The Butler County press. [volume], January 26, 1923, Image 2

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

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THE P11ESS
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF ORGANIZED LABOR
OF HAMILTON AND VICINITY.
Labor Press Association
THE NONPAREIL PRINTING CO.
PUBLISHERS AND PROPRIETORS
Subscription Price $1.00 per Year
Payable in Advance.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for any
view* or opinions expressed in the articles
or communications of correspondents.
Communications solicited from secretaries
of all societies and organizations, and should
be addressed to The Butler County Press, 826
Market Street, Hamilton, Ohio.
The publishers reserve the right to
Endorsed by the Trades and Laboi
Council of Hamilton, Ohio.
Kudorsed by the Middletown Trades
and Labor Council of Middletown, O
WHO'S GETTING IT?
How do you account for this?
The public has been stuffed with
tales that the high price of coal is due
to the high wages paid the miners
all this despite the fact that the pub
lie has been told thousands of times
that the miner's wage ranges from 50
cents to $1 per ton.
Now comes the report of the United
States coal commission, which states
the average spot market price of soft
coal in this country was $4.54 at the
mines this week, $4.47 last week
$3.93 in December.
There hasn't been a wage increase
during the past few months, so what
is the reason for that increase of 61
cents per ton in about three weeks
Sixty-one cents is just about the
average price per ton labor receives
for mining the coal, the other $12 or
$13 paid by the consumer going some
where else.
What's the answer?—Dayton Labor
Review.
From the above article you get an
idea of how much the poor miner gets
for digging the coal for which you
are paying $10 and $10.50 right here
in Hamilton. The Press doesn't be
lieve the local dealers are getting any
more than they are entitled to in the
way of legitimate profits. But it is
plain to be seen that somebody
getting theirs.
i*
THE WAY TO BETTERMENT
The great foundation of progress
safety, stability and democracy in
America today is the trade union
movement.
The trade union movement wants to
help in the development of a better
America. It is constructive because
only through constructive policy can
its ideals be realized.
In ever negotiation between workers
and employers the workers are seek
ing to improve America. Each organ
ization is seeking to improve its part
of America.
That which employers sometimes
view as hostility and enmity is hos
tility only to that which is bad and
undesirable.
If employers will accept the full
co-operation of the organized labor
movement they will find a wealth of
offering such as few have dreamed of,
They will find possible a better organ
ization of industry, offering more of
justice to all who participate in the
efforts of industry.
In a thousand ways industry will
find itself "day by day and in every
way getting better and better" in
wholesome, sound, progressive man
ner.
Through the institution of join ne
gotiations between workers and em
ployers inestimable good will result.
Happy i» the employer who makes
this discovery.
n
IMMIGRATION
For several months the legislative
committee of the American Federa
tion of Labor has reported that exten
sive propaganda had been launched
to amend the immigration laws so that
there could be an influx of foreigners.
1
PRESS ASSHj
tOHlO LABOR!
Members
Ohio
rcject
any advertisements at any time.
Advertising rates made known on appll
cation.
Whatever ts Intended for insertion must
be authenticated by the name and address of
the writer, not necessarily for publication, but
as a guarantee of pood faith.
Subscribers changing their address will
please notify this office, giving old and new
address to insure regular delivery of paper.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1923
Entered at the Postoffice at Hamilton,
Ohio, as Second Class Mail Matter.
Issued Weekly at 326 Market Street.
Hamilton, Ohio.
Telephone 1296
.f-.-t.-rwr rv-
This propaganda has grown in inten
sity until it has reached every cor
ner of the land. Various associations
of employers are sending letters to
all members of congress urging them
to vote for unrestricted immigration.
The National Association of Mer
chant Tailors of America sent a com
mittee to Washington to appear be
fore y»e immigration committee of the
house to demand the 3 per cent law
be so amended that the European sup
ply of journeymen tailors may come
to our country unrestricted and in
unlimited numbers.
The false statement is being broad
casted through every avenue of pub
licity that there is a great shortage
of labor. Reports of department of
labor have been misrepresented to
prove an enormous shortage of both
skilled and unskilled workers. Secre
tary of Labor Davis, however, in an
address delivered in Los Angeles,
November 17, 1922, said there were
then 3,000,000 unemployed in the
United States. A survey made by
the American Federation of Labor in
nearly a thousand cities and towns
shows that there is a surplus of labor
everywhere. December 4, Secretary
of Labor Davis in a statement printed
in the Washington Star, said:
"The argument .'is everywhere put
forward that because we have reach
ed a point of industrial prosperity in
the United States, after one of th
greatest depressions we have ever
known, we must open wide our gates
to European immigration to provide
labor for our industries. I am con
vinced that a great many uninformed
or misled employers are using this
argument. It is entirely fallacious
for several reasons.
