EDITORIAL
THE CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL
(and Dixie Farm News)
Office of Publication: 118 East Sixth Street, Charlotte, N. C.
Telephones 3-3084 and 4-5602
Address All Communicationa to Post Office Box 1061
H. A. Stalls, Editor and Publisher W. M. Witter, Associate Editor
Published Weekly at Charlotte, N. C.
Official Organ of the Charlotte Central Labor Union and Approved by
The American Federation of Labor and the
North Carolina Federation of Labor
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 12.00 per year, payable in advance or
6c per copy.
ADVERTISING RATES for commercial advertising reasonable.
Entered as second-class mail matter September 11, 1M1, at the Post
Office at Charlotte. N. C., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1878
The Labor Journal will not be responsible for opinions of corre
spondents, but any erroneous reflecting upon the character, standing or
reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in
the columns of The Labor Journal will be gladly corrected when called
to the attention of the publisher. Correspondence and Open Forum
•pinions solicited.
OUR SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY
Sixteen years ago The Charlotte Labor Journal was born
m a little one-room office upstairs at the comer of College
and East Fourth streets, having been conceived in the minds
of two members of Charlotte Typograhpical Union several
months beforehand, the writer, and Brother W. M. Witter,
associate editor of this newspaper.
In some ways the conditions today are similar to those
of 15 years ago. But in reverse, in at least one respect.
Then the people had no money and jobs were at a premium.
Today the people have plenty of money and experienced
workers are at a premium. What a contrast.
However, The Charlotte Labor Journal today, as it did
16 yeears ago, had its hopes hanging high. The Journal feels
quite sure that before so very long it can again chronicle
normal times. We felt that way about the conditions pre
vailing during depression days. We still have faith in our
employers of labor in our brothers in the labor movement,
and in all of those citizens who are doing all possible to see
that our country comes through these trying days. .
To those who have supported our newspaper and our
working people down through the past 16 years we say
“Thank you, thank you.” As has been our policy in the
past we this year again reproduce our Salutatory Editorial,
which appeared in the first issue of The Journal on May 15,
1931. It was written by Brother Witter and was concurred
in by the writer; therein we outlined some of our aims in
1931. Today, after bringing it out from its resting place
and dusting it off, although yellowed with age, we hoist it
to the top of our mast and will use it as our banner through
out the year, feeling certain that if he take advantage of its
contents that it will steer us into greater ways of service to
our fellowman.
Due to the serious newsprint shortage we have delayed
our 1946 Anniversary edition until this week. It should have
appeared on May 16. Experienced labor has been lacking
also, not to mention other handicaps. These obstacles, too,
are being slowly overcome and when things become close to
normal again we hope to greet you in new dress, with issues
tut on time. Again, many thanks, friendsf
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
(Taken From Vol. 1, No. 1, of The Journal, May IS, 19311
“With this issue The Charlotte Labor Journal makes its
bow to the ranks of organized labor in this vicinity, and the
public in general. It is given to the worker and his friends
and sympathizers in an unpretending way, with no blowing
of horns or beating of drums, void'of pomp and boasting,
its promoters realizing that it is far better to begin in a small
way ;*nd enlarge than to undertake a more pretentious pub
lication and decrease. We wish to lay a foundation upon the”
BQlid rock of sincerity, honesty of purpose and good will.
“The labor field in Charlotte is broad, and one that is as
suming a larger part in the life of our city—industrially,
financially, socially, educationally, and otherwise—and or
ganized labor stands out as an almost perfect exemplifica
tion of what can be done by a body of law-abiding, honest,
church-going, home-loving, home-owning and progressive I
class of workers. They are working and have worked for the 1
upbuilding of society and themselves—spending their earn-1
ings which losses the two million dollar mark annually, at
home—building a bigger and better Charlotte and laying the
foundation for a future citizenship of which any city or com
munity in the world may well be proud.
“In politics. The Journal will be absolutely and unalterably
independent, standing at all times for the right of the or
ganized worker—and all workers—and supporting, at all
times, candidates from the ranks of labor, and endorsed by
the properly constituted authority, knowing full well that a
candidate, to pass the ordeal, to secure this endorsement
will be worthy in every way of our support and the confi
dence of the people of Charlotte in general.
■‘In every movement for the betterment of our city. The
Journal will be found with its shoulder to the wheel, adding
its support and weight for successful culmination.
“It is not socialistic, bolshevistic or anarchistic. It is i
against Communism or any other ‘ism* that will pull down
society, and array worker against employer, believing that
•ober judgment, mediation and arbitration is the correct
method by which to settle disputes, believing that worker,
as well as employer, has the right to organize for the better
ment of his condition.
“And setting our course along these lines we will sail our
frail bark, we hope, into a successful port, making friends,
holding for that which is right and good, and steering clear
of all all alliances which may be detrimental to ourselves,
organized labor and the community at large.”
