Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Feb. 6, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Medr«nburg County lor a Weekly, Its Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYING FOWER in Charkitti Official Organ Central Labor Union; endorsed by j State Federation of Labor 7ruthful. Honest, Impartial Che Charlotte labor Journal Patronize oar Adver tisers. They make YOUR paper possible by their co operation. AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses Vol. V.—No. 38 JOURNAL IS A 6000 CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1936 JOURNAL ADVERTISER* DCSERVfc CONSIDERATION OR THE READER $2.00 Per Year PRESIDENT HOWARD, OF THE I. T. U., REPLIES TO A. F. OF L. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RULING AT MIAMI, FLA.; ACTIVITIES OF COMMITTEE FOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZA TION DISTURBS A. F. OF L EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES P. HOWARD, OF I. T. U„ ANSWERS COUNCIL’S PRESS STATEMENT. At its meeting in Miami, Florida, which convened January 15, the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor de voted much time and attention to the activities of the Committee for Industrial Organization, formed after adjournment of the At lantic City convention for the purpose of conducting an educational campaign among workers in unorganized mass production and other industries. Since formation of the Committee it has been apparent several members of the Executive Council have been much disturbed by its activities. During recent weeks there have been reports that when the Council assembled for its mid-winter meeting it was expected that drastic action would be taken and that a heavy penalty wouid be imposed upon the members of the Committee, who constituted the minority that had conducted a contest in the Atlantic City Convention to have the A. F. of L. adopt a more modern policy for organization. As Secretary of the Committee Mr. Howard was invited to appear be fore the Executive Council at its Miami meeting. He was asked to explain the purposes and intent of the campaign upon which the Committee had en gaged. After an extended discussion before the Council it appears some of the members modified their views and the action finally taken was not nearly as drastic as had been expected, according to rumors which leaked from earlier executive sessions. After final action by the Council a statement was released to the press in which the Committee for Industrial Organization was called upon to dis band, alleging that its activities "constitute a challenge to the supremacy of the American Federation of Labor.” Fear was also expressed the activities of the Committee would result in dual organization and insisted "that policies adopted at the convention” be carried out. Three members of the Executive Council were named as a committee to confer with the Committee for In-1 dustrial Organization. Replying to the Executive Council’s action Mr. Howard made the fol lowing statement: "The charge that our Committee is engaged in an illegal or improper activity is entirely unjustified. The A. F. of L. is composed of both craft and industrial unions. Charters have been and are being issued to both types of organizations. It is no more ijlegal or unethical to conduct a cam paign for organization upon an industrial union basis than it is to promote organization upon a craft union basis. From time to time various groups have oc-operated to promote organization upon craft and trade union basis. At no time has the charge been made that such aciivities were illegal or “The Council’s statement that the activities of the Committee ‘will ultmately become dual in purpose and character to the American fed eration of Labor’ is equally unfounded. There is no evidence or logic to support such a charge. The work of the committee is to inspire organiza tion. Not one local, national or international charter has been issued by the committee. No union has been formed in opposition to the A. F. of L. or any affiliated union. Under such a condition there can not possibly be a ‘dual’ movement or the supremacy of the Federation challenged. "The committee is trying to increase the membership of organizations holding charters from the A. F. of L. The Council s appeal to prejudice by alleging Dual unionism’ d~'s not indicate a disposition to consider and ap prtrise W work of ime upon its merits, but rather prejudge its program as being injurious and condemn it without fair consideration. P “1 am confident the committee will give fair consideration to any con structive suggestion members of the Council may make. The members o the committee arc responsible executives of International Unions affiliated with the A. F. of L. and contribute to its support. "We know there is urgent need for organization of the miliums of un feat "Thn Fxecutive Council must submit conclusive evidence the activities of thJ committee will be harmful rather than beneficial to the nations in dustrial organization will be continued. Monthly Meeting Of Typo. Union One Of Interest Charlotte Typographical Union, No. 338, held its regular monthly meeting Sunday aftemono at 2:00 o’clock at the Moose Hall, on South Tryon street, and despite the inclem ency of the weather, the attendance was good, for the “boys” have