Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Nov. 21, 1940, edition 1 / Page 1
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IN PELT REALLY INDEPENDENT WEEKLY fa Mtckknlwrg C—rty IN « Wmkbr 1* Rgpretat tN LARGEST BUYING POWER fat Official Orpi Caatral Labor Untaa; ituibi far the A. F. af L. Iltf Charlotte labor Journal oar Adrar Thar Main TOUK poaaibla by Truthful, Honest, Impartial Endor~<i Feder“ AND DIXIE FARM NEWS Taath Tear Of PaUcatioa Endeavoring to Serve the Masses VOL. X—NO. 28 VOUR AOVIRTIMHINT IN TNR JOURNAL It A CHARLOTTE, N. C, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1940 $2.00 Par Y GREEN ASSURES ROOSEVELT A. F. OF L STANDS READY TO NEGOTIATE LABOR-PEACE NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 19.—Presi dent Roosevelt yesterday called upon labor’s leaders “with the interest of the nation at heart” to find a peace ful solution of the problems dividing their followers into opposing camps. A. P. of L. President William Green sent immediate assurance to the Executive that the American Fed eration of Labor was willing “any where, any time, any place,” to dis cuss negotiation with the Congress of Industrial Organizations now in con vention at Atlantic City. “We as a people today have the common determination to put our country above all else,” the President said in a letter to Green read at the A. F. of L. convention here. There was no indication here that a similar message had been sent to the C. I. O. Before the President’s message was read a resolution was introduced ask ing the A. F. of L. to favor legisla tion to outlaw the Communists as a political party. Emphasizing the need for national unity in any “emergency which might be forced upon us,” President Roose velt said: “Among the things which labor will contribute, I venture to suggest, is an unselfish, a far sighted and a patriotic effort to bring about a just and an . honorable peace within the now di-1 vided labor movement. “Labor leaders with the interest of the nation at heart and the advantage of their followers in mind, can, I am sure, find the way to reach such peace.” When Green finished reading the President’s words to the applauding convention whose slow-moving, flex ible program could adapt itself if necessary to events in Atlantic City, he announced his reply: “The committee representing the American Federation of Labor stands ready and willing to meet with a com mittee representing the C. I. O. for the purpose of negotiating a settle ment anywhere, anytime, any place. Nathan Straus, admintrator for the U. S. Housing Authority, predicted to the convention that when the de fense ends and this country returns to a peacetime economy perhaps 5, 000,000 men would be thrown out of work. Chairman Arthur J. Altmeyer of the Social Security board said methods of protecting social security rights of defense employes and draftees are being studied. Men going into the military serv ice and civilian defense workers em ployed or to be employed by the Fed eral government, Altmeyer said, re quire immediate attention lest they “lose the insurance rights they now have.” ROSENBLATT AT A. F. OF L. MEET SAYS PUBLISHERS OPPOSING A THIRD TERM SUFFER “SHOCK” NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 20.—The American Federation of La bor convention today heard a vigorous criticism of American news papers by a high Democratic party official who charged that pub lishers opposing President Roosevelt's third term suffered a great “shock.” " "‘V i Sol A. Rosenblatt, general counsel of the Democratic national committee, told the assemblage that too many personalities “made” by the press, radio, and movies “try to strut like Uncle Sara,” and added “those who stand upon the principles of free speech and a free press must accept the responsibilities that go with those rights.” The first resolut disapproved by the convention was one advo cating extension of social security coverage to state and local gov ernment employes not now covered. Hemisphere defense came up for the first time when Presi dent William Green, responding to an address by Edward A. Jamie son, Canadian fraternal delegate, said: “I declare that I know it is ouf purpose that if, for any un foreseen reason or in any unforeseen development, the dictator, the autocrat, the despot, the savage shall attempt to set his boot on Canadian soil, the United States will respond and will join with Canada in resisting any attempt to invade this continent.” Rosenblatt in his address declared, “It has been said that the greatest shock ever experienced by the newspapers of Amrica was to wake up on the