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Labor Uaioa; staadtag for
the A. F. of L.
Cbe Charlotte labor Journal
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Truthful, Honest, Impartial
by the N. C. SUU Fedora
tioo of
and DIXIE PARS news
Tcatk Tour Of
Endeavoring to Serve the Masses
VOL. X—NO. 33
CHARLOTTE, N. C, THURSDAY, JANUARY, 2,1941
$2.00 P«r Y<
“NO MAN LIVETH UNTO HIMSELF’
(A New Year’s Meditation)
By Dr. Charles Stelzle
Any plan or movement which leaves oat of consideration the
spirit of brotherhood cannot survive in a true democracy. The
worker has no right to build up a class movement which ignores
the interest of every other group in society, any more than the
capitalist has the right to build up an organization which per
mits him to dominate the interest of all others. The dignity and
self-respect of every man is greatly increased when he definitely,
consciously becomes a part of society as a whole.
If he is to be a part of society, he must obey the funda
mental principle that he may exercise his personal liberty only
insofar as it does not interfere with the liberty of others. He
will recognize the fact that in a democracy there is no such thing
as the absolute right to do as one pleases. He will discover that
in the society of human beings, every man is compelled to give
up certain things which he puts into a common fund. These
constitute the sum of our mutual obligations to each other. But
each of us draws from this common fund more than any of us
puts in. Kept for himself what a man keeps may be added to, but
what he contribute* to the common fund will be multiplied many
fold, thus increasing the fund from which he may draw.
Probably the greatest moment in a man’s life is when he dis
covers himself; when he sees his own soul and recognizes how
small it is. It often happens that this vision comes to a man on
New Year’s Day; when he takes stock of himself and makes re
solves for the new year. That man is blessed who when he is
given such a vision, can lay aside all prejudice and passion, and
look upo nhis fellowmen with a clear mind and a pure heart. It
is then that he discovers the riches which his fellows contribute
to the common fnnd.
When such a vision comes to him it may lead him to become a
greater man in his spirit and his life, and it may point the way
to some great mission — to dignify and ennoble his appoints?
IhIi
GREETINGS, MOTORISTS
Christinas Holidays Are Here
Help Us Save A Life This Year
Everyone Must Do His Share
So Watch Your Step and Drive With Care
Around the Curves and Over the Hills
Through ’41 With Fewer Spills
Wishing You and Yours
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
N. C. State Highway Patrol
(The above wording on neat cards were handed out by
Highway Patrolmen, and many who were stopped to receive
these tokens throught they were being given a ticket,—Ed.)
New Year Begins
More Than Once,
Believe It or Not!
New Year’s day isn’t always New
Year’s day. The actual date varies
among the Egyptians, Chinese, Jews,
Romans and Mohammedans from
September 6 to March 1.
January 1 was designated to be
New Year’s day when Julius Caesar
established the Julian calendar in
40 B. C. However, the calendar
year thus established was 11 min
utes longer than the astronomical
year.
To correct this discrepancy, Pope
Gregory IH suppressed 10 days in
1183 by ordering that October 5 be
called October 18. England and its
colonies, however, did not adopt this
new calendar until 1752. For almost
three centuries, therefore, New
Year’s was celebrated twice every
year—both times on January 1.
New Year’s never fell on the same
day two years in succession in old
QiIm The new year began on the
first moon after the sun entered the
sign Aquarius. This date varied
from January 21 to February 18.
Jewish New Year’s, when translated
into dates of the Gregorian calendar,
varies from September 8 to Octo
ber 4.
Mohammedans celebrated Muhar
ram, or New Year’s, on February
10 last year. But it wasn’t the be
ginning of 1040 for them; it was the
first day of 1359. Because the Mo
hammedan calendar is arranged dif
ferently from ours, the new year
does not always fall on the same
date according to the calendar in
use by ttw Christian nations.
Happy New Year! When will YO*'
celebrate T
»■ fOUR SUBSCRIPTION
IS IN ARREARS
SEND IN A CHECK
Central Labor Union
Enters Upon the New
Year On Jan. 8th
Next Wednesday, Jan. 8th, Charlotte
Central Labor Union will pick np
where it left off two weeks ago, and
start 1941 off, it is hoped, with a well
attended meeting, and that the thread,
broken by the holidays, will be picked
up and that 1941 will see arrester ac
complishment for Central Body.
President Scoggins, Secretary
Wm. Greene, and the delegates of the
affiliatedhlbcals labored faithfully in
1940, but greater things are on tap
for 1941. By the way the State Fed
eration Convention will be held in
Charlotte the second week in August,
1941, and that will give the boys some
thing to work for, and look forward
to.
Typographical Union
Holds First Meeting
Of Year On Sunday
On Sunday,
Typographical
its first m
ty, January 6th,
cal Union No. 331
eeting of the h
Charlotte
338 will hold
New Year.
The year 1940 Saw No. 338 put in one
of the best years, and President H. A.
~ " “ ries Sykes and Beatty
the entire membership
• faithful in attendance, an^alert
and faithful to every duty imposed
upon them; but this local is lookin
forward to better things in 194:
Here’s a Happy New Year to all the
boys.
i94i JANUARY i94i I
i. ii inm inn
7
14
21
28
8
18
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
1011
17
24
31
18
28
MMMMMMMMMMMMMN
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PRAISE FOR PRES. GREEN’S ADDRESS ON
“LABOR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE*
• ? i •
We might be considered somewhat biased if we praised in our
own words the recent radio address by President William Green of
the American Federation of Labor on “Labor and National De
fense.” So we are reprinting, herewith, the response this ad
dress evoked in the editorial columns of the New York Herald
Tribune. This newspaper is regarded as a conservative organ
and that fact makes its condemnation of those who would take
advantage of the defense emergency to assault labor standards
doubly significant. We quote from the Herald-Tribune:
“Mr. William Green has pledged the A. F. of L. to the de
fense effort with vigor and fort-rightness. He has pledged to
‘avoid strikes, not only for trivial reasons but for scarcely any
cause unless particular conditions become completely unbearable.*
He has pledged it to ‘any reasonable and necessary sacrifices';
he has founded his position upon the rock-bottom truth that
‘national defense means self-defense to American workers’; he
has cited the ‘glorious’ example of British trade unionism’s re
sponse to national crisis, nor has he weakened the force of his
declaration by including a few inferential side shots at the Con
gress of Industrial Organizations, in which there have been evi
dences of a less whoie-soulde understanding of labor’s stake in
defense.
