Editorial
CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL & DIXIE, FARM NEWS
Published Weekly at Charlotte. N. a_
Address All Communications to Post Office Bo* 1061
Telephones 3-3094 and 4-6602 ---
Office of Publication: 118 East Sixth Street. Charlotte, N. C.
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H. A. Stalls, Editor and Published W. M. Witter, Associate Editor
Entered as second-class mail matter September 11, 1931. *t the Pod
Office at Charlotte. N. C., under the Act of Congress of March 3. 1879
Official Organ of the Charlotte Central Labor Union ^md Approved by
The American Federation of Labor and the
North Carolina Federation of Labor_
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, Arm or corporation which may appear in
the columns of The Labor Journal will be gladly corrected when called
t» the attention of tne publisher. Correspondence and Open Forum
opinions solicited. /■,. ' .. „'* . ■
WILL NORTH/ CAROLINA LABOR BE SHACKLED?
This question may well be asked on the eve of a hearing
on the proposed anti-closed shop measure, known as House
BUI No. 229, which will beld by the House Labor committee
next Wednesday.
Not in the hfetory of the State has such drastic anti-La
bor legislation' been proposed and it should be opposed by
all lovers of free enterprise, no matter whether they belong
to a Labor Union or not. This evil proposal will not remedy
the labor conditions in North- Carolina one iota. This State
has enjoyed over a long period of years a very harmonious
labor-mAhagemeht relationship, compared to other sections
of the country. The workers and management here in the
great majority of cases have been able to sit down and
work put their difficulties through genuine collective bar
gaining. It is not to be claimed that all runs smoothly
where large numbers of people are represented, but it
should be the policy of both labor and management in this
rich commonwealth to use the well-estabRshed democratic
processes to iron out their mutual problems instead of try
irg to be dishonest with one another. The days of slavery
and industrial peonage are gone.
The Journal is aware of no labor strife in the State where
both parties have tried to be fair and broad. But The Jour
nal can cite some instances where biased minds have caused
labor unrest to be pronounced. However, such conditions
are by far in the minority.
One who would think of outlawing a closed shop in cases
where a majority of the workers favor such a plan incor
porated in their contracts surely has not given the matter
thorough consideration. A majority thought, if experience
is to guide us, most certainly tells us, controls the destin
ies of all. It may be for good or it may be for bad, but
In the long run the good always comes forth. Now is North
Carolina to be swept into the great abyss of experimenta
tion being introduced in other States and acknowledge that
jfts businessmen and jta workers cannot git down And bar
gain over their relationships? Half closed and half open
doors will not keep out the chilled breezes coming from the
“ice fields” and if this is to com* to pass in Tarheleia then
labor-management relations are in for many icy* blasts.
All of North Carolina’s unions will be well represented at
the committe hearing in Raleigh next Wednesday.
MUSICIANS GIVE TWO MILLION FOR MUSICAL
CULTURE IN U. S.
The American Federation of Musicians (AFL), headed by
James C. Petrillo as president, has allocated its entire “can
ned music fund” of beyond $2,000,000 for promotion of mu
sical culture in the United States.
The union’s recording and transcription fund, as of De
cember 31, Mr. Petrillo said, amounted to $1,756,436, sup
plemented by an additional $500,000 during January.
In consultation with members of a special union commit
tee, Mr. Petrillo has allocated $1,651,058 of the money re
ceived up to the end of the year to local unions to be used
to pay musicians who participate in public concerts, enter;
tain veterans in hospitals and similar projects.
The union’s recording and transcription fund was cre
ated through royalties on records which the manufactur
ers of the records agreed three years ago to pay.
Referring to criticism of his appeal for this fund, Mr.
Petrillo said it should now be quite clear that the transcrip
tion fund was only somethng from which the public would
derive full benefit.
“This hasn’t cost the public a cent,” Mr. Petrillo told
newsmen at the press conference at which he made the
announcement. “When we first suggested it some news
Kipers charged that we were trying to st up a slush fund.
othing could be further from the truth, and I think that
we now have made very clear the purpose for which these
funds were intended.”
Mr. Petrillo expressed belief that this program would pro
vide cities which previously have been outside the realm of
concerts with “regular concert programs to give the people
musical entertainment “and prevent unemployment of good
musicians.” -
GREEN OPPOSES MARTIAL LAW IN PALESTINE
AFL President William Green, taking offic'al cognizance
of the grave situation prevailing in Palestine, sent the fol
lowing cablegram to Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of For
eign Affairs: /
“We are greatly alarmed over reports of serious develop
ments which have taken place in Palestine.
