The Butler County press. [volume], February 04, 1927, Image 1

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

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VOL. XXVI. No. 43
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»y International Labor News Service.
Indianapolis, Ind.—In a report to
the thirtieth constitutional conven
tion of the United Mine Workers of
America, in session here, John L.
Lewis, international president, ar
raigned the contract-repudiating oper
ators who scrapped the Jacksonville
wage agreement "almost before the
ink was dry," and added confusion
and uncertainty to the coal industry.
President Lewis pointed out that
every effort was made by the United
Mine Workers to "crystalize public
opinion against the unmorality of the
policy of repudiation of wage con
tracts." Governmental influences,
which were exercised to bring about
the negotiation of the Jacksonville
agreement, failed to operate in any
moral way to compel recalcitrant
operators to live up to their agree
ment which they had executed in ap
parent good faith, he said.
Workers Often Lectured
President Lewis said that trade
unionists from "time immemorial have
been lectured by statesmen, employ
ers, economists and moralists upon
the virtue of carrying out the obliga
tions of industrial agreements when
negotiated," yet men of great influ
ence in the industrial world, he said,
broke their agreement with the min
ers without compunction. President
Lewis emphasized the fact that in the
37 years of the mine workers' organi
zation never once had it repudiated
LACK OF BRAINS
Bars Strikes in Ford Plants,
Says Expert
By International Labor News Service.
Detroit, Mich.—Testifying as an
expert in the $31,000,000 tax suit
brought by the federal government
against stockholders of the Ford Mo
tor Company, Leone E. Faurote, au
thor of numerous engineering books,
said that Henry Ford never has been
troubled with strikes because it re
quires no brains to hold down a job
in the Ford plants.
Ford, the testimony of the writer
revealed, did not require the aid of
skilled laborers in 1913 any more than
he required their aid today. The sim
plicity of the manufacture of the Ford
car, made so by the use always of
modern machinery, eliminates the
need of skilled mechanics, Faurote tes
tified.
A common laborer who enters the
employ ^of Ford can be trained in the
operation of the machinery used in
three days, the witness said. No
brains are required, the plant being
so organized mechanically that, in
some instances at least, all a man has
to know to carry out the work assign
ed is the difference in color of lights.
JOHN L. LEWIS
And Old Officers Re-Elected
By Miners
By International Labor News Service.
Indianapolis, Ind.—The official re
port of the result of the election held
by the United Mine Workers of
America, December 14, has been made
public by international tellers, Thomas
Paskell, Thomas Holliday and W. M.
Young, who have just completed the
canvass of the vote. The vote is as
follows:
International President—John L.
Lewis, 173,323% John Brophy, 60,
661% Lewis' majority, 112,662.
International Vice President—Philip
Murray, 167,270% William Steven
son, 57,683 Murray's majority,
109,587%.
International Secretary-Treasurer—
Thomas Kennedy, 149,999% William
Brennan, 38,914 Charles Harris, 36
006 Kennedy's majority, 75,079%.
Lewis, Murray and Kennedy are
thus elected for another two-year
term beginning April 1, next.
ASK LAWMAKERS TO
END CHILD LABOR
Washington.—President Green has
appealed to members of all state legis
latures now in session to either ratify
the pending federal child labor amend
ment, or to rescind their action w^ere
a state legislature has rejected the
amendment.
"This is an issue of the greatest
importance to our country," President
Green said. "The alarming increase
in the number of children employed
since the last federal child labor law
was declared unconstitutional is caus
ing gravest concern. Many states
have grown lax in the enforcement of
their child labor laws, since the
opinion of the supreme court was
handed down."
Lewis Tells Convention
Pay Cuts Will Not Solve
Soft Coal Trade Problem
an agreement after having onee en
tered into it.
The miners' chief said that in his
opinion the problems of the bitumi
nous industry will not be solved mere
ly by the practice of paying less wages
to the men employed therein. He
showed that in times of over-produc
tion in the cqal industry the non
union operators, having the power,
will reduce wages to any point neces
sary to give them an advantage over
union producers. It was pointed out
that miners in the central competi
tive field and the outlying organized
districts live under a social standard
that will not permit them to work for
wages so pitifully low and that en
tails such a degree of economic deg
redation as prevails in the miserable
coal camps of southern West Virginia
and southeastern Kentucky, and else
where in non-union areas.
