VOL. XXVIII. No. 25
Indianapolis, Ind., (I. L. N. S.).—
Operators in the soft coal regions of
Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and the southwest
have reached agreements on the wage
controversy and the agreements await
early ratification by the rank and file
of the United Mine Workers.
Vice President Philip Murray of the
United Mine Workers expresses the
hope that the bituminous operators
of Western Pennsylvania will follow
the lead of the states named and ne
gotiate an agreement with the union.
Mr. Murray said that a failure to
reach an agrement in western Penn
sylvania would result disastrously to
the coal industry in that section.
The Illinois agreement provides for
wage basis of $6.10 for day men and
91 cents a ton for the tonnage rate.
The contract is in effect until 1932.
It is on the above basis that the
Indiana miners are attempting to ne
gotiate a contract with the operators.
At a former meeting, held several
weeks ago, the operators and miners
failed to reach an understanding, the
operators holding out for the 1917
scale, which was $5 a day.
In Ohio the joint conference be
tween the miners and operators re
sulted in an agreement based on the
1917 scale of $5 a day. The geo
graphical situation in Ohio—its near
ness to the non-union coal fields of
West Virginia and Kentucky—had a
strong bearing in forcing the 1917
scale to the front. However, under
the new contract, a committee of op
erators and miners will be appointed
to make a survey of the coal situation
in Ohio relative to wage conditions
and report to a joint conference in
1930 relative to a new scale. The.
same situation prevails in the south
west region where the miners accept
ed the 1917 scale.
Illinois Miners Ratify
Springfield, 111. (1. L. N. S.).—Illi
nois miners ratified the state-wide
1,341 votes. The votes cast in favor
wage scale agreement by a majority of
of the pact totaled 26,834. Harry
Fishwick, president of the Illinois
Mine Workers, issued the following
statement when announcement of the
vote was made:
"We are sincerely glad that our
members have approved the wage
^calo negotiated in Chicago by the
district scale committee. This has
7
Y
Y
i
Mine Work Soon to Resume
Following Ratification of
New Wage Agreements
Funeral Service
We render an intelligent, sympathetic service, never slight
ing on quality however, we do render a service that is
within reach of all.
The price is the patron's to determine, nevertheless we be
lieve in true economy, and particularly guard them from
overbuying.
Our beautiful Funeral Home is always at your disposal.
Burial Garments designed for each individual ease and made
in our own establishment.
Edgar K. Wagner
Funeral Director
TOPCOAT
OR
OVERCOAT
been done in spite of the worst cam
paign of villification, abuse and mis
interpretation that has ever occurred
in the history of the Mine Workers'
Union. Many of our members have
been misled by the propaganda that
has eminated from the elements that
are seeking to destroy us.
"We believe that with the adoption
of the new wage scale many of our
idle miners will have a chance to re
turn to work and make a living for
themselves and those dependent on
them."
Secretary Nesbit notified all locals
the agreement would become effective
at once.
Confidence Held Expressed
While ratification of the new wage
agreement was accomplished by the
narrow margin of 1,341 votes, official
of the union look upon the vote a
an expression of confidence in their
administration.
Operators in several mines in
Springfield have announced that pro
duction will be resumed immediately
under terms of the new contract, which
provides a basic day wage of $6.10
and 91 cents for tonnage men, as com
pared with $7.50 and $1.08 under the
Jacksonville wage.
A reduction of $1.40 per day in sal
aries of state officials of the Illinois
Mine Workers was voted at a hieeting
of the state executive board of the
union. This is equal to the cut taken
by coal diggers under the new wage
scale.
Ail Officials Affected
President Harry Fishwick said th
reduction applies to all state official
executive board members and field
workers of the organization, as pro
vided by union law.
Springfield mine owners have an
nounced that the retail price of coal
will drop 20 cents a ton. This reduc
tion, it is hoped, will materially assist
in meeting the competition of the non
union coal fields.
CO-OP. BUYING BY FARMERS
Washington.—Between 25 and 30
large-scale farmers' co-operative
buying associations purchased sup
plies last year to the value of $60,
000,000 fo rtheir 250,000 patrons, ac
cording to the department of agricul
ture.
Union Men, Demand the Label!
We are headquarters for Union Made-to-Order Clothes. Why buy cheap
clothes at a cheap price, when we can make you a Hand-Tailored Suit, Topcoat
or Overcoat for just a few more dollars? Give us a trial.
29
$
SUIT
.50
ALSO
Ready-to-Wear Hand Tailored Topcoats and
Overcoats $19.75 Real Values
Up- To-Date Tailors
235 Court Street Hamilton's Leading Tailors 25 Yeais
PLEASE MENTION THIS PAPER WHEN BUYING
THE BUTLER COUNT
P0
E*CopyrifM. W. N. U.)
By JOSEPH A. WISE
International Labor News Service
Chicago.—The fourteenth regular
convention of the Commercial Tele
graphers' Union of America, held in
this city, overwhelmingly voted down
a proposal to restrict membership in
the organization to Morse operators
only, which would bar operators of
printer machines, a new invention
which is alleged to be a labor-saving
device.
