The Connecticut labor news., February 02, 1924, Page Eight, Image 8

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

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LABOR (Connecticut) NEWS
CANT SUE TRADE
UNION, SOUTHERN
... COURT RULES
Raleigh, N. C, Feb. 2. The su
preme . court of this state has ruled
that a labor union can not be sued
for the alleged act of an individual
member.
The decision -was made in the case
of the Asheville Typographical union
versus two newspapers in that city.
The printers are on strike to secure
wage increases.
The newspapers started damage
suits against the union and secured a
temporary injunction, which was dis
solved by Superior Court Judge Mc
Elroy of Ashville. In sustaining the
lower court, the state supreme court
said:
"As we understand the law to be,
any individual or group of individuals
has a right to organize and use peace
ful means to see that their rights and
liberties, as they conceive or believe
them to be, are protected and their
idea and endeavor for beterment and
upligt are carried into effect. Justice
should be done them in their calling
or avocation in life.
"Freedom of conscience, freedom of
'speech, free writing and freedom of
action are the fundamentals of our
government, subject to well-known
exceptions as to abuse of these priv
ileges. This right belongs to all in
dividuals and groups to all sorts and
conditions of men alike.
'Ordinarily any individual or group
has a right to quit work when he or
they see fit, and by peaceful means
use their influence and argument with
other individuals and groups to pre
vent them from filling or taking their
places. ' x . . . "
Less Aliens Favored;
Laws to Be Stricter
Why Is Nation's Leading Law Official Now Silent?
The' attorney general of the United
States, thundering against striking shop
men in Federal Judge Wilkerson's
court, is one picture.
The same official in the seclusion of
a Florida hotel, while the Teapot
Dome scandal rocks the nation, is an
other picture.
The attorney general threw the shop
men's case into an equity court be
cause, he said, he wanted "quick ac
tion." The shop men's rights were not
considered.
Their plea for justice fell on deaf
ears. They were charged with con
spiracy, condemned and enjoined. The
government spent millions to break
their strike and the attorney general
proclaimed his allegiance to the anti
union shop.
But worse than all this, the attorney
general caused government by injunc
tion to be substituted for government
by law.
Ip the Teapot Dome case the same
individual is a different attorney gen
eral. He gives no interviews to news
paper men. He does no heroic pose
about "government by law:"
No injunction process Is suggested,
and out of the welter of corruption
that oozes from the senate probe comes
whispers that the law is shaped to per
mit escape.-
It is whispered that the Teapot
Dome oil lease in itself can not be
proven criminal and that it will be hard
to prove the money transactions were
illegal, as these are alleged to be loans,
payable on demand.
Though the oil lease may be can
celed, the lease holders have unload
ed. They have sold stock to the pub
lic and have secured the cash, while
others "hold the ba?."
Individuals of small importance may
be punished after being discredited in
the "public eye, but the "higher ups"
will not be reached. The usual policy
is to secure a few victims of little stand
ing, or of temporary popularity, who
will be used to appease popular wrath.
The "higher ups" are the inner cir
cle, the respectable citizens who grease
the "political machine, suggest candi
dates, judges, or department heads,
who shape policies and who "rig" the
stock market when the trap is ready.
Various sums alleged to have passed
between parties in the public eye is ,
but cigarette money as compared with
the $100,000,000 that Teapot Dome
is claimed to be worth to Its private
exploiters.
It may be said that a public official
can 'not apply the shop men's pro
cedure to the Teaoot Dome case.
- Labor does not ask this. Labor op
poses government by injunction. It in
sists on the even distribution of jus
tice not government" by . courts for
the workers and a la wcode filled with
loopholes for the influential and rich.
Justice may be thwarted by legal
istic hair splitting, but labor s higher
consciousness repels tricky pleadings
and unlawful attacks against the work
ers while natural resources are filched
and public office is defiled.
To the workers, equity proceedings
chancery courts, criminal law and civil
action are but other names for moral
conduct between men.
Labor makes little , distinction be
tween law and the moral code.
When this code is violated they feel
that the spirit of the law is ignored and
that government is brought' to debas
ing levels.
Copper Barons Import
Extra Mine Workers
New York, Feb. 2. Public senti
ment is overwhelmingly in favo rpf
drastic immigration restriction, ac-
cording to Congressman Johnson of
Washington, chairman of the house
immigration committee.
