The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 6, 1925, Page 5

LYNN, MASS,, SHOE WORKERS BACKT. U.E.L. ‘Adopt Plan for Unity and Struggle By M. SHARAF. (Special to The Dally Worker) LYNN, Mass.—A mass meeting of shoe workers was held here under the auspices of the Trade Union Edu- cational League. Joseph Manley, east- ern district organizer of the league, was the principle speaker. The sub- ject was, “Shall the Lynn shoe work- ers join the Boot and Shoe Union?” As soon as the Lynn press was in- formed that a meeting of that nature would take place, they started attack- ing us in the form of front page head- lines, cartoons, and with leading edi- torials, telling the shoe workers that the I. W. W. had come to Lynn to destroy the city. . Bosses’ Press Discovers Revolution. This kind of bunk is not new in Lynn. The secretary of the Progres- sive Shoe and Leather committee of Lynn, however, sent in a_ written statement to the press, telling the Lynn shoe workers the-real purpose of the meeting. The newspapers, not being able to scare the workers by linking us up with the I. W. W. started a new cam- paign against the “reds,” charging that Moscow was financing this group in order to overthrow the capitalist system, New Master—New Mind. They exhumed a man by the name of Jewett, who at the time of the formation of the Amalgamated, spoke before the shoe workers and found no name too violent to use against the Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union. The Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union hasn’t changed one iota; yet this very same man comes forward and urges the shoe workers to indentify them- selves with the only “legitimate and universally (boss) recognized” shoe workers’ “union.” Another letter from the secretary of the local, which initiated the re- ferendum for the Boot and Shoe, asks “How can they explain their position in using their influence in inducing the Amalgamated locals in Brooklyn, N. Y., to secede and affiliate with the Shoe Workers’ Protective Union?” Traitors Hard Up For Excuses. He further says, “Let the Lynn rep- resentatives of this league explain his purpose in attacking the general offi- elals of the Amalgamated and the or- ganization thru the columns of a Chi- cago paper (meaning the DAILY ‘WORKER), charging it to be a manu- facturers’ union, which had sold out the Lynn shoe workers.” In reply, the representative of the T. U. E. L. admits that the league has influence in the New York local un- ions, but that the league was and is now opposed to the action taken by those local unions in seceding from the Amalgamated and joining the “Protective.” Former Officials to Blame. These locals seceded after their committee came back from Lynn, where they witnessed the mess the former general officials of the Amal- gamated led them into. Secondly, we never accused the offi- A NEW DRESS FOR MOTHER'S GIRL AVERAGE WAGE $25 A WEEK FOR» INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN U. S., 1,500,000 ALWAYS JOBLESS * By LELAND OLDS (Federated Press industrial Editor) The ‘December wage report of the U.S. department of labor makes it Possible to close labor’s books for 1924. It reveals the country once again as a $25 a weék nation, Paying its 8,240,000 factory workers an average of $1,300 annually for carrying on the manufacturing industry. The total wages paid by manufacturers approximated $10,728,000,000. When all the records of the. year have been compiled it will be found that the manufacturers. sold this work for about two and a half times what they paid in wages. The number employed, total wages and average wages from month to month were approximately: ” "4924 No. Employed Payroll Av.Wage Per Month TANUATY srssvesecerssersseersene 8,660,000 $ 944,000,000 $ 109 8,760,000 930,000,000 106 8,780,000 1,003,000,000 114 8,585,000 979,000,000 114 8,220,000 930,000,000 118 7,900,000 834,000,000 106 . 