Heavy Pressure on Union
As indicative of the pressure
brought to bear on the United Mine
Workers by interests which would de
stroy it, President Lewis pointed out
that during the last three years the
organization has been compelled to
defend itself against some of the most
gigantic litigation in industrial his
tory. Suits have been filed against
the union asking for damages in ex
cess of $15,000,000. The union has de
fended more than 6,000 individual
eviction suits in West Virginia, west
ern Kentucky and Tennessee. In ad
dition the union has been made de
fendants in more than 300 injunction
suits.
MONTREALLABOR
For Measures to Prevent
Panics in Theatres
Montreal.—Organized labor more
than once directed attention to viola
tions of the laws by certain theatre
managements and urged action on the
part of the public authorities, stated
a report of a special committee of
the Montreal Trades and Labor Coun
cil, dealing with the Laurier Palace
treatre disaster by which 78 children
from 6 to 16 years old lost their lives
as a result of a panic-stricken stam
pede down a stairway.
The committee's report stated that
in a general way the by-laws govern
ing the construction of theatres were
complied with, and that the occurence
of the catastrophe proved that the
by-laws were inadequate. The com
mittee suggested that the city should
arrange, at the expense of the the
atres, to have uniformed officials in
attendance at each performance. Such
officials, well trained and disciplined,
could, the committee thought, do much
to instil confidence and properly di
rect audiences in time of emergency.
The committee also stated that or
ganized labor, being opposed to all
forms of Sunday labor, should press
for the prohibition of Sunday thea
trical performances.
The report was adopted after some
opposition to the proposal to close
theatres on Sunday.
GREEN SAW*
Mexican Workers Not Red
We Insist Upon Arbitration
By WILLIAM GREEN
President, American Federation of Labor
7
(In the American Federationist)
Citizens of the United States
firmly believe in the principle of
self-determination for nations. It
is high time to reach some defi
nite understanding of distinction
between intervention and protec
tion of the rights of American
citizens and their property. These
purposes pernit wide latitudes
of interpretation which may
sometimes include the special in
terests of questionable invest
ments. There is need for clarifi
cation of policies in the Pan
American sphere. An alternative
course to arbitration is a con
ference of Pan-American coun
tries to agree upon methods and
agencies for deciding upon inter
national relations and business.
If we would prevent war we
must deal constructively with the
causes which create war. We
can not maintain peace by merely
wishing for peace. We must find
a remedy for the causes which
create war and a basis of accom
modation by which disputes and
disagreements which arise be
tween nations can be fairly and
equitably settled. American la
bor hopes our government will
not play the part of an imperial
ist autocrat in Its relation with
Latin-American countries but will
prove itself to be, by practicc
and precept, an advocate and pro
ponent of the ideals of self-gov
ernment and democratic freedom.
By CHESTER M. WRIGHT
Editor, International Labor News
Service
Washington, D. C.—That a con
gressional investigation of propagan
da supporting the Coolidge-Kellogg
move for invasion of Mexico ought to
be ordered by this session of con
gress, is the feeling among those who
are watching the situation here most
closely.
The reason for this proposal, which
may soon make itself heard in the
form of a resolution in congress, is
that friends of peace fear a scheme
to delay action until congress ad
journs, with the dogs of war to be
loosed when there is no congress in
session to act as a check on imper
ialist designs.
Would Stop War Talk
An investigation, such as is a pos
sibility, could be used to disclose
enough information to make further
talk or invasion and conquest futile.
High-power lobbyists now in Wash
ington for oil interests, would be driv
en from under cover and their activi
ties laid before the country.
What is known in Washington, but
what is not known to the country at
large is that there are high priced
lawyers and organization agents con
stantly at work under cover in Wash
ington, using every subtle means a
their command to line up public offi
cials for a so-called aggressive pro
(In the New York World)
The American Federation of
Labor has always been, and is
now,
interested in the economic
development of the workers of
Mexico. Because of this fact we
have insistently endeavored to
maintain peaceful relations be
tween Mexico and the United
States.
