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um a. r. «f u
She Charlotte labor Journal
They Make YOUR
BMMhle
bj their
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Eeilfri hj the N.C. State Federa
HTfctff
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Endeavoring to Serve the Maeees
VOL. IX—No. 38
ftw AawniTMUtMT m Tki
CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1940 —
82.00 Pee Yoar
TENNIS, SWIMMING POOLS, STADIUM
DEALT WITH THIS WEEK IN THIRD
INSTALLMENT OF PARK COMMISSION
THIRD INSTALLMENT
This installment, the third of a series embodying the report of
Supt J. M. Ray, of the Parks and Recreation Commission, deals
with Tennis, "Swimming and Wading Pools’* and “Stadium,” the
series being completed in the next issue of The Journal.
TENNIS
Tennis has recently become one
of America’s most popular sports.
This was exemplified last summer on
the 23 city public courts which wen
overcrowded almost the entire sea
son. Of the two most used parks—
those at Independence and Latta
Parks—it was necessary to limit the
players to 40 minutes’ playing time so
that others might have the courts in
There is a definite need for
courts in the city, and Mayor Doug
las has suggested that our goal for
the coming year be “One Hundred
Public City Courts.” This is a fine
suggestion and a hundred tennis
courts is not too many for a city of
110,000 people, but—including what
courts we have at present—100 courts
is just about 76 more than we can
nay for. One look at the page on
finances will convince you that this is
true, though with the assistance of
WPA and NYA projects, the kind
hand of fate, and a lot of good hard
work, we hope that the present num
ber win be raised by 11—(2 at Bry
ant, 6 at Bevolution and 4 at East
over). , .
During the coming year it is hoped
and tentatively planned, that we will
have a tennis clinic for one week on
the public courts to give instructions
in tennis play to those who have not
had the opportunity before. And a
Public Courts Tournament will also
be a great attraction to the numer
ous flayers using the courts through
SWIMMING AND WADING POOLS
The completion of the new munic
ipal pool at Revolution Paris will
he reaUmd —-- --—
plishment of this Department for a
long tea. This project was started
with anticipation of a great* ’
from taxes, and though this
tion did not matarfari&s the i
and under a great
fWimfla nnfnr—finn
tb* mol andfmdH
ties will be completed by spring.
TIM Work* Progress Administra
tion released the pool to the Commis
sion for 6 weeks last summer, al
though the project was not completed.
We were allowed to use only the first
floor of the building, the swimming
pool and the filter plant, while work
was being done on the outside of the
building, the concession room and rec
reation hall upstairs. Considering
the operating conditions and the fact
that the pool was opened after the
best part of the swimming season
was over, it did very wel tol pay op
erating expanses.
Fairview, negro pool, according to
all previous records, has been a los
ing proposition since its opening in
1936. This year showed a little in
crease in attendance and paid admis
sions, but it still has a long way to go
to get out of the red. This is right
fully the side of the ledger for the
figures to fall under the existing con
ditions, and they probably will re
main on that aide until they have
been adjusted to suit the needs for
such an outlay. In the first place, the
facilities and equipment are not sat
isfactory for sanitary operations. The
showers and dressing rooms are lo
cated in the basement of the old Wa
ter Works, when there is little or no
light from the outside, no toilets ex
cept those outside which the negroes
themselves won’t use, and which nave
been condemned by the Health De
partment. The pool itself holds a mil
lion gallons of water which is never
refiltered or washed, the water is cir
culated and chemicals added to kill
bacteria, but then is little-nt of
escape ^for |the dirt and^ filth accu
aamwwwwwwvwwwwwc
Glycerine is being used in Kngland
in many ways ranging from children’s
cough medicines to the most deadly
high e '
Information As To
Labor Calls
FOR CENTRAL LABOR UNION,
call Wm. 8. Greene, Secretary,
229 8. Tryea Street. Phone
3-1489.
