The Butler County press. [volume], January 16, 1925, Image 1

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VOL. XXIV. No. 40
By International Labor News Service.
Indianapolis, Ind.—Unofficial re
ports from District 12 (Illinois) of
the United Mine Workers show that
the miners of that district voted by a
substantial majority for the old age
pension system to be installed among
the miners of District 12. This pen
sion system is independent of the
state system for all classes of toilers
now being advocated in Illinois.
John Hutchinson, of the United
Mine Workers, secretary of the Inter
national Union's committee on old age
pensions, has announced the comple
tion of a survey of conditions of the
poor infirmaries of Illinois. The re
port shows that a state pension sys
tem would not cost any more than
the poorhouse system that is now
used that the pension system would
be much more humane than the poor
houses and in addition the pensioners
would not have to undergo the dis
grace of being a poorhouse inmate.
The old age pension committee of
the United Mine Workers has been
investigating costs and conditions in
the caring for unfortunate dependents
in several states where efforts are be
ing made to determine the advisabil
ity of changing from poorhouses to
pensions. Mr. Hutchinson told the
International Labor News Service
that in almost every case the cost of
maintaining almshouses, investment,
etc., was in excess of the estimated
cost of a pension system for the old
between the ages of 65 and 70. He
said the committee paid personal vis
its to the 80 poofhouses in Illinois
and found them ranging from "horri-'
ble" to "excellent" in condition, de
pending on the whims and capabilities
of the managers in charge.
Under the plan voted by the Illinois
miners, pensioners will be eligible for
annuities at the age of 65, providing
INDIANA LABOR
TO FIGHT GOODS
MADE IN PRISON
By International Labor News Service.
Indianapolis, Ind.—A strong cam
paign against prison-made goods on
the market in Indiana will be made
by the Indiana State Federation of
Labor, according to Adolph Fritz,
secretary. "The abolition of prison
made goods must be accomplished,"
Secretary Fritz said, "to protect free
labor in the state."
Union Miners of Illinois
By Substantial Majority
For Old Age Pension System
Secretary Fritz said that the state
organization would seek an amend
ment to the workmen's compensation
law and would make an effort to ob
tain an eight-hour day for women
workers. The federation will oppose
the proposed state constabulary bill
as a "piece of tomfoolery" because
80 or 100 men could not "patrol the
state when it takes more than 500
to patrol Indianapolis."
«sa
The W. C. Frechtling Co.
The January Clearance
they have been members of the dis
trict organization of miners ten con
secutive years preceding the date of
application and ten years, not neces
sarily consecutive, previous to that
time. Under the plari each pensioner
will receive a stipend of $25 monthly,
on a permanent 1 per cent assess
ment on the wages of the members of
the union.
Secretary Hutchinson, of the min
ers' committee, said that the work of
the committee would be continued in
various coal states in an effort to
induce legislatures to adopt the pen
sion plan as against the almshouse
method. The matter will come before
the Indiana general assembly as well
as the Illinois and Kentucky assem
blies.
POOR YEAR
OFFERS
EXCEPTIONAL VALUES
FOR
Today Saturday
Reductions Prevail
From Ten to
50%
For Soft Coal Industry, 1924
Is Reported
By International Labor News Service.
Indianapolis, Ind.—The year 1924
was a poor one for the bituminous
coal industry, according to officials
of the United Mine Workers. Hun
dreds of miners were idle. Hundred
more worked only a fraction of the
time. Few mines were operated full
time, and soft coal miners all ovei
the country were hit by unemploy
ment. They did not earn a decent
living, the statement from interna
tional headquarters declares.
Non-union coal companies in West
Virginia and Kentucky followed their
old policy of cut-throating one
another, and the entire indusrty, in
order to get business. They cut the
wages of their miners who were help
less to protest. They cut the prices
of their coal. Next they again cut
the miners' wages and again reduced
the price of coal. They have fol
lowed this plan until their employes
are working for starvation wages.
The public has encouraged these non
union coal companies in this policy
by buying their coal instead of buy
ing coal that is produced under de
cent American conditions. Appar
ently the public conscience approves
the starving of these poor miners and
their families if thus it obtains cheap
coal.
