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Vol. VII—No. 22
CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1937
taviRMHM oeonnvn ooneieMuTioN m
tmi Ruom
$2.00 Per Year
Racketeers Shaking Down “Big
Boys”—ProposeTo Curb Unions
By Way Of N. C. vState Legislature
_.__
OPENING OF A. F. OF L. MEETING,
AT DENVER, SEES FIGHT
STARTED ON LEWIS’ C. I. 0.
DENVER, Colo., Oct. 5.—William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, said last night the C. I. O. was
being used as the nucleus for a political organization designed to
make John L. Lewis President of the United States.
“I appeal to the American people and the organized workers
of America to choose between an unselfish, common sense political
policy in labor and one dictated by unreasoning personal ambi
tion, doomed from the outset to failure,” Green said.
Green’s speech was his second blast of the day at Lewis and his Com
mittee for Industrial Orgonzation. He opened the A. F. of L. s 75th annual
convention by pledging the federation to increasing war to destroy the
C. I. O. and to support democracy against the type of dictatorship he said
Lewis represented. , , , ..
For two years the American Federation of Labor has been .patient
toward the C. I. O., Green said. “First we warned its leaders to desist. We
advised them that their course would destroy the unity of the labor move
ment in this country. . ., , ,
“They paid no heed to our warnings. Instead, they rashly proceeded
to break the laws and constitution of the American Federation of Labor
and seized control of several of its affiliated unions. They want even fur
ther and directed the activities of these unions along lines which were in open
violation of our law.
“Bnt we left the door open for the rebellious unions to return. A com
mittee was appointed and instructed to meet with a similar committee rep
resenting the C. L O. to seek a basis of settlement and accord to avoid the
disastrous effects of a civil war in labor ranks.
"All our invitations for such a meeting were spurned or ignored. Ihe
C. I. O. persisted in its folly. It became bolder. It dropped its disguise
and began an open campaign to rip and tear the organized labor move
ment asunder; it declared war on the American Federation of Labor and
set out to wreck the hetuie of labor ...»
“Today, a new chapter was written in the iong struggle. The execu
tive council of the American Federation of Labor in its report to the con
vention recommended that the convention authorize it to revoke the charters
of the C. I. O. unions and expel them from the federation. This procedure
is in accordance with our constitution and laws.
"There is no room in this country for two hostile labor organizations.
The strength of labor is in unity. When labor is divided, it cannot accom
plish its fundamental objective of improving the economic and social condi
tions of the workers. When labor fights itself, it cannot fight for the
workers.
“Thus the time is at hand when the American public and the organized
workers of America will have to choose between the American Federation of
Labor and the C. I. O. J
"We do not want the American people to say, ‘A plague on both_ your
houses.' That was the apt quotation used by the President of the United
States. Franklin I>. Roosevelt, in describing public reaction to the recent
abortive and disastrous strike waged by the C. I. O. against the independent
steel industry, _ .
“That cause has never been pronounced against the American fed
eration of Labor. It never will be. Because the American Fedration of
Labor, guided throughout its entire history by the rule of reason, is founded
upon the same principles of freedom and democracy as the republic of
the United States, and its policies are determined by the great mass of
American workers.
“The C. I. 0. has no conventions. Its members have no voice in deter
mining its policies. It is governed from the top down. It is ruled by edict.
It represents dictatorship in labor.”
“The American Federation of Labor upholds the American form of gov
ernment. It respects private property,” Green continued. “It seeks a re
lationship between labor and management beneficial to both. It has proven
its responsibility. It respects contracts. It condemns sitdown strikers. It
does not resort to strikes until all peaceful methods have failed, and then
only after a majority of the workers affected vote to strike. It resists sub
versive forces. It has been and remains the strongest bulwark in the nation
against the invasion of communism, fascism, or any other foreign ism.’
"The American Federation of Labor is not a political organization. Its
officers have no personal political ambitions. It has steadfastly maintained
a non-partisan political policy. It supports candidates who are friends of
labor and opposes those who are against labor’s program, irrespective of
party . . .
“The C. I. O. has served notice of its intention to form an independent
labor party. ,
“It’s leader has smilineJv listened to himself being hailed by supporters
at a public gathering as the next President of the United States. It is
being used and its members are being used as a nucleus for a political organi
zation designed to bring about that result.”
