The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 7, 1924, Page 4

THE FOOD WORKERS THEATRE BOSSES SPLIT FIGHTING ACTORS’ EQUITY Union Battle Won’t End June First (By The Federated Press) NEW YORK, May 6—The antici- pated split in the Producing Manag- ers Assn. has occurred and the bosses’ hope for victory in the proposed June 1, lockout against the actors union has} gong glimmering. The Shubert-Sel- wyn group, controlling 74 percent of current theatrical productions, have replied to the P. M. A. anti-union stand by forming the Managers’ Pro tective Assn., pledged to sign the new contract with the Actors’ Equity Asso- ciation, American Federation of La- bor. The union haters, who control 18 theaters in New York against 45 co: trolled by the pro-union group, s they will stage the lockout on the is- sue of an Equity shop. They have not| yet expelled the pro-union managers’ group from the P. M. A. There is apt to be a fight between the two groups over $100,000 in the P. M. A. treasury, raised by weekly assessments on the managers to fight possible strikes. “The members of the new organiza- tion who have favored the latest Eq- uity proposal recently submitted to the P. M. A., voted to accept the agree- ment as now drafted and will put their signatures to the contract as soon as the association is incorpo- rated,” says a statement by the new organization. “The new peace pact protects the Fidelity League (a small company union), which has been cov- ered in all the negotiations with Eg- uity.” Equity has turned down the P. M. A. proposal for arbitration by the So- ciety of American Dramatists of the Equity shop demand. John Emerson, president of the union, speaking be- fore the Federation of Womens’ clubs, stressed the following points in the new agreement: Equity will in no way interfere with salaries, except a $30 weekly minimum for chorus girls. It will not interfere with the type of play or casting, and will not go on sympa- thetic strikes. THE DAILY WORKER THE 115 WHEELING MINERS WERE MURDERED; BOSSES COULD HAVE PREVENTED DEADLY EXPLOSION By LELAND OLDS (Federated Press Industrial Editor) The cheap valuation placed by the employing class upon the lives Steel Corporation in which 115 safety provisions. Three Times British Death Rate. As a direct result the accident death rate among coal miners in this coun- try runs more than three times as jhigh as among miners in Great Brit- jain, where precautionary measures have been enforced by a strict law. |During 1923 the number of miners |killed in the United States by coal jmine accidents totaled 2,452 exceed- ing by 30 the average of the last 14 |years. This means 4.51 miners killed |for every 1,000 (300 day workers) em- ployed. In British coal mines the rate |varies from 1 to 1.30 per 1000. | Rock Dusting Safety Method. Prevention of such explosions as |that in the Wheeling company mine ‘by means of rock-dusting has been known for at least 12 years and -has been compelled by law in all naturally dry mines since June 30, 1920. Since that time there have been no explo- sions in thoroughly dusted mines. Where gas is ignited from any cause, rock-dusting will prevent explosions from propagating through the fine coal dust which is suspended in the air, This method has been strongly re- commended by the bureau of mines. As its cost is little more expensive than watering, which has proved in- effective, the fact that only three mines in the United States are using it proves that the deaths of hundreds of miners are due to criminal negli- gence on the part of the owners. Safety First Explosive. Another vital recommendation of the bureau which has met with equal- ly tardy acceptance is the use of so- called premissible explosives in place of black powder and dynamite. These permissibles are hard to ignite and consequently nearly proof against ac- cidental explosions. They also burn with a shorter and cooler flame when of the human machines they employ is again emphasized by the disaster.at the non-union Benwood mine of the Wheeling West Virginia miners lost their lives. Perfectly feasible methods of avoiding such explosions are known and have been recommended by the U. S. buseau of mines but have been adopted by less than a dozen mine owners of the country. They prefer to wait until forced by law to make these exploded, thus being less likely to ig- nite gas or coal dust. Records of the bureau of mines covering 1908 to 1923 show that 71 coal mine explosions have been caused directly by the use of black powder and dynamite, kill- ing 857 men, injuring 173 others and doing enormous damage to property. Short flame explosives have been made in the United States since 1902 and have been designated permissible explosives since 1908. But down to 1923 only one-fifth of the explosives used in the mines were of this safety class. Utah Leads The Way. Coal operators of Utah have worked out a new safety code which makes compulsory the most up-to-date pre- cautions for preventing major mine disasters. But they