Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Oct. 24, 1935, edition 1 / Page 1
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Hie ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mecklenburg County For a Weekly, Its Readers Represent the LARGEGST BUYING POWER in Charlotte Official Organ Central Labor Union; endorsed by State Federation of Labor I ruthful, Honest, Impartial Che Charlotte labor Journal Patronise odd Adver tisers. They make YOUR paper posible by their co operation. * AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses Vol. V.—No. 24 YOUR ADVERTISEMENT IN TNS JOURNAL l» A INVESTMENT CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1935 JOURNAL ADVERTISERS DESERVE CONSIDERATION 09 ▼HE READER $2.00 Pet Year WILLIAM GREEN HEADS LABOR; UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT MADE TO OUST MATTHEW WOLL ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Oct. 19—By acclamation, the Ameri can Federation of Labor chose William Green to lead organized labor for another year. In marked contrast to Green’s uncontested election to the Federation’s presidency for the 11th consecutive time, a small group <Jf young left-wingers made an unsuccessful attempt to oust MattheW Woll, veteran spokesman for the Federation, from the third vice-presidency, a post he has held since 1919. The outgrowth of bitter feeling be tween conservative and liberal dele gates manifest throughout the Fed eration convention, this election re volt was the first since Daniel Tobin of the Teamsters was elected treasurer in 1917. Howard Lawrence, a youthful del egate from the Chicago casketmakers, upset the customary calm and har mony that surrounded the election of the 15 vice-presidents by leaping to his feet after Woll had been nom inated with the statement he wished to place in nomination the name of Emil Costello of Kenosha, Wis., em ploye of the Simmons bed factory there. Most of the delegates appeared to be stunned. Woll had been the sub ject of John L. Lewis’ fire during the week, but few had expected any move against his re-election. Then a low roar of protest arose. Green received the nomination as regular, however, and directed Secretary Frank Morrison to call the roll. When it became apparent that the vote would be overwhelmingly in Woll’s favor, Costello, a youth in his 20’s, arose and asked that his candi dacy be withdrawn, but that delegates favoring him be permitted to vote. When Green refused to allow the stipulation, Costello insisted that the vote continue. The International | Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter i Workers—^defeated in a jurisdictional, dispute—was the only international to I vote for him. He picked up 264 votes, mostly from new organized Federal unions, while Woll polled 28,522. Among those voting for Woll was John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers, who introduced a reso lution in the convention this week that resulted in Woll’s resignation from the acting presidency of the National Civic federation, an anti radical industrial relations forum. The only other contest was for the 15th vice-Dresidency, left vacant by the resignation of George Berry of the Printing Pressmen and now in dusrial recovery co-ordinator, Frank Morrison, veteran secretary, was re elected by acclaimation. Backed by the craft unionists that have won every fight they have made in the convention, W. D. Mahon of the street car employees defeated Charles P. Howard of the Typogra phical union for the vacant vice-pres idency. The Mine Workers nominated Howard. The vote was 17,370 to 11, 693. Conclusion of the elections deft the cleaning up of three majority reso lutions the only important work be fore the convention: 1. To direct the executive council to draft an amendment to the United States Constitution that would bring New Deal legislation within the con stitutional limits without question. 2. To take drastic action against Communists within the Federation. 3. For the Federation to organize an independent labor party. LABOR LAW IN S. C. IS HELD ILLEGAL BY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES AT SPARTANBURG SP ARTANBURG, S. C., (VI. 18;—South Carolina’s law pro liTlTitinjs Ain ‘employer fron/ dtsCnar^ing an employe for union ac tivities and making such an action a misdemeanor was held un constitutional in a circuit court order by Judge Mann filed in the office of the clerk of court here. Judge Mann’s ruling was handed down in the ease of C. A. Pittman against the Pacific mills, Lyman Branch, Pittman was seeking to re cover damages fronj his former em ployers, alleging his discharge was in violation of the State statute relating to discrimination against union workers. In his ruling, Judge Mann cited a United States Supreme Court de cision which was quoted to the effect that the right of an employer to dis pense with an ejnploye is the same as the right of an employe to quit the set-vice of an employer at anv time and for any reason. Any legislation; which disturbs this right, the decision cited said, constitutes an interference with liberty of contract. i In the local case Judge Mann held that the plaintiff lacked grounds for action because it appeared he was not employed for any specific term or under contract. He also ruled it did not appear the defendent had failed in any duty to the plaintiff as an em ployer. Referring to the alleged violation of the State statue, Judge Mann held that this was not grounds for a civil action to recover damages as the sta tute is under the criminal code and provides penalties for its violation. The case