The ONLY REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY in Mecklenborg County For * W—Mr he Official Or|u Central Labor Uaioa; standing for the A. F. of L. Che Charlotte labor Journal a Truthful, Honest, Impartial Endorsed by tbe N. C. State Fedora* tioii of Labor AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Endeavoring to Serve ike VOL. IX—No. 35 VOWS ADVMTMIHINT IN TNI JOURNAL IS A INVHTMINT CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1940 9U0 Fee lean REPORT OF CHARLOTTE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MAKES GOOD READING IN CENTRAL BODY’S “OFF THE STREET SKATING PR’GRAM A report of activities of the Charlotte Park and Recreation Commission, June 16 to December 30 has been handed The Journal, and due to the fact that Charlotte Central Labor Union, and A. F. of L. organized bodies in Charlotte are sponsoring the move ment for ten skating areas to keep the children off the street, it will make interesting reading for the public at large, and it is our intention to publish this report week by week. The first is an Introductory remark by Supt. J. M. Ray, followed a survey of Parks and Playgrounds. Other installments will follow in due order: Attendance; Baseball and Softball; Tennis, Swimming and Wading Pool Statistics; Stadium Activities; Finance and Revenue Report; Development, and Improvement; Recommendations. The public devotes much time to business, to organization, to promotion of various activities, but Parks and Playgrounds and care of our children is the one problem that deserves more con sideration at our hands. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS To the Mayor, City Manager and City Manager and City Coupncil, City of Charlotte, North Carolina. ^Tt^the pleasure of the Park “V* Recreation Commission to submit herewith a report of the actmties of this department from June 30, 19?9. to December 30,1939. This report in cludes an account of the activities, developments, outlays and revenues for the same period. Also, data on the various parks, playgrounds, swim ming pools and stadium. A careful study of this report will reveal types of recreational services rendered to the public, and a list of recommendations based upon the trends of recreation and actual needs of the City. . The results and success we have at tained are due largely to the active « a__ M 4l>A Phoirman Ai VOUF Mtaaaww —- - . w m leadership of the Chairman of your Commission; i " Commission; and the wise council, un selfish service and untiring efforts of the members of the Commission in carrying out the seemingly impossible undertakings. Special mention should be given to the various departments for tlieir splendid cooperation and as sistance, and to you, gentlemen, we give our heartiest thanks for keeping us in the ball game. Respectfully subnutted, J. M. RAY, 8upt. SURVEY OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS Charlotte has been wonderfully blessed with an abundance of space for Parks and Playgrounds, thougn we wish they could have been distributed in more needy places and without so many creeks and branches. Approxi mately 490 acres have been set aside as Park and Playground space—which is described in separate parks as fol l°l!' INDEPENDENT PARK: Eliza beth section, containing 76 acres ex tending from Cecil Street to Park Ter race above Hawthorne Lane. Facilities: a. Concrete Stadium with seating capacity of 16,366; b. Athletic Field approximately 120 x 600 yds.; c. 2 backstops and Rock, Stands S. E. corner; d. Tool House containing all tools and trucks; e. 7 Tennis Courts. Men and women’s toilets; f. Small Playground area with Wading Pool; Swings and Slides; g. Rose Harden and War Mothers Uar de£ REVOLUTION PARK: Wil more section, containing 286 acres ly ing above and below Snuman Avenue and both sides of Irwin Creek. Facilities: a. Modern Swimming Pool with Bath House, Community room and refiitering equipment; b. 1 Nine-holde GoGlf Course—not yet complete; c. Picnic Tables with Benches. 6 Ovens for cooking; d. Park caretaker’s house with room for parties; e. 1 Softball Diamond, f. 2 Tennis Courts on Wilmore Drive. 3. LATTA PARK: Dilworth sec tion, containing 46 acres, at Dilworth School and running eastward along the west side of Romany Road. Facilities: a. 6 Tennis Courts; b. 2 Athletic Fields; c. 1 Volley Ball Court; d. I Archery Range; e. Small Play information As To Labor Calls FOR CENTRAL LABOR UNION, call Wm. 8. Greene, Secretary, 229 S. Tryon Street. Phone 3-1459. FOR BUILDING TRADES HALL, call 9149; 11354 S. College Street. CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL, call 3-3994; 392 S. College Street. CENTRAL LABOR UNION meets in Pythian Hall, Piedmont Build ing. 218 S. Tryon Street every Wednesday night at 7:39. H. A. SUlis, president. BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL meeU every Friday night at 11354 8. College Street, at 7:39 P. M. H. L. Kiser, Business Agent. FOR TEAMSTERS AND CHAUF FEURS LOCAL NO. 71, call 3-5991; office. Builders Bldg, Room 129; H. L. McCrorie, Busi ness Agent, heme phone, 3-9388. *************************** ground area witn swings and suae, f. 1 Band Stand; g. Iris Garden. 