The United Mine Workers propose
to help these miserable slaves by or
ganizing them and putting them on a
higher level of living. This could not
be accomplished in 1924, but long
steps can be taken in 1925, the state
ment by the Internation Union con
eludes.
WIN UNION SHOP
Danville, 111.—Platform men em
ployed by the Illinois traction system
have secured a union shop agreement
and a 10 per cent wage increase
These gains followed a week's strike
Exceptional Values in
DOMESTICS, LINENS, HOSIERY
UNDERWEAR
The W. C. Frechtling Co.
SURETY COUPONS GIVEN AND REDEEMED
By Staff Correspondent, International
Labor News Service.
Chicago.—The expected happened
when Judge Frank Burton, of Spring
field, 111., recently handed down a
sweeping decision against Governor
Len Small in the civil suit instituted
by Edward J. Brundage, the retiring
attorney general of the state. The
governor has taken an appeal to the
state supreme court, Judge Barton
fixing the bond at the spectacular
sum of $500,000, with the evident pur
pose of impressing the people with
the importance of the trumped-up
political law suit.
Governor Small was charged with
withholding large sums of interest
money due the state while he was
state treasurer from 1917 to 1919.
Backers of Suit Small's Enemies
It is unlikely that there is a person
of average intelligence in the entire
state of Illinois who sincerely believes
that those back of this suit are really
desirous of doing the state a service
and are honestly trying to place in
the treasury money lawfully due the
commonwealth. It is notorious that
the backers of the suit are the gov
ernor's bitterest personal and political
foes and that the active participants
are agents of the large corporate in
terests of the state, who have relent
lessly pursued Governor Small be
cause he has steadfastly refused to
bend the knee and wear their collar.
Attorney General Edward J. Brun
dage started out to "get" ftie gov
ernor several months before the pri
mary election, April 6 last. He
brought a criminal action against
Governor Small at Waukegan in an
effort to send him to the penitentiary
and put him out of the way as a
political factor. The governor was ac
quitted and afterward overwhelming
ly defeated State Senator Essington,
who was the hand-picked primary re
publican gubernatorial candidate of
Manufacturers' Association and other
predatory interests.
Illinois Executive Hit
By Springfield Judge
In Sweeping Decision
Deal is Made With Democrats
Defeated in the republican primary
election, the pirates of finance went
over to the democratic camp and
made a deal with George E. Brennan,
democratic boss of Illinois, who had
groomed and entered Norman L.
Jones, law partner of Judge Frank
Burton, as the democratic nominee
against Len Small. Then this bi
partisan combination started out to
consummate their unholy and rotten
purpose.
Every political jackal and coyote
that crooked big business could roimd
up was turned loose tot snap and
snarl at the governor. Billingsgate
and villification and abuse of every
description were daily aimed at him
from April to November. Epithets
were shouted at him from every oppo
sition stump. There was not a man,
woman or child in Illinois who did
not know all that the crooked bi
partisan combination had to say on
the allegation that Governor Small
had stolen the state's money.
The people of Illinois patiently
listene&to the great hullabaloo and
International Typographical Union
Purchases Magnificent Home
For Permanent Headquarters
J?
Indianapolis, Ind.- spacious drawing iuoiu^, wont to witness the swank and magnificence of
Hoosierdom's most exclusive society affairs, soon will resound to the clatter of typewriters and adding machines
grinding out the business of a leading trade union.
It was announced here today that the palatial Murdock home in the fashionable North Meridian street district
will become headquarters of the International Typographical Union, April 1. Purchase of the home, made famous
locally by its occupation at different times by two of Indiana's richest families, was effected recently by the union.
It was sold by heirs of the late Samuel T. Murdock, multi-millionaire interurban magnate and manufacturer.
The purchose price was not made public, but it was said the building could not be duplicated on land of such
value at a total cost of less than $500,000.
Small's Foes Strike Another Blow
In Fight to Oust
People Twice Indorse Governor
The case was placed before the
people of the whole state twice within
seven months—once at the primary
election in April and again at the
November general election—and the
people acquitted the governor in each
instance and declared that it was their
will that he should serve another term
as chief executive of Illinois. The
powers of pillage said that this would
not do and that the people must not
rule.