7,780,000 800,000,000 103 oeee 7,800,000 830,000,000 106 September 7,965,000 825,000,000 104 October 8,100,000 923,000,000 114 November 8,090,000 810,000,000 100 December 8,250,000 920,000,000 111 “Year 8,240,838 $10,728,000,000 $1,300 The figures show that a full million workers on the payrolls in March had been laid off by July and that the total wages going to the support of pC SSE ERS ie lee wee Wseeer eel ene ACI, these workers and their familfes ‘had fallen off over $200,000,000. How the general level of factory employment has declined is apparent on comparison with a total of 9,220,- 000 on the payrolls in July, 1923, and 10,810,000 in June, 1920. The greatest gains in employment and earnings at the end of the year developed in the textile and the iron and steel industries. Textile employ- ment increased 8.7 per cent and wag- es 8.9 per cent, while in the iron and steel industry the increases were 3.4 per cent and 7.9 per cent. In spite of the gain industry was still operating with only 81 per cent of a normal full force and ‘the work- ers employed were averaging 92 per cent of full time making the rate of production more than 25 per cent short of normal capacity. Normal production in this country is now hardly more than theoretical. The purchasing power of the workers has been kept down to such an extent that a new normal with a million and a half idle and a third of the remain- der on part time may have to be es- tablished. cials of the Amalgamated of selling out the shoe workers to the manu- facturers: We severely criticized the former officials of: the Amalgamated for sending men to a factory where a strike was ‘taking place, and we) will at all times criticize such misdoings in our union. wits The secretary of the local initiating this referendum is throwing: mud at all those opposed’ to’ -his. policy of merging us with the Boot’and: Shoe Workers’ Union, 4 reactionary organ- ization that does not‘even’ have the initiative, referendum,-and recall laws in their constitution: Yet the Amal- gamated, which this» busybody is trying to destroy, ‘despite: its: faults, has these clauses. c .08 Regardless of the position taken by the newspapers and the labor fakers, who have called: upon the Lynn shoe. workers to. “smash the reds,” the meeting was an overwhelming suc- cess, and is now the talk of the city. Manley Has a Few Questions. Manley asked, “Why is it that the B. & S. is coming to Lynn, where the shoe workers were once 100°per ‘cent organized, telling you' that: they will organize the open shops that have gotten out of union control?” “Why don’t they go organizing the places where there, is no .union at all, and also organize the places where they have jurisdiction?” “How can the B. & 8, tell you that they will stabilize prices. at. a. time! OUR DAILY PATTERNS TOYS FOR THE NURSERY when the policy of the B. & S. is to take in shops under their stamp, and assure the bosses of no interference with prices and conditions for six months, and then refer to, arbitra- tion?” The shoe workers are fully aware what arbitration means to them, é Down With Collaborationist Unions. “The B. & S., if it comes to Lynn, will lower wages for two reasons; first, to show their class collaboration with the bosses; and, second, to. show the open shops that they won't lose anything by taking the fake union stamp.” The worker, who is to pay the freight, is to drop quarters in the meter and keep his mouth shut, or else be put in local “zero.” The meeting was a success and adopted the following fighting pro gram: Organizational Proposals. 1, Raise slogan of one union ir shoe and leather industry thru ama} gamation of existing organization: To this end the following measure: are proposed: a. A strong movement to consoli date independent unions in amalga mation convention to be called a: soon as possible. b. A move to amalgamate the in dependent unions with the Boot & Shoe on the basis of the following de mands, which will turn the Boot & Shoe from a company into a trade un- ion: Abolition of local “0” and restora- tion of right of minorities to express opinions. Use of Boot & Shoe union label to be governed by local councils and to be given only to closed shops. Abolition of company collaboration in dues collection. Establishment of bonafide agriev- ance committees. ‘ Establishment of rank and file con- trol of the Boot & Shoe locally and nationally thru democratization of lo- cal union, local councils and national conventions. 5 Officials to be elected by the rank and file. 2, Pending the accomplishment of amalgamation, there shall be united front movements by the unions upon the policies and issues confronting the shoe and leather workers. Policies. poly doll and a cunning cat. Towel- ing stuffed with cork would make these models floating toys. Plush, felt, flannel, outing flannels, velvet, drill 2970. Here is a comfortable roly 1, Militant struggle against wage cuts and for increases in wages. 