a way of being present, as there is always something on “tap” of vital interest. The nominations for international officers was one of the main points of interest, and while the ballots were being tabulated the floor was Riven over to an open forum period. Many good points were brought out and the “Get-Together” day of all the boys and their families was thoroughly gone into, the idea being to harmonize and solidify the membership m a more closelv knit unit. The idea is wonderful and the results are bound to meet the expectations of its pro nl<Charlotte Typographical Union, with its first charter, holds the dis tinction of being one of the first or ganized units in the city. It has been a pilot, so to speak, of the movement for the betterment of working condi tions and the uplift of man. It has never wavered in its fight for the union label, nor the principles for which it stands. Through the dark days, and the lean days it has fought on’ and on. This writer, being a charter member, can truthfully say, that through the turmoil of it all these boys have stood shoulder to shoulder, bettering the condition of their own craft and lifting others with it. President Ray Nixon nresided; Sec retary Hugh M. Sykes was on the job, as usual, and Henry Stalls substi tuted for Howard L. Beatty, the re cording secretary COW’S NIGHTLY LOWINGS DISTURBS THE PRISONERS CORAL GABLES, Fla.—Sleepless human tenants of the Coral Gables jail are making vehement protests about the nocturnal lowings of an other “prisoner”—a jersey cow. The cow was arrested when it at tempted to enter a theatre here with out a tieket and was lodged in the jailyard where it 'insists on delivering a Wine “prisoner's song” pending the appeorance of its owner. Roy Morton Passes Away Suddenly It is with regret that The Journal announces the death of Roy M. Mor ton, of the Plumpers and Steamfit ters local; a vpast president of the State A. F. of L., and a man loved by all who have the labor movement at heart, as well as those with whom he came in contact in other lines of endeavor. Mr. Morton was a native of Rokingbam, a son of the former1 Sheriff Morton, of that county. The body was taken to Rocking ham Sunday morning, accompanied by1 a delegation from Charlotte, and the funeral was held at that place Sun dav afternoon. To Mrs. Morton, the widow, labor, through The Journal, extends sym pathy, and also the Women’s Union Label League, of which Mrs. Morton is a member. The following were members of the labor movement in Charlotte, mostly from his own craft, who accompanied the remains to Rockingham: J. A. Parrish, E. D. Faires, E. T. Beatty, R. M. Johnson, K, B. Black, Claude L. Albea, B. Coppela. The funeral was at 4 o’clock Sun day afternoon. A. F. of L. Will Hold Meeting At Tampa, Fla. In viewf of the fact that the au thorities of Tampa. Fla., appear to be diligently prosecuting the men who are alleged to have tarred and feath ered three workers several months ago, one of whom died from the in juries, William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, announced that in all probability the Federation’s i936 convention would be held in Tampa in accordance with the original plan. , When the mobbing of the three men took place Mr. Green threatened to have the convention withdraw from Tampa unless the authorities used every means at their disposal to ap prehend, convict and punish the per petrators of the crime. Unless fur ther information indicated a lessened zeal on the part of the authorities the meeting will be held ih Tampa next November, Mr. Green said. /T ' PCRTINSMT COMMKS1 ON Tmiir topics CHATTING -^Under date of January 29 the Associated Press sent out this item under Moscow date: “A statement given out by the Soviet Academy of Scientists said today that insects and a small variety of lobsters bom thou sands of years ago have been revived by scientists and are pursuing a normal existence. They were found buried 15 to 20 feet under the surface of a re gion of eternal frost in the Siberian peat fields, the statement explained. The region comprises a zone sweeping from the Arctic across central Siberia to Mongolia. Ground there below the depth of six feet never thaws. The Acad emy estimated that its finds, which were dug out of the solid, frozen earth, were entombed at least 3,000 years ago. Some of the insects and lobsters since their revival have given birth to a new generation, the announcement stated. It did not give the details of the method of revival. The statement was read to the all-union conference of scientists for the study of perpetual frosts.” { It will probably be recalled that several months ago a man in California stated that he could; freeze a man, then thaw him out and he would be as good as ever. Several persons offered themselves as subjects for experimentation, but public sentiment was unfavorable and the subject was dropped. These Russians may dig Up something they do not want, some day; in fact, they may find the family of the late Czar and restore them to life once more, in which case some of the citizens may rejoice, but those in power would likely strenuously object, and the job of extermination would have to be done over. -Brig. Gen. H. L. Laubach, retired, in charge of Camp Dix, one of the numerous CCC camps scattered throughout the country, gives a