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THE PRESS
DVT1CIAL ORGAN OP OKGANm LMM
OP HAMILTON AMD VKHHITI
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Subacriber* changing thair •ddrae* wili
pleasa notify thia office, givinc old aad now
addreaa to insure regular delivery of paper
Entered at the Postoffice at Hamilton
Ohio, aa Second Class Mail Matter
Iaaaad Weekly at IN Market ftreat
Telaphene 1SH Kaailtaa. Mia
Eadorsed by the Trade* and Labor
Ceancil ef Hamilton, Ohio
Endorsed by the Middletown Trades
and Laber Council of Middletown, O
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1932
A Happy and
Prosperous New Year
To All
RETURN OF "SLAVE LABOR'
Long and bitter was the war of
cesession fought by the armies of the
North and the South in the eighteen
hundreds. Out of the struggle came
many issues that aroused every man
in the land.
Today, our chief cause to remember
the Civil War is the freedom given
the slaves of the southern land own
era. Today, it is an accepted thought
that the United States is free from
slave labor, free from forced labor
free from bondage.
We, in our smug way, silently say
tinder our breath, "of course we know
that prisoners have to work, they are
forced to work, but then after all
that's their bad luck, they shouldn
have gotten into prison."
But when prison labor, paid for
and supported by the taxes of the
citizens of the respective states,
hired out to private interests for com
pensation—compensation that fills
the pockets of officials, then it
time to quit talking behind our hand
and rise in righteous indignation at
such dastardly conduct.
Such a condition has arisen in
Arkansas. {Labor leaders there have
recognized the need for drastic action
in fighting the lease system.
County officials adopted a plan to
lease prisoners to commercial and
agriculture employers at a wage of
75 cents a day. This sum to apply
WE
PAY
5%
ON ALL SAVINGS
Compounded Send-Annually
The West Side Building
aid Loan Association
Main and Streets
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We do not hold
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$**
Mint
Members
Okie Labor Preu A»edti«i
THE NONPAREIL PRINTING CO.
PUBLISHERS AND PROPRIETORS
Subscription Price $1.M per Tear
Payable in Aiuict
oqtm
Itm
impwh
IUi
for say
riawi or opinion* ixprtwcd in tk( utithi
ir communication* of Nmiptatak
Communication* •oHettad trmm miitirli'
of all Bocietir* and organisation*, and shanld
be addreaaad to Tha Butlar County Prwa, IM
Market 8treet, Hamilton, Ohio.
The publUherm raaarra the rifkt ta rajaat
any advertisemcnta at any time.
Advertising rat«a made known an kiffr
cation.
fur
Whatever to btmM
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inaarttoa
ba authenticated by tb« nam* and addreaa of
tha writer, not neceaaarily for publlcatioa, hut
aa a guarantee of
good
faith.
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PROBLEMS CONFRONTING UJANP
THEIR SOLUTION
The problem of unemployment continues to be the chief concern of the
workers, and while we hear much discussion of an expected improvement,
it has failed to materialize, and there has been no great change in conditions
that have now prevailed for two years.
It is true that, due to natural causes, conditions have at one time or
another improved very slightly, but the outlook for the future is none too
bright, and we cannot expect anything like steady employment and normal
conditions for a long time to come unless we face facts in the present situa
tion and set about to adopt measures that will cure the unemployment evil,
because lack of employment has reached a stage where we caw no longer
ignore the facts.
There is a reason why unemployment has reached such grave propor
tions as prevail at present, and the reason is that we have gone through a
period of most rapid change in industry, with engines and machines doing
hat was formerly done by workers, and these engines and machines are
doing it faster and cheaper, with the result that commodities have piled up,
because while the unemployed might have the desire to buy they lack the
power and the means to do so on account of their enforced idleness.
Changes in industry and methods of manufacture have come about with
such rapidity that our entire industrial balance has been violently disturbed,
andthe further we go the faster and greater becomes the production of
goods, with less the need of men to produce them. Unless those who are in
control have the intelligence and understanding to join hands with the
forces that are sincerely trying to adjust themselves and the country to this
new situation that has been created by the mechanization in industry, then
we are heading for a dangerous crisis, as the time is fast approaching when
something must be done to control the situation and properly distribute
output.
