North Carolina Newspapers

The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mwtr/uiburg County for a Weekly, Its Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER in Charlotte Official Orgu Central Labor Union; endorsed by State Federation of Labor £he Charlotte labor Journal Truthful, Honest, Impartial AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeaioring to Serve the Masses \<A. V.—No. 50 YOUR MvnTM IKNT IN TN« JOWMAk H * I NVCRTUtNT CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1936 JOUNNAL ADVINIMM DlRIRVt COMUIOSMATIOM OF $2.00 Per Year A. F. OF L ASSUMES NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL POLICY—OPINION OF ITS MEMBERSHIP CITED BY WM. GREEN [The following letter is self-explanatory and is published as a matter of information.—Ed.] WASHINGTON, D. C., April 23. To National and International Unions, State Branches, City Centra] Bodies, Directly Affiliated Locals and Labor Press. Greeting: In conformity with instructions of conventions of the Ameri can Federation of Labor, decisions of the Executive Council and customary procedure, the non-partisan political policy which will be followed by the American Federation of Labor in the political campaign of 1936 will be transmitted and explained to you in due course of time and at the earliest possible date. The perponderance of opinion of the membership of the American Fed eration of Labor in favor of the pur suit of a non-partisan political pol icy has been expressed in a most definite way in conventions of the American Federation of Labor. They have repeatedly emphasized their opinion and belief that the po litical and economic interests of the working people of the country can best be served, for the present at least, through the pursuit of a non partisan policy. By following this course, the Amer ican Federation of Labor has succeed ed in its efforts to blend into a com mon brotherhood and unite in a strong economic organization men and women of differing political opinions and beliefs. In a most prac tical and convincing way the workers,' regardless of political opinions have united in behalf of candidates for office who supported legislation spon sored and approved by Labor, and conversely have opposed and defeated candidates for office who were known to be opposed to Labor and to legis lation favored by Labor. It is the deal re of the American Federation of Labor that the workers who accept and espouse the political and economic philosophy of the American Federation of Labor shall tration and activity. The cause of Vabor c*a be besu served through -siuiuip* UI 44oq" petiun uteuuxi united action made possible through the development of a sound construe uve practical non-parusan puuucai policy. For obvious reasons, Labor should avoid division even in the pursuit of its political policies. Such divisions can be avoided if working men and women, loyal to the American Fed eration of Labor, will refrain from identifying themselves with any po litical movement designed to serve as a substitute for the non-partisan po litical policy of the American Fed eration of Labor. When the occasion seems appropri ate, when candidates have been nomi nated, when it becomes publicly known who the candidates are, upon what platform they stand and what social economic and political princi ples they espouse, the Executive Council through its non-partisan po litical committee, will officially com municate with all organizations affili ated with the American Federation of Labor advising them regarding the standing, qualifications and public records of candidates for political positions. The training and experience of La bor and the Wessons which it has learned, all lead to the-conclusion that the highest and best interests of Labor will be served through a strict and close adherence to the traditional non-partisan political policv of the American Federation of Labor. Fraternally yours, Wm. Green, President. « American Federating of Labor. Frank Morrison, Secretary-Treasurer American Federation of Labor. A. F. of L. Supports Wagner Housing Bill 100 Per Cent WASHINGTON, D. C.—One hun dred per cent backing by organized labor for Senator Wagner’s Federal Housing Bill was given by President William Green of the American Fed eration of Labor in a statement be fore the Senate committee on Educa tion and Labor, which held hearings on the measure. In appropriations and loans the Wagner measure authorizes the ex penditure of $876,000,00 during the next few years to aid in the construc tion of houses for people whose an nual income is so small that they are prevented from purchasing houses built under the usual procedure of pri vate industry. Senator Wafener esti mates that at least 10,000,000 houses for these low-income groups will be required during the next 10 years. The Wagner Bill would set up a Federal authority empowered to lend local governmental units 55 per cent of the coot of approved low-cost hous ing and slum clearance units and to make grants of 45/per cent. “Those who have not, as I have lived with and among the workers, who have not seen at first hand liv ing conditions among the workers in all industries and in all parts of the country.” President Green told the committee, “will not realize the full import of the effect of this legisla tion/ the profound significance of biirnging low-cost housing within the reach of the average wage earner. CHILD LABOR CONDEMNED BY PRESBYTERIAN BOARD NEW YORK, N. Y.