Devoted to
the Interest*
of the
A. F. of L.
and the
Working Man
CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL
_ 1 Labor Weekly, Presenting Labor News and Views Without Fear and Without Favor
Dedicated
to the
Continued
Industrial
Growth of
North
VOL. XIX; NO. 36
CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1650
Subscription Price 62.00 Yi
Urges Congress Enact Housing,
Security And Labor Measures
Washington.—President Truman asked the new session
■of the Mst Congress to repeal the Taft-Hartley law, expand
social security, enact housing, health and education measures
to make these United States a happier land.
All of these goals are supported by the American Federa
tion of Labor. The AFL is keeping close watch on how con
gressmen will vote on these major issues to determine who
is deserving of the support of the 8,000,000 members when
the November elections roll around.
Truman Program At Glance
Washington.—President Truman asked major legislation to achieve
many goals favored by the AFL in his annual state of the union
message. Following are highlights:
REPEAL THE TAFT-HARTLEY LAW—Replace it with a fair
law. Establish a labor extension service.
SOCIAL SECURITY—Expand the program to provide higher
benefits and greater coverage.
HEALTH—Establish a system of metical insurance which will
enable all Americans to afford good medical care.
EDUCATION—Provide federal assistance to states for educa
tional purposes.
HOUSING—Extend rent controls another year. Assist coopera
tives and other nonprofit groups to build dwellings which middle
ineome families can Xifora.
RESOURCES—Approve St. Lawrence seaway and,power project
and the Columbia Valley Administration. _ - 'A
, MILITARY—Continue selective service in this country. Support
Atlantic defense plans.
9 ECONOMIC—Keep the European Recovery Program going with
out “crippling” cuts in funds. Pass pending maaures to put into
effect the Point Four program of American technical and financial
aid to underdeveloped nations. Approve United States membership
in international'trade organization:
TAXES—“Make some changes in our tax system which will
reduce present inequities, stimulate busines sactivity and yield a
, moderate amount of additional revenue.” Specific suggestions will
« be made shortly.
BUSINESS—“Close the loopholes” in the antitrust laws so as
to bar “monopolistic mergers.” Promised proposals to assist small
business and encourage new enterprise.
FARM—Pass the Brannan plan with its system of production
payments; provide mandatory pnce supports for products which
are major sources of farm i?i«Qme and are not adequately covered.
At the beginning of an optmistic
6,000-ward speech, Mr. Truman
said:
“Today, by the grace of God, we
stand a free and prosperous nation
with greater possibilities for the
future than any people have ever
hfedbefore in the history of the
•world.”
He reviewed the United States’
position in world affairs, the need
for technical assistance for under
developed areas, continued aid to
Europe, support for the United
Nations, and he set our objective
in the world as peace. After a
reference to European aid, he said:
1 “It is more essential now than
ever, if the ideals of freedom and
representative government are to
prevail in these areas, and particu
larly in the Far East, that their
people experience in their own
lives, the benefits ef scientific and
economic advances."
Mr. Truman said that at home
“our country must be more than a
land of opportunity for a select
few; it must be a land of oppor
tunity for all of us.”
“In such a land we can grow and
ps-osper together," Mr. Truman
said.
<Continued On Page 3)
bit** **
FRANK
EDWARDS
noted commentator
from
Washington
NienHy\
Monday thru frrdoy
ON RApIO STATION
\ IS P. M.
SHELLEY SWORN
Washington.—John P. Shel
ley, president of the California
Federation of Labor, was sworn
as congressman from Califor
nia’s 5th district as the second
session of the 81st Congress
began.
Mr. Shelley, 44, succeeded
Rep. Richard J. Welch. He is one
of several new House%nd Senate
members successfully support
ed by the APL in special elec
tions for congressional office
who took their seats for the first
time on Jan. 3. •
RENEW CONTRACT!
Portland, Ore.—Building trades
unions have renewed their contract
for one year until Dec. 31, 1950,
holding the line on current wage
rates and working schedules. Struc
tural iron workers receive $2.20
an hour, carpenters $2.10 and lab
orers $1.70 an hour.
Leaders Open Gompers Centennial
r_at tlM Samuel Gempera Ceateaalal Dinner
celebration in benor af the AFL founder included.
_ Matthew Well. Vice-Preoident Alben W.