Unless this is done voluntarily, then other means will have to be
found to bring about the desired results, and it is a great deal better to face
the problem and start a movement to solve it now than to wait until things
get worse, because unless those willing and eager to work are provided with
the opportunity to earn a living and can be assured of employment at fair
wages, with some degree of regularity, instead of being forced to face star
vation because they cannot secure employment, then such a situation be
comes a standing menace.
on the fines of the men who are un
able to pay them and have been sent
to jail for that reason. The county
is to receive fifty cents a day for each
prisoner and allow employers 25 cents
a day for feeding each man. This
system is alleged to relieve the county
of the expense of feeding'the prison
ers. The taxpayers will not benefit.
The prisoners will not benefit.
It is regrettable to see Arkansas
attempt such an act at this time,
of all times.
We see the indignation at the
thought that politicians join in the
parade of the thoughtless who believe
that low wages mean a return to
prosperity.
It is time for the worker, the union
man, the free man to rise and de
nounce this policy of Arkansas. It
i time to shout so all the world may
ar that union men and women will
n allow free men to become slaves
and vassals.
This sort of thing must be nipped
in the bud, or the tiny trickle through
ti e dyke may become a roaring
rearing monster and destroy all that
I s before it.—Editorial in "The Jour
neyman Barber."
ASK FOR
Organized labor is taking a leading part in endeavoring to bring about
the very much needed readjustment and advocates a shortening of hourse
and a shortening of the work week, with much needed wage increases for
the great masses of underpaid workers, who are mostly unorganized.
Shortening of the hours and the work week will help to relieve consider
ably the vast amount of unemployment that is directly due to workers being
displaced by the ever-increasing introduction of labor-saving machinery,
while wage increases for underpaid wage earners will result in increasing
their power to purchase, which in turn will result in increased consumption
of goods and prove of benefit to all.
Organized labor has pointed out the best solution yet offered for the
unemployment problem, and employers, if they are wise, will see the truth
of these contentions and join hands with the labor unions in bringing about
a solution of the most weighty problems confronting all of us. And in order
to solve them properly, it is necessary that we realize all around that today
we are living in an era of progress such as the world has never before
experienced. We are accomplishing marvels in the way of overcoming the
forces of nature and in defying the laws of gravity. We proudly boast of
our achievements in mechanical construction and our ability to solve any
problem in which engineering and mechanical and scientific knowledge
required.
We have produced so many varied and wonderful things through Amer
ican ingenuity that have been perfected into such a marvelous state of
perfection that we have excited the envy of the entire world as a nation of
ingenious people because of our achievements. And with all these glorious
achievements we appear to be absolutely helpless in the fact of a most
pressing problem, that of growing unemployment with its attending suffer
ing, hunger and starvation. In connection with these conditions there are
most serious questions arising that must be answered in a practical manner,
if the basis for the present widespread unrest is to be removed.
AND THEY WONDER WHY!
"The 15 per cent reducton in wages
ought by the Chicago & Northwest-
ABEAC0N_0FQUAllTYFQP0VEI?40YEAI?silu
At All Dealers
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ern would save the road about $2.44
a share,*' says the Wall Street
Journal.
That's the Wall Street view for
you. No concern over the effect of
the proposed wage cut on the work
ers and their families, only the effect
on dividends is considered. And ye
Wall street wonders why the hue and
cry against its methods, why de
mands for governmental regulation
of its operations are growing, why
more and more its activities are re
garded with suspicion.
:o:
FREE SPEECH FOR DETROIT
TEACHERS
The Detroit Board of Education re
cently adopted a declaration for
free speech that every community
would do well to follow. The board
said:
"Teachers may feel free to discuss
and express their honest opinion, out
side of the classrooms, upon all sub
jects, including social, economical and
political questions, without fear of
official reprimand or coercion on the
part of anyone connected with the
Board of Education."
