Editorial
me CHARunre ubor journal
AND DIXIE FARM NEWS
Published at Charlotte, North Carolina
H. A. Stalls, Editor and Publisher W. M. Witter, Associate Editor
Entered as second-class mail matter September 11, 1981, at the
iPost Office at Charlotte, N. C., under the Act of Congress of
March 3. 1879.
Oldest Bona Fide AFL Newspaper in North Carolina, consistently
serving the American Federation of Labor and its members since it
was founded. May 12, 1931. Approved by the American Federation
of Labor in 1931. __
Endorsed by Charlotte Typographical Union, Number 338, An Af
filiate of Charlotte Central Labor Union and the North Carolina Fed
eration of Labor. __
News Services: American Federation of Labor, U. S. and North
Carolina Departments of Labor, and Southern Labor Press Associa
tion. __ ___
The Labor Journal will not be, responsible for the opinions of cor
respondents, but any erroneous reflection upon the character, stand,
ing or reputation of any person; firm or corporation which may ap
pear in the columns of The Labor Journal will be corrected when
called to the attention of the publisher. Correspondence and Open
Forum opinions solicited, but The Journal reserves the right to reject
objectionable reading matter and advertising at all times. _
MEMBER~SOUTHERN LABOR PRESS ASSOCIATION
“LET THE SUNLIGHT
OF A
FREE PRESS
SHINE IN DARK PLACES”
SOUTHERN LABOR PRESS ASSOCIATION
z
WEEKLY BIBLE THOUGHT
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give yon rent. Take My yoke
upon you, and learn of Me: for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is
light/*—Matthew 11:28-30.
LABOR BILL HANGS FIRE
— At this writing we still have with us the Taft-Hartley
Labor Act, ami it would be hard to say when a change will
come in the law. The Republicans and most of our South
ern Democrats are blocking any and every move to pat
forth a bill as desired by President Truman or the Admin
istration. But whatever the outcome is Organized Labor
will find a way to hold what it has, and forge steadily on
ward for the betterment of the condition of the Average
Citizen, who is the recipient of better living conditions
and a fair wage, as the Organized Worker’s fight against
those who believe in Organized Capital, and who would
deny Labor the right of organization, unless it conformed
to their way of thinking — a Company Union—in other
words Unions dominated by Company Stooges.
The Journal knows and numbers as it friends some fine
business men connected with the National Association of
Manufacturers, and does not believe that they concur with
everything done or advocated by that body, yet we have
in our midst some of its members who are pushing its
principles into every conceivable crevice in a disguised way
to hurt the Organized Labor Movement. The hatred of
, some of them for organized labor has become so great that
they are blind to everything except the right of the em
ployer to complete subjection of the worker. Of course
this is not the guise under which they would work it, but
that is the ultimate goal at which they aim.
The antics used by some labor haters is only harmful
to them and to Big Business, which they claim to repre
sent. Harmony and Unity should.be the keynote between
employer and employe, and it can only be reached by Ar
bitration, Mediation and Conciliation, which is the basis
for a fair split of the profits accrued from labor, and that
is the groundroot of all profit.
The Journal is going to start its Nineteenth Year of
Continuous publication working for harmony between cap
ital and Labor, all things being equal, a principle for which
it and the A. F. of L. stands and has always stood.
WHO IS TIRED OF FREEDOM?
This country has had freedom for almost two centuries.
That freedom has permitted our citizens to mould their own
destinies. As a result we are not only blessed with a fruit
ful life but have developed into a nation which more than
any other, follows the Golden Rule in the hope of helping
others.
But like a blight that threatens the mighties stand of
timber, socialism has been introduced in the United Sates.
This type of governmentalism leads people to believe that
they will be relieved of much of the burden of making a
living—that the government will be able to produce and
care for them. But no mention is made of the increase in
taxation caused by greater government spending. Paying
the tax bill has placed a constantly greater demand upon
the citizen’s pocketbook.
Individual opportunity has receded from its crest in this
country. Have the people lost sight of the great heritage
left to them? Are they like the boy who was given full
freedom in the candy store and consequently made him
self sick by abusing it? The American people are headed
for a stomach-ache as they swallow’ bigger and bigger
does of socialism now being fed them in sugar-coated form
by Washington politicians. — Wilmington (Del.) Labor
Journal.
HONESTY
Honesty of thought and speech and written word is a
jewel, and they who curb prejudice and seek honorably to
know and speak the truth are the only builders of a better
life.—John Galsworthy.
One person I have to make good: myself. But my duty
to my neighbor is much more nearly expressed by saying
that I have to make him happy—if I may.—Robert Louis
Stevenson.
. - >'
THE JOURNAL IS BEGINNING ITS NINETEENTH
YEAR OF A. F. OF L. ENDEAVOR
This issue starts the Labor Journal upon its Nineteenth
Anniversary, May 15, and it is proud of the fact that it
is North Carolina’s oldest Labor paper, having weathered
some severe gales. The going has not been along a
pathway strewn with roses, for The Journal has followed
a militant policy, though fair and consistent in labor
promotion, on lines laid down by the American Federation
of Labor. It has had antagonism, at times, even in its
ranks, but has survived, due to the fact that The Journal
has always endeavored to be forthright and honest in its
activities. It has never been a party to any clique or clan,
but has held to its belief of Arbitration, Mediation and
Conciliation,” as was stated in its salutatory editorial,
wherever and whenever possible. The Journal has never
sold its birthright for a mess of pottage, and never will.
