North Carolina Newspapers

The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mecklenburg: County. For a Weekly. Its Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER in Charlotte Official Organ Central Labor Union; atanding for the A. F. of L. Che Charlotte labor Journal Patronise oar Adver tisers. They make YOU* paper possible by their co operation. Truthful, Honest, Impartial Endorsed by the N. C. State Federa tion of Labor AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masses Vol. VII.—No. 16 * — CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1937 N*L AOVOTTII S2.00 Per Year THE A. F. L EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING IN ATLANTIC CITY; WILL INVESTIGATE N. P. LEAGUE ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Aug. 22.—A fight over wage and hour legislation broke out in the American Federation of Labor’s executive council yesterday, but a final decision was postponed. The council faction favoring federal regulation of minimum wages and maximum hours proposed a resolution assailing the house rules committee for blocking a vote on the Black-Connery bill. 1 he bill s opponents, however, suc ceeded in having the resolution tabled until the council receives a report from William Green, A. F. of L. pres ident, on the legislative situation. Green remained in Washington to day to make a last-minute campaign for the wage and hour bill’s enact ment. The council is sharply divided on the issue. The maority favors regu lation that would protect standards fixed by collective bargaining, but a strong and outspoken minority fears congress could and soon would fix maximum wages and minimum hours once it undertook regulation of mini mum wages and maximum hours. Such regulation, opopnents say, would destroy workers’ freedom. Will Investigate Labor Non-Partisan Political League ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Aug. 24. —The America Federation of Labor executive council directed William Green yesterday to make an investi gation of Labor’s Non-Partisan League with a view to withdrawing A. F. of L. support. “Some reports come to us that, in stead of being what its name implies, it’s a CIO organization,” Green told reporters in explaining the council’s action. “If we could find out it is definitely a CIO outfit, we will advise our local officers to act accordingly.” The A. F. of L. president plainly indicated that “acting accordingly” would mean withdrawal. “We will advise them that support given that agency (the Non-Partisan League) would mean support to CIO,” Me elaborated. Aftdi the council meeting, Daniel J. Tobin, president of the Truck Drivers’ Union and chairman of the Democratic national committee’s la bor division, issued a statement say ing that John L. Lewis, CIO chief, would "not make the mistake of starting a third party.” “He has too much sense not to know what has happened to all third par ® ties in our country for the last 40 years,” Tobin added. “Besides, he would first have to lend his real aid and power toward cementing the present labor move ment which is split wide open. “Remember, there are three and one-half millions with their families and friends in the American Federa tion of Labor who (right or wrong) would be glad to get a chance to vote against any third party started by John L. Lewis and his associates.” Green said he did not recall what member of the council proposed the Non-Partisan League investigation. Asked whether he thought the country would be ready for a labor party in 1940, he said: Some Of The Men You Know In Labor [Fourth of a Series of Sketches On Leaders In Labor In This Sec tion.] (By PEROXIDE) No. 4 When you are seeking a patriarch in the Labor Movement, and a store house of information, on labor, re ligion, etc., contact Col. Harry Boate, the subject of this sketch. At all times calm and deliberate, weighing well his words and guarding his ac tions, he nevertheless is emphatic in his Labor views and his allegiance to the Typographical Union and the A. F. of' L. He heads the state office of the latter body, and is doing a good job of it. Among his other ac tivities he is a member of the Park and Recreation Commisison, a Mason, and agood Methodist, all of which keeps him busy in his spare time, which is doing very well for a man of his years—but why speak of that— a as the' Colonel is still one of the “boys,” and may his days be long in this old troubled world—-but he does not worry. I m inclined to believe the leaden of the CIO intend to set up a labor party, and when they do well find out whether the country is heady for it. “I said from the fint that the CIO was founded for political as well as economic domination of the country.” Asked whether a Lewis labor