The Butler County press. [volume], October 30, 1925, Image 2

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

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THE PRESS
JKWCIAL ORGAN OP ORGANIZED LABOR
OP HAMILTON AND VICINITY
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ECTXmtfi~^)EISES2
Members
laaued Weekly at 828 Market Street
Telephone ISM Hamilton, Ohio
Rndnrsed by the Traoea and Labor
Council of Hamilton. Ohio
Kndnrsed by the Middletown Trades
»nd Labor Council of Middletown. O.
USE YOUR GAS BALLOT
Now that the gas contract has been
sewed up, so far as action by coun
cil is concerned, both daily papers are
taking some warm shots at the Ham
ilton Furnace Company proposal to be
voted on next Tuesday, and doing
everything to poison the minds of the
public against it, pointing out what
a horrible calamity it would be
to accept it.
Don't be deceived in this matter
The daily papers would lead you to be
lieve that the action of council would
action by council in passing the leas
ing ordinance in no way affects the
right of the citizens to vote on the
question next Tuesday. The leasing
v rdinance
Those who are back of the move
ment to turn the gas distributing
system over to the Columbia Supply
Company would have you to believe
that voting on the question next Tues
day is of no consequence, that it is
just a waste of time and effort to
vote on it, etc., in order that you be
come indifferent and not vote, in
order that the measure be defeated.
They, however, and all their friends
that they can gather will vote on it,
and they will vote it down.
So don't be deceived by this talk
of "no need to vote" and "it's all set
tled, the contract has been awarded."
The Press doesn't attempt to tell
you how to vote. We are not super
men that we would command you to
vote this way or that. The Press
does, however, urge you to vote on
the question, leaving the decision to
you, believing that you have brains
enough and intelligence enough to
vote what is best without advice from
in outsider. The Press doesn't want
ou to feel that it believes you don't
*now what is good for you and that
you MUST accept what is offered you
and that you MUST vote accordingly.
The Press leaves it to you.
BE SURE TO SEE THAT YOU
GET YOUR GAS BALLOT AND
VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE, one
way or the other, BUT BE SURE TO
VOTE IT.
ta I*
DAILIES AGREE
For once Hamilton's two daily
newspapers agree. Strange, you say,
yet it is true. They agree on the gas
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Labor Press Association
THE NONPAREIL PRINTING CO
PUBLISHERS AND PROPRIETORS
Subscription Pries $1.00 per
Payable n Advance
Year
We do not hold ourselves re»ponaible for any
vlt-w» or opinion* expressed in the articled
communications of correspondent*.
Communications fioUcited from secretaries
,.f all 'so'cieties and organizations, and should
be addressed to The Butior County PreM, 826
Market Street. Hamilton, Ohio.
The publishers reserve the right to reject
nny advertisements at any time.
Advertising rates made known on appli
.-Mfinn
Whatever is intended for insertion most
be authenticated by the name and address of
the writer, riot necessarily for publication, but
n
(ruarjintee of (rood faith.
Subscribers chantrintt their address will
ilease notify this office, irivinjr old and new
ftditree* to insure remilar delivery ot paper.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1925
Entered at the Postoffice at Hamilton
Ohio, as Second Class Mail Matter,
*SWT
question. Both papers agree that th^
contract for gas, voted by five mem
bers of cduncii, is a g-ra-nd and glo
ri-ous thing for Hamilton gas con
sumers..
The Hamilton' Evening1 Journal
says, "After a good deal of useless
talk and discussion council finally de
cided to ask for bids from all gas
companies." And then the Journal
said, "NOTHING COULD BE FAIR
ER than this." There could have
been a whole lot FAIRER THAN
THIS. When the Hamilton Furnace
Company had previously submitted a
proposal to furnish the city gas for a
period of ten years at certain prices
that company was submitting a bid
And when the Columbia Gas Supply
Company, knowing the other com
pany's proposal and almost sure that
the other company would not submit
further bid, submitted its bid it
was taking an unfair advantage.
And when more than 5000 citizens
signed a petition in less than 32 hourp
initiating an ordinance granting the
Hamilton Furnace Company a ten
year contract at their bid, to be voted
on in November, the people should
have been given a chance to express
their will in the matter, that is what
they wanted and the five members of
council knew it, yet they jammed the
Columbia Company's proposition
down the throats of the people and
expect them to like it and take it
with a smile. And they further exA
pect the people to accept the version
of the two Hamilton dailies that^'the
contract is a good thing for Hamil
ton."
