Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Jan. 2, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mecklenburg County For » Weekly, Its Renders Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER in Charlotte Official Organ Central Labor Uaioa; < State Federation of Labor I Ibr Charlotte labor Journal Patronise Tfor Adrer jtiaera. They make TOUR aper possible by their co peration. < l ruthfhi, Honest, Impartial AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses VoL V.—No. 33 ENT IN TNI JONNNM. >• A invisthint CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1936 JOURNAL AOVUTIMM Dl TUB $2.00 Per Year MINERS LABOR PAPER CRACKS DOWN ON NATIONAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, ACCUSING CLASS WAR WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.—Accusing the National Association of Manufacturers of “brazenly fomenting a class war,” the United Mine Workers declared yesterday that “labor and the common people accept the challenge.” An editorial in the union’s journal recalled criticism of Presi dent Roosevelt’s labor and relief policies at the manufacturer^ convention recently in New York, and added: “All right, gentlemen, yon hive declared war on the President and al those who approve his policies. Yon have declared war against labor ant the entire mass of common people of this nation, x x x “There are more than 11,000,000 people out of work in this country and yon have declared war against them, too, because in yonr declaration of war you make no provision for them to work and live. “Under the leadership of President Roosevelt these 11,000,000 unem ployed people are being cared for and kept from starving. You propose U take away that relief and let these people go hungry. Now you just wail till election day and see what those 11,000,000 people do to you at the polls. “Gentlemen of the National Manufacturers’ association, you have made a colossal blunder. You are braxenly fomenting a class war in this country which every good citizen outside vour association fervently hoped might be avoided for all time. You are deliberately stirring it up. “Labor and the common people can outvote you 10 to 1 at the polls Years ago you could and did drive and compel your employes to vote you way, but that time is past— You can’t do that any more. “Labor is free to vote at it pleases, in spite of threat, coercion, and in timidation. That’s the reason why you have declared war." The editorial charged the manufacturers’ group had joined the Chamber of Commerce of the United States and the Liberty league, in coming “out in the open to defeat President Roosevelt for re-election.” “At the recent conventions of the National Manufacturers’ association, held in New York, speaker after speaker denounced President Roosevelt and all th new laws and policies that he has sponsored, including the Guffey coal law,” it asserted. “When the convention was over, leaders of the National Manufacturers’ association declared that the association was now on record openly at war against the President and that it would be war to the hilt “The National Manufacturers’ association is the most notorious anti union aggregation in the United States. I j CENTRAL LABOR UNION STARTS THE NEW YEAR WITH AN i OPEN MEETING AND DANCE On Christmas night, Wednesday, December 25, 1935, dele gates to Charlotte Central Labor Union “lay down on the job” and made a “home night” of it, bat on January 1, 1936, the dele gates, their families and friends gathered around en masse to start the New Year on its way in a spirit of happiness, good will, brotherly love and fellowship. They were there from 6 to 60, as ages run, (not speaking of the ladies, for none of them were over 30(?).) Brother Fullerton, first vice-president of the State Federation of Labor by request took over the responsibility as Master of Ceremonies, and made a good job of it. Central body had as its especial guests members of the Women’s Union Label League, which body has entertained Central Labor Union delegates s« many times in the past two years, and whose members have worked ar dently and faithfully for all causes tending to the uplift of organized labot and the Union label. There were just a few brief words of cheer and hope from different members of the body and then Mr. Ernest Grady was introduced, and h« gave those present a little data on the work of his organization, which ii striving to put the unemployed to work, but is not a charitable set up. Mr. Grady received the glad hand, as he always does when he appears before the workers, and an unexpected situation arose (on the side) that will give Central body and Mr. Grady a subject for investigation that may prove worth while, after all. Refreshments were served, consisting of “punchless” punch, sandwiches, etc., and “favors.” Then the dancing took place, with the Moose “Gull; Jumpers” with “Chief Gully Jumper” Sharpe leading, furnishing the music, and such a dance. Everyone was happy and if Central Labor Union in Charlotte finishes 1936 in the spirit it started off with, there will be harmony, friendship and accomplishment for those who labor that has never before been witnessed in Charlotte. And, in closing it would be well to remark that while the ladies of the Women's Union Label League were the guests—they did all the work and liked it. HWIWW 9 9 I .. Misapplication Of | Vocational Funds Is Being Charged WASHINGTON, D. C.