The Connecticut labor news., September 15, 1923, Page Four, Image 4

About The Connecticut labor news. (New Haven, Conn.) 1921-1925

Image provided by: Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT

                
X
LABOR (Connecticut) NEWS
Foui
Published Weekly by The Ornburn Press, Inc.
286-288 York Street, Telephone Colony 1082 New Haven, Conn.
Presenting to the workers and the public the facts concerning matters
affecting labor and the wage earner's interests at large. Constructive in
policy and non-partisan in politics. Pree from domination by any interests
or factions, either within the labor movement or without.
An exponent of justice to all, a square deal to employer and employee
alike, with a desire to serve the best principles of trade unionism and at the
same time create a better understanding and co-operation between capital
and labor.
The Labor News is in no sense responsible for any article which appears
except unsigned articles in editorial column. All other pages are devoted
to news and contributions, and may often describe or advocate matters
opposed to The Labor News and its policy. The publication of a signed
Or news article must not be construed in any sense an endorsement of it.
Entered as second class matter December 2, 1916, at the postoffice at
New Haven, Conn., under act of March 3, 1879.
Three Cents per Copy 24 $1.50 per Year
NEW HAVEN, CONN. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1923
FORD AND UNIONISM
Every now and then we notice that some labor papers have a
good word to say for the alleged Henry Ford candidacy for the
presidency. Outside of the fact that Ford deliberately shuts union
ism out of his automoblie factories, with their 1 25,000 employes,
and takes a . strong position against their having anything: to saj'
in a collective way on the subject of the conditions of their em
ployment, he has known and decisive views in opposition to la
bor organization, and even at times reaches a point of nasty bit-
terness. In a recent interview in his own paper the Dearborn In
dependent, for instances, these words are attributed to him:
"You probably think the labor unions were organized by labor,
but they weren't. They were organized by these Jew financiers.
The labor union is a great scheme to interrupt work. It speeds up
the loafing. It's a great thing for the Jew to have on hand when
he comes around to get his clutches on an industry. Look at the
coal business if you want to see the way that labor unions work
with the financiers to paralyze industry. The coal business that
is, the railroad end of it, the financial end-isn't organized to mine
coal and get it to the people. If it were, it would be paying high
wages, and the people would be getting cheap coal. - Half the time,
however, it isn't paving any wages, and the. people can't get any
coal." . , - .
Of course, the candidacy of Henry Ford for the presidency is
ridiculous. He wouldn't be thought of in that connection in a cen
tury of Sundays but for the fact that he is a multi-millionaire. How
ever, union labor men are the last persons in the country that ought
to participate in a boom for Ford. -
MINERS' CHECK-OFF DEMAND AROUSES
ANTI-UNIONISTS' HATE
"liberation" of imigration laws and that, on the contrary, the out
look was that Congress may tighten present provisions..
At the same time, the Iron Age revealed that the steel interests
have not given up the fight by featuring an article attempting to
explain at length why labor from Europe is needed in steel plants.
The article, by George Walter, of an Indianapolis machine com
pany, declares that foreigners are essential to the steel trade be
cause they are the only workers who will do the hard work neces
sary to the production of steel. He writes:
"I have seen men in steel mills working entire shifts with wet
towels bound around their foreheads. Smoke and soot gummed
up with the sweat ran down the bare blistered shoulders of the
men at the soaking pits, spitting blue dust from their mouths as
they shoveled it into the pits below. Small wonder that the cry
should be, 'This is no white man's job."
Having proved to his own satisfaction that foreign labor is nec
essary to steel production, Mr. Walter ends his argument as fol
lows :
"Steel wants and must have the foreigner. Steel is ready and
willing to deal with the strike question among the foreigners. Then
why not let down the bars a little and let steel have its labor and
at the same time hold steel responsible for the good behavior of
its imported product?"
Leaving aside the assertion that steel is perfectly willing to take
the chances of strikes if it can have all the cheap foreign labor
that it wants, with its implied threat that the steel magnates will
deal with strikes as they have in the past, here is revealed with no
camouflage the determination of steel to win unrestricted immigra
tion. The Iron Age's article drives home the truth that organized la
bor must not rest on its oars in the immigration fight. Steel and
other big interests are "up and doing" every minute, never losing
an opportunity to work for the "liberalization," as they term it, of
the immigration laws. Labor must be equally vigilant. Know
ing that its present stand on immigration is for the best interets of
the workers, as well as the nation as a whole, Labor must renew
its determination never to relax for a moments it opposition to un
restricted immigration.
