may call The Journal at 3-4855, or Central Labor
Union, 9185. The motion carried unanimously.’'
LABOR AND OUR NEW COUNCIL
The Journal does not know who the “leaders” in Organized
Labor are who have made the threat that certain business con
cerns would be boycotted, but it does know that such statements
should not have been made without authority of Central Labor
Union, in meeting assembled. While this paper does not approve
the wholesale dismissal of employes because of their Union affil
iation and stands squarely behind Councilman Albea in his lone
vote for equal justice, it does disapprove the assertion of individ
uals that may be construed as veiled threats.
In due course of time, if any action is to be taken, it will come
from the delegates of Central L&bor Union, and not from unau
thorized spokesmen.
I. k .1
■V
HARin
BOATt
ACCIDENTS
In the midst of the many great questions of the day which are occupy
ing the public mind, accidents are not by any means the least. One never
takes up a paper these days without his eyes falling upon accounts of acci
dents, many of which are peculiar, some miraculous, others plain every-day
events. Will endeavor in this article to comment briefly on a few of the
most notable of such occurrences in the past few days.
The newspapers on Sunday morning last blazoned the headlines which
told of the wreck of the giant airplane in Russia, which cost the lives of 49
people and the .destruction of the aircraft, which was about three years in
the building, destroyed in about three minutes, and was designed to accommo
date 75 persons, including the crew. The wreck was the result of the dis
obedience of the pilot of an escort plane, who was doing some stunt flying
contrary to orders, resulting in a collision with the big ship, and the conse
quent death of all persons in both planes.
Will Rogers says of this plane: “I saw it when I was there. They said
themselves over there that it had never been much success as far as flying.
But Russia is just at that stage like we used to be where they want the
•biggst’ of everything. So it made good ‘reading’ when they would write how
big it was. It was a warehouse with six engines on it; they could jack it up
and get it above the field in Moscow, but I don’t think it had ever been out of
town. The great sport in Russia is parachute jumping. They used to take
half the town up in this and let ’em jump.” He ends his article by warning
not to think all their planes will not fly, for that would be a mistake. They
are the most air-minaed nation in the world. i - ■
Among other air accidents may be mentioned Bill Picune, the boy who
invented and is experimenting with bat wings for human flying. Last Sun
day he went up 8,000 feet in an airplane, then jumped. He landed on top of
a tree 30 feet from the ground, but was unhurt.
What may or may hot have been the result of an accident is the death on
Sunday last in England of “Lawrence of Arabia,” one of the most colorful
figures of the World War, and withal a remarkable man, successful flier,
great student, wonderful in military ability, and yet who shuhned publicity
whenever possible. A week ago while riding his motorcycle he was in
collision with several children. He remained in an unconscious state since
that tinie until death finally took him. It has been rumored that what really
cauesd the accident was an attempt to assassinate him because of secrets he
was supposed to possess, but the British government says there is no truth
to the rumor. However, it was a very unfortunate affair, and the world
is the poorer because of his untimely death. The story of his real life has
never been equaled by any fiction ever written. He was a man who Mid
things for the love of doing them, and they were all helped ih the way of
spreading knowledge throughout the world, as his great love was in search
of history of past ages. ... , , .. . ..
Those who read the story of Jonah and said it never happened, or that it
ean not be true, may read this with profit. From Sydney, Australia, comes
the story that a captured shark diagorded the tattotoed arm of a man. The
man had been murdered, his body dismembered, and the parts thrown into
the sea. The shark swallowed one arm and returned it to earth as evidence,
and it seems the perptrator has been found, for it is stated the murderer may
hang. No stranger accident could possibly happen than this event.