And that is where the real unfair
ness of the whole transaction of coun
cil comes in. The offer of the Colum
bia Gas Company did not come in in
the nature of a bid. It came in in
the nature of an ordinanace, all pre
pared for council to vote through
without a moment's consideration or
discussion. Why? So that it could
be rushed through and become effect
ive before election day, depriving the
people of a choice in thfc matter. Do
you call that fair, Mr. Journal? If
so, then the Press does not know the
meaning of fairness—and neither
does the Journal.
make final the awarding of the gas
contract. This is not true. Thel PREFERRED TO HAND OUT
TEN-YEAR CONTRACT WORTH
was put through less than
two weeks before the election and it
cannot possibly be in legal effect be
fore the people cast their ballots on
the proposition Tuesday.
The Journal further said, "Four
members of council refused to give the
people a chance to get bids THEY
THREE AND A HALF MILLION
DOLLARS WITHOUT ANY BID
DING." The Press will not say the
foregoing is just a mis-statement,
but that it is stronger than that and
that we are surprised at the attempt
of the Journal to make the people
believe it is right in the stand it has
taken when it declares that the deal
just closed is a good one for Hamil
ton and that Hamilton people ar
pleased, especially when we know that
the Journal knows that it is wrong
Either the Journal must admit that it
has been wrong in its contention or
admit that it is ignorant of public
sentiment on the gas question when
as a real up-to-date daily paper it
should know every pulse beat of pub
lie sentiment on every vital public
question. And one must agree that
the gas question is'one of vital impor
tance to the public. The four mem
bers of council were only trying to
protect the wishes and desires of the
public, as expressed in a petition sign
ed by more than 5000 people trying
to protect their mandate. They were
fighting* a bunch of human hyenas
who were doing everything possible
to eat up, in a literal sense, every
right and privilege due the people by
recessing to morning, noon and night,
a procedure unheard of in the annals
of the city's legislative body, or any
other acting city body, and action
that would have been condemned* by
the Journal in language that would
have caused the stinging of the ears
of Mayor Kelly and his five hench
men in council the rest of their days
that is, the Journal would have con
demned the action in this manner had
the "boot been on the other leg." As
it is, the Journal is very much pleas
ed and contented.
The Journal goes on down the line
arid tells what a lovely thing the gas
contract is for Hamilton and about
C. HELENA
SPEARS
(MR. W. HARRY SPEARS) FOR
CITY TREASURER
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the nasty four members in* council.
The Hamilton Evening News is more
lady-like in its comment on council
action. Unlike the Journal, the News
seems to be a happy winner, seeming
to be satisfied with the "all's well
that ends well" stand, and ready to
forgive the losers since "we won out"
and not condemn and bawl out the
other fellow because he couldn't see
things just "as ,1 do," even after win
ning. Yes, here is one time the two
dailies agree. There's an old saying,
Politics makes strange bed-fellows,"
and it would seem that the old adage
is not to hold good only in politics,
but in gas deals as well. But while
the two dailies agree on the subject,
unless the Press very much misses its
guess, they are going to be very much
surprised, after the votes are in and
counted on next Tuesday night, at the
great number of people who disagree
with them—the five ebnncilmen and
Mayor ifelly.
These four men are the only coun
cilmen who have protected the people
and the best interests of the citizens
of Hamilton on the gas question.
What must be the feeling of these
four men when such a paper as the
Hamilton Evening Journal beseeches
the voters of Hamilton to repudiate
them For what reason Because
they voted against turning the peo
pie's gas system over to the Columbia
Gas Supply Co.
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FOUR HONEST COUNCILMEN
What is the reward of virtue?
The city, of Hamilton has been for
tunate in having four men in council
who are HONEST, above any sus
picion, and sincere in their desire to
carry out the wishes of the people.
These four "men are:
Leo J. Welsh.
Gus Bierman.
Carl Barglund.
Arthur Forberg.
These fotir men are workingmen
and a credit to all the laboring men
of Hamilton.
RA Ha Ma ffci-
WHEN DO RATES GO UP?
