The Butler County press. [volume], May 05, 1933, Image 1

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

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VOL. XXXIII. No. 4
By B. C. CLARKE
Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Unpre
dented powers in the federal govern
ment to control private industry, in
cluding regulation and restriction of
hours of labor, the fixing of minimum
wages, and supervision of production
and marketing in interstate com
merce, were urged this week by Sec
retary of Labor Frances Perkins be
fore the house committee on labor.
Miss Perkins appeared in support of
her substitute measure for the Black
restriction-of-hours bill, which has
already passed the senate.
Interested auditors sitting just be
hind Miss Perkins as she spoke to
the committee were Mrs. Franklin
Delano Roosevelt and Miss Ishbel
McDonald, daughter of Prime Minis
ter Ramsey McDonald, of Great
Britain.
Miss Perkins said that her substi
tute bill is intended to increase em
ployment and the volume of goods
moving in interstate commerce, and
should be considered as an effort to
increase work and the total purchas
ing power of American communities.
"There has been a great shrinkage
in goods moving in interstate com
merce," said Miss Perkins, "and due,
I think, to the decline in the purchas
ing power of the people. An increase
in this purchasing power is the key
to economic recovery."
She cited the decline in the car
loading of railroads and other statis
tics to indicate the fluctuations in in
dustrial activity during the depression
as compared with the years prior to
1930. Total earnings of the people.
FACTORYWOMEN
Now Earn Less Than Living:
Pay, Probe Shows
Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—The
average factory woman who still has
a job today is earning less than a
living wage, Mary Anderson, director
of the Women's Burean, United States
Department of Labor, declared.
"Even before the depression many
women failed to earn enough to live
on," she said, "but today more and
more women are falling into this
plight, as a result not only of part
time schedule in many plants, but
of heavy cuts in rates."
Miss Anderson's statement was
based on facts as to the week's earn
ings of women in various industries
and localities in 1931 or 1932, col
lected by the Women's Bureau and
other agencies.
Figures Tell Story
Typical figures cited for full-time
women workers investigated by the
Women's Bureau were the medians of
a $10.40 for women in Texas industries
of $9.65 and $12.95, respectively, for
women in South Carolina ndMaine
cotton mills of between $5 and $6
for women who had put in over 48
hours of work in certain run-away
garment factories in Connecticut, as
against $14.05 for women with a rec
ord of 40 hours or more in all the
Connecticut clothing plants studied.
"These wages seem shockingly
low when it is realized that in
each case half the women re
ceived less than the median speci
fied," Miss Anderson explained.
"Moreover, they represent higher
pay than the average woman at
present in such factories in these
states can expect, since she is
not likely to secure a full week's
work."
A fairer picture of women's earn
ings in industry, in Miss Anderson's
opinion, is the median for all women
included in a survey, irrespective of
the hours worked. In Texas, for ex
ample, a median of only $7.75 for a
representative week was found for
the total number of women investi
gated—over 13,000 in the 270 fac
tories, stores and laundries visited in
1932.
Sweatshop Pay Spreads
Recent data from Louisiana and
Georgia factories making men's work
clothing also reflect the spread of
sweatshop wages. The following
medians for a representative week
were reported: $6.90 for 600 women
in New Orleans $8.30 for 1,300 wo
men in Atlanta, Savannah and Macon
$6.70 for 1,500 women in other
Georgia towns. In firms paying the
lowest wages in this last group, were
CO women for whom the median was
only $2.95.
Serious declines in women's earn
ings in the past two years are re
vealed by information from several
other sources. Seven special indus
tries surveyed by the Federal Bureau
of Labor Statistics show decreases in
women's earnings from 1930 to 1932,
ranging from 14 per cent in the mak-
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Miss Perkins Urges
Labor Bill as Employment Aid
Secretary of Labor Defends Plan to Give Unprecedented
Power to Government for Control of Hours, Wages,
and Production—Insists Working Time Must Be Cut.
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she said, have fallen more than em
ployment, indicating that wage
slashing epidemics over the country
have taken a heavy toll in purchasing
power.
She-did not attribute, the decline in
wage levels to the large and represen
tee employers in various industries,
but pointed out that they havie been
victims with the general public of the
unscrupulous and selfish employers
hanging generally on the fringe of
industry and ruthlessly slashing
wages regardless of the effect upon
buying power or the economic well-be
ing of the nation.
Wage levels today as a result of
wage slashing efforts, she insisted,
have fallen below reasonable stand
ards of compensation and living. She
expressed the belief that normal
standards and levels of wages upon
which restoration of buying power
depends can be accomplished only
through the agency of governmental
power.