—Emphatic condemnation of the employment of children was contained in a state ment on social and industrial rela tions included in the declaration of principles adopted by the Board of National Missions of the Presbyte rian Church of the United States of America after a two-day meeting here. “The use of children as wealth producers,” the statement said, “should he condemned for folly and injustice, and in the future the de mand of industry should not be al lowed to prevent any child from se curing the full opportunities of edu cation as a human being and as a citizen.” “Co-eds” Would Take The “Red” Out of the US. Stars and Stripes BOISE, Idaho.—The Veterans of Future Wars started something with their burlesque of veterans organiza tions and war talk. Now the co-eds at the University of Idaho have or ganized the Daughters of No More American Resolutions. Their expressed purpose is “to re interpret American history and tra dition in order to purge it of any taint of Communism.” As an exam ple they offer the common error of considering Washington and Jefferson as revolutionists. “We know they were nothing of the sort,’’ they main tain. ' “Washington and Jefferson fought against the forces of British radicalism. If they were not able to maintain their conservatism peace ably they were willing to go to war for it.” At an enthusiastic meeting they voted to remove the red stripes from the American flag. “Red in the star spangled banner,” they insist, “de notes radicalism and anarchy”. They passed resolutions to paint all the red bams in Idaho green, and to send the “Red Indians” back where they came from. The University of Idaho is situated in a small lowland town—named Mos cow! N. Y. MINIMUM WAGE LAW BEFORE U. S. HIGH COURT WASHINGTON, D. C—A brief filed with the United States Supreme Court by New York City in support of. the New York State minimum wage law for women and children declared that “industries ought to be self-supporting or quit.” The brief was presented as a “friend of the court” in connection with arguments on the constitutionality of the stat ute; which was held invalid by the New York State Court of Appeals. AFL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONVENES ON MAY 5 WASHINGTON, D. C.—The Spring meeting of the American Federation of Labor Executive Council will open on May 5 in the A. F. of L. Building here, Frank Morrison, secretary treasurer of the Federation, announ ces. OUR ANNIVERSARY EDITION On Thursday, May 14th The Labor Journal will issue its Fifth Anniversary Edition. We hope to make it an edition in keeping with our previous effort, but can only do so by having the support of our business concerns. This edition will have wide distribution and will prove of value as an ad vertising medium. The publisher asks that our solicitors be given due consideration. Turn ww lAMMMMMMMM CHATTING mmmm •V HARRY •OATS An interesting story of recent date was that which came out of the city of Washington, D. C., concerning one Mr. Marion Zioncheck, a young man, member of Congress, and in his official capacity supposed to repre sent his great state in the National Assembly. What representation thal state is getting as a result of votes cast at an election for some person to take care of their interests! This man, and perhaps there may be others with him in the same line of business, seems to have gotten the idea that being elected to congress means that he is beyond all restraint and is per mitted to do as he may ehoose, law or no law. This man’s name has appeared in the news columns on previous oc casions, in recent weeks, and the subject discussed had no relation to acts of Congress on laws relating to the State of Washington. This latest escapade was a brush with the police force of Washington, and the main offense ap pears to have been a desire to get some place in a hurry, as he traveled 70 miles an hour through the streets, he behind the wheel, and police officers in the car, who at that time really had the man under arrest on another charge. A member of Congress is given yreat liberty, (and some of them exceed even that which is permitted by virtue of office), and are generally sup posed to be immune from arrest by officers other than sergeant-at-arms of the branch of which they are