FOR BUILDING TRADES HALL,
call 9149; 11*!/* S. College Street
CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL,
call 3-9994; 992 8. College Street
CENTRAL LABOR UNION meets
la Pythian Hall, Piedmont Build
ing, 219 8. Tryea Street every
Wednesday night at 7:99. H. A.
tteath, president
BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
Meets ovary Friday night at
dIStt S. College Street at 7:99
IP. M. H. It Kiser. Business
FOR TEAMSTERS AND CHAUF
FEURS LOCAL NO. 7L call
9-9991; office. Builders B
129; 1.
There is a plan in progress among
the negroes at present, whereby they
will attempt to raise the necessary
funds to construct a new bath house
and recreation center. The idea is
fine providing it materialises and
they do not expect too much of this
department at present in a financial
way. Though, after the bath house
has been completed the pool is still s
makeshift anangemsat
The American Legion Memorial
Stadium has been more of a financial
success this year than ever before.
This was largely due to the weather
conditions through the fall and the
the unusually good attendance at
games all through the season. The
concessionaire was better acquainted
with the business this year than be
fore, and was able to do a much bet
ter job both for himself and the de
partment, though, neither Mr. Garri
son nor the Commission feel that this
was the peak year. We fed that we
have made improvements and the
year was pleasant and successful.
We have learned much in this season
which we hop eto profit by in the fu
ture.
There are several improvements
needed to make this stadium attrac
tive to larger schools and colleges.
The fence is entirely tod low and too
dose to the street in places. The
seats have never had but one coat of
paint which hasn’t been sufficient for
preservation. A more attractive
screen and scenery should be in the
open end. Turnstiles would be a wise
investment if our finances would per
mit it. With a newspaper estimate of
atetndance we can safely estimate
half that as paid admissions. One
coach very sincerely remarked as he
was asked if sometime in the future
he might desire to schedule a game
here, ‘‘What the h— is the use, every
STADIUM
SU
either has a ticket or
can get it free."
REVENUE*
On 1939 Taxes (includes
two notes advance on
1939 taxes $2,800 and
$,600 .$17,640.30
State Refund Tax._ 600.49
Revolution Pool:
Fees .$-,406.49
Concessions 79.00
Fair-view Pool:
Fees _
Concessions_
Rent — House
1,486.49
290.16
36.91
60.00
Revolution Park Fees
(Parties) _
Cordelia Park Fees (Par
ties) _...._
Bryant Park Concessions
Independence Park Con
cessions _
Stadium:
Rentals. 2,703.69
Rentals — due 87.38
Concessions 960.61
387.06
1.26
8.76
11.64
27,49
4,201.48
Total.
EXPENSE:
.$24,267.96
Salaries .$1,316.00
Car Allowance . 136.00
Wages (Park em
ployees ) _ 2,762.64
Revolution Pool. 1,029.37
Fairview Pool.. 461.63
Advertising- 213.04
Subscriptions .. 10-20
Auditing - 140.00
Telephone St
Telegraph_ 49.69
Office Supplies. 188.48
Repairs equipment,
etc. - 165.68
Laundry Service- 117.95
Truck Expense 401.78
Lights . 272.78
Water . 782.73
Chemicals _ 182*1
Insurance - 167.35
Park Supplies,
miae. _ 818*7
Insurance - 167*8
Park Supplies,
misc. 918.67
Seed _124.75
■ Capital Outlay:
Independence
Park_ 7*2
Stadium _ 171*2
Bryant_ 68.70
Revolution
Pool _18*61.64
Golf Course.. 118.18
9*44*6
18,628*3
Total___$22*72.78
STREET CAR WORKERS BOOST
RALEIGHS
CHICAGO.—Members of the
Asaalgamatad Association of Street,
Eleetric Railway and Motor Coach
Employes of America are enthusiastic
boosters for Roleigh cigarettes and
other union made cigarettes and to
products of the Brown and Wil
liams Tobacco Corporation. Raleigh
cigarettes posters are displayed In
the union’s meeting halls and pur
of union mads cigarettes is
at union meetings, with ref
_ to As fact thstBakdghs are
advertised in the onion's official Chi
cago publication, the Union “
THE SKATING AREA PROJECT
The “Off the Street” Skating Area Project being sponsored
by Charlotte Central Labor Union is making progress. Many
workers are oat and committees are yet to report, bat Treasurer
Cornier states that two projects have been taken care of, with
outstanding pledges. Do your part to make the eleven areas
we are striving for a reality.
