Che Charlotte labor Journal
VOL. XIII—No. 12
Endoraed by the N. C. State
Federation of Labor
YOMR AOVUTIMMCNT in The journal ir
INVKITHKNT
AND DIXIE FARM NEWS
CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1943
Official Organ of Central Labor Union; Standing
tor the A. F. L.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
CHARLOTTE CENTRAL LABOR UNION—NORTH CAROLINA STATE
FEDERATION OF LABOR—AND—A FEW "POLITICAL THOUGHTS"
By W. M. WITTER, Editor
After an absence of some months from the meetings of Cen
tral Labor Union, due to causes over which we had no control,
it was the Editor’s good fortune and pleasure to be able to get
down to the Labor Temple last Thursday night and look the boys
over. Our first observation waslhat the meeting was not as well
attended as it should have been, a few of the “Old Guard” being
on hand with a sprinkling here and there of comparatively new
and younger faces, but all with the interests of the movement at
heart. Of course, many of the delegates from locals are out-of
town on jobs, and some on night shifts, and taking everything
into consideration, the attendance batting average was fair. Thej
boys, among other things talked convention, to be held in Win
ston-Salem the second Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Au
gust 9-10-11, and as usual Charlotte will have a large delegation,
leading the state as to delegate quota, we believe, and they are
already caucusing, getting a few resolutions in shape, and pre
paring to act as a unit in all matters pertaining to the welfare of
Labor and the A. F. of L.
The editor missed the last convention, being out at Colorado
Springs, but hopes, with consent of his physician, to be able
to make this one, if possible. For the past dozen years it has
been the three red letter days on the calendar for us, they always
being looked forward to with pleasure.
Charlotte has the first vice-president, H. L. Kiser, and Vice
President J. A. Scoggins listed among the officers, and they are
both men of high calibre, lending dignity and ability to the
board. The delegates attending the State meeting are always men
that are prominent in their various crafts, looking after the wel
fare of the membership as a whole.
As the Journal editor looks back over the past it causes him
to ponder on the fact that in times of trouble or depression, when
the workers are suffering or being “put through the mill,” the
meetings are overflowing as a rule, and the men seem bound
closer together, but we guess that holds good with many other or
ganizations. Of course, in North Carolina, there is no labor
troubles, so to speak, of a startling nature, and employer and
employe seem to be working “hand-in-glove.” Yet, there will be
much of importance to come before the state convention; things
that are going to concern the workers “when this cruel war is
over,” and even now when laws are being enacted, and attempted
to be passed, that would put the worker back into a semi-slavery
state, so that certain elements of Big Business may be free of
any and all laws that would safeguard the interests of the work
ers, and while The Journal does not deal in politics it has always,
and intends to continue to support to the fullest extent those
seeking office who have stood for the rights of the workers.
It was our privilege to pay tribute some weeks back to Hon
Cameron Morrison, whom we have known and honored through
these many long years, for his stand against the Smith-Connally
anti-labor bill, the former Governor-Senator having stated, re
garding his vote, “that President Roosevelt had not requested any
such legislation. I realized he possesses adequate powers to deal
with strikes that might jeopardize the war effort, and, conse
quently, I failed to see any urgent need for additional legislation
on this matter. Furthermore, through the years I have had occa
sion from time to time to take a bold position in representing the
viewpoint of North Carolinians as I understood it. Again I did
that yesterday.”
It is with pleasure that we find Mr. Morrison slated for the
first set address before the convention, Monday at noon, and that
he will receive a warm welcome goes without saying.
The only other vote the President received from the Caro
linas delegation upholding his veto of this infamous bill came
from Hon. John H. Folger, of Mt. Airy, he and Cameron Morri
son upholding the administration in a time of peril, and when our
law-makers, suffering with just cause at the action of John Lewis,
could not see that they were making an opening wedge for those
who would destroy organized labor.
So, while the N. C. State Federation Convention program this
year lacks a lot of “frills,” a banquet, etc., there is much for it
THE MARCH OF LABOR
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A. F. OF L CONVENTION CALL
FOR 63D ANNUAL MEET AT BOSTON
BEGINNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 4
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
A. F. OF L. BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. C.
TO ALL AFFILIATED UNIONS, GREETINGS:
July 23, 1943.
You are hereby notified that, in pursuance of the Con
stitution of the American Federation of Labor, the Sixty-third
Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor will be
held in the Statler Hotel, Boston, Mass., beginning at 10:00 o’clock
Monday morning, October 4, 1943, and will continue in session
from day to day until the business of the Convention shall have
been completed.
THE WINNING OF THE WAR is the primary objective of all classes
of people, including the membership of the American Federation of Labor.
The destruction of totalitarianism and the triumph of democracy, the estab
lishment and maintenance of free, democratic unions and the administration
of said free, democratic unions by the membership, free from government
dominion and government control, are uses involved in the outcome of this
conflict in which labor is vitally interested. .