members, but somehow city officials managed to get him in tow. Perhaps if a Congressman is permitted to break a law, a policeman should be entitled to the same privilege. However, this (mie) representative finally was led to court, and a hard-hearted judge saw fit to fine him $45 for his misconduct, which a fellow Congressman from New York State paid for him, in order to secure his release. This sum did not include $25 cash which had been posted a 'week previous for other infraction of law, and allowed to lapse by failing to appear for trial. What Congress should do in this case would be to repack this party in nice wrapping, deposit him in charge of some common carrier, with a label stating he is to be delivered to his home state and town. Upon ar rival, the good peopleof the town should proceed in their own way to teach him what a member of Congress is supposed to do, so long as he is taking his salary from phblic tax money. Here in Charlotte if a pupil in our public schools becomes too lively he may find himself in Jackscn Training School. There should be some way of disposing of wild congressmen when they get too wild. It is not so very long ago that Nine Old Men, so-called, met in the U. S. Supreme Court and said that certain laws which had been operating for some time were now unconstitutional and should be put to eternal rest. Perhaps these nine old men knew more than they cared to say. When men like Mr. Zioncheck are permitted to sit in such a legislative body, enacting laws for you and I and the other fellow, it is well that we have a Supreme Court, and until such congressmen are shorn of their power, it will be wise for this country to make no change in the high court. It is not impossible for the court to go wrong, but there is a vast difference between nine and more than 490. Just so long as the people who make the laws persist in ignoring them, there can and should be no great coinplaint when Mr. Average Citizen takes a notion to do likewise, if any, person should obey the laws of the land, those who make them, and those who are supposed to be our leaders, should be the last ones to go wild and raise trouble. Kings have tried it in the past, and they soon lost their position, sometimes their head. A Federal judge just recently was convicted of misconduct in office and now seeks another job, and there is no reason why a Congressman who refuses to be have should not be directed to an employment agency, where he may find work which would not misrepresent so many people. The voters of the State of Washington should call this man home, and see that he never again is given a chance to spoil the fair name of their state because of his boyish pranks. Perhaps some day he will grow up and know that laws are sup posed to apply also to him, regardless of position, and until he does learn that he has no right to represent one of our forty-eight states as a leader in our national legislative body. Boys will be boys. Congressmen should also be men, such as can be trusted when away from home. Congress need not be surprised at house cleanings so long as such men join its ranks. Send him home! The “Stop McDonald” story in Sunday’s Charlotte Observer did more to help the Doctor than anything else since Mr. Hoey’s attack on him aa being a “foreigner.” The candidates are bobbing up here and there with utterances of un dying love for the “dear people ” fighting an “unselfish” bottle, and sacrific ing their personal interests. Truly, “Heroes are made, not born.” Ye gods and little fishes! And they now realise that the man who was belittled at the beginning of the campaign, or rather before it really began, is a foe to be reckoned with, and.while they may claim his theories are not practical, yet they are all for Roosevelt, who certain Big Interests are fight ing, and who is putting into effect “theories” that are biting the corporations to the bone. The leader of the “Green Pastures” gathering of Democrats from many states, Mr. Haywood Robbins, says he is not a candidate for any office. Re freshing indeed is this piece of news. But wise men change their minds, fools never, and we are inclined to believe Mr. Robbins is a smart man, for he is certainly gathering up publicity with a vim. WOMEN’S UNION LABEL LEAGUE GIVE THE CHILDREN PARTY AND LESSON REGARDING HEALTH One of the most interesting and enjoyable affairs yet given by the Women’s Union Label League was held last Thursday night at the Moose HaH, on South Tryon Street. The hall was tastefully decorated with cut flowers, greens and potted plants, and what gave it ad air of spring, even more so than the blooming of flowers were the happy faces of the children, ranging in age from three months to 14 and 15 years, to say nothing of the “boys and girls” with an age radius of 21 to the Lord knows what. Miss Vernett Threatt opened the meeting with a few appropriate