The Butler County press. [volume], April 25, 1919, Image 1

About The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946

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VOL. XIX, No. 1.
A Tribute To The A. F. of
It
Played Fair Throughout
The War and It Kept Its
Agreement—Its Work
In Reconstruc
tion.
At a luncheon of the Associated
Chicago Salesmen of Men's and Boys'
Wear on April 4, at Chicago, 111.,
Leon C. Marshall, dean of the College
of Commerce and Administration of
the University of Chicago, in speak
ing of the industrial growth in the
history of the United States, stated
that in the future it would be neces
sary to deal with and meet the funda
mental causes for unrest. In part
he said:
"You cannot tinker w'th such terms
as democracy without having it ex
plode on your hands. It was made
the final keynote of the whole war,
and now the issue has been continued
into peace times. The result is that
lf.bor thinking has jumped forward
or backward, as you choose to say,
200 years, before business or the gov
ernment has had time to develop any
adequate mechanism and devices to
manage altered conditions in a sane
or orderly way. That is the case in
Russia, where labrr is trying to run
business without the proper mechan
ism to do it. It is the same in Eng
land, where workers are demanding
operative control of the railroads
without adequate machinery.
"The big job of the next six months
or six years is to soIvp this problem
a8^reards,.^iianag(^ment. All trade
agreements now being entered, into in
the United States carrying the fol
lowing clause: That a board of five
representatives from the workers and
five from the employers have the pos
itive right to pass on any other con­
"fc
THE
WorkMLUii's Store
RED TRUNK 246 HIGH STREET
Bargain
Bulletin
MEN'S
Spring Suits
The Spring Color Tones are rich and beautiful
the fabrics splendid... The models including the
popular waist seam style are new, at
$14.95, $19.85, $22 45, $24.45
B0ST0N1AN SHOES FOR SPRING
In Black, ToHry lied, Russian Calf or Vici Kid at
$6.35, $6.95, $8 65. $9.35
Men's Tan Elk Shoes tfO 11C.
Special
Men's Work Pants O *i
All dark patterns
Men's $1.00 Blue 7
An
Work Shirts
Men's $1.75 Black Sateen OO
Work Shirts $1.4kJ
Men's $1.50 Black and White Stripe Cfln
Work Shirts 5JIL
"Men's $1.95 Wabash Stripe
Overalls or Jackets
'"X .'
ditions affecting the welfare of the
workers."
He continued, praising the A. F. of
L.:
"The American Federation of Labor
played absolutely fair throughout the
war and it lived up to every agree
ment, literally and in spirit. It to
day represents the conservative labor,
movement, and the main question is,
whether it has a strong enough grip
on its constituency to hold it steady
and sane through this restless period."
He advised the emp'oyers to line
up with the Federation, whether they
personally believe in it or not, as he
believed the industrial situation in
this country is hanging by a hair.
S» fe Pss
Gompers Goes First To Greet
Sick Wife.
New York,—President Gompers ar
rived in New York to find his wife
seriously ill in the home of their son,
Alexander Gompers, Brooklyn.
Alexander Gompers and Samuel
Gompers, Jr., met the Gompers party
aboard the Steamer Rotterdam and
took the delegates off in a tug before
the big vessel docked.
President Gompers, whe had not
been forewarned of the illness of Mrs.
Gompers, went at once to her bedside.
Mrs. Gompers rallied considerably
following the arrival of her distin
guished husband. She has suffered a
paralytic stroke and friends had be-,
lieved l*er condition very serious.
*a ta
m.
Benjamin Franklin said: "He that
loses five shillings not only loses that
sum, but eil the advantage that might
be made by turning it dealing, which
by the time '"hat a young man becomes
old will amount to a considerable sum
of monsy Invest in W. S. S. They
are the safest kind of investment. The
1919 Franklin issue matures in 1924.
v
Men's $2.65 Big "3" AQ
Overalls or Jacket .......T.
