Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Nov. 30, 1939, edition 1 / Page 1
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For. a.JVeddy.' Its Readers Represent the LARGEST BUYING POWER In n.—ItHt» U.^tMenbart OobMT Official Or|M Central Labor Union; standing for .ha A. F. of L. Patronize our Adver tisers. They Make YOUR paper possible by their co-operation. AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endorsed by the N. C. State Federa • tion of Labor Truthful, Honest, Impartial Endeavoring to Serve the Masses VOL. VII—No. 28 TOU" * soon CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1939 JOU*MAL *D',,T,“7 —****** ~ $2.00 Per Year Southern Mills Chose A. F. L. Tex. Union In Ballot In elections held in two Southern textile mills, the United Textile Work ers of America, A. F. of L. affiliate, was chosen to represent the employes in collective bargaining. In the election involving approxi mately sixteen hundred of the em ployes of the P. H. Hanes Knitting Company at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, held under the auspices of the Conciliation Service of the U. S. Department of Labor, the question on the ballot was: Do you want the United Textile Workers of America, affiliated with the American Federa tion of Labor, as your bargaining agency? The election was participat ed in by one thousand, nine hundred and sixty-two employes. Of these, 1300 voted yes, 618 voted no, 44 bal lots were challenged and 9 ballots were improperly marked. The election authorized the A. F. of L. Textile Workers Union to enter into negotiations with the manage ment in all matters pertaining to wages, hours and working conditions for over sixteen hundred employes of the company. Negotiations will be conducted by Third Vice-President Gordon L. Chastain of the United Textile Workers and George L. Googe, Southern representative of the Amer ican Fedetration of Labor. In Stonewall, Mississippi, the Na tional Labor Relations Board held an election among the employes of the Stonewall Cotton Textile Mill to choose the exclusive bargaining agency for all employes of the com pany. iviacninists bam Increased Pay The definite advantages which well organized workers enjoy because of their union membership is strikingly revealed in the wage increases and paid vacations secured by the Inter national Association of Machinists "during one recent five weeks’ period ~-july 17 to August 24, H, W. Brown, Acting International President of this affiliate of the American Federation of Labor, re ports that during the five weeks the Association finalized 373 renewed and new agreements with employers. Of, > ‘her* ‘178’ egreementSi ninetyrsi* P*l - ried wage increases ana seventy-two included provisions for vacations with pay. A few of the wage increases, se lected at hazard, indicate the improve ment in living standards which the machinists ate gaining. Labor Press Vital Need The freedom of the preu, guar anteed to on by the Const lution, must depeud sfter all upon the sup port which the readers of the press giro to it. We need scarcely mote than mention the fact that the usual daily newspaper, to say noth ing of the magazines, do not feel called upon to espouse the cause of organised labor. Such fair plan aa la given this cause by these pub lications is based upon the unan swerable strength of the position of the labor movement. But we wish to emphasize the fact, that if there were no great section of the national publication known as the Labor Press, which given its first and last loyalty to the workers of the nation, and es pecially to those who are member., of the organizations of labor, the other sections of the nation’s pub licity organs would probably pay much more scant attention to the rights of labor. Circulation is the life of any publication. Given readers, any publication is in a position of pow er, in proportion to its friends who show their loyalty to their cwi cause by their subscriptions to then own pram, and by their activity in elping to enlarge its circulation The rights of labor will aiwa« iepend, to a great extent, upon th< reedom of the labor press. A la •or paper which circulates freel' n its own community is an indev if the power of labor in that l<> ality. It ,*s a very definite pan of the organization itself, and it* unction- arc so vital that neglect of the labor preaa la sure to reflect tile qaabtieo ai the laboi —r.* llsetf. IF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS IN ARREARS SEND IN A CHECK England is smaller than North Carolina; France is smaller than Texas; Italy is smaller than New Mexico. It would take three Den marks to make one Wisconsin. All of which explains why Americans see so much of Europe on one trip. District of Columbia Transit Employes Get $250,000 Raise WASHINGTON, D. C.