few in teresting statements regarding physical condition of the enlisted men. While better in some respects, worse in others, they were not the type of 1917. General Laubach wias in command of Camp Dix, where 80,500 boys were “processed” during 1933-34. He says they came sullenly, resentfully, sus picious of the feeding hand. There was a tendency to place the blame for their troubles On tlje government, and often vented a grudge by wantonly destroying property! Physically they showed a marked deterioration in leg and abdominal muscles. Automobiles are given as the cause of this. Negro boys were stronger. Theyvwere used to walking. Healthy white boys not yet 20 had to be sent home because their legs would not carry them in nor mal pursuits. Given a baseball diamond, the boys would reduce it to “kiddie” size. Hundreds have never been vaccinated against small pox and dental care had been neglected. They hesitated to take the oath of fealty. In mat ters of religion those who claimed to be Catholic would attend their services. A Protestant service held for 9,000 boys drew a congregation of 34. The article from which these statements were taken was full of thought and brings out ideas not thought of by the layman. The CCC camps is one branch of the New Deal which really has done much good for a class which was rapidly becoming a real menace. As it is now, they may one and all become citizens of the finest grade. -Candid Answers—Why bother to write jokes when one can get a dialog like the following, overheard at the Bureau of Naturalization? “Where is Washington?” “He’s dead.’ “I mean the capital of the United States?” “Oh, they loaned it all to Europe.” “Do you promise to support the Consti tution?” “Me? How can I? I’ve a wife and six children to support”— Western Truck Owner. -Prisons have been recently breaking into news. Convicts at Alca traz, the U. S. prison in San Francisco Bay, when on strike. When the war den issued the order that “no work, no food,” was the rule, it did not take long to get the works going again. At Statesville prison, Joliet, 111., six prisoners attempted to escape by fastening their bob-sled on the rear of a truck. The attempt ended by six prisoners being in six solitary cells, and no more sledding at the prison. At Joliet, 111., where are conf’ned Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, convicted of brutal murder of Bobby Franks in Chicago, 12 years ago, Loeb and another prisoner became engaged in a fight in which a razor was successfully used on Loeb. He was buried quietly a day later. Tragedy never seems to leave the lives of some people, once it gets on the trail. Theer is no question that it pays to be good, as is very often learned when it is too late. i Newsy Letter From The Women’s Union Label League The meeting of the Woman’s Union Label League the last Thursday in January was well attended, and pros pects of renewed interest for the coming year seem assured. A number of petitions for mem bership were presented, and Brothers Roy Morton and R. C. Thomas, and Mrs. H. G. Tatum were obligated into the League. It is hoped that the other petitioners will be present to receive the obligation at our next meeting, which is the second Thurs day night in February, the 13th. it is with sincerest sympathy to Mrs. Roy Morton, that we mention the passing of Brother Morton, who has been a friend to the Woman’s Label League since its organization. The reports of the standing com mittees indicated activities in all di rections, the Sunshine Committee hav ing been especially active due to the illness of several members of our League, as well as other members of Organized Labor. It is with deep regret that we re port the resignation of our esteemed president, Mrs. W. E. McKamey, who has moved to Newport News, Vir ginia. Mrs. McKamey, as our leader for the past two years, is due much credit for the progress made by our league during her term of office, and at our last meeting she was made honorary president through a unani mous vote of confidence. The mem bers of the League presented Mrs. McKamey a gift of linen. At the close of the business session, our entertainment committee served refreshments and an'enjoyable social time was had. Legal Defense Department For The A.F.of L. The Executive Council of the Amer ican Federation of Labor gave con sideration at its recent meeting in Miami, Fla., to the establishment of a Legal Defense Department in the A. F. of L. and instructed William Green, president of the Federation, to submit data concerning the cost of the proposed bureau at the May meet ins' of the Council. The 1935 conven tion of the Federation endorsed the establishment of such a department, tlie purpose of which would be to as sist smaller trade unions in defend ing their legal rights before courts and commissions charged with the enforcement of both Federal and, State laws. 1 I Constitutional Amendment Is Postponed By the A. F. of L. Council Final consideration of organized labor’s proposal to amend the United States Constitution so that Congress would have authority to enact labor and social welfare legislation was postponed by the recent meeting of the Executive Council of the Amer ican Federation of Labor until its Spring session. The Council author ized William Green, president of the A. F. of L., to formulate