MWIMWWMWIMWWWWnMMMMMMMMMMMMMAMM
Facing the Facts
With PHILIP PEARL
From now on we intend to pay little
attention, or none at all, to anythin*
that John L. Lewie says or doe#.
We have come to the conclusion
that what Mr. Uewis says or does is
no longer of any real mt«est5° ,$!
worker# or to the people of thia
^ThiPconetant succession of meteas
ingly sillier statements emanating
from Mr. Lewie in the paet year i-e
had the cumulative effect of ma*111*
him an object of public ridicule and
derision. Indignation has given awwr
to laughter. The consensus of public
opinion is that the man ^suffering
from the incurable swelled head or is
just plain “nuts.”
The last straw was Mr. Lewis out
burst about the cake prepared by the
members of the Bakery «or ken Un
ion and presented to Pres^ent RwJse
velt on the occasion of his birthday Oy
President William Green of the A“‘
erican Federation of Labor. In etald
ish folly Mr. Lewis seised upon thu
simple and sincere tribute to the Pres
ident of the United States as
■?r attacking the Ameren Federa
tion of Labor. With
lypocrisy he declared that he was
nore interested in trying to provide
>read for the hungry than m pre
lenting a cake to the PTmident.
Mr. Lewis’ sudden solicitude for the
lungry worker is indeed touching.
Kay we remind him that then are a
arge number of unemployed and
lungry workers in his ownumon.tiie
day we further remined him that if
United Mine Workers of America,
nstead of taxing the members of his
>wn union $1 per month for tys
Zths to rtbse a *700JX>0 fund tot
olitical campaign contributions na
• v,_anil mAM VlflflOf
logically ^nd_monJssg
SrThi7^o«^ for' the nlteT
lestitute minen of the country.
But enough about Mr. Leona. Let
,s turn instead to the intelligent and
nogressive program for combatting
memployment adopted this week by
he Executive Council of the Amer
can Federation of Labor at ita mid
winter meeting. . ,
The Council declared that unem
iloyment must not be considered a
•artisan or a political issue but must
nraented as a national responsible
| ity of our democratic form of govern
ment.
The first essential step recommend
ed by the Council calls for a thorough
survey of the unemployment prob
lem to ascertain how many man and
women willing and able to work are
unemployed through no fault of their
own, to learn what localities and
what industries have suffered most,
to find out the extent of unemploy
ment among young and among mid
dle-aged workers and to obtain ac
curate information on the technologi
cal displacement of workers by new
inventions and machinery. The Coun
cil came to the conclusion that the only
permanent cure for unemployment is
to provide enough jobs to go around
in private industry. It called for the
restoration of business confidence
and tile encouragement of industrial
expansion. It urged the creation of
a National Advisory Council on Un
employment to unify efforts by the
government, business, labor, farmers
and consumers to end unemployment.
The Council reiterated labor's advo
cacy of the shorter work-week to
spread available jobs, increase pur
chasing power and offer opportunity
for continuous growth to industry.
By direction of the Executive Coun
cil the officers of the American
Federation of Labor will go to the na
tional conventions of both political
parties this summer and call upon
them to adopt platforms incorporat
ing such a constructive program for
the elimination of widespread unem
ployment. In this effort the officers
of the American Federation of La
bor will need the full support and
backing of the entire membership of
organized labor.
The time has come when we must
face tiie teat of making democracy
work. Permanent unemployment
would result in the failure of de
mocracy. It is the duty of all of us
to join together in a informed, intel
ligent and Unified effort to solve the
problem of unemployment and provide
[opportunities to work for all who are
willing to do so. Only in this way
can we achieve the progressive higher
standard of living for all our people
which is the goal of true and efficient
democratic government,
THE LETTER “J"
RY CHARLES STELZLE
1 In America we have become accus
tomed to designate men andlT°^|?‘
zations by their ljntialr
these initials carry with th«n sug
gestiops of honor, respect or accom
sr-rgsii
with contempt and diriionor, and so
that it may be deprived of the neces
sities of life. It has been decreed
that the ration oard °{ «™ry Jew in
Germany shall have the letter J
stamped* upon It ' This *>>P>that
any tradesman may deny food, cloth
ing, and other materials to the holder
of the card, _
These later hardships may aeem
mild compared to the horrible brutal
ity with which Jews have been treat
ed in concentration camps, and the
cowardly attacks of the Naris won
helpless old women and little wm
dreh. But from this time forth the
letter “J” stampel upon the identifi
cation cards of all Jews in Germany
will carry with it further indignities
apd outrages, driving many to in
sanity and suicide. ..