morning of November 4, 1936, and discover that they had no influence in the presidential election. “A great shock overtook them on November 6, 1940, when the great majority of American people gave their suffrage to Presi dent Roosevelt and returned him to the White House to continue his inspiring leadership of the nation. “The newspapers this year were twice as solidly united against him as tfiey were in the campaign of 1936. ‘Those publishers who for years have been saying as Louis XIV said about the state, “The public? We’re the public.' are due for a great awakening.” Rosenblatt said freedom of the press “must mean something more than the right of a publisher to express any views he hap pens to hold on any public question, to refuse to publish the utter ances of those who seek to controvert him, or to give over his whole publication to the sole purpose of furthering his individual and class interests. “Perhaps the day will come when emphasis on the destructive, the sensational, and the self-serving will not he considered the very essence of news. Sooner or later it may become evident to most publishers that nonsense spouted by a man, however promi nent in the public eye, is still nonsense. “What I say is that all of us must support a truly free press. The fact is that with all its faults the American press today is freer than any other in the world.” Rosenblatt said he is “convinced the best guaranty of a free press lies in the public discussion and criticism of the manner and method with which the press has been carrying out its vast re sponsibilities to the public.” The convention, rocking along with a series of speakers while the various committees met, adjourned for tomorrow’s Thanksgiv ing holiday with scant hope for the elusive thing called labor peace. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF A. F. OF L CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF THE LABOR PRESS IN ITS REPORT “ x x x Generally speaking, the labor press, especially that part of it which has embraced the philosophy of the American Federation of Labor, has rendered most valuable service to the American Federation of Labor and its member ship. We trust that our labor publications, loyal supporters of the American Federation of Labor, will be given increased support by the membership of the American Federation of Labor and all their friends in every locality where a bona fide labor paper is published. The Executive Council expresses its deep appreciation of the loyal support of the labor press and pledges to it the continued assistance of the officers and members of the American Federatio nof Labor and all its constituent organi zations. PRESIDENT’S PEACE REQUEST LAID BEFORE A. F. OF L. MEET BY SEC. OF WAR STIMSON; GREEN OFFERS PEACE PLAN NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 19.—PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S DESIRE FOR A LABOR PEACE MOVE, TO BEGIN IN THE WHITE HOUSE, WAS COMMUNICATED MONDAY TO THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR CONVENTION WHICH ALSO WAS INFORMED BY SECRETARY OF WAR STIMSON THAT WORKERS WILL HAVE TO MAKE SACRIFICES UN DER THE DEFENSE PROGRAM. A. F. of L. President William Green deeply skeptical that a labor settla* ment was brought any closer by Join L. Lewis’ announced intention ^of re signing the C. I. O. presidency, told the applauding convention of the President’s desire for unity in laboi ranks. Green said: “The President of the United Statei is willing to help us and assist us and he has asked if committees (A. F. ©! L and C. I. O.) can be assembled and put to work, that they meet with hin first of all and explore with him th< situation at the White House, then to receive his assurance of good wil and co-operation.” At the same time Green outline* a settlement plan which he admitta* was not new and which he charge* —without using his name—that Lewi had already blocked by refusing t let committees from the Congress o Industrial Organizations treat wit A. F. of L. representatives. Urging industrial peace as an absc lute need for re-arming America, Sec retary Stimson, who flew here to ad dress the convention, stressed the el fort needed for the defense progras and said: “Today our production, hopeful a it has been thus far, is as yet fai from adequate. Sacrifices will un doubtedly be called for from labor as they will be called for from th| other citizens of the republic but sue! sacrifices I believe will be willingq contributed and not compelled.” A resolution urging tne conventioi to vote its officials the power to driv* racketeers and labor exploiters out 01 A. F. of