The Butler County press. [volume], January 09, 1931, Image 1

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

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VOL. XXX. No. B9
Cambridge, JVIass. (ILNS)—What
was probably the final chapter in the
celebrated case of the Harvard scrub
women, discharged shortly before
Christmas,- 1929, because Harvard
University was unwilling to pay them
a few cents more a day, was written
when Corliss Lamont, son of the New
York banker, distributed $3,880
among the 19 discharged women.
The amounts distributed to the
women varied according to the length
of their service at Harvard, the larg
est sum being $300 and the smallest
$69. In distributing the money—
which was in the form of savings
bank accounts—Lamont stressed the
point that it was not to be considered
a gift but "merely back wages due
them."
Lamont, as secretary-treasurer of
the Harvard scrubwomen's fund
committee, sent a letter accompany
ing the money to each of the women.
University Refuses to Act
"I take great pleasure," Lamolit's
letter said, "in enclosing a savings
account book in your name represent
ing approximately the back pay due
you for work at the Widener library
over a number of years. This is your
share of a total fund of $3,880 sub
scribed by 268 Harvard men from va
rious groups.
LEAN DAYS
For Overall Makers, Work
5 Days, Get 3 Days' Pay
Greensboro, N. C. (ILNS)—Five
days of work for three days' pay!
That is the new order of things at
the Blue Bell overall factory in
Greensboro.
The big plant, which employs sev
eral hundred workers, many of whom
are women, went back on a five-day
week schedule early in December.
The plant had been running only three
days a week, like most of the textile
plants of this section. The schedule
calls for a ten-hour day.
Instead of meaning a material ltt
crease in the meager pay envelopes
of the employes, the longer work
week is proving to be a matter of
almost double work for the very same
pay,. The work is piece work, and the
scale of payment has been juggled
and adjusted so as to amount to an
actual reduction of wages.
Hundreds of workers, an investiga
tion discloses, receive between $6 and
$8 when they get their pay envelopes.
But that is to cover two weeks' work.
A few are making more, but that
seems to be the average.
Perhaps the most striking case dis
covered was that of a young woman
who is trying to support herself and
her baby on approximately $3 a week.
Before the present depression, she
was making $150 a month in a local
business office. She has been unable
to get stenographic work, and was
forced to take her present job. It is
necessary for a welfare organization
to supplement her trifling pay en
velope to prevent actual starvation.
The Blue Bell overall plant manu
factures hundreds of thousands of
pairs of overalls annually. It is per
haps the largest single consumer of
the blue denims that have made the
Cone mills famous. It would be ex
ceedingly difficult to find a concern in
Piedmont, North Carolina, that has
had the spectacular mushroom growth
it has enjoyed.
Up until a few years ago, the plant
was owned and operated by C. C. Hud
son, who established it. Under his
management things went differently.
The new management has been known
since it took charge for paying poorly
and those who know conditions are
beginning to murmur more and more
against the employes of a million dol
lar corporation being public charges
because they cannot earn enough to
supply the bare necessities of life.
Whether the new schedule with more
work for the same pay will make the
protests articulate or whether they
will continue to be only murmurings
is a question.
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Back Wages of Scrubwomen
Paid By Harvard Alumni
Banker's Ron Distributes Monfcy to Discharged Workers,
Severely Criticizing University Corporation for Its
Attitude.
ALL WOOL ALL $22.50
Richman's Clothes
Made in Our Own Factory
And Sold Direct to You
No Middleman's Profit
Richman Bros. Co.
Hamilton, Ohio
128 High Street
OPEN UNTIL 9 P. M. SATURDAY
"When it was discovered last Jan
uary that Harvard University for
nine years had been paying the clean
ing women in Widener two cents an
hour under the minimum wage stand
ard, it was the hope of every fair
minded Harvard man that the univer
sity itself would make good the un
derpayment.
"The university, however, consist
ently refused to take such action,
making no real effort to investigate
the matter and to arrive at the full
truth.
Blames Corporation
"A group of Harvard men finally
decided, therefore, to raise a fund of
$3,880 covering back wages owing to
the 19 women discharged November
and December, 1929.
