Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Sept. 3, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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Tie ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in MeekAiiburg County tor a Weekly, Its Renders Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER in CiuriotW Che Charlotte labor Journal cm Truthful, Honest, Impartial AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses Vol. VI—No. 17 TOU* CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1936 JOU*MAL AOV*"T,"T" 00-'"“T“" •* $2.00 Per Year Patronize oar Adver tisers. They make YOUE paper possible by their co operation. Official Organ Central Labor Union; standing for the A. F. of L. LABOR DAY, 1936, MARKS AMOTHER MILESTONE .. 1,1 11 1 '» 11 1 ■■■ ii . ■■ ■ ■■ — 1 " 1 "". 111 .— WILLIAM GREEN President American Federation of Labor FRANK MORRISON Secretary American Federation of Labor JOHN L. LEWIS President United Mine Workers, Chairman Committee for Industrial R. R. LAWRENCE President North Carolina State Federation of Labor E. L. SANDEFUR (Secretary-Treasurer N. C. State Federation of Labor JAMES H. FULLERTON President Central Labor Union First Vice-President State Federation of Labor LABOR DAY, 1936 BY WILLIAM GREEN Persident American Federation of Labor Labor Day, 1936, records a year of ne wachievements and new problems which progress has developed. During the year unions have increased in membership. The trend toward busi ness recovery is unmistakable. The administration of the Social Security Act is in process of organization while the Judiciary threatens to nullify our efforts to assure workers rights by legis lation. The Social Security Act is a recognition of Society’s re sponsibility for providing security from another source than property ownership. There are many who have no opportunity to acquire sufficient property to achieve security. For this large group income for emergencies must be provided if they are to be rplieved of the burddh of ^security. - The spectre which haunts the wage earner through his productive years is loss of job. This spectre takes on blacker terrors as the workers grows older and faces inability to secure other jobs. The Social Security Act at tempts to relieve the major emergencies; it provides: ■ Federal old age benefits to which employers and employees contribute jointly in addition to Federal subsidies to matching state old age pensions provisions up to $15 per person; • Federal financial incentives to states to enact unemployment compen Federal’ plans for public assistance to widows and dependent children, crippled children, and for blind persons; ... .... Federal grants to states for public health work. As a result, fifteen states now have unemployment compensation acts, thirteen of which nave been approved by the Social Security Board, and every state has increased the security provided its residents, taking advantage of at least one oppor unity afforded by the Social Security Act. This is a remarkable achieve ment for so short a time. It is Labor’s hope and ambition to aecnre lefto lation, to enable every state to participate fully in all types of Federal aid offered by this measure. These constructive legislative enactments consti tut trie beginning of a constructive plan to assure to every citizen an income to provide the necesaries of life under all eventualities. 'Jhen there is a measure of economic security so that persons are sure of shelter, food and clothing, freedom takes on new meaning. . . . . , . 1» would be well if our Labor Day celebration included plans for a development of a fully rounded security program in every iitate*£“'*“"* administered with Labor’s co-operation. Labor should take th* '"*.t'at‘'e in the legislative program and then must be ready to follow closely ad ministrative policies and procedure. Unless this program is administered as a 4ight of Labor it becomes a mere relief program which does not make for . t opportunity to advance social security, we face a re sponsibiHty tcTaU unemployed wage earners. It is obvious .^recovery fjjr business is at hand but re-employment of the unemployed is keeping pace with the increase in business activity or the recovery of profits. For those Who are employed we must secure higher wages and shorter hours. Tte steady i£e in business activity and profits indicates the opportuneness rfdeffnd. fo?higher standards. The rise in the costs of living make such demandsfm.peratwe.ition ^ geriou8 proWem «f extending our provisions for unemployed so that there may be normal opportunities for those ex cluded from exisiting business by technical progress, rhere again the ter movement must* insist upon equal opportunities for all in our new econojaica^ env^ironment.