"There is an impression that the so
called 3 per cent law has operated tc
arbitrarily limit our immigratior
from all European countries. Nothing
could be farther from the truth
Those who are now clamoring againsl
the law forget or utterly disregarc
the fact that the law would have per
mitted the admission of thousands of
immigrants during the past two years
if they had sought admission. A!
any time since the law has been lr
effect, workmen for our industries of
the racial strains which have made
America great and which up to the
past two decades made up the bulk
of our immigration, could have been
admitted by the thousands.
"They did not seek admission. They
are not coming into America. In the
last fiscal year only less than one-half
of the quotas that could be admitted
under the law have come from Eng
lancj, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
from Norway, Sweden, Denmark
from Holland and from Germany."
While Secretary of Labor Davis
emphatically declares that there is no
shortage of labor, another member of
the president's cabinet takes an en
tirely opposite stand. Secretary of
the Treasury Mellon, whose financial
interests probably control his opin
ions, has issued a warning in his re
port to congress that the restriction
of immigration and the general re
sumption of industrial activity has re
sulted in a scarcity of labor embar
rassing in some lines of business.
From reports received by the Amer
ican Federation of Labor there is
great fear of the destitution that is
sure to result during the winter
months because of unemployment. A
committee of trade union legislative
agents representing the American
Federation of Labor and all national
and international unions, having leg
islative agents in Washington, waited
upon Chairman Johnson, of the im
migration committee of the house, and
protested against the opening the im
migration question at this session
The present 2 per cent law does not
expire until June 30, 1924. The time
of expiration was extended at the re
quest of the American Federation of
Labor, President Gompers making a
special plea for that legislation.
PREACHER DETECTIVES
A minister of the gospel who hasn't
any more to do than to join hands
with a couple of men, one of whom is
convicted of striking a 70-year-old
lady, in snooping around to hunt out
booze and bootleggers, certainly has
n't much to do in church work, or at
least he doesn't give his church the
attention he ought to. It would seem
there ought to be many other things
for him to do good in other than to
get into booze enforcement. Preach
ers and "detectives" make a bum
combination.
K
Day by day, in every way, the trade
union movement in Hamilton grows
stronger and stronger.
The work of a state in the long run
is the work of the individuals com
posing it—MilL
-''•A**•^r7fTi"^?7(y
OUR DO-NOTHING CONGRESS
The citizens of Washington are in
a better position to realize the in
competency of congress to solve their
problems than those of any other part
of hte country. The people of Wash
ington are voiceless. They are ruled
as no other city is ruled. The presi
dent can be said to be the mayor of
Washington and congress the city
council. The president as mayor ap
points a board of three commissioners
who rule Washington. He also ap
points a public utilities commission.
If the street railway, gas or electric
light companies claim that they are
not earning dividends enough the pub
lic utilities commission increases the
rates.
Many associations of citizens have
been formed to convince congress and
the president that there should be re
medial legislation. But in no city
in the country are there any louder
protests made against those who con
duct the government than in Wash
ington. That being true of voiceless
Washington, the rest of the country
can realize why it is neglected by the
failure to enact constructive legisla
tion even after most vigorous agi
tatino.
Behind all legislation is the politi
cal factor. There is said to be a po
litical scheme behind every move
made in the national legislature. For
instance, the anti-lynching bill (H.
13). When it was apparent before
the election that the ship subsidy bill
could not be passed it was postponed
until after the votes had been cast
Then, in order to prevent filibustering
against it the leaders in congress plac
ed the anti-lynching bill on the cal
endar to be the first legislation con
sidered. A bitter fight followed,
most vigorous filibuster prevented ac
tion on the bill. Finally, an agree
ment was reached by the leader of
the republicans and the leader of the
democrats that the bill would be with
drawn. It has been printed since that
a secret agreement also was made by
the filibusters not to filibuster
against any other bill during this ses
sion of congress.
1* J*
SCAB CAR "SERVICE"
The kind of service being given on
the scab-operated street car lines of
Buffalo, N. Y., was told in the head
lines of the Buffalo newspapers last
week. In two days' issue the follow
ing scare headings appeared over ar
ticles containing accounts of serious
accidents:
"Woman Injured Jumping From
Blazing Car—Several Other Passen
gers on Niagara Falls Trolley Cut
and Bruised—Two Autos Are Wreck
ed—Both Rammed by Cars and One
Driver is Hurt."