L. unions was introduced bj delegates of the International Ladiei Garment Workers union. Another resolution suggested thtf A. F. of L. members provide informa* tion in co-operation with the Federa! Bureau of Investigation, against fiftl column efforts in America. Green, informed was l*wm w .opening of the C. I. 0. convention in Atlantic City today hadannounced hit 1 decision to resign, smiled, raised eyebrows and then solemnly said when asked if he thought that meant a step toward peace between the C. I. O. and A. F. of L. . _ “I maintain what I said before. His resignation from the C. I. ,0. presidency means nothing if he retains the presidency of the United Mine Workers.” Green had previously pointed oui that Lewis derives no salary from the ' C. I. O. presidency but does as heac of the U. M. W. which is the larges! revenue producer in the parent organ!' zation. Green offered this peace plan: “First of all, let the committees (A F. of L.-C. I. O.) meet, honorabli men meeting in good faith in all sin cerity. Let them agree that the origi nal unions that left us shall be ad mitted and occupy the positions the; held with us when they left, adjust ing such difficulties as may hav arisen since they left us in 1935. “Then let them stand by while tin committees representing conflictini groups—those representing dashini ’ American Federation o: unions in the-- . Labor covering jurisdiction in a fielt that is now claimed by unions char tered by the C. I. O.—agree upon i plan of amalgabation, a plan of mer ger, the blending of these groups inti one union, so that we will have it the house of labor a fair degree ol peace and tranquility. “Let these committees work dili; gently until they have accomplished their purpose and then if there is som< collateral question that cannot be set tled, let some tribunal be set up bj mutual agreement to wUleh these col lateral questions might he submitted for final decision,' the basis of it all tc he a complete understanding that th< jurisdictional rights of the Americas Federation of Labor unions shall be protected and preserved." BID FOR UNITY MADE BY A. F. OF L EXECUTIVE COUNCIL-WILL MEET “ANYWHERE, ANYTIME ANY PLACE” TO HEAL LONG BREACH WITH C. L 0. NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 18.—An offer to meet “anywhere, anytime, and any place” with representatives of the C. I. 0. to seek unity in the labor movement was extended yesterday by the executive council of the A. F. of L. The council’s stand was given in its report to the 60th annual A. F. of L. convention, which also sharply criticized laws against labor unions, expressed determination to defend democracy, and urged unions to fight racketeering. The report referred to efforts to iron out differences between the A. F. of L and the C. I. O. and, without mentioning John L. Lewis, C. I. 0. chieftain, by name, said: “The responsibility for failure to meet, confer, and endeavor to settle differences, rests fully and absolutely with the leader of the C. I. O. move ment.” “The executive council,” the report said at another point, “is firmly of the opinion that labor in America can be solidified and united through affiliation with the American Federa tion of Labor.” On the question of racketeering in the labor movement, the council said “we seek to establish and maintain our unions upon a high moral, ethical, and law-abiding basis.” “We disavow racketeering, gang sterism and disregard for law most emphatically and without reserva tion,” it added. Saying that the individual unions exercised full control in formulation of policies and election of officers, the report continued: “However, the executive council urges that the membership of national and international unions select and elect men of character, of known hon esty and integrity to official positions, and prevent those with criminal rec ords from either holding official posi tions or from representing them in any capactity whatsoever.” Turning to antitrust laws, the council said “one of the unpleasant but most necessary tasks facing us is to report fully to organized labor concerning the stubborn, capricious and irresponsible drive against labor and unionism now being conducted by an agency of the Federal govern ment.” “Professor Thurman Arnold, as sistant attorney general in charge of the antitrust division of the De partment of Justice since, 1938, has begun to wage the most complete and concentrated legal warfare against labor ever attempted by a govern ment agency in America,” the report “Unless adequate measures art taken to cope with this eccentric dis play of dangerous power, we may stand to lose