Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Dec. 10, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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I a The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY te MitMiriw 0—iiy For a Weakly, Ito the LARGEST BUYING POWER im Charlotte Official Orgaa Central Labor Union; standing for ] uTa. F. of L. Ihf Charlotte labor Journal Patronise oar Adrer tioera. They make TOU* paper psasihle by thair co operation. 7 rut tit* l, Honest, Impartial Vol. VI—No. 31 AND DIXIE FARM NEWS CHARLOTTE, N. C, THURSDAY, DECEMBER It, 193t Endeavoring to Servo the Mi - $2.00 Par Y«ar I Only Twelve More Shopping Days Before Christmas BOYCOTT POWER OF CENTRAL LABOR UNION RESTRICTED BY A. F. L; MUST HAVE CHANCE TO ADJUST DISPUTE The Tampa convention of the American Federation of Labor amended the constitution of the Federation by restricting the power of central labor bodies to boycott employers. The matter was brought before the convention by delegates representing the Building Trades and Metal Trades Departments of the A. F. of L. in a resolution which charged that the action of central labor councils and other delegate bodies in declaring firms unfair which have agreements with national and international unions “is in direct violation to the basic principles of collective bargaining and the necessary observance of agreements entered into by international unions.” The delegates of two departments asked that the A. F. of L. constitu tion be amended so as to provide that no central labor body “shall have au thority to declare any firm or firms having naitonal or local agreements with national or international unjons unfair in violation of the provisions of such agreements,” with the provi sion that central labor bodies “declar ing an employer unfair >«in violation of the provisions of such agreements shall be subject to the; discipline of the American Federation of Labor.” The Committee on Laws reported that while it was in accord with the purpose of the resolution it believed it was too drastic as presented, “inas much as if adopted in the form pro posed it would unduly interfere with much of the effective activities and present recognized functions of local central bodies.” In place of the resolution presented by the Building Trades and juetai Trades delegates the committee rec ommended that Section 7 of Article XI of the American Federation of Labor constitution be amended to read as follows: “Sec. 7. No central labor union or other central body of delegates shall have power or authority to originate a boycott, nor shall such bodies endorse and order the placing of the name of any person, firm or corporation on an unfair list that has agreements with any international or national union or local unions until the national or in ternational unions or local unions hav ing such agreements are informed of the request made upon the central body of delegates and such interna tional, national or local unions work ing under agreements that may be affected have had reasonable time to intercede and uijtil the local union de siring such action by the central body r (Brought out of the records and readopted December 9, 1936) NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS AND BUSINESS MEN A resolution adopted last year as to The Labor Journal and solicitation of funds in the name of Central Labor Un ion was brought out of the minutes and republished as in formation. The resolution reads as follows: “Resolved, That we publish in The Charlotte Labor Journal, that we do not condone any solicita tion of advertising except for The Charlotte Labor Journal, purporting to represent labor, unless over the signature of the secretary of the Charlotte Cen tral Labor Union. I Union Men Insure First Class Work The other day the writer was walking along upper N. E. Second avenue in what is known as the up town section, when a painter work ing on the front of a large, modern apartment building, with- stores be low, dropped his can of paint from the top of the ladder on which he was standing and the contents splash ed over a woman who had pust alight ed from a car parked at the curb. What missed her smeared all over the sidewalk. The writer did not have to ask if the man was a non-union painter, but inquiry developed that such was the case, because the pain splotches on parts of the building painted to an other color and paint all over the sidewalk below provided the label of the handyman painter who is will ing to do painting at a cheaper rate than that prevailing, but who proves more expensive in the long run. And yet there are some owners of buildings who still think that it pays to hire men who profess to know all about painting, carpenter work- or anything you happen to be in need of at the time, usually floaters who mean little or nothing to the com munity. The man we made reference to would have hard work qualifying as a first class painter—probably he never could. We do not blame him so much for seeking work which he can only do in a sloppy and indif ferent manner as we do the owners, who ought to know better after a few experiences with- workers of that kind. iHe might be all right for a kalsomining job on a chicken coop but clearly was not to be entrusted with interior or exterior decorating on a high class