The Connecticut labor news., June 28, 1924, Image 1

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

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UNITED STA1ES
TO ORGANIZED LABOR
THE LABOR NEWS is your
paper and its advertisers de
pend on your support. Tell
ihfm you Saw It In The News
and everyone will -be happy.
LABOT
pKESS
4
a Coimnunity
KfuS-raiAi. nJ cort-
I .1 -"Ilk
ASSOCIATION
f
VOLUME XII, NUMBER 25.
Published weekly at 148 George St.
New Haven, Conn.
NEW HAVEN, CONN., SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1924 ...
Entered as second class matter at Post Office at New Haven, Conn,
under Act of March 3, 1879.
PRICE THREE CENTS
Democrats Pledge Labor Will
Be Guaranteed FizllMight to
Orgi
Leaders Given Hearing Denied By Republicans
at Cleveland and Tentative Draft, of Party
Platform Indicates That Requests Have Been
at Least Heeded McAdoo Favored By Rail
road Men, Smith By Others, While Davis Is
, Denounced Labor Men Royally Entertained.
New York, June 28- Organized Labor at least was given the
hearing denied by the Republican convention at Cleveland two weeks
ago, when its representatives, headed by the Veteran Samuel Gom
pers, appeared before the committee on resolutions at the Democratic
convention on here this week and presented its desires. (
From the tentative draft of the platform presented to the con
vention and which will likely be adopted so far as Labor planks are
concerned, Orgainized Labor and the workers generally of the country
are given much more consideration and none of the palavar passed
out by the Republican platform as
lust before the convention it
pers was seriousl ill from a breakdown after the turndown at Cleve
land, but the doughty warrior after
appeared "on the floor of the convention ready to battle might and
main for Labor measures.
Supporting him was the executive board of the A. F. of L. and
many labor leaders from, all parts
delegates to the convention itself were more than 50 out and out
Organized Labor men, another insmce of the difference at Cleveland
where money instead of labor was
."" At Cleveland where Matthew Woll
and Frank Morrison presented La
bor's requests, they were given but five
minutes to present and explain them
a practical Shutting of the doors in
, Labor's face. Here, however, plenty
of. time was given but the Labor men,
with their program complete, worked
with speed (and took up little more of
, the committee's time than was neces
sary to emphasize the various matters
desired treated outspokenly.
v Because of the refusal of , the Re
publicans to include a plank' conceding
the absolute right of labor to organize,
and their standing silent on the in
junction issue, pluSy the demands of the
National Association of Manufactur
ers that labor unions be made legally
responsible, most emphasis upon , these
two points was laid. '; '. 1
Renewed resort to the injunction and
a growing tendency for employers to
demand and the courts to gfany more
sweeping injunctions' in labor ( cases,
brought the injunction issue to the
front. ' While the discussion was on, it
was pointed out, the , striking iron
' workers were fighting the issuance of
an injunction yhich would deprive
them of the right to consult counsel,
and hold the organization, its mem
bers' and its allies liable to damages of
$5,000,000. v.
In the discussion the planks favor
ing repeal of the labor sections df the
Esch-Cummins law, amendment of the
Volftead act, and the needs of caring
for postal employes were dwelt upon.
Labor is strenuously opposed to the
Klan and supporte dthe move to 'de
nounce that' organization in the plat
form. It insisted on endorsement of
the anti-child labor amendment now to
be put before the people and at the
conclusion was given ; assurance by
members of the"" platform committee
that its desires would be carefully con
sidered and given support in so far as
possible to do so. From the reports
coming out from the committee on the
draft of the platform, it; appears as if J
the .Democrats are to keep to their
promise in the platfornf at least.
.Labor naturally had a deep interest
in the nominations and at the hearing
given tpld the committee that unless
progressive candidates were nomin
ated for both president and vice-president
it need not be expected that
, Labor will retain faith in the party of
Jefferson any more, than it now has
faith in the misnamed , party of Lin
coln. It was not an ultimatum but a
warning that, on the convention's ac
tions depended .largely what Labor
would do at the conference at Cleve
land July 4 of the Progressive Politi
cal Conference where the question of
a third party would be decided.