We realize that war between
Mexico and the United States
would greatly retard the develop
ment of the Mexican people, while
our own country would suffer loss
of prestige, influence and trade in
Latin America.
If the American Federation of
Labor knew that the Mexican
workers were communists, or
committed to communist philos
ophies, we would have nothing to
do with them. It is because the
American Federation of Labor
has understood and believed the
Mexican workingmen are op
posed to communism and com
munistic philosophies that it is
desirous of being helpful to the
great mass of the people of that
country.
We have no knowledge that
Mexican workers or the leaders
of the labor movement are com
munists. Our information is to
the contrary.
The American workers do not
believe war with Mexico to be
justifiable.
We insist that whatever dif
ferences exist shall be settled by
arbitration.
Shortening the Long Winter Nights
Observers Feel Investigation
Would Block Invasion Moves
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Congressional Inquiry of Propaganda
For Mexican War Held Due to Nation
gram in support of the moves already
made by Coolidge and Kellogg, lead
ing to war. The social lobby is but
one of their channels of operation.
Social Lobby Potent Force
The extent to which the social lobby
operates to quell opposition in Wash
ington is amazing and constitutes a
story not fully told to the American
people. Furthermore, it is doubtful
if it ever can be told in its entirety.
But it is a most potent factor in quiet
ing the protests and ambitions of men
in public life who come to Washing
ton with high resolves, only to find
that it pays better in various ways to
put the high resolves on ice and "go
along" with the crowd.
The fact is that more than one man
now in office here seems to have con
veniently forgotten his election plat
form and his own convictions.
"They've taken him up on a high
mountain," is the whispered answer
to inquiries about how so-and-so
stands. And this applies to the Mexi
can question, as well as to other is
sues of vital importance.
Thorough Probe Needed
It is believed here that if a con
gressional investigation of propagan
da can be had it will disclose evidence
so shocking that any war move will
be impossible. Such an investigation
would get into action after congress
adjourns and offer a focal point for
resistance to imperialist designs. It
is felt that any investigation ought
to cover the whole ground, so as to
lay bare every subterranean move
back of the crisis that has developed.
The last investigation into Mexican
affairs was conducted by Albert B.
Fall, who was later secretary of the
interior and who has just been acquit
ted here on charges growing out of
the lease of Elk Hills to Doheny for
oil exploitation.
Fall Inquiry Anti-Mexican
The Fall investigation was bitterly
anti-Mexican. Agents of the then
dominant Association for the Protec
tion of American Rights in Mexico,
were numerous at the hearings. It
was even said that they virtually ran
the hearings. This organization was
maintained by the oil companies and
was frankliny in favor of invasion,
though it made a pretense of saying
at times that it was not.
That oil is the underlying and con-
AUSTRALIA TO SEND
INDUSTRIAL PROBERS
New York.—Australia is the latest
country that would investigate Amer
ica's system of high wages and mass
production. That far-away common
wealth has appointed an industrial
delegation that will visit the United
States, according to a cable received
by the commissioner of Australia, Sir
Hugh Denison. The probers will ar
rive the middle of March. The dele
gation consists of four representative
employers, four representative em
ployes and two women observers.
The employes' group is headed by
Edward Grayndler, general secretary
of the Australian Workers' Union, the
largest laboi* organization in Aus
tralia.
W+T•.
Ml
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trolling factor in the present situa
tion, as regards to both Mexico and
Nicaragua, and that the Mexican and
Nicaraguan issues are joint issues and
not separate issues, is becoming more
and more the accepted fact here.
If an investigation is had it will
reveal the role played by Andrew J.
Mellon, cabinet member with Secre
tary Kellogg and heavy holder,
through one of his companies, of Mex
ican oil lands. It will reveal also the
role played by Doheny who profited
by the lease given by former Secre
tary Fall who was so bitterly anti
Mexican, and the role played by Sin
clair and Standard Oil.
Those who best know the situation
believe that such an investigation
would be more startling, more shock
ing and more important that the Tea
pot Dome investigation. Whether it
will be had depends in part upon the
courage of members of congress.
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HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1927 ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR
i
By International Labor News Service.