re marks, then turning it over to Mrs. R. K. Amyx as director of ceremo nies and entertainment. In a few appropriate remarks Mrs. Amyx in troduced Dr. E. K. McLean, special ist in children’s diseases, and who serves on the city child clinic with Dr. Ray, and he made an in teresting talk, telling his hear ers how to prevent common ailments, stressing the need of plenty of air and nourishing food. He deplored the fact that children were being fed too many of the sweet, tasty and non-body building foods. He urged the body-building meals. A good hot breakfast of substantial food to en able them to go to school with a body well prepared for disease re sistance. He also stressed the bene fits of cornbread, fat back, peas, beans, rice, milk, etc., as the food to build healthy bodies. He stressed the benefits of the old iron pot and skillet. His talk brought back to many of the “olders” in the audience the good old days of Jong ago. when solid food was the order of the day, with prob ably a little candy on Saturday, and a desert on Sunday.* He explained the strides medical science had made in diminishing the death rate for merly caused by the common diseases of children, and of different inocula tions that couldjbe (and should be) (riven to ward off these diseases. H< also stressed the fact of sleeping quarters with plenty of fesh air. The doctor’s talk was indeed a fea ture of the meeting, and the ladies of the league who contemplate de voting one meeting each month dur ing the summer to the children fox entertainment, health and education, have made a good start. Mrs. Amyx next called upon “Dr." J. H. Fullerton, who talked a while on health and children, but before he had gotten far, switched off on the benefits of the Union Label. Holding a package of union-made cigarettes in his hand he told them of the su perior living conditions of union workers, of a feeling of independent manhood they enjoyed, of a greater purchasing power caused by an in creased wage, of placing them in a better position tP secure the necessi ties of life, enabling them to raise healthier children and enabling them to secure the proper medical atten tion when needed. He only used the little cigarette as an example. He called attention to the Union suit he wore, which caused the Garment Workers to build better homes and families, and the hat. the shirt, the socks, ties and suspenders, all bear ing the label, that organised work ers. and others, could secure, thus as suring a better paid, and a better citisen. Nor did he forget to tell his hearers that he ladies could also VERDICT ON THE GAFFNEY ACT EAGERLY AWAITED BY TEXTILE MANTACT’RS—PERKINS TALKS WASHINGTON, April 2S.—With the supreme court meeting Monday to render decisions for the first time in two weeks, the supporters of the Ellen bogen textile bill await with keen interest the judgment of the high tribunal on Guffey coal act. The News correspondent learned today that if the constitutionality of the Guffey act is upheld, those sponsoring the bill setting up a little NRA for the textile industry will launch a drive to secure passage of the legislation at this session. A direct appeal will be nude to President Roosevelt to throw his in* fluence on capital hill behind the Ellenbogen bill. The textile group found great encouragement in a statement by Secrtary of Labor Perkins. Asked her views on the legislation, she said: “The Ellenbogen bill is based on the same pattrn as the Guffey bill. If the Guffey act is sustained by the courts, then 1 think the Ellenbogen bill, is an admirable way for the textile industry to stabilise production and dis tribution, its labor situation and labor costa. 'The President is familiar with and interested in the bill and we are thinking about it very seriously. Just what is the device by which stabilisa tion can be brought about is not yet settled, but the situation is one which is serious not only for the administration but for he whole country.” While the United Textile workers organisation here, which fathered the Ellenbogen bill, is preparing to line up support for the legislation, em ployers in the industry are preparing to fight the measure. The American Manufacturers Association, meeting at Pinehurst next week-end, is expected to adopt a resolution voicing strong opposition to the bill. Douglas G. Wolfe, editor of the Textile World, is out with a statement that 90 out «f every 100 textile manufacturers oppose the bill because the) proposd federal textile commission would put the industry in a legislative straitjacket. . ..... The action of the National Federation of Textiles in endorsing the bill is not in line with the attitude of the great majority of manufacturers, he said.—Walter Brown, Charlotte News Special Writer. BROOKLYN BARBERS CALL STRIKE FOR HIGHER PAY BROOKLYN, N. Y.