—Increases in wages and unproveemnts in work ing conditions netting the men up wards of $250,000 per year were awarded here by a board of arbitra tion to employes of the Capital Tran sit Company, members of Division 689 of the Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric Railway and Mo tor Coach Employes of America, A. F. of L. affiliate. The work day was shortened and wage increases, ranging from 2 cents to 6 cents an hour, were made retro active to July 1, 1939. The back pay alone amounts to around $80,000. The new rate established for one-man car and bus operator is 76 cents an hour. Typos of District Of Columbia Fete 125th Anniversary WASHINGTON, D. C.—Columbia Typographical Union will celebrate its 125th anniversary on January 7, 1940. The union was organized in 1815 as Columbia Typographical So ciety and its records indicate it has never missed a monthly meeting. In 1865 it celebrated its 50th birthday, and in 1915 its 100th birthday. The committee in charge of the cel ebration is headed by John M. Dick man, Si., who was president in 1889 and in 1937-38. REFUGEE SHIP Freighted with many tragedies, Of those whose race has been their crime, It sails again the Seven Seas— This Flying Dutchman of our time. From lands of torture they have come; They drift from port to*.port in vain: More fellowship they’d gather from The mercy of a hurricane. The gulls that gorge on freedom , there bahold those hearts that none %>H1 save— Behold those eyes that turn to stare At hospitality of the wave . . . Louis Ginsberg, Spirit. ALWAYS O.K. “Where are some good places to stop on this trip?” asked the pros pective automobile tourist. “At all railroad crossings,” replied the clerk in the tourist bureau. Subscribe for the Journal TWO-MAN STRIKE HALTS $40,795,000 SANTEE-COOPER DAM PROJECT IN S. C.; NATIVES MUST HAVE CHOICE CHARLESTON, S. C.f Nov. 28.— A two-man strike called as a labor union protest against the employment of several non-South Carolinians on the Santee-Cooper project dsiayed construction Monday on the $40,'795, 000 job. The remainder of the workers em ployed on the construction of the up per dam, estimated at more than 100, continued at work, but officials said that 100 or more men who would have been added today were not taken on. It was explained that Federal regu lations prevent the State Employment service from assigning men to the job while a strike is in progress. The only other source from which men could be obtained was the South Caro lina Authority Trade and Labor Coun cil, which called the strike. The council, which is the union's central body for supplying men to contractors on the project who elect to use union labor, charged that sev eral non-South Carolinians were em ployed on the job. Robert M, Cooper, general manager of the South Carolina Service author ity, said he expected no serious delay to the development, and emphasized that the authority was not directly a party to the negotiations. “We were advised by telegraph that they were going to call this strike,” he siaid. “It is a fight be tween the contractor, the unions and the State Employment service and not with the authority. The authority is anxious to see the work go on, but we ‘ are not involved in the dispute in any way." W. Rhett Harley, State Commis sioner of Labor, conferred here yea terday with officials on the situation but no announcement was made after ward. Officials explained that Wilbanks and Pierce of Greenville, Miss., anc its two «ub contractors on the North Santee dam elected to obtain their labor from the State Employment service, which maintains a central office at Moncks Corner, to fill requi sitions for men on the Santee-Coopei projects. ■fir.e of these contractors, it was said, a=ked for several crane oper ators. The employment service sent the two South Carolinians it had or ts list and, having no other South Carolinians, allowed the sub-contrac tor to use several men from outside the state who had formerly worked for him. Other South Carolinians were reg istered for this type of work, it was said, but all of them were registered with the unions and not with the Employment service. The two South Carolinians sent to the job by the employment service had joined a union while employed on the Buzaards Roost project in the upper part of the state. Thgse were the two ordered to walk I out by the Trades and Labor council. A State law applying to the San tee-Cooper project requires both the unions and the employment service to assign South Carolinians to the job so long as they are available. A contractor may obtain his labor from either source. Send Your Old Toys To Firemen For Needy Children There are hundreds of little boys and girls in Charlotte who are eagerly awaiting Christmas but whom Santa Claus will overlook unless the citi zens respond to the call of the fire department for old toys. These discarded toys will be re paiflid and painted at the workshop at headquarters station to bring smiles instead of tears to the faces of the less fortunate children on that great day of days. The firemen are depending on you to show the same spirit this year that has always been shown in the past—the spirit that made possible many gifts from Santa Claus to the kids just around the, corner. All the tools of the trade have been brought out the workshop is in. order. Day and night working shifts have been arranged. The firemen are r eady for the hard job ahead of them. They are eager to begin their tasks and'onlv ask the small favor of re eeiving the old toys to keep them busy, All you have to do is call the fire department—Dial 6161—inform the telephone operator that you have some £toys. dive your name and ad ss and members of the fire depart mfnt will call at your home for them. You need not be bothered even with the trouble of bringing them to the station, unless you happen to want to. —Observer. 