4. BRYANT PARK: Wesley Heights section, 16 acres, West Morehead Facilities: a. Softball field lighted —rock stands on south side; b. Picnic grounds with facilities including 18 Tables and Benches; 1 open shelter with fireplace at each end. 5. COLONIAL PARK: Elizabeth section, & acres on Providence Road at Alberta Street. Facilities: a. 2 Tennis Courts; b. Small Playground area with Swings and Slide; c. Area for children’s Soft ball. 6. CORDELIA PARK: Villa Heights section, 21 acres off Seigle. Facilities: a. 2 Tennis Courts; b. Outdoor Council Ring; c. Log Shelter [with indoor fireplace; d. Benches and ^Tables for picnic grounds; e. 3 Out idoor ovens; f. 1 Small Caretakers Icabin. 7. EASTOVER PARK: Eastover section, 16 acres directly behind the .Mint Museum; level ground with *beautiful trees naturally located in almost an artistic arrangement. Could be made into one of the most beautiful spots in the city. At pres ent it ix unHeveloned. 8. EDGEH1LL PARK: Located on Edgehill Road in the Myers Park sec tion severed ay Queens Road. This area is only suitable for shrubbery and beautifying the city. At present it has so much shrubbery that it is al most impossible to use the power mower for cutting the grass. 9. FA1RVIEW PARK: (Negro) Biddleville section, 16 acres on the old Water Works location. Facilities: a. 1 Swimming Pool 100 x 100 ft.; b. Small Circulating system; c. Bath house—8 showers, men and women; d. 6 Tennis Courts; e. 2 Horse Shoe Courts; f. Caretaker’s house. 10. MORGAN PARK; (Negro) Cherryville section, 6 acres. Facilities: a. 1 Softball field, b. 1 Small Playground area with Giant Stride, Swings and Sand Box. c. 1 Vol leyball Court, d. 1 Deck Tennis Court. There are numerous other ball diamonds and small playgrounds serviced by the Park and Recreation Department. Many of the schools de pend on this department to mark off their playing fields, and furnish equipment for their playgrounds. Several new Slides were erected on the school playgrounds this summer. In return for such services the Park and Recreation Commission has ac cess to several of the school’s play areas during the summer—providing adequate leadership (WPA) for pro tection of school properties is fur nished. JUST AN ACCIDENT Doctor: “Why do you have BF 7652 tattooed on your back?" Patient: “That’s not tattooed, doc tor. That’s where my wife ran into me with the car when I was opening the gates.” ALL-INCLUSIVE CRITICISM Sambo: “What do you go to school for, Nig!” Nig: “I’se go to school to improve my brains.” Sambo: “Brains! You ain’t got no brains. If your brains were dyna mite and doubled themselves every year, and then exploded on a windy day they wouldn’t blow your hat off.’1 Patronize Journal Advertisers GREEN RENEWS PLEA FOR UNITY IN ORGANIZED LABOR MOVEMENT; DIVISION IN LABOR PLACED AT DOOR OF JOHN L LEWIS AND THE C. L 0. A. F. OF L. CHIEF, IN ADDRESS CELEBRATING FORTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF EAST ST. LOUIS CENTRAL TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL, PLACES FULL RE SPONSIBILITY FOR CONTINUED DIVISION AMONG TRADE UNIONS SQUARELY UPON THE CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS CHAIRMAN, WHO HAS PERSISTENTLY REFUSED TO RESUME PEACE NE GOTIATIONS DESIRED BY THE AMERICAN FEDERA TION OF LABOR AND REQUESTED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. EAST ST. LOUIS, 111.—William Green, president of the Amer ican Federation of Labor, renewed his appeal for peace in the or ganized labor movement in an address at a mass meeting here celebrating the forty-first anniversary of the Central Trades and Labor Union of East St. Louis. Declaring that the American Federation of Labor “wanted peace from the beginning and wants peace now,” he said: “We have done everything but beg for peace. We have never wantd war. “I disavow with all the emphasis at my command the responsibility for the division which was created within the ranks of labor. I worked and pleaded with all the power and influ ence at my command to prevent it.” Tracing the numerous efforts of the American Federation of Labor to bring about unity, Mr. Green clamped responsibility for the continuance of the controversy squarely on the shoul ders of the Chairman of the C. L 0. who, he said, has persistently refused to resume conferences with the Amer ican Federation of Labor committee despite the sincere desire of the A. F. of L. and the request of the President of the United States. Taking up the attempt of certain ‘'hireling propaganda-mongers” who “seize on the discovery of an individ ual wrongdoer in this or that