Amid loud applause. Green assailed Charles P. Howard, president of
the International Typographical union, for signing a C. I. O. charter for
Pacific coast lumbermen. Although Howard’s union is in good standing
with the A. F. of L.. he is C. I. O. secretary.
The federation delayed seating Howard as a delegate because of a pro
test by the Carpenters’ union.
The tall printers' chief sat in a box at the convention hall.
Near the end of his hour-long speech. Green proposed that Congress
"strengthen" the neutrality laws to promote "that feeling of security, which
we all should enjoy in a land devpted to the principles and policies of peace.”
He also proposed a boycott on Japanese goods if Japan did not stop its
"uncivilized, inhuman” tactics in China.
The convention applauded when Dr. T. Z. Koo. secretary of the World
Student Christian federation, asked for a labor boycott on Japanese goods.
"You hold the key to the situation.” he said.
China never would win a decisive military victory over ‘Japan, he added,
but could prolong the war long enough to drain Japan's treasury, with the
help of labor boycotts.
: Bricklayers—Attention
L\Open Meeting Friday, Oct. 8, 7:30 P. M.
THIS MEETING CONCERNS YOUR JOB, AND IS
BY BRICKLAYERS LOCAL NO. 9
Building Trades Council Hall,
113 1-2 S. College St.
UNIONS ARE THE MAIN FACTOR
IN WAGES AND HOUR FIGHT
DENVER A. F. L. MEET IS TOLD
DENVER, Colo.—Indisputable figures as to the value of
trade unionism in increasing wages and reducing hours were pre
sented by the Executive Council of the American Federation of
Labor to the annual convention of the Federation in session here.
The figures Revealed that in the
I short period of six months during the
present year trade unions won from
’ reluctant employers increases in pay
totaling more than twice the amount
that employers had granted in the
preceding two years.
With regard to the work week the
Council reported that the drive of
long hour employers has been mate
rially checked by the unions with the
result that the average hours have
been reduced to 40% per week, which
was described as “a gain of one-hajf
hour’s leisure.”
“Records of wages in the first half
of 1937,” the Council’s report said,
“are striking evidence that workers
must depend on union organization to
increase their ircome.
“So far-reaching has been the ef
fect of the organizing drive this year
that average hourly earnings in all
recorded industries rose from 59 cents
in December, 1936, to 64 cents in June,
1937, according to figures calculated
from Labor Department records.
“This is an average gain for all
workers of 5 cents an hour or more
than $2.00 per week. In the previous
two years, hourly earnings rose only
2 Vi cents—jfrom 56 cents in Decem
ber, 1934, to 59 cents in December,
1936.
“Thus workers ] won • for themselves
in six months of union organization
twice as great a gain as private in
dustry had given them in two years.
I At no otner time since depression, ex
| cept the first four months of NRA,
have such large gains been made.
“Union organization has also been
effective in shortening work hours
this year by half an hour per week.
There has been a tendency during re
covery from depression, for employers
to lengthen hours as production in
creased.
“Particularly striking was the in
crease in hours which followed the
termination of NRA, when in 6 months
two hours were added to the average
work week, in industry generally, rais
| ing it from 37% to 39% hours.
“Until the organizing drive this
: spring, employers continued to length
j en the work week so that by January,
| 1937, the average was 41 hours.
“This increase was checked by un
j ion action in the first half year, and
by June, 1937, hours were reduced to
40% per week, a gain of one-half
hour’s leisure. This contrasts sharp
ly with last year when one hour was
added to the work week during the
same period.
“These figures show clearly, how
ever, that even the 40-hour week is
not yet won in industry generally.
Since the average week is 40% hours,
probably more than half the wage
and small salaried workers in the
IJ nited States still work over 40 hours
a week. Only by strong organization
tan we prevent further increases and
work toward a universal work week
'of 40 hours, and less.”
WOMAN’S AUXILIARY OF THE I. T. U.
MEETING AT LOUISVILLE WRITTEN
ABOUT, MRS. R. F. WHITE, CHARLOTTE
__
The 33rd annual convention of the Woman s International
Auxiliary to the I. T. U. was held in Louisville, Kentucky, Ken
tucky Hotel, September 11-17. There were nearly fifty delegates
present, from as many different locals and a host of visitors rep
resenting many other locals. Delegates were called Saturday
11th at two o’clock for a “Get-together.” The meeting was in
formal and unofficial—delegates turned in their credentials, in
troduced themselves and were asked to tell something of their
local. x
The regular session was'held Mon
day morning and called to order by
Mrs. F. J. Woeke, president of Louis
ville Auxiliary No. 12. She gave a
few words of welcome and presented
the gavel to International President,
Mrs. Grace M. Loucks, who has served
since 1929. Other International of-!
ficers present were: Mrs. T. M.