3UBS15RIWFORTHE
$1 9A
VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN
,.t
l%
WHAT ITALY GOES
WON'T IF FOOD FROM AMERICA
ENGLAND
COME
IN
Says World Loo
States To Save It
By CHARLES EDWARD RUSSELL
Written Especially for the American
Alliance for Labor and Democracy.
Number 5.
Very little was said about the crisis
that came so near to overturning Hol
land, but all the men in Europe that
watch things wer« amazed arid startl
ed by it.
Particularly because it revealed all
of a sudden the extent to which the
Bolshevist organization had been car
ried secretly.
But, about the end of January came
out from Bolshevist headquarters in
Russia the call for the first interna
tional Bolshevist congress and dis
closed Bolshevist organizations in
twenty-eight different countries.
Many of these of course were more
or less immature, but the fact that
they existed at all was the staggering
thing.
Before March, 1917, Bolshevism had
hardly a follower in the world, and it
now suddenly appr ared with millions
in a chain of organizations that
stretched around the globe.
In some of the countries the organ
ization was very far from immature,
as far as it had been shown to be in
Holland in a way so lurid and sur
prising.
Bolshevism in Italy.
In Italy, for instance, the entire
iocialist part y wis counted as Bol
shevist.
If this were literally true there
/ould be occasion enough for concern,
ince the Socialist party of Italy is
powerful enough to elect more than
ne hundred members of the lower
house of the national parliament to
old the balance of power and to
hreaten any administration with des
ruction.
A minority of the Italian Socialist
party, small but comprising the most
intelligent and best known members,
f^as taken a strong position against
Bolshevism. The rest, being the great
majority, is all for Lenine.
With these go the bulk of the
Italian Anarchists and Anarchism is
proportionately stronger in Italy than
n any other country.
Allied with these also is a certain
mall element* of labor not hitherto
ounted as either Socialists or Anar
hist. Also a group of intellectual
ympathizers.
Ripe for Trouble.
It will be ieen. therefore, that con
ditions are ripe for trouble. And the
rouble is already on -hand.
For three winters Italy has suffered
errific privations and bitter distress,
l^uel has been growing always scarcer
o that 'people in Northern Italy and
he mountainous 1 egions have some
im'es frozen. Food has been so
scarce, particularly in the rural dis
u'icts, that famine has been reduc
ng the physical stamina of the pop
'ilatiort.
Three preceding winters the suffer
ngs had been borne with some sto
cism as a part of the war. This
winter, according to popular estima
tion, the war is over. They cannot see
why their hardships should increase
and not lessen ".id every day these
iiardships become more irksome.
In ordinary times Italy gets the
!}ulk of its coal supply from England.
It is getting almost no coal from
IDngland now. The War is over why
loesn't England send coal? There is
t^rain enough in the world. Why
should Italy hftye to live on a biscuit
day?
It is the imperialistic governments
)f these countries' that is to blame,
lays the Bolshevist propagandist
Look at what is going on in Paris.
While you are starving and freezing
your governments are wasting time
n debating about the trade advan
tages capitalists are to get by annex
ing these islands or that strip of ter
ritory/ $6t capitalistic
.V w
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s TovThe United
From Starvation.
form of government and you get rid
of such experiences as freezing when
there is plenty of coal and starving
when there is plenty of bread.
Glory vs. Bread.
Up to the present time this agita
tion has* not achieved any visible re
sults because Italy was still mindful
of its great and wonderful victory of
last October and many Italians have
been engrossed with the fate of Dal
matia, Fiume and other territory in
which Italy is interested But it
could not be expected that in any na
tion glory should always be regarded
as a satisfactory substitute for bread.
If the present livirg conditions keep
on and there is no actions, the great
powerful element of Bolshevists and
near Bolshevists may be relied upon
for most unpleasant activities.
I have mentioned here three coun
tries—France, Holland and Italy—
where the outlook is distinctly threat
ening owing to food shortage. But
these are not the veal storm centers
of Europe. It is Russia, where peo
ple are daily perishing by the thous
ands of starvation and of cold and
Germany, where the food supplies will
be exhausted before the end of this
month, that are flying the great dan
ger signals.