union *as an excuse to smear the entire labor movement,” Mr. Green asserted that anyone familiar with the history of trade unions knows “that dishonesty is the rare exception rather than the rule in the family of organized labor,” and that the recur dof organized labor “has been singularly free from the itaint of crookedness,” adding: “The American Federation of La bor denounces the miserable few who manage to worm their way into the labor movement and use it for dis honest and personal purposes. x lie rnuci ivau a'cuciauvxi va bor, as such, has no legal or consti tutional authority to police its affili ated autonomous unions. But we do call upon our unions to root out and expel any individual found guilty of a betrayal of trust. In addition we call upon the constituted public au thorities of our cities, our States and the Nation to enforce the law that applies to all our citizens without fear or favor. “That is our position. We cite it not in defense—for we need no de fense—but to puncture once and for all the misrepresentation of labor baiters.” In a well-documented survey Mr. Green listed the achievements of the 'American Federation of Labor in se curing higher wages, shorter hours, protective legislation and other bene fits for working men and women since it was organized in 1881 with a mem bership of 25,000 up to the present when it has a paid-up membership of more than 4,000,000 plus an additional .million of exonerated unemployed members. Ue also traced the influence of the American Federation of Labor In pro moting Civil Service legislation and the many benefits in hours, wages and work conditions secured for thousands of Government workers by the A. F. Of L. and its affiliated unions of Gov ernment employes. Specialty Salesman Tells of “Snide” Ads To Catch “Suckers” For the past twenty years, I have earned a rather precarious living as a specialty salesman on a straight commission basis. 1 pay all of my own expenses and work on the average eight or nine hours a day including Saturday. * * * As the matter stands now, any snide outfit can put an ad in any newspaper for “A Salesman. One who has saved some money so that he can gamble it on trying to sell our product. We furnish nothing— No leads, no prospects or advances. You take all the chances and if you do suc ceed in selling our goods, we will, [if we’re still in business, pay you a small part of the total amount you collect,” Kids just out of college and men who have lost their jobs, gamble their few dollars on thousands of such snide outfits and so far as I have been able to ascertain, they have no protection. —(New Jersey.)—Labor Standards. MODERN DAYS “Are you going any farther west?" “I planned to,” said the foreign visitor. “Is there any danger from Indians?” “Not if you keep out of the way of their motor cars.” HIS IDEA Mrs. Brown (displaying new lamp shade) : “Isn't it perfectly lovely. And it cost only $10.” Mr. Brown (desperately): “If you wear that to church tomorrow, you go alone. There’s a limit to everything, including hats.” Machinists Install Officers for 1940; Everyone Working The following are the. officers in stalled January 13 ,1940, by Hornet’s Nest Local, No. 263, Int. Asso. of Ma chinists: President, J. P. Wagoner; vice-pres ident, R. £. Dees; recording secretary £. L. Barkley; financial secretary, T. A. House; treasurer, T. C. Cal houn; conductor, J. R. Porter; sen tinel, F. £. Roehledder; trustee, J. A. Moore. The machinists report every mem ber working and conditions as excel lent along every line. POOR JUDGE A certain justice of the peace, who was not over-alert, recalled a witness. ‘My man,” he said sternly, “you may yet find yourself committed for perjury. Only a few minutes ago you .told the court that you had only one .brother, but your sister has sworn that she has two. Now, out with the truth.” SURE ENOUGH “An* now, Bred’ren an’ Sist’ren, next Sunday I’se gwine to speak to yo’ all 'bout de condition ob de chuch an’ mah topic will be de Status Quo.” "Pa’don me, Paeon, but what do dat mean?” “Well, Deacon, dat’s Latin fo’ we’s in a bad fix.” The Railway Express Agency handled more than 200 tons of bees in three months from seven states east of the Mississippi Rivar. Patronize Journal Advertisers TO THE MEMBERS OP ORGANIZED LABOR AND THEIR MANY FRIENDS + This newspaper has always endeavored to create and maintain good will between em ployers and employees. if The highly competitive conditions of today require more harmonious efforts in every line of endeavor in order to achieve the highest degree of success. if Our efforts in this regard are made possible by the firms and individuals advertising in our columns. By their co-operation they prove conclusively that they are interested in the welfare of the working man and that they appreciate his business. if In addition to thanking these advertisers for this expression of