William Green aad Secretary-Treaaarer
. —J ■ year —
L to r., AFL Vico
Barkley, AFL Prw—— - ——--- -
George Mcaajr. Mra. Barkley aita next to the vice-proaident and Secre
tary of State Doan Achaean ia at Mr. Moany'a left
AFL Says Workers Need Substantial Raise
In1950 To Maintain Full Employment Levels
Will DtUMD m MODS SUPPORT "fUH EHHBYMWf'N1950?
H«¥*a m *uutm
Washington.—Workers look for
ward to 1960 with much concern
over the increase in unemployment
which seems sure to develop, the
AFL Monthly Survey believes.
Prospects for the first 6 months
are fairly bright, but a slackening
of industrial activity at least equal
to that of last summer seems like
ly in the second half year.
To reach our national goal of
maintaining “luil" production and
employment, demand for industry's
products must increase enough
each year to create jobs for all new
workers joining the labor force and
for those laid off by labor-saving
devices In 1947 and 1948 (and dur
ing the war) demand, was ample
to create these' Jobs and we had
“full employment.” Gross national
product in 1947 and 1948 (shown
on the chart) was the sum total of
all products and seevices turned
out by all industries at maximum
employment levels. But in 1949, for
tbs first time in 8 years, demand
fel! short, production dropped be
low “full employment" levels and
unemployment rose by 1,300,000
(year’s average). The chart-shows
the gap (dotted space) or shortage
in demand in 1949, and the even
larger gap in prospective demand
for 1960. This gap means unem
1 Prospects are bright for the first
half year. Total business volume
should shout equal 1949 through
(Continued On Page .
M : .
Green Sees Growth In Gompers’ Ideal;
Woll Proposes An Annul Celebration
Washington. — AFL President
William Green told the Samuel
Gompers Centennial Dinner that
the record of the AFL shows
'there has been growth without
change of purpose or goals” from
the ideal of the founder.
Vice President Matthew Woll
proposed that the nation annually
set aside Jan. 27, birthday of Mr.
Gompers, as a holiday.
Both officers interlaced their
I remarks with vivid personal recol
lections .of Mr. Gompefs and his
principles*.
Mr. Green and Mr. Woll are two
of the three executive council mem
bers who served under Mr. Comp
ere The third is Vice President
Daniel J. Tobin, president. Team
stars’ Union.
(Ceatiaaed On Pace 8)
Green Praises Clerks’ 50 Years
WUUmi Green
s-:
M. W
(See Railway Clerks* Story «■ Page 5)
MitL AFL FwiHirt VUUm Gram (center) priitn
MtM Gearce ll. EUrrieen (left), preeMeat ft the Bn
Cfirto, Mi the clerks’ netee ee the nafcn’s
— lit the right le “ - M* f
APL
POth
•t the PeMejrW
J
Dinner Begins 100th
Year Of Founders’ Birth
Washington.—President Truman hailed Samuel Gompers» _
founder of the American Federation of Labor, as “the origi
nator of the great movement which set labor free."
Mr. Truman spoke to more than 1,000 cheering listeners
at the gala dinner opiening the AFL’s Gompers Centennial
Year.
AFL leaders rededicated the 8,000,000-member organisa
tion to Mr. Gompers’ principles and his drive to: vv:;«
. “Agitate, educate and organise.” . *.
Mr. Truman headed a fist of dia
tinguishwi guests at the affair
kicking off a year-long campaign
to gain 1,000,000 new AFL mem-,
bers and elect a liberal Congress.
The meeting was the first of a
series at national,' stale and local
levels in honor of theflOOth anni
versary of the birth of Mr. Gomp
ers in London on Jan 27, 1860.
Vice President Alben W. Barkley
recalled many personal associa
tions with Mr. Gompers. He said
Mr. Gompers was “not only the
leader of American labor but for
labor throughout the world.” He
said that President Woodrow WU
"sbn leaned heavily-en -ifr. OdMIp
ers for advice and help during
World War I.
“The American Federation of
Labor ia the greatest bulwark
against un-American influences in
the country," Mr. Barkley said. He
said he had helped repeal the One
sided railway labor act in the 1920a
and pass the law which ia atiU the
basic railway labor law and ia
“not one-sided as the Taft-Hartley
Act now ia.”
The vice president was accom
panied by ^frs. Barkley.