Sangamon county, in which Spring
field is situated, has been ruled by
rotten borough politics for years. A
bi-partisan combination, of which the
Sullivan republican faction is a dom
inant factor, is in control there. The
judiciary of Sangamon county is con
trolled by Judge Frank Burton, who
has decided the civil suit against Gov
ernor Small, Judge Norman L. Jones,
and Judge E. S. Smith. These three
men are closely allied, although of
opposite political faiths, and little can
be done in the courts at Springfield
without their sanction.
Smith Has Bad Injunction Record
Judge E. S. Smith is undoubtedly
one of the worst labor injunction
judges on earth today. He has issued
injunctions against the unions far
more drastic than the one issued by
Federal Judge Wilkerson against the
railroad shopmen. Judge Smith ap
pointed Chai'les Briggle master in
chancery for Sangamon county, and
it was Charles Briggle's report as a
master in chancery upon which Judge
Burton's decision against the gover
nor was predicated.
Edward J. Brundage, the republican
attorney general of the state, goes
to Waukegan and tries to send the
governor to the penitentiary. The
governor licks the attorney general.
The big interests and Brundage put
up State Senator Essington to defeat
the governor for renomination. The
governor trims Essington. The big
business interests and George E. Bren
nan, democratic boss, put up Norman
L. Jones, law partner of Judge Frank
Burton, of Springfield, as the demo
cratic nominee for governor. Gov
ernor Small goes out and knocks the
daylights out of Judge Jones.
All of this puts Governor Small's
enemies in a bad fix, but they still
have a card up their sleeves. Sanga
mon county, the rotten borough baili
wick, is still on the map, and the three
rotten borough judges and pals
Smith, Burton and Jones—are on the
job. So also is Charles Briggle, mas
ter in chancery, an appointee of Judge
E. S. Smith.
Fight on Small Taken to Springfield
So the bi-partisan enemies of Gov
ernor Small move the scene of their
7
Him
ballyhoo, weighed the evidence, anal
yzed the intent and purpose of the
governor's enemies, and when elec
tion day rolled around they went to
the polls and gave Norman L. Jones
wallop under the ear that knocked
him into a cocked hat, just as they
had knocked out State Senator Ess
ington, the republican henchman of
all that is rotten and undesirable in
politics.
as
HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY, JANUARY 16,1925 ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR 1'
Jf
Governor
nefarious operations to Springfield,
where their "four hoi-semen"—Smith,
Burton, Jones and Briggle—can be
depended on to put on some more
"dirty work at the crossroads." Re
sult: Governor Small has been found
guilty by two men, first by Charley
Briggle, the henchman of Judge
Smith, notorious injunction judge, and
secondly by Judge Burton, buddy and
law partner of Judge Norman L.
Jones, henchman and defeated guber
natorial candidate of George E. Bren
nan, democratic boss of Illinois. A
fine kettle of fish!
.Organized labor gave Governor
Small united support in the primary
and election because of his past rec
ord on labor matters and further be
cause he ran for re-election on a plat
form alniQst identical with the La
Follette platform.
It is a hell's own brew that crooked
big business and crooked politics are
cooking for the people of Illinois, but
it is a cinch that the people will
never swallow it. The people of
Illinois know that it would mean death
to popular government in this state.
GRADUAL RISE
In
N. Y. Office Workers'
Pay, Figures Show
By International Labor News Service
New York City.—Figures on the
weekly earnings of office workers in
New York state factories bear out
what has been frequently stated
that salaried employes and office
workers are slower to gain wage in
creases when prices are rising than
are shop workers.
This is pointed out by the chief
statistician of the New York state de
partment of labor, who, however, does
not direct attention to the fact that
office workers are not organized and
hence are not in a position to demand
higher wages when the cost of living
goes up, whereas factory workers in
many lines are organized in trade
unions and can ogtain wage increases
when prices rise.
"Bookkeepers and clerks do not
change from overtime to part-time
work with shifts in business condi
tions, or if they do their salaries are
not likely to change," says the chief
statistician, who continues:
"Basic salary rates are also slower
to respond to rising prices, partly be
cause it is a matter of individual bar
gaining and partly because office
workers are slower to change posi
tions to gain a temporary advantage."