NOONAN REELECTED
PRESIDENT I. B. E. W.
AT MONTREAL MEET
All Other Officers Retained By
Unanimous Vote Complete
Harmony Prevailed.
A. $2 ASSESSMENT IS LEVIED
What a hullabaloo the coal owners' ballyhoos are raising against
the mine workers check-off demand? The anthracite coal own
ers position is not justified, as many of-the more powerful of these
owners have recognized the check-off in the bituminous fields for
the last 2 5 years.
, The check-off is a common transaction between men. It is an
other name for assignment of wages.
In other industries men are employed in groups and generally
speak one language.
In mining the . operations cover a large area, and in many of
the fields there a babel of tongues.
i With this material the union is called uppn to enforce argee
ments, and its members must risk their lives with men over whom
they have no control because they are outside the union.
Under these conditions the miner asks that his assignment of
wages be recognized ; that the employer take out of their envel
opes an amount the miners I designate and pay the same to the
union's representative, who will be designated in the formal and
legal assignment, made by the miner.
The coal owners oppose the plan because it weakens their con
trol over the workers. The employers will benefit through a disci
plined, compact . body, but they believe nothing can recompense
them if they lost control of employes.
The check-off, or assignment of wages, is so common that no
attention would be paid to it if the union were not involved.
The check-off is used by railroads in connection with their com
pany "unions." In this check-off, however, the worker makes no
assignment. The money is taken from his envelope, and if he
doesn t like it he is privileged to quit.
These railroads include the Pennsylvania, Delaware & Hudson,
Norfolk & Western, and other anti-union, coal-carrying systems.
Anthracite coal owners who oppose the miners check-off are
interested in these railroads, but they make no protest against a
plan that appears to menace civilization only when urged by mine
workers.
Between the railroads' check-off and the miners' check-off is the
difference between compulsion and voluntary action.
It takes some nerve to ignore the railroads' compulsion and de
nounce the miners voluntary proposal, but the coal owners' bally
hoos are equal to the task.
Justice, principle, and right are not considered by them. They
are not interested in racts. lheir one concern is the wishes of in
dustrial autocrats.
To them the worker must maintain his serf status. Outwardlv.
he may be free, but in practice he must not have the power to be
n ,-,--1 1 i A. 1 1 1 11 . 1 .
a V.UHCVUYC pan. ui muusiry, or nave nis union dues collected in
an efficient manner.
Misrepresentation of the miners check-off illustrates the method
of those who would warp the public mind.
In every other wage movement the same forces operate. The
L v 1 . .1 -1 r . .1 A 1 I
DBiiynoos rusn 10 me aia or privilege. And when peace is re
stored they prattle their views on "the need for fact-finding agen
cies to enlighten the public."
Industrial peace, or even an enlightened public opinion at an
industrial crisis, is impossible under, these conditions.
It is no solution to lash the public into a frenzy of fright against
the workers. This policy has often provecL-successful, but it is
losing its effectiveness. The workers no longer stampede against
whirlwinds of untruths.
This is shown in the case of the anthracite miners, who sus
pended work, 100 per cent, despite the nation-wide campaign of
misrepresentation that they have been compelled to face.
The disregard for facts and the amazing propaganda of the
agents of privilege must be replaced by truthfulness and sanity.
DONT RELAX THE FIGHT!
THE PROHIBITION SITUATION
The "wets" have fired the first gun in the coming fight in Con
gress to modify the Volstead Act to permit beverages containing
more than one-half of 1 per cen. alcohol. Senators Couzens, of
Michigan, will sponsor a bill permitting up to 5 per jcent. beer,
and Representative Dyer, of Missouri, will introduce a bill to legal
ize 3 12 per cent. beer. , '
Senator Couzens favors prohibiting spirits for any purpose, and
in this he has hit the vulnerable spot of the whole prohibition law.
The Anti-Saloon League, in its thirty years was sincerely for total
r rohibition ; it was willing that its patrons be allowed a quart a
month so long as the laboring man was prevented for getting beer
in a saloon, whereby his efficiency to produce more work might be
hampered. The twelve-hour day in the steel mills, the time-clock
and Anti-Saloon Legislation are all off-springs of the idea of capital
ism to exploit the workers. Even Prohibition Commissioner Haynes,
in his introductory articles to his serial running in the New York
limes, apologizes to the real Prohibitionists for the leaks in Pro
hibition Enforcement caused by the withdrawls of liquor for other
than beverage purposes. S. P. Gilbert. Ir.. acting Serrtarv of th.