'ifinal responsibility for the uni
versity's neglect and niggardliness in
this matter rests with the Harvard
Corporation. Though clearly proved
to be in the wrong, the corporation
has steadily and stubbornly refused
to acknowledge its mistake.
"We hope that the payment of the
back wages by Harvard men will con
vince you that the corporation's atti
tude has been from start to finish a
misrepresentation of Harvard."
WHAT NEXT?
Discovery of a ray which pierces
80 inches of leaden plate with a loss
of qnly half its strength and which
is 10 times as penetrative as the
strongest radium ray is announied by
Prof. V. F. Hess, of Vienna. In a pa
per read before the Vienna Chemical
and Physical Society, Prof. Hess said
this great force must undoubtedly be
of extraterrestrial origin, since its in
tensity increases with distance from
the earth's surface. Prof. Hess be
lieves the wave length of the rays to
be unbelievably short, probably one
hundred millionth that of the ultra
violet ray and one thousandth that
of radium rays.
WINTER FACED
By Workers With Less Re
serves, Says Green
Washington.—"The second winter
of--unemployment finds us with in
creased unemployment and decreased
leserves," said Wm. Green, president
A. F. of L., in discussing industrial
conditions and prospects for the
future.
"Approximately 5,000,000 wage
earners are without employment,"
said Mr. Green, who expressed the
hope that spring activity will mark
the turning of the tide.
"Wage earners have been bearing a
heavy burden as a restflt of the
serious depression," he said. "About
50 per cent of trade union members
have had to lower their standards of
living because of lessened incomes,
which have declined more than six
billion dollars during the past year.
As these wage earners represent
more than 80 per cent of the purchas
ing public, their falling income has
added to the depression, which was
caused by output increasing faster
than incomes.
"In sharp contrast to the decline in
wages, industries in 1930 increased
the sums paid for dividends and in
terest by more than $400,000,000.
Part of this goes back into invest
ments, whereas what is needed is to
finance those who buy the products of
industry."
President Green said that present
conditions make it necessary to first
give relief to unemployed, but perma
nent help, he said, must be based on
regular customary employment. Pros
perity, he said, is only possible when
resting on high wages, shorter hours,
organization of wage earners and the
development of machinery to set up
co-ordinated control of inudstries.
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C*ourt House
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CCopjTight, W. If. U.)
Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Gloomy
as present conditions are, organized
labor sees hope for improvement in
the coming months of 1931, President
William Green, of the American Fed
eration of Labor, says in a statement
on unemployment conditions and the
prospects for the future. His state
ment follows:
"The second winter of unemploy
ment finds us with increased unem
ployment and with decreased re
serves. Approximately five millions
of wage earners are without employ
ment. Gloomy as present conditions
are, we find hope in the spirit with
which communities are rallying to
meet the emergency of widespread
need, and the capacity of American
citizens to cope with difficult prob
lems in our unemployment reports
from unions in 24 industrial centers
which show the increase in unemploy
ment this month is much less than
last month and less than the regular
seasonal increase for this month in
the fact that deflation of prices has
gone so far as to indicate the bottom
has been reached in evidences of re
turning confidence in the production
policies of important production com
panies in the general belief that
spring activity will mark the turning
of the tide.
"Wage earners have been bearing
a heavy burden as a result of serious
business depression. About 50 per
cent of trade, union members have
had to lower their standards of living
because of lowered incomes. The in
comes of wage earners have declined
by over six billions in the past year.
As they represent over 80 per cent of
the purchasing public, their falling
income has still further added to the
business depression which was caused
by productivity increasing faster than
incomes. In sharp contrast to the de
cline in lyages industries have in 1930
increased the sums paid for dividends
Walter E. Ames, trustee Unioti
Printers' Home.
George B. Arnold, former Illinois
director of labpr member Street Car
Men's Union.
Joseph C. Balhorn, former president
painters.
J. H. Barry, international organ
izer structural iron workers.
Wm. J. Brennan, former vice presi
dent stationary, firemen director of
public safety, Newark, N. J.
Frank Buchanan, former president
structural iron workers former mem
ber congress from Illinois.
Edgar E. Clark, former chief of the
Order of Railway Conductors.
James P. Campbell, general vice
president plumbers.
S. O. Fox, first grand secretary
treasurer Order of Railroad Tele
graphers.