In its pamphlet mailed to the vot
ers of Hamilton this week by the
n.olumbia
Gas Supply Company that
company calls attention to the fact
that the Hamilton Furnace Company
is not a public utility company and
as such is not subject to public regu
lation as is the Columbia Gas Supply
Company. Well, isn't that perhaps
good argument wtiy Hamilton should
accept the Hamilton Furnace Com
pany proposition in preference to that
of the Columbia Gas Supply Com
pany? Wouldn't it be safer as re
gards future rates?
If we understand the thing cor
rectly, when a pubile utility company
shows by the figures on its books that
it is not making a certain return on
its investment, the state public util
ities commission authorizes and ord
ers an adjustment in increased rates
that brings at least certain returns
on the investment. Supposing the
people of Hamilton would be foolish
enough to lease their gas distributing
system to the Columbia Gas Supply
Co., which is part of the Union Gas
& Electric Co., doesn't that mean then
that, if in two, three or five years the
Columbia Gas Supply Company, by
figures on its books convinces the
state public utilities commission that
it can no longer supply Hamilton con
sumers gas at the rates its contract
calls for and make a certain return
on its investment, wonlt the company
then be authorized to increase its
rates? That at least has been the
experience of some of our big users
of electric current. They made con
tracts for current with the Hamilton
Utilities Co., now part of the Union
Gas & Electric Co., at a certain rate
for a period of years, only to have an
amended rate advanced for an in
crease in rates, approved by the state
commission, and which the customers
had to pay. The contracts thus brok
en were just as binding as they could
be made with a public utility com
pany.
On the other hand, when a company
is not a public utility company, it is
not subject to regulation by the state
public utilities commission, and where
such a company makes a contract to
'm
TriB BUTLfife COUNi'Y PRESS
furnish gas at a (certain rate for
certain period of years, that company
must live up to its original contract.
There can be no come-back for in
creased rates. Wouldn't it then be
safer to have a contract of this kind?
We may -be wrong in this article
if so, we would gladly be cbrrected.
The Press doesn't want to make any
mis-statements
but believes that it
should give the people all the informa
tion on this question that it can. The
Press only asks that the people be
given their choice in a matter pertain
ing to all.
n ii n fe n
WHY NOT ANSWER9.
There has never yet been an answer
to the question asked, "Why all the
rush on the part of council on the
gas contract?" or "Why isn't the mat
ter left to the people?" The daily
papers, yes, tell us it is a good thing
for Hamilton but never yet has any
one of the Jive members of council
advanced an argument for their stand
to take away from the people the
right to vote on what more than 5000
citizens petitioned for, long before
bids were asked for or even thought
of.
The 5000 petitioners came out in a
fair, open way, their cards on thp
table, and submitted their proposition
of putting the gas question up to the
whole people at the election in No
vember.
Then there was a scheme laid to
steal away from the people the right
and privilege to choose for themselves
the gas they want. And the evening
papers helped in the theft by encour
aging the five council members in
their, what is designated by many,
shameful acting. If they were on the
square in the deal why all the rush
why so many recesses that not a mo
ment be lost in jamming the thing
through
Who was Kelly, the council mem
bers and the daily papers afraid of?
The people? Can't the people be
trusted in such affairs? Up to the
time bids were asked for it was in
their hands. The people pay the
freight and they were the ones to be
frustrated, if possible, by the rush of
Kelly, council and the daily papers.
Speaking of rottenness in Denmark
Denmark rottenness is no comparison
with what is being attempted in the
Hamilton gas deal, taking away all
rights from our citizens to make their
own choice.
Can't blame the Columbia Gas Sup
ply Company for getting all the bus
iness it is possible to get, but we do
blame the local people who would de
ny the home folks their rights.
But are the people going to be de
nied? We think not. The gas ques
tion is not yet settled despite the
action of council and all that some are
saying. The contract voted by coun
cil can't take effect before the election
So be sure to vote on- the gas ques
tion next Tuesday.
It isn't a question so much as how
you vote as it is to let council and
others know that you are interested
where you pay the bills and that you
are OLD ENOUGH AND INTEL
LIGENT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR
OWN CHOICE.
ffe tse IP?
THE PARK LEVY
If one had no other interest in next
Tuesday's election, there is at least
one cause that should draw him or
her to the polls, and that is the parks
and playgrounds levy. Surely there
ought not to be a dissenting vote on
this question. It means so much that
we furnish funds to maintain our
pretty parks and beauty spots and
playgrounds, the pride and joy of us
all. Think what they mean to all of
us, all classes. The fine free band
concerts, the place where men can en
joy a game of baseball and other pas
times in the evening, and above all
places where our boys and girls can
romp and play to their hearts' con
tent without danger of being run down
by automobile or other vehicles. In
these days of the many automobiles
where would the children play, out of
danger, if it wasn't in the parks and
playgrounds
Vote "Yes" on the park levy and
"SAVE HAMILTON'S PARKS AND
PLAYGROUNDS."