the precious gains of G years of struggle for industrial de mocracy at a time when we could be lieve that government had accepted the active organisation of labor as a vital and necessary component of our industrial life. “This attack upon organised labor is being conducted under an adminis tration which has sought to imple ment and make inviolate labor’s basic right to collective action for mutual aid and protection. Yet Mr. Arnold and the antitrust division, the crea tures of the same administration, have been authorised and equipped to make deadly war against those very rights. The weapon Mr. Arnold has taken up to cut his way to fame and glory is pointed at the very heart of the right of self-organisation and collective ac tion for mutual aid and protection.” Reviewing the international situa tion, the council predicted that “which ever way the Battle of Britain may be decided, the democratic countries of the New World must be prepared to defend the New World against in vasion and conquest.” It asserted that the United States “has a responsibility in this crisis, not only for defense, but for leading in the development of machinery for international co-operation and the marketing of agricultural and indus trial output in support of democratic Is. . . .Protection for individual tries in the New World lies in col ive action of all in the hemisphere, council also called for “every rd against transform!! icy into a dictatorship f to defeat the machinations tors.1 * The itfort said the A. F. paid up knembership was 44 compared’with 4,006,354 a year ago. Among rdecommendations Maintenance of livingsatandard/ and minimum working hmgn timer in creased business resumjpg from de fense orders. A watch by central labor uniom against “unjuqMpH price increasei or price profiteering.” A study of financial records oi profit-making companies by unior leaders with the aim of working out measures “whereby their memben may receive a just part of the in creased income resulting from th< greater productivity per man-houi worked." Revision of the national labor r» lations act and removal of “this sub jeet from the political arena.” Liberalisation of «—1»* sccurit] LEWIS AGAINST UNITY OF LABOR; BITTERLY ATTACKS WM. GREEN; CLOTHING WORKERS WANT PEACE ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Nor. 20— A tumultous session of C. I. O.'s an nual convention, whipped into a cheer ins frenzy during a bitter attack by John L. Lewis against William Green and the A. F. of L. leadership, served notice late Tuesday that there would be no immediate peace overtures to the rival labor camp. In a fighting angry mood, with the cheers or the packed convention hall sometimes drowning out his words, Lewis blasted a proposal by Sidney Hillman’s Clothing Workers union for immediate conferences to explore la bor peace possibilities. “It would be a waste of time,” he declared, “to raise the hopes of the millions of people in this country by making it appear that then is any possibility ox peace.’ When Lewis finished, the conven tion adopted a recommendation that C. I. O. continue its present policy toward labor unity. This includes the maintenance of a standing committee for any conferences, and continuance of C. I. O.’s plan for organising mass production workers into one union for each industry. Frank Rosenblum of the Amalga mated Clothing Workers told the (ne gates earlier In the session that he was not satisfied with the progress C. I. O. had made in the last year, and added: “We want to explore the possibili ties for peace and if we can get peace, • we want it” CENTRAL LABOR UNION IN HIGH GEAR-STATUS OF A. F. OF L AND C. L 0. CAUSES MUCH “DEBATE” Minutes of Meeting November, 20 1940 s The meeting was called to order by • President Scoggins, and the invoca tion given by Chaplain Morgan. All ’ delegates present made the pledge of ’ allegiance to the Flag. ' | Various roll calls were made as ' | usual. Under reports of committees, ’.a motion passed to give full power to I act to a carnival committee to handle 11 the proposed carnival about the first ; or second week in April. The com • mittee appointed by President Scog E'ns are Brother Moore, Condor and cEliece, and they were given a vote ' of confidence. 