Hie ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Meddeuborf County For a Weekly, Its Readers Represent the LARGEGST BUYING POWER in Cnarlotts
Cite Charlotte labor Journal
Truthful, Honest, Impartial AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses
Vol. V.—No. 29 »ov. r« JO.B.H >< . mn CHARLOTTE, N. C.. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1935 j«««i Anmum sw». cmwhutim *r $2.00 Pet Year
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“BETTER TIMES” LOOKED FOR
SAYS A. F. L STATEMENT MADE
PUBLIC ON NOVEMBER 25TH
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.—The words “coming boom,” utter
ed distinctly even if cautiously, by the American Federation of La*
bor, called attention today to a major shift of emphasis that has
taken place in the capital almost overnight.
Many of the pronouncements that stream from Washington
presses and mimeograph machines, official and otherwise, show
a change from depression psychology to a “better times” psy
chology.
Government reports, like the A. F.
of L.’s and others’, stress indices of
better business. Officials who, only
a few short months ago, spoke mostly
of ways to combat the depression, now
talk of methods of controlling expan
sion. Mariner S. Eccles. federal re
severse board governor, speaks of the
board’s “adequate weapons’ ’to control
credit and prevent a “runaway stock
market.’’
Concomitantly, politicans and eco
nomics commentators fall into argu
ments as to what caused the better
business. One view, vigorously voiced,
is that new deal spending and other
policies pulled the country through.
Another, upheld just as vehemently,
is that natural forces are bringing
recovery despite new deal measures.
It is an argument that appears destin
ed to go on for a long time, if not
forever.
The A. F. of L.’s report, published
today, saicj there probably would be a
business and industrial boom “within
the next few years.” At the same time,
the federal reserve board said main
tenance of business activity at near
the year’s peak has been the “out
standing fact in the economic situation
during the first ten months of 1935.”
In the three preceding years, it em
phasized, business advances “were
quickly followed by sharp declines.”
According to some predictions, how
ever, unemployment appears likely to
be the ghost in the near future.
Though several indices show gains in
.employment—millions are still out of
jobs—just how many millions is a
matter in some dispute the absence
of official figures.
The A. F. of L. to .» the stand that
another depression 'Id follow the
next boom “as surel> . • rht follows
day” unless working hours are short
ened and wage earners get a larger
proportion of the industrial earnings.
Another pronouncement dealing
with business was issued by the Na
tional Association of Manufacturers
in the form of a committee report op
posing curbs on production in indus
try and agriculture. It recommended
fighting resistance to any new at
tempt bv the government to regulate
wages and hours.
“The true abundant life can be sup
ported only by abundant production
of the things that enrich the lives of
all,” the report said.
The A. F. of L.’s discussion of the
“coming hoof” was prefaced by these
remarks:
“With this fall’s industrial upturn,
business has regained a greater meas
ure of confidence than at any other
time since the depression began . . .
“The upturn has reached a higher
level than anticipated. Standard
statistics’ estimate of industiral pro
duction for November, first set at
74.6 per cent of normal, has been re
vised upward to 77:1 per cent. This
is the highest November since 1929,
and 14 per cent above November last
Woman’s Typo
Auxiliary Xmas
Seal Has Two
Labels On It
V V, ASKING TON, D. C.—T1& Chris*
mas Seal authorized by the recent con
vention of the Woman’s International
Auxiliary to the International Typo
graphical Union to provide funds for
the establishment of a home for aged
members of the Woman’s Interna
tional Auxiliaries throughout the
United States and Canada has the
honor of carrying two union labels.
The seal is the size of a postage
stamp, with the name of the organiza
tion across the top. The words
“Christmas Greeting” appear in the
center, and the Allied and Printcraft
union labels are in the lower corners.
The home for the aged women will
be located in Denver, Colo.
Mrs. Mary Ball, chairman of the
Home Fund Christmas Seals, said the
great value of the seals is the fact
that they are made under union con
ditions. They should be bought, she
declared, by “union members and un
ion-earned money.”
The seals are sold like the tuber
culosis and Red Cross seals and at
the same rate, $1 per sheet. They
may be obtained from the Washing
ton headquarters of the Home Fund
Christmas Seals, 114 C Street S. E.
Central Labor Union
Met Last Night
At Moose Hall
The regular weekly meeting of Cen
tral Labor Union was well attended
and.the business routine .was gone
through with in due order. There was
was much enthusiasm. Organiser J.
Dooley was present and made a good
talk. The new meeting place in the
Moose hall, on South Tryon street is
proving quite an attractive place.