The winning of the war and of the peace which will follow are questions
which will be considered and acted upon by the delegates in attendance at
the Sixty-Third Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor.
The deliberations of those in attendance at the Convention and action taken
by the officers and delegates will be influenced by singleness of thought
and purpose. They will seek to cooperate fully with the government in the
promotion of the war effort, to protect and preserve the economic philosophy
as well as the principles and policies of the American Federation of Labor
and to protect and preserve our common heritage of freedom, liberty, justice
and democracy.
REPRESENTATION
Representation in the Convention will be on the following basis: From
National or International Unions, for less than 4,000 members, one delegate;
4.000 or more, two delegates; 8,000 or more, three delegates; 16,000 or more,
four delegates: 32,000 or more, five delegates; 64,000 or more, six delegates;
128.000 or more, seven delegates; 256,000 or more, eight delegates; and so on;
and from Central Bodies and State Federaotions, and from local trade unions
not having a National or International Union, and from Federal Labor
Unions, one delegate. „ , . ...
Only bona fide wage workers who are not members of, or eligible to
membership in. other Trade Unions shall be eligible as delegates from Fed
eral Labor Unions. _Only those persons whose Local Unions are affiliated
with Central Bodies or with State Branches and who are delegates to
said Central Bodies or State Branches shall be eligible to represent City Cen
tral Bodies or State Branches in the Conventions of the American Federation
of Labor. . . ....
Organizations to be entitled to representation must have obtained a certi
ficate of affiliation (charter), at least one month prior to the Convention;
and no person will be recognized as a delegate who is not a member m
good standing of the organization he is elected to represent.
Delegates are not entitled to seats in the Convention unless the tax
and assessments of their organization have been paid in full to August 31,
The importance of our movement, the duty of the hour and for the
future, demand that every organization entitled to representation shall send
its full quota of delegates to the Boston Convention, October 4, 1943.
CREDENTIALS
Credentials in duplicate are forwarded to all affiliated unions. The
original credential should be given to the delegate-elect and the duplicate
forwarded to American Federation of Labor Office, A. F. of L. Building,
Washington, D. C. . .......
The Committee on Credentials will meet at the headquarters of the
American Federation of Labor ten days previous to the opening of the Con
vention, and will report immediately upon the opening thereof at Toronto;
hence secretaries will observe the necssity of mailing th duplicate creden
tials of their respective delegates at the earliest possible moment to Wasning
ton. ° c RESOLUTIONS—TIME LIMIT
The provisions of the A. F. of L. Constitution, Article HI. Section 6,
require all resolutions, petitions, memorials and appeals to be received by
the Secretory-Treasurer of the American Federation of Labor, at Head
quarters in Washington, D. C., 30 days immediately preceding the
of the Convention; EXCEPT in instances where such resoluUons, Petitions
memorials, appeals, etc., have been acted upon and approved at * r«K"J*r
convention of^National or International Union or State Federationof Labor,
held during this 30-day period, in which event such proposals shall be re
ceived up to five days prior to the convening date of the Convention of the
I American Federation of Labor. .... . , ..
Resolutions of State Federations of Labor must first have receivedthe
I approval of the previous Convention of the State Federation of Labor
I ,nV° Resolutions ^ ^ Central Labor Unions must first have
approval of such Central Labor Union at a regularly constituted meeting
of the organization. . . .. . ... „
Any resolutions or proposals received after the expiration ofthetime
limits shall be referred to the Executive Council and the Executive Council
shall refer all such proposals to the Convention with the understanding
that acceptance of such proposals is dependent upon the unanimous consent
of the Convention. . . ... , . . _,
Any or all proposals emanating from directly affiliated local trade and
federal labor unions shall be referred to the Executive Council for considera
tion and disposition. The Executive Council shall in turn advise the Con
vention of the disposition made of such proposal or proposals.
Three copies of each resolution or proposal shuld be furnished.
GRIEVANCES
Under the law no grievance may be considered by the Convention whic’
has been decided by a previous Convention, except upon the recommenda
tion of the Executive Council, nor will any grievance be considered where
the parties hereto have not themselves previously held conference and at
tempted to adjust the same. (Art. Ill, Sec. 12.)
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Due to the fact that railroad facilities are taxed to the limit by trans
portation of troops and war material. Delegates are cautioned to make travel
arrangements in advance, whether travelling by Pullman or Coach; also
to buy round-trip tickets.
We have been advised that special convention fares are not authorize
by the Railroads, but special farces for round-trip tickets operate in certain
territories. Particulars may be secured from local ticket agents.
If there be any further information regarding the Convention, or ar
rangements for the convenience of the delegates, it will be communicated
in a later circular or through the American Federatlonist.
Fraterally yours,
WM. GREEN, President,
GEORGE MEANY, Secretary-Treasurer.
to do, much food for thought over present occurrences, and post
war planning to be done, with a course of procedure drawn up and
discussed, that labor may survive and hold the gains it has made,
against the powerful forces that would destroy it.