was'heard in an argument on a demurrer‘by the defendant, the court upholding the demurrer. Pittman was discharged in 1932. Pacific Mills denied in its answer to the complaint that he was discharged because of union activities; AIRPORT BOND ISSUE CARRIES BY A 3 TO 1 VOTE-WORK WILL BEGIN AT AN EARLY DATE Charlotte citizens Tuesday accepted Uncle Sam’s offer to give - this city one of the finest airports in the country by voting more than three to one to provide through a $50,000 bond issue the necessary 600 acres upon which to construct the airport. The vote was 4,584 for the bond issue out of a total registra tion of 6,101. Every one of the 29 precincts gave the proposal a majority. The total vote against the bonds was 1,517, which included many persons really favoring the proposal but unable be cause of sickness or other reasons to cast their votes in favor of it. Among this latter group was W. States Lee, Jr., chairman of the citizens’ committee sponsoring the bond issue, who is des perately ill of meningitis in Duke university hospital, Durham.— Observer. DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS WASHINGTON, D. C.—This is a comparison of some basic food prices over a two-year period, as compiled by the U. S. News: Sirloin Steak__29.8c lb. 40.8c lb. Pork Chops..21.2c lb. 39.5c lb. Bread_7.6c lb. 8.2c lb. Lard __•_9.8c lb. 21.8c lb. Eggs 1-25.6c doz. 37.3c doz. Milk _ _10.9c qt. 11.7c qt. This means that the average American housewife had to pay $1.59 in August of this year for what she could have bought for $1.05 two years ago. IMWWMWWWWWWWIM TO ADVERTISERS j SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LABOR PAPER. It serves the territory thoroughly of those who buy your wares and make a local labor paper possible for the workers. THEY READ IT, ENDORSE IT. AND PATRONIZE ITS ADVER TISERS. i PIKTINCNT comment OM TiHCkr Tories ♦ CHATTING 4 —— Last week the writer and his family journeyed by automobile to Asheville, mainly with the idea of viewing the beauty of nature as dis played in the coloring of the leaves, which at that time was in full glory. It is hard for any person to do justice to this beautiful display of color. All the colors of the rainbow are to be seen, but not in stripes, as is the case with the rainbow. These colors are mingled and displayed in variegated form. In fact, the entire mountain system is one huge bouquet, and all who can conveniently do so should make this journey, and the time spent will never be regretted. Among other sights observed along the way was the building of new homes, which are numerous, and many of them are real substantial build ings, nicely located and nestling among the trees add much to the beauty of the surroundings. Many of these homes are being constructed of brick and are intended for long service. It would appear that business is getting on a solid foundation, as money is required when homes are erected. -On the subject of building will state that while in Washington, D. C., recently, one of the department stores was celebrating its anniversary with a special sale. In conversation with one of the officials the remark was made by him that on the'day previous that particular business place had made sales totaling more than $200,000. -It appears that the business conditions of the United States are not the only things which are unsettled, for in Helena, Montana, the old earth has been trembling for the past week or more, fortunately with little property damage and only one death recorded. Spokane, Washington, also reports feeling a trembler at the same time. Seems like this old earth is unable to settle itself permanently. -From Wilson county, North Carolina, one of the counties in which liquor is legalized, we have this interesting report for the month of August regarding arrests and charges: Public drunkenness 68, drunk and disor derly 10, driving drunk 6, illegal possession of liquor for sale 8. For the month of September the figures were: Public drunkenness 118, drunk and disorderly 26, illegal possession of liquor for sale 28, driving drunk 12. Store No. 1 in Wilson county in the last three months has taken in $68,906.40, ap proximately $100 per hour. This article States the money spent in Wilson county for liquor in the past three months is more than was spent on the Wilson high school and three grammar schools in that town during all of last year. All this represents increased business, but what a business! -For those members of organized labor who think they must have drink on their daly menu, and at the same time-wish to observe the injunc tion to patronize union labor, here may be an item of interest: The Union Label Trades Department of the A. F. of L. has recently passed resolutions condemning the use of cans as containers for beer. The resolutions state the glass bottles are made by union labor, but the tin cans are not. Look for the label on the can, also on the beer. If you wish to be fair to your fellowman, observe your obligation. -From the Typographical Journal: “The Chest for Liberation of Workers in Europe has just issued a pamphlet, ‘Hitler Terror in 1936—with a Chapter on Terror in Austria,’ which will be sent on request addressed to the Labor Chest, 3 West Sixteenth street, New York, N. Y. The new pamph let throws light on the relentless persecution and official terror waged indis crimininately against all sections of the German people. Organized and directed by leaders of the A. F. of L., the labor chest has been instrumental in acquainting the American public with facts and conditions prevailing in the Facist ruled countries of Europe. It has also raised substantial finan cial assistance for the European victims of oppression and tyranny.” -Laws of direct interest to labor passed at the last session of Congress include Wagner-Connery labor disputes act; Guffey coal act; social security act; 40-hour week for postal workers; railroad retirement act. Of immense interest to labor are: New tax act; banking act; railroad reorganization act; holding company act; truck transportation act; Frazier-Lehmke act. Many other laws in interest of the working man were left unfinished, and may come up again at the next session of Congress. SURPRISE WITNESS IN MOONEY CASE MAY HELP IN FIGHT FOR LABOR MAN’S VINDICATION SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20.