4 --- Age is no handicap to retail sales people, according to a recent survey of leading department stores. For every $100 worth of goods sold by a person in the 20’s, a clerk between 30 abd 40 will suli.il02.34; from 4Q to 50, $107.38; and over 50, $108.78? The names of the 12,000 Jews who gave their lives for Germany in the great World War, have been carefully erased by order of Hitler from every war memorial. _ HOW THEY LIKE ’EM “Down South we like our liquor hard and our women soft.” “Up North we like our liquor straight and our women curved.” In Making Your Christmas Gift List Keep JOURNAL Advertisers In Mind SLIGHT ERROR The twins had been brought to be christened. “What names ” asked the clergy man. “Steak and Kidney,” the father answered. “Bill,” cried the mother, “it’s Kate and Sydney.” USUALLY SO “Officer, I left my car here a few minutes ago, and now it’s gone.” “Must have been stolen, sir.” “No, it couldn’t be that; it was insured against theft.” Subscribe for the Journal BUSY The doctor was rushing to Rastus’ wife to deliver her twelfth offspring. Rastus was riding with him. The doctor saw a duck in the road and asked: “Whose duck is that?” “At ain’t no duck, doctoh,” retorted Rastus. “Ah’s a stork wid his leg! wore down.” Expect Begin Work On Housing Project In 2 Weeks Contracts totaling $624,253 were awarded Monday on the white slum clearance project to be erected in Charlotte by the local housing author ity, according to announcement by Edwin L. Jones, chairman, and Har old J. Dillehay, executive director, oi the authority. The project, to be known as Pied mont Courts, will be erected at Seigle avenue and Tenth street and will con sist of 28 buildings with 256 units. Contacts signed yesterday in the office of Mr. Dillehay were as fol low8; general construction, Charles v\. Angle, Inc., of Greensboro, $544, 902; plumbing, Albemarle Plumbing 2™„?„eati,ng comPany of Albemarle, $/0,063; landscaping, Howard-Hick ory company of Hickory, $9,288. The contracts now go to United States Housing authority officials in Washington for final approval and it is expected that work will begin in two weeks. M. P. Technicians Walkout Called Off-Get Increase ,H®LLYWOOD, Nov. 26.—A stril or 35,000 motion picture techniciai which threatened to plunge the m tions theaters into darkness as we as close the studios, was averted ye terday as producers agreed to a 1 per cent wage increase. A stipulation that the increai would remain effective only until ne: February 15, when the wage questic would be reopened for considerate was accepted by officers of 24 A. ] of L. unions of studio craftsmen. Ladies’ Garment Workers Give Notice i Of A. F. L. Affiliation WASHINGTON, D. C.—The Exec utive Board of the Intennational La dies’ Garment Workers Union, whose membership numbers 250,000, may re join the American Federation of La bor next Spring if by that time peace between the A. F. of L. and the C. I. 0. has not been realized. This notice came in the form of a public statement by the board that when the national convention of the 1. L. G. W. U. is held next May the question of re-affiliation with the A. | F. of L. will be laid before the dele I 8»tes representing the entire mem bership of the union. | “We had hoped and we still hope,” the statement said, “that by the time our convention takes place in May, 1940, peace will be realized so that we might join in a united labor move ment. ' “If peace is not accomplished by that ! time, the question of our continued independence or affiliation with the •A.. F. of L., to which we belonged for thirty-seven years, will be determined by our convention.” ATLANTA HAT COMPANY GETS ADVERSE DECISION FROM THE N. L. R. B. The National Labor Relations Board today ordered Standard Ha* Company, Atlanta, Ga., to cease dis couraging membership of its em Pfcyeea in United Hatters, Cap and Millinery Workers ^International Union (AFL), or any other labor or ganization. At the same time the Board directed that a secret ballot election will be held as soon as the effects of the unfair labor practices are dissipated. Production employees will vote to determine whether or not they desire to be represented by the United Hatters. Facing the Facts With PHILIP PEARL There Is one war in which America can no longer remain neutral. That is the labor war. Those wno blindly condemn both the American Federation of Labor and the C. I. O. for the initiation-wul continuation of the split in the labor movement are using the pretext of impartiality either to cloak their ignorance of the issues involved or to mask their enmity toward all labor. Four years have gone by and the labor war is still on. By this time the facts have become so