Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Sept. 23, 1937, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY la Mecklenburg Coast?. For a Weekly. It* Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER in Charlotte Official Or fan Central Labor Union; standing far the A. F. of L. Che Charlotte labor Journal Patronise oar Adver tisers. They make YOU1 paper possible by their co operation. Truthful, Honest, Impartia* Endorsed by the N. C State Federa tion of Labor AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve the Masse* Vol. VII.—No. 20 CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1937 JQVftNAL ADVSSTISUS $2.00 Per Year “C. 1.0. DEFINITELY OUT SAYS GOOGE, AS HE REPORTS 300 LOCALS FORMED BY A. F. OF L IN SOUTH (Spatial to Charlotte Labor Journal) ATLANTA, GA., Sept. 20.—Representatives from ten South eastern State Federations of Labor, 93 Central Labor Unions and affiliated local unions, and 45 National and International unions met with the American Federation of Labor’s. 53 Southern cam paign or organization which is expected to bring many tens of thousands of men and women into the American Federation of Labor within the immediate future. The Atlanta meeting was called by General Director of Organization Lewis G. Hines, of the A. F. of L., and George L. Googe, head of the A. F. of L. forces in the South, and was presided over by Dr. Spencer Miller, director of the American Federation of Labor’s Educational Bureau. The meeting was opened Saturday morning in the roof garden of the Ansley Hotel by Dewey Johnson, President of the Atlanta Federation of Trades, and lasted until midnight Sunday, throughout the sessions of the meeting the tenor of President Johnson’s opening statement was the dominant thought. Mr. Johnson said, in calling the meeting to order: “These men and women gathered here from every section of the South east is the American Federation of Labor’s answer to the CIO!” The Governor Speaks Governor E. D. Rivers delivered the address of welcome for the State of Georgia, while Mayor William B. Hartsfield extended the welcome for the City of Atlanta. Charles B. Gramling, President of the Georgia State Federation of Labor, welcomed the visitors in the name of his organi zation, at the conclusion of which the gavel was turned over to Mr. Googe, who explained the purpose of the meeting as being two-fold; first, to review the work that has already been done since the organization campaign started, and second, to make plans for the future. “CIO Definitely Out!” Mr. Googe was interrupted with applause time and again as he re viewed the work of the past few months, highlights in his statements being as follows: “The American Federation of La bor has purged every State Federa tion of Labor in the CuUlhcast of all CIO members and influences!” “We have cleared every city Cen tral Labor Union of all CIO influences and affiliations.” “We have organized and chartered over three hundred local' unions dur ing the past five months, and have negotiated and obtained agreements for most of thse newly formed lo cals!” Mr. Googe declared that “this is the happiest day of my life. When I look into the faces of nearly four hundred men and women—leaders in the American Federation of Labor’s ac tivities in the Southeast—gathered here from every section of the South to carry on in labor’s cause, I am inspired as never before. With more than fifty full-time A. F. of L. or ganizers assembled here, with 45 Nationalal and International Unions represented here by their officials, and with hundreds of representatives from State Federations of Labor, City Central bodies and Local Unions of the South, I am convinced that our Southland soon will be the best or ganized labor section in America. “As to the CIO, it is definitely out of the picture!” Mr. Googe asserted, and the thunderous applause testi fied to the fact that Labor’s forces represented in the meeting heartily agreed with their leader. Mr. Hines Is Heard Lewis G. Hines, general director of organization for the American Fed eration of Labor, was introduced by Mr. Gpoge, Mr. Hines told of the great growth of the American Fed eration of Labor during the past two years, stating that one million new members have been added to the A. F. of L. roster during the past year, many of whom live in the South, the speaker said. He paid tribute to the members of A. F. of L. organizations in the South,-the local unions, city Central Unions and the State Fed erations of Labor whose support had made possible the matchless showing made under the leadership of Mr. Googe. Mr. Hines’ address was di rected to the organizers who gave him a rising vote of thanks for the instructions received. Dr. Spencer Miller Dr. Spencer Miller, of Washington, Director of the A. F. of L. Educa tional Bureau, was presented, and had charge of the meeting throughout the remaining sessions. He conducted a regular institute, calling upon those present to present questions and prob lems which the organizers are meeting in the field. This proved to be of great value, as