CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL
Oldest
Bona Fide
AFL
Newspaper
in
North Carolina
VOL. XVIII; NO. 5*
CHARLOTTE. N. C* THURSDAY, MAY, 5. 1949
Subscription Price $2.00 Year
Housing Starts
Decline Below
That Of Year ’48
WASHINGTON. — Cons
truction of new homes in the
first quarter of 1949 showed
a drop of 12 per cent below
the number of units started
last year, according: to re
ports prepared by the Bu
reau of Labor Statistics. At
the same time, the BLS said,
expenditures for new con
struction, Totlaingr $3,500,
000,000, represented a gain
of 5 per cent over the 1948
figures.
In the employment field, the re
port showed 1,824,000 workers
employed on contract construc
tion projects as of the middle of
March, a gain of 19,000 over the
similar month a year ago.
For the month of March alone,
the BLS said that new home con
struction spurted seasonally but
failed to equal the upturn noted
in 1948. During the month, build
ers started 62,000 nonfarm dwel
ling units, a gain of 36 per cent
over February but 19 per cent be
low the number started’ a year
afco.
Against this disappointing,
showing for 1949, while the hous
ing shortage remains acute, the
BLS reported that the year 1948
was a near-record one for hous
ing activity. Complete reports of
housing starts boosted the year’s
total to 931,300 units. This is a
(Cseti—sd ea Page 4)
7
May 8 Mother's Day
When God looked down upon the
earth
And chose to put new blessing*
there.
Gifts from above
To show His love.
And lighten earthly joy and care.
He” gave the sky the sun-set glow;
Gave fragrance to the lily’s blow;
Gave laughter gay
To children’s play;
And tlen to every yearning soul,
He gave that gift of tenderest
worth—
A mother.
Mother 0’ Mine
One calm, bright, sweet sun
shiny day an angel stole out of
heaven and came down to this
old world, and roamed field and
forest, city and hamlet; and just
as the sun went down he plumed
his wings and said: “Now my
visit is out, and I must go back
to the world of light, but before
I go I must gather some memen
tos of my visit here”; and he
looked over into a beautiful flow
er garden and said. “How lovely
and fragrant these flowers are,” j
and he plucked the rarest roses,
and made a bouquet, and said. “I
see nothing more beautiful and
fragrant than these; and I will
take them with me." But he
looked a little farther and there
saw a little bright-eyed, rosy-'
cheeked babe, smiling into its
mother's face, and he said, “Oh,
that baby's smile is prettier than
this bouquet; I will take that too."
Then he looked just beyond the
cradle, and there was a mother's
love pouring oat like the grush
of a river* toward the cradle and
the baby, and he said, “Oh, that
mother’s love is the prettiest
thin? I have seen on earth; I
will carry that, too!” With the
three treasures he winged his
way to the pearly gates, and lit
just on the outside, and said
“Before I go I will examine my
mementos.” and he looked at the
flowers and they had withered;
he looked at the baby’s smile and
it had faded away; he looked at
the mother's love and there it
was in all its pristine beauty and
fragrance. He threw aside the
withered flowers and the faded
smile and winged his way through
the gates and led all the hosts of
heaven and said. “Here is the
only thing I found on earth that
would keep its fragrance all the
way to heaven—A MOTHER’S
LOVE."— < Popular Lectures of j
Snir. P. Jones.)
Modernization Of Social
Security Law Is Urged
Washington.—ArL President William Green led a con
tingent of top officials of American Federation of Labor
affiliated who urged Congress to revise the present social se
curity system to provide higher benefits, extended coverage
and the introduction of a disability insurance program.
Stepping up its 10-year campaign. 20 spokesmen for AFL
unions presented a concerted, united-front stand before the
House Ways and Means Committee jn support of bill H. R.
2893 which contains many of the changes proposed by the
AFL to bring the nation’s social security system in accord
with present-day economic conditions.