It is, indeed, tragic, that Jewish people, jcruelly perse
cuted in Nazi-controlled nations,, should aiain be punished
through the imposition of martial law in Palestine, which
was regarded as their haven of refuge.
“We urge that the imposition of martial law be avoided
and that the doors of Palestine be opened to persecuted
Jewish people quickly. (Signed) William Green, President
of the American Federation of Labor.”
Your presence is very necessary at your Central Labor
Union meetings. , „
as-w
i
r
The National Conference of Christians and Jews has for
several years sponsored an effort to emphasize vigorously
in the public’s attention the need of co-operation between
different religious and racial groups. In particular they
make the effort to establish these principles in a week
which has come to be known as “Brotherhood Week.” The
week selected this year is from February 16 to February
23. Each year the week includes the date of George Wash
ington’s birth because that is a day universally celebrated
in America as a signpost in progress towards human free
dom. co-operation and mutual effort for the building of a
good society. /
AU civic groups are/asked to co-operate in a program
which stresses the spiritual and social unity and co-opera
tion between these two great religious families—Christians
ar d Jews. Among other civic organizations the Trade Un
ions generally join ih the celebration of this Brotherhood
Week and in their meetings, posters and public statements,
as well as in editorial comment in their publications, give
expression to these ideals.
The statement of purpose of the National Conference of I
Christians and Jews m this: “Believing in a spiritual in
terpretation of the Universe and deriving its inspiration
therefrom, the National Conference exists tor promote jus
tice, amity, understanding and co-operation among Protest
ants, Catholics and Jews in the United States; to analyze,
moderate and finally eliminate inter-group prejudices which
disfigure and distort religious, business, social and political
relations, with a view to the establishment of a social order
in which the religious ideal of Brotherhood and justice shall
become the standard of human relations.'’
Led by President Truman, who has congratulated the
Conference upon its fine conception in the establishment of
Brotherhood Week and followed by many other leaders and
organizations, there will be a national emphasis upon the
standards and principles which are announced in in this
statement of purpose in the Brotherhood Week celebration.
This annual celebration and the continuing activity of
the Conference has done much to give a sense of member
ship in one spiritual family under God. There is a great
treasury of common devotional material teaching in the an
cient Scriptures and the Psalms which these groups share
as their common inheritance. The ' underlying recognition
in both religions of the dignity and worth of each individ
ual human being is not only a eommon spiritual ideal, it if
also a practical system for the development of a free and
orderly society and for human progress. The recognition
of these common elements in religious expression, religipus
principles and culture, is certainly a stimulation to co-oper
ation between them for the maintenance of sound ethical
principles in modern society in the development of social
unity within the country.
Trade* Unionists who find within one union many mem
bers who are practicing believers in one of the three domi
nant religions of American life are accustomed to the mu
tual trust and 'co-operation between them which goes to
build a good Union. So it is that Trade Unions are asked
to take a leading part in this week of celebration. The
working people have more to gain perhaps than any other
group in American society by the elimination of the preju
dices which separate them one from the other and lessen
the strength which is inherent in their unity. Trade Unions
themselves _ have known prejudice and discrimination
against their members because* they were Trade Unionists
and their members are often among the most sympathetic
groups to the idea that all discriminatory practices are a
hazard to a life of fairness nd justice. lYade Unions need
to take a hand in helping the rest of the community to ov
ercome the racial and religious antagonisms which still ex
ist! in some areas. The active and honorable participation
of working people of every kind of religious background in
the movement which is symbolized by Brotherhood Week is
of great importance to the realization of its ideals in Amer
ican life. ~
(Copyright, Institute for' American Democracy—1947)
OFF THE BEAM
i JUST TOO EATE
The station agent from the small western town was mak
ing his first trip to New York City. He was interested in
seeing the seals in Central park and the skyline, but the
great moment of the visit was to be his appoinment with
the lawyer for his railroad whose offices were in the Em
pire State building.
The lawyer was a big man and a busy one and he could
not help being a little surprised when the agent did not ar
rive for the interview. It was not until nearly two hours
later that a faint knock was heard on the door, and the little
agent limped in.
“What a climb," he gasped as he collapsed into a chair.
“Eighty flights of stairs."
“Good heavens, man,” exclaimed the lawyer, “why didn’t
you take the elevator?’’ /
“Well, I planned to," said (the agent, “but it pulled out
justSyv, I got there.”