The proposal to amend the laws to
discriminate in favor of Morse oper
i rs came in the form of a "bill" in
duced by Delegate Percy Thomas
New York and sponsored by the
stern Broker Division of the union.
roposal Beaten After Long Debate
Following nearly two days of heat
debate, in which charges of "se
ssion" were hurled, the "bill" was
0 feated by a 10-to-l vote.
1
The delegates from New York took
.3 floor in their defense and present
convincing arguments to show that
session was not their object and that
i. ey were guiltless of Communist af
i ation. Their aim, they said, was to
protect the interests of the old-time
Union Tailored
To Measure
Perfect
Satisfaction
i.- ijt.
Proposal For Restricting
Cards to Morse Operators
Defeated By 10-to-l Vote
The delegates from Canada and the
istern and southern parts of the
lited States were vigorous in their
'position. Charges of "secession"
..me mainly from the Canadian dele
tion, which recently has had bitter
periences with Communist machina
ins aimed to destroy the organiza
:, n.
Y
Y
•Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1928
The Campaign for Votes Is Open
•4
Commercial Telegraphers Reject Plan
To Bar Machine Operators From Union
Morse operator who had spent a life
time in perfecting himself in his pro
fession and is now threatened with the
scrap heap by an invasion of the ma
chine manned by amateurs.
New York Failed to Act Vigorously
The writer was told privately that
the pi'incipal trouble in New York is
that the telegraphers there failed to
act vigorously when the machine was
first introduced. Failure to place
Morse operators on the machines in
New York at the beginning has
brought about the present bad situa
tion, it is said. Out this way and in
Canada the machines are being man
ned by Morse operators as fast as
they are introduced, we are told.
The convention finally decided to
refer the whole matter to a commit
tee, which was instructed to make a
thorough study of the problem and
then to draw up a statement to be
sent to all brokerage houses and oth
ers using leased wires.
The telegraphers contend that the
brokers have heard only one side of
the argument. High pressure sales
men from the American Telegraph
and Telephone Company visit the
brokers and present a fallacious argu
ment that the machine is a labor-sav
ing device. The telegraphers say that
the machine has not sufficient flexi
bility for use in a brokerage office
and that beter results are achieved by
use of the old Morse methods in that
particular line of work.
Fail to See Telegraphers' Side
The brokers who buy these machine
upon misrepresentation cannot see the
rrors in the argument presented by
the salesmen because of the lack of
practical experience on the part of the
purchaser, it is pointed out. The brok
er, too, is in error by his failure to
consult with his operators.
It is the purpose of the telegraphers
o
prepare and present their argument
against the machine to the bi'oker
even though he has shown a reluctance
10 hear that sicfe of the case. In the
meantimeefforts will be made to man
he machines with Morse operators
as fast as the machine is introduced.
It is claimed that an old-time Morse
operator is better equipped to become
an efficient machine printer than any
amateur brought in frpm the outside.
Victor A. Olander, secretary-treas
urer of the International Seaman's
iJnion, made an able presentation of
nis popular speech on the machine
problem. Secretary Olander has spent
much time and thought in perfecting
i his particular address, which he has
delivered before many gatherings.
The telegraphers gave him a big ova
lion when he had concluded.
Workers' Duty to Control Machine
Mr. Olander pointed out to the del
egates that they had been chartered
by the American Federation of Labor
to exercise jurisdiction over the field
of commercial telegraphy, and that
if they did not properly take care of
their job some one else would step in
and take care of it for them. He told
Subscribe for the Press.
Y
&
w
them that it was their duty to con
trol the machine or it would control
them. He said that if the union failed
to admit the machine operator to
membership the Morse operator event
ually would find himself dominated
by the machine printer.
GREEN STRESSES
Duty Of Labor To Back Sen
timents With Votes
Indianapolis, Ind. (I. L. N. S.).—In
an address before the Indiana State
Federation of Labor at Evansivlle at
the annual convention of that organ
ization, Frank C. Dailey, Democratic
candidate for governor, told the dele
gates he was committed to the policy
in the state platform of the party in
relation to organized labor and would
see that it was carried out if elected.
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, pre
ceded Mr. Dailey in his talk and ad
dressed a huge audience, discussing
the affairs of organized labor and the
duty of trade unionists to go to the
polls on election day and vote their
sentiments. He urged a non-partisan
stand on national politics, but reiter
ated the plea of T. N. Taylor, state
federation pi-esident, that every work
ing man go to the polls and vote in an
effort to get the best men in office
through choice of the majority. He
attacked the abuse of injunctions as
directly striking at freedom of speech.
The goal of the labor movement, he
asserted, is better wages, hours and
living conditions.
TEXTILE WORKERS'
Union Votes For Study
Tariff Situation
The convention voted to levy an as
sessment to carry on the New Bed
ford strike and to continue appeals
to other unions for support of the long
fight against a wage reduction.