It was p^urt of the plan of the Bol
shevist revolutionicts in Holland to
unite with the Spartacans of Ger
many and open up a straight road for
Bolshevist troops from Russia to the
North Sea. The success now of the
VICTORY LIBERTY
LOAN.
Is On In Full Swing With
Many Workers In The
Field.
Labor Depended On To Play
Bfe Part In Drive Going
"Ovpr The Top"
The Fifth and what is to be the
final Liberty Loan—Victory Loan
drive is on and the army of workers
in battle array under the leadership
of General Judge Clarence Murphy,
chairman of the campaign committee,
is gradually and stead'ly working its
way to the goal of Hamilton's quota,
$1,280,000, and expects to go "over
the top" early next week.
"General" Murphy however, says
that his army will not be satisfied
with simply reaching the quota, that
when that point is gained at the "top"
Hamilton's quota flag will be planted
and the army will go on resistlessly
until the bond pledges reach beyond
the sum of $1,350,000, and he further
says "don't be surprised if we roll up
a 1,500,000 in pledges, that is a great
army 1 have behind me and they are
to be depended upon."
At noon-day lunch Monday at the
launching of the campaign, Chairman
Murphy made an eloquent plea to
Hamilton am1 Butler County to stick
to the job until it was triumphantly
finished. In his plea Chairman Mur
phy said:
"MY FRIENDS, WHAT WE ARE
HERE TODAY FOR IS TO BEGIN
THE GREAT DRIVE TO RAISE IN
BUTLER COUNTY THE SUM OF
$2,548,000 TO PAY THE DEBT
THAT. HAS ALREADY BEEN CON
TRACTED AND YFT UNPAID
THAT THE FLAG OF LIBERTY
MIGHT FLOAT OVER THIS GREAT
NATION IN THE SAME SENSE
AUD
IN THE SAME FREEDOM AS
IT HAS SINCE THE NATION WAS
FOUNDED BY OUR FOREFATH
ERS."
Chairman Murphy fr depending
much upon labor's ioyat^ and patrio-
.?
..-•A
ABUNDANCE, SAYS
Trend To Revolution Is Underesti- EIGHT=HOUR DAY
mated, Warns Noted Author
In Fifth Article On Euro
pean Conditions.
Spartacans would certainly be follow
ed by an attempt of a similar demon
stration elsewhere—probably not in
Holland, where the Bolshevists are
disarmed, but assuredly in other coun
tries, and, unless the distress is re
lieved, almost certainly in Italy.
Underestimati'ig Bolshevism.
It is to be feare 1 that in this coun
try we have greatly underestimated
the spread of European Bolshevism
Switzerland is seething with it, Bul
garia is all Bolshevist except what
is Anarchist or has turned bandit, in
every neighboring country execept
Greece the agitation is said to be
growing.
It is only to stnrving and hopeless
populations that Bolshevism can
greatly appeal. Even to such popu
lations its appeal would be small if
they saw before them a reasonable
hope of better things. It is the idea
that they are abandoned fragments of
civilization that will no longer work
that makes them ready for any phil
osophy of despair, Bolshevism or any
thing else.
v
The world, in a time of profound
distress, looks to the Unii States
And is nojt^ likel^to. look in vain.
The huge and senseless waste of
food and fuel now going on in the
United States, does not mean that we
shall always be indifferent to the dis
tress of the rest of the world.
Wheatless days meatless days, the
sharp cutting down of electric light
waste, and many other economies we
took upon ourselves that the war
might be won and the world saved
from one of its deadliest foes.
We are ready to make the same
sacrifices now that the world may be
saved from its other arch enemy.
tisrn to reach and go beyond Ham
ilton's quota in the drive :nd Chair
man Murphy will not be disappointed.