Still more accidents. In the “dustbowl” of the middle west, where it has
been so dry for months that the ground has been blowing from one state to
another, causing damage to property and even being responsible for deaths
and disease, they are now face to face with another danger. No longer is it
the dust, but rains have fallen, and now the water is as much in abundance
as it had been scanty—so much so that floods are now taking the place of
the dust storms, and in the past few days quite a few people have been
drowned in raging floods overspreading the land or washing away roads and
bridges. It has often been remarked that trouble never comes singly, and
it surely is thus in many casesi
Locally we had a case in Charlotte court last week where some per
son ran his automobile into one of the new loading platforms recently
erected at the Square. The attorney for the defense remarked about a fool
ish obstruction being built in the street. Perhaps he had never been to some
other cities where they have for a long time been trying to make it possible
for people to Step on a street car, instead of being knocked on. L
If people would just remember that traffic lights and other warning de
vices are put in place for their protection, and not for the purpose of seeing
how often one can disobey the signal and do so safely, life may be a little
less strenuous than it has been lately.
Western Textile
Council Meets In
Charlotte Saturday
On Saturday, May 25th at 2:30
p.m. the Western Textile Council will
meet in Charlotte with Local 2002,
of which J. Howard Payne is secre
tary. The meeting will be held at
Central High School. Among the
speakers on the program are John
Peele and R. R. Lawrence,..with a few
lesser lights.
This is slated to be one of the big
zest meeting ever held by the West
ern Textile Council, delegates coming
from all locals in the district as well
as truck loads of visitors.
After the business sessions a so
cial program will be the order of
the evening, an orchetra being pro
vided and a' big dance put on.
Remember the date and place.
Women s Label
League Change
Meeting Night
NOTICE: Women’s Union La
bel League will meet at Central
Labor Uinon Hall May 27. All
members are urged to be pres
ent as this wil lbe the last meet
ing before the “Mock Wedding.”
The League meets for re
hearsal of the “Mock Wedding”
next Monday night, May 27, at
Central Labor Union hall.
If higher wages means greater
purchasing power, then higher Union
wages means greater organized pur
chasing power, and that spells Pros
perity for everybody. Look for the
Union Label 1 ,
NATIONAL LEGISLATION WILL BE
DISCUSSED AT MASS MEETING AT
CENTRAL HIGH SATURDAY NIGHT
There will be a mass meeting: at the Central High School Sat
urday at 8 P. M. to express approval of the NRA and to ask our
representatives in Congress to support a bill for a two-year con
tinuance of same. Hie Wagner-Connery labor disputes bill and
the Black 30-hour week bill will be discussed.
Hon. W. F. Scholl will be the first speaker, using as his sub
ject, “The NRA.” John Peele, of South Carolina, a vice-president
of the United Textile Workers, win handle the Wagner bill and it
is hoped that President R. R. Lawrence, of the State Federation
of Labor, will be on hand to talk on the Black 30-hour week bill.
The meeting wUl last exactly one hour and there wiU be no
long-drawn out speeches.
The Western Textile conference will be held at the same
place on Saturday, beginning at 2 P. PM. This gathering will
merge itself into the mass meeting at 8 P. M.
QUEEN CITY PRINTING CO. STRIKE
DRAGGING ITS WEARY LENGTH
WITH UNION MEN IN SOLID FRONT
The strike of Printers, Pressmen and Bindery Workers at the
Queen City Printing Co. is now in its third week, and all strikers
are standing firm.
The printing company has brought to Charlotte a number of
strike-breakers to fill the places of those on strike, but has been
unable thus far to fill more than half the places and the greater
part of them are incompetents, lacking the knowledge and skiU '
necessary to produce the high-class of work for which the con
cern has long been notably outstanding.
Anna Weinstock, conciliator from the Department of Labor, Washing
ton, ia in Charlotte and is endeavoring to arrange a conference looking to a
settlement between employer and striking employes and such a conference
will undoubtedly soon be held. The printing trades unions have existing
contracts with a number of commercial printing offices and with the daily
papers and they are seeking to stabilize prices by stabilizing wages, hours
and shop conditions and by stopping promiscuous price-cutting. It is to be
hoped that employer and employes will soon establish eontractural relations
and co-operate in the future for the good of the industry as a whole.
Mr. Robret Lassiter, owner of the plant and his son, Hanes, about a .
year ago took over this plant which was operated for year by Hugh Mur
rtll, a practical printing house executive, and who had built up a very fine,
high-quality business. The present owners are men well thought of in the
community, but have had no previous experience in the dealing with printing
trades craftsmen and are believed to be laboring under a grave misappre
hension of what thir mployes are trying to do. We feel confident that once
they get a better understanding of the situation that a settlement will be
reached a permanent and friendly relationship will be establishd.