he and Director Hines and Mr. Googe answered the ques tions in order, thus providing infor mation and instructions of great value to the men and women who are carry ing on the organization work in the Southeast. National and International officers ana representatives oi state r ea erations of Labor were introduced and in speaking each pledged full sup port to the organizing campaign. Refreshments were served Satur day evening by the Atlanta Fed eration of Trades and the Georgia State Federation of Labor, hosts to the visitors. Work was resumed at 10 o’clock Sunday morning, the ses sion lasting until midnight. The conference was declared by all to have been of great value, and it was announced that another conference of like nature will be held six months hence, probably in another city in the South. Regional Offices Opened Mr. Googe announced that regional offices have been opened in several section of the South. Headquarters have been opened in Charlotte for the two Carolinas. Paul J. Aymon is in charge of the work in the two states. A sub-office has been opened in Col umbia, with Fred E. Hatchell in harge of the office, working under direction of Mr. Aymon. The Birmingham office, with S. E. Roper, will have charge of the work in Alabama, Mississippi and West Florida. The New Orleans office, with A. P. Harvey in charge, will direct the work in Louisiana. Georgia, Tennessee, Florida prop er and Arkansas will remain under the direction of the Atlanta office for the time, it was announced by Mr. Googe. Fox in Charge of Textiles C. M. Fox has been placed in charge of textile organization throughout the Southern territory, and organizers engaged in this field will be directly under his supervision. Under the present set-up, Mr. Googe anounnced, American Feder ation of Labor- organizers and Nat ional and International Union repre sentatives are working in every sec tion of the South. In addition to this •great force of organizers, Mr. Googe added, the loyal work being done by city Central Labor Unions and State Federations of Labor is of immense value to the movement, which he pre dicted would result in thorough or ganization of the entire South. CLEVELAND KNITTERS CAST LARGE VOTE FOR A. F. OF L. CLEVELAND, OHIO.—In a gov ernment supervised election, the em ployees of the Stone Knitting Mill here roundly defeated the Committee for Industrial Organization and rolled up a big majority for the American Federation of Labor as the collective bargaining agency for the workers. There were 298 ballots cast for the A. F. of L. and only 148 for the C. I. O. FLAN TO UNIONIZE SOUTH “BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE” ATLANTA, Sept. 19.—Lewis C. Hines, director of organization for the American Federation of Labor, told delegates at a regional confer ence yesterday the outlook for union izing the South was “better than ever before.” Delegates came from nine southern States to discuss plans for an intensive membership drive. Jerome Jones, Dean of Labor, Is Honored (Special to the Labor Journal) ATLANTA, Ga., Sept. 20.—Jerome Jones, Atlanta labor editor and known as the ‘dean of labor in the South,” and as “the Sam Gompers of the South,” addressed the conference of organizers and labor oficials here last Saturday morning, and was accorded reverent honor by the great throng of A. F. of L. trades unionists as sembled for the two-day instructions. “The irresistible force of labor goes on from generations to generation, from age to age, from century to cen tury, and nothing can stop it,” was Mr. Jones' manner of expressing the philosophy of the American Federa tion of Labor. “Our movement,” the veteran lead er declared, “builds character. We have made possible the free schools of the country; we have advanced the religious movement, and made secure this civilization of ours. America owes much to the American Labor Movement, for without this great organization of ours this great de mocracy would have already passed away.” Union-made products are always 4 merican-made. 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. CHATTING •V HARRY BOATS How many of readers remember that unfortunate and deadly strike which occurred in our neighbor city of Gastonia a few years ago? This subject comes to mind as I read an article dealing with the question which has just been asked. It will be remembered that one Fred E. Beal was a leader in that unfortunate affair. After the murder of the chief of police he disappeared, and since then has never again appeared in the city in which he created so much trouble. - ' Fred E. Beal, writing in The Mercury, has this to say of the strike: “In 1929 I organised a strike in the textile mills of Gastonia, N. C. From the beginning it was a 100% communist-led strike. The climax came on the night of June 7, 1929, when Chief of Police Aderholt and three of his officers, together with one of my employers, fell in an exchange of bullets. When Aderholt died the doom of the Communist leaders was sealed.” For this murder Beal and his associates, George Carter, Joseph