While Hamilton's quota is $1,280,000,
this was not regarded as enough by
the committee and 'he goal of
$1,350,000 was fixed. Chairman
Murphy selected a committee of twen
ty-two men which is to canvass only
the corporations. This committee is
expected to raise $900,000. This
leaves $450,000 to be raised by the
ward workers. Here is where labor
comes in and is expected to do its
part. The Press at th point wants
to assure Chairman Murphy that he
can depend upon labor delivering the
goods. Labor has been loyal beyond
ouestion, and done its part all during
the war and labor will be there when
it comes to finishing the job by the
purchase of Victory Liberty Loan
Bonds.
IBM
"THE VERY IDEA"
Nauseating Thought That
Company Head Should
Meet Unionists.
New York—"The ve»*y idea!" ex
claims Lindley Garrison, receiver
of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit com
pany, when asked to receive a com
mittee to discuss working conditions
of employes who have organized a
Street Car Menjp Union.
The present ape is unknown to
Mr. Garrison, who declares that the
union is "attempting to create dif
ferences between the company and
its employes."
The company has been notoriously
antagonistic to trade unionism and
the receiver, while supposed to be an
agent of the court, would seem to be
carrying out this policy.
The company's antagonism to or
ganized labor resulted in a wreck
last November that caused the death
of 08 passengers. The company re
fused to obey an order
Ky
.- ........
HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1919. 75 CENTS PER YEAR
the national
war labor board that victimized un
ionists should be reinstated. The men
suspended work and the wreck was
the result of a green employe attemp
ting to operate a train.
I* J* J*
Bur Thrift Stamps an! fcefe.
The eigiit hour day, the goal of
Hamilton machinists for years, was
reached Monday morning at" 6-.30
o'clock wherj the first shift to work
under the new system went on duty
at the plant of the Hooven, Owens,
Rentschler compar.y, as a result of
the award of the Natioral War Labor
Board in the ease of the Hooven,
Owen, Rentschler company, vs. Ma
chinists Union Lodge No. 241.
While the Hooven plant is the only
plant effected by the award of the
War Labor Board it really means the
establishment of the ei^ht hour day
for all machinists in Hamilton as
there are several plants that have
been working under this system for
some time and there is no doubt what
ever that the other paints will go un
der the same system as soon as it
can be arranged a? the Hooven case
was really a test case for all and it
was virtually agreed—as the Hooven
case goes so they all go.
In addition to the eight hours the
War Board awards a 5 cent and hour
increase in wages. The men had
asked for 10 cents but at the meeting
held Saturday, oft -noon, atteni«c( by
practically ivery man effected, the
award was accepted without a dis
senting voice, the men seeming con
vinced that the Hooven company will
recognize the justice of their request
and shortly grant the additional 5
cents an hour increase asked for or
iginally.
The War Board's award calls for
two shifts of 8 hours each with 1-2
hour for lunch, making 17 hours.
This would leave but 7 hours for the
third shift which the company has de
cided to run. At a meeting however,
of the shop committee with Manager
Mitchell, the firm generously agreed
to allow the men of the late shift
eight hours pay fo^ seven hours work.
The company also agrees to take care
of the unemployed machinists of Ham
ilton so far as possible within its
power to do so.
The award seem.- agreeable to both
sides. The firm hfs done everything
within its power to arrange the hours
satisfactory to the men, even agreeing
that the late shift can start to work
at 11:30 Sunday nights, thus avoiding
Saturday night and Sunday morning
work. The firm also leaves it to the
men to trade shifts if they so desire.
In fact the firm is doing everything in
its power to nrakf conditions satis
factory and pleasant for its employees.
The men appreciate this action on the
part of the company and say that they
propose to show their appreciation by
giving to the firm the best that is in
them in return for these favors
Eventually it will be found that the
little controversy just clcsed will prove
the best thing that ever happened for
both the m""himsto and ti-e hooven,
Owens, Rentschler company.
For Machinists Is Established In
Hamilton By War Labor Board
In H. O. & R. Case.