2. Demand relief for unemployed, to be paid by manufacturers. and crash could also be used, The doll could be made of different material below the arms. The Pattern is cut in one size. Either style requires % yard of 27 inch material. t Pattern mailed to any address on receipt of 12c in silver or stamps. 3, General drive to organize all the workers in the shoe and leather industry. 4. Abolition of class collaboration in the industrial and political fields, and development of a policy of class struggle. 5. Abolition of state arbitration 5000, This pretty “frock” may serve as a party or dance frock if develop- ed with short sleeves, or with long sleeves it will make a good school UP-TO-DATE SPRING & SUMMER| 5. 1925 BOOK OF FASHIONS. boards. Abolition of child labor in the shoe industry, all children of the workers during school age up to 18 years to be maintained by the gov- ‘Send 12c in silver or stamps for our Pattern\\mailed to any address on receipt of 12c in silver or stamps. dress: |The DAILY. WORKER, 1113 we Washington Bivd.s Chicago. Il dress. The Pattern is cut in 4 Sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 years. A 10 year size | fy, requires 2% yards of 32 inch mater- jal if made with long sleeves. If made as shown in the large view 2% yards | uf, will be required. ’ Pattern mailed to any address on _ receipt of 12c in silver or stamps, FASHION BOOK rs edasogg ) nd 12¢ in allver or stamps for our wecie oF wasn jon , ebpwine” Selor’ plates "End ‘containt 360 designs of ladies’, f '# patterns, a con- cise and comprehensive article on dress- | PITTSBURGH, PA To thone who work hard for their jPawill save 60 per cent on all a pose dental big DR. RASNICK - ing, also ints for the need . 90°"oe tie various’ simple DENTIST ‘uu ‘Valuable hints to the hore “645 Smithfield ernment. 7. Active propagation of shop com- mittee system in the shoe industry. 8, Establishment of eight-hour day tterm | and 44-hour week. 9. Militant exposure of all labor fakirs in shoe and leather unions, 10. Struggle against the use of in- junctions in strikes, on the basis of mass violation of such injunctions. 11, Demand that all the unions in the shoe and leather industry endorse the Red International Labor Union plam for unity of the world trade un- ion poy ent it. 18, for the release of Sac- co and Vanzetti and all other class war, prisoners. Subscribe for “Your Daily,” the DAILY WORKER. ‘ of the Red Army N.Y, CENTRAL IS DOING SOME MORE LAND-GRABBING Big Railroad Parading as Philanthropist (Special to The Dally Worker) NEW YORK, Feb. 4— The New York Central railroad, which has been gobbling up any New York streets it needs, for the last seventy years, has prepared another plan by which It can make more busingss and money for itself. ; This time the,qompany makes be- lieve it is greatly generous in giving the city a highway for automobiles and freight on the west side, where its locomotives arid trains have been killing and maiming people so often and brutally that the term “Death Avenue,” has been applied for years to Eleventh avenue, where the com- pany does its atrocious work. Borough President Miller of Man- hattan, has helped work out this scheme with the railroad company and will help it get further control of New York streets and valuable con- cessions it needs. Something In “Exchange.” “In exchange” is the way Miller terms it in stating what the Vander- bilt road wants for giving the city a highway. All they want are grants and concessions worth millions and millions of dollars, and if the scheme goes thru the company may be able at last to get rid of the bother it has had for half a century trying to fight off the attempts of the city to get back rights and lands, presented to it by wily politicians and officials feathering their nests all that time. What the railroad wants “in ex- change” is stated thus: “Grants of lands in connection with its new terminal yards at Spring street, grants of lands and easement: in connection with increased facilities in its Thirtieth street, Sixtieth stree and Manhattanville yards; overhea easements fpr its elevated freigh railway and subsurface easements fo its duct lines to convey electricity t: its roads and yards.” Enthusiastic About Values. President. Miller tries to point out how valuable, this plan would be t the city, but the whole scheme is t: help the N. Y. Central and business He says 84 blocks of main traffic ar teries will be“ restored, 106 grad crossings elimimated and the conge: tion of automobile traffic enormous], relieved. . These 106.