Harrison and Clarence Miller, received from 17 to 20 years at hard labor in the state penitentiary at Raleigh. A few weeks later they walked out of jail on bond. Beal now says the central committee raised $26,000 from the American Civil Liberties Union and from individual liberals for these bonds. Following a triumphal tour in northern cities he eagerly accepted an offer ed trip to Russia as a climax to his labors here. According to his own story, while in Russia he saw many things which apparently were not up to his ideas of the life of a Communist, and he has put the story in writing, that all may learn the truth, if what he says is true. Here it is: /“My first stay in the Soviet Union was brief, covering only the last of 1930. After the first two weeks I wanted increasingly to return. Even the cursory view of the country during my lecture trip shattered my illusion. I realized that workers here were mere serfs of a political machine. In Uzbekistan, for example, I was aghast when I saw children nine years old working in a silk mill. But when I protested against child labor in the Soviet Union I was ridiculed. Soon I had digested quite enough of this travesty on Socialism. I insisted with Moscow officials of the Counterin that I be permitted to return to the United States. “My second visit to the Soviets lasted two years—certainly a long enough tmie to assess the realities of the Soviet experiment. I lived with the Russian workers, most of the time at the great Kharkov tractor plant. I participated in all of the furious strivings of the first Five-Year Plan. I saw the inside wheels of the ponderous Soviet mechanism, and all the little jigs and cams which made the wheels go round. God knows I wanted to be convinced that the Stalin program was a vestibule to that ideal society to which I had consecrated my life. Every instinct inclined me to look with tolerant eyes upon the heart-breaking inadequacies and injustices which faced the workers in Russia. But I could not, like Clarence Miller and so many other complaicant Steam-walkers, convince myself that the suffering and futility which I saw everywhere in Stalinland were but frag ments of the capitalist imagination. I could not live with the lie in my heart which is beng carried today by every Stalin yes-man. After two years I resolved to return to America at any cost, and in the face of the whole Communist movement, to tell the story of my disillusionment to a still un shackled American working class.” Some time ago he was reported to have made the statement that he “would rather be in jail in America than at large in Russia.” ‘Well, according to all accounts he is reported to be in America at the present time. To date we have not seen where he has surrendered to the authorities in Gastonia, who would receive him with open arms and open doors to the American jail, which he says is preferable to freedom, there is such a thing, in Russia. If he means what he says why does he not come around and receive, free board and lodging as a guest of the people whom he led into trouble which was not needed for the good and welfare of the com munity 7 Within recent days quite a bit of favorable publicity has been given to statements made by local people who have returned from recent visits to Sf™\"yiand °,tuher European countries. If it took a man like Beal two years to learn the whole truth about conditions in dictator countries how m«vaheiVreriCa^|With P<?kets fil,ed with money- that all sorts of pleasure tW p“rckased’ hoP* to return and attempt to make his friends believe count™ mnst tnT6*1 j Rood and bad things which the native of that country must endure, and from which there appears to be no escaoe, be welTtanS? far ^ it would f put up w,th things as they are, in preference to making everv snafwsssst- - *"d - sss renort^6. opportuni ty to enjoy the hospitality of south^rejusSe Lata’ porta say the police at Lawrence have been unable to locate him._H.B.) L T. U. STILL IN THE A. F. OF L FOLD NO VOTE TAKEN AS TO WITHDRAWAL MUCH CONSTRUCTIVE WORK % DONE vi„- Hnard k de,e*ate to the L T. U. convention at Louis ville, Ky., returned home Sunday and reports a well-attpnripH and enthusiastic gathering of the Ty^phSUc^hSfal th!Te WCre !"°r! than 3’000 de,eKates and visitors in attend ,u* reports ‘bat much constructive work was done, and ffiKJnEL rf8 «ntrta»nn,ent plore, the delegates, as a rule, buckled down to The business at hand. V°te Tl*8 taLken as to a plit with the A. F. of L. that is a matter that would of a necessity have to go ° *®*erendum, the nearest approach to the subject being a resolution offered and passed which will be presented to the A. fi of L. at its annual convention in Denver, Col., in October. The resolution in part reads: , . “Amendment of the constitution of the American Federation or Labor to provide that under no circumstances or condition shall 1 council suspend, expel or revoke the certificate of affiliation of a national or international union; that the execu tive council shaU render no decision affecting the jurisdiction or autonomy