—Local 217 of of the Journeymen Barbers’ Interna tional Union called a strike for higher wages in all Brooklyn barber shops except Brownsville. The walk out affected 10,000 men in 3,500 shops. The union demands includ ed a guaranteed wage of $25 a week, a 50 per cent commission on all shop earnings of men whose chairs earn more than $40, establishment of a 7 P. M. closing hour, four holidays a year with pay, a five-day week and standardisation of prices to make possible compliance with these de mands. The man who gets along in this world is the one who can look happy when he isn’t. TRUCK DRIVERS LONG HOURS HIT AS PERIL ON HIGHWAYS The increasing importance of transportation by automobile trucks is j revealed in the report by Harold Butler, director of the International Labor Organization, that the number of persons employed by that indus try almost equals the workers em ployed on railroads. He presented these figures to the governing body of the I. L. O. at its meeting in Gen eva. The working hours and rest pe riods for automobile truck drivers and the methods of preventing acci dents, he said, concerned not only the workers in highway transportation but also all other users of the raods. More life insurance money goes to living policyholders than to benefi ciaries of dead ones. Coal Miners Strike In Pa. Hard Coal Field Is At Hand NEW YORK, April 29.—Eight word-weary men in whose hands rest ed the immediate fate of the $200, 000,000-a-year anthracite industry prepared themselves last night for a final two days’ wage negotiation which may mean a strike or a new peace. .... On the answer hung the immedi ate personal fortunes of 106,000 un ion miners, the corporate prospects of scores of colleries and the economic vigor of the central Pennsylvania hard coal cields. A hint of the general importance of the issue came in the form of a telegraphed plea by the Wilkes Barre-Wyoming valley (Pa.) cham ber of commerce urging the negotia tions to reach “amicable agreement” in face of general alarm provoked by possibility of a suspension of the mines. The conferees received it in silence. Midnight Thursday stood as the deadline. Constantly uppermost in the picture before the four United Mine Workers conferees and four op erators’ spokesmen was the union ul timatum that without a new agree ment union miners would not work after April 30. w The old contract ended March 30. The joint negotiation, at first by seven from each side, started Febru ary 24, but had gotten nowhere as the old contract waned. Both sides agreed to extend it to April 30. Man has increased more in num ber during the past 100 years than during all the thousands of years he has been on earth. Printers To Picnic On May 12th At Mallard Creek On Friday, May 12th, is the date set for the Typo boys “get-together” picnic and barbecue at Mallard Creek Community House, and it is said some of the boys have already started fast ing in preparation for the “day to come.” A11 signs point toward a gala occasion and with the Woman’s Aux iliary working hand in hand with the other committees a good time is in store for all who are fortunate enough to be on hand. Dr. McDonald Will Address Voters At Court House Next Wednesday Night - j Don’t forget the McDonald meeting at the County Court House next Wednesday night at 8 o’clock. Dr. Ralph McDonald, candidate for governor will ad dress the voters, and bring to them a message of hope. Be sure to be on hand and bring a friend With you and hear North Carolina’s next governor dis cuss the isues at hand. Don’t be afraid to change a man’s opinion, but be careful how you do it. The total estimated cost of nine utility projects undertaken by the government is to be more than $800, 000,000. secure union-made hosiery, dresses, etc., if they only demanded them. I Next on the program was a recita tion by Miss Marx Boate, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Boate,. Miss Boate recited one of Eugene Fields’ poems, which was greatly en joyed by all present. Miss Boate has on several occasions lent her services to the Label League with readings, and they are always well received. Music for the occasion was gra ciously furnished by “Bob” McAlis ter* and “Ed” Witter, of the Musi cians’ Union, and the children danced and played games to merry music un til the time arrived for refreshments. when the “grand rush” was made for the cream and cake, and did they have a time—yes—and so did the “oldsters” who still have a sweet tooth left—maybe. The ladies of the Label League have been doing a noble work since its organization, nearly two years ago, and they are starting a cam paign for the Union Label and Child Health that promises to be of bene fit not only to organized labor but to Charlotte as a whole. The next meeting of the League will be held on Wednesday, May 13th, at the Moose'Hall, the time being 7:30 o’clock. ' 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.