par ty would not be “just the old Socialist party wearing a Communistic hat,” Green replied: “The Communist party is advising formation of a Farmer-Labor party and a united front. It will carry that (Communist) brand with it from the beginning.” The council’s action and Tobin’s statement came after hints from the Lewis camp that the CIO leaders, angry with the Democratic adminis tration, was seriously considering organization of a third party. A. F. of L. Hits “Sit-Down” Strikes In Third Meeting ATLANTIC CITY, N. J„ Aug. 26. —Homer Martin’s statement that the sit-down strike!would remain “an effective weapon” for the United Au tomobile Workers drew a cry of communism” last night from William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor. Martin, president of the United Automobile Workers, a C. I. O. union, has said that “the stay-in (sit-down) strike will remain an effective weapon against employers who refuse to rec ognize the moral and legal rights of workers to collective bargaining.” Green’s comment: This statement made by Mr. Mar tin upholding the sit-down strike will, in my opinion, make it very dif ficult for the automobile workers to function as a collective bargaining agency. “The leaders of an organization at least ought to have the courage and honesty to tell their members the truth. It is both cruel and dishon est to appeal to the passions and sentiments of men. “I consider Mr. Martin’s statement as evidence of the communist influ ence in the United Automobile work ers." Green, at a press conference after today’s A. F. of L. executive council session, also alleged a federation in vestigation had disclosed a large number of known communists were on the C. I. O. pay roll in both the automobile and steel industries. Charles P. Howard, secretary of the C. I. O., walked into the lobby of the council’s hotel about noon, shook hands with most of the council mem bers, and had lunch with Frank Morrison, A. F. of L. secretary. Howard explained to reporters he was here in his role as president of the International Typographical Un ion, still an A. F. of L. member in good standing, and was not a C. I. O. ambassador. A meeting of the federation union label department executive council brought him, he said. Like Max Karitsky’s hat, cap an millinery workers, Howard’s typeset ters are counted as loyal members b both the A. F. of L. and the C. I. C Both Zaritsky and Howard wer C. I. O. members, bu the A. F. of L. council calls their ur ions loyal to the A. F. of L. becaus they never voted to affiliate forma ly with the John L. Lewis oreaniza tion. Building Trades Convention Meets In Denver, Sept. 29 WASHINGTON, D. C.—The thirty first annual convention of the Build ing and Construction Trades Depart ment of the American Federation of Labor has ben convened to meet at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Denver, Colorado, on September 29, 1937, at 10 A.M. by J. W. Williams, president, and M. J. McDonough, secretary treasurer, of the Department. The Union Label assure* - jr chaser that he is nutting his money into the best investment on earth—■ Trade Unionism. NOTICE TO TEXTILE WORKERS OF THE CAROLINAS If you are interested in organization under the A. F. of L. you are requested to get in touch with the Charlotte office No. 302 South College Street, Phone 3-1905, and assist ance will be given in every possible way.. New txtile locals are being formed along safe and sane lines, being directly affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. CHATTING | { ■V HARRY BOAT! And God said: “Let there be light!” And there was light Since that memorable time there has ben light of various kinds in this world, and much of it Yet history records the Dark Ages, and no person who ever lived has passed through life without experiencing dark periods in their SPanHere t^an attempt to tell the story of the first and the longest walk-out of which history makes any record, so far as we can find, and it deals with dark hours in the life of a nation. And who read the Bible may read this story in its entirety. Back in the days of Moses the Prophet his people, the Hebrews, were m bondage in Egypt, and Moses received a command from God to liberate them. They had been sorely pressed by their masters for many years and groaned and grumbled under their burdens. Moses went to Pharoah and said: “Let my people go." But he would not. Instead he laid heavier burdens upon them, and did all possible to make their lot harder. The request or demand for freedom was repeated many times, and each time the burdens were increased. Finally the Egyptians began to feel the effect of the refusal td let these people go. What has since been known as the Seven Plagues of Egypt began to make