Among the railroad crafts interested
in the convention McAdoo had much
support but Gp vernor A1 Smith has a
good backing among many of the
other crafts! Labor is absolutely op
posed to John W. Davis because of his
corporation connections and the back
ing of the non-union mining interests
of West Virginia.
Officers of the State Federations of
New York, New Jersey and Connec
ticut Tuesday entertained the labor,
delegates to the convention with a trip
to Coney Island and a dinner at the
(Continued on Page Eight.)
dfiiZQ and be
a sop to Labor
was reDorted that President Gom-
a few days rest in a local hospital
of the country, while among the
the main thing represented
ELM CITY CIGAR
MAKERS RE-ELECT
OFFICIAL BOARD
Annual Meeting ; Hear Reports of
. . Three' Cigars Now Being
Made Non-Union.
T Trie annual meeting and election of
Local Union 39, New Haven, Cigar-j
makers International, was held ' in
Trades Council Hall on Tuesday night
and resulted in the re-election of the
entire existing board of -.officers, the
only change being on the finance com
mittee which made necessary by the
rules of the union. The officers7and
committees elected fare as follows: v
President, Philip, Montis; vice-president,
Joseph Logtie ; "financial secretary-treasurer,
F. A. Grube, business
agent, John W. Murphy; sergeant-at-arms,
A. Rockwell. .
Finance committee, John Clement.
Trustees, Joseph , Polard,
Thomas
Thompson, Charles Volnfer.
, (Continued on Page Eight.)
TRAINMEN GET
PAYJNCREASE
New Agreement Signed By B. & M.
Employes and Road.
Boston, June 28. New agreements
with the management of the Boston &
Maine Railroad were signed Tuesday
by representatives of the more than
5,000 conductors and v trainmen em
ployed on that ' systenv This rtieans
that the 5 per cent, increase in wages
offered by the company for the men in
these two branches of the service was
accepted and will go intot effect imme
diately. For several weeks negotiations have
been in progress between executives of
the Boston & Maine and the joint
committee ( acting for the Order of
Railway Conductors and Brotherhood
of Railroad Trainmen relative to the
new agreement. Some changes pro
continued on Page Eight.)
Gompers Warns Democrats Platform
Must Voice People's Aspirations
New York City, June 28. President Samuel Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor, addressing the democratic platform com
mittee for fifty minutes Wednesday on Labor's political demands con
cluded with this warning:
"If we are to be disappointed here, as we were in Cleveland, I
leave it to your imagination where the great masses of the people of
the United States will go. We cannot go on with disappointment after
disappointment."
Nearly one hundred American Federation of Labor officials and
officials of International , unions surrounded Mr. Gompers as he spoke.
The whole appeal, a masterful piece of work, was for a platform, and
candidates that would typify the spirit of the time and adequately express
the determination of the people.
Strong in voice but not yet in full strength, physically, President
Gompers stood throughout his great appeal, an appeal which many in
terpreted as a warning that there must be a resort to other means in the
event of failure here.
Fully two hundred labor representatives are here, all of them join
ing in the effort to secure proper platform declarations.
Protected
NEW HAVEN PRINTER
ELECTED SECRETARY OF
NEW ENGLAND UNION
1 h "t ''
JOHN G. McGOWAN.
NEW HAVEN "TYPO"
CHOSEN SECRETARY
OF NJ. UNIONS
John G. McCowan Succeeds John F.
Murphy In Office for Past
"14 Years.
. John G. McGowan, president of the
New liaven local of the Typographical
Union," arid one of the most consistent
Labor men in this section, was elected
secretary-treasurer of the New Engr
land Typographical Union at its con
vention at Concord, N. H., this week
afterone of the most successful nieetr
ings the New England Union has ever
held. The growing increase in the
number of victories for the 44-hour
rweek and the general betterment f
Continued on Page Eight.) -
BRYAN ONCE RAN '
ON WET PLATFORM v
PNOLETSOUT
UJ " j 1 CJ T? -
On Right He(Is Now ,
Denouncing.