Stressing the long and con*
tinued interest of labor organisa
tions in improving "our base social
security,” Mr. Green warned in his
testimony that if Congress fails
to expand old-age and survivors’
insurance, labor "will have no
other recourse” than to demand
welfare plans from private em
ployers.
Indorsing President Truman’s.
recommendation that the present
scale of benefits be almost dou-'
bled, Mr. Green said labor is
ready to pay its share tff the ad
ditional money required.
Arguing for extension of cov- ^
erage of the social security sys
tem to groups of employes exdud- j
ed under the present law, the AFL
leader said: i
“There remains no ‘ insurmount
able administrative obstacle to
including the self-employed and
other groups which were left out,
of the original program for ad
ministrative reasons. Farm work- i
ers and domestic workers should j
be included. Likewise, there is no
longer any reason for excluding
the employes of states and their
political subdivisions or the em
ployes of nbnprofit and charitable
institutions as the risks encoun-.
tered by these workers are the,
same as those confrontng others.
“A common base of protection
through social insurance for all
gainfully occupied citizens is in
the public interest.”
Mr. Green specfically excluded
railway employes and Federal
workers from coverage of the
law since they are accorded pro
tection under separate systems
especially designed to meet their
needs.
Nelson H. Cruikshank, director
of social insurance activities for
the AFL, backed up Mr. Green’s
testimony with specific details
concerning proposed changes in
the law to accomplish the goals
outlined by the AFL chief. In ad
dition he urged liberalisation of
the eligibility requirements under
the present law so that new
workers coping under the system
are not penalized unduly by pay
ing contributions for a number of
years only to fail to qualify for
any benefits because of insuffi
cient service.
Mr. Cruikshank also called for
the incorporation into the social
insurance program of a disability
insurance scheme to protect wage
earners from the risk of wage
loss because of physical disabil
ity. He urged adoption of a
Federal program to cover such
risks not taken care of by State
workmen's compensation taws,
and at the same time to provide
a rehabilitation program for dis
abled workers.
Included among the top officers
of AFL affiliates were: James A.
Brpwnlow, secretary-treasurer of
the AFL’s Metal Trades Depart
ment: A. L. Spradling, president
of the Amalgamated Association
of Street, Electric Railway and
Motor Coach Employes; Larry
Taylor, vice president of the In
ternational Typographical Union:
William H. Cooper, secretary
treasurer of the Building Service
Employes’ Union; Lester Wash
burn, president of the United Au
tomobile Workers, and H. L
Mitchell, president of the Nation
al Farm Labor Union.
Wins second term i
SANDY JORDAN
nni iuuiu i&tniiitiAna
WIN IN ELECTION VOTE
, # -
The technical employes of the
Jefferson Standard Broadcasting
company Monday voted to have
their union. Local 1229, Interna*
tional Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, AFL, designated as
their bargaining agent, in accord
ance with provisions of the Na
tional Labor Relations act.
The election was conducted at
the Wilder building offices of the
company under the direction of
Albert Yanak, representative of
the National Labor Relations
board. 1 t y
Of the 16 persons eligible to
take part in the vote, two failed
to vote, two voted against the
union, and 12 voted in favor of
having the union as official bar
gaining agent.
The employes taking part in the
election work at WBT, WBT-FM,
and WBT satelite.
N. C. APRIL FEDERAL
TAX RECEIPTS DOWN
GREENSBORO—Federal tax'
collections in North Carolina last
month fell more than $23 million
behind those of April, 1943.
The sharp drop in revenue fol
lowed a record-setting month in
March, when collections exceeded
those of any month in the his
tory of the district collector’s of
fice.
A report released this week by
Charles H. Robertson, collector
(Caatiisaed On Page 4)
Wins In Council Race
CLAUDE L. ALBEA
Hr. Albea Bn* at 1911 Ashland Avenue.
City Councilman since 1931 with the exception
1917 when he did not run for re-election. He
her of the City Council.