JOBLESS LAWYERS GIVEN
WORK ON WPA LAND
TITLE PROJECT
NEW YORK, N. Y.—After a num
ber of conferences with a delegation
representing the Lawyers’ Security
League, speaking for needy employ
ed lawyers, Victor F. Ridder, Works
Progress Administrator for New
York City, promised that the Torrens
land title registration project would
be started immediately to give em
ployment to sixty attorneys who have
had few if any pay clients for lone
periods. An allotment of $120,000
has been made for this project.
Mr. Ridder intimated that other
projects designed to assist lawyers in
need would be started soon. It was
stated there are half a dozen such
projects waiting approval and financ
ing by the Works Progress Adminis
tration in Washington.
CENTRAL LABOR UNION WILL MEET
IN MOOSE HALL WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AT 7:30—BE PRESENT
For the benefit of delegates not present at the meeting last
night of Central Labor Union, the announcement is made that
Central body has changed its meting night to Wednesday, at 7:30
p.m. in the Moose Hall—South Tryon Street, third floor. This
change is made in order to better facilitate the twt growing Labor
movement in Charlotte. The Building Trades are going in a hall
of their own on South College street. The old meeting place is
being kept open for a week to allow the pr^pe- *w«cedure to be
gone through with the various locals. }
About 5,000 people are needing support '*' MooresviUe.
These women, children and men are the one* vho are in
volved in the MooresviUe Textile strike, which •» ’ natter of
vital importance to every worker in North l a^na, as it
involves the fredom of the employes. Send aM «wv,.ributions
in cash or provisions to T. F. Moore, preside** ’"•xtile Local
No. 1221, MooresviUe, N. C. All locals of N. C. State
Federation are asked to heed this call for aid.
TO ADVERTISERS
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.
t'
CHATTING
HARRY
BOATS
9
While this article may appear a few moments late to be classed aa a call
to the nation to offer up thanks at the national altar for blessiryrs bestowed
during the past twelve months, yet it will possibly act as an inspiration to do
so on the part of any who may have thought there was nothing in their lives in
Tecent days deserving of thanks. There really can be no reason why any
person should not be thankful to the Almighty at all times, for He is ever
mindful of each and all of us; were this not true we should not be today liv
ing and breathing God’s pure air, and eating of the fruits of His Vineyard.
All American citizens should be thankful that we have thus far been
kept free from entanglement in the dispute which is now raging between
Italy and Ethiopia and there have been many efforts put forth to draw us
into this conflict, which, while it is a real war, it has never been so declared
officially by either nation, consequently all deaths occurring on either side
must be classed as murder pure and simple.
Below will be found a brief history of this affair as published recently
in the North Carolina Christian Advocate:
And it came to pass that King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba did
have a son, and they called his name Menelik. -r
And Menelik founded the empire of Abyssinia which, being interpreted,
is called Ethiopia unto this day.
So in due time aHile Selassie, of the Race of Solomon, became emperor
of Ethiopia, King of Kings, Conquering Lion of Judah, the Elect of God.
And the size of Ethiopia was 350,000 square miles.
Now there was jealousy in the world because of Ethiopia, in that it was
a land flowing with water power, abounding in oil, sugar cane and rubber.
Therefore the enemies of Ethiopia took thought how they could obtain
these good things for themselves.
And one Benito, an upstart of low birth, plotted against Haile Selassie
and his kingdom. '•
This Benito, being a righteous man in his own estimation, would appear
to do no man an injury.
Therefore represented he his evil intent as a worthy conquest.
And he spread abroad that he would bring civilization unto Ethiopia,
a wicked country, a nation of cannibals, practicing black magic, dealing in
eunuch and slaves, even the ghebbar system.
But Haile denied that he had done aught, even at Ualual, of wrong. And
a meeting of elders supported Haile.
Nevertheless, Benito prepared so much the more and Haile was sore
pressed and prayed unto the League for help.
But the League heard him not.
And Benito sent Roman legions unto the borders of Ethiopia, and pre
pared a war.
Then Haile said, “We are a Christian people; thou shouldst leave us
alone.”
But Benito replied in the words of the Master, “When ye shall hear of
wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled, for such things must needs be.”
Then Haile and Benito prayed both unto the League, but the League
answered not their prayers.
And it came to pass that as war approached, certain followers of the
League did importune in favor of Ethiopia.
And the League softened its heart and agreed to hear the plea of Haile
after twenty and one other matters had been considered.
Meanwhile both nations prepared for war, one with staves and civet cats,
the other with instruments of destruction such as no man has equaled.