Treasury, on complaint of Congressman John Philip Hill of Mary
land, nas notined Haynes that he cannot use the word official
for the book amd serial articles Haynes is publishing.
Chief Counsel Britt, of the Prohibition Department, on July 20
ruled that no wines would be allowed to be imported for sacra
mental or medicinal purposes. A delegation of wine importers
made the contention that there was a shortage in these products.
The importers announced that they would take an appeal to the
Department of Justice. . , '
The decision of Federal Judge Knox, holding that part of the
Volstead Act limiting a physician to prescribe a pint of whisky
every ten days as mconstitutional, was concurred in in a similar
case before U. S. Judge George M. Bourquin at Helena, Mont.,
July 6. It would seem to the layman that if Congress could is
sue rules for the treatment of patients, that the functions of the
medical practitioner was at an end and that Congress should take
over the medical profession and make a standard treatment com
pulsory in the hospitals of the United States Public Health Depart
ment. Merlin W. Hixson, a druggist of Los Angeles, Cal., has petitioned
the Supreme Court for a review of his conviction. Hixson was con
victed under a city ordinance which limited him to dispense one
half of the amount that a physician's prescription called for there
fore his position as a druggist was untenable and he contends that
his conviction be set aside.
The Supreme Court of Nevada has handed down a decision
holding the Nevada State Prohibition law unconstitutional.
Provine of Manitoba, Canada," on July 1 1, voted down a pro
position for the sale of beer and wines in hotels by a majority of
ID.UUU. I he Province in June however, voted by a overwhelm
ing majority for the sale of wine and beer to be delivered in houses
The Temperance Committee of the Georgia Legislature, on July
1,," voted unanimously unfavorable to report the Craig Arnold mea
sure to repeal the State Prohibition law.
More than fifty delegates to the Seventy-ninth Annual" Conven
tion of the American Institute of Homeopathy, at Atlantic City, N.
J., July 6, signed a petition requesting Congress to amend the Vol
stead Act to permit the sale of beer and light wines.
At the Fifty-third Annual Convention of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians at Montreal, July 1 0, resolutions were adopted favor
ing temperance rather than prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
Charles A. Learned Post of the American . Legion, with 2,000
members, the largest in Michigan, at Detroit, Mich., on July 1 0,
passed a resolution expressing "unqualified opposition" to Prohi
bition and demanding a referendum on the repeal " of the dry
amendment to the State Constitution.
Democrats are said to be favoring a plan to let the United States
Public Health Service determine what constitutes van intoxicating
beverage. Under this plan, liberal States could adopt the stand
ardization, whereas bone-dry States could limit the amount of al
coh6l to the present standard or less. Senators Underwood, Cou
zens, Spencer (Mo.,) Copeland and a number of Republicans are
known to favor such a plan.
New York City is flooded with beer. It is coming from all di
rections. Commanding a price of $38-$45 per barrel the beer is
"going big" in the protected places. One place in the city is doing
such a large business selling beer that it will take in the premises
of a hotel in back of it. The beer is, however, of different grades.
Due to the risk entailed, most of it is "young and "green," being
carbonated twice. In one place thirty-five half barrels were sold
a week. The beer costs $18.50 per half barrel, but the profit is
worth the risk, as the demand for "good" beer is growing strong
er every day.
Holding two sessions daily for six
days, transacting a vast amount of rou
tine and general business, with never
a controversy that required a roll call
vote, was the unusual labor convention
record of the International Brother
hood of Klectrical Workers in seven
teenth general convention just held at
Montreal, Canada, President James P.
Noonan and the complete roster of in
cumbent officers were re-elected by ac
clamation for terms of two years.
It was a harmonious meeting, with
355 delegates representing local unions
throughout the United States and Can
ada. As shown in the reports of Presi
dent Noonan and 'Secretary Charles P.
Ford, summaries of which appeared in
last week's issue of LABOR, the broth
erhood has weathered the open shop
drive of employers and the shopmen's
railroad-strike, and is in a strong posi
tion to go forward.
Most of the convention's time was de
voted to the consideration of routine
business, the accumulation of two stren
UOUS years since the previous meeting.
In order to place the finances of the
brotherhood in proper shape an assess
ment of $2 per capita was voted, to be
collected one dollar this year and an
other dollar next year.