The state department of labor re
uorts that the weekly earnings of
office workers averaged $33.58 in Oc
tober, 1924. The report says that dur
ing 1923 office salaries showed a con
siderable increase during a period
when factory employment was going
down and when factory wages showed
no tendency to rise. Office salaries
went from $32.56 in 1923 to $33.58 in
1924, a gain of just over a dollar.
The printing and paper goods in
dustries still have the highest average
of office workers' salaries, because of
the large proportion of editorial and
highly skilled office workers included
in returns from these industries. Met
als, wood products and food products
industries also show earnings above
the average.
Subscribe for The Press.
By Staff Correspondent, International
.Labor News Service
Chicago.—Many subjects were dis
cussed at the eighteenth annual meet
ing of the American Association for
Labor Legislation, recently in session
at the Congress Hotel, this city, but
the outstanding feature of the discus
sions was the proposed child labor
amendment to the federal constitution
ind the difficulty of getting educa
tional matter on the subject to the
public.
It was asserted that the opponents
of the amendment have been able to
control the press, the pulpit and other
agencies of public information in
states where the issue has been join
ed, Massachusetts being pointed out
as a glaring example.
INSURANCE ACT
For Unemployment Used to
Victimize Workers
By International Labor News Service.
London, Eng.—Considerable com
plaint is arising among the workers
against the victimization to which
they are subject under the adminis
tration of the unemployment insur
ance act.
Special
Labor Press Called Best
Medium to Spread Truth
On Child Labor Amendment
Some of the hardships have been
presented to the house of commons
by Neil Maclean, a labor member.
'One of these cases," said Mr. Mac
lean, "was that of a young Glasgow
*irl of 18, an only daughter, who was
asked by a labor exchange to go 90
miles from Glasgow to enter domestic
service. Her mother declined to let
her go, and the girl was then refused
further benefit.
'How many members of this house
would allow an 18-year-old daughter
of theirs to leave home and go out
into the world without protection?"
asked Mr. Maclean.
Another of his cases was that of
typist in Glasgow who had been
asked to go 40 miles to work in Dum
fries.
By questions to the then minister
of labor Mr. Maclean had established
the fact that there were 40 typists
out of work in Dumfries when the
girl had been asked to leave Glasgow
and that no employers had made ap
plication for typists during the period
in question.
Listening to the various speakers
on the subject of "Propaganda.
Methods of the Opposition," the
hearer .was forced to the conclusion
that there was only one absolutely
sure way of getting the message
across to the public, and that was
through the medium of the bona fide
labor press.
Speaker after speaker pointed out
that the big financial interests of the
country have been able to shut off
favorable publicity on the child labor
amendment through the daily press,
and as indicating that this is a true
statement the daily papers of Chicago
were silent as to the subjects dis
cussed at this meeting. Only per
functory notices that the association
was in session were published.
INCOME TAX
IN A NUTSHELL
WHO? Single persons who had
net income of $1,000 or more or gross
income of $5,000 or more, and mar
ried couples who had net income of
$2,500 or more or gross income of
$5,000 or more must file returns.
WHEN? The filing period is from
January 1 to March 15,1925.
WHERE? Collector of internal
revenue for the district in which the
person lives or has his principal place
of business.
HOW? Instructions on Form
1040A and Form 1040 also the law
and regulations.
WHAT? Two per cent normal tax
on the first $4,000 or net income in
excess of the personal exemptions
and credits. Four per cent normal
tax on the next $4,000. Six per cent
normal tax on the balance of net in
come. Surtax on net income in ex
cess of $10,000.
DEMAND SHORTER HOURS
Rug
This Week
Whittall 9x12 Anglo Persian
New York.—The Compressed Air
Workers' Union has notified munici
pal officials that hours must bee re
duced before they will accept employ
ment on the new tunnel under the
East river.
Compressed air workers labor under
air pressure far below the bottom of
the river. Many of them die because
of an occupational disease known as
"bends."
Discontinued]
$119.50
Ax minster 7-6x9 $21.50
Axminster 6 9 17.45
Velvet 36 70 3.95
Velvet 27 54 2.49
Grass 27 54 .54
Grass 18 36 29
Cocoa Mats 18 30 69
Neponset Rugs 9x12 12.75
—See Window Display—
K-R-E-B-S
FOR RUGS—ALWAYS
Values