However, to be perfectly fair, the
letter MJ" applied to Jews should car
ry with it implications other than that
which the Germans desire to create.
Instead of being the brand of dis
honor it should be the marie of loyal
service and devotion to humanity from
which the Christian World has been
the greatest beneficiary. Th» Bible
should bear their brand, for it was
written almost entirely by Jews. De
mocracy should bear their brand, for
the government of the Jews from the
was a government Dy
__ for the whole people. The funda
mental laws of human relations and
social conduct should bear their brand,
for in large measure these laws date
back to the days of Moses—the great
est lawgiver of all time.
In the sacred book of the Jews it is
written; “Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with
au thy soul, and with all thy might.
Jesus Himself, when He quoted this
as the first and greatest of all com
mandments, credited it to the Jewish
law. “And,” He added: “The second
is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.” When our fore
fathers rang out the glad tidings of
liberty, they inscribed upon the ball
which today hangs in Liberty Hall,
in Philadelphia, the words found In
Leviticus—the third book in the Old
Testament — “Proclaim liberty
throughout the land unfeol all the in
habitants thereof.” And the signifi
cance of these words is embodied in the
Declaration of Independence when it
declares; “We hold these truths to
be self-evident, that all men are cre
ated equal; that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain inalien
able rights; that among these are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap
piness.”
Small wonder that Germany de
sires to tear to pieces the Bible of the
Christians as well as to destroy the
Jewish people. Small wonder that it
is attacking not only the Jews but
all Catholics and Protestants who
maintain their belief in Democracy
and freedom. Small wonder that it
would destroy Labor and all that it
has fought for throughout the years.
DEMOCRATS WONDERING WHERE C. L
0. AND LEWIS WILL GO POLITICALLY;
CORRESPONDENT SAYS A. F. L LUKE
WARM TOWARDS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON—The question that
arises in Democratic circles after the
blast of John L. Lewis, G. I. O. po
tentate, against President Roosevelt,
and the Democratic party, is where
will labor land in the presidential
campaign?
Everyone admits that Lewis’ deser
tion of the President and the New
Deal, while not so significant in the
number of voters, indicates that the
the war chest has been carried on the
last five years between Lewis and
William Green, president of the A.
F. of L., will no doubt be carried into
the presidential campaign, with pre
dictions in some quarters that Lewis
will finally land in the G. O. P. house
hold, whence he emerged as a New
Deal adviser.
While Sidney Hillman, president of
the United Clothing Workers, the
biggest union in the C. I. 0., con
tinues loyal to the President and the
New Deal, it is very apparent as time
passes that, with Green leaning to
ward the President, the C. I. O. ranks
will be swept to the winds, before the
people of this country come to vote on
the presidential candidates next Nov
ember 6.
-
Lewis’ strictures on the President
and the Democratic party continue
the subject of comment in Washing
ton, with every indication that
Lewis will probably lead the greater
part of his C. 1. O. followers where
he will.
As the matter now stands, the situ
ation is nebulous and uncertain. It
has caused Republican leaders to pon
der the question of winning labor
back to their fold, and already they
are planning more lbieral platform
provisions as to labor than ever be
fore.
The New Dealers have been hoping
for a united labor front for their
ticket next November. Their denun
ciation by John L. Lewis helps to
muddy the waters. In the past the
administration has been charged again
and again with favoring the C. £ O.
over the A. F. of L. And the A. F.
of L. in part, at least, has been luke
warm to the administration, particu
larly because of the alleged favorit
ism of the C. I. O. by the National
Labor Relations Board. Whether Mr.