did it only when forced to by public opinion after the death of 171 miners in the explosion at Castlegate No. 2 mine of the Utah Fuel Company on March 8, 1924. The report of the investigators showed that the company was to blame for that disaster. The explo- sion started in a gas pocket, which should have been discovered, and spread through coal dust, which had not been properly sprinkled. The company accepted the report as cor- rect and Vice-president Cameron said that most of the recommendations had already been put into effect. Too late, it might be remarked, to save the 171 miners for their families. The new code which was drawn up by the Utah industrial commission working with the coal operators of the state provides: (1) Permissible explosives only to be allowed in the coal mines of the state and only 1 1-2 pounds in any hole; (2) Shot firing to be by electricity only with all execpt shotfirers out of mine; (3) Approved A FRIEND IN NEED THE MINERS THE GARMENT WORKERS THE PULLMAN CAR WORKERS are only a few of those who know how necessary and useful a real labor paper can be in time of trouble for these organizations have received more helpful publicity in the pages of THE DAILY WORKER “AMERICA’S GREAT LABOR DAILY.” than in all the big papers of Chicago combined. Keep this militant fighter going by getting new readers. Take advantage of the special introductory price. Do your share Today by getting new subscriptions THE DAILY WORKER ... POWERFUL MILITANT FEARLESS BRILLIANT The Organ ofthe Advancing Working-Class. | TRIAL Subscription Coupon Enclosed please find $1.00 for ae months subscription to THE DAILY WORKER to be sent to: | Street No.t | Put my name on the Honor Roll: State: wn. —— NAME? csvsscrssessnetessvceeeramensvemecseensecsenmemnecesovas | Street NO. ssrscssssessssocumocrseesesssseensevemesees | | ou: Se ONESIES SAR OR State: .. yerenvennseenvarsosssnsonenesseesesseee Pl BEN ME sneer More trial sub, coupons. I'll try to secure more trial subs, THIS OFFER GOOD ONLY UNTIL JUNE 15, 1924 No agents commissions given on trial subscriptions. L | > RAPAAATED: Re PISO NEN ace ==! Subseribers | CHEY mess sesaeenencmmnnsssoanesvseregsemmneeamnmmenesesmevensane | aia ee ae tio Hl Co participated 10,000 | by e (th : heme | | Jun | Send All Subscriptions c to 1113 W.Washington | Boulevard CHICAGO, ILL, L epasenel Fill in your premium selection here. for 6 months without charge in accord- ance with your special offer. Name: .. Street No.: Citys vee Country: 1 “year... In Chicago: 1 yea: oOo PREMIUM | Subscription Coupon | I have sold one year’s sub to THE DAILY WORKER for which I enclose | $. Please send me {] THE LABOR HERALD {] THE LIBERATOR [] SOVIET RUSSIA PICTORIAL Name of the new DAILY WORKER subscriber is: State A ORKER SUBSCRIPTION RATES $6.00 00 THIS OFFER GOOD ONLY UNTIL JUNE 16, 1924 No agents commissions given when premiums are requested, PAINTERS SETTLE ST. LOUIS STRIKE AT $10.40 WAGE Partial Victory Ends 2 Month Battle ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 6.—Gaining a partial victory as far as the wage, scale is concerned, and a ‘complete vi¢tory for the maintenance of the union, the strike of the painters here came to an end. The bosses agreed to sign a new agreement calling for a scale of wages of $1.30 an hour, This agreement was affirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the 2,300 members of the union at a meeting at Unity Hall. This new agreement also provides that all scabs who were imported dur- ing the strike shall either join the union or be discharged. At $10.40 a Day. The wage increase gained by the St. Louis painters amounts to $1.40 a day, making the present scale $10.40 a day. The painters and paperhangers struck on March 15, demanding a scale of wages of $12 a day, with cer- tain improvements of working condi- tions. The bosses immediately got busy importing scabs and succeeded in getting some 500 men, who were, as usaul, given ample protection by hired gunmen and city police. The local newspapers launched an avalanche of propaganda against the striking work- ers, charging them with vandalism, which, however, soon developed to be acts of disgruntled scabs and private detectives, who in this manner tried to show the need of their service to the bosses. Many newly painted buildings were in this manner splat- tered with tar and creosote. Closed Union Shop. Altho the agreement provides for the maintenance of the closed shop, with full union conditions, it can safely be assumed that if the other trades operating in the building in- dustry would have followed the exam- ple of the tinners and steamfitters and rendered real assistance to the painters, this victory would have been much more speedily accom- plished. electric headlights to be used; (4) Rock dusting of all main entries, slopes and intake air courses, and whenever by anal thie rock “dust material in any part of a mine shows a total incombustible content lower than necessary to render coal dust in- Mayor Barks But Does Not Bite At Workers May Day By GEORGE E. POWERS. (Special to The Daily Worker) WILKES-BARRE, Pa, May 6.