Ann—I’ve decided that I won’t be married until I’m 25.
Doris—And I’ve decided not to be 25 until I’m married.
' '
lfs
the Quality of leadership
that makis Lisdtrf
i to**
J
SI6MLMH ON TWO ROMS
6RMTED WISE INCREASES
Chicago.—A drive to atandard
ise wage rates of helpers and as- J
sistants in the signal craft on
Western railroads has been suc
cessfully completed. President
Jesse; Clark of the Railroad Sig
nalment revealed this week.
Last lap in tne campaign,was
the signing of an agreement with
the Kansas City Southern, and
Louisiana A Arkansas, boosting
the rates of signal and linemen
helpers, as well as assistant sig
nalmen and linemen, by 2 to 3
cents an hour, retroactive to
January 1.
That brought their scales to
standard for the Western terri
tory. The two roads are under
joint management and hence one
union contract.
Clark also announced that sig
nal inspectors on the Soo Line
had been increased $9.99 a month,
retroactive to January 1, under
an agreement just negotiated.
117,675 HOUSE PRIORITIES
I8SUED IN NINE STATES
Washington, D. C.—Regional
Expediter Charles J. Horan of
the National Housing Agency, has
announced that priorities for 117,*
675 new Hornes and apartment
units for owner occupancy. Prac
Western States during 1946, with
more than three-fourths of the
unite for owner occupancy. Prac
tically two-thirds of the struc
tures will cost more than $6,500
each.
The nine States are Illinois, In
diana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minneso
ta, . Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota and South Dekota, repre
senting approximately one-fifth
of the nation’s population.
“ ADVISE TELEGRAPHERS
Washington, D. C. — Frank
Bloom, 'chief trial examiner of
the National, Labor -Relations
Board, resigned January 20 to
become general counsel for the
Western Union division of the
Commercial Telegraphers Union
(AFL), after serving on the
board for ten years. 1
Attend your Union meeting!
Uncle Sam Says
“Where on earth did my money
go?” Hew often base yon voiced
this question, half In wonder, half
In dismay! H’a ae easy to fritter
away ready cash. A dollar here
and a dollar there—an* la the end
nothin* to show for It. And yet sav
in* for the things yon want—a new
heme, travel or fatare security—Is
easy and effective simply by allet
In* a portion of year Income either
threa*h the payroll savlncs or hy
arraa*ement with yonr bank for the
States Savlncs Bonds. Dollars go,
yonr hands grow. When yon hoy
Savlncs Bends regnlarly, yen are
hnlldlag the nest-eg* for whatever
yoa’vo set year heart on.
17. S. Trtmnty Dtfrrtmtmt
New and Reconditioned
PIANOS
For the best value in NEW or
reconditioned pianos, select
yours from oar stock of nearly
100 instruments. Setinway,
Mathushek, Winter, Howard,
and many others. Prices to
suit everyone.
ANDREWS MUSIC CO.
“Oar Slot Year"
"Stdaway Headnaarters"
SSI North Tryon Street
Tho Labor Joaraal is a Choice Adrertisinf Medium
A FRIENDLY CHURCH
PRITCHARD MEMORUL BAPTIST CHURCH
1117 Sooth Boulevard
Lands? School
•:« a. u.
Worship Services
11:00 s. m.
7:30 pi no.
Training Union
6:00 p. m.
Dr. William Harrison Williams, Pastor
For Indigestion, Soar Stomach and Gas, Take
NA-CO TABLETS
MONET BACK GUARANTEE
SELWYN CUT RATE DRUG STORE
NEXT TO POST OFFICE
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.
Ml East Sixth Street
“KNOW THE ICE CREAM YOU EAT”
OUR PLEDGE of QUALITY ON EACH PACKAGE
■ - n
“* health food”
PET DAIRY PRODUCTS CORP. ,
(RtflTORS OF
109 SOUTH TRY0N-IZ8 NORTH TRYON
yandle - U)aetihahA. rfnuluaL
J-iuwutL
Ambulance Service
820 E. Morehead Street
One of Charlotte's Fastest Growing^OrganlzaMotw
Big Star
Little Star
P~4 Skm
SUPER-MARKET- PRICEp, M
StaM. YWI UiUinM
BlG STAR
^>i/per MARKETS^
^ COLONIAL
STORES
Martin’s Department Store
RELIABLE MERCHANDISE ALWAYS
AT LOW PRICES
Shop at Vtlcudin’ and Sod*
SHOES—CLOTHING—FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
AT CORNER TRADE AND COLLEGE