Hours of labor, she insisted, must
be reduced, but based on a sliding
scale, with 330 hours as the basic
figure. In some instances, she con
tinued, skilled or "key" employers
would work a larger number of hours
in order that other employes might
have 30 hours of work.
Hours of employment have in
creased, and wage levels have declin
ed more, in those industries in which
employes are not organized, or have
had no opportunity for organization,
than in industries where labor unions
and principles of collective bargaining
are in operation, she said.
ing of rayon and other synthetic
yarns to 29 per cent in men's cloth
ing.
The decreases in women's average
weekly earnings in manufacturing in
dustries between December, 1931, and
December, 1932, was 16 per cent in
New Yorkfl and 26 per cent in Illi
nois. Since for the same period men's
earnings in manufacturing had drop
ped 13 per cent in New York and 19
per cent in Illinois, women had suf
fered greater losses.
SIX BILLION PLAN
FOR PUBLIC WORKS
Boston (ILNS)—Robert Fechner,
director of President Roosevelt's for
est work program and vice president
of the International Association of
Machinists, said here that the presi
dent is preparing a $6,000,000,000
public works program which will put
2.000,000 men to iwork. Fechner re
turned here after consulting with the
president.
The $6,000,000,000 will be spent for
roads and national highways, public
buildings and other projects that will
give men work, Fechner said.
Fechner said there is to be no dis
crimination in selection of the 2,000,
000 men it is expected will be given
work if the program is put through
Single as well as married men will
be eligible for employment. Fechner
said he was unable to give more de
tails, as the bill is still in the forma
tive stage.
LABOR PAPER 26 YEARS OLD
Minneapolis, Minn. (ILNS)—The
Minneapolis Labor Review, which is
owned and operated by the labor
movemente of Minneapolis, is cele
brating its 26th anniversary. It was
one of the first labor publications
to be owned by the labor movement
instead of a private individual.
STOCK MARKET
Activity Provides Work For
Long Idle Telegraphers
New York City (ILNS)—Renewed
activity in the stock market is bring
ing back men who have in many cases
been idle as long as two years.
Some of America's most skilled
Morse telegraphers are going back to
work in brokerage shops.
Some of these men show up at
division headquarters plainly showing
the loss of weight and the lines of
worry. They show up, too, in clothes
that are worn and often patched,
eager for a call to work a trick.
If they are called at all it means
a minimum of $10—more money than
many of them have seen in months.
In New York alone many men are
again flinging orders over the wires
at a rate as high as 400 an hour—
men who haven't touched a key since
the great deflation came. They know
all about "deflation."
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Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Organ
ized labor is determined to safeguard
the interests of the workers by in
sisting upon immediate increases in
wages as prices rise with inflation of
the currency, the executive council of
the American Federation of Labor,
in session at Washington, declared.
"The deleterious effect of currency
inflation upon the social and economic
life of working people can only be
offset through increases in wages and
through an increase in mass purchas
ing power throughout the nation,"
the executive council said.
"As a matter of sound public pol
icy, as well as of justice, an increase
in wages should precede an increase
in commodity prices," the council fur
ther said. "Unless this is done the
consuming power of the people will
be lowered rather than increased
through the adoption of a policy of
currency inflation."
Inflation Policy Assailed
The declaration of the council
placed the A. F. of L. as squarely op
posed to the administration's farm
bill and currency inflation policy un
less wages also rise. The declaration
in full, as announced by President
William Green, follows:
"The executive council of the
American Federation of Labor is
fully appreciative of the fact that the
new policy of currency inflation just
announced by the administration i?
a matter of moment and of grave im
portance to labor. In operation it
will seriously affect the economic and
social welfare of the masses of the
people. An increase in the price of
articles which enter into living costs
is bound to follow the inauguration of
currency inflation. In fact, the pri
mary purpose of inflation is to ele
vate price levels and to increase
commodity prices.
"Obviously, labor will be at a de
cided disadvantage if commodity
prices increase and wages remain
stationary at the depressed level to
which they have been forced through
the pusuit of a wage deflation policy.
The buying power of the masses of
the people has been greatly reduced
through the imposition of reductions
in wages. It has already reached the
point whei'e the workers are unable
to buy either in quantity or in fre
quency.
Buying Power Further Menaced
"If prices are to be driven upward
through currency inflation the very
limited buying power of the masses
of the people will be further curtail
ed. This is especially true because it
is reasonable to conclude that the
price of the necessities of life will
increase under the inspiration and in
fluence of currency inflation.