--grade crossings hav been the chiefeause of “Death Av: nue” getting its. name and there he vardly been.a corporation counsel i Tew York City-who hasn’t been for a to try to get something done aboi rese fright 8, or who hasn zen foiled the N. Y. Central an oliticians in trying to obtain som: ettlement for all the grabbed stree‘ ad profitable points of vantage th oad has been permitted to steal fror ime to time, concessions worth mil ions. Miller states in a report on the mat er to the board of estimate, in whic! ie asks for a public hearing on the olan: “For seventy-seven years the Hud on River Railroad company has op- rated @ steam’ surface railroad on vest side streets. The dangerous -ondition ensuing and the deaths re- sulting from this operation were a) arent from the start. For thirty years state legislatures, city officials, commissions, associations and many others have endeavored to abolish the tracks on ‘Death Avenue.’ In addition the presence of the tracks and their noisy, unsightly operation casts a blight upon the west side of the city, and has greatly retarded the develop- ment of one of the most accessible districts in Manhattan, adjoining its | most valuable waterfront.” “Public Be Damned!” Policy. William H. Vanderbilt, who was the first of that family to develop the N. EB. Central into one of the chief stealing institutions of the country, is that member of this bourgeois set of capitalists who proclaimed the well- known capitalistic doctrine of “The public be damned!” The family and the New York Cen- tral has struck to this policy ever and always. They always find poll- ticians to help them, too. THE BEAUTY AND THE BOLSHEVIK The A. B. C. of Cotimunism and love fo mix in Soviet a. An officer hing his sweet heart Communism.-Gome and see how it is done in “Tha Beauty and th Bolshevik,” to be wn at Ashlan¢ Auditiorium TONIGHT, bruary 5, from 7 to 11 p. m, continuously, This is not the On the Czar’s Palace “or his many crimes Tis not indeed as I have To get inside i 1 = = La ae Every day under this head you will arn not only what BUILDERS thruout the country are doing to build a gre newspaper, but also practical Suggestions to accomplish more for OUR paper. Tell us what YOU are doing—and we will ‘teil the world.” WORK Does Your Branch Lose New Members? VERY branch has had this experience. bers are entered and they are not Immediately. put Into party harness. Even the best branch executive committee can’t always find a committee Job or other work to absorb the energy of the new comrade, to make him part of the branch by virtue of activity, to give him action that will lead to a better understanding of the work and the principles of our party. At every meeting new mem- The new comrade under such circumstances begins to miss meetings, then finally disappears and ho number of notices from the secretary, nor Promises of great discussion will bring him back. The party has lost him. And it is not always true that with training such material would have failed to make a good Communist. It is simply a lack of understanding; a lack of theoretical knowledge of the principles and tactics of our party; a lack of activity—the cement that holds the new addition to our ranks. Every branch must have the same experience and thousands of workers attracted to our party are lost without ever really having become members. The day our party does as the Communist Party of Russia, we will have a solution for this problem. Make every member joining a nucleus or English branch of the party a subscriber to the DAILY WORKER and the stragglers from our ranks will diminish. Make this a condition of membership in our party and our lo become smaller. For in this problem the DAILY WORKER plays no small role. Day after day it reaches with the best expression of Communist theory and tactics the new comrade in our ranks. It gives him the wealth of Infor- mation on the local, national and world battlefields of labor; every angle of the class struggle is his—thru-the DAILY WORKER. It does not mean that the official organ of our party will prevent stragglers from joining our ranks—but it will surely lessen the number. It will give the new comrades theory, tactics, interest in activity, The DAILY WORKER will help keep the new member in your branch. THE OFFENSIVE STARTS Scene of a raid Before he paid With his foolish head said. a * * i” is merely some merry- makers Raising the Devil To the Red Revel. e _ Graft Is Getting Monotonous! We quote T. J. O'Flaherty: Page Five PAY RAISE FOR POSTAL CLERKS LOST IN SHUFFLE WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.