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RUTH TAYLOR SAYS:
What Would You Believe?
“It isn’t important what we be
lieve, but how we express those
beliefs that matters.” “It isn’t so
much what we do, but what we
are." Those are two copy book
sayings that have been repeated
and repeated in various forms.
And they have been twisted and
fkirned to apply to almost every
situation.
Personally I feel they are wrong.
It does matter what we believe as
much as it'does how we express
those beliefs.' It matters as much
what we do as what we are. But
what is roost important of all is
the motive power back of both
thoughts and actions.
What doesn’t matter is not what
happens to us—but whether what
we do is important to be done. We
may be personally defeated, but
our principles never, a great
thinker once said. The truly im
portant thing in this world is no»
so much where we stand as in
what direction we are moving.
Where we go wrong—in our
own lives, in our national lives,
in our everyday responsibilities is
in not trueing out actions to a
high enough motive. We act on
expedience, not cn principle. We
compromise—not with things, but
with our own beliefs, with our own
conscience. We dodge responsi
bility, we evade issues, and the
truth eludes us, because of our
own weaknesses.
Here’s an example. We say that
one of the great principles in
American life is the denial of ab
solute sovereignty. Is it? Or,
rather, is it put into effect? Just
try denying the absolute sover
eignty in “efficient” organizations
and see how far you get. Did you
ever try not “going along with the
boys”?
What we shculd have said was
that this is a motive power—and
then try to put it into practice.
All life proceeds from beliefs
of gome kind. The question is not
—shall we have beliefs? But—;
what beliefs have we? Are they
a vital part of our every day life?
Are we better for our beliefs? Do
they help us to help those whose
paths or path crosses? Unless
we can answer in the affirmative
cur beliefs are vain .
What do you believe—and how
do you live up to your beliefs?
CONVENTION CALENDAR OF AH. UNIONS
I
July 1 — American Flint Glass
Worker’s Union (Hisc.) — Cham
pagne, III.
July 8—Washington State Fed
eration of Labor—Spokane, Wash.
July 8 — Inti. Broherhood of
Fireman and Oilers—Chicago, III.
July 8 — Glass Bottle Blowers’
Ass’n, U. S. and Canada—Unde
cided.
July 15—Brotherhood of Book
binder—Boston, Mass.
July 16—Brotherhood of Main
tenance of Way Employes — De
troit, Mich.
July 15—Inti. Stereotypers and
Electrotypers’ Union — Houston,
Texas.
July 22—Inti. Alliance of Stage
Employes A M. P. M. O.—Chica
go, 111.
July 22—Michigan State Feder
ation of Labor—Grand Rapids.
July 29—Ohio State Federation
of Labor—Cleveland, Ohio.
Aug. 6—Idaho State Federation
of Labor—Pocatello, Idaho.
Aug. 6— Iowa State Federation
of Labor—Davenport, Iowa.
Aug. 12—North Carolina State
Federation of Labor—High Point,
N C.
Aug. 17 — International Typo
graphical Union — Miami Beach,
Fla.
Aug. 17. — Massachusetts State
Federation of Labor—Undecided.
Aug. 19—New York State Fed
eration of Labor—Rochester, N. Y.
Aug. 19 — National Federation
of Post Office Clerks—Milwaukee,
Wis.
Aug. 19—Utah State Federation
of Labor—Price, Utah.
Aug 19—Wisconsin State Fed
eration of I,abor—Superior, WIs.
Aug. 19—Photo Engravers Un
ion of North America—Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Sept. 1 — Painters, Decorators
and Paperhangers — San Francis
co, Cal.
Sept. 2 — National Association
of Letter Carriers—Detroit, Mich.
Sept. 3—Connecticut State Fed
eration of Labor—Undecided.
Sept. 3 — Inti. Brotherhood of
Electrical W’orkers—San Francis
co, Cal.
Sept. 6 — Inti. Association of
Siderographers—Philadelphia, i*a.
Sept. 9—Inti. Bricklayers, Ma
sons and Plasterers—Albany, N. Y.
Sept. 9—United Cement, Lime
and Gypsum Workers Union—Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Sept. 9 — Inti. Association of
Fire Fighters—Toledo, Ohio.
Sept. 9 — Operative Plasterers’
Inti, of U. S. and Canada—Pitts
burgh, Pa.
Sept 9—Kentucky State Federa
tion of Labor—Owensboro, Ky.
Sept. 9—Nebraska Federation of
Labor—Scottsbluff, Neb.
Sept. 11—Oklahoma State Fed
eration of Labor—Shawnee, Okla.
Sept. 15—Brotherhood of Sleep
ing Car Porters—Chicago, 111.
Sept. 16 — United Slate, Tile,
Comp. Roofers; DXW wrks.—Den
ver, Colo.
