The Daily Worker Newspaper, December 5, 1925, Page 3

‘CORRESPONDENCE IF YOU ARE ANXIOUS TO KEEP i, STEEL WORKERS UNORGANIZED; THEN TRY MIKE TIGHE’S 12 POINTS (By a Steel Worker Correspondent) WARREN, O., Dec. 3.—After studying the report of the so-called “Coun- cil for the Organizing of the Steel Industry,” submitted by Chairman M, F. Tighe at the last convention of the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers’ Union, | have concluded that. Tighe’s method is a model of what not to do. It should be called, “How to Keep the Steel Workers Un- organized.” ° For the benefit of those interested in how not to organize the steel work- ers, I suggest that they bear in mind the following 12 points, all deduced from Tighe's report. And don’t expect to get any better results than Tighe did! + Get at Safe Distance! 1. Create a fund of $20,000 or so and locate organizing headquarters either in Washington, D. C., or Den- ver, Colo.’ Get as far away from the organization center as possible. 2. Select 15 or so organizers and place them in that many cities. Of lieve that it is no “educational cam- paign.” Don’t go into details with the workers and size up all applicants well. If he looks “red” be sure to pass him up. He is liable to want to help you to organize. Beware of “Disrupters”! 11,. When hard pressed for lack of towns, but this is not at all necessary. Any city where the “shows and movies” are up to date is just as good. ‘ 3, Print, say, 25,000 leaflets on the 8-hour day. Keep these-hidden .away in your office or distribute to the Brothers in the building trades unions, Don’t put them out at mill gates for fea? this would arouse the anger of the steel barons. Anyhow, don’t be particular as to what becomes of leaflets, just so they are printed, Avoid Live Issues! 4. Never talk about strikes, wage increases, shorter work day or any- thing else that might interest workers, And by all means insist that this is purely an “educational campaign.” 5. Keep the initiation fee high. Make it $10.00 or more, Never favor a . lower initiation fee, say of $1.00. This ‘might make it éasier for the, steel workers and we don’t want to: be rushed in orgdnizing them. 6. Don’t work at night time for the steel workers are always out in their autos. Don’t expect to find the night-turn workers at home during the day time. Most of them are playing golf. Denounce the Reds! 7. Hold mass meetings at least once each week. Hire a hall outside of the steel workers’ district. Make yourself the speaker. When some worker wants to ask a question, de- nounce him as'a “red” and immediate- ly adjourn the meeting. Be sure to mention this in your “annual report.” 8. Keep your accounts up to date. Steel workers are particular about ' ow their money is spent. Look busy and be sure to boost your interna- tional officials: at least three times per day so they can mention you in “their” annual reports. The member- ship enjoys this. Solicit Stoolpigeons! 9. Invite the “press” and other “friends” of labor to your office and go over with them in detail your plans of organization, It pays to let the public. know whom, when and where you'are organizing. This will ' save plenty of*personal labor and be- sides aid the steel workers, who like to have the meeting place decorated up with bulls, stools and select gun- men, It pays to advertise. 10, Have short office hours and al- ways be out. To be in your office when a night-turn worker comes around, would lead the bosses to be- course, they must be located in steel | argument to an intelligent worker, al- ways yell out: “You are opposed to the union,” or “You areynot to disrupt |_ our organization for the bosses.” This sort or argument is a stable product and can be used often, Try it. Do Well by the Boss. 12. Never talk amalgamation, labor party, trade union unity, or any other progressive measures. The steel work- ers would flock to your unions if you did! And never try to expand your influence amongst the workers. Be exclusive! Just brag your union up to the boss. Demonstrate how much a union can do for him. After, mastering all these things, in order that your union will have a decent burial, at least, get in touch with a few U. S, cabinet members and “wish them well” at least twice a year. If they try to resign, write your refusal. And always be up to snuff in waving the flag and shaking hands. Last but not least, learn the manly labor-faking art of “putting it over.” Make your annual report look like a bargain sale of energy wasted on workers who stubbornly refuse to be organized. And always blame everything on the rank and file, the progressives or the reds! If all these rules are faithfully ob- served, as Mike Tighe observed them, a complete demonstration can be given of bow not to organize the steel workers and of how to make it im- possible for anyone else to do so. Time-Clock Works Overtime for Boss By A Worker Correspondent LOS ANGELES, Cal. Dee. 3.—A worker’s time always means money for the boss; but seldom for the worker, When a man comes seven minutes late in the shop where I work, he STRIKE CALLED AGAINST FIRING ACTIVE UNIONIST Boss ‘Rewards’ 17 Years of Hard Work By A Worker Correspondent UTICA, N. Y., Dec. 3.