—The house of representatives refused this after- noon to have anything to do with the postal and pay increase bill passed by the senate. By a vote of 225 to 153 the house decided that its constitutional right to originate revenue legislation had been violated by the senate in passing the bill and refused to accept it Having refused to accept the sen ate’s postal legislation, the house to day went ahead with a bill of its own to increase the pay of post office em- ployes by boosting postal rates. The house bill is expected to raise $68,00,000, the amount of the proposed pay increase. Administration leaders have promised to give this bill right of way. Your Union Meeting First Thursday, Feb. 5, 1925, Name of Local and No. Place of Meeting Allied Printing Trades Counoll, 89 €. Van Buren St., 6:30 p. m. 271 Amal. Clothing Workers, 409 8. Halsted St. 227 Boiler Makers, 2040 W. North Ave. 93 Boot and Shoe, 1939 Milwaukee Avenue. 499 Boot and Shoe Wkrs., 10258 Michi- an. 4 prlek and Clay, Shermanville, IM. 186 Brick and oy Glenview, til. 8. Ashland Bivd. 16S. H ed St. 13° Carpenters, 11: 64 62 Carpent 341 Carpent 484 ~Carpent Michi; ve. Carpenters, Ogden and Kedzie, Carpenters, 758 W. North Ave. Drug Clerks, 481 S. Dearborn’ St., Room 1327. 134 Electricians, 1507 Ogden Ave. 795 Electric » 7475 Dante Ave, 115 Engi 9223 Houston Ave. 16432 Fi sors, Victoria Hotel, 429 Firemen and enya, 38th and Campbell Sts., 7:45 p. m. Carriers, South Chicago, 3101 92nd_ St. E. Van Buren 8t. City Hall, Hearing 18 Garment Workers, $28 Ww, ay Buren St. s’ Garment Workers, 1214 N. land Ave. 328 W. As 100 Ladies’ Garment Workers, Van Buren St. 12 Leather Workers, 10 W. Harrison 119 S. Throop St. District Council, “1446 W. Dutt’s Hall, Chicago Hts. ind Organ Workers, 180 W. ington. Monroe and Peoria Sts. (Railway), Monroe and Peoria 515 Railway Carmeu, 1259 Cornell St. 724 Railway Carmen, 75th and Drexel Avenue. 1082 Railway Carmen, 1900 W. 17th St. 278 Railway Clerks, 549 W. Washing- ton, 504 Railway Clerks, 8138 Commercial Avenue. 14872 be Hangers, 810 W. Harrison $8 Signaimen, 6236 Princeton Ave. 12 be Tile Roofers, 1224 Milwau- ee. 10 Sta, Employes, Masonic Temple, 10:30 a. m. Stone Cutters, 180 W. Washington Street. 7a Y Galryy 220s. Nant airy), a hi 5 755 MOE. bth ste” Nemland 110 Uph » 180 W. Washington reet. 17616 Warehouse Emp., 166 W. Washing- on. (Note—Unless otherwise stated all meetings are at 8 p. m.) ‘ANTHRACITE’ By Joseph Manley, in the February issue of the WORKERS MONTHLY is a splendid picture of the coal fields and the problems of the miners in it. You will get it among many other features of great interest—besides eleven other coming issues, if you send in $2.00 for a yearly sub. Obey that impulse! Then we have another tale of graft, with a Boc- cacian touch, in the revelations of the fascinating Mrs. Scott, wife of a Michigan congressman. Army officers and gambling figured in her testi- mony. diversion. The lighted end of a cigarette. A burned hole in her kimono was what caused her husbiind to let the public in on a little urnt hole was caused by the An army officer was at the other end of it. Graft, illegal transporta- tion of liquor, drunken prohibition officers—this is the tale unfolded by witnesses to life in Wash- ington. Graft is the order of the day. It is get- ting monotonous. ... The keen And it is only one of many features you will receive if you subscribe to THE WORKERS MONTHLY $2.00 a Year ore Single Copy 25 Cents Aunt ok Send remittance to THE WOR 1113 W. Washington™Bivd, shafts of satire and wit that have made the authors’ column “As We See It” in the DAILY WORKER receive nation-wide attention, are much in evidence in his article “The Fine Art of Grafting” in the February issue of The Workers Monthly. ERS MONTHLY $1.25 Six Months Chicago, Mlinois