Lewis’ attack on the President and
his administration will throw the A.
F. of L, back into the arms of Mr.
Roosevelt remains to be —"—Spe
cial from Observer Bureau, Feb. 8.
Wilbanks-Pierce
Strike Settled On
Santee-Cooper Proj.
CHARLESTON, S. C., Jan. 30.—
Announcement is made of the settle
ment of a strike called on November
24 on the Santee-Cooper contract held
by Wilbanks-Pierce Company, the
settlement also extending to all sub
contractors of the Wilbanks-Pierce
Company, The South Carolina Au
thority Trade* and Labor Council,
with A1 Flynn, president, opened of
fices at Monk's Corner almost a year
ago for the purpose of furnishing la
bor to the contractors on the Santee
Cooper project. Under the terms of
settlement with the Wilbanks-Pierce
Company, the Union office will be
called upon for shilled, and semi
skilled workmen.
W. P. Hooker, A. F. of L. Organ
izer, Representative McGraner, of the
I. B. E. W., James Coles, of the Car
penters Union, and other Interna
tional representatives and local union
business agents have cooperated in ob
taining union conditions on the San
teeCooper project. Participating in
the conference which was called by the
State Labor Commissioner to nego
tiate terms of the settlement were of
ficials of the contracting firms and
representatives of the Unions. Pres
ent also were Kenneth Markwell,
project engineer and R. C. Smith,
PWA labor adviser.
Typo Union Meet
On Sunday One of
ballotting for International officers.
Ladies of Typo.
Auxiliary Will
Give Card Party
Typographical Auxiliary. On
Thursday the 22nd, at 2:30 P. M., the
ladies will give a card party and lunch
eon at the Sally Sothern, to which the
public is invited.
On Tuesday night, Mrs. Hugh M.
Sykes gave a dinner party at O’Don
oghue nail on South Tryon street,
which was well attended, the Cath
olic ladies holding a bazaar there this
week, the Typo Auxiliary ladies being
especially invited.
TO THE MEMBERS OP
ORGANIZED LABOR
AND THEIR MANY FRIENDS
fr This newspaper has always endeavored to create and Maintain food will between em
ployers and employees.
if The highly competitive conditions of today require a
fine of endeavor in order to achieve the highest degree
harmonious efforts in every
if Our efforts to this regard are made possible by the firms and individuals advertising
n 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
if In addition to thanking these advertisers for this expression of their good will, we
urge every member of Organised 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 selections of dependable mrrr **■"*!*— in their respective
THE CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL
California Lawyers
Must Pay Their Dues
If Allowed To Work
A recent release by the AFL Week
ly News Service had the fololwing to
say about a California group that is
bound to interest any Laborites:
The California Lawyers’ Union,
otherwise known as the State Bar at
California, has every Labor Union
beat for having originated a never
failing method of collecting dues from
delinquent members.
The Recorder, which is the official
legal daily publication of San Fran
cisco, under date of Dec. 13,1989, sets
for an action of the State Supreme
Court wherein that august body sus
pended 93 practicing attorneys form
me Airitvf in the State Bar for faii
ure to pay their Union dues. By so
doing the court denied them every
night and privilege as lawyers
Banted them from earning a liveli
at their chosen profession. In
plain language these unfortunate 98
lawyers will have to quit legitimate
practice until all accrued dues, fees
and penalties have been paid in full.
A great deal has been said about
the evils and the injustices of the
check-off system, but for a genuine
method of collecting dues it would
scarcely be possible to improve upon
the steps adopted by the California
State Bar.
A check-off cannot place
less the worker has some money due
him but these 93 lawyers may not
have a cent in their possession, they
may be right up against it, yet they
are required to pay Union dues before
they are again permitted to practice
law and earn the where-with-all to
support themselves.
P. O. CLERKS AUXILIARY
TO GIVE CARD PARTY
The P. O. Clerks Auxiliary will give
a card paxty at the Sally Sothern Fri
day afternoon. Table prizes will be
given and refreshments served. The
JJuMje is invited. The hour is 9;80