In recent years there have been
some outrageous attacks on the right
of free speech and free assemblag
in Detroit. Trade unionists will re
call the attempt made during the 1926
convention of the American Federa
tion of Labor to prevent federation
executives from speaking in Detroit
churches. The stand of the Board of
Education, therefore, comes as some
what of a surprise, but a very wel
come surprise, to believers in the
rights guaranteed by the constitution
:o:
WISDOM
There are some crimes which be
come innocent and even glorious by
their renown, their number, and their
success. Hence it is that public rob
beries become proofs of talent, and
seizing whole provinces unjustly is
called making conquests.—La Roche
foucauld (1613-80).
One aim of education should be to
core people of the habit of believ
ing propositions for which there is no
evidence.—BertrazuL J&juageiL
1
S
{Mu
THE BUTLER COUNTY PRESS
UNIONISM AS A SOCIAL FORCE
The value of the trade union move
ment cannot be measured by wage in
creases, unless these increases are
associated with higher living stand
ards, more diffused education and a
more enlightened citizenship. Union
ism is a social force because its heart
is morally and ethically sound. It is
never found pleading for special priv
ilege. Wage rates it asks for are
met by the non-union employer. Its
pleas for the abolishment of child la
bor include children of workers who
take no part in the fight for better
conditions. Its demands that life and
limb be protected in shop and mine
include all workers. Its creed is all
embracing—regardless of sex, relig
ious belief, politics, nationality or
color—it invites all wage earners to
join with it in the effort for a higher
type of manhood and womanhood.
The time has passed when the trade
union movement must -apologize for
its existence or defend its purposes.
Its position is invulnerable because it
is supported by grim necessity and
by the highest ideals that have act
uated man—a larger degree of lib
erty. A movement founded on these
two elements can withstand any
shock, as has been proven times with
out number by the trade unions*
to:
MAKING JOBS IN ROCHESTER
An intensive campaign to provide
emergency jobs for the unemployed
of Rochester, N. Y., is reported at
tracting wide attention. The Roches
ter campaign involves canvassing of
every household, industrial and busi
ness firm and building owner by
teams' under district captains. Each
person called upon is asked to under
take improvement or other work
about home, grounds or factory build
ing that will furnish winter employ
ment for jobless men. Each person is
also urged to use his normal buying
power in purchasing furnishings
equipment and clothing.
The plan is not new, having been
tried in some form in other cities
with varying success, but Rochester is
giving it a thorough test. It is plan
ned to reach the entire population of
the city with the requests for co
operation. Undoubtedly there are
many persons in Rochester and in
every city who can provide emer
gency work of some kind which
however inadequate it may be, is bet
ter than "handouts." Cincinnati
taking up the plan, and it looks to
the Press like a good plan for all
cities to consider.
IT'S TOO BAD
It's too bad that the five hundred
and thirteen indviduals in the United
States who in 1929 had taxable
comes of one million dollars or more
are being affected by the terrible de
pression, so that for the year 1930
only one hundred and forty-nine of
these hard-working people managed
to get hold of more than one million
dollars income per year.
So bad is the depression that their
combined incomes dropped from $1,
185,135,330 to $355,661,695. While it
is impossible to ascertain the exact
income of the down-trodden 513 citi
zens of wealth for the year 1930,
lesson in aritmetic reveals that the
average income of this group dropped
from more than $2,000,000 to not
quite $700,000 each. A sad state of
affairs indeed.
:o:
Subscribe for the Press.
0VN
u TO your ears in work—»
every nerve at high tension.
No wonder you snap at the wife
and bark at the children.
W a o u O v e w o k e
nerves may lead to Sleepless
ness, Nervous Headache, Nerv
ous Indigestion and a host of
other unpleasant disturbances.
Why don't you try Dr. Mile^
Effervescent Nervine Tablets?
Just one in a half glass ot
water makes a pleasant, spark
ling drink delightfully soothing
to over-taxed nerves.