New York, June 28. William Jen
nings Bryan admitted Tuesday after
noon that he had once run for 1 Con
gress on an anti-prohibition ticket, al
though he came to the Democratic
convention as the original, blown-in-
the-bottle representative of the bone
dry contingent.'
He made the admission in the course
of a wordy but trifling row at the
caucus of the Florida delegation in the
Madtson Square Hotel, when he was
selected as the state's representative
on the committee on resolutions.'
Former Gov. Albert W. Gilchrist
and T. J. Appleyard sought to have the
deelgation instruct Col. Bryan how he
should vote on a prohibition plank in
committee and the former Nebraskan
resented the suggestion Mr. Gilchrist
repeated a charge he made last Sun
day that Bryan had tried to force a
prohibition plank on the San Fran
Continued on Page Eight.) '
? k , r' . . V,s"
,. . ' Jt a r.'-' ) - - t;
H ' - . i
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r :r '
' I tT ? . k? r.
POSTAL WORKERS TO
CONTINUE FIGHT JO
SECURE WAGE RAISE
i, ;
Veto By Collidge of Bill Only In
creases Tension O'Sullivan
s Pledges Support. (
Postoffice employes of Connecticut
and throughout the country are not to
"take lying down" the veto of their
salary increase bill by President Cool-
idgebut afe.even now waging a fight
to put it over his veto as soon as Con
gress reassembles ; in December, or
earlier if a special session should be
called which ! is unlikely as President
M
Coolidge will hardly chance any more
back fires by Congress during the
campaign, especially after the way
congressmen and senators were v slam
med at the Cleveland Convention The
postal salaries increase bill and the
veto will be the order of business on
the reassembling of Congress, the
President having timed his veto at the
last minute of the expiring session.
j The same congressmen who passed it
before the veto will have to act on it
again so there, is a big chance of it
going over anyhow, despite the presi
dential jrown upon it. -
The postal employes in Connecticut
are especially keen in their intent to
keep up the fight, according to James
H. Smith . of Ansonia, state organizer
of the National Federation of Post
office Clerks. While the bill was be
fore Congress, Smith worked unceas
ingly for the success of the measure.
He toured the state making speeches,
wrote to congressmen 'and senators and
did everything within his power to ei-"
list the support of the public in gen
eral. Since the veto of the pay in
crease bill, Smith has kept right on
with his work and says ."he will stay
with it until success is accomplished.
"The postal employes are disap
pointed at the, outcome of the salary
increase bill, which was. vetoed by the
President on account of economy,"
Smith said. "The men in the service
know the meaning of this word
! through actual experience, and it is an
all absorbing topic in all homes of
those in the service.
"Had the increase been granted their
most licentious indulgence would have
expressed itself in the purchase of a
home or giving their offspring the
benefits of a higher education.
"That the fight wil continue by the
National Federation of Postoffice
Clerks 'and other affiliated organiza
tions is assured, and opinions have
been requested from congressmen and
senators throughout the country as to
what they think will be the outcome
of this measure.
"The following letter from Congress
man P. B. O'Sullivan is characteristic
of many received and shows the 'atti
tude they are taking regarding our
demands:
"'Jane 17, 1924.
" 'My dear Mr. Smith v
, " 'Just why President Coolidge ve
toed the bill granting increases in sal
ary to postal employes will forever re
main a mystery. For a long time he
has been aware of the imperative
need of an upward reclassification of
salaries and has expressed himself in
hearty accdrd with such a policy,
which seemed to him so worthy of
merit. Perhaps his disapproval was
predicated on his program of econ
omy. But if economy contemplates
the withholding from government em
ployes a decent wage to permit of a '
respectable standard of living then he
who follows such a program elimin
ates consideration of the justice of a
cause. The happiness and comfort of
men ought to have some weight in the
face of a program of economy; What
justification can there be for a con
tinuation of the present governmental
policy which compels a rural carrier
to furnish his equipment, provide his
own gasoline, oil and accessories, and
expect him to exist on an income
which may net about ten hundred dol
lars? The marvel of the whole sit
uation is that the entire postal service
boasts of a caliber of men, perform
ing excellent work in spite of the un
attractiveness of the financial oppor
tunities. " 'Public opinion, whether expressed
by letter, from the platform or in the
press, was manifestly behind the de
mands of the postal employes. The
House of Representatives and the
Senate passed the bill almost unani
mously. With such force at work, the
veto becomes the mfstery above
suggested.