apartment building or home. We do not mean that there is not a field for the unskilled laborer, but it sure is a short-sighted policy to employ one in what should be work of a high character. Before a painter can become a member of a Painters’ Union he must be examined as to his qualifications by an examining board, which has set up requirements that assure a first class job to his employer. That is one of the reasons why more and more contractors who wish to be known for the quality of their work and builders who desire such work are insisting on union painters and other union craftsmen for their jobs. It is another reason why practically all union craftsmen are now at work in the Metropolitan Miami area, where high class work is being de manded. It is a trite saying that it is not the original cost that counts but the upkeep—and so it is with jobs that may seem cheap at first but prove most expensive m the long run. The prevailing wages for building craftsmen in the Metropolitan Miami area are not unreasonable by any means, but they are a guarantee of good work, which any prospective builder who expects good work can not afford to ignore. Then, too, the union craftsman, being an expert la his line, invariably turns out more work than the botch workman who does not believe in bettering himself so he can join the anion ranks. has, before declaring the boycott, sub mitted to the central body for inves tigation and the best endeavors on its part to effect an amicable settle ment. “Failure to reach an understanding between the unions involved, the en tire matter shall be referred to the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor which shall be empowered to grant or refuse such •request.” Some delegates opposed the amend ment on the ground that it would de price city central bodies of consider able strength in improving local la bor conditions. Others held that the purpose of the amendment was to prevent a large number of unions from being placed in a position where their membership working under agreements are com pelled to work for an employer who is placed on the unfair list. At the conclusion of the discussion the report of the Committee on Laws was adopted by more than two-thirds majority. When the vote was announced, President Green, “in order to allay apprehension on the part of the rep resentatives of city central bodies,” made the following statement relative to the purpose of the amendment: “First of all, city central bodies I know will be given the widest lati tude in theft- policy of dealing with unfriendly employers in their respec tive communities. “For one, I shall strongly oppose the restrcition of central bodies in placing firms upon the unfair list, ex cepting in some grace emergency. We want the central bodies to be able to deal with these questions quickly and promptly in their respective communi ties. “In my official capacity I shall fa vor granting to the central bodies the widest power to deal with these ques tions and place firms upon the unfair list because of their unfriendly atti tude to labor.” Labor Press Heads Are Woll And Woodmansee Matthew Woll, editor of the Inter national Photo-Engraver, and R. E. Woodmansee, editor of the Illinois Tradesman, Springfield, IU., were re elected president and secretary-treas urer, respectively, of the International Labor Press of America at its recent convention at Tampa, Fla. The officers elected included P. J. Morris, St. Louis, first vice-president; John C. Saylor, Wilmington, Del., sec ond vice-president; Thomas E. Burke, Washingotn, third vice-president; W. J. Moran, El Paso, Texas, fourth vice-president; Robert B. Hesketh, Cincinnati, fifth vice-president; Frank B. Powers, Chicago, sixth vice-presi dent; Chester M. Wright, Washington, seventh vice-president; Thomas R. Downie, Galesburg, eighth vice-presi dent, and Frank Martel, Detroit, Mich., ninth vice-president. A check for your subscription would be appreciated. 1 The Supreme Court may "knock out” the New Deal laws, but it can't find the Union Label unconstitu tional. Every dollar spent for Union Label goods and services means better wages, shorter hoars and decent work ing conditions for every worker. Subscribe for The Journal SPURIOUS A.F.L. COMMITTEE ENDED BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION; SAY FALSE IMPRESSION CREATED The order of the Federal Trade Commission requiring; the so-called “A. F. of L. Trade Union Committee for Unemploy ment Insurance and Relief” to discontinue using that name “or any other name suggesting that they have a connection with the .American Federation of Labor” definitely brings to an end the efforts, extending over a number of years, of these notorious left wingers to palm themselves off as a bona fide A. F. of L. organisation. The Federal Trade Commission be ;»an its inquiry into the activities of this group more than a vear ago in an order requiring them to appear be-1 | fore the commission on ft charge of | violating the Federal statute prohibit ! ing deceptive practices as “unfair competition’’ and show cause why they should not be required to cease this allegedly fraudulent' procedure. By the use of the initials “A. F. of L.” in its name the committee has un dertaken to create the impression that it is an American Federation of La bor group. By the use