—A surprise witness, breaking 19 years of silence, testified he was with Tom Mooney, convicted 1916 Preparedness Day bomber, a mile from the scene of the deathly blast at the hour prosecution witnesses swore he was near it. 1 It was the first time in Mooney’s long years of battling for vindication that direct testimony had been produced in support of his and Mrs. Mooney’s alibi—although photographs had been presented to bear out their contention. me new witness, Lnarles A. orir fin, Seattle advertising man and for mer San Francisco court reporter, also testified Charles M.' Fickert, the district attorney who prosecut ed Mooney, blocked his attempt to tell his story in the original trial and encouraged him to leave the city. Mooney’s counsel hailed Griffin’s story as a double salvo in support of their time-worn cry of “frame up.” His attorneys said it would give new force to photographs show ing the Mooney’s on the roof of the Eilers building 1% miles from the blast scene and also showing street clocks with their hands pointing to the approximate hour of the explo sion. ihe testimony was given in Mooney’s habeas corpus hearing his story. Then the hearing recess ed, to reconvene in Portland, Ore., next week for testimony from an other witness expected to support was convicted on periury. The former court reporter testi fied he recognized Mooney because the latter had been pointed out to him on the San Francisco water front by the late Jack London, au thor, some weeks before the bomb ing. ' * Fickert, who was reported in Los Angeles, failed to appear in re sponse to a summons yesterday. He has been asked to be on hand a week from next Monday. GREEN’S RE-ELECTION AS SEEN BY AN EDITORIAL WRITER “Of course, William Green has been re-elected to the presidency of the American Federation of Labor. He is firmly entrenched in the confidences of a majority of the members of this organization. “Mr. Green has won such approval from his colleagues in this organization by virtue of his energetic and resourceful leadership. “His policies are not always to be generally approved. As might be expected, they are often dassistic and designed to promote the intrests of labor at the expense of what we conceive to be the interests of the public—certainly, the interests of the employing world. “But for the most part, Green is a conservative and, therefore, holds the radical element, of his organization in check. Even that service entitles him to no small measure of public approbation.—Char lotte Observer Editorial. Where The Gov’t Cloth Contracts Are Being Put Purchase of 21,302,000 yards of cloth for the Works Progress admin istration at an aggregate price of about $3,000,000 was announced early in the week by the U. S. Treasury procurement division. Among those awarded contracts were the Cannon Manufacturing Co., the Carolina Cotton mills and the Riverside k Dan River company. Atwell and McElice Doing Work At Carnival Brother’s Atwell and McElice an doing a good job in handling Central Labor Union’s end at the Johnny J. Jones carnival, which is showing here under the auspices of that body this week. The show is being well attend ed and things are going smoothly. Atwell is “patrolling” and McElice is attending to the “girt shows.” WORK PROGRAM OFFICIALS SAY DOLE WILL NOT END NOV. 1-DEC. 1 IS DATE SET WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.—President Roosevelt’s deadline for ending the dole was only two weeks distant today, but its actual 4 accomplishment still was a matter of speculation at work-relief headquarters. Instead of the originally-set November 1, officials were dis cussing attainment of their 3,500,000 jobs goal “within the next few weeks.” They declined to state whether this meant November 15, December 1, or later. But there were increasing indications that liquidation of direct relief would fall much nearer December 1 than November 1. 2 MILLION SHORT Officials were busy tabulating reports, still incomplete, on the number ’» now employed on works progress and public works projects. The last sur vey,) nearly two weeks ago, showed Harry L. Hopkins was more than 2,000,000 jobs short of his modified objective of 3,150,000 jobs by the end of the month. At that time, the Works Progress administration had employed 452,739, compared with 2,500,000 it must put to work during the early months of the " $4,000,000,000 program. Other Federal agencies totalled 113,855 and the Civilian Conservation corps 559,640. Only about half of the WPA’s $1,040,000,000 quota has been released by Comptroller General J. R. McCarl, so that the Civilian Conservation corps has proved a mainstay of the program to date. It has attained its maximum strength however, while rivers and har bors and highway construction are just beginning to get up speed. Strike Is Settled T At Gaffney, S. C., Broad River Mills GAFFNEY, S. C., Oct. 19.