At the same time a meeting of the
Electrical Workers Benefit Association
was held. This association has been op
erating for the past year and a half and
in this short period hs accumulated a
surplus fund of nearly half a million
dollars. A movement was initiated
whereby the organization of a mutual
insurance T-lan in the near future is
made possible. The international offi
cers and executive council were author
ized to work out such a plan. It would
give the members a larger amount of
life insurance at nominal cost.
It was also voted that when a mem
ber is totally disabled he shall be paid
three-fourths of the amount called for
in his policy nd then be given paid
up pelicy for the full amount to go to
dependants at death. This is perhaps
the first time such a form of benefit has
been guaranteed by a labor union. The
purpose is to make it possible for the
disabled member to have sufficient cap
ital to engage in a small business that
will be sustaining.
The complete roster of international
officers was reelected without opposi
tion, this part of the business being
performed in record time. Perhaps no
higher compliment has ever . been paid
a staff of international officials. They
are :
President, J. P. Noonan, Washington,
D. C, ; secretary. Chas. P. Ford. Wash
ington. D. C. ; treasurer, W. A. Hogan,
New York
Vice - presidents : E: Ingles, (London
Ontario; John J. Smith, Jamaica Plains,
Mass. ; G. M. Bugniazet, Washington,
D. C; A. M. Hull, New Orleans. La.;
H. H. Broach, Washington, D. C; D.
W. Tracy, Houston, Texas; T. C. Vick
ers, San Francisco, Cal.; E. J. Evans,
Chicago, 111.
Executive council: Frank J. Mc
Nutly, chairman, Newark, N. J. ; first
district, G. W. Whitford, New York;
second district, F. L. Felley, Hyde Park,
Mass. ; third district). M P. Gordan,
Pittsburgh, Pa.; fourth district, Edward
Nofthangel, Washington, D. C. ; fifth
district, M. J. Boyle, Chicago, 111.; sixth
district Frank Swor, Dallas, Texas.;
seventh district, C. F. Oliver, Denver,
Colo.; eighth district, J. L. McBride,
Winnepegi, Canada.
Seattle was chosen " as the city for
holding the next convention in 1925.
. BRIDGEPORT .
Lahore's Buying Guide
BANKS
First National Bank, The.
Mechanics and Farmers Bank.
Bridgeport Savings Bank.
City Savings Bank.
West Side Bank. The.
GENTS' FURNISHINGS
Banner Store, 1339-1341 Main St.
C. J. Collins Co., 81 Fairfield Ave.
FURNITURE
George B. Clark, 1057-1073 Broad St.
Hadley Co., The, Broad and John Sts.
JEWELERS
G. W. Fairchild & Son, Inc., 997 Main St.
M. J. Beuchler & Son, Inc.. 48 Fairfield Ave.
THE HADLEY CO.
FURNITURE & CARPET STORE
Broad and John Streets,
Bridgeport, Conn.
CASH OF CREDIT.
Opponents of unrestricted immigration must never relax their
vigilance, as the United States Steel Corporation and other big
interests, though admitting there will be no important changes in
present immigration laws, are as determined as ever to have the
law modified so as to permit great numbers of workers from Eu
lope to come to the United States.
The attitude of the Steel Corporation is well illustrated by the
organ of the iron and steel trade, the Iron Age, which recently print
ed an article from Washington stating that there would be no
Strikebreakers Steal
Trenton, Mo., Sept. 15. Strike
breakers employed b ythe Rock Is
land railroad at this place have be
come so proficient in picking up other
people's property that officers have
posted this notice in all shops:
"All Shop Employes There has
been much complaint on the part of
our employes in regard to tools and
clothing being stolen.
"Anyone caught breaking in the
lockers or taking any othjer employe's
clothing will be dismissed from the
service."
WAGE GAINS FOR CAR MEN.
St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 15. Wage in
creases have been granted to practi
cally all employes of the United Rail
ways company within the past several
days. The latest gain was to mem
bers of the Street Car Men's Union.
They will .be paid 50 cents an hour
the first year, 56 cents the second
year, 62 the third year, and 67 cents
the fourth year and thereafter. Shop,
barn, and track employes are in
creased from 2 to 6 cents an hour.
GIVE A QUARTER
TO AID JAPANESE
Gompers Again Appeals to Labor
Men to Help Sufferers.