‘PEPPED-UP’ CENTRAL LABOR UNION
MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT MARKS A
REVIVAL OFSPIRIT AMONG WORKERS
__
What turned out to be a real live
meeting was held by Central Labor
Union Tuesday nighty It was a sort
of a “revival” affair, so to speak,
ending in an “experience” meeting,
with “backsliders” (from duty) com
ing forward and making allegiance
anew for real service.
Reports from locals were good,
aside from a few “thorns in the flesh”
here and there. Committee reports
were received and a number of im
portant communications were read
and passed through the proper chan
nel.
A committee was appointed to
make arrangements for a mass meet
ing Saturday night at Central High
School. This affair will take up, at
the request of the A. F. of L., meas
ures now before Congress affecting
the workers of the entire county, in
order that pressure may be brought
to bear in forcible manner upon our
senators and congressmen as to the
desires of the people. This affair
promises to be one of great interest,
as the Western Textile Council,
which assembles here in large num
bers, will also be present as a whole.
Prominent speakers will be on hand.
Keep this meeting in mind, and bring
a friend.
Organized Hailey, of the Bookbind
ers International, who is handling the
Queen City Printing Company trou
ble here, made one of the best talks
ever made on Central Labor Union
floor, and to say that it was well
received expresses it but mildly. He
told of the splendid spirit prevailing
among the strikers for union recogni
tion and fair working conditions. The
response to his call for moral support
from the workers was unanimous.
The followihg resolution was pass
ed regarding the stand of Central La
bor Union on the strike:
Resolved, That Charlotte Central
Labor Union in regular meeting as
sembled on this Tuesday night of
May 21, 1935, does hereby go on rec
ord as being 100 per cent behind the
men and women members of the
printing trades unions on strike at the
Queen City Printing Company and
we agree to give them every support
possible in trying to jbring about a
peaceful settlement and future co-op
eration between employer and union
employes of the company.” • '
The following letter was received
from the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America, an A. F. of L.
affiliate, and speaks for itself:
Cincinnati, Ohio, May 15, 1935.
Dear Sir and Brother:
We are enclosing for your informa
tion, a decision handed down by the
National Labor Relations Board in
the case between the P. H. Davis
Tailoring Company and the Amalga
mated Clothing Workers of America.
This decision, which speaks for it
self, orders the reinstatement of the
discharged worker with bac|< pay.
The Company bia not declared its
willingness to abide by the decision
anji the matter is: now before the
Compliance Board of the NRA, for ac
tion. This may result in the removal
of J the Blue Eagle from the firm.
The P. H. Davis Tailoring Com- \
pany manufactures men’s clothing
and sells direct to the consumer.
They have salesmen located in prac
tically every part of the country.
This firm has been notoriously an
ti-union and has fought traide unions
•fob years. Therefore, we hope that
yob will print this information in your
local labor paper and take such other
steps so as to inform organized labor
and their sympathizers in your vicin
ity, of the defiant position taken by
the Davis Company. ,
•> J Fraternally yours,
Cincinnati Joint Board, Amalgamated
Clothing Workers of America.
JACK RROLL,
Manager.
The meeting adjourned a little later
than usual, but even at that a large
number of the delegates "hung on”
for “informal” discussion.
There was a goodly number of
Qbeen City strikers present, and Or
ganizers Scott and Adams made
short, but interesting talks. Presi
dent Albea presided, with Secretaries
Boger and Boate at their posts.
The cut lines under the photos below were mixed in our Anniversary
Edition, hence they appear in corrected iorm.
M. K. WORD
Vice-Pres. & Treas.
Char. Bonded Warehouse Co.
P. L. ABERNETHY
Pres, and Gen. Mgr.
City Chevrolet Co.
1---j
! NIGHT
BASEBALL
RICHMOND At CHARLOTTE
f I May 23,24,25 and 26 j .
NIGHT GAMES AT 8:15
Bleachers, 40c (AH Tax Paid) Grand Stand 65c