Give Yw Loyal Support t° * Your Labor Publications CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL Oldest Bona Fide AFL Newspaper in North Carolina >111; NO. J$ VOL. XV CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1949 Subscription Price $2.00 Year Employer Found Guilty Of Using Police Against Union Washington.—An example of the way in which unscrup ulous. financially powerful employers stoop to anything in efforts to destroy labor unions was brought to light in a re cent decision of the National Labor Relations Board. In a unanimous ruling a 3-man panel acting for the NLRB found the Bibb Manufacturing Company guilty of circulating an “anti-union" newspaper containing threatening state ments. and of corrupting the use of normal police power to hamstring legitimate union activities. The company employs 9.000 workers in plants in Macon and Porterdale. Ga. In the latter town, all municipal employes, in cluding the mayor, are company employes, and the firm owns all property except the churches and the railroad right-or-way. It was here that the illegal police activ ities took place. The publication Tnvolved is a 4-page weekly called The Trump et, published independently at Co lumbus. The company bought 2.000 sub scriptions and had them circu lated by rotation, so that at laast one copy reached each of the em ployes once a month. The board found the publica tion contained anti—union state ments inciting physical violence, threatening loss of employment for union activity and promising benefits for repudiation of union organization. The board’s order was directed soley against the Bibb Company, which was ordered to cease caus ing distribution of The Trumpet or any other publication “calcu lated to interfere with, restrain or coerce its employes.” The company also was directed to cease causing the Porterdale police to engage in surveillance of union organizers and the un ion activities of its employes; re instate with back pay four em ployes who were discharged at Macon for union activities and cease intefering with its em ployes’ rights to self-organization under the law. The decision said: “The surveillance activities of the police force had the neces aary effect of intimidating the em ployes. and. as the record shows, curtailed the dissemination of un ion information. Whatever may be the employer’s privilege in in stigating legitimate police activ ities, it is clear that an employer cannot utilize a police agency to engage in intimidatory trailing and surveillance where no legiti mate police function is served thereby. “Here there was no breach of the peace, actual or anticipated. To interfere with lawful and peaceful activities protected by the act on the assumption that union activities are inherently dangerous to the peace of the community negates the principles upon which this act rests. “We are convinced by the rec ord as a whole that the respond ent (company) sought to, and did, use the police department as an instrumentality to impede selforganization of its employes.” The board declared that none of the Porterdale officials was paid for his public service and is “economically dependent on the company.” The board asserted the com pany “had the constitutional right to campaign against the union by expressions of views and opinions, free of coercion and re straint.” “However,- it is abundantly clear,” it continued, “that at least some statements in The Trumpet ware designed to defleat self organization not by appealing to the employes’ sense of reason but by inciting physical violence, by threatening loss of employ ment, mi by promises ef benefit." WRIGHT SAYS NEW DEAL HAS HELPED ALL OF US Cincinnati, Ohio. — The pros perous and stable economy made possible under the social and ec onomic legislation of the past 16 years has benefited fanners, and business and professional men, as well as workers, Assitant Sec retary of Labor Ralph Wright told the International Brother hood of Paper Makers here. Speaking on “The New Deal and The Fair Deal," Wright re viewed the enactment of legisla tion promoted by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman such as the Wagner Act, the Social Se curity Act, the Fair Labor Stand, ards. Act, and other progressive legislation. Wright also outlined some of the events which took place be fore the enactment of the Taft Hartley Act. He referred to sta tistics on strikkes after World War II. He added that “the en emies of labor did not tell the American people that in 1919 strikes involved 20.8 per cent of the workers and that in 1946 strikes involved only 14.5 .per cent of all employed workers." The Assistant Secretary also listed some of the provisions of the Thomas Bill. He said that r Impatience is VTncle! CtyvngM I n- tnt mtcmmST—i Am ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR RALPH WRIGHT the Thomas Bill repeals the Taft* Hartley Act, re-enacts the Wag ner Act, and makes certain amendments in that law. It would retain the present National Labor Relations Board member (Continned Oa Page 4) VOTING PLACES CITY PRIMARY. APRIL 25. 