It went through the ’’days of depression” at a great loss,
which took years to recover from, but carried its head
high; expounding all the while the Gospel of Organized
Labor. It has never minced words where the rights of
organization were concerned, and has never taken a middle
of the road course when the rights of American workers
were attacked.
And as the years passed on, and organization of labor
became more pronounced, and the influence of Labor be
came more of a factor n dealings between employer and
employe, due in great measure to the Roosevelt Adminis
tration, and the Wagner Labor Relations Act, we have not
agreed at all times that labor was faultless, but have
worked for and seen many mistakes corrected. The per
sistent and well-known enemies of organized labor do not
admit any mistake, of course, but can always see the mote
in the eyes of those who are working for the uplift of their
fellow workers.
The Journal has kept its columns clean of filthy attacks
upon any man or corporation, always, as nearly as possible,
stating the facts in any and all disputes, which is more
than can be said for many organized Labor’s well known
Arch Enemies who have sprung up in recent years and who
have promoted much anti-Labor legislation throughout the
the nation. Labor knows them very well.
It has come to be a known fact that Organized Labor
must be taken into consideration henceforth in any and
all matters which affects the workers, organized or un
organized, hence it behooves all organized labor bodies to
be on their guard, and weigh well any action taken regard
ing the welfare of the general public. The A. F. of L. is
not, and has never been, a radical organization, and from
the days of Gompers to the present regime of Mr. Green,
has made a valiant fight for the uplift of the wage earner.
So, The Charlotte Labor Journal, as it journeys into another
year, is going to try and keep the staunch friends it has
made and gather new ones as it marches forward. Again
we thank our friends for their loyal support and we will en
deavor to carry on in a clean and faithful manner in the
future as in the past.
Please bear with us again as we reprint our Salutatory
Editorial which appeared in the first issue of The Labor
Journal, May 16, 1931:
“BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
“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 and enlarge
than to undertake a more pretentious publication and
decrease. We wish to lay a foundation upon the solid
rock of sincerity, honesty of purpose and good will.
“The labor field in Charlotte is broad, and one that
Is assuming a larger part in the life of our city—in
dustrially, financially, socially, educationaly, and other
wise—and organized labor stands out as an almost per
fect exemplification of what can be done by a body of
law-abiding, honest, church-going, home-loving, home
owning and progressive class of workers. They are
working and have worked for the upbuilding of society
and themselves—spending their earnings which passes
the two million dollar mark annually, at home—build
ing a bigger and better Charlotte and laying the
foundation for a future citizenship of which any city
or community in the world may well be proud.
“In politics, The Journal, will be absolutely and un
alterably independent, standing at all times, for the
right of the organized worker—and all workers—and
supporting, at all times, candidates from the ranks of
labor, and endorsed by the properly constituted author
ity. 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 confidence 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 against Communism or any other ‘ism’ that will pull
down society, and array worker against employer, be
lieving that sober judgment, mediation and arbitration
is the correct method by which to settle disputes, be
lieving that worker, as well as employer, has the right
to ^organize for the betterment of his condition.
“And setting our course along these lines we will
sail our frail hark, we hope, into a successful port,
making friends, holding for that which is right and
good, and steering clear of all alliances which may be
detrimental to ourselves, organized labor and the com
munity at large.’’
And since the above was written the Panic came—Busi
ness (“big" and “little”) went to the wall, to great degree.
Roosevelt came upon the scene. He gave us the New
Deal, the WPA—the Workers relief; to Capital the Fed
eral Reserve, and put Business (big and little) back on
its feet, with the laws that today Big Business is cussing
and damning. Oh, “consistency thou art a jewel.” Ana
this is written by the same man who wrote the Salutatory
(when there was no CIO and the A. F. of L. was not in the
hands of those controlling it in North Carolina today).
The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brother
hood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed
is that man w’ho seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it,
seeking his own in another’s good—Mary Baker Eddy.
Honesty is one part of eloquence. We persuade others
by being in earnest ourselves.—Hazlitt.
7 '
South and North/
A potty, pruning picket.
Each bill tho Congress doss bring forth,
”»fel! no. I'll lick itT
Anniversary Greetings
Heath Sanders Co.
Building
Contractors
219 Latta Arcade
Tel. 2-0802
Charlene, N. C.
Anniversary Greetings
Carpenter Floor
Covering Co.
Floor Coverings and Faints
1426 E. Tenth St.
Tel. 4-5947
Charlotte, N. C.
Anniversary Greetings
AVERETT & LEDBETTER
ROOFING and Heating Co.
419 East 7th St. Ttl. 3-7131
Charlotte, N. C.
Anniversary Greetings
THOMAS W. BIRD
— INSURANCE—
Johnston Bldg.
Charlotte, N. C.
Tel. 2-5127
Anniversary Greetings
J. B. DAVIS
SEPTIC TANK COMPANY
We Install Tanks According To Your
Individual Needs.
300 E. 8th St.
Tel. 4-5578
Charlotte, N. C.
Anniversary Greetings
Queen City
T railways