of any national or international union unless the issue is submited by mutual agreement of the unions affected; that the executive council may entertain charges and complaints against national and international unions, may conduct hearings investi gations only for the purpose of formulating its recommendiations and for no other purpose; that the relationship of national and in ternational unions is that of affiliation, which relationship may be cancelled only by a two-thirds roll call vote in a regulation con vention of the A. F. of L.; that no action shall be taken by either the executive council or a convention of the A. F. of L. which limits restricts, abridges or interferes with the autonomous rights and privileges of national and international unions; be it further re solved “That the American Federation of Labor confine its activities to formulatoin of national labor policies to be recommended to members of national and international unions; promotion and support of legislation in behalf of labor; establishment of ade quate legal department to protect the right to organize; organi zation and administration of the affairs of State branches, city central bodies, and Federal labor unions; co-operate and assist national and international unions when requested by such unions.” As to the chance of this resolution receiving A. F. of L. sanc tion there is grave doubt. And, if a referendum is called for to withdraw from the A. F. of L., the opinion is that it will be de feated. One of the outstanding facts is that the L T. U. next year elects an international president by a referendum vote, and that Mr. Howard wiU be a candidate, with opposition, his success in the election wiU be a barometer as to the opinion of the printers, as a whole. Locally, the majority of the craft is anti-C. I. O, hav H. L KISER’S RESOLUTION PRAISING GOOGE AND CONDEMNING LABOR’S TRAITORS IS LOUDLY APPLAUDED (Special to the Labor Journal) ATLANTA, Ga., Sept. 20.—That loyalty to Labor is always rewarded, regardless of periods of apparent lack of interest on the part of the workers was evidenced last Sunday afternoon at the meeting of Southern organizers, state and city federations of la bor and national and international officials, in the adoption of a resolution by that body expressing gratitude to George L. Googe for the great work which he has done and is doing. In like manner, the assembled workers denounced those former labor officials who sold their souls for a mess of pottage. The following resolution commend ing Mr. Googe was unanimously adopted when offered by H. L. Kiser, first vice-president of the North Carolina State Federation: A RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Some two years ago there came into the ranks of the American Labor Movement a division of forces which seriously threatened not only the American Federation of Labor, but all forms of democratic organization, and WHEREAS, The leaders of this dissenting and destructive force formed an unholy alliance with the Communist Party in these United tSates, and WHEREAS, These same leaders set about the task of buying men whom Labor had honored and placed in positions of power and respect, and set these men to work in carrying out the programs of disrupting the Or ganized Labor Movement in America, and - WHEREAS, Many of our hereto fore outstanding Labor officials in the South did sell themselves unto this unholy cause and did go out into our fair Southland to do the bidding of this disrupting force, and WHEREAS, The time and threat called for the leadership in the South of a man of courage, of wisdom, of unquestioned integrity and qualities of leadership essential to the forma tion of an army of tried and true la bor unionists to stem the tide of that disrupting influence which was sweep ing over our Southland, and WHEREAS, In the selection of that man to be Labor’s leader in Labor’s greatest and most important battle in history, the American Federation of Labor wisely selected and named and empowered George L. Googe, of Georgia, as the general in this battle of the ages, and WHEREAS, Under the leadership * of George L. Googe our army of La bor has not only stopped the onward rush of that devastating influence but has routed the enemy until now it is in hasty retreat, therefore, IT IS RESOLVED, That this con vention, itself an actual tribute to the loyalty and leadership of Brother Googe, do now go on record as giving to our able, courageous and honorable leader a rising vote of thanks for the many sacrifices he has made in car rying out this work, and assure him that for every abuse which has been heaped upon him by the enemy that we, his co-workers and followers, here and now remove and replace such abuses with the plaudits of labor throughout the South, and crown him with wreaths of honor of heartfelt gratitude. Women’s Union Label League Has Meeting; Maps Plan Of Action The Women’s Union Label League held a meeting Monday night at State A. F. of L. headquarters in the Chatham building. The ladies are mapping plans for fall and