their good will, we urge every member of Organized Labor and their families to demonstrate their good will as well and favor these firms with their patronage. if You are assured of sincere, courteous and reliable service in dealing with these places of business which handle choice selections of dependable merchandise in their respective lines. THE CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL CENTRAL BODY WILL PUSH SKATING AREAS PROJECT WHICH IT IS SPONSORING President H. A. Stalls, of Charlotte Central Union, nad chairman of the publicity committee, gives oat the following an to the endeavor in putting over the Skating Area project which this organization is sponsoring: me Charlotte skating area commit tee of the Charlotte Central Labor union made a long report at the meet ing of the union last night in Knights of Pythias hall in the Piedmont build ing. J. A. Moore, chairman submitted the names of labor men to compose 16 subcommittees, and these commit tees are to begin active work in so liciting funds for the campaign to raise approximately $4>000 to estab lish 11 or 12 8 bating, volley ball and paddle game projects on the various school and park properties throughout the city. The committee also reported that in answer to preliminary appeals sent out during the week to various Individuals and civic and fraternal or ganizations, words of commendation for the proposed plan are coming in. According to data compiled by the committee from figures furnished by the police department, during the last aix months 24 children under 17 years of age have been injured in bicycle accidents, 38 have been injured while playing or walking in the street, six were injured while skating in the street and last week one child was killed while skating in the street. This information was contained in the committee’s report. The committee is endeavoring to interest the people of the communi ties in which the skating and recrea tion projects are to be established, and, according to Mr. Moore, the va rious parent-teacher associations wdll be contacted. Fraternal, civic and business organizations are also to be contacted at an early date, according fto the plans. A letter addressed to the dtisens of Charlotte by Mr. Moore read in pert: “The city council some time ago passed an ordinance forbidding abat ing in the streets and sidewalks of certain areas, which should he done for the protection of children and traffic. Streets hare been blocked, but residents complain with such fury that it is not successful. The Pan and Recreation commission would lllr* to provide areas for such a demanding activity, but its limited «■»««« pre vent it from doing so. “We, the members of Charlotte Cen tral Labor union of the city of Char lotte, feel that enough people are in terested in such a worthwhile cMe improvement to construct sack a rears by public donations. “If you are interested in protecting the children, and yourself, addle driv ing through the streets, wont yon favor us with a contribution? Send it to T. L. Conder, secretary-treasurer, Charlotte Skating Area 2413 Lydia avenue, Charlotte. Any amount you will contribute will be greatly appreciated.” Mr. Moore said last night that those letters will be followed up by active solicitation when the mnipaigs offi cially opens February L While other routine bustosas was attended, such as committee reports, obligation of delegates, etc, the body gave most at its time to teit at the skating area project which it is sponsoring. City Employes Local, No. 242, Is To Have A Big Barbecue On January 28, at 7:30 PM. tha City Employees Local, No. 242, will sponsor a Barbecue and Open Meet* ing at the corner of Pegram Street and Belmont Avenue over Covington’s Store. All city employees, all state employees and county employees who are not already members of this or ganization are urged to attend, as well as those who are members. The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, since its establishment in 1936, has been one of the fastest growing or ganizations of its kind in the history of the labor movement. It is affiliated with the A. F. of L. and has been or ganizing workers in public service and has been giving them the advan tages of independent representation. vNew locals of this Federation are rapidly being chartered throughout the county. Some of the objects of the A. F. S. C. M. E. are: To promote efficiency in public service, to co-opoerate in giving efficient service to our re spective jurisdictions, to bring local organizations of state and local em ployees, into closer relationship so wwswvvvwvvwwvwvvwvww as to foater mutual co-oparetton and to extend and uphold the nrindj of merit and fitneas in jnent, and to promote civil legislation; to advance the social and county, and mi Local 242. u£ (with the Central Labor With the State Federation of This organization is sponsoring the