Weatherby, 1st Vice-President, Okla
homa City; Mrs. R. J. Lowther, Sec
retary-Treasurer since 1912,,Duluth,
Minn., and Mrs. F. M. Chilson, mem
ber of the “Home” Board of Trustees,
was also present frjom Oakland, Calif.
The session lasted each morning
from 8:30 to 1 o’clock, through Fri
day, with one afternoon session on
Thursday. !
Guest speakers included Mr. I. M.
Ornbui n, Secretary, of the Union La
bel Department, A. F. L.; Mrs. Charles
P. Howard. Mr. F. J. Woeke,-Chair
man of I. T. U. convention and presi
dent of Louisville Local No. 10; Mr.
Allen, From Brown & Williamson To
bacco Col Secretary of Local No. 185.
Many questions of importance to
all Auxiliaries were;discussed and set
tled. Many to be sent to referendum
• at the proper time, j Splendid reports
were heard from officers, deputy or
’ ganizers and delegates. Label work
I is indeed going forward with more
and more women demanding the label
on all that they buy. The W. I. A.
is growing by leaps, and bounds, new
auxiliaries being formed regularly. It
was reported that the sale of the Aux
iliary Christmas Stamps (the only
one bearing the union label) trebled
since last year—proceeds going to the
“Home Fund.”
The Home for Auxiliary members
was again discussed pro and con.
Some are unfavorable, but a very
large majority are heartily in favor of
the Auxiliary Home and the fund con
tinues to grow.
The new International officers were
installed with a beautiful ceremony.
As the guide escorted Mrs. Loucks for
ward “My Michigan” was played on
the piano on the piano, “My Old Ken
tucky Home,” was played as others
came forward and were installed by
Mrs. Loucks. Many beautiful gifts
were presented to Mrs. Loucks, Mrs.
Lowther and other officers. The
Thanks Committee presented. Mrs.
Woeke with a beautiful silver tray
' f
and Rifts to each of the Hospital Com
mittee, who had served so beautiful
ly during our stay.
Mrs. W. E. Hall, delegate from
Birmingham, gave a cordial welcome
to Birmingham and said she hoped to
se everyone there in 1938.
Louisville welcomed us with open
"arms to her beautiful city, and it was
hard to realize she had so recently
been visited with disaster. Even
though we delegates worked hard,
we certainly had lots of fun.
Saturday night there was a big
“Get-Together” for everyone, with
dancing, entertainment, pictorial view
of the recent flood and refreshments.
This was held in the huge City Ar
mory, where -the I. T. U. sessions
were held. (This armory became a
refuge for flood victims.) Another
dance and special entertainment was
held in the Kentucky Hotel ballroom
on Monday night.
A bus sight-seeing trip Monday aft
ernoon carried us through Cave Hill
Cemetery, said to rank second only to
Arlington National Cemetery. Flow
fees were placed on the grave of Mrs.
J. C. Kane, former International
president. We went through Chero
kee and Seneca Parks, visited Church
ill Downs, home of the Kentucky
Derby, on to Iroquois Park, where re
freshments -were served at “Jacob’s
Lodge,” at the top of hill “Lookout,”
where you get a beautiful view of
Louisville’s skyline. Tuesday was
Typographical Union Day at the Ken
tucky State Fair, with passes to all.
Louisville' Auxiliary gave a luncheon
at the Kentucky Hotel on Tuesday
and the Garden Party was held Wed
nesday evening. Thursday night the
local Auxiliary gave another party
for the women. Louisville Press and
Recreation Club held “open house” on
Wednesday afternoon and night. Fri
day most delegates were hurrying to
bus and train, the convention over,
but with pleasant memories to last a
life time.
MRS. ROBERT F. WHITE,
Secretary-Treasurer, Delegate Auxil
iary No. 107.
The Union Label assure. • jr
ehaser that he is nutting hie mone?
into the best investment on earth—
Trade Unionism.