—According to investigators’ reports filed with the Office of Education and the De partment of Labor, hundreds of thous ands of dollars of Federal funds ap propriated in the interest of vocation al education have been used to pro vide cheap labor for the type of em ployers who believe that the living standards of those who work should be reduced to the coolie standard. The investigators chargethat cham bers of commerce, wage cutting em ployers, and even local educational authorities have worked together in a number of States in the use of Fed eral funds to train workers without pay for a number of weeks and then transfer them to payrolls at learners’ wages, which were very low. The goods produced by this cheap labor were sold in the open market. Instead of receiving genuine vo cational education the investigators found that the workers were kept on repeative and monotonous tasks com bined with the notorious stertch-out and speed up systems which are al ways favored by slave driving em ployers. THIS IS NOT A BATTLESHIP. The Journal will give everyone three guesses as to what it is—except the Plumbers and Steamfitters. n The public pays the bill. Why not buy Union-made, American product! which will increase our payrolls, in stead of buying non-Union, foreign made goods which will increase oui relief rolls? CHATTING BY • HARRY BOAT* HAPPY NEW YEAR! Christmas, 1935, the one day ofthe year which has been heralded as the day for “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” is now a matter of history, and what a history it is. While for most people it was really a day of peace and joy and happiness, yet for many it was a day of tragedy and grief of the saddest kind. Mingled with the good will were murders, accidents, suicides, fires, wrecks of various kinds, not to mention sickness which came as a result of over-eating. Christmas was not only in the air, but on the air also. From England in a broadcast from London, King George V extended his Christmas greet ing to every nation under his control, receiving in return a reply from each nation, delivered in their own tongue. At 10 A.M. in Charlotte, one could hear Big Ben in London toll 2:30 P.M. The message was sent first to Canada, then South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, India, and then to Aus tralia, and it was interesting to listen to the people reply from each of these countries. Early Tuesday evening President Roosevelt, in Washington, D. C., turn ed on the lights of a mammoth Christmas tree in Lafayette Square, opposite the White House, which marked the official opening of the Christmas festivi ties in that city. The ground was covered with a heavy snow, and it made a white Christmas indeed. A white Christmas is no' longer a yearly event in Washington, as snows are not so frequent of late. In Charlotte the city fire department, together with the Salvation Army, gave a party to the poor at the Armory-Auditorium, at which more than 3,000 were present A very entertaining program was rendered, including several short talks, some excellent dancing and contortion work by a five year-old girl, which was really fine work, and an exhibition in magic by an expert in his art At the close of the program the audience was requested to rile out of the room in order, and at the door each received a bag of candy, an apple and an orange, and when one considers the number of people present it will be understood there must have been much on hand, and there really was. No one left without a present For four days previous the firemen had been distributing toys to children who had been furnished tickets by the Salvation Army. These toys had been gathered up during the year and repaired by the firemen. At North Wilkesboro, N. C., Mr. Floyd C. Forester played Santa Claus to 3,000 children under 12 years of age. A large Christmas tree was lighted and all received a bag with tangerines, raisins, nuts and candy. Churches and other organizations delivered baskets provided with all ne cessities for a Christmas dinner to poor and underprivileged persons in all sections of Charlotte. Charlotte Typographical Union furnished baskets with all dinner needs to its widow members. The Salvation Army gave its usual dinner to the poor. Over 2,000 WPA workers received checks for work done, providing happiness in a measure for the workers and families. All stores reported big Christmas business. Many