"Street Car Runs Wild and Holds
Up Traffic."
"Five Street Cars in Crash—Three
Injured, Dozen Passengers Bruised at
Main and Virginia Streets Car
Stops, Second Crashes Into It, Third
Hits Second, Fourth Stops, but Fifth
Bangs Into It and Forces it Into
Third Conveyance—Injured Taken in
Taxis."
"Passengers Injured in Panic on
Falls High—Speed Line Car—Break
Windows and Crawl Out."
"Cycle Cop Chasing Auto Hit By
Car."
"Victim Returning From Chuch
When Hit By Car Dies Later in Hos
pital."
The foregoing is a sample of the
street car service being inflicted upon
the citizens of Buffalo by "Mitten
Management." It is the kind of ser
vice that always results on a scab
operated system. The Buffalo riding
public, to a great extent, has been
withholding their patronage from the
lines because of the unjust treatment
by the company of its employes
Those who are using the lines are
taking the chance of being maimed
or killed through the recklessness and
incompetency of the misfits that have
been employed by "Mitten Manage
ment" to take the car men's places
Buffalo today under "Mitten Manage
ment" has the most demoralized street
railway service in the United States.
Union Leader.
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1*
MINERS AND 1923
The gigantic industrial battle
which followed disclosed hitherto un
dreamed of elements of strength in
the United Mine Workers of America
and attracted the attention of the
civilized world.
Through many long, weary months
the miners and their families, inspir
ed by the justice of their cause, made
tremendous personal sacrifices
order to continue the struggle and the
victory which they won excites the
admiration of all.
In emerging victorious from such
contest the united mine workers
have not only maintained their own
~r
THE BUTLER COUNTY PRESS
wages and working conditions but
have been of distinct service to all
the workers in America.
The retrograde movement in wages
has stopped, the falling of the labor
market has been checked and wage
increases rather than decreases are
the order of the day.
The organized mine workers have
proven themselves to be the shock
troops of labor and the dauntless de
fenders of industrial liberty. Their
success should be an inspiration to
workers in general and a tremendous
incentive for the upbuilding and per
fection of the trade union movement.
—John L. Lewis, president United
Mine Workers of America, in the
American Federationist.
J* P* Pi 1*
IT'S DIFFERENT
Labor Board Can't Enforcc
Rulings When They're
Against Railroads
Washington. When the depart
ment of justice was creating a mob
spirit to justify its injunction against
the shop men, the people were told
that a refusal to accept decisions by
the railroad labor board is "a chal
lenge to government."
Every echo and clacker for greed
took up the cry that the shop men
were "defying government," and that
the board's decisions must be enforced
if civilization is to continue.
Since this cry has served its pur
pose, the department of justice
changes front, and now declares the
board is simply a fact-finding body
and an arbitration tribunal, depend
ent on the support of public opinion
for the enforcement of its findings
The latter position is taken by the
department of justice in the suit of
the Pennsylvania railroad against the
board's order that the railroad com
pany shall permit trade unionists to
vote on employes' representation. The
company was establishing its company
"union" at the time, and debarred
more, than 85 per cent of its organized
shop men from voting.
The railroad company claims the
railroad labor board exceeded its au
thority. In discussing a law point in
the case, the assistant solicitor gen
eral said the railroad labor board
must depend on public opinion to en
force its decisions—a position that
organized labor has continuously held
"YELLOW DOG" PLAN
Again Sustained By Upper
Court
Employer May o i
Trade Union Affiliation
Under Ruling
Boston.—The state supreme court
has ruled that an employer has the
right to make it a condition of em
ployment that those whom he hires
must not affiliate with a trade union
This contract is known as "yellow
dog" contract among trade unionists
The decision was made in the case
of the Moore Drop Forging Company
of Springfield. The company secured
an injunction prohibiting trade union
ists "and all others" from inducing
or persuading any person now or
hereafter in the employment of the
company to leave that employment, or
to prevent the company from entering
into individual contracts with its em
ployes.
In upholding this injunction, the
state supreme court said: "The plain
tiff was entitled to make it a condi
tion that those entering its employ
ment should not remain members of
a labor union, and is entitled to be
protected by the law and to receive
whatever benefits may accrue from
such a contract."
Washington. The Massachusetts
state supreme court's decision that an
employer can insist employes must
not belong to a trade union is in line
with the Hitchman decision by the
United States supreme court, Decem
ber 10, 1917. In that case the court
upheld an injunction against organ
ized mine workers, who were charged
with attempting to interest employes
of the Hitchman Coal Company, of
West Virginia, in trade unionism
when these employes had individual
contracts with the company not to
join a trade union while so employed.