of the initials “A. F. of L.” and the word “Federationist” in the name of its publication “The A. F. of L. Rank and File Federationist,” the committee has likewise endeavor ed to palm off its magazine as an American Federation of Labor pub lication. The fact is that neither the com mitte nor its publication has ever had any connection whatsoever with the American Federation of Labor. ™ On November 24, 1936, after a thorough investigation of the case the Federal Trade Commission issued the following statement: The Federal Trade Commisston has ordered an ossociation and its mem bers, with headquarters at 1 Union Square, New York City, to disron tmue use uf the name “A. F. of L. Trade Union Committee for Unem ployment Insurance and Relief,” or any other name suggesting that they have a connection with the American Federation of Labor. The order also prohibits the re spondent association and its mem bers from using the name “A. F. of L. Rank and File Federationist” as a title for their monthly magazine, and from using’ any other name indi cating that any- publication sold by them is a publication of the Ameri can Federation of Labor. Findings are that the initials “A. < (Continued on last page) CHATTING * t . X* Pa.y,n* ^ way to, follow the lead of other European coun Mea and change ita form of government? For some time there appears to have been no truly stable government on the European continent, among £ And *,“te"ihe p“‘ ’•~k »** * Polumn* some time have been carrying stories of the prosper ?“* existing in England, but a more recent statement ^egard lag that subject comes in the form of a letter reaching the United States which says m part: ‘Do not be fooled by what American tourists tell about prosperity in England. It is largely a fake prosperity, like that of rntrrJhat need1n®t he named. The British unemployed will not stand it much longer, and the only way out for them is the way of revo lution, either by ballot or by bullet. ... If Europe escapes a general war for the next six months it will be a sheer miracle. England may be able t^t keep out of it, leaving the Reds and the Blacks to batter each other to ,G€En“,y converging upon Russia and France via Spain, while England feebly clucks like an old hen calling back a brood of hawks! If France goes Fascist, what then ? Yet England hates and fears Russia, prefemng to let Hitler and Mussolini have their way rather than to risk Socialism. . ... Fascism is a fever and will pass away. It is a tragic effort to build society upon decay. But Communism is freed, vital, incredibly self-sure, a gigantic, rising force to be reckoned with. ... At the present rate there is, or soon will be, nothing left in Europe but a choice between Fascism and Communism. . . . Both deny liberty and defy force, and both are based upon an estimate of human nature which destroys religion. It is a black picture, but there it is—take it or leave it” In addition to the statements above has arisen the commotion in Eng land caused by the friendship of the yet uncrowned King for an Amen can lady. The fear arises that marriage may be arranged between these parties, and a marriage with a princess is desired instead. •u- ?*** 8Uhject Arthur Brisbane remarks: “You wonder that a nation willing to overlook any sort of immortality on the part of reigning Eng lish sovereigns, provided it be not ‘too public,’ and provided the King mar ries some respectable princess, ‘on the side,’ should be so deeply distressed about their young King marrying a normal, well-behaved young woman to whom he is deeply attached. If the King should marry Mrs. Sompson it would be the nearest approach to a royal marriage with an English bride in a long time. Mrs. Simpson is of English descent, and no King since Henry the Eighth has married a full-blooded English woman. They have all married princesses of foreign blood, including the late King George, whose most estimable widow, Queen Mary, is German.” At the time of this writing the papers are filled with rumors and queries concerning what action may be taken by the young King. It is even rumored that he may abdicate, passing the job over to his younger brother, the Duke of York. The British cabinet has determined that the marriage of their King is not a private matter, but one of imperial concern. The King feels that the cabinet has no constitutional right to dictate his private life, no matter how closely he must follow his ministers’ advice in public affairs. i While those high in British official circles are openly opposing the attitude of their ruler in this crisis, the working classes appear to be in sympathy with him, and should he refuse to be crowtfgd and finally marry the lady of his choice, and should a change in the form of government come as a result, who can say but that King Edward may emerge from the over throw as choice of the people, for whatever may happen, a ruler will still be needed, and some person will arise as the Moses to lead them wherever they are to go. Truly this world at present is in awful turmoil, and great are the changes which occur in short periods of time. “Ye know not what a day may bring forth.” Christmas Shop With Labor Journal Advertisers
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 10, 1936, edition 1
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