He said total restirction is strongly
advocated by many members of con
gress, but the only thing that makes
such a step impracticable is diplo
matic admissions tourists and other
visitors and the necessity of opening
the doors to relatives of aliens who
have already cast their lot with this
country
"The question of restriction is not
selfishness at all, it is the law of self
preservation," said Congressman
Johnson. We simply can not take
care of all the people of Europe who
would come. We , have considered
many possible solutions, and we find
that the only way to restrict immi
gration is to restrict. And if. we are
threatened by racial groups we will
go down to the state department and
drag out the reports of our consular
officers, which will open the eyes of
the wrld."
Prof. , Brij?ham, psychologist of
Princeton university, said that the
. leve lof intelligence in this country is
declining, because of our immigration
policy. "We have been witnessing in
this country the wholesale importa
tion of low-grade people and ' the ex
portation of talent," he said.
Registered Aliens
Means Slave Labor
Cincinnati, Feb. 2. The proposal to
register immigrants, would place
Aliens at the mercy of unscurupulous
employers, declares John. P. Frey, ed
itor of the International Molders'
Journal. . '.
If the immigrant is in an industrial
community dominated by anti-union
employers he would discover that
trade union sympathy on his part
world be followed by the application
of the law against undesirables, said
the labor editor.
"This alien woudl be made to un
derstand, that ability to earn a liveli
hood depended upon his agreement
wih the '"ws of tee emnlovers,
and especially with their antagonism
to trade unionism.
"Derisions of the courts as to what
constitutes an undesirable are so
vague and general in character," con
tinues Editor Frey, 'that it would not
.be difficult for many courts to find
' that trade union activity constitutes
po'?ve evidence of undesirableness.
The inclusion of a registration pro
vision in the immigration law woudl
be unfair to the imnrcrrant. It would
place a heavy handicap upon him
from the beeinnine, "and it would en
able employers to hold a club over his
head which would operate as a con
stant reminder that in reflttv th;s
country is not the home of the free."
Seamen Ask Judges
To Expedite Cases
New York, Feb. 2. At the annual
convention of the International Sea
men's Union it was agreed to petition
federal and state judges to adopt
rules that will permit a preference to
mentorous cases of seamen upon the
calendars of their respective courts.
The reouest was made because wit
nesses in seamen's cases frequently
disappear when cases are set for a
distant date.
The convention indorsed the posi
tion of the union's commite on legis
lation, who oppose chansres in the fed
eral immigration law that will a?ain
tie foreign seamen to their ships when
in American ports.
Detroit, Mich., Feb. 2. Michigan
trade unionists protest against, the labor
importing policy of north Michigan cop
per barons. These employers asked the
federal department of labor to . permit
them to bring miners into the copper
country.
The department of labor, it is stated,
U. S. Educational
Defects Revealed
By World War
Washington, Feb. 2. This country's
connection with the world war did more
to arouse the public -to the dangers of
illiteracy than years of pleading, by edu
cators, says Fletcher Harper Swift,
Minnesota educator, in' a oamphlet is-
quietly granted this request, and large 1 sued by the United States bureau of edu-
. r , i 1 ! .1 1 ,
numoers' ot woncers nave arrivea in me j caf jon.
upper peninsula. "Every great war in which the United
Trade unionists dedare there is no ne- v . d has been fol.
cessity for flooding the eppptr country ?,innJ deveionments of
supreme national importance," says
Prof. Swift
with workers who will fail to secure
1 . 1 1 1 A. V
employment, ana wno nave occn import
ed for the one purpose of lowering work
conditions.
The local federation of labor has in
structed its officiasl to protest against
this condition. The trades and labor
council of Sault Ste. Marie has taken
similar action, as have other upper pen
insula f-rade unions.
FROM THE SIDE
LINES
On the floor of the senate last week
objection was raised to the attorney
general being connected with the 1 ea-
pot Dome oil probe. One senator
stated' that "there" is a widespread
suspicion throughout the country di
rect against the attorney general.
That official enjoined the shop men,
classed them as criminals and said it
was his duty to enforce the anti-union
shop. ",
How he was peted and lauded
then! Where are the ballyhoo boys
now?
Admiral Plunkett, commandant 1 of
the Brooklyn navy yard, discussed
Wall street gambling before a group
of church men and the Wall Street
Journal snarls that the officer "stick
to his own trade,
Why can't this editor recall his ad
vice when discussing trade unionism?
"I assert, economically speaking,
that in all the history of the world
there never has been an overproduc
tion in wheat," said Congressman Lo
zier on the floor of the house.
The Missouri lawmaker declared
that transportation systems should be
improved that 'the so-called surplus
of crops and production can be car
ried to hungry humanity."