winter ac tivities, with the holding of an ex position displaying Union made goods generally, and on sale at local stores. This matter was placed in the hands of a committee for consideration. Oother cities have successfully con ducted affairs of this kind, and .with the large membership of labor or ganizations in this territory, and the increasing demand for the label among the workers, there is no rea son why Charlotte should not make a good showing. The meeting night of the League has been changed to the first and third Thursday nights of each month at 7:30 P.M., but a special meeting will be held next Thursday night at 7:30 to consider business of import ance, and a full attendance is desired. Miss Vemetta Threat is presient of the league. Until further notice all meetings will be held at State A. F. of L. headquarters, in the Chatham building, corner Third and College streets, second floor, which has been graciously tendered the ladies by Carolinas Director, Paul Ayman. Committees for Year Appointed By Pres. Kiser, Central Body The following committees were an nounced last week by President H. L. Kiser, of Central Labor Union for the ensuing year: Chaplain—Bro. Harry Boate. Auditing Committee—E. M. Mor gan, R. S. Smith, F. G. Campbell. Credential Committee—C. E. Mc Ginnis, W. M. Witter, J. H. Fullerton. Educational Committee—Claude Al bea, G. J. Kendall, H. C. Alexander. Legislative Committee—J. L. Con dor, R. J. Dumas, D. L. Funderburk. Grievance Committee — Harry Boate, John C. McNeely, L. R. Mc Elliece. Executive Committee—H. L. Kiser, C. L. Albea, W. M. Green, W. M. Wit ter, J. A. Moore. Organization Committee — J. A. Moore, F. G. Campbell, R. S. Twitty, By-Laws Committee—I. L. Condor, W. M. Witter, G. J. Kendall. The Union La Del is the greatest ASSURANCE of quality and the beat INSURANCE for Trade Unionism, in? conditions for every worker. Subscribe for The Journal C. L. U. Hears Report On ^Atlanta Meeting From Pres. Kiser Other Business Much interest centered in the meet- j ing of Central Labor Union last night, with a large number of dele gates present. The main feature was 1 a report by President H. L. Kiser, of the proceedings of the Southern A. F. of L. organizers’ meeting in At lanta, Ga., which he attended as State Federation representative, pro ceedings of which appea relsewhere in this issue of The Journal. One new organization, the Granite Cut ters, was received into Central body and delegates seated. The carnival committe reported that they had ar ranged for the Broadway Shows of America, an outstanding carnival, to appear here under the auspices of Central body the week of October 25-30. The Women’s Union Label League made a good report, an nouncing a meeting for next Thurs day night, October 30, at the State Federation of Labor headquarters, 302 South College street, second floor, at 7:30 P. M., and a full at tendance of delegates and members and their wives was requested. The ladies are laying plans for a label show to be held here at a future date. Secretary Wm. Greene, of the Musicians, renortpd two now lnonle of his organization installed in this vicinity this wek. The Teamsters and Chauffeurs reported a wonder ful open meeting oh Monday night, which gained that organization many members. James H. Fullerton is president of the local, and they are working for the organization of all the teamsters in this territory. H. L. Kiser, president, presided, and Wm. S. Green, the secretary, went through his “stunts” with rap idity and grace, giving evidence that he is going to make one of the best secretaries Central body has ever had, and it may not be amiss to re mark that he is a financial wizard. The meeting adjourned at 9 P. M, Most of the delegates hieing them selves to the Independent Grocers Food Show, at the Armory-Audito rium which is now in progress. BOATES LEAVE BY CAR FOR FLORIDA, IN COMPANY WITH MRS. GRACE HENSEL • j l Mrs. Harry Boate, accom panted by Mrs. Grace Hensel, left by ?}*to °n Wednesday morning for Umatilla, Fla., for a visit of a few days, to Mrs. Wm. Van Valkenbure. who IS a cousin of the two ladies above named. They will retun to Charlotte about October 1. The Union Label assure. »r - ar chaser that he is putting his monev unto the best investment on earth—. Trade Unionism. ing demonstrated that fact in its vote on several occasions re cently, but there are thousands of the craft who favor the Lewis plan. Yet, withal, harmony pervades the local Typographical union, and it is believed and to be hoped, that other matters of more vital importance at the present time will be given full at tention of No. 338. Mrs. Robert White, delegate of the Typographical Auxiliary to the meeting of that body at Louisville, in conjunction with the I. T. U. meeting, reports a constructive meeting, well attended by delegates from all over the country. Mrs. White is secretary treasurer of the local Auxiliary and a faithful worker in that body.
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 23, 1937, edition 1
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