the amend ment and present it to the Council at its next meeting. The 1935 convention of the Feder-i ation directed the Council to have an amendment prepared designed to over come the limitations which the Su preme Court of the United States, in its decision declaring the National In dustrial Recovery Act and the fair practice codes established under it un constitutional, said the Constitution imposed on Congress. The Council discussed at length the report on the subject made by Mr. Green, and asked him to submit all the data he had to other Council mem-1 bers for their personal study so that] the amendment would be ready for the meting next Spring. Women’s Union Label League Meets Feb. 13th i The Women‘s Union Label I League. will meet next Thursday night, February 13th at the Moose Hall at 7:30 o’clock. Business of much importance will come before the body and a full attendance is desired. CIGARETTE TAX CUT ASKED BY AFL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL A resolution recommending that Congress make a reduction in the Federal tax on 10-cent cigarettes from the present rats of $3 a thousand cig arettes to $2.70 was adopted by the recent meeting of the Executive Coun cil of the American Federation of La bor in Miami, Fla. H. L. KISER IMPROVING The Journal is glad to announce the improved condition of H. L. Kiser, of the Plumbers and Steamfitters’ local. He has had quite a siege of it, having been laid up with rheumatism the last four or five weeks. THE A. F. OF L. EXECUTIVE BOARD CALLS FOR A DISSOLUTION OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION COM. At the meeting of the Executive Council of the American Fed eration of Labor held at Miami, Fla., beginning January 15, 1936, careful thought and consideration was given to the formation and activities of the Committee for Industrial Organization, which was formed at Washington, D. C„ on November 10, 1935. All available facts and information, correspondence, printed publications and pamphlets relating to the organization, policies and procedure of the committee for Industrial Organization were examined and considered, and without forming a definite opinion regarding the character, purpose and ob jective of the Committee for Industrial Organization, the members of the Executive Council nevertheless find that there is a growing conviction among an ever increasing number of affiliated unions and those outside of the labor movement that the activities of this Committee constitute a challenge to the supremacy of the American Federation of Labor and will ultimately become dual in purpose and character to the American Federation of Labor. The Executive Council, while freely recognizing the right of officers and members of organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor to entertain and express their own opinions regarding organization and ad ministrative policies which should be pursued, insists that policies adopted at conventions of the American Federation of Labor should be respected, ob served and carried out. Any other procedure must inevitably lead to in ternal strife, discord and division within the ranks of organized labor. It is the opinion of the Executive Council that the Committee for Indus trial Organization should be immediately dissolved, that it should cease to function as assembled reports, facts and information indicate, and that the officers of the several organizations which constitute the committee for In dustrial Organization co-operate fully with the Executive Council in the application and execution of the organization policies adopted by an over whelming majority of the duly accredited delegates who were in attendance at the convention of the American Federation of Labor held in Atlantic City, N. J., from October 7 to 19, 1935. In order to achieve this purpose and to prevent confusion, division and discord within the ranks of organized labor, the Executive Council authorizes a committee of its members to meet and confer with representatives of the organizations which make up the Committee for Industrial Organization, and to present to them the recommendations and the point of view entertained and expressed by members of the Executive Council who attended the Miami meeting. The Executive Council directs that conferences, as herein referred to, be held at the earliest date possible and that said committee report the results of the conferences, together with such recommendations as it may decide to offer, to the next meeting of the Executive Council. >jT_ro~i_n_~Lri i-—tn — ORGANIZER THOMAS WRITES REGARDING GROVE THREAD MILL, AT GASTONIA, N. C. Editor Labor Journal:- , , Please allow me space in your good paper to answer the Groves Thread Company at Gastonia in regards to a letter that carried in the press last Sunday, the 3rd of February. I first want to say that it is my information and belief the Groves Thread Company was not cited before the House Labor Committee and Sub-Committee in support of the Elier.fcogsn “National Textile Act” as being one of the employers that have cut wages, but this Mill was cited as being unfair to Organized Labor, and the court records of some of the Justice of Peace Courts will bear me out in this matter. The company after the National Textile strike was called off, issued eviction papers for most all of the employes that had joined the Textile Union, and these people were put out in the streets—some with young ba bies, without being given a chance to I find a new home. If th is is riot being | unfair to employes, then tell me, Mr. \ Employer, what you would call un- j fair. It has been reported to me by ! some of the companies’ loyal em- i ployed that they have been forced to take qn greater loads in order to hold their jobs, ond that the workers are not making wages they made under the >}RA, compared with the in-1 creased work load. So with the saying that the Groves Thead Co. has cut1 wages! 