Immigration a Menace
s
Washington. Feb. 2. If the ratio of
immigration to this country were con
tinued, it would change national char
acteristics, according to an article in
the Monthly Labor Review, issued by
the United States Department of La
bor.
The article shows how American
ideals have been menaced by the tide
of immigration which has amounted
to 10,000,000 persons the - last 15
years. More than 05.5 per cent, ot
these immigrants have come from
eastern and southern Jiurope.
No such movement of peoples has
taken place in the history of mankind
as this immigration. It is declared
that if this movement continues "it
is self-evdent" that "t can not fail to
have a profound influence upon the
current of our national life."
PEOPLE FAVOR BONUS.
New York, Feb. 2. The soldiers
bonus is favored by an overwhelming
majority of the people, according to
John R. Quinn, national commander of
the American Legion.
The change following this war came
when the people noted that it was nec
essary for American army oiticers to
have their orders shouted to Ameriian
privates in three, four and even five lan
guages. "Then America awoke, awoke to the
fact that in a cohntry whose laws,
whose very ideals, are written in Eng
lish, . thousands upon thousands of- adult
citizens can not read a word of the
language of their adopted country,"
says Prof. Swift.
"The first selective 4 draft showed that
there were 700,000 illiterates in the
United States between 21 and 31 years
of a etc. and that 29 per cent, of the to
tal number of men actually examined
were nhysicallv unfit for military serv
ice. Worse still, thousands upon, thou
sands of children were discovered to be
growing up amid, conditions which de
barred them from any chance of secur-
insr even the rudiments of an education
Tt makes iittle difference to what
section of the country we turn our at
tention, in nearly every auarter the story
is one of inadeouate teachers salaries,
inadequate buildings, inadaquate1 rev
enues, glaring and ominous inequalities
in educational opportunities.
' "There- never was a time in the his
tory of American education when there
was a greater need tor sane ana scien
tific leadership. Throughout the breadth
and length of the United States today,
city, state and national organizations and
commissions are working with a zeal and
devotiin unsurpassed. On the one hand
we hear the cry that public education
has exceeded all legitimate bounds and
that the public schools must retrench.
This cry is met on every hand by the
tarefully worked out and intelligent find
ings of scientific students who are as
one in declaring that schoo facilities
must not be lessened, but immeasurably
increased.
"It is a matter of congratulation that
the most difficult problem in the history
of the race, that of educating a citizenry
drawn from the four quarters of .the
earth, falls upon the richest of all nations."
Oil Held Accidents
Washington, Feb. 2. -Industrial ac
cidents in the California oil fields rep
resent an annual loss of nearly $1,-
000.000 to the oil industry, according
- - - mi
to the federal oureau ot mines, mis
does not include additional losses
through increased work because of
the disorganizing; effect these acci
dents have on workers.
The bureau states that increasing
dangers in the oil fields have becor
so great that everything possible
must be. done to keep it within the
narrowest possible limits.
Non-Unionists Awake;
"Freedom" Cry Fails
Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 2.
Non-union miners in this state are
striking- against their boasted "inde
pendence" and "freedom from union
dictation." Anti-union coal owners
Claim Agents Fleece
Injured Wage Workers
Washington, Feb. 2. Private com
pensation methods and professional
insurance adjusters result in tragic
experiences to families of injured
workers in the District of Columbia,
according to a study by the depart
mentof sociology, Catholic university.
The investigators favor principles
contained in the 'Fitzgerald-Jones bill,
now pending in congress, which eliminates-
private . compensation in the
District.
"Without a workmen's compensa
tion law," the report says, "workmen
are receiving neither medical care nor
cash in settlements sufficient to
recompense them for injuries received
in employment.
"The practices of insurance cdm
pany claim adjusters, where noticed,
were not such as ' to give confidence
that their participation in administer
ing workmen's compensation would
further harmonious industrial rela
tions. Their policy seemed rather to
be fo pay out the least possible
amount, regardless of circumstances
The resultant distrust of insurance ad
justers voiced by numerous workmen,
would .indicate that if industrial har
mony and relief from litigation is a
consideration, congress, in enacting
a workmen s - compensation law,
should not permit ' any third party,
such as the professional insurance ad
juster, to stand between an employer
and his workmen. v - -
"CANT-STRIKE"
COURT IS HELD
IN CONTEMPT
Modern Methods
Adopted By Trust
New York, Feb. 2. The steel trust
will spend $15,000,000 on plant- im
provements, according to Judge Gary,
in financial quarters it is stated that
"part of the program is for the in
stallation of labor-saving devices" fol
lowing the elimination of the 12-hour
day. "
, Judge Gary resisted changes in the
12-hour day. He said this was im
possible; that it would increase costs
IS per cent.: that his employes were
satisfied. '
When forced to change his position,
the judge said: "All right, but the
public will have to pay, with increased
costs."