extra clerks were hired, providing more funds to help make the occasion happy. All this is good and cheerful news, but it is necessary here to record a few notes which are not so pleasant At Newell, a short distance out of Charlotte, an auto containing six peo ple returning from a Christmas celebration at a church drove on the tracks of the Southern railway in front of a pasenger train traveling at high speed. Five are dead. Two of these, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Ritchie, were from Charlotte, and they had been just married during the past year. At Free Sort, 111., two autos met head-on. Five are dead. Cause unknown. At [opewell, Va., a big bus with 14 paswngqrs droppedLthrough .in open draw bridge in’ 30 feet of water. All are dead. In Germany a wreck between two passenger trains resulted in 36 deaths. Scattered accounts of accidents and fires and other casualties made the day of happiness for some people days of gloom for others. It would seem there is no need for undertakers to go on relief, and thus far we have heard of none doing so. While much of the foregoing has been of a sad nature, let us not forget that what has been recorded is of events that have passed. As for the fu ture, let us remember we are now entering into a Bright New Year. The calendar is fresh and clean and we sincerely hope it will not be spattered with blood as the reesult of recklessness on our highways, which is the cause of most of our auto fatalities. May we make of 1936 one of the most happy and prosperous years this world has ever known. Business appears on the up grade, people have more money than has been true for some time, these cold days wifi soon give way to warmer temperatures, flowers will soon be showing their happy faces, and there appears to be no good reason why all should not be willing to make a fresh start, determined to do better as the days go by. Drive carefully, watch your step, do not overheat the furnace, be kind to all whom you meet, speak a cheerful word to the downcast, help the help less, lead the blind across the street, love your neighbor as yourself, do a good deed every day, and let us make it a really HAPPY NEW YEAR. 290,000 JOBLESS WOMEN MAKE CLOTHES FOR NEEDY It is reported by the Works Prog ress Administration in Washington that over 290,000 jobless women are employed by the WPA throughout the country in sewing circles to provide clothing and personal equipment for the needy through the agency of State Relief Administrations. RELIEF WORK FOR MORE THAN 3,500,000 IDLE BANNED BY ROOSEVELT WASHINGTON, D. C.—At a press conference here, President Roosevelt declared the administration’s work relief plan would be limited to pro viding jobs for 3,500,000 employable persons during this fiscal year, which expires June 30,1936. GREEN DECLINES LEWIS’ BID AS COM. CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE FOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION WASHINGTON, D. C.—William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, declined to accept the chairmanship of the Committee for Industrial Organization recently established here to oppose the craft union policy favored by the Federation. The refusal was contained tn a letter to John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America and chairman of the com* mittee, who had urged Mr. Green to uuit as the executive official of the A. F. of L. and accept the lead&ship of the Lewis group. The text of Mr. Green’s letter fol lows: “During: more than 30 years of as sociation with the Americaiw Federa tion of Labor I have never aligned my self with any organization which bore the slightest resemblance to a seces sion or dual movement either within or outside the parent body. I cannot do so now. Consequently, I respect fully, decline the invitation you sub mit in your letter dated December 7th to head an organization which thous ands of people, both within and with out the American Federation, regard as dual in character and purpose. “I recall, while addressing you this communication, that since 1 became president of the American Federation of Labor, I traveled to Indianapolis some pears ago for the purpose of an nouncing, at a convention of the Inter national Union of the United Mine Workers of America in which we both hold membership, that a dual move ment of mine workers which had orig inated in Illinois could not be recog nized by the American Federation of Labor. “It is in the open forum of debate at conventions of the American Fed eration of Labor where decisions are made and organization and adminis trative policies are formed. “There are occasions, in days gone by, after participating as a delegate in heated discussions which took place, both in conventions of the American Federation of Labor and the Interna tional Union of United Mine Work ers of America, when I found myself in tne minority wnen me vote taken. “I acquiesced in