1949 CITY ELECTION, MAY 3, 1949 Following is a list of the Voting Precincts and their locations, as furnished The Labor Journal by the office of Elections Chairman Brenizer: Precinct I—Court House Precinct 2—501 S. Alexander St. Precinct 3—401 East 9th St. Precinct 4—1600 N. Brevard St. Precinct 5—601 North Graham St. Precinct 6—329 Irwin Ave. Precinct 7—825 Westbrook Drive Precinct 8—2000 North Allen St. Precinct 9—Y. M. C. A., E. 36th St. Precinct 10—3501 Plaza Road Precinct 11—1620 Club Road Precinct 12—Midwood School, Central Ave. ' Precinct 13—1400 Louise Ave. Precinct 14—1241 East 10th St. * Precinct 15—537 Lamar Ave: Precinct 16—2539 Westmoreland Ave. Precinct 17—1028 Waterman Ave. Precinct 19—2701 East Seventh St. Precinct 19—Mint Museum. Eastover Precinct 20—500 Cherokee Road Precinct 21—111 Barnett Place. OfT 1800 E. 4th St. Precinct 22—2108 Vail Ave. Precinct 23—1601 Park Drive Precinct 24—2131 Raddiffe Ave. Precinct 25—1026 Providence Road Precinct 26—Myers Park Club. Myers Park Precinct 27—Avondale Com. House. Avondale & Lilac Precinct 28—1612 Kenilworth Ave. Precinct 29—Dilworth School, 405 E. Park Ave. Precinct 30—1716 Lyndhurst Ave. Precinct 31—1927 Dilworth Rd„ W. Precinct 32—1004 Poindexter Drive Precinct 33—Wilmore School. 428 West Boulevard Precinct 31—Alexander Graham Jr. High School Precinct 35—Wesley Hts. School, 128 S. Summit Ave. Precinct 35—Seversville School. 1701 Sumter Ave. Precinct 39—2436 Wilkinson Blvd. Precinct 39—West Charlotte High School Precinct 40—Fairview Homes, 1026 Oak lawn Ave. Precinct 41—Hutchison School, 1400 Hutchison Ave. Precinct 42—1607 Statesville Ave. (Additional Data On Page 3) Production Drop Loses Momentum New York.—The year-end decline in industrial activity “has definitely lost momentum,’’ the business survey com mittee of the National Association of Purchasing Agents reported today. % Production is now generally at levels that are being main tained and in some instances improved, the committee said, basing its conclusions on March reports of purchasing ex ecutives. Mxteen per cent or tne re ports for March show increased production, while 48 per cent hold a steady program of opera tions. many on curtailed sched ules established after four months’ decline,” the survey statement added. “Confirming that trend, 16 per cent report some increase in order backlogs, while 46 per cent have maintained the February position and, by that guage, show no further shrinkage of demand.’’ A check of NAPA members, who reported production and back-order in declines in Novem ber and December are maintain ing or increasing production, while 54 per cent have improved order book positions. “Unless that situation reflects only a seasonal adjustment, it could be assumed that industries which recorded declines in Jan uary, February and March, may show a corresponding improve ment in April, May and June as production schedules, inventories and commitments are worked into balance at new levels,” the re port said. Timing of price adjustments is found to be a major considera tion by purchasing agents tms year as the trend is toward a lower volume of business, the committee added. The question is: Will prices be reduced to maintain production and employ ment, or held up and the reduc tion made in production and em ployment? “The predominant opinion is that prices will be reduced by i efficient management, to main i tain volume,” the group conclud I ed. “There is a strong counter ; opinion that many wll attempt i to hold prices for some time be ' fore reducing. Competition in most industries will determine the answer.” The report also made theaa points: Commodity prices: “Broader quantity discounts are appearing. (Continued on Pago 3) * ? ■ MICHAEL JOSEPH GALVIN Nui(dbrPrwM**l Tnualtk* Hate Secretary af Lata. GM.VW JUKES OATH AS IMDERSEGRETARY Washington, D. C. — Michael Joseph Galvin took the oath o( office as Under Secretary of La bor on March 14th in the pres ence * of Secretary of Labor Maurice J. Tobin, high govern ment and labor-union officials, Mrs. Galvin and the five Galvin children. Judge Matthew F. McGuire, of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, ad ministered the oath. On hand for the ceremony were 100 friends and relatives of the new Labor De partment official from Massachu setts. Goveornment officials attending the ceremony included: Julius A. Krug, Secretary of the Interior: James E. Webb, Under Secretary of State; Paul M. Herzog Chair man of the National Labor Re lations Board; Representative John W. McCormack, of Massa chusetts, majority leader of the Bouse of Representatives; and numerous bureau officials of the Labor and other Departments. Secretary Tobin introduced Wil liam Green, president of the (Ceatinned On Page 4) SAMPLE GROUP OF INTRA-STATE WORKERS. 