'''k'f'
ment ballot relates to what is com
monly known as the "pay-as-you-go"
plan. It limits the borrowing power
of cities, towns, townships and school
districts. It really means that old
debts must be paid when due and if
the law .becomes effective it means
the saving of money to taxpayers ml
adopted that the general assembly I
will have mbre power for taxing in-1
thing for the poor taxpayer about!
whose only taxable property is his I
home—he has no hidden wealth.
No other explanation should bel
needed on the 'two above amend-1
The third amendment on the ballot
relates to the extension and lengthen
ing of the term of office for county
officials. This amendment is only a
matter of opinion. If you believe
county officials should be elected for
four years, vote "yes." If you don't
think so, vote "no."
n
THE AMENDMENTS I The jive councilmen made the mistake
The first amendment on the amend-1 of not holding off until about the
night before election. If they had,
they would be now getting bouquets
instead of brickbats.
9P
A REFERENDUM
Referendum petitions are being cir
culated against the ordinance passed
The referendum means an extra
special election which can only be held
at great expense. The people are de
termined, however, to vote on the
proposition. The blame for this ex
tra expense can be charged to the
two daily papers, the five councilmen
who voted the contract, and Mayor
Kelly.
HAVE NO CANDIDATES
A most uhusua} situation in Hamil
ton presents itself this year, one
wjt}j0Ut
not paying long-time ^nterest gn old-l ^aily papers seem to have a candidate
time debts. I *or
este(
aW}
ments. Suffice to say that Hamilton'sI Council met Tuesday night in regular
building associations indorse them and I session with a large attendance. 'Ow
advise voting "yes" on both of ithem.
That should be enough assurance to
Hamilton voters that they are OK,
because Hamilton's building associa
tions can be banked on in all things
to advjge the people right. The Press
SaVs "Vote Yes" on the two amend
ments.
by city council leasing the gas mains I i ty service, in which they state that
to the Columbia Gas Supply Company.
Those circulating the petitions report!
it the easiest thing in the world to
secure signatures. In fact, they say,
people are hunting up the petitions to I
The Press has held all along that
the trouble and expense of a referen
dum easily could and should be avoid
ed by waiting until after the people
voted on the Hamilton Service Com
pany proposal next Tuesday. But
council—that is, five members—back
ed by the dailies and Mayor Kelly,
refused to listen and now we are in
for it—foolishly.
to to to to to
sign them. About 1,700 signaturesl in which the state organization ap
must be obtained, but the solicitors! P^als for a committee to solicit shoes
claim the result of the circulation will
show nearer 17,000 signatures at the
finish.
VOTE FOR LOU NAU
In voting on the candidates fori
charter commission be sure to mark
your ballot for Louis F. Nau. He is
the only member of organized labor on
the ticket. He is^a real union man
and deserving of the support of every
union man and woman in the city.
He is now and has been many years,!
president of the local Carpenters'!
Union. He served several years as
president of Trades Council, where he
made a splendid leader. He is atl
present chairman of the chai'terl
league. If he is elected, though he
be the only union man on the com
mission, organized labor will be well
represented. Be sure to vote fori
Louis F. Nau for member of charter
commission.
to to to to to
AFTER ALL THEY DID
The Journal in an editorial thel
other night lambasted the tar out ofl
the republican city administration and
told what a "bum" and "rotten" set|
of officials we have, including coun
cil. The Journal said the only de-|
cent thing they did in their two years
of power was to put over the gas
contract. The Journal didn't talk I
that way of the five members of coun-l
cil during the time it was coaxing
and jollying them along to put the
thing over—they were nice fellows!
and good boys alliduring that time.
C. 1TELENA SPEARS
(Mrs. W. Harry Spears)
Graduate St. Catherine's
(Canada) Business College
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precedent. Neither of the
may°r-
The second amendment on the bal-l paperg however, are deeply concerned
lot relates to taxation. It means if I jn
Queer, isn't it? Both
e
iection. Both are much inter-
jn gas qUestion. Both want
gee
tangible property that is» hidden I pany ordinance voted down, and both
wealth. Its adoption would be a good I
^e Hamilton Furnace Com
^ry
busy at the
job
i* to m4-- .-.