He has served as a
of the years 1943 to
is at present a mem*
EDITORIAL
HOUSE “HANDCUFFS” TRUMAN IN LABOR BILL VOTE
Hie above is a typical headline which appeared in the
daily press throughout the country one day this week, foU
lowed by the tragic story of how “Southerners Aid In Re
buff of President.” In other words, the Wood bill which
retained most of the Taft-Hartley act was passed by a vote
of 217 to 203. Not much of a margin, but enough to
cause it to be called a “smashing defeat for the Truman ad
ministration.
An Associated Press story tells us that “North Carolin
ians supporting the Wood bill were Representatives Bar
den. Bonner, Carlyle, Chatham, Doughton, Durham, Kerr
and Redden with Bulwinkle paired for it.
“Voting against were Representatives Deans and Jones
with Cooley paired in opposition.
“South Carolina’s Bryson, Hare, McMillan, Richards and
Rivers added their votes to the administration’s defeat,
with only Sims bucking the trend.”
There are several hurdles for the Wood bilL to overcome
yet. The Senate will have to act on it, and President Tru
man will have to sign it, or veto it, the latter most likely,
if it goes to him in the form it is now in, which would mean
that the Taft-Hartley act will remain, as is, for some time.
It is not likely the sponsors of the Wood bill can obtain a
two-thirds vote to override the President’s veto.
Labor is going to have another job cut out for it at the
next congressional election, and if it makes the gains it
made in the last election, things may change somewhat.
Itis well to note that the A. P. story states that voting
against were Represenatives Deane and Jones, with Cooley
paired in opposition.
Later events are awaited with much interest, and if ever
Labor got busy, especially Organized Labor, now is the
time. The vote of Hamilton C. Jones against the bill can
be put down as a poin in his favor with the Labor and ad
ministration forces.
Representative Jones stated in the Charlotte News Thurs
day afternoon (today) “that he voted for the Lesinski bill
because he felt that the amendments to it inroduced by
Representative Sims of South Carolina and supported by the
Administration leaders made it ’the best approach’ to labor
legislation.” He added that he preferred to vote for the
amended Lesinski bill “rather than to vote for the Wood
bill which was supported largely by the members of the op
posing party.”
The Labor Journal commends the action taken by Con
gressman Jones and thinks it is an evidence that he is wil
ling to stick by his party and also be fair to Labor in what
ever legislative action may be taken.
A NEW BROOM IS GIVEN U8
Now that our city election is a thing of the past, and
with a ‘*oew broom” to “sweep clean” our City Hall, and
put our local administration upon a "sound and workable
basis,” the general public can sit back and take things easy
—maybe. The Victor Shaw tikcet took five seats on the
Council, with Sandy R. Jordan, coming in from the Greater
Charlotte slate, and Basil M. Boyd, an oldtimer in politics,
and former city attorney, “just coming in.” So, while there
is mostly a governing body of inexperienced members, The
Journal believes that Charlotte will be well governed and
that while many changes are to be looked for down City
Hall way, we will go forward, for each and everyone will
be guided. The Journal hopes, by an earnest desire to do
that which is best in the forward march Charlotte is
waking. „ w %*** 1
Recommitted Bv Narrow
House Vote of 212 to 209
WASHINGTON.—The Wood labor bill to re-enact most
if the Taft-Hartley law was junked today as the House sent
it back to committee by the hair's-breadth margin of 212 to
J09. This surprise reversal of yesterday’s vote by which
the House accepted the bill. 217 to 203, was hailed by Tru
man Democrats as a tactical victory. It gave them more
time to reform their ranks and try again to repeal major
features of the T-H law.
Supreme Court
Frees States To
Stops Slowdowns
WASHINGTON.—The Su
preme Court this week re
fused to reconsider its recent
ruling that States are free to
ban the slowdown as a labor
union tactic.
The National Labor Rela
tions Board asked for a re
hearing because it said the
court’s February 28 opinion
had a "seriously adverse” ef
fect on administration of the
National Labor Relations act.