90 PER LENT OF WHOM ARE WOMEN. REC EIVE LESS THAN 40 C ENTS AN HOUR RALEIGH, March 28.—“While Congress debates the merits of raising the minimum wage to 75 cents an hour, a defenseless and not insignificant minority of North Caro lina workers are being pai<| wages more in keeping with the year 1923 than the year 1949.” Forrest H. Shuford, North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, said today. $4,500,000 WORTH OF FREE MUSIC GIVER RY MUSICIANS IN 3 YEARS A unique labor union project will be completed this year as the American Federation of Musicians (AFL) spends its final appropriation of $1,300,212 .42 for free mlisic throughout the United States and Canada, it was announced by James C. Pe trillo, president of the Federa tion. In the three-year period ending January SI, 1950, the un ion mill have spent nearly $4, 500.000. Although the Federation’s pub lic service, which provided more than 20,01)0 free performances in 1947 and 1948 in hospitals, parks and for worthy causes, was a casualty of the Taft Hartley Law, the musicians' In duced the recording industry to continue the program. Last De cember the Music Performance Trust Fund was established un der a trustee appointed by the recording and transcription in This year's appropriation by the Federation assures the con. tinuity of the widely-hailed free music projects until the trustee makes known his plans. There is no connection between the two funds. New York. — A 130-page di rectory of labor unions in New York state has just been pub lished by the State Department of Labor. summarizing we most recent information received by the De partment of Labor, Shuford said tht 539 workers employed by 68 service and mercantile firms in 19 typical North Carolina cities and towns are being paid wages less than 40 cents an nour. More than 90 per cent of these 539 workers are women, he added. “In many instances, wages amounted to 25. 30 or 35 *cents an hour," Commissioner Shuford said. “Such rates of pay, of course, definitely are not repre sentative of wages paid in the majority of intra-state busi nesses. They are exceptions to * the rule. But unfortunately, they are frequent exceptions, not rare exceptions.” Shuford said the 68 firms pay ing some workers under 40 cents fcn hour included restaurants, drug stores, hotels, laundries, grocery stores, clothing stores, department stores and 5c and 10c variety stores. The cooks, dish washers, other kitchen employees, fountain clerks, waitresses, de livery boys, maids, various laun dry occupations janitors, stock room employees, and, salesladies. The Labor Commissioner pointed out that these workers are employed in intra-state busi ness and do not have the protec tion of the Federal Wage-Hour Law. The 19 cities and towns from which the Labor Department’s information came represents a cross section of North Carolina municipalities from one end of the State to the other, he said. April Is Cancer Control Month Have you had a physical check-up in the last 12 months? Deaths in Mecklenburg County, December 19-January 16-February 12. Total previous quarter, 44. At least 15 of these could have been saved had they re ceived proper treatment in time. Estimated number of diagnosed cancer cases in Meck lenburg County, 600. Potential (having one of seven danger signals, 400. Total 1,000. This is a big field to cover with our limited personnel and funds. We need you to help us carry our Message of Hope. CAN WE COUNT ON YOU? Mrs. Louise Davis was employed as Secretary of Educa tion and Service on January 17 and is doing a good job of arranging programs and rendering our services to our established cases. We want to express special thanks to the persons who have made voluntary contributions to the Cause of Cancer Controls, as Memorials to friends or loved ones. MRS. C. d. DUNCAN. . , County Commander. APRIL IS CANCER CONTROL MONTH. Your contri bution will ensure the continuance o f this program -tti Mecklenburg County. Sponsored by the Charlotte Woman’s Club. President Green Hails Graham Appointment Washington.—The appointment of Dr. Frank P. Gra ham president of the University of North Carolina to the U. S. Senate was hailed by AFL President William Green. In a statement issued here Mr. Gre£n said “We regard Dr. Graham's appointment as im import ant addition to the liberal and progressive forces rep resenting southern states in the Senate. Dr. Graham was named to replace Senator J. Melville Broughton who died recently. The former member of the National War Labor Board will serve until the 1950 general election.