— “Hold a meeting here? Why this Workers’ Party crowd ought to have their heads blowed off!” Thus ex- ploded the Czar of Wilkes-Barre, May- or Daniel Hart when told of the in- tention of the Workers’ Party local branch, to hold a mass meeting in Wilkes-Barre. “Test my right to stop them, will they?” snorted the corpulent- mayor, his puffy features distorted with rage. “Why, I’m supreme here and nopody can interfere with my actions. You see those fellers out there?” pointing a fat finger out the window at a group of peaceful citizens standing on the sidewalk. “Well, I can arrest them on the spot if I want to, and nothing can prevent me!” He raved on, “I have appointed a committee of the American Legion to handle all meetings in this city, and what they say goes! Anyone who wants to have a meeting in. Wilkes- Barre must get permission from the Legion, and that settles it! No bunch of reds is going to preach Soviet prin- ciples in this city. If they try it, they will be lucky to get out afive!” The representative of the Workers’ Party then stated that his organiza- tion would under no circumstances have anything to do with the Legion, but would go ahead with the meeting as planned. With this the interview ended. Despite the hectic ukase of the mayor, the meeting was held next day without interference, tho the “dicks” were present to note pro- ceedings. Children Slave In Field And Factory —Law Or No Law (By Federated Press.) NEW YORK, May 6—Half of the child workers between 14 and 15 years of age in the United States are un- protected by law. Half of the factor- ies of the’ country are working their employes longer than 48 hours a week. These are some of the points brought out by the report of the National In- dustrial Conference board, New York. The report states in part: “Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have fixed an 8-hour day as the maximum for children, while in Virginia 44 hours is their maximum work week. In 19 states the weekly ert, the section in question to be fenced off or mine closed until suffi- cient inert material has been added to allow of safe operation; (5) Installa- tion of rockdust barriers at every point opening from one working panel or level to another to prevent explo- sions originating in one part of the mine from extending to other parts. (6)Mining machines and loaders pro- ducing fine coal dust to be watered; (7) Sprinkling at every face with daily reports on sprinkling; (8) Mines to be shut down during removal of gas accumulations; (9) Abandoned work- ings to be cleaned up. Not Effective Until July. This code is to be effective July 1, 1924 except that (6) is to be effective June 1 and extensions may be granted for the installation or roch-dusting to extend not later than September 30, 1924. The code shows what should be the minimum of safety provisions en- forced by law in all coal mines of the country. | Miners March May Day. BENTLEYVILLE, Pa, May 6.— Over 2,000 miners marched two abreast in the mile-long May Day pa- rade from this town to Gibson and back, according to Adam Getto, who in the demonstration. Getto says that more than half of the men wore the red badge boosting for a workers, and farmers’ movement. Officers took away badges from four of the Italian workers. Ludwig Lore, [Jeditor of Volkszeitung, was the chief speaker at the meeting held here upon the conclusion of the march. period is shortened so that children may attend part-time school, and in a few such cases the working week for children under 16 is only 40 hours during the school year. “The workday for women is held down to 8 hours by law in only 8 states. Fourteen permit a 9-hour day and in 18 states 10 hours or more are permitted. Although the customary legal limit of work for men is 10 hours a day, in special occupations it is set at 8 hours.” In agriculture, which, has 46.6 per cent of all working children, accord- ing to the report, there is no legal pro- tection, Nor are the many children in domestic service safeguarded by law. Street Car Men : Reject Wage Cuts In Three Cities (By The Federated Press) ROCHESTER, N. Y., May 6.—Only 10 men out of 1625 voted to accept the wage cut of the New York State rail- ways for workers in Rochester, Syra- cuse and Utica. Representatives of the men, Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Empolyes, are negotiating with the company re- garding arbitration. The union de- mands joint arbitration, while the company wants to deal separately with each city. The proposed reduction is 2 cents an hour or a scale of 49, 51 and 53 cents as a maximum after a year’s service. The old contract expired May 1. LANDLORD REFUSES TO RENT HALL TO ENGLEWOOD BRANCH OF YOUNG WORKERS LEAGUE; FIND BETTERONE) ccisvexanp-oaion sevuity to Nothing daunted by their landlord’s refusal to rent his hall to young Communists, the members of the Englewood Branch have already found a new and better place