Now the public is informed that a
few of the many millions of dollars
in the trust's strong box will be used
to instal labor-saving devices.
Or, in other words, the steel trust
has been forced to rriodernize pro
duction methods, as organized labor's
agitatoin forced it to modernize its
work day.
The former army man declared that 'have told these workers how glorious
Secretary Mellon is using his position
to lobby against the bonus. "He is
maintaining .this lobby by- manipulating
treasury denarfemnt figures," said Com
mander Quinn.
PLUMBERS ARE TRICKED.
. NEW YORK PAPERS UNITE.
Ner York, Feb. 2. Frank A. Mun
tey has purchased the Evening Mail
and unitd it with the Evening Tele
gram. This is the ninth newspaper
purchase he has made in this city. He
now has one morning and two after
noon newspapers, which represent
seven nwsnapers. The present New
York Herald represents the Herald,
tie Sun and the Press.
Wilmington, N. C, Feb. 2. Employ
ing plumbers in this city tricked their
employes into buying shares of stock
and wages have been cut. Other trade
unionists warned the plumbers, but the
bosses told fhem they are "partners,"
because they hold one or two shares of
$50 stock.
Down By
, 1
The Old Mill
He tried to kiss her.
But she said
She wouldn't kiss him by a dam site.
Virginia Reel.
it is to be "free men," and a subsi
dized press has wheezed the same
tune. The state has been a land of
gun men, while coal barons cut wages
and in several localities smashed the
miners' union
The wave of hysteria has subsided,
and the non-union coal miner is facing
the grim reality of starvation wages
He is now asking if there is not
method in calls on him to show his
"independence." Another factor is the
murderous working conditions that
prevail in these fields. In an effort to
stop these local strikes, the coal bar
ons are closing down the mines,
Wages In New York
Went Up Last Month
Albany, N. Y., Feb. 2. "The week
ly wage average for all New York
State industries in December were
$27.97, representing a gain of 33 cents
over November figures, according to
a report issued by Industrial Com
missioner Shientag of the State De
partment of Labor.
Average earnings for New York
City factory workers 'in the same
period were $28.79, as contrasted with
$27.56 paid to up-state factory em
ployes. Men workers received $33.40
in New York City,' while women av
eraged $19.24.
Last month's wages were $1.58
higher than earnings in. December,
1922, due mainly to increases early
in the .year.
PROFITS IN BANANAS.
Topeka, Kan., Feb. 2. Governor
Allen's industrial court has fallen so
low in popular esteem that it is sel
dom referred to except in terms of
contempt.
Former defenders of this- system
have changed their viewpoints and the
court is now considered a drain on
taxpayers, for the benefit of politic
ians. '
Governor Davis suggested that the
members of 'the court investigate cOal
prices, but the members refused to
act. In asking, the attorney general
to aid him, the governor said:
"It is quite evident from Judge Mc
Dermott's letter that he does , not
think that he, or any other member of
the court of . industrial relations,
should give any active or valuable
service to the state in return for the
munificent salaries allowed them.
"It is too bad that the public serv
ice, should be encumbered by those
who take, that view of their respon
sibilities. He does not say that he is
too busy with the business of . the
court. He does not say that-it is out
of the-jurisdiction of the court. He
just simply Indicates that he wishes
to have this salary in . return for no
service whatever." k
Governor .Davis' estimate is the
view of the. average Kansas citizen.
The court has cost the people more
than $1,000,000, and despite frenzied
publicity it can not show a single so
cial gain for this expenditure. The
next legislature will undoubtedly re
peal the law, and the thing that Allen
would ride into the vice presidency on
will disappear.
EIGHT HOURS FOR WOMEN
'Annapolis, Md., Feb. 2. State Asr
semblyman Demarco has introduced a
bill making eight hours a legal day's
work for women and children in in
dustry in this state.
Mr. Demarco has introduced an
other bill which would give immediate
compensation to a person injured
while at work. Under the ; present
law there is a three-day waiting per
iod before the compensation act is
operative. ; - ' .
French Prof. No, not de and le or du",
but a and le
Frosh. Oh. .