^a^ Qf ubor.g age-long struggle for freedom under ■, renditions Unless the labor movement does its part, the results will te se^iousTor our Nation! for the later movement is «~«tUlto batanc. S boih our economic and our poliUcal progress. Weji.ve seen »n other countries that the downfall of free later movements has always presaged the loss period in world affairs as well as in our own enun^v so that our first concern should be the strengthening advancement T".V««.nized labor movement, that the workers as well as all society “ 1 safeguarded and bettered. Organization is the first step in progress srSstiar-snffAK T« s.’S'Ara-A s problems. TaT^ch «d ev«y m.mte? of organized labor be ready and alert |o do his full part for our common advancement. Pldmbers and S teamfitters To Picnic Labor Day On Labor Day, next Monday, the Plumlers and Steamfitters local i» going | to have a picnic at their club house Son the Catawba, and the boys are locking for a good time with their families and a few invited friends are gping to see the “launching of the oM “Hesperus, the Silver Streat” and her performance will be anxiously awaited, to see whether the “Silve-r Streak” will streak or not. We ate told that duck, chicken and ham, along with other ediWes too various to mention will grace the fes tive 1 board, and a new bride and groom are expected to be present. The Journal hopes to be on hand, but he still has his fears for the “Silver Streak.” Closing of Beverage Rooms Is Urged By Toronto Labor TORONTO, Canada.—The attitude of hotel men here toward labor un ions is said to be a factor in prompt ing the District Trades and Labor Council to vote unanimously to work for abolition of “beverage rooms In Toronto. j . _ _. ,, A motion offered by E. Sinfield, President of the Building Trades Council, declaredt hat the central body was “prepared to support or start a campaign and use all other means within their power to bring about the system in vogue prior to the introduction of beverage rooms in Toronto.” Lots of folks still live in the past LABOR DAY MESSAGE BY FRANK MORRISON Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Labor In this Presidential election year national interest is focused on political activities. It is timely to draw attention to the po litical policy of the American Federation of Labor. The forma tion of the American Federation of Labor developed out of the desire of workers to model an organization on principles which experience proved best suited to their needs. The immediate objective Was to organize workers and to affiliate them to the Union of their trade and calling, to enable them to carry on collective bargaining relations with their employers for the purpose of negotiating further comprehended demand for the enactment of legislation by the Fed eral and State governments for the protection and bnefit of wage workers agreements, regulating wages and working conditions. The objectives and of the masses of the people. With the passing of time the American Federation of Labor was brought face to face with the necessity of adopting a political policy which would enable organized labor to bring about the election of representatives in state legislatures and the Congress of the United States who would support legis lation demanded by the American Federation of Labor. At the same time it was necessary to avoid the danger of dividing the membership in a cleavage between the political parties. The 1897 convention of the Ameri can Federation of Labor declared for the “independent use of the ballot by trade unionists and working men united regardless of party.” Later the non-partisan principle was emphasized in the declaration “we will stand by our friends and administrator a stinging rebuke to men or parties who are either indifferent, negligent or hostile.” In the successive election campaigns the American Federation of Labor has adhered strictly to the non-partisan character of its political policy, with the result that increasing numbers of members of different political faiths are being elected to Congress and the State Legislatures who are supporting the legislative demands of the American Federation of Labor. The question might be asked what progress are we realizing when laws sponsored by the American Federation of Labor are set aside by courts and laws that stand the test of courts fail to protect workers in the right to or ganize in independent unions because of the defiance of antagonistic em ployer interests. We encounter opposition because we live under a free government and because it is free the labor movement has the right to carry on the struggle for realization of its ideals. ; Notwithstanding the set backs the persistent and insistent promulgation of labor legislation in the United States is creating a more enlightened public conscience in regard to human values and inherent rights of a free people as against purely ma terialistic considerations and these principles are attracting ever widen ing recognition and acceptance. FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT President of the United States and Originator of the New Deal Loneliness in later life is a trag-j What is the difference between hap edy. I piness, pleasure and enjoyment? LABOR DAY, 1936 BY JOHN L. LEWIS, President, United Mine Workers of America, Chairman, Committee for k Industrial Organization. TO ALL WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES, WHETHER ORGANIZED OR UNORGANIZED: There is today a most vital question confronting you. It is a question upon which may hinge not only your destiny, but