their appearance, and the Egyptians were not pleased with. them. Finally, consent was given for the departure and a start was made. Realising what they had done, the Egyptians started after them to bring them back. Then came anothr plague on them, foi when the Hebrews had crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and their followers had attempted to do likewise, the waters of the sea suddenly returned to their place and drowned alL It may be recalled that when the Hebrews started on their march they were unarmed. After the Egyptian army was drowned, these marchers had plenty of war equipment, for the implements of war were washed up on the shore and put to use by the wanderers. , It was remarked recently that one thing human beings can be depended upon to do, and that is to brumble. Shortly after leaving Egypt these wanderers began to grumble, and many wanted to return to the fleshpots of Egypt and call off the strike. (How like us of today.) But they did not return, but for forty years they wandered in the wilderness, and because of their grumbling, when the borders of the promised land were reached, they were compelled to camp for another forty years, and by that time all but two of the original pilgrimage were dead without enjoying the result of their labors. Yet, all the time they were provided with food and clothing and were not content. Even Moses, their leader, was not permitted to enter the land provided for them. He merely got a “look-in”. And all because these people would not obey their leader. The added burdens which they were compelled to bear is now called the “stretch-out” system in the cotton mills of the south. So you see this is not something new, but the same old system in new clothing. In our labor troubles of the present day we find the same complaints and the same grumbling, some always ready to rebel and walk out on their employer. After finally reaching their objective in this respect, many times the ones who were first to walk out prove to be the first to again walk in, or at least express a willingness to do so. Perhaps if we could all get of one mind and stick to our determination what many times proves a sad failure might result in a tremendous success. All employers of men and women refer to the business which they con duct as their business. That may be true. But when the employees refuse longer to work under unsatisfactory conditions, the employer finds out to his surprise that this business is not entirely his, for when work stops there is no business. Then a call is made for those in authority to force these people back to work, or protect others who are always willing and frequently do go into these places of work and endeavor to keep the place running. And in the end these same hindrances to better conditions find that while they have made a few extra dollars, they have ruined their standing among their fellow men, lost respect often of the employer whom they befriended, and in the end find themselves in a worse condition than before. It takes a long time for such things to be forgotten, and sometimes they never are forgotten by those who were betrayed by their fellow workers. When an employer hires strike-breakers, he usually pays a higher price for inferior work, and in the final outcome frequently is compelled to come to terms with his former employes or shut down. , Perhaps some day in the course of history both sides of these unpleasant affairs will decide to sit about the conference table and talk things over in a quiet manner, thus avoiding trouble for all and making life better and happier in this grand old world. The laborer is worthy of his hire, and in this enlightened day the laborer will fight for that which he considers his just return for labor performed. Trouble between employer and employe is the same thing as trouble be tween nations, only on a smaller scale. The former we call a strike. The lat ter is termed war. Only difference is the name. And sad to say, many times the victor is not the one who was in the right. “Let there be light.” Washington State Labor Federation Asks C.I.O. Probe Much interest has been expressed by labor officials in different sections of the country in the ultimate fate of a resolution adopted by the recent convention of the Washington State Federation of Labor, demanding a Congressional investigation of the activities and Communistic “front” of the Committee for Industrial Organi zation. Many hold that such an investiga tion would bring revelations that would possibly shock the nation. Sec. Morrison At Erie Labor Day WASHINGTON, D. C. —Frank Morrrison, secretary-treasurer of-the Amreican Federation of Labor, has accepted the invitation of the Cen tral Labor Council of Erie, Pa., to de liver his Labor Day address in that city. His address will be broadcast by the National Broadcasting Com pany. Details of the Erie program will be made public later. When yon boy foreign-mad* goods, vou are cutting yonr own nay. Don’t chisel on yourself. Knit Goods Firms Sign A. F. L Pact CLEVELAND, Ohio.