—R. E. Cline, general manager of the Broad River mills .at Blacksburg, an nounced yesterday a “satisfactory” agreement had been reached by the management and union employes who went on a strike three weeks ago* The i agreement, Cline said, was concluded at a conference between himself and the union’s shop com mittee. The terms of the settlement were not announced. Cline said the mills would Teopen in the early future. Thes trike was called in protest against a 10-hour day. Meeting Of The Women’s Label League Monday Due to the fact that the Johnny J. Jones Carnival, sponsored by Central Labor Union, was in Charlotte Mon day night, there was a small gathering present at the Women’s Label League. Due to some misunderstanding a few of the faithful were not on hand, but they hied themselves to the Carnival grounds. The next regular meeting will be the first Monday in Novem ber. The members of the League will be glad to learn that Mrs. W. E. Mc Kameey, the beloved president, is rap idly recovering from a recent illness, aiid it <is hoped she will be on hand at the next meeting. A. F. of L. Defeats Plan for Labor Party The plan urged by a number | of resolutions that the American Federa tion of Labor should take the leader ship in organizing an independent la bor party was defeated by the dele gates to the 1935 convention of the Federation. The vote, taken the closing day of the convention, reaffirmed the Fed eration’s support of the traditional non-partisan political policy under which the friend of labor regardless of party affiliation are supported and the enemies of labor opposed. Investigation of Teachers’ Union Ordered by AFL An investigation of the American Federation of Teachers on the charge that it “is now controlled by those openly hostile to the principles of the American Federation of Labor” was ordeied by the 1935 A. F. of L. con vention. The probe will be made by President Green and the Executive Counci). The demand for the investigation, presented by Delegate Selma Borch ardt of the Washington, D. C., Cen tral Labor Union, grew out of re fusal of the recent convention of the Teachers Federation to discipline the New York City local of the Federa tion for alleged Communists activi ties. As a Tesult of the refusal a number of the delegates left the con vention charging that it was controll ed by Communistic elements. Representatives of both parties to the controversy appeared before the A. F. of L. resolutions committee and agreed to the investigation. Charlotte District 4,527 Persons On Unassigned “Relief” Rolls The Charlotte district of the North Carolina Employment service, affil iated with the Unitead States Employ ment Service, has 4,527 unassigned applicants for work on Works Prog ress administration projects, taken from the rolls, it was announced at district headquarters here last Satur day. The six counties in the district are Anson, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln Mecklenburg and union. Mecklenburg county has the larg est number of these unasisgned re lief workers seeking WPA work with a total of 2,187. Gastonia takes sec ond place with a total of 1,215, Unassigned relief workers who have made application for WPA work from other counties are as follows: Anson, 344; Union, 153; Lincoln, 200; and Cleveland, 428. Many who have been instructed to report to the placement offices for assignment have failed to do so for various reasons, it was announced. Ernest Grady, district director, said that in all probability many have ob tained employment in private indus try or for other reasons are no longer in need of relief employment. They are divided as follows: Anson: men,1,929; women, 600; total, 2,529; Cleveland: men, 1,140; women, 536; total, 1,675; Gaston; men, 3,000; [women, 1,188; total, 4,188; Lincoln: men, 575; women, 221, total, 796; Mecklenburg: men 6,667; women, 4, 160; total, 10,827; Union: men, 1,064; women, 397; total, 1,461. IF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS IN ARREARS SEN* IN A CHECK Paw Creek Local Of Textile Workers Has Good Meeting To the Editor Labor Journal: Local 2078 met Saturday, October 19, at 10 A. M. and we had an open meeting for the public, but the pub lic didn’t turn out! Sure wish that they would come cut for we have some good speakers. We had Brother Lisk, who has been in the Mooresville strike zone for the past five weeks, and he is playing a good vpart up there. We also had with us Brother R. C. Thomas, U. T. W. organizer from Gastonia, who made one of the best of talks. Then we had Brother Dooley, vice-president of the State Textile Council, who made the best talk Local 2078 has ever heard from any speaker that has ever appeared at Paw Creek. We would like to see and hear Brother George Ken dall again. We also had our business meetng at 7 P. M. We had a very good attendance and after the meet ing there was the relief committee from Mooresville strike who stopped by and had a chat with some of the members who were still hanging around, and on Sunday afternoon a car loaded with groceries left Local 2078 for Mooresville and several cars followed and there was some good speaking. We want to have a bigger and better relief for Mooresville. Paw Creek local sends best regards to the Mooresville strikers. Local 2078, Paw Creek, N. C. LOOK AT THE LABEL ON YOUR PAPER. IF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE, SEND US A MONEY ORDER, CHECK OR CASH. IT WILL BE WELCOME AT THIS TIME
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 24, 1935, edition 1
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