Company Grants 8-Hour Pay For 7-Hours Work
To Third Shift.
The award of the War Labor Board
is as follows:
NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD
Docket No. 978
A W A
in the
Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Co.,
Hamilton, Ohio
vs.
International Association of Machin
ists, Lodge No. 241.
Be it ordered by the National War
Labor Board that the following be
the award in this case:
1. HOURS
Eight hours rhall constitute
day's work for either the day or night
shift, to be worked as follows: Day
shift: 6:30 a. m. to 3 p. m., allowing
one-half hour for lunch, Night shift
3 p. m. to 11:30 p. m., allowing one
half hour for lunch
2. OVERTIME
That all |im$'Worked in «xctss
of the above schedule of hours, in any
one day or night shall be paid for at
the rate of time and one-half, except
Sundays and holidays, for which
double time shall be paid.
3. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Titt right
at
...
worker* to organix*
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WIT**"*-
"WAS: V.V.."'.-'- VUMM
1 *Y TMR
('.TED STATES
OOVER,- MEN
into trade unions and to bargain col
lectively through their chosen repre
sentatives is recognized and affirmed.
The workers shall have free choice
in the selection of committees to rep
resent them, and the company shall
meet with committees of their own
employees for the purpose of adjust
ing any grievances'that may arise.
4. DISCRIMINATION
There shall be no discrimination
by the employers against employes
for membership in the union, or for
legitimate trade-union activities.
5. WAGES
An increase of five cents per hour
shall be paid to all employees affec
ted by this controversy, over the
hourly rates prevailing at the time
of the submission of this case to this
board, but in no ise shall any male
employee over years of age and
with six months' experience in the
plant, receive less than 42 cents per
hour, -xcepl apprentices or suporan
uates.
DURATION OF AWARD
This award shfcll be effective for
e u a i i o n o e w a
either party may reopen the case be
fore the National War Labor Board at
periods of six months' interval, but
in no event before August 1, 1911),
for such adjustment as changed eon
litions may render necessary.
APMINl'STRATION
Upon application by the parlies,
the secretary of this board may des
ignate an admini«trator to interpret
or apply such term.!# of this award as
the company and committees may be
unable to themselves adjust. Should
a controversy arise in respect to the
interpretation of which appeal the
decision of the administrator shall be
enforced, except where e payment of
wages is directly or indirectly involv
ed.
S. RETROACTIVF
This award shall be retroactive a:*
of March 31,11
The company is granted until May
15, 1919, io make the back payments
of wages provided for and due under
this award.
4?
Fred Hewitt
(i ru vilk E. Koss
Section.
April 10,
Approved by the Board.
W. Jett Lauk
Secretary.
Correct Copy: W. Jctt Lauck.
And right here—credit to whom
credit is due. Too much praise can
not be given Ted Smith, business
agent of the loca1 machinists union,
for the splendid way in which he
handled this controversy and for the
able and efficient manner in which he
conducted the case in the hearing be
fore the War Labor Board in Feb
ruary. Business Agent Smith con
ducted the case unaided and alone,
there being no international officers
present as is the case usually in such
matters and Brotl er Smith is to be
congratulated upon the results obtain
ed.
I*
THE UNION LABEL V GLORIOUS
CONCEPTION OF EQUALITY
The union label of organized labor
creates the trade agreement. It is
a most glorious conception of equality,
the very incarnation of those attri
butes which beautified the guild hall*
mark. It is moving toward a plane
of perfection, though at the present
moment it has just reached the inter
mediate stage o fprogress. Its future
stands for all that is noble all that
is sweet in life all that is earnest
for the elevation of mankind and
womankind. It ife th£ educator of the
coming generation. Unity, federa-'
tion, right and justice, legislation, a
happy and prosperous future go with
the union label of organized labor.
Mak* tgtrift
i
3
It,
is the highest type of patriotism which
springs from the heart of man, and
a factor in the ultimate attainment of
real liberty
$