the decision qpd in the spirit of good sportsmanship took it on the chin, reserving to nqy self the right to renew the fight, if opportunity presented itself, for the accepteance of the principles and pol icies which I believed to be right at the next convention. The decision of the conventions, however, became the law to me and governed me in my trade-union conduct during the in terims between conventions. “There can be no doubt as to where I stand. I am governed by the laws of the American Federation of Labor. The obligation I assumed when I became a member of organised labor and the responsible position which I now hold repuires me to carry out the policies adopted at annual conventions of the Federation of La bor. This I will do at any cost When 1 cannot do so I will resign. I make this answer to that part of your let ter in which you speculate upon my cies of the American Federation of Labor. “I am in my father’s house as a part of the family of organized labor. It is my firm purpose to remain there sharing with all its members their feelings of disappointment when they fail to achieve and of happiness when victories are won. The American Fed eration of Labor has been the home of which this international union forms I a part of the family of organized labor. I make this answer to the reference you make in your commun ication to a return to my father’s house.” GENERAL JOHNSON AND OTHER PERSPIRING PATRIOTS “How soon ve is forgot ven is gone!” sighed poor old Rip Xfin Winkle when he cane back from his twenty years’ sleep in the CatskilEmountains. Our old friend, General Johnson, who so recently suppMtf excellent copy for the Washington correspondents while adding to his mrn notoriety, might reasonably harbor the same thought. And there are others. Sure enough, how soon the most attracting characters in public life, who fatten on first page publicity for a time and crowd all minor actors off tho stage, end up on the scrap heap of deflated adventurers. Long, long ago, there was a similar aspiring statesman who flourished for a while in Texas and in Washington, but who went a trifle too far in saying publicjy that he was “a bigger man than old Grant” and thus cut short a promising career at the seat of government.. General Johnson evi dently took the flattering unction to his soul that he is “a bigger man than old Roosevelt,” and for that ambitious remark has gine into innocuous desuetude. Exit Johnson! Newspaper addicts love their heroes and heroines but they hate to see the poor fish strut a brief hour on the stage and then vanish like an army tent and gone to the rear. Mr. Hoover has delivered one of the longest and most stupid speeches of his life and has scooted for cover. A group of G. O. P. leaders, who have scanty following, are asking the nine old gentlemen on the Supreme Bench to declare all salutary legislation unconstitutional. Doc tor Francis E. Townsend works on his $200 a month handout to the multi tude who are broke. Former Governor Pinchot of Pennsylvania threatens to come back, and numerous other extinguished patriots are ready to be drafted for lucrative office; but none that I can see equal General Johnson in will ingness to serve in big matters on such very small capital. BOHEMIAN, in Wilmington (Del.) Labor Herald. PATRONIZE JOURNAL ADVERTISERS I THE LABOR JOURNAL REACHES THE ORGAN IZED LABOR BUYERS. THEY SPEND OVER FOUR MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN f CHARLOTTE FOR YOUR WARES. ADVERTISE IN THE LABOR JOURNAL •1 Clinton, S. C., Mill Is Ordered To Reinstate Workers Stuck on the market page of one of our local dailies set in agate type (the smallest they use), we find this little item of much interest to thou* sands upon thousands of workers in the Carolinas: MILL EMPLOYES WIN WASHINGTON, Dec. SI—The la bor relations board today ordered the Clinton Cotton Mills of Clinton, S. C., to reinstate with back pay 96 employes "discharged because they refused to join a company union.” OUR ADVERTISERS As always this issue of The Labor Journal carries some important NEWS in its adver tising columns. How and where vs? can save money should be -wportant news to YOU—to ev «»«.ae. If you have not already done so, turn to the ads right now and acquaint yourself with their contents. Then make up your mind to visit the stores of these advertisers and profit to a surprising extent. Be sure to let the advertiser know why you are there. Tell him yon saw it in The Labor Journal. Re member, these advertisers are your friends. They are this newspaper’s friends. Another thing you must not forget, though, is that all of OUR FRIENDS and all of YOUR FRIENDS among the merchants and business men and institu tions of this city are NOT in this issue. However, from time to time they are ALL found here. 1
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 2, 1936, edition 1
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