clear and the responsibility so certain that even those people who have no particular occasion to follow labor news closely should be able to judge between the disputants. But if this mental exertion is too much, we suggest to them—and to every citizen of the United States— meiely to study the case history of one union, the International Ladies' Garment Workers, and draw their own conclusions. Before discussing the experiences of this union let us explain here and now why the members and officers of the American Federation of Labor are so eager for the judgment of their fellow citizens. First, because we are convinced we are right and the facts will support our position. Secondly, because as long as public opinion is neutral only the side at fault can profit. Thirdly, because as long as the side at fault believes it is getting away with it it will con tinue in its foolhardy course and the cause of labor peace will be corres pondingly damaged. IN THE WILDERNESS Now for the highly interesting story of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union and its peregrinations in the wilderness. _ _ _ __ In 1935 this strong industrial union, one of the most liberal and enlight ened in the family of labor, was seduced by John L. Lewis. It listened to the glowing promises of the be trayer. It sincerely believed in the high ideals enunciated by one who never intended to put them into prac tice. And so it joined the C. I. 0. It gave the rebel organization the support of its 250,000 members and of its treasury. It gave to the C. I. O. councils the brpins, the energy and the integrity of its president, David Dubinsky. J ■ Mr. Dubinsky made it clear from the beginning that he was interested n organizing the unorganised but hat he definitely was averae^to mak ing war on the American,-federation of Labor. It was he who Torced the hand of the C. L O. leaders and im pelled them to open the first peace negotiations with the A. F. of L. in November of 1937. Mr. Dubinsky served as a member of the C. I. O. peace committee. In that capacity Mr. Dubinsky took an active part in the negotiations which finally led to the drawing up of an agreement satisfactory to both sides. He was elated by the success ful outcome of the negotiations. But his joy and elation gave way to bit ter dejection when John L Lewis only a few hours later vetoed the pace pact. OUT OP THS WILDERNtta That, perhaps, was the beginning of Mr. Dubinsky’s disillusionment. Let it be said, let it be emphasized, that he refused to kowtow to John L. Lewis. He did not, as Sidney Hill man has done, shudder and get cold feet at the first glimpse of Lewis' frown. Instead he continued to fight for peace. He went directly to Presi dent William Green in August of 1938 and asked him whether the A. P. of L. was ready to resume peace nego tiations. Mr. Green agreed without hesitation. Then Mr. Dubinsky went to see Lewis. And he got this answer from Lewis: “I won't sit down to confer with the A. F. of L. unless they agree in advance to my terms.” Needless to say, Lewis’ terms were impossible. Deliberately so. And the significance of his attitude was not lost upon Mr. Dubinsky. He called a mass meeting of the members of his union and he told them publicly and frankly that Lewis was to blame for thfe war in labor. _ A few months later, when Lewis showed his hand even more openly and called a convention at which he proposed to establish the C. I. 0. as a permanent organization dual to the A. F. of L., Dubinsky took the next step. He and his fellow officers of the I. L. G. W. U. announced that organization had withdrawn from af filiation with the C. I. O. Mr. Dubin sky explained the union intended to remain aloof from both the A. F. of L. and the C. I. 0. in the hope of being able to continue the role of peacemaker from a neutral position. The lates step was taken only a few days ago after President Green accepted and Lewis again rejected an offer from the President of the United States to resume peace nego tiations. The executive board of the I. L. G. W. U. met in Washington and it adopted a resolution declaring in part: “We had hoped and we still hope that by the time our convention takes place in May, 1940, peace will be realized so that we might join a united labor movement. If peace is not accomplished by that time, the question of our continued independ j ence or affiliation with the A. F. of i L., to which we belonged for thirty seven years, will be determined by our convention.” That, brothers and sisters, is tan tamount to a recommendation that unless labor peace is achieved by next May the International Ladies’ Gar ment Workers Union should return to the American Federation of Labor. All we can say is:—"Welcome!" | (Released by the American Federation ai Later Weekly News Berries.) NOTICE Do® to the fact that we coudl not issue on Thursday, proceedings of Central body and other late news is omitted. Typographical Auxiliary news and other 1st® communications will appear next week.
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 30, 1939, edition 1
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