But Ehtiopia did have certain arms sold unto it by Benito. These it
turned eagerly against him, not having yet paid therefor.
And when the League did hear the prayer of Haile Selassie, then went
there up great rejoicing from Ualual to Adis Ababa, even unto the borders
of Kenya, Eritrea, and Somaliland.
But it was a false hope and the Blue Nile wept.
Then friends of Haile Selassie took thought how they could save him
from the unequal contest, begging him to set aside certain lands for Benito
that he might civilize them.
And Haile did as he was commanded, saying: “Of my lands will I give
thee, but my country must remain free. Rather would I kill myself than
serve under thee.”
But Benito laughed in his sleeve.
And the Ethiopian in the woodoile was that other countries besides
' Benito’s desired the good things of Ethiopia.
So, to make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, Haile granted
the half of his kingdom unto powerful Americans.
And they, being full of guile, did deny that they had received aught from
Selassie.
And the King of America was wroth, crying out, "We will have none
of this. Not for shekels will we sell our souls.”
So the Americans threw the oil back in Selassie’s face.
And about this time the League awoke from its slumbers and answered
the prayers which had been made unto it.
And the League gave ten commandments unto Ethiopia, by obeying
which it might become the promised land.
And the League appointed Benito to be one of the rulers to make Eth
iopia as righteous as Italy itself.
But Benito, not satisfied to be one among many, arose in his wrath and
slew the League.
And while the rain descended, Benito fighteth not; but when the rain
shall cease the tumult and the shouting will begin.
And the dead shall be numbered as the sands of the seas, while the peo
ple call in vain upon the League to save them.
(If you can think of nothing else for which to be thankful, offer up one
thankful petition that we have thus far escaped any participation in this
undeclared war.)
UNEMPLOYED MUST NOT BE
STARVED, ROOSEVELT SAYS
WASHINGTON, D. C—President Roosevelt informed the
United States Conference of Mayors, in session here, that Federal
aid for the unemployed will probably continue through renewed
relief appropriations after the expiration of the present $4,880,*
000,000 emergency relief funds ends on June 30, 1936.
In his talk" to the conference, Mr. Roosevelt made the follow
ing statement on the relief question:
‘Tine of the newspapermen, a few moments ago in the press
conference, asked the kind of question you are all asked, and I am
asked every week. Members of the press are present, I know, but
I do not mind their hearing this. The particular question was this:
“ ‘Is the Government going to stop giving relief next July?’
“That is the kind of thing—spreading the word around that
everybody who is now on relief will be taken off relief rolls be
ginning the first of July—we have to combat.
* * *
sure your answer will be the same for the city governments—
does not propose to let people starve after the first of July any
more than during the past few years.”
The municipal executives interpreted the President’s state
ment to mean that while State and local governments will be ex
pected to use every effort to provide for their own needy, the
Federal Government will assist them if it is absolutely necessary
to prevent suffering among the jobless.
ATTENTION! MEMBERS WOMEN’S UNION LABEL
LE^’TO
#
The regular semi-montht> meeting of the Women's
Union Label League will be held at the home of Mrs. J. H.
Fullerton, No. 801 E. 17th street, next Monday night at 7:30
p. m. A full attendance is requested.
LABOR MAKES REQUEST OF COAN
FOR SHORTER HOURS, HIGHER PAY;
REQUEST LIKELY TO BE GRANTED
RALEIGH, Nov. 25.—Representatives of the North Carolina
Federation of Labor today requested the State Works Progress
administration to reduce hours and raise wages for workers on
its projects, and George W. Coan, Jr., State administrator, indi
cated some concessions could be made.
R. R. Lawrence of Winston-Salem, president of the State Federation
of Labor, and George L. Googe of Atlanta, a Southern representative of the
American Federation, headed the group appealing to Coan. Coan said the
group was considerate and reasonable in requests.
The committee asked a reduction in hours of work from 140 to 130
hours a month, and that skilled workers be paid the prevailing wage of th%
community in which they work, instead of the WPA security wage. gm
The labor group contended the WPA security wage rates have a tend
ency to beat down wages in private industry and business. Reductiflw of
the maximum number of working hours would result in a higher wage per
hour, they said. *
Coan said he saw no difficulties in reducing the maximum number of
working hours, since Federal regulations allow a latitude of from 120 to 140
hoars per month. He said the payment of the prevailing wage to skilled
workers must be approved by Washington.
If a skilled worker is required to do work on a project not calling for
skilled workers, the security wage will be paid,” Coan said.