Washington, D. C.—With more
than $700,000 paid in for stock by the
trade unionists of America, the books
of the Union Labor Life Insurance
Company were closed at the end of the
business day on January 31. No more
stock can be sold, under the insurance
laws.
The books and records of the com
pany's operations thus far are now
being laid before state insurance com
missioners for approval and the com
pany is preparing for entry into the
actual business of writing insurance
at the earliest possible date. This, it
is expected, will be some time not
later than February 15, although no
definite date can yet be fixed.
Two of the most important posi
tions in the company's insurance or
ganization were filled this week and
further important steps will be taken
at a directors' meeting to be held on
CHINESE RED
RETURNS HOME
By International Labor News Service.
Chicago.—Chao-ting Chi, member
of the central executive committee of
the kuomintang (communist) party
of Canton, China, and who has been
a student at the University of Chi
cago, has returned to China. He was
president of the Chinese Student Club
at the University of Chicago and gen
eral secretary of the magazine, Young
Asio.
Chao-ting Chi was closely affiliated
with the workers' (communist) party
of America while in this country and
was one of the organizers of the All
America Anti-Imperialist League. He
made a fiery speech before the con
vention of the American Negro La
bor Congress, held in Chicago a year
ago last October, when the All-Amer
ica Anti-Imperialist League, a sub
sidiary of the Russian Third Interna
tional, was formerly launched.
Chao-ting Chi made the sweeping
declaration that the 400,000,000 peo
ple of China would back up anything
that the American Negroes cared to
start. His statements and promises
were supported by another Chinese
student from the University of Chi
cago, who addressed the Negroes in a
violent and passionate manner.
Bedroom Suites
'179 to '415
Living Room Suites
'169 to *338
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Union Labor Life Insurance
Company Closes Books With
More Than $700,000 in Cash
4 S
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February 2 at headquarters in Wash
ington.
Mr. J. D. Maddrill, of the actuarial
firm of Woodward, Fondiller & Ryan,
New York city, has been named insur
ance manager for the company. Dr.
R. B. Robbins, of the New York state
insurance department, has been nam
ed to the position of actuary for the
company. Both of these men have had
enviable reputations in their fields and
the company regards itself as unusu
ally fortunate in securing their serv
ices. They rank high in the insurance
world and their appointments at onee
indicate to the insurance and lay
worlds the high type of personnel
upon which the company is planning.
The record of the company in se
curing more than $700,000 within a
period of just a few days more than
one year is regarded as setting a new
pace in the conduct of trade union en
terprises.
JEWISH CHURCHMEN
Stand With Unions Reject
Labor Injunction Theory
Cleveland, Ohio.—The national con
vention of the Union of American He
brew Congregatoins rejected the la
bor injunction theory when it dis
tinguished between labor power and
property.
"A man's labor is his very life, and
constitutes his primary service to
society it is not a commodity to be
bought or sold in the market," the
rabbis declared.
This statement accords with repeat
ed declarartions by organized workers
that labor is inseparable from life and
can not be classed with commodities
that are the result of that labor.
The rabbis further declared that
"human rights take precedence over
the rights of property," and that "the
recognition of the principle of mutual
service through the performance of
economic function is of first impor
tance to our social philosophy."
LOW WAGE GIRLS STRIKE
East St. Louis, 111.—Women and
girls employed in the 5 and 10 cent
Kresge stores of this city are on
strike. Some of the girls are paid $5
a week.
nearer th!:
TIE-OF• YOUR-DREAM
pibrucir5
Sale
of FURNITURE
Enters With
Substantial Savings
Haven't you often day-dreamed and wished to have a home that
was truly artistic and practical? Haven't you felt that this was
beyond your means? Now then, the February Furniture Sale
steps forward with the most amazing values of the year. Now
you can have Furniture that is the expression of the finest Fur
niture values in America Furniture that would do credit to a
Queen. For the castle of your dreams attend this Furniture Sale
and know how you can combine Beauty and Economy.
K-R-E-B-S
THIRD AND COURT STREET
This Week Ends The Whittall Rug Sale
Dining Room Suites
'179 to *369
Breakfast Suites
'32* to '54
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