Last Saturday afternoon The Journal came into pos
session of a copy of “AN ACT” being presented to “Big
Business” and as many ‘little suckers” as will bite, asking
contributions, large, small or what have you, to sponsor
“An Act” headed “Legislative Program” (of what and
whom?) which the grafters intend to mop up on from tex
tile manufacturers and others. A similar proposition
caught many suckers about four years ago, when a gen
tlemen from Florida made a similar endeavor. There is
nothing in the act other than a few impossible clauses that
should cause the manufacturers to stand and deliver. The
act that was proposed some years ago was never even of
fered to the Legislature for consideration, and the gentle
men now at work on the present racket are evidently
short of funds, and picked what seemed to them a pro
pituous time to sell the manufacturers a law which will
never be enacted in North Carolina.
Read and weigh the following piece de resistance in
racketeering:
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
All labor unions opetating in this State must be in
corporated in this State and render quarter-annual finan
cial statements to the Corporation Commission prepared
by certified public accountants and each statement shall be
published in some newspaper of general circulation in the
County in which the union maintains its headquarters.
All officers and organizers of unions shall be citi
zens of the United States and residents of this S|ate at „
least one year prior to their appointment.
The responsibility of a union man in any contract
or agreement should be equal to the responsibility as
sumed by the employer.
That an arbitration board of three members, one
representing labor, one representing industry and one
representing public interests shall be appointed, which
board shall be empowered to hear all questions of dispute
before strikes can be called. They shall have power to
subpoena all witnesses and records. No strikes can be
called or plants shut down until permitted by this board.
Sympathy strikes not permitted.
That it shall be a felony to coerce, intimidate or
interfere with the constitutional rights of any citizen.
That it shall be a felony to seize, hold, destroy or
damage the property of another for the purpose of en
forcing arbitrary demands upon any employer.
No employee shall be forced to join or pay dues to
a union against his will. All employees should be per
mitted to vote by secret ballot before strike.
Either employers or employees organizations shall
have the right to petition the Arbitration Board for a
properly supervised election of employees to determine
whether it is the will of a majority of employees to strike
before strike can be called.
It shall be illegal to picket within 600 feet of an in
dustry and 50 feet from a highway, road or street.
SUPREME COURT NOT IN DANGER
WITH BLACK ON THE BENCH,
SAYS THIS LABOR WRITER
No one doubts the pro-labor attitude of Supreme Court Justice
Black determined by the fact that tremendous technological
changes in industry naturally calls for a more liberal interpreta
tion of a word or two in our Constitution.
Perhaps this is the reason the newspapers have been doing their best
to discredit Justice Black with their readers. Certainly, no one could argue
that the newspapers have not overdone their propaganda nosepulling before
the Radio speech of Justice Black. Certainly, there is no excuse for the
papers issuing headlines after his speech about religious freedom and racial
prejudice, and still keeping it up as this article is written three days later.
__No one objects to editorial propaganda, as that is a reflection of opinion
rather than news. But certainly, news should be founded on happenings
of the day. With wars in Europe, Asia, strikes in Charlotte affecting thou
sands of our population, surely our writing brains can find more of the
! news that may affect each one of us any day, personally and possibly
! physically.
Certainlv we must have freedom of the press, regardless of anything
else. But it certainly is in order tVask for more news and less propaganda.
And in the case of Justice Black, perhaps it might be permissible to say
that the newspapers have shown an almost persecution mania in picking
unfavorable headlines, especially after his Radio address to the people.
The Supreme Court is in no further danger of being packed. I do not
think the A. F. of L. traditional conservative policy would continue to ask
for a more liberal court than we now have, after the latest decisions. Sam
Gompers went fast slowly, and the A. F. of L. arrived because of that policy.
Good buildings are not built overnight. Foundations are necessary. And
foundations are more necessary for local unions, than they are for build
ings, if they are to exist for any length of time.
The other day, the writer was amazed to find that newspapers had had
their delivery boys created individual merchants so that certain liabilities
pertaining to accidents, etc., would not come under the expense of newspapers;
they also are dead against child labor laws nationally, probably for like
reasons, expense. Call a newspaper, ask for delivery each day, and you
will get your paper. But you are not dealing with the paper, you have dealt
with a merchant, although you may not even see him for a week. You might
as well state any salesman in a store on commission is a merchant.
And these are the papers pylaing up the Liberal Justice Black unfit for
office. _ _______
—WM. S. GREENE.
QUITE SO
Speaking of old families, said the
aristocrat of the party, one of my an
cestors was present at the signing of
the Magna Charta.
And one of mine, said little Ikey,
was present at the signing of the
Ten Commandments.