CLINTON COTTON MILLS
LOCKED OUT 165, UNION
MEMBERS, IS CHARGE
' GREENVILLE, S. C.—The scope of operations of the Nat- ,,
ional Labor Relations Board was broadened when it began here 1
and in Spartanburg the consideration of the first cases charging
violation of the Wagner-Connery Labor Disputes Act by two cot
ton mills. The hearings were opened simultaneously in both cities.
In Spartanburg the case consisted of a petition for an election
of a representative for collective bargaining by the employes of
the Sacon Mills, who walked out on July 30. The petition was pre
sented by the local union of the United Textile Workers of Ameri
ca. The attorney for the mill asked for the dismissal of the case
on the ground that the Wagner-Connery Act is unconstitutional
The request was denied.
The case in Greenville involved the organization of a company union
by the management of the Clinton Cotton Mills, of Clinton, and wholesalet
discrimination against union members. The hearing was presided over by
John M. Carmody, a member of the National Labor Relations Board.
Members of the United Textile Workers declared the organization of
the Clinton Friendship Association was stimulated by foremen and over
seers of the Clinton concern to kill the local textile union, and that em
ployes’ powers of attorney had been sought by the foreman.
UNION MEN BARRED
Later, witnesses asserted, the Clinton Friendship Asociation, under
which title the company union was camouflaged, signed a closed shop agree
ment with the mill management. Acting under this agreement 165 union
workers who refused to join the Friendship outfit were refused employment.
Paul E. Dean, president of the local textile union in the Clinton Mills,
presented damaging testimony regarding the anti-union and espionage ac
tivities of mill representatives and the company union. He said the Friend
ship Association made an arrangement with the employer for taking 40 cents
a month from the pay envelopes of the members of the association to carry
on its work. (
SPIES AT UNION MEETINGS
Last July, according to Mr. Dean, overseers and second hands watched
union meetings. Later thirty to forty union members were discharged. He
testified that on August 15 members of the union asked for a collective bar
gaining conference under the terms of the Wagner-Connery Act, but the
company ignored their request. ,
The day after the second request, he said, officials of the company
announced it had made a closed shop agreement with the Clinton Friend
ship Association. When members of the union not belonging to the asso
ciation tried to enter the mills, he added, they were barred at the gates.
HOSIERY MILL MIGRATES T
TO ESCAPE UNION WAGES
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The deep-seated determination of a certain type
of employer to grab extra profits by paying low wages was illustrated by
the action of the James Kane plant, one of the large hosiery finishing es
tablishments here, in migrating to Riverside, N. J., after the successful or
ganization campaign of the American Federation of Hosiery Workers.
Following the labor dispute with the Kane concern, the union presented
a plan for settling the controversy which involved the re-employment of
twelve strikers. The Kane management not only refused to re-instate the
strikers, but closed up its Philadelphia plant and transferred its work to
Riverside where sweatshop wages are said to prevail.
It is claimed a number of other low-wage plants have either closed up
or migrated to low-wage communities since the union carried on its inten
sive organization drive among hosiery mill workers.
List of Union Labels
Every anion member or sympa
thizer is urged when making pur
chases or having work done, to de
mand the following labels:
Actors' Eqaity.
Allied Printing Trades.
Amalgamated Rubber Workers’ Inter,
national Union.
Amalgamated Association of Iron,
Steel and Tin Workers.
Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employee
Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers'
International Alliance.
American Federation of Labor.
American Federation of Mosiciana.
American Wire Weavers’ t»«-*«etive!
Association.
Bill Posters' and Billers union.
Boot and Shoe Workers' Union.
Cigar Makers’ International Union.
Elastic Goring Weavers’ Internation
al Union.
Gloss Bottle Blowers' Association.
Glove Workers’ International Union
Iron Molders’ Union.
Hotel and Restaurant Employes’ In
ternational Alliance
international Typographical Union.
International Union Carriage and
Wagon worker*.
International Union of Journeymen
Horseshoers.
International Union of Wood, Wire
and Metal Lather*.
Office Employe*’ Union.
Retail Clerk*' International Protec
tive Association.
6hirt, Waist and Laundry Worker**
International Union.
Stogie Makers’ Union.
Stove Mounter*’ International Union.
Team Dr.vers’ International Union.
Theatrical Stage Employes’ Interna
tional Alliance and Moving Pic
ture Operator*.
international Photo Engravers’ Union.
journeymen Barber*' International
Union.
Metal Polishers’, Buffer*/ Platen*
America.
Mechanics’ International Union of
North America.
Journeymen Bakers and Confectioner*.
International Ladies* Garment Work
er* Union.
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen.
International Association of Machin
ists.
United Garment Workers of America.
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