Prof. Very good. '
ANOTHER FAKE
"UNION" DROPPED
BY WORKERS
Bostin, Feb. 2. The so-called "un
ited shoe workers of America," an or
ganization dual to the bona fide. Boot
and Shoe Workers' union, has passed
out of existence. It was formed 13
years ago by a group of revolution
ists for the avowed purpose of de
strying the regular union. Every
stereotyped phrase was brought into
play. To pave the way for the coming
revolution, workers must be educated,
saith these pleaders." There was to
be no arbitration and no wage agree
ments, and the referendum would pass
judgment on everything.
was tVe o ft harangue and pro
fessed' program of the revolutionists,
who, as usual, had another program,
which was not publicly referred to
They accepted arbitration and agree
ments, and signed wage scales, wher
ever possible. The belief, in autoc-
racy, rather than in the referendum,
was shown when they went to court
for an injunction to compel their
members to comply with an agree
ment to which they did not give their
approval.
Gradually the "union" fell to pieces.
Its pass n r has been officially an
nounced by the "leaders," who have
assembled under a new world-saving
banner. They will continue their dis
reputable tactics among the handful
of workers who look upon phrase
mongering as progress.
Said Bobby to the Minister at din
ner: "Can a church whistle?"
"Why do you ask?"
" 'Coz Pa says the church can
whistle far the twelve dollars back
pew rent." . .
Cr
inn. Mm, 1 ami 111 rr 1 ifi ,
; IWHAM))H
"What are you doing?"
"I'm mending one of the clocks on my
stocking."
" "Oh, taking, a stitch in time "The
Squib. r ' ,
i J I
w
I
Durham- V
SfRaor XPPAM-DCT lI RAZOR CO. JmeyGry, It J.
UPLEI0)
Made in America by American Workmen
Recommended to
Labor by a Labor Chief
"I have no hesitancy in recommending
this Company and its products
friends of Organized Labor."
to all ; g
Where Labor Conditions are . Right
he PRODUCT is Bound to be Right
The Power of the
Lab
News
Is your coal in yet?"
'No, it's slated for Saturday." Life.
PRESSMEN SHORTEN HOURS.
Dubuque, Iowa, Feb. 2. The 44
hour, week is a part of a new wage
contract secured by printing press
men and assistants employed in com
mercial shops. Newspaper pressmen
have secured a wage increase of $3.40
per week, which is similar ta that re
cently secured by the Typographical
union.
New York, Feb. 2. Importing ban
anas is a profitable business accord
ing to the United Fruit Company's
report, which shows a net income of
$23,097,330, after charges and federal
taxes. The company set aside $10,
000,060 from 1923 earnings for this
year's dividends.
JAPS ARE OUSTED.
Everett, Wash., Feb. 2. Through
an aroused public opinion the Rucker
mill management has been defeated
in its attempt to sustitute Japs tor
white workers. The public supported
the Central Labor Council s protest
and a federal union with a member
ship of 200 was organized in less than
a week.
The grand essentials of happiness
are, something to do, something to
love, and something to hope for.
Chalmers.
PRICE
Washington, Feb. 2. The federaJ
trade commission has ruled that the
National Biscuit Company and the
Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company cannot
give lower prices to chain groceries
than to co-operative associations of
retail groceries.
Neighbor I've some pickled peaches
in my car outside. .
Hubby Sh-h, my wife's in the next
room. Spider Webb.
or
Power is the greatest word in all of the languages spoken by human be
ings. With it anything is possible, without it we are helpless.
Power is usually visualized by armies, courts, legislatures, police, sheriffs,
etc Yet they are but the visible expression of an invisible thing that sustains
them all.
Power of whatever kind in the direction of human affairs rests in the last
analysis upon the human mind; armies, courts, police, legislature, sheriffs, etc
have no inherent power except as they express the apparent wishes of mankind. "
They exist and serve certain purposes only as long as the purposes have their
source in the consent of men. v Withdraw that and all of these are powerless.
Power then resides in the human mind. When the vast multitudes of the
nation decide to. change human institutions, the change will be made: They
must decide to think right, to think in terms of power for their class.
Power resides in the printed word as it reaches the human mind and
makes men think. The LABOR NEWS is a powerful instrument to awaken
the thinking powers of those whom they represent.
You can extend this power by getting the LABOR NEWS into the hands
of your fellow members impressing upon them at all times that the LABOR
NEWS is the real mouthpiece which ORGANIZED LABOR speaks through its
members ' ,
'.'
Let no copy go to waste. A wasted copy is wasted opportunity. Get
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manded forythe good of all concerned.
Hand this copy of the LABOR NEWS to a fellow member and have him
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"UNITED WE STAND
DIVIDED WE FALL."
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