"When there is added to this plan
the further proposal to increase the
price of agricultural products through
the imposition of a tax to be collected
by processors of farm products, which
will add very greatly to an increase
in the cost of living of the masses of
the people, we have a full realization
5
THE BUTJLJER PRESS.
executive Council Urges
Workers to Demand More Pay
Vage Earners to Be Victimized if Prices Rise and Wages
Remain Stationary at Present Levels, Labor Points
Out.
HAMILTON, OHIO, FRIDAY. MAY 5, 1933
The Good Samaritan
Wages Must Go Up to Offset
Inflation, A. F. of L. Declares
of the plight of labor under the oper
ation of currency inflation and the
enactment of the agricultural bill.
"Labor realizes that an acute situ
ation is being developed as a result of
these economic, financial and legisla
tive proposals. Government workers
who are passing thruogh a period of
wage deflation and of increasing un
employment, through dismissals from
the service and impending dismissals,
have had no opportunity to readjust
themselves to their changed financial
and economic status.
Part-Time Toilers Worst Hit
"The effect of these proposed
changes upon the millions of part
time workers will be most injurious.
Part-time work means part-time pay.
They have already suffered a double
reduction part of which is reflected
in reduced wages and the other part
in reduced working time. An increase
in commodity prices will add very
greatly to the economic and financial
difficulties of the group of working
men and women.
"The millions who are unemployed
will also be seriously effected. Un
less the relief allowance now being
made by relief agencies is increased
proportionate with the increase in
commodity prices the relief agencies
will be compelled to substantially re
duce and in many instances withhold
the very small amount of relief now
being distributed among those who are
dependent and suffering. The prob
lem of supplying relief to the mil
lions who are in dire need has become
one of the most serioi|s problems
facing our people.
Wages Must Rise First
"As a matter of sound public policy,
as well as of justice, an increase in
wages should precede an increase in
commodity prices. Unless this is done
the consuming power of the people
will be lowered rather than increased
through the adoption of a policy of
currency inflation.
"The members of the executive
council are determined to safeguard
the interests of the wage earners by
insisting upon increases in wages im
mediately. The deleterious effect of
currency inflation upon the social and
economic life of working people can
only be offset through increases in
wages and through an increase in
mass purchasing power throughout
the nation.
"We propose to call upon labor to
begin the figh timmediately for wage
increases and to use such legitimate
influence and power as may be at
their command to bring about the
restoration of the buying power of
the masses of the people."
Labor Executive
Dies Suddenly
Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Wil
liam J. Spencer, long secretary
treasurer of the building trades de
partment of the American Federation
of Labor, died suddenly on April 24
at his home in Wheatland, Md. He
was 65 years old.
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Spencer was an organizer and later
general secretary of the United As
sociation of Plumbers and Steam
Fitters of the United States and
Canada. He was born in Canada, but
spent most of his life in the United
States. He leaves a son and daughter.
SARACEN'S HEAVY
PRACTICE DRIVER
Tand
HOSE golfers who And their handa
wrists tire quickly after a few
hole* of golf might try duplicating
Saraeea's method of itrengthenlnf
these members. Oene lately has em
ployed a SO ounce driver in practice
which has added endurance and power
to his arms and flngera. As reialt
he was as fresh during the finishing
rounds of the British and American
opens as he was at the start as his
low scores for these rounds rereal.
Swung like a weight, the heavy club
adds smoothness to the swing for It
must be swung evenly. There Is little
chance for a stab. Later, using hl«
regular clubs which fait light in hla
hands, Sarazen was able to add con
gldereble yardaga to Ms tee shota.
It also helped his touch and swing
with the shorter shots for It gave
him a better conception anS control
of power in the hands *ad wrists.
#. HIS. Bel!
Syndloat* —WTfL S*rvto*
IPAPA KNCWS-I
"Pop, what Is a landscape?"
"Where an artist does his banking."
©. 1933, Bell Syndicate.—WNU Servtc*.
Three-Day Celebration
of Markham's Birthday
New York City (ILNS)—Edwin
Markham, noted poet and author of
"The Man With the Hoe," celebrated
his 81st birthday on April. 23 by
speaking at All Souls' Universalist
Church, Brooklyn. The address open
ed a three-day celebration in Mark
ham's honor in New York and Brook
lyn. He received hundreds of con
gratulatory telegrams, among them
one from President Roosevelt, who
said: "Best wishes to you, Edwin
Markham, poet of the people, on your
81st birthday.
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Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Repre
sentatives of organized industry and
organized labor stood shoulder to
shoulder in urging restrictive meas
ures to curb unemployment, increase
the buying and consuming power of
the nation, and establish a minimum
base under the wages of women and
children employed in industry.
