Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / June 29, 1950, edition 1 / Page 1
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VOL. XX; NO. 8 CHARLOTTE, N. C, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1S50 Subscription price, $2.00 Per Year AFL Leaden at 1CFTU Belgian.—Irvine Brown, AFL npm-Utlw in an observation to AFL Soeretary-Treasarer Georg* Meany Gaft) and J. H. Oldenbroek, secretory ‘general of tbe International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, at recent eserotWe board meeting *f tbe world labor organisation. _ Granddad Gompers Liked "Stuffing” By FLORENCE GOMPERS McKATT fGrandda lighter of Sensei Geapen. fwader eed tret president of the APU aeti dews me of her recollectI— for the Weehingtoa, D. G» Trades Ue loo let. First of two article*.) WASHINGTON.—The life and works of Samuel Gom pers have been covered in numerous volumes by fine writ ers, among whom were many of his feilow workers in the, labor movement In his autobiography he has outlined his career and much of his personal life in considerable detail. My contribution, therefore, can be only of my own unique relationship with him. Ik fact this might well be called 44 Lxamemhar, grandfather JLfog, as I* look back there comes to mind many precious memories of my childhood and young adulthood during all of which time my grandfather played a very vital part in my life and thinking. . , To the world he was a labor leader; to me and the others of hia large family he was the best possible father, grandfather, great grandfather. There was no phase of our lives that was not of the keenest interest to him. Since I was the only one of his many grandchildren whose permanent home was in Washington, it was my privilege to be with him a great deal and we were pals. He took a keen interest in the do ings of my generation and liked to have me tell him any new jokes 1 had heard. He wanted to knew about my life and more than once helped me with my school assignments. I distinctly recall the time in high school when I was given, oddly enough, the af firmative side of a debate on "Should Labor Have the Right to Strike?" Grandfather came to the rescue, t filled* page* *ith notes as the words flowed from him, and needless to say my side won hands down. He was very critical of my speech. _ He em phasied the importance of care fully chosen words, clearly and well pronounced, and had no pati ence whatsoever with the slangy jargon of the day. However, once in a while a particularly expressive and pithy slang word would capture his fancy and he would occasionally use. it with a great air of wicked enjoyment To grandfather his home wat* his castle. No detail of the home and its inhabitants was beneath his notice. He was interested in his family and all that pertained to them. Although he gloried in their successes and grieved with them at their reverses they were all strictly on their own. He would never lift a finger to help them secure a coveted po sition or favor of any sort. He said “I cannot ask a favor of anyone; it is not myself I should be obligating but the American Federation of Labor and this I shall never do.” It was at grandfather’s insti gation that my family purchased a piano for me and started my having lessons at an early age. Although I never possessed any talent, he took an interesst in my progress and insisted on hearing my newest pieces. He would listen patiently to* my fal tering renditions and offer en couraging criticism. Although I never became a pianist, it was in 'that home that my taste in music was formed. Grandfather had one of the early Victor ma chines and a superb collection of fine records, and many eve nings we spent listening to the magic of Caruso, Schumann Heink, Tetrazini, Kreisler and the other great artists of that day. Above all else he liked to gather his friends m his home |nd enjoy an evening of musife, a game of cards or just good Conversation. Sunday, whea grandfather was in town, was I (Continued ea Page 4) Mcany Visits Rome amm AFL Works Around World To End Poverty and Slavery Washington. — The American Federation of Labor is engaged in the most far-reaching endeav or ever undertaken by an Amer ican labor organization to end poverty and slavery in the world and bring peace. The voices of AFL officials, •peaking for 8.000,000 free de mocracy-loving Americans, have been raised this summer in be half of better conditions for all workers everywhere at meetings from Washington to Bombay. AFL men and women liave been pressing the American point of view ip dealings with work ers and governments of more than 70 nations in Brussels, Gen eva, Berlin, Rome, Havana. Flor ence, Bombay and other far places. Some of these activities at a glance: 1. AFL members composed the United States worker dele gation at the International La bor Organization in Geneva pledged tu raise worker produc tivity in the more than 60 coun tries in the organization so that wage earners in those lands may have more food and economic comforta. -- 2. Gordon W. Chapman of the AFL State, County and Munici pal Workers is enroute to south east Asia with a commission' from the International Conleaer ation of Free Trade Unions to encourage resistance to commun ist infiltration and aggression. 8. AFL Secretary-Treasurer ‘George Meany attended ICFTU executive beard meetings in Brus sels and conferred with Italian trade unionists in Rome. -•4 lle»e» in She United States, AFL unions In many cities play ed host to visiting trade union ists from abroad. TEXTILE UNION HITS PEj^K OF STRENGTH New York.—The AFL United Textile Workers is at the peak of its greatest strength. Officials told the 11th biennial convention, that in membership, wage gains and pension systems, the union is stronger than any time in its history. President Anthony Valehte enumerated the gains won in the last two years in wages and im proved conditions in employment, as well as such matters as pen sions. “Already wo have in existence several pension plans, financed solely by the employer which, when combined with the old-age pensions of the federal govern ment, guarantees our old-timers approximately $100 . a month when they retire from the in dustry," Hr. Valente said. He said that in the southern cotton industry the UTW in creased wages by 8 per cent, bringing southern cotton workers near the average wage and min imum wage of the northern cot ton worker- In rayon, he report ed, UTNhfN a 15-cents-an-hour wage increase, as well as other contract improvements. In wool ens and worsteds, improvements were won in working conditions, despite the depressed character of that segment of the textile industry. Other gains reported were in the so-called “fringe” provisions, soch as holidays with pay, vaca tions and insurance and hospital iaation protection, as well as pensions. .