for their meetings. The new hall which has been procured has three good features to recommend it, viz.; It is large enough to accommodate the great numbers that are expected to attend the meetings; it is moderately priced enough not to flatten the branch treasury, and it is accessible enough to assure occasional visitors from those famous stamping grounds for Reds, the North and West sides. The new meeting place is the building at 6414 Halsted st. The meeting night has been changed to|member will be expected to carry on Wednesday, In this new location, the branch will continue its efforts to interest|Chicago league, both in membership and organize the working class youth. It 1s planned to divert the young workers who had become accustomed to coming to the old hall, to the new place of meeting. It is felt that those among them, who are really interested wee eee ee ee |i the League, will not conse their at-|sion and . , {lower hail in the Carpenters’ Union/tendance. An intensive educational Program will be inaugurated, and each active league work. Englewood is out to become the premier branch of the and activity. It is going to establish a flourishing Red oasis in the bour- geols desert of Englewood, This Wednesday night will see the first meeting in the new hall. Important matters will be taken up, for discus- action, - Labor News - - Political and Industria! Activities of Workers and Farmers Wednesday, May 7, 1924 Your Union Meeting CALL T0 BUILD FIRST WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH, 1924. Name of Local and Place No. f Meeti 38 0°! R Amalgamated Clothing Workers, see 179 B. & N. Robey St. ‘ S. "1. W., Stone Derrick, 180 'W. Washington St 131 Line Federation, 62nd and ited. 2 ‘and Clay, Village Hall, Lan- 8 10 Carpenters, 12 Garfield Bivd. 21 242 250 Carpenti Western and Lexing- ton. Carpenters, 5443 S. Ashland Ave. Carp rs, Blacker’s Hall, Lake Fo 643 Carpenters, 180 W. Washington St. 1693 Carpenters, 505 S. State St 1784 Carpente 1638 H. Fehl 1922 2289 California. (R.'R.), 127 N. Fran- 298 cisco Ave., 7p. m. 798 Electricians, 127 N. Francisco Ave. i $0. Chi, 11405 Michigan Avenue. 85 Engine 47 Firemen ‘and Enginemen, 7429 S. i 330 a. m. Chicago Ave., 9 275 Firemen and Ehginemen, Lake and Francis a.m. S Hod Car District Council, 814 w. on St. n.), Kedzie and Bel- t. Garment Workers, 328 W. Van B Ss . 55th St. W. Madison St. 1182 Milwaukee Ave. Maintenance of Way, 5324 S. Hal- sted St. Marine Cooks, 357 N. Clark St. Moulders, W. Madison St. Painters, Sherman and Main Sts., E: it Un 480 W. Washington St. Moose Hall, La Grange. bi crt Odd Fellows Hall, Blue and. erers, 910 W. Monroe St. 'y and Game, 200 Water St. Rae, Clerks, 549 W. Washing- on. Railroad Trainmen, 812 W. 59th St. Railroad Trainmen, 64th and Uni- el 1, 714 W. Harrison St. ‘8 (Soda), 220 S. Ashland 220 S. Ashland Blvd. haat S. Ashland Ave. 5015 N. Clark St. rafts, Chicago and Western Ave: (Note—Unless otherwise stated ail meetings are at 8 p. m.) Striking Painters Hold Strong Front In Open-Shop L. A. (Special to The Daily Worker) LOS ANGELES, Cal., May 6>—The original demand of the striking paint- ers here was a small increase in wages. The smaller contractors granted their demand right in the be- ginning. Most of the strikers are working already under the new wage scale. It, is the big fellows, the mem- bers of the association, that are stub- born. ~ Many of the big contractors are willing to settle with the union. They are refraining from doing it presently for fear of revenge from the Cham- ber of Commerce. They expect their credits to be cut off and delivery of material to be refused. The strike as it stands now is against the open shop. The Cham- ber of Commerce allows to pay the higher wage scale, but insists on re- fusing to deal with the union. It is understood that they are paying the members of the association strike benefits, but benefits cannot do the work or pay the rents for the delayed and crippled contracts. Dissatisfatcion has spread among the strike breakers. The association bosses cannot get real mechanics to break the strike. They are compelled to borrow them from each other. The strike breakers are those compelled to work every day for a different em- ployer and on a different job. This condition worries and annoys them. Dissatisfatcion has spread rapidly among them. Instead of striking, they are getting careless on their jobs. Contrary to this situation is the condition and the spirit of the strik- ers. Those working under the new wage scale are paying their strike as- sessments cheerfully. Those on strike are registering regularly and volunteering for strike duty. They have full confidence in the leadership and the outcome of the strike. Hungry, Jumped In River. NEW YORK, May 6. — Loretta Murphy, a telephone operator, may have been endowed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit 6f happi- ness, but the right to work and to eat was denied her. So she tried to com- mit suicide by jumping into the East river. At the