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, and
Gerard Swope, president of the Gen
eral Electric Company, defined before
the house labor committee the steps
in connection with the pending Black
restriction-of-hours bill through which
industrial balance and equilibrium
may in their judgment be restored.
Mr. Green favored reduction of
hours of employment, and also sug
gested that controlled production be
undertaken "as an experiment." He
expressed his opposition to govern
ment controlled and fixed wages, ex
cept as a minimum for women and
children.
Mr. Swope said that his company
with 60,000 employes is operating now
on less than 30 hours of work a week
for each employe.
Swope For Minimum Wage
"We have spread out the work,"
he continued, "and each employe is
at least able to take care of his fam
ily. I favor a minimum wage for
ELECTRIC TAX
Shifted to Power Companies
—Postage Reduced
Washington.—The iniquitous Smoot
Crisp tax penalizing consumers of
electricity has been transferred to the
power companies under a house
amendment to the revenue bill re
newing the federal gasoline tax and
lowering the postage rate on drop
letters to 2 cents.
Friends of the power companies
were caught napping by Representa
tives Whittington, of Mississippi, and
Cochran, of Missouri. Completely sur
prised, they rallied desperately and
put up a stiff fight for the public
utility interest, but were unable to
stem the tide.
In the original revenue bill the
house put the tax on the companies,
but by an alleged senate trick it was
shifted to the consumers and so put
through conference. Senator Reed
Smoot, of Utah, and Representative
Crisp, of Georgia, who engineered the
deal, now are numbered among the
"lame ducks."
St. Louis Union Barbers
Fight "Open Shop1' Drive
St. Louis, Mo. (ILNS)—Beauty
Culturists' and Barbers' Local No.
102, Journeymen Barbers' Interna
tional Union of America, is fighting
against an "open shop" campaign de
clared by the employing barbers, or-
',
1 n Green and Swope Advocate
Bill For Thirty-Hour Week
House Committee Told Work Hours Must Be Reduced
Citing Increasing Unemployment, Labor Head Em
phasizes Need of Passing Restrictive Legislation.
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always be glad
you bought a
GOOD
RUG
room is only as handsome
as its rugs. After all, they are
the very foundation for the
interior beauty of a home.
Tliat's why we so strongly
recommend floor coverings by
the Bigelow Weavers. Every
Bigelow rug and carpet is
woven with Lively Wool, that
springs back underfoot and
preserves ita beauty ao much
longer.
Come in and see our new
shipment of Bigelow floor
coverings that include many
lovely new patterns.
TMIM
1
ONE DOLLAR PBK TSAR
women and children, and I think it
should apply as well to unskilled la
bor. I think if minimums for each
of them is established, the wages of
more skilled classes of labor will take
care of themselves."
Mr. Swope asserted that the most
serious threat to American industry
at the moment is the importation of
foreign goods as a result of depre
ciated currencies of other countries.
"I do not think," he added, "that re
duction of hours of work in other
countries would make much differ
ence. A Japanese laborer turning out
1,000 or 2,000 machine-made articles
in a day is paid from three to six
cents a day. The element of labor
cost in each one of those articles is
so small that it makes little differ
ence whether he is paid his present
wage or twice his present wage, or
whether his hours of labor are ex
tended or reduced."
Mr. Swope pointed out that the
severe difficulty confronting "big
industry" in this country today is the
small and more or less irresponsible
employer who has reduced his wages
and number of employes to the low
est possbile point, and has "under
cut" both wages and prices of those
industries which have sought to keep
men employed and assist them in sur
viving the depression.
ganized as Chapter 140 of the Asso
ciated Master Barbers of America.
The master barbers have refused to
display the union shop card, pay the
union scale of wages or in any way
recognize the union. The union asks
all trade unionists to patronize only
shops showing the union shop card,
which is in five colors. Visiting trade
unionists are urged to give a wide
berth to "open shop" beauty and bar
ber shops, a list of which can be ob
tained from union headquarters, 3745
West Pine Boulevard.
Jersey Governor Asks State
IMilk Board to Fix Prices
Trenton, N. J.—Governor Moore in
a special message asked the legisla
ture to hurry the creation of a state
board to control the New Jersey milk
industry, with an investment of $75,
000.000 and an annual output of $22,
000,000, imperiled, he says, by a price
war and the passage recently of a
price control measure in the neighbor
state of New York.
Milk prices in New Jersey, Gover
nor Moore says, have fallen below the
cost of production, and he fears fur
ther declines will be caused by a
flood of milk from other states.
I have learned by experience that
it costs something to speak out, but
the man who maintains an interested
and pusilanimous reticence is not a
faithful servant.—Farrar.
Read the Press.
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