Three members of the executive
council—the last to have served
on that body when Mr. Gompers
was AFL president—were seated
at the speakers’ table. They were
AFL President William Green and
Vice Presidents Matthew Woll and
Daniel J. Tobin, president of the
Teamsters' Union, biggest in the
AFLr
Mr. Green and Mr. Woll in their
speeches called for a rededication
of the AFL membership to the
principles and ideals of Mr. Gomp
ers. • - -• fij ■
AFL Secretary Treasurer George
Meany delivered the keynote re
marks as toastmaster. He said the
centennial celebration is “to focus
the attention of the American peo
ple on the things for which the
AFL and Samuel Gompers stand."
"Gompers left a great heritage,
but he also left a great responsi
bility," Mr. Meany said. "I can as
sure you the present leadership of
the American Federation of Labor
will fulfill that responsibility.
“We expect to spell out Mr.
Gompers’ life in a series of meet
ings in all parts of this country
to bring home the kind of man
Samuel Gompers was."
Mr. Meany’s introductions and
..... .■ ---(
Edwards On 8 Labor Stations
Washington.—Eight labor-owned
radio stations are carrying the
news commentary of Frank Ed
wards, sponsored by the American
Federation of Labor, Monday
through Friday.
Edwards" program Originates
from Washington nightly Monday
through Friday at 10 p. m. It is
carried by 147 stations of the Mu
tual Broadcasting System and the
8 labor-owned outlets, for a total
of 105 stations in 85 states.
The 8 labor stations am WFDB,
New Ysefc; WOFL, Chicago;
KFMV and KWIK, Los Angeles;
WVUN, Chattanooga;- WDET, De
troit; WCUO, Clereland, and
WCFM, Washington.
The call letter* of 6 Mutual sta
tions were incorrectly luted in the
news service of Dec. , 23. TMr
correct listing is: ,
WIDE, Biddleford, Maine, 10 p.
m., M-W-F; WILH, Lowell-Law>
rence, Mass, 10 p. m., M-W-F;
WREX, Duluth, Minn., 9 p. m, M
W-F; WEBR, Buffalo, N. Y., 10
p. in., M-Th-F; WBPZ, Lock Haw
en, Pa., 10 p. |u, M-W-F; KPDN,
Pam pa, Texas, 9 p. m., M-W-F.
Labor paper editor# are again
urged to run tlu list of sUtion* ;
and time for Mr. Edward*' broad
cast as a standing feature to *****
AFL member* and readers.
the speeches «|«i« .pad igsis
brought the diners to their feel
cheering and applauding.
Five members of President Tru
man’s cabinet were pnent They
were Secretary of State Dean
Acheaon, Attorney General J. How
ard McGrath, becretary of Inter
ior Oscar L Chapman, Secretary
of Agriculture Chariest lira a—it
and Secretary of Labor Maurieo 1,
Tobin.
Chairman Elbert D. Thomas of
tiie Senate Labor Committee, Bog.
Hubert H. Humphrey, and Chair
man John Lesinski of the Haase
gross. \
In addition to Mr. Croon, Mr.
Meany, Mr. WoU and Mr. Denial
T. Tobin, other members of the
APL executive council at the band
table were Vice Presidents Georgo
M. Harrison, W. C. Birthwright,
W. C- Doherty, David Dubiaaky,
Winter and Dan W. Tracy.
Invocation was offered by the
Rev. Dr. Frederick Brown Harris,
chaplain of the Senate, and the
benediction by the Rev. Gerard F.
Gates, dean of the graduate scheal
of Georgetown' University.
Hundreds of telegrams were re
ceived from government and APL
officials and unions throughout the
country and from abroad, includ
ing the Canadian Trades and Labor
Congreas.
Simon Gompera, youngest natt
er of Samuel, wired from Normft,
Conn., expressing hie regret at hie
uiabilityio attend. He ia a meaa- '
bar of the AFL Sheet Motel Work,
era.
Seated at a front table were
Mrs. Samuel Gompera, Jr„ daagb
ter-in-law ' of the ATL founder;
Mra- McKay, a granddaughter, and
Dr. /. Calvin McKay, gr—t-grand
son of Mr. Gompera.
Mr. Meany appointed Mr. Green
and Vice Preaidenta Tobin and
Harrison to escort Mr. Trwnaa, *n
great friend of the little people."
Introducing Mr. Green, Mr. Meaay
said he "has carried on the work
of the American Federation of
Labor completely in keeping with
the ideals laid down by Samuel
Gompera.”
Mr. Woll led the assemblage in
a toast to Mr. Gompera aad called
for an annual celebration of Sam
uet. Gompera’ birthday on Jan. ST.