“The address is a fine one and makes salutary reading after
the outpourings of those statesmen who are going about the M
talking of making strikes in defense industries a criminal offense,
or otherwise converting preparedness into an assault on labor
standards and union organization. Defense win be nothing if it
is begun in a civil war; and it is as important to conserve the
position of the workers, where that is possible, as to conserve the
position of industrial owners or any other class in the community.**
I
***********
Journal Readers Co-operate With Hiose
Who Advertise In It
m
A NEW YEAR MESSAGE
By WILLIAM GREEN
Federation of Labor
defi
faces tho Now Year ready to do its fall daty in the
of American democracy. ,
The ranks of the American Federation of Labor are strong
er today numerically, financially, spiritually and in every other
way than ever before. This great army of American workers—
6,040,000 strong—is now pitching in with all its skill, training
and genius to do the Job set for it in the Government’s blue
prints—building the most powerful and invulnerable defense
structure in our nation’s history. Already the program is
spurting ahead of ichedale because the men and woasen of the
American Federation of Labor are contributing not only their
strength and their craftsmanship but a high patriotic fervor
and an unconquerable spirit of confidence.
Our people see the dangers ahead. They regard any and
jail forms of totalitarianism as a curse and a blight They are
devoted to democracy and tho freedom it guarantoee to them
and their children in their daily life. That is why American
workers are praying for a victory for Great Britain over tho
Totalitarian aggressors of Europe. That is why they favor
extending every assistance to Great Britain short of war.
American workers want peace. They are willing to do
everything in their power to keep America at peace. That is
why they are giving wholehearted support to the natkaml de
fense program and are ready to make any necessary sacri
fice to bring about the success of the defense progress.
Wo are proud of tho way our fellow trade-unionists in
Great Britain have rallied to their country’s defense. They
have voluntarily relinquished soum of their moot precious gains
and freedoms but they have demanded and obtained a full
voice in the shaping and administration of Governasont policy.
The heroic defense of Groat Britain which challenges the ad
miration of the entire world is duo not only to tho erased
S&grcsr%&&%&&!
of the
try dur
We are proud of tho record our
American Federation of Labor have
in this
ing the past year. There has not hen a single strike by
* in Federate ‘ *
American Federation of Labor union which impeded the
fense program. We are preosing for wider and even more
effective self-discipline among our organisations, we are pre
paring to assume new burdens and sacrifices whenever neces
sary, out wo also insist oa our democratic rights. We want a
voice in shaping defense policies and wo demand representa
tion on all Government agencies adadnistering the defease
program*
The coming year appears full of promise for American
workora. Already tho tragic army of unemployod which the
nation has boon compelled to support for tho past ton years is
being rapidly absorbed by private industry. Unemployment
totals have dropped to 8,000,000. By the end of the coming
year we predict that 8,000,000 new jobs will have been created
and the army of unemployed practically will have disappeared.
This is an encouraging prospect and labor has further
reason for gratification in the realisation that the Govern
ment of the United States is determined to protect its hard
won econondc, social and legislative gains. We mast think not
only today and tomorrow and the months of 1041 but of the
years ahead. Our future security as a nation depends to a large
extent oa tho umiatonaaee of labor’s standards.
Today a fine feeling of friendship, understanding and co
operation exists between the Governments of the United States
and American workers as represntd by the American Fedra
tiou of Labor. This feeling can and must be maintained and
wing the coming yew. With the Government
workers ef ow country working hand in hand with
and reliance oa each other, American democracy is
safe against any foe. The American Federation of Labor
pledges itself during the coming yew to remain true to the
of American democracy and the welfare of American
PERHAPS ... OR LIFE’S SOLILIQUY
By AL. J. VENNO, In Miami Citizen
I know that whsn I’m called to die, I’ll scan the things I did,
The worthwhile things, the manly things, and all thethings I hid;
And when I’ve taken stock of them, perhaps IT1 find the
Will show the good has equalised the bad I’Ve done before.
Perhaps my tongas has said some words that eased another’s load,
And perhaps the things I said to him did help him on the road
Perhaps the grip I gars his hand encouraged Urn to say
Though I’m
now, ril win
other day.
Some frieads of mine see only ills in other lives while I
Amjookb^ for the beet in men and other traits deny.
And I feel I gained their friendship by the good I tried to do,
For I know I aimed to show them that I weald bo staunch and true.
Bospract of thooe I call my Mends, the love of children hors.
The things that money cannot bur, that are to me so dear
k^Pod me live and make my Hfe much better by their aid
And brought me satisfaction and of death Tm not afraid.
I would not change tbeoe of mine for all the earthly gold,
wonld be a worthless thing if friendship’s love grew cold.
And the happiness that this gives nm All my soul with tender thoughts
Makes mo realise the value of these things that can’t be bought
(M^yoo, when I am called to die, perhaps the flghts I’ve won
Will rerempense s»e fully for the good that I have done.
ft*..*“■ Wupurhape some friends wiU say:
Ho saroty dM the boot ho could, and wo have laid a man away.
I
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