1 have always noticed that the “Hit Dog” is the first to bark, and I wondep why these people are barking i if they have not been hit. I would like to ask the GROVES THREAD CO. if they are so far be hind time as net to know what has, happened in the mills, I am listing below Such as the Spring Millk in S. C., where; the workers have been put back on the long hours and getting I wage cuts, but we do not have to go; to South Carolina—we can stay ip j our opm State. Go to the Firestone^ Cotton Mills in Gastonia, N. C„ and | you wjill find the company working people! that have been in the mills for any number of years, and yet these people must go in as a learner at from $7.00 to $9.00 per week, and to top this, you will find these mills have cut wages and are running longer hours. I i ne Mansneid Mills at JLumberton, N. C., the Spencer Mill at Spindale, N. C.,^ Phoenix Mill at Kings Moun tain, N. C.; The Bladen Mills at Bladenboro, N. C., and the Liledoun Mill at Taylorsville, N. C., the Car ter Mill at Lincolnton, N. C., after going to the RFC and borrowing the sum of $1.70,000—this mill goes on 55 hours per week, and makes a reduc tion in wages, and I wonder how long it is going to be before a great num ber of other mills are going to wait until tjhey go the way these mills have gone. i Unless the textile employes get the, same rights from the government that the employers are getting we are go-' ing to have more of them in the same class that the Mooresville Mill is in. There are a great number of scabs and strikebreakerss working in this mill for the huge sume of as little as $6.00 and $7.00 per week (40 hours), and yet the employers tell this good government of ours that they are will ing to abide and stay on the code standards, when every day the work ers come to me telling me that the mills are either going to cut wages, or increase the work load. I say that if Mr. Employer would pav the wages that some of them would have the public believe they are paying, then we would not be trying to get out of this old RUT, but with the proper wages the employees would help to bring the country out oftheKUT. As long as tne employer trys to starve the employe out and denies them the right thkt has been given to them then this country will never see better times, and why these mployes want to hold back and not let the employe have adecent and just living, I do not know. Let me refer back to the Groves Thread Co. If this particular; com pany is trying to do whht is right, may I ask why they don't put these people back to work that .have labor ed so hard and faithful, for so many years? The only .reason thev can give is that they joined the United Textile Union some time back. How ever, I know that they say these peo ple are or were undesirable people, and I challenge them to find aught against some of them. However, I know that after some of them gave up the union they got to go back to work, even after these eviction papers had been taken out claiming they owed a great amount of house rent, and on top of that the company claim ed they owed for water and lights. And after asking the superintendent or officer of this good mill company how they figured the amount of wa ter the people used, the answer was that they just guesesd at that. If the mills are to charge in that way, I say that there should be a law to compel them to install water meters, but as said by one employer (Mr. Gilbert) $7.00 is all the Southern Textile Worker needs, inasmuch as they are allowed to have a garden and good houses. I hope that the Groves Mill wi!’ not think that because we have attempted to enlighten them as to prt-ept conditions, that he is not the oni* one ready to holler when he is hit If the other mills do not want to get into the light let them do their part, as they say they are doing, and stop trying to bull the government into thinking they are trying to do their part and stick to the NRA. I would be the last one to try to start labor troubles, but the mills are only bringing this ' condition upon themselves. Submitted by R. C. THOMAS, Disinct Organizer for United Textile W urkers. The Electrical Workers Given Radio Control The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers was granted juris diction over radio workers by the Ex ecutive Council of the American Fed eration of Labor at its recent meeting in Miami, Fla. It was reported that the Brother hood had amended its charter so as to receive the radio workers as a sep arate division under a newly formed membership class, with dues and ben efits varying from those of journey men electricians.
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 6, 1936, edition 1
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