Our State Federation is blessed with a leader of broad vision
in the person of C. A. Fink, a man honored even by his adver
saries, for his courage and fair dealing in all matters between
employer and employe, yet, ever guarding the welfare of the
workers; and he has on his executive board, men capable and co
operative in seeing that the good name enjoyed by the A. F. of L.
in North Carolina is not besmirched. AND LAST, BUT NOT
LEAST, LET US UPHOLD THE HANDS OF OUR COMMANDER
IN-CHIEF, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, WHO HAS DONE
MORE FOR LABOR, ORGANIZED AND UNORGANIZED, THAN
ANY OTHER PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES.
N.'CL FEDERATION OF LABOR
CONVENTION PROGRAM
ROBERT E. LEE HOTEL, WINSTON-SALEM
MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST 9, 1943, 9:30
Convention called to order, W. E. Lewis, President Winston-Salem
Central Labor Union.
Invocation, Rev. Vernon I. Graf, Pastor of Christ Moravian Church.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America,
by all delegates present.
THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One
Nation, indivisible, With liberty and justice for all.”
Address of Welcome, George W. Coan, Mayor of City of Winston
Salem.
Address of Welcome, H. K. Hoyt, President of Chamber of Com
merce. . „
Address of welcome, Ernie G. Shore, Sheriff of Forsyth County.
Address of welcome, Ernest Yarbrough, Secretary of Retal Mer
chants Association.
Response, James F. Barrett, Former President North Carolina State
Federation of Labor.
Presentation of Gavel to C. A. Fink, President of the North Caro
lina State Federation of Labor, and the President’s annual address.
Convention duly opened for the Consideration and transaction of
business.
Appointment of Committee on Credentials and Committee on Rules
and Order.
12:00, Address, Hon^i^atneron Morrison, United States Congress
man.
12 :30—Adjournment for lunch.
MONDAY AFTERNOON, 2:00 O’CLOCK
Report of Credentials Committee.
Obligation and Seating of Delegates.
Address
Report of Rules committee.
Introduction of Visitors.
Address.
Appointment of Committees.
Announcements.
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 10, 9:30 O’CLOCK
Invocation, A. E. Brown, Chaplain North Carolina State Federa
tion of Labor.
Reports of Committees.
Introduction of International Union Representatives.
11:00—Address, Hon. J. Melville Broughton, Governor State of
North Carolina.
12:30—Adjournment for lunch.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, 2:00 O’CLOCK
Reports of Committees.
> Address.
Nomination of Officers.
TUESDAY EVENING, 9:30 UNTIL
Dance—Roof Garden—Robert E. Lee Hotel.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 11, 9:30 O’CLOCK
Invocation, A. E. Brown, Chaplain North Carolina State Federation
of Labor.
Report of Resolutions Committee and other Committees.
Unfinished business.
12:30—Adjournment for lunch.
WEDNESDAY, AFTERNOON, AUGUST 11, 2:00 O’CLOCK
Final Committee reports.
Election of Officers and selection of Convention City for 1944.
Installation of Officers.
Adjournment Sine Die.
HAVING NIGHTMARES TOJO!
A “sleep well movement” will be staged throughout Japan
as a feature of the Japanese physical-improvement month, the
Tokyo radio declared in a broadcast reported by the OWL
Japanese factories have been ordered to join in the “sleep
well movement” whose purpose, the broadcast said, would be ‘Ho
achieve quick recovery from fatigue.”
OUR SOLEMN PLEDGE
We, American workingmen and workingwomen, pledge our
selves to our first duty—to defeat and destroy Axis tyranny.
We of American Labor, realize that this conflict trans
cends all other struggles and that every possibility of
social progress depends upon the victory of the free na
tions. We, American soldiers of production, who pro
vide so much of the Material, Men, Mobilization,
Money, and Morale, vow that our country’s war effort
shall be organized without regard for any vested
interests. We extend warmest Labor soli
darity to the suffering people under the heel
of the brutal Axis conquerors. In tribute to
their great courage in keeping the flames of
freedom burning, we declare: no ap
peasement or tolerance wil lever be shown
to the Fascist Hangmen. We appeal
to the working people of Germany,
Italy, and Japan to take matters
into their own hands and settle
scores with their savage Fas
cist rulers. This is our
common path to lasting
peace and justice.
y v v v v v
v v v v v
v v v v
BUY WAR BONDS TO YOUR LAST DOLLARS;
BETTER BROKE THAN TO BE A SLAVE;
LET LABOR SHOW CAPITAL THE WAY.
CHEAP LABOR, CHEAP WORKERS, CHEAP BUSINESS
Cheap labor not only makes cheap workers, but makes
cheap business for apy city or community. Cheap labor
makes for cheap jobs. Cheap jobs mean little money for the
storekeeper, butcher and the baker. Ask the merchant if
he prefers WPA to well paid laborers.