-■>« ’ Secretary-Treasurer Lloyd Xle aert reported that ' the UTW membership had reached a new peak of 78,858 in I960 and chartered 25 new local onions sines the previous con vention. PRAISES HARRIMAN Washington—Paul G. Hoffman, Econoask Co-operation Admini strator, stated that Ambassador W. Avereli Ham man, retiring as ECA special representative to Europe to become special assist ant to the President, has mads a major contribution toward the * ' T G*Mn, Switzerland.—Georg* P. Delaney (left), APL later Rational representative and U. S. worker*' delegate to International Labor Orgaaiealtea. oatline* employ* view* at ILO huddle with Rep. Angnatin* 1 Kelley of Pennaylraaia and U. 8. Aaaiateat Secretary of Labor Philip M. Kaiser, U. 8. goremment delegatee. Delaney Urges ILO Members To Copy U. S. Output of Products Geneva, Switzerland. — A F L International Representative G. P. Delaney. U. S. . worker dele gate, urged member countries of the International Labor Organ ization to copy American pro duction methods to increase out put of food, clothing and neces sities. Mr. Delaney's • speech was probably the most important de livered during the world’s first official international debate on ways to increase the productiv ity of labor. The debate was on the report of ILO Director General David ’ A. Morse calling for increased labor productivity as one method , of attacking the poverty which •reeds unrest, dictatorships and ■war. • 1 - Poverty anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere, the ILO holds. And the elimination of poverty will lay the groundwork for lasting peace. In his speech Mr. Delaney cited shoe production. He said in 1944 the U. S. produced three pairs of shoes for every man, woman and child in the country whereas many countries do not produce u much as one pair per person in a year. He aaid in part: “American workers believe in high productivity. They know it brings higher sages and *h >rter hours. They are not opposed to greater profits for their em ployers so long as tfieir own standard of living rises in pro 8rtion. They have welded * to ther a strong trade union movement to make sure that such a sharing of increased output takes place. “American workers know that under the give-and-take of free industry and free labor within the framework of a democratic aaciety their hours during the •rat*, half of this century... have been reduced in most races' to 40 a week. “The American workers know that while their hours have been decreased, their real wages have gone up. They have better, hous ing, finer food, improved edu cational opportunities. “American workers know that increased productivity through the teamwork of intelligent labor (Continued on Page 4) Way To Go! - Dedicate Gotnpers Room SwitaertaaeL—APL l«ntarr>TNu«Nr Cwrp Mmj f*r«ally pmnti rww fiiwlahil by the Americaa P«*rttlea of Utor ia honor of Ito feeatfer m4 I rot owoMewt, Saaael Goat ears. Uik. International Labor OrpotalJrThwIll* Goa^X MH la aalabUah. At teft ia V S. Aaafataat Secretary of * Pkiiih M. Kaiaar aai light* ILO Aaaiatani Director General Jof I SENATE OK’s NEW SECURITY BENEFITS WASHINGTON —The U. S. Senate voted 81-2 to over haul the social security system, hiking benefits and bring ing 10,000,000 mere persons under the program. The ac tion brought many improvements long advocated by the American Federation of Labor and other liberal groups, though the overhauling was not as far-reaching or com plete as the AFL desired. There is still some hope that the bill finally approved by both houses of Congress ind sent to President Truman will be better than either house passed because of incorporation of the best features of The Mil will rata* payroll taxes aa much as $18 per year par person to cover the higher ben efits. Sens. Hugh Butler (R., Neb.) and Harry P. Cain (IL, Wash.) cast the only dissenting ballots. Before the Anal vote, the Sen ate defeated efforts to increase benefits even more for certain groups of wage earners, but adopted a series of other amend ments intended to strengthen the eld age and survivors, insurance program. President Truman is committed to sign the bill, assuring the first board reform of the 15-year-old program since it was launched in 1988. The measure now goes back to' the House, which passed a simi lar bill last session. If the House refuses to agree to the Senate amendments, it must go to a Joint conference committee to thresh out differences between the two versions. The Senate bill would extend social security protection for the first time to domestic servants, farm hands, persons who are their own basses and several other groups. It would double the minimum old age benefit from the present $10 to $20 a fiionth; increase the maximum family benefit from. $85 to $150 and raise the average garments to industrial workers from $28 a month to $49 a month. Whan all increases under the new Mil are taken into account, avenge benefit payments would; be about double what they art The Senate agreed by voice vote to increase the amount of wages subject to social security taxes from the present $3,000 to $8,000, a move urged by the AFL. This would mean an increase of $9 a year to each worker now covered who earns $3,000 or more, with employers matching the boost. It also would raise the maxi mum individual benefit for tha aged from the present $72.50 a month to a new high of $80 a month. Defeated by a voice vote was a provision to pay disability in surance to workers permanently disabled. Approved by a voice vote was a resolution calling for a new study of - social security, partic ularly proposals for “pay-as-you go” systems to cover everybody. The 8enate bill generally pro vides more liberal benefits than the House version, which would increase payments an average of only about 70 per cent The House bill, however, would add 11,000,000 persons to the program, and increase the tax rats to 2 per cent on the first $3,600 of income, starting next January. The Senate measure would freeze the present 1 Vfc per cent rate until 1056, when it would begin rising to a maximum of 314 per cent in 1970. Neither bill comes up to re quests by Mr. Truman, who ' (Coatiaued On Page 4) Mark Rutgers Jubilee
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 29, 1950, edition 1
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