Prior to the Hitchman decision the
United States supreme court had
ruled in the Adair case and in the
Coppage case that employers could
discharge a worker for belonging to a
trade union or for any other reason.
The Adair decision set aside an act
making it unlawful to discharge from
interstate commerce service because
of membership in a trade union. The
Coppage decision invalidated a Kan
sas law which made it illegal for an
employe to be discharged because of
his trade union membership.
HUGE MEAT PROFITS
New York.—The report of Swift &
Co., meat packers, for the year ended
November 4, 1922, shows clear profits
of $13,049,217, against a deficit of
$7,812,291 in the previous year. Dur
ing 1922 the sales were less and the
profits greater than in 1921. In 1922
the sales were $650,000,000, as com
pared with $800,000,000 the previous
year.
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DAY BY DAY
IN EVERY WAY
Ship Subsidy Grab Grows
Weaker and Weaker
Washington. -Ship subsidy advo
cates now claim their measure "has a
fighting chance" of being passed by
the senate.
This uncertain prediction indicates
the state of mind of those who a few
months ago were insolently claiming
that every one who opposed looting
the treasury was in the pay of foreign
governments.
The present congress adjourns
March 4 next. The administration
does not want to call the new congress
in special session, but this will be
necessary if the regular appropriation
bills are not passed.
The appropriation bills could all be
sidetracked and every effort made to
jam the subsidy bill through before
March 4. While this scheme would
please the shipping interests, every
other big interest would be alarmed
because a special session of the new
congress would have to be called to
pass appropriations. With the new
congress once assembled, no one could
predict what would happen. The rail
road question, for instance, might be
reopened, and this at a time when the
railroads want to be left alone. They
are "getting their's," despite™poverty
pleas.
msm
At this writing it would seem that
something must be thrown to the
wolves, and the subsidy bill appears
to be the victim on the theory that
it is better to disappoint the shipping
interests than to run the danger of
railroad legislation, income tax legis
lation, excess profits legislation and
other proposals that members of the
new congress are committed to.
It is whispered that certain reaction
ary senators, who are up for re-elec
tion two years hence, are not losing
sleep over the subsidy bill's present
uncertainty. They realize that every
one who votes for it will be exhibit A
at a first-class political funeral.
Buy none but union label goods.
w
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ENFORCING BLACK LIST
New York.—The American Steam
ship Owners' Association is attempt
ing to enforce its discharge books on
crews of its vessels. These books
contain the photo, measurements and
description of each employe, and are
along the lines of the Bertillion sys
tem used by the police to identify
criminals. Under this system the
worker is graded and a check is main
tained on every day he is idle or is
employed.
The vessel owners claim this meth
od is in vogue in Great Britain. The
seamen show that the British system
does not provide for photos or the
complete measurements. In that
country the government and the ship
owners recognize the union and treat
with it, while in the United States
the union is opposed.
EMPLOY MANY GUARDS
Washington. During the first
month of the railroad strike the num
ber of guards and private police em
ployed by railroads increased to 39,
430 men, the railroads report to th*
interstate commerce commission.
WM
THE BUTLER COUNTY PRESS
WE HAVE SOLVED THE CHRISTMAS PROBLEM FOR YOU
Open a Christmas Savings Account with Us
START AT ANY TIME
Indicate to us that you want to withdraw next Christmas and we will issue
a Christmas Savings Book. You can deposit any amount from 10c up, at any
time during the year. After Decemberl, 1923, we will pay you the full amount
deposited with 3 per cent interest.
Our Plan is Simple Call Early For Your Book
Yours To Serve
The Dime Savings Bank Co.
215 HIGH STREET
A girl's hope chest these days ought
to contain at least one good auto
matic.-—Philadelphia Inquirer.
Is onlv Newspaper, and
WHEN YOU NEED
THE SERVICES OF
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STORE
CALL ON
RADCLIFFE
The Rex all Store
Cor. High and Second Sts.
LET US DEVELOP
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NONPAREIL PRINTING COMPANY
Is only Job Printing Plant in HAMILTON employing
UNION HELP IN PRESSROOM
Printing Pressmen and Assistants' Union No. 235
Hamilton and Middletown
BRINGELMAN, President HARRY HARRIS, Secretary
a v i W e
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
The most modern Limousine
and Ambulance in the city
PHONE 48 219 MAIN ST.
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ORIGINAL PLAN
For CHRISTMAS
SAVINGS
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