the destiny of this nation. I refer to the organization of the workers in the mass-production industries of the United States, upon which organization of the workers in smaller industries and busi nesses must depend. Organized labor in the United States numbers today a little more than three million men and women; this is, roughly, only one tenth of the workers who are eligible for organization. There are twenty-seven millions of persons in this United States who are devoid of the benefits of or ganization. What can a strongly organized labor union do for its members? It can raise their wages, lessen their hours, and improve their working condi tions. It can be made an instrument for expressing and securing the social, political, and economic needs of its members. A member of a labor union is no longer wholly at the,mercy of his employer, of this topsy-turvy eco nomic structure, or of some unforeseen blow of fate. He has a protection beyond that which his own efforts can afford him. Those who are in possession of such benefits must desire to retain them; those who lack them must yearn to attain them. To achieve such aims the unorganized workers of this country must be organized, for it is my belief that the three million members of organized labor will not for many years longer be able to withstand the continuous pressure of the masses of un organized workers. Moreover, we owe it to ourselves to assist our brothers. Organization of the mass-production industries, followed by organization of all other industrial workers, will mean a more stable economic structure and a more democratic government. It may save us from a catastrophic political upheaval, which would surely cause great suffering and might cause the loss of all our cherished liberties. I urge all the workers of the United States to do their utmost *to assist in this great endeavor. Wagner In Weekly Radio Broadcasts Under Auspices Of N-P Labor League United States Senator Robert F. Warner ,of New York, President Roosevelt’s home state, will open a series of weekly radio broadcasts under the auspices of Labor s Non Partisan League, speaking at 9:00 o’clock Wednesday evening, Eastern Standard Time. . . .. The broadcast this week, and at the same hour succeeding weeks, will be over the following stations: WOL, Washington, D. C., WEVD, New York City, WIP Philadelphw, Pa., KQV, Pittsburgh, Pa-, WCFL, Chicago. , ... , The broadcast this week will be from New York City, where the La bor party, affiliate of Labors Non Partisan League, will dedicate a great Broadway electric display in support of President Roosevelt. Sen ator Wagner will discuss campaign issues. It will be his first political address in this campaign. The speaker the following week will be Mr. Harvey Fremming, Pres ident of the Oil Field, Gas Well and Refinery Workers’, who will discuss the campaign issues from the stand point of oil workers. TEACHERS’ NATIONAL CONVENTION ENDORSES RIGHTS AMENDMENT PHILADELPHIA.—At its annual convention here, the American Fed eration of Teachers, an allifiate of the American Federation of Labor, endorsed the Farmers’ and Workers Rights Amendment to the Constitu tion (S. J. R. 249), and elected Je rome Davis, noted liberal educator, president. The A. F. T. also reaf firmed its stand in favor of industrial unionism. Many are careless in the preserva tion of their friendship. Subscribe for The Journal Watch Your Radio Programs Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 7 Don’t forget to listen in on the Omborn talk on WBT Monday, Sep tember 7th, at 3:30 to 3:45. The Union Label Trades Depart ment, of which Mr. Omborn is the secretary-treasurer, has a message for all the workers in America, through this national hookup over the Co lumbia Broadcasting system. Make up a party for this broadcast, as well as for the Green-Morrison broadcast the same day. Watch your radio pro gram. LATER: ORNBURN BROADCASTS FROM ST. LOUIS ON LABOR DAY WASHINGTON, D. C.—The Union Label Trades Department of the Am erican Federation of Labor an nounced that the Labor Day address of I. M. Ornburn, secretary-treas urer of the Department will be broad cast from St. Louis, Mo., instead of from Washington, D. C. Mr. Orn bum will speak from Station KMOX, Columbia Broadcasting System, from 2:30 to 2:45 (Central Standard Time). His subject wil lbe “The Un ion Label—The Emblem of Labor Day.” WASHINGTON PLASTERERS RECEIVE $1.75 PER HOUR WASHINGTON, D. C.—Plaster ers and Cement Finishers, Local Un ion No. 96, recently concluded an agreement with the local plastering contractors’ association, providing for an increase in wages of 25 cents and hour, thus restoring a cut ac cepted during the depression, and bringing the rate to $1.75 an hour. Business Agent James Buckley re ports 98 per cent of the employers began paying the new rate as ar ranged, August 15, although some trouble was experienced wtih two out-of-town contractors, resulting in strikes, of short duration, on two con struction jobs. Plasterers here work six hours a day, five days a week.
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 3, 1936, edition 1
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