1 The S sting Area project is about closed, and next meeting will prob 1 ably see a full statement of opera-1 : tions given. The Dedication commit-1 tee gave a proposed date of 11 A. M. on Thanksgiving day (The old one), which was duly accepted by the as sembled delegates. The credentials of Brother H. G. Price of the City Employees local were received with applause and obli gated. Many^ other committees gave good swwwwimii, ... ,7; reports, with organisation work still on the upgrade. A new local was re ported ready to affiliate with the Cen tral body. Under reports of locals, the sign ing of contracts in many of the crafts were given, with negotiations still going on in others. One large con tract signed, was'some 15 months in negotiations, without a strike in the interim, but covers a large territory, and is favorable both to the employee and the employer, as a result Roll call of delegates shows the still growing variety of industry in Char lotte, represented by the A. F. of L. A very fine exposition of the status of A. F. of L.-C. I. O. relatione was indulged in by all members, under the “good of the order.” Tnis democ racy operating at-its best Oratory is getting better in the Central Labor Union, and there are more orators. This subject, which at present is of National interest due to the meetings going on in conventions, took up quite a little time, but most eif tiie members enjoyed it The meeting adjourned after some other discussion for the good of the order. Wm. S. GREENS, aee*y. iintm i i morn.. nl Employment Rise But Hourly Wages Struck A Decline In North Carolina RALEIGH, Not. 19. — Defense preparations stimulated employment in North Carolina industry S.8 per cent between September and October, but hourly wages dropped during the same interval, the Department of La bor statistical division reported Mon A survey of 960 identical firms dur ing typical weeks of each month showed a rise in workers from 147r 977 to 162,822. During the same in terval, the weekly pay roll rose from 12,447,069 to $2,638,927 or 3.7 per cent, but weekly hours increased suf ficiently to reduce the income an hour of labor. Miscellaneous industries showed a gain of 7 per cent in workers. With a decline in wages an hour. The lum ber business was second in job in crease with 3.7 per cent, but earn ings in this trade also declined. The only manufacturing firms showing a higher wage an hour were structural clay plants, with a 1.6 per cent gain, and cotton mills, with a 1.4 per cent gain. laws applicable to old-age assistance, survivors’ insurance, unemployment and workmen’s compensation, and health insurance and hospitalization. A “clear-cut separation” between public works and work relief in the defense program. Subscribe For the Journal RECONCILE WAGE LAW TO UNION AGREEMENTS WASHINGTON, Not. 18.—The Wage-Hour administration laid ter day that an employer’! obligation to pay time and one-half for work in excess of 40 boars a week was not voided by existence of a union contract calling for a longer work week, unless the contract also made other stipulations. The agreement, the agency said, must provide for an “absolute maxi* mum of 1,000 hours work in any 16 week period or 2,000 boon work fas 62 weeks,” must be the reeolt of col lective bargaining by representatives certified by the Labor Relations board, and must provide for a fixed annual wage or continuous employ ment for either 62 weeks or 1^000 hours. Where such an agreement exists, employes may work up to 11 hours a day and 66 hours a weak without payment at overtime rates. THAT’S IT Salesman: "Sir, I have something here which will make you popular, make your life happier, and bring you a host of new friends.” Prospective Customer: *TH take • quart.” AS TO LABOR CONVENTION NEWS The Labor Journal goes to preaa on Thursday A. 1L» tad proceedings of the A. F. of L. Convention at New Orleans can onbLhe covered np to and for the period of Wednesday are culling*, taken from AP dispatches, . give credit for same. Any C.I.O. news pub* comes from the same source, and credit is hereby given. I The Custodian Sidney Croft says he is not seeking Postmaster Tountd position, bat will take the CM1 Service Exam, in ease it does become vacant. Now that the shooting for Roosevelt and the weeping for Wlllkle are about ovor, the average dtisen can tarn his thoughts again to linisiss and muaidnajay presage a Hvdy the “Flowers Bloom la the football It would appear that municipal campaign in the Friendly City Spring, Tra-La!” Mr. Lewis stepped down this week as head of the C. L a with “tsars la his oyro. but he has not said anything about stepping down as VMN> a-year head of the United Mine Worker*. Representative BapUsU throughout the state to the tune of over thered in Charlotte gath< wtte week for the State Baptist Convention, was glad to have this representative g«»fc»»«g in its 2T&
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 21, 1940, edition 1
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