TRADESCOUNCIL
The Co-Operative Trades and Labor
ing to Thos. .Donnelly paying the
council a visit the public was invited
and many citizens besides trades
unionists attended the meeting. Jack
Sheaf presided, and about forty-five
delegates attended.
Communication from Matthew Woll
chairman of the committee on educa
tion regarding workers becoming
more interested in education work
was received.
Dr. George Beckett was allowed the
floor, and explained the park levy
He represented the Lions Club and
other interests. He asked that a com
mittee be appointed to assist.
The credentials of Mary Maude
Si'^s, to represent the Woman's Union
Label League for 12 months, was
read and the delegate seated.
^The minutes of the previous meet
ing were read and approved.
Communication from the A. F. of
n which the information and public
the A. F. of L. convention condemn
•.id the campaign of Vice-President
Dawes to abolish free speech in the
United States senate. Received.
Communication from Thos. J. Don
nelly, secretary of the O. S. of
and clothing for the miners who are
*n strike in the Hocking and Pomeroy
coal fields. Received and ordered
•om plied with. Committee, Ogg
Perpingon and Finfrock.
Communication from O. S. F. of
in which they call attention to the
petitions being circulated for the
•nactment of a state constabulary law
by the legislature of Ohio. Commit
tees were asked for to warn the mem
bers of organized labor from sign
ing the petitions and to keep a check
-iv"*- V 7
y,v •4'i
«T AST NIGHT I stopped to
watch a father being
welcomed home after a hare
day's work, into a cosy home
of his own. Heaven can
no more beautiful than that
picture."
David Webb
U N E A I E O
The most modern Limousine
and Ambulance in the city
PHONE 48 219 MAIN ST.
Rentschler Bldg.
WARNDORF, Secretary
E. F.
on the circulators. Received and
complied with.
Thos. J. Donnelly ®spoke for about
one hour telling the delegates and
visitors of the interest they should
take in the Workers' College and
other benefits of organized labor.
Judge E. J. Kautz, who is a per
sonal friend of Thos. Donnelly, at
tended the meeting also and was call
ed on for a few wefrds.
Lack of space prevents the Press
this week from publishing the talks.
Governor Ritchie, of Maryland, as
sails federal subsidy to states, de
claring subsidy system destroys local
self-government idea.
WANTED
ELASTIC STOCKINGS,: Anklets,
Knee Caps, Leggings, full length
elastic stockings fitted properly.
Dargue's Cut Rate Store, 242 High
street. tf
For Board of Education i
Mary M. Beckett
(Mr*. Tom Beckett)
Edward B. Hughes
August W. Margedant
(3 to be Elected)
1 These names rotate on a separate
Non-Partisan ballot.
VOTE for these Candidates and
I keep the School out of Politics.
liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimii
ANNOUNCEMENT—Being unable to make a personal canvass of the people, I am in
this manner announcing my candidacy for the office of City Treasurer, having been
nominated at the August primaries. I also want to thank each and every voter who
assisted in my selection. I have never been one of those who became unduly exercised
or elated over woman suffrage as a cure-all of civic wrongs or^leficiencies in legislation.
Since receiving the ballot I have voted at each election, making my.choice of the
names submitted, to the best of my ability and judgment. There are some offices in the
gift of the people that I do not believe women are yet fitted or able to fill, and there
are some that they can. One of this latter is that of City Treasurer, and this office
has been ably filled by a woman for four years. I can do equally as well, having had the
This latter work freely and voluntarily given without remuneration, has been a pleasure
to me, realizing that I was in some slight measure helping my fellow-citizens, men and
women, in shop, factory and mill, to be compensated when they most needed the same,
injury or death. If elected I shall carry out the duties incumbent to the office of City
Treasurer irrespective of race, nationality, creed or political affiliation. I will be the
paid .servant of all the people of Hamilton. You will find my name on the ballot under
the Democratic Ticket and I cordially solicit your vote and influence... I also solicit
your vote for the whole Democratic Ticl^et.—C. HELJ3NA SPEARS, (Mrs. W. Hakty
Spears).
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Our institution is boosting
the home idea in a practica
way—by lending money for
home building and buying on
terms that the average family
can
meet.
The Peoples Deposit
Improvement and Loan Co
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