—A signed union shop agreement has been ne gotiated with seven firms here cover ing members of Knit Goods Workers Federal Labor Unions Nos, 20865, 20866, 20867, 20868, and 20870, ac cording to a report by Coleman Cla herty, A. F. of L. organizer. The following concerns signed the agreement: Bamberger-Reinthal Com pany, Excelsior Knitting Mills, Fed eral Knitting Mills, Friedman-Blau Farber Company, Lampl Sportswear Manufacturing Company, Standard Knitting Mills and Stoke Knitting Mills. In addition to the closed shop, the agreement provides for seniority, wage and hour negotiations with the individual firms and arbitration of grievances. A. F. L. DETROIT SLOGAN IS ONE OF VICTORY . DETROIT, Mich.—Steady progress is being reported daily by local un ions in Detroit and vicinity that are affiliated, with the American Feder ation of Labor, huge membership gains being included with numerous union contracts which provide A. F. of L. workers not -Wth promises and make-believe but with higher wages, shorter hours and improved working conditions. (Brought oat of the record* 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. “C. L 0. WOULD BRING SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES TO THEIR KNEES,” SAYS CONGRESSMAN COX, OF GA. WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.—€.1.0. leaders intend to bring southern industries and Henry Ford "to their knees” with a gen eral strike, representative Cox, Democrat of Georgia, charged yesterday. He told reporters he has authentic information that the Committee for Industrial Organisation, which John L. Lewis heads, is “smarting under its failure to win the ‘little steel strikes and is determined to teach this nation a lesson.” A widespread campaign of industrial disorder designed to terminate in the general strike is planned after the adjournment of Congress Cox declared. He replied sharply to C. L O. criticism of the House rules committee, of which he is a member, for blocking the administrations* wage and hour bill. The Georgian declared it is the duty of that committee “to prevent precipitate legislation on measures so fundamental in their nature as to require careful deliberation.” Cox asked the Democratic party to return the ‘‘half million dollars” he said the C. I. O. contributed to the 1938 Roosevelt campaign fund, and to pay off a 350,000 “debt” he said the,.party owes the labor organisation. “The Democratic party niffl r*st under the stigma of having been bought and paid for by this radical labor organisation,” he added, “unless and until sufficient money ia collected to return this money.” CAMPAIGN TO ENFORCE LABOR LAW IN S. C. WILL CONTINUE COLUMBIA, S. C., Aug. 22.— State Labor Commissioner John W. Nates said today the court injunction issued yesterday "restrained hfs de partment only at one cafe in the en forcement of the law prohibiting women working after 10 P. M. in mercantile establishments. Richland County Judge A. W. Hol man granted the petition of H. Grady Kirkland, of Columbia, for a tem porary restraining order after he paid a $10 fine on a charge by an in spector that he employed women in his cafe beyond the limit. Holman set a hearing next Wed nesday on the injunction. “My men will be out tonight as usual,” Nates asserted. I. T. U. Auxiliary Held Picnic Sunday At Bryant Park The Women's Auxiliary of Char lotte Typographical Union gave a picnic supper (or was it dinner?) at Bryant Park last Sunday from 4 to to 6 o’clock. Members of the Auxil iary brought baskets of dainty and substantial food, and even though the weather was threatening there was a goodly gathering of the families of the Typo Union, and everyone pres ent reported an enjoyable time. These affairs are given by the ladies on Sunday afternoons in order that all the members of Typographical Union No. 338 may be in attendance, catching both the day and night shifts off duty, and it is proving to be quite a factor in the social life of the “boys ■and girls,” so to speak CENTRAL BODIES CLING TO A. F. L. JAMESTOWN, N. Y.—The follow ing resolution was adopted by the Jamestown Central Labor Council: “Whereas, The Central Labor Coun cil of Jamestown, New York, does desire to go one record as rescinding any action taken in the past by the aforesaid body insofar as endorsing the C. I. O, or its activities; therefore be it “Resolved, That this Central Labor Council at this time desires to renew its pledge of allegiance to the Ameri can Federation of Labor, and the prin ciples for which it stands. “Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to President William Green, Secretary Frank Morrison and to all labor papers in this vicinity.” VALLEJO, Calif.