The AFL-United Auto Workers,
i
which was directly involved, also
asked reconsideration, as did the
CIO.
I
In its 5-4 decision the Supreme
Court ruled that Wisconsin acted
within its rights in banning a
slow-down in which union mem
bers left their work without no
tice on 27 occasions over a period
of several months. They sought
to force an agreement to new con
tract demands.
The government contended that
Wisconsin’s action Invaded a field
which Congress specifically staked
out for NLRB jurisdiction. It
said the board hag not itself ruled
on the legality of the type of
slow-down involved.
“The court’s opinion also im
pairs the scheme established by
Congress for uniform interpreta
tion and administration of na
tional labor relations policy and
permits the erection of local bar
riers to the effectuation of nation
al objectives,” the government
contended.
Its brief was filed on behalf of
the NLRB by Solicitor General ^
Philip P. Pearman.
But all side* recognized tnat
the victory was tactical only. I
left the Taft-Hartley act, bitterly
denounced by President Truman
and labor unions, still on the stat
ute books. Only the future could
tell whether the administration
would succeed in altering it sub
stantially.
Oh the Senate side today. Sen
ator Taft introduced a bill to “re
tain the best features of the Taft
Hartley law." He said it would
preserve 22 important provisions
while making 28 changes.
Today’s tense vote in the House
was the climax to months of
maneuvering and bitter fighting.
The administration had pro
duced a bill, known as the Thom
as-j.esinski measure, to repeal the
Taft-Hartley act and revive the
New Deal Wagner act with some *
changes.
Deciding that this measure had
no chance in the House, Speaker
Kayburn produced a compromise.
This would have retained some
features of the T-H law, notably
the 80-day injunctions to stall otf
"national emergency strikes."
Much behind-the-scenes persua
sion preceded Wednesday’s vote,
which reversed Tuesday's decision.
t
Tuesday 146 Republicans joined
71 Democrats—all from the
South—in beating down the com
bined efforts of 180 Truman
Democrats, 22 Republicans, and
one American-Laborite.
In Wednesday’s vote, 1.93 Demo
crats, 18 Republicans and one
American-Laborite voted to re
commit the Wood bill. Against
them were 62 Democrats and 147
Republicans.
Thus the administration actual
ly picked up 13 Democratic votes
and lost four Republican tallies.
On the other side, the GOP
Dixie bloc gained one Republican
vote and lost nine Democratic
votes.
„The Carolina*’ House delega
(Continued On Page 4)
Labor Will Help SeO
Savings Hoads h Hay
(Washington Teamster)
A new treasury campaign to sell Series E savings bonds
to working people— a drive backed by Organized Labor
throughout the Nation—will get under way next month.
May 16 ia the date set for the Opportunity Bond drive.
John W. Snyder, Secretary of the Treasury, will be in Se
attle on May 2 to confer with leaden in the campaign. He
will be the guest of honor at a luncheon at the Olympic
hotel during his stay here.
The new savings bond campaign has the indorsement of
Labor because it will help build economic strength, encour
age thrift and thus act aa a spur to production. It will also
help in the management of huge war debt and in adjusting
the economy of the United States to withstand the strain
of post-war commitments.
In addition to these facts, the drive will go far toward
shutting off foolish buying at fantastic prices and will there
fore help to stabilize business and industry by putting cash
into savings for the future. As In the past, the treasury
department looks to the working people of America to put
up a great share of the money to buy the new bonds.
Since the war there has been an alarming shrinkage in
the number of saving bonds held by working people. Large
sums have gone into things that were held at high prices,
and this has given impetus to the inflationary swing.
If more working people—members of Unions—will buy
bonds now that not only will Improve their own financial
future, but will help to place business on a sound basis and
prices on a level the public can pay.
Union Teamsters are urged to prepare to buy Opportunity
Savings Bonds in the coming campaign.