hospital it was found that she was suffering from hunger. TEST SUIT IN STRIKE CASE. employers for contract losses during strikes will be sought by the Ameri- can Plan Association, by the large open shop emp! of the country, in a test case in the Cleve- land courts, The American planners jhave filed suit for $6800 damages against locals of the Brotherhood of Painters and Paperhangers on the ground that a Minneapolis contractor lost the job of painting a local apartment house because of a strike against him for employing nonunion help, which he re- fused to adjust by paying a fine to the union. The American Plan Association, de- clares that if successful in this suit, it will establish the precedent for damages everywhere whenever em- ployers find their profits cut by the ac- tivities of organized labor, faba ee FARMER-LABOR PARTY IN Ni Y, State Convention To » Meet in Buffalo NEW YORK, May 6.—The Feder- ated Farmer-Labor Party of New York City and the Buffalo Farmer-La- bor Party have issued a call for the holding of a state convention for the , purpose of forming a state Farme 4 Labor Party, to be held in Schen tady on Sunday morning, May 18. The statement exposes the capital- ist government as the tool of the mas- ter class, who own the means of pro- duction and distribution, and calls on the producers to unite against the capitalists in a class political party. The statement follows: “The privileged class, in order to maintain its privileges and to aid in its exploitation of the farmers and in- dustrial workers, this privileged class has fastened its grip upon the gov- ernment. It uses the legislative, ju- dicfal and executive branches of the government alike as instruments in its service to secure greater and greater profits and to amass greater and greater wealth. The recent ex- Posures of corruption in connection with the Teapot Dome oil scandal is but one outstanding incident showing how the government power is used to loot the natural resources of the nation. During the past few years millions of farmers have been driven from the farms because unable to secure even the méans for a livelihood thru their labor, as a result of their exploitation by the ruling class. The industrial workers, struggling to maintsin their organizations and a decent standard of living, have found that this privi- leged class has at its command the © powers of the government whenever the struggle over the right to organ- ize and to secure better wages and. working conditions, have resulted in a strike. The use of injunctions against the workers on strike is an every-day oc- currence. The infamous Daugherty injunction against the railroad shop- men still stands, an injunction which at one stroke robbed the wor’ every right supposed the constitution. The Repub’ a. Democratic parties have proven*them- selves equally the instruments of the privileged class in using the govern- mental power against the farmers and industrial workers. These conditions have developed a widespread movement of farmers and industrial workers to organize a po- litical party which will fight their bat- tles and challenge the continued rw of tho privileged class in this count The political organizations of farmer and industrial workers scattered over; the country must be united for the coming presidential elections, so that they may represent a united front against the ruling class. “A call has been issued by the Fed- erated Farmer-Labor Party of New York and the Buffalo Labor Party for the formation of a state Farmer-La- bor Party. This state convention is to be held at Schenectady on Sunday morning, May 18, and all organiza- tions are invited to immediately elect their delegates to this convention, Names of the delegates are to be sent to Mr. Frank Herzog, 63 Leroy ave- nue, Buffalo, N. Y.” Picket’s Victory Against Boss Sets Precedent \ ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 6.— The ver- dict of $1000 damages recently award- er, here, against Frank Yawitz, owner of a tailoring shop, is likely to es* tablish a precedent that will help all union workers unjustly arrested for picketing. ¥ Hollander was arrested at the in- stigation of Yawitz when the worker was picketing during the garment / workers’ strike of September 1921. The circuit court has now granted Hollander delayed justice. If garment workers in the present Chicago strike follow Hollander’s suit and attack the bosses who have point- ed them out for arrest, the Dress Man- ufacturers of that city will not in- dulge in such wholesale arrests peaceful pickets. : Ice Cream Drivers Settle Strike On Tee cream drivers have settled strike with the manufacturers, men wanted a $7 a week raise in weekly wage and an increase of $ cents per gallon on all package goods delivered and 1 cent per gallon on bulk ice cream. The settlement gives them a $10 weekly wage in summer and $21 in winter, with 7 cents per gallon commission on all goods de livered, ; eae | 5 a I | | h hp t j ed Hyman Hollander, a garment :| { | | | } \ 44