—At its regular monthly meeting here the Solano County Central Labor Council passed a resolution renewing their pledge of allegiance to the American Federa tion of Labor. C. S. Bearsley, secre tary of the Council, sent copies of the resolution to the newspapers and to the A. F. of L. NORFOLK, Va.—At a special meet ing here off representatives of nearly all the unions located in and about Norfolk arrangement were made for the reorganization of the Central La bor Union of Norfolk and vicinity on a basis that will insure loyalty to the American Federation of Labor and protect the interests of the federation members in this district. Lewis G. Hines, director of organization of the American Federation of Labor, at tended the meeting. NLRB HOLDS HEARING AS TO THE NEBEL CO. A National Labor Relations board hearing of charges against the Nebel Knitting .company .of -Charlotte, hosiery manufacturers, was opened here Tuesday morning by Examiner H. J. Kent. Reeves R. Holton appeared as at torney for the labor board and Rich ard E. Thigpen as counsel for the mill company. The hearing closed Friday and a decision is expected within 30 days. A. F. of L To Fight C. I. 0. In Plants In New England BOSTON, Aug. 22.—Ready to “spend at least $2,000,000,” the Am erican Federation of Labor tonight laid plans to fight the Committee for Industrial Organization for suprem acy in New England’s textile, shoe and leather industries. Asserting, “We will double our force of organizers,” Lewis B. Hines, national A. F. of L. organizing di rector, declared the campaign would “bee omplete” and “not along the tac tics of the C. I. 0.” Hines, addressing 100 union offi cials from the six New England States and Canada in one of the first of a series of nation-wide regional conferences, charged “the Communist party has wrested control of the C. I. O. from John Lewis.” Green’s Labor Day Address, Dallas, Tex. WASHINGTON, D. C.—William Green, president of the American Fed eration of Labor, wired Thomas R. Jones, secretary of the Central Labor Council of Dallas, Texas, that he ac cepted the invitation to deliver the principal address during the Labor Day celebration of September 4-6 in that city. Mr. Green will speak Mon I day afternoon, September 6. His ad dress will be broadcast by the Nation I al Broadcasting company. Details will be made public later. EFFECT OF LOW WAGES »r DR. CHARLES STELZLE , Execute Director, Good Neighbor League Let’s take it for granted that there have been men who got the top even though they began life under very lowly circumstances, receiving small pay, and enduring all the limitations which this implies. But whatever may have been the advantages gain ed, such men usually missed much in mental and cultural development. Suppose, however, that all workers were compelled to undergo the hard ships which men of this character endured—merely because they were handicapped on account of low > wages? What kind of citizens would they be? And what kind of fath- • ers and husbands? How would they affect the standards of the com munity, and of what service would they be in building up the life of the nation? Low-waged workers are a distinct detriment in the struggle of human ity toward higher standards and forms of living. The more low-waged workers there are, the lower would become the purchasing power of the people, the lower the quantity of pro duction, the lower the amount of work to be done, and the greater the unemployment that would follow. Low-waged communities are al lows low-standard in the life and the character of all the people. High waged communities which make pos sible the privilege of travel, study, music, reading and the chance to hear and see things, are not only pros perous communities, but their inhab itants are cultured, mentally develop ed, and reasonable citizens. Homes are comfortable, wives and children are happy, education is more wide ly spread, religion is reversed, and peace is more generally assured. Because of this, the man who is constantly trying to lower wages, is an undesirable citizen and a menace to the community. And the man who tries to pay the highest wages that his industry can afford, should be honored for his fairness and his worth, not only by the workers, but by all the citizens of the community, because they also share in the gen eral prosperity which such action creates. IF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS IN ARREARS SEND IN A CHECK Union-made products are always American-made.