Continued on Page Eight.)
Connecticut Trolley men
Win Big Victory and Get
60 cent Wages Restored
CIGARMAKERS AGENT
OFFICIATING AS MAYOR
OF NEW HAVEN CITY
JOHN W, MURPHY.
LABOR, MAN AGAIN
NEW HAVEN MAYOR
AND MAKING GOOD
" . i
Cigarmakers Official Holding Down
Office and Brings Praise V
From Daily Press.
New Haven again has a Labor mayor
and ' while it may be for only two
weeks this; time, -so ably has he con
ducted the affairs of the city in the
past when calle'd upon to fill the office,
that there is little fear of any up
heaval but on the contrary an out
spoken sentiment that he may in the
future be the city executive by elec
tive fact. While Mayor David E.
FitzGerald is attending the democratic
' (Continued on Page E,ight.)
COOLIDGE TO CALL
IN GOVERNORS FOR
AID IN ELECTION
President Plans an Economic Drive
, With Others Doing His ,
Spouting on Tax..'
Washington, June 1 28. President
Coolidge is planning to make economy
in government his major appeal during
the coming campaign and is "consider
ing calling a general conference of
governors with the idea of initiating a
nation-wide movement to reduce taxes.
This proposition has been discussed
recently by Mr. Coolidge with sev
eral leading Republicans, including
those senators who have followed the
President's economic policies. It is, as
yet in a tentative stage, pending de
velopments at the Democratic conven
tion. i (Continued on Page Eight.)
A SMOOTH
Cautious Cal was no
Just one ballot was
Hiram Johnson and
You'll observe were
It was all framed up
And the throng of
Simply sat and answ
When they called
Such a quiet, dull convention
Never Was held an y where;
It was almost like a meeting place
' Of sacred song and prayer.
Wise anJ foxy politicians
Marveled at the smooth machine
And the way it operated,
For its like was ne ver seen.
Cautious Cal is keejing silent,
Don't hardly make t sound;
But his army of lieutenants
Will soon pass the bunk around.
On the highways and the by-ways
They will carry the G. O. P.
Always . careful not mention
Denby, Fall and Daugherty.
Car Operators Stand Firm and Company Finally
Capitulates to Avoid Arbitration neither Side
Desired Rates Cut to 52 Cents Three Years
Asro Finally Returned After Men Turn Down
Counter Propositions.
The determination of the trollevmen of Connecticut. e?nriallv
those in the Hartford and New Haven divisions, to secure a readjust
ment of the wage scales back to at least the high point attained in
1919, was successful this (week, when the Connecticut Company -capitulated
and granted the employes a wage, of 60 cents an hour
maximum, the scale that prevailed before the 'company ruthlessly
l l imn . .Lr.i . . i i .. i .1
ieaucea wages in wnicn went io arDirration ana tne company
was sustained. ' .
The success was wholly due to the Hartford and New Haven
divisions men and a few, of the smaller districts, the Bridgeport and
Waterbury carmen having voted by small majorities to accept the
ji iciiLa Ulicxu nisi uy uic KAJiiiyaiiy aiiu uicii uic iciiiauvc jj tcuis,
but the majority about' the state outvoted them in th referendum
t. 7 . I I j. U.. tU
and their standout brought success. The majority of the state confer
ence board under the leadership of .Chairman Frank' ' O'Meara of
Hartford, also' stood firm with the majority and in their negotiations
with the company officials. -
The conference board maneuvred skillfully all through the dis-;
cussion with the result that nowhere and at;no time was there any
serious clashes and the matter has now. been adjusted amicably and
il - r. j t T 1 - C..: J., Qtr..- .f
uic iaie in c ii cut aiiu icuuatuvc uauiw iu jiuic iramtm w
the Connecticut Company who had planned to spend the summer in
Europe therefore sails today with a load off his mind.