John T. Fennell, vice president
electrical workeyg.
L, J-
Gloomy as Present Conditions Are, Signs of Im
provement Are Appearing, William Green
Says, Emphasizing Need of Organization to
Bring Business Stability.
11n flftemonam 1930
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and interest by over $400,000,000.
Part of this goes back into invest
ments, whereas what is needed is to
finance those who buy the products of
industry.
"Fear has laid a paralyzing hand
on our business transactions and there
is needless demoralization. This fear
is born of uncertainly. There can be
no stability without organization bas
ed upon advance planning. What is
needed in this critical situation is
clear judgment and discriminating
application of principles that will
stimulate business activity. Attention
has been necessarily directed to relief
first, but permanent help can come
only from return to regular custom
ary employment. These fundamental
principles are essential to restore and
maintain business prosperity:
"(1) High wages to finance
consumers.
"(2) Shorter hours so as to
give employment to as many as
possible.
"(3) Organization of wage
earners so this large group of
consumers may be in a position
to advance their interests and
keep their returns from industry
advancing with increased produc
tivity.
"(4) The development of the
machinery to set up coordinated
contool of industries.
"Wage earners look forward to the
coming months of 1931 with the hope
that the seasonal improvement will be
the beginning of better times. We
feel confident that American business
has the capacity and resourcefulness
to put order into our economic rela
tions so that we can avoid break
down. Future progress lies in team
work and trade unions stand com
mitted to a program of co-operation
for the promotion of mutual interests.
Labor looks forward to opportunities
for sound organizations in 1931, con
fident that prosperity will follow."
W. L. Funderbunk, former presi
dent stove mounters.
Luke Grant, labor writer and edi
tor former member Carpenters'
Union.
George Hargrove, international
representative United Mine Workers.
Timothy Healy, former president
stationary firemen.
Harry Halton, national treasurer
glass bottle blowers.
Patrick E. Higgins, national vice
president post office clerks.
Clint Houston, old-time member
Typographical Union associate edi
tor Labor, owned by standard rail
road workers' unions.
Chris Kerker, general organizer
Bakery Workers.
William Larkin, grand lodge repre
sentative machinists.
Mrs. D. S. Litton, vice president
Alabama Federation of Labor.
J& Lynch, former jpgpaklMt
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HE fi UTLER CO UN Y PRE SS:
HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9,1931
•What's It Going to Be?
Labor Sees Hope For Better
Times in Months Just Ahead
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Typographical Union.
Robert Lyons, organizer restaurant
employes.
John Mangan, former vice presi
dent plumbers.
Orion C. Merrett, vice president
Louisiana Federation of Labor.
M. E. Montgomery, former asso
ciate chief engineer Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers.
James J. Mulcahy, former vice
president Typographical Union.
John N. Parsons, former president
letter carriers.
Frank H. Pease, former editor The
Railway Conductor.
Joseph Pope, former president Illi
nois district miners.
Frank J. Pulver, former secretary
Colorado Federation of Labor.
Wesley Russell, former president
and former secretary commercial
telegraphers.
John T. Smith, A. F. of L. organ
izer and secretary Kansas City Cen
tral Labor Union.
John Scott, former secretary-treas
urer railway employes' department.
A. F. of L.
Clarke Silvernail, councilor Actors'
Equity Association.
Jospeh F. Valentine, former vice
president A. F. of L. and former
president molders.
WHY INHERITANCE
TAX IS OPPOSED
BY THE WEALTHY
Cincinnati.—The reason for opposi
tion to inheritance taxes is shown in
the report of the executor of a for
mer newspaper owner in this city
whose estate is valued at $6,328,844.
The executor paid an inheritance
tax of $536,947.50 to the state of Ohio
and $134,136.89 to the federal govern
ment.
This total of $671,083 would pay
an old age pension of $6 a week to
100 persons for approximately 22
years.
PENSIONS FOR AGED
FAVORED BY CARAWAY
Washington.—An old-age pension
is included in Senator Caraway's pro
gram of legislation which he hopes
the minority party in congress will
support. In discussing the proposal
Senator Caraway denied that such a
system is a "gratuity."