Another decision was to make a sur
vey of the southern mill centers with
a view to starting an organization
drive if conditions are found propiti
ous. The union has heretofore found
it impossible to make much headway
the south. Reports to the convention
were that the southern workers were
ready for unionization, however.
Read the Press.
CO
PRESS.
Chicago, (1. L. N. S.).—There is
prospect of a strike of 70,000 train
men and conductors on 55 railroads
west of Chicago unless President
Coolicge can find a way of ironing out
the differences between the carriers
and employes. This eventuality be
came apparent when the United States
Board of Mediation gave up the task
following more than two weeks of ef
fort to effect a settlement.
The law requires the board to re
port to the president, who may ap
point an emergency board which may
make a report of the facts ascertained
within 30 days. Following that the
employes may strike if they so choose.
POWER TRUST
Probe By U. S. Board Is
Again Operating
Washington—The Federal Trade
Commission has resumed its hearings
on power trust propaganda.
The investigation was authorized
when the Senate adopted the Walsh
(Mont.) resolution. It has been dis
closed that approximately $1,000,000
a year was spent by the combined util
ity units in their war against public
ownership or control of public utili
ties. The fight was directly aimed at
the Norris plan for government own
ership of Muscle Shoals and against
the Swing-Johnson Boulder Dam Can
yon bill that would harness the Colo
rado river.
The investigation shows that the
utilities' representatives freely used
the terms "Bolshevik" and "Socialist"
against those who opposed private con
trol of natural resources. These pub
licity agents deluged the press with
"news releases" and "canned editor
ials" and boasted of the amount of
\a
Of
New York City, (I. L. N. S,).—
President Thomas F. McMahon of the
United Textile Workers was reelected
by the union's convention here. Other
officers chosen were Secretary-Treas
urer James Starr, First Vice President
Francis J. Gorman and Second Vice
President William Kelly.
The convention voted for an ex
haustive study of the tariff in the
various branches of the textile indus
try, to be followed by an appeal to the
Tariff Commission for such changes
as the union considers necessary to
uphold American living standards.
This action was taken at the request
of the Philadelphia upholstery work
ers, who pointed out that their indus
try is in a disastrous depression owing
to increased imports from France, Bel
gium and Italy.
ic
Strike on Western Railroads
Looms Unless President Can
Bring Settlement in Dispute
O
Extra Pants rFroffl
Am
KADIO
0ur Factory DlrfcS 10
with
j"st
TW0
M"DEL 40AC
•et u»es 1 recti
fying and 6 AC
tubes. $77 with
out tube*.
Rfld 10 Speaker*
in
i
uses, (20
each.
JUST
PR0F1TS-
IpJ, !p4, !pu Land Ours—No Middleman's-* P«
THE R1CHMAN BROS. CO.
128 High St. Opposite Court House
The New Electric Set
for 1929 Model 40
Try it here—today!
arrived, and we have a limited
number for immediate delivery. Ever
since Atwater Kent first introduced the
popular priced AC set, we have found
the demand enormous.
This new arrival is even more popular.
First limited shipments will last only a
short time. Be sure to come in and ar
range for your Atwater Kent 40 to be
delivered now. Or phone us today for a
free home demonstration.
•••St*
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR
The strike vote taken is almost unani
mous.
The trainmen and conductors de
mand wage increases of from 10 to
15 per cent, while the western carriers
were willing to concede an increase of
7 1-2 per cent. The deadlock yns
reached on a working rule issue.
Brotherhood officials refused to ar
bitrate the elimination of the double
header rule because they declared it
has been in effect for 27 years and is a
settled condition of employment. Elim
ination of the rules sought by the rail
roads, the union leaders said, would
be equal to a 15 per cent reduction.
free space won for the trust. One of
these agents declared that country ed
itors are "God's fools."
Scores of college professors were
secretly employed to write text books
for public schools and to make
speeches in favor of "private initia
tive." Publishers of text books were
also reached.
Former Senator Lenroot, a promi
nent candidate for vice president in
the convention that nominated War
ren G. Harding for president, was
shown to have received $20,000 for
opposing the Walsh investigating reso
lution.
An attack on the Ontario publicly
owned hydro-electric plant, issued un
der the auspices of the Smithsonian
Institution, turned out to have been
written by a man who received $3,000
from the National Electric Light As
sociation. The Smithsonian, which is
a government institution at Washing
ton, repudiated the report.
WIN FIVE-DAY WEEK
Mt. Vernon, N. Y.—Members of the
Carpenters' Union employed on mill
work won their five-day-week strike.
They suspended work August 27.
E N
The Labor Temple Auditorium. For dances, bazaars, parties, -te.
Inquire of the Trustees, or phone 1296 for dates.
,1
y°ul Open Saturdays
Yours UntiI
m-
"i
ikrs
$
77
Without tube•)
convenient
terms
$10 Down
K-R-E-B-S
Third and Court