PIONEER LABORITE
DIES AFTER A HALF
CENTTOACTMTY
T. V. Powderly, Once Chief of Knights
of Labor and Government
Official Passes. -
Terence Vincent Powderly of New
York, one of the pioneers in the or
ganization of labor into bodies wherein
the rights of the workers could and
would be protected and their condi
tions bettered, died this week after a
half century of activity during all of
which,, though he. rose in high places
in law and governmental affairs he
never forerot that he was a "union
man": at.heart and acted accordingly.
Testimonials of regret 'at his passing
came from all ranks of life, Labor
leaders as well , as high officials, and
common every-day workers uniting in
their expressions of sorrow.
(Continued on Page; Eight.)
FAITH IN THE UNION
'MAN -
L
The union worker has through years
of education and advancement brought
i
his various professions up to a . high
standard; to compare with the higher
standard of living existing tocjay. The
sincere union worker to keep this high
standard for all union .men looks for
the Union Label in" his apparel pur
chases. The Model Clothing Co. has
his apparel needs, paying, as he is paid
a little each wee. At the Model you'll
find the union label in clothes your
family needs. 1
MACHINE
minated,
enough;
the others
"treated rough"
beforehand, .
deelgates
ered "Coolidge"
the roll of states.
Thomas H West.
I 1 1 U 4- KM
While the trolleymen asked for 75
cents an hour originally there was
price was made so high, however, as
to allow dickering and the company
tried its hand at the same game also
by proposing a reduction of , three
cents an hour from the 57 cents maxi
mum prevailing. , Then the company,
when the' men rejected any such pro
posal proposed the existing scale
stand but again the men rejected, the
proposition at a referendum vote. The
company then made a tentative offer'
ot a one cent increase which 'was also
nrnmntlv reierted and it looked as if -
tr ---I j
arbitration would be 'the result.
Neither side was keen for this,
method, it having proved too costly
and long drawn out "jn the two recent
arbitrations. The trolleymen were not
so much averse to going to a board
with their claim, especially after the
decision, on the Springfield and Wor
cester, roads where a rate of 68 cents
an hour -was granted with an eight-
hour day and other conditions desired
by the working carmen. -t
pnrtlipr mnf cretirPf! TTPff held bv
the executive committee of the con-
ference board with Manager John K. "
Punderford and a' proposal of 60 cents
an hour was suggested and put up to
the men in a referendum. This was
taken all over the state on Tuesday,
. i, ,i i ' iiT f i a
rnmrrmniratpd tn the' comoanv the
same day and the scale signed by both
sides. Only a few more than JUU ot
the 2,100 trolleymen of the state voted ?
against the 60 cents proposed.
The outcome is a complete victory
for the trolleymen, accomplishing as it
does what the men have been trying
for for four years, the restoration of
the rate paid them in 1920. During
the war while everyone, was receiving
high wages except trolleymen and
postal employes, the ' trolleymen were
advanced only so meagrely that they
were barely able to live under the pre
vailing high prices'. Just as the war,,
was over the men succeeded in getting
a scale, of 60 cents an hour. The men
enjoyed it for only a brief period for
the next year the company reduced it
to 54 cents and the year following it
was cut to 52 cents an hour maximum.
A year ago , the state conference -
board made a determined stand for the
restoration of the 60 cent wage , and
succeeded finally in getting an increase
of five cents an hour making the rate
57 cents. The company early this year
raised fares claiming the increase
granted the trollejonen was the main .
cause for so doing. The men disputed
this and then went out for the game
as well as the name and this week
were successful.
The working conditions proposed by
both sides were accepted at the refer
endum on June 13 so now everything
is set on the Connecticut lines until
next June at least.
SALARY INCREASES CONSID
ERED. .
At a meeting of the Lithuanian cab
inet, in Lithuania, ( held on April 23,
1924, the project of raising the salaries
of all government employes was con
sidered. ' ; ! : r