An- appeal for Japanese relief was
issued . by Samuel Gompers Sunday
afternoon in which Mr. Gompers em
phasized the need for immediate
action in behalf of the victims of the
great disaster. Mr. Gompers said:
"In my address on Labor Day I
called attention to the urgent neces
sity of immediate "action in behalf of
the Japanese people. We know to
day, much more accurately than we
knew then, the urgent need for Amer
ican relief.
"The calamity that has overtaken
Japan is beyond description. Suffer
ing and want are acute.
"On Labor Day I said that every
man who has a dollar should give a
quarter in behalf of the sufferers
across the Pacific. With the extent
of the disaster more adequately
known it is urgent that all possible
relief should be taken to the Japan
ese people without the unnecessary
loss of an hour.
"The sympathies of our people for
all who are suffering and in need has
been amply demonstrated. I am sure
that we shall not be les prompt to
act now than we have been on other
occasions.
""I urge my fellow citizens and par
ticularly my fellow wage earners to
contribute generously and immediate
ly in this urgent humanitarian cause.
"Relief work is being conducted by
the American Red Cross and I sug
gest that contributions be made di
rect to the Red Cross, to the local la-
fbor papers or to the local daily pa
pers."
Do Not Forget That
WE DO JOB PRINTING
UNORGANIZED GIRLS
VICTIMIZED BY BOSSES
Victoria, British Columbia, Sept. 15.
Employers in this city have cpm
bined to blacklist working girls who
complain of violations of the women's
minimum wage law. At hearings con
ducted by the minimum wage board,
witnesses stated that these girls are
unable to obtain employment.
J. D. McNiven, deputy minister of
labor and chairman of the board,
stated that the labor department will
make a thorough: investigation.
UNION LABOR MEN,
You can outfit the whole family here
at a big saving.
Gents' Furnishings, Ladies' and
Children's Attire.
BANNER STORE
i339-i34i MAIN ST..
Bridgeport, . Conn.
7
For reliable Watches, Diamonds,
Jewelry of every description, Cut
Glass, Silverware, Clocks, Toilet
and Manicuring Sets, Rosaries and
Pearl Necklaces at very attractive
prices see
M. J. Buechler & Sons,
INC.
48 FAIRFIELD AVE.
Open a charge account with us.
G. W. Fairchild & Sons,
INC.
One of the Finest, Largest and
Most Complete Jewery Establish
ments in New England, carrying De
pendable Merchandise Only at prices
Within the Reach of All.
Established 1865.
997 MAIN ST. Arcade Corner
Bridgeport, Conn.
The Store That SavesYtti Money
BBnimmn 1 Javes iuu money
BndeporiGmn
(I Yksft J)
A Sale of Kitchen Cabinets
We have just received two
carloads of Kitchen Cabinets
of all descriptions and at all
prices. This labor saving
kitchen accessory should
have a place in every home.
Prices start at $24.50.
FREE FREE
We will give absolutely free
a 15-piece Aluminum Set
wtih every cabinet regardless
of price.
Tf63
S8X2XI
mu mace
FALL FOOTWEAR
Ready now complete lines of
Reliable Wearing-, Perfect Fit
ting" Shoes, Oxfords and Strap
Pumps Women's, Men's, Girls'
and Boys.
New models for Growing Girls
and Women in Suede, Kid, Patent
Colt Skin and Satin at prices to
please all.
See our new broad toe swagger
Oxford for High School Girls;
real high grade at a medium
price. : .
School Shoes for Girls and Boys
that wear, and save real money
for parents.
Boots and nobby Oxfords for
Men and Young Men, the Knox"
make, all union made highest
grades, at the most modest price.
The Home of Cherf ul Service.
Exploit Prison Labor
Chicago, Sept. 15. The large num
ber of prison officials and prison con
tractors at the recent convention of
the National Broom Manufacturers'
Association, leads Will R. Boyer, ed
itor of the Broom Maker, to the be
lief that the association is controlled
by convict labor exploiters.
The trade unionist scores politicians
and others who fleece blind broom
makers in various institutions.
"It is almost impossible to believe
that there are men so depraved as to
do the things that have been done in
the name of charity in some of these
blind workshops," he says.
"The blind broom maker should be
paid 100 per cent, above the union
scale and his products used by all
state, county and city institutions in
his state paid for by such political
divisions at the market nrire. Other
wise close all these institutions oust
political appointees and give the ap
propriations direct to the dependent
blind of the state in the form of a
pension.