"Each generation," he said, "leaves
more wealth in the world than when
it began. That is illustrated by the
fact that when the Indians sold New
York to white men for $24 they got
their money's worth. A system by
which old age could receive some sup
port from society is not a gift, but
simply provides that the aged could
draw on the reserve which they them
selves helped to accumulate."
INCOME TAXES HIGH
DURING DEPRESSION
Washington.—The business depres
sion has not materially affected high
er incmoes, as collections during the
period December 1 to December 26
amounted to $490,848,651. This is
but $22,000,000 less than the amount
collected by the bureau of internal
revenue in the same period las year.
Four more days' tabulation will prob
ably increase the receipts to $495,
000,000. Delinquent payments were
little higher than before the depres
sion.
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By STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Danville, Va. (ILNS)—Fourteen
union families were dispossessed on
Monday by 'due process of law" as
one more of the multitude of phases
through -which this great textile
strike has passed.
Deputy Constable Luther Lewis,
hating his job, supervised the opera
tions of four colored men as they set
the meager belongings of the strike
families out on the streets or in
vacant lots.
The ground was frozen, but the
morning sun warmed the surface to a
slippery film of mud.
The whole proceeding in every case
was carried out without the slightest
hitch. Notice had been served on Fri
day that the houses would be emptied
on Monday, unless there was rain.
There was no rain. On the contrary
it was what might be called good evic
tion weather—the sun not too bright,
the air crisp, but not too cold.
Movers Work Carefully
Families stood by in silence while
the officers of the law'moved beds,
stoves, chairs and tables out to what
ever space might offer a convenient
resting place. The movers appeared
to work carefully, so as to do no dam
age. Clearly they had no heart for
their task. One officer "tipped off"
victims to the name of a man whe
would cart their goods to new lodg
ings for half price.
While the deputy constable and his
force of movers busied themselves
with carting furniture into the streets
the courts ground out the final papers
for 29 additional evictions. In these
newest cases the involuntary moving
will take place January 9, if it does
n't rain.
Two families scheduled for eviction
were allowed to retain their little
homes until sickness passes, on or
ders of doctors.
Prize Baby Evicted
Among the evictees was Danville's
prize baby, winner of a Danville baby
contest held before the strike. The
little blonde miss didn't seem to mind
the experience, taking it with won
derment, but not with fear. For her
was just a moving.
One piece of stage play was rudely
poiled by the constable. The citv
$
Danville Constable Evicts
Fourteen Union Families
Victims of Warfare Waned By Mills Stand By in Silence
As Officers of Law Carry Household Goods to Open
Air—All Evicted Families Given Shelter by Nightfall.
ON SALE
27
FAMOUS INNER-SPRING
SIMMONS MATTRESS
PRICED AT $32.50
We will alio v for your old
mattress
Only A Limited Quantity
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police were all set to make tt Roman
holiday out of the misfortune of the
workers. It had been planned to as
sign a big and showy detail of police
to accompany the constable and his
moving crew. But the constable put
his foot down hard on that proposi
tion. He issued an ultimatum to the
effect that if the police went he
wouldn't go. He declared he would
carry out the court orders without
any show of police—and he did,
quietly, with no more show of author
ity than was necessary and with as
much consideration as possible.
By night i-eports to union head
quarters showed that all the evicted
families had been housed, either in
other dwellings -by themselves, or
with friends.
POLICE HEADS
Ignore Court Order in La
bor Paper Case
Los Angeles.—An order issued by
Judge Walter S. Gates, of the supe
rior court, that police officials shall
not interfere with the Los Angeles
Citizen, means nothing to these
champions of law and order.
The Citizen is owned by the local
labor movement and has been print
ing accounts of a moving picture
operators' strike. Police arrested
newsboys when the papers were sold
in the vicinity of the unfair theatre.
The Citizen appealed to Judge Gates,
who reminded the police of certain
provisions in the federal constitution
relative to a free press.
"Nowhere do we find in any of the
states of this Union any authority
which sustains the doctrine that a
municipal corporation is invested
with the power to declare the sale of
newspapers a nuisance, said the court,
who declared that "the power to sup
press one concedes the power to sup
press all.
The police officials ignored the
order and continue to arrest news
boys. Contempt proceedings are now
being considered by Judge Gates.
The attempt of police officials to
control the press is interesting other
local newspapers.
50
KREBS
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