Sept. 16—Bakery £ Con. Work
ers’ Inti. Union of Am.—Chicago,
111.
Sept. lior-Intl. Union of Wood,
Wire and Metal Lathers—Chicago,
III.
Sept. 16—Illinois State Feder
ation of Labor—Rockford, in.
Sept. 16—Minnesota State Fed
eration of Labor—Mankato, Minn.
Sept. 17—Distillery, Rectifying
and Wine Wrks, Inti, — Montreal.
Can.
Sept. 20— American Wire Weav
ers Protective Ass’n, New York,
N. Y.
Sept. 21—New Hampshire State
Federation of Labor—Portsmouth,
N. H.
Sept. 26—West Virginia State
Federation of Labor—Huntington,
W. Va.
Sept. 30—Metal Trades Depart
ment—Chicago, 111.
Oct. 2.—Natl. Org. of Masters,
Mates and Pilots—San Francisco,
San Francisco, Cal.
Oct. 2—Building and Construc
tion Trades Dept.—Chicago, 111.
Oct. 4—Union Label Trades De
partment— Chicago, 111.
Oct. 5—Nat. Assn. Master Mech.
and Foremen of N. Y. — Silver
City, N. M.
Cal.
Nov.—New Mexico State Fed
eration of Labor — Silver City,
N M.
Nov. 6.—New Mexico State Fed
eration of Labor—Washington, D.
C.
Greetings to
The
Charlotte Labor Journal
and
Members of
Organized Labor
FARRIS BROS.
117 • 11S SOUTH COLLEGE STREET
PHONE 8395
I have been lending » great deal
about certain opposition to what is
loosely called “socialized medi
cine.”
I have yet to see a person define
socialized medicine while oppos
ing it.
Now if a person wants to oppose
a piece of proposed legislation deal
ing with medicine, or with medical
operations to be conducted by the
state or a political subdivision, one
can respect that opposition.
But what respect is due a broad
side in which there is no defini
tion?
It seems to me that the whole
hog opponent of socialized medi
cine should seek abolishment of all
health departments. They are op
erated by political government. If
it be said that they do not prac
tice medicine, then we have to
warp our idea about what consti
tutes the practice of medicine.
For every health department that
is worth its salt practices preven
tive medicine. It seeks to prevent
or eradicate causes of illness. And
most health departments have
nurses who certainly practice nurs
ing.
• • •
It seems to me that the American
Medical Association has got by
about long enough with its blanket
broadsides. Gentlemen, what do
you mean when you say “socialised
medicine?" Be specific!
Does the United States Public
Health Service practice medicine?
Again, it depends upon what you
mean. But if prevention or cure
have anything to do with it, the
AMA ought to look into what the
USPHS is doing to find cures for
some of the most baffling diseases
-as well as look into its preven
tion work.
What the AMA does is a good
deal like saying that “the French
are a volatile people." Some are
and some are not. Blanket indict
ments usually are faulty.
Once it was customary to say
that “newspapermen are drunks."
It never was true. Some were;
some were not. Ditto with the
painters and printers.
Opponents of anything should
describe that which they oppose.
• • •
Shall we say that Army and
Navy doctors and hospitals consti
tute socialized medicine? They are
run by “the state," for the Army
and Navy are subject to control by
the civilian branches of the gov
ernment.
The Army and Navy are prac
ticing medicine all over the place
end they have done and are doing
grand work, on the whole. And
many a doctor, having been thru
the War with the armed services,
is a better doctor for the vast ex
perience. Many a surgeon is a bet
ter surgeon.
Does his self-respect suffer for
having been a doctor on a govern
ment payroll? Well, ask one of
them. Mostly they are proud as
Punch.
Too much discussion about the
public issues, including this one,
is carried on with the confusing
help of generalities.
The same type of generalities
bolster most of the argument of
those who indulge in racial hates
and prejudices. You hear “all Jews
a:e . . and “til Negroes are . . .”
“All Germans” and “all Japs” have
come in for blanket indictment—
yet, here and there Is one who re
volts against the things his coun
try stands for.
• • •
Maybe there is something about
medicine that would be injured by
certain governmental practices.
Maybe. But let us know just what
it is.
Would government operation of
hospitals be detrimental to the
aatients’ interests?
If that is the idea, then let the
opponents say so—and let them at
the tame time see whether munici
pally owned hospitals have given
us hurtful results.
Would the government doctor be
lomehow more inept, or less com
petent, or lazier, than the company
doctor? Row, and above all, why?
Let’s get at the facts, the spe
rific, individual, separated facts.
Let us stop arguing around a
r
mtmnugm* (because undefined)
generality.
The old saying about giving a
dog a bad name has truth in it. Is
that what the AMA is trying to do T
Let us be well informed, not mis
informed. To be well informed
means possession of facts, not
merely a collection of adjectives.
Let’s have facts.—CMW.
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