Dr. Miles' Nervine is now
made in two forms—Liquid and
Effervescent Tablet. Both havt
the same soothing effect.
$1.00 at your drug store
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New Year*
Two
"Resolutions
hf Hoewl Clack &aiiet|
NE good resolution deserves
another, but that's the story.
"Phil, I smell snow."
"We're In the West, Erma,
don't be foolish 1 You know
our resolution when we left
Quincy was, 'No more snow
for us!' I smelled orange
blossoms on that brees#*
"I smell snow."
"The groves begin beyond the Pass
and we're on that grade now. Just
look at that view 1"
"There's a flake now,*
"Golly! You're right*
After an hour the car stopped.
"Even Hermes can't Climb this. I
guess you knew your snow all right.
There's shelter behind that boulder,
we'd better make camp."
A spot cleared of snow, tent pitched,
campflre burning and they were cozy.
Hardly had the
smoke begun to
curl ere down the
trail came a horse
man. "W here's
your permit?" he
demanded gruffly.
"W hat permit?"
asked PhlL "Fire
permit I'm a ran
e r. Don't you
know it's against
the law to build
a fire In these
mountains or
smoke? Put out
that cigarette.
That's two counts
against you.'
"Lord, man, we're
stuck. I couldn't let the little woman
freeze even If I'd known." "Tell It to
the Judge 1"
"So this Is the Far West I"
"Walt, brother, until you've seen the
havoc the fires have wrought—our
beautiful pines, llveoaks, manzanitas,
turned into acres and acres of charred
nightmare landscapes, gaunt and hide
ous. It's pitiful 1 You won't blame us.
First trip, though, so I'll just put you
wise.
"The best way to build a campflre
In the forest country—law or no law—
Is never light It I
See? Now for good
news. You're not
a hundred yards
from the down
trade scrapers
are clearing the
highway—be hers
In an hour »o
light your cani
cook stove inside
the tent for beat,
flap open for air,
and make coffee
for three."
"Hooray I" shout
ed Phil "Welcome
old-timer. And
here's another res
olution we'll sure
keep we'll never ask for a flre per
mit unless it's on the beach."
"No more snow and no more camp
fires," agreed Erma. "Who cares, with
the whole New Year In the West?
Now for hot coffee, smoked ham and
cherry preserves from back home!"
((g) 1831. Weatarn Newapapar Union.
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A Leader for
w
New Retirement Act
v
Under the present retirement law
of 1930 employes have the limited
option of retiring two years earlier
than the age limits fixed in that law
for automatic requirements.
X\. .c^'
For Federal Employes
Washington.—A government em
ploye, with 30 years of service to his
credit, could retire regardless of age
under a proposed amendment to the
U. S. civil service retirement law pro
posed by Senator Dale, of Vermont,
chairman of the senate civil service
committee.
The present law fixe3 the age limit
for retirement of department clerks
Ml i-Ll
Your
WE WISH OUR MANY FRIENDS
.... AND PATRONS
Chicago Market Co.
at 70, and they are permitted optional
retirement at 68. There are two other
general age limits for otl er groups
of workers, namely, 65and 62, and
each group has a two-year optional
provision.
FRONT AND HIGH STREETS
NEW yEARj"GRJEETINGJ'
It is a Privilege
to be allowed to wish you many hearty
greetings for the New Year and thank
you for your kind patronage during
the past year
The W. C. rechtling Co.
Second and High Streets
TO OUR FRIENDS
AND CUSTOMERS
We Wish You
A Very Happy New Year
Thanks for your part in our success. We
trust we have merited your support. We
hope to be able to serve you even more
efficiently during the coming year.
Burnett-Waite s
$100,000,000 for Farm Loan 4
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Washington.—The house of repre-.
sentatives passed the bill increasing^
the capitalization of the federal land
banks by $100,000,000. The senate
will enact the bill early in January.
The money will be used as the basis.
for making loans to farmers at lower,
interest rates and easier terms of
payment than can be obtained from
private money loaning institutions.
jfour
Forty-Five Years
Grocer
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