—Whether Bertha DeGeorge, employed at the Utica Steam and Valley Cotton Mills for the past 17 years, was discharged because she js one of the most active members of the Spinners’ Union or because, as the boss says, she knocked over a small clock used for. testing machines, makes no difference to her fellow unionists, who have voted to call a general strike of mill workers as a protest. The vote was taken at separate meetings of each of the Tour unions involved, the carders, weavers, loom- fixers and spinners. Strike negotia- tions are in charge of Joseph: R. White, organizer of the United Textile Workers’ of America. Organizer Waits on Public. No time has yet been set, as White is calling a mass meeting of citizens in an effort to prevent actual calling of the strike thru bringing public opin-_ ion to bear upon the mill owners. Another reason for the strike is that many of the weavers have been forced to run extra looms, ‘according to the report. Sister DeGeorge has worked for the company since she was 13 years of age and is one of the most active fighters for the rights of the workers. Whether she approves of the organ- izer’s method of setting no date for the strike, tho letting the bosses know about it and get prepared, is not known. But it is doubtful if she cares about “public opinion” so long as she has the support of the workers. “Both” Sides to be Heard. Organizer White, however, is so anx- fous about “public opinion” that he is urging the stock-holders in the mill and business men to be present at the mass meeting so that the public may hear “both” sides of the case, COME T0:WORK EVEN IF ON CRUTCHES, SAY STEEL CO. FOREMEN By ‘W. J. WHITE. (Workér Correspondent) NILES, Ohio, Dec. 3.—‘Come to work if you possibly can, so that our department won't get a black mark.” This is the gist of the in- structions of Carnegie Steel Co. foremen to those workers who are injured on the job, The result is that men come to work on crutches, even, and sit around during the en- tire eight-hour shift, when they should be at home resting. Accidents at the mills are never reported if a report can be pre- vented, Yet the offices of the com- pany doctors are filled up Sunday mornings with those who have lost the sight of an eye or received other injuries which, in many cases, mean months of lost time. And yet these accidents are never heard of and the newspapers, to- gether with the company doctors, suppress all news of this, except for the accidents that create sensations. Then, such stories are told in such a way that the resentment of the worker is not aroused against their brutal treatment. When the mill is short-handed, every possible pressure ig brot to bear to force injured workers to “pitch in,” with the promise that they will be relieved soon. Such re- lief is seldom forthcoming, however. gets docked for a quarter of an hour. Number of Accidents And he never has a chance to make it up. No matter how early he might come the next day, no worker can punch the time clock until the whistle blows, , We have to work nine hours a day and are often forced to work overtime at strajght rates, with an almost sure chance of being fired if we refuse. The few holidays that we get off afe taken out of our pay, and so is the meagre half-hour that we get for a rush lunch. Classes in Worker Correspondence The class in worker correspondence in New York City starts Monday, December 7, at the Workers’ School, 108 Hast 14th Street. The Chicago class is now holding regular meetings every THURSDAY night, in the editorial office of The DAILY WORKER, 1113 W. Washington Blvd., starting at 8.o’clock promptly. Classes in other cities should send in the announcements of their meetings so that they can be published regularly on_ this Increase in New York NEW YORK, Dec. 3A new high record of .874,000 industrial accidents occurred in New York state in 1924, Says the annual report of the state labor department at Albany. Indica- tions, says Industrial Commissioner James A, Hamilton point to a record equally high for 1925. Take this copy of the DAILY WORKER with you to the shop tomorrow, A textbook for the worker ‘correspond- ent—a guide for every worker in this important field of working class activ- ity. THE DAILY WORKER DETROIT “PROSPERITY!” MIDNIGHT LINES FORM TO ‘GET MORNING JOBS By Al Worker Correspondent | DETROIT, Mich., Dec, 3—In order to get a chance to ask for a job (and to be refused), workers stand in line at the foundry of the River Rouge Ford plant from midnight un- til the employment office opens at 8 o'clock in the morning. | went around to find out about it for myself the other morning and | scarcely could believe my eyes when | saw so many hundreds of workers in line, There were three very long lines on one side of the building and opposite was another line as long, made up of workers who had come as early as the pre- vious. midnight, so they told me. Many were eating sandwiches as they stood in line, so as not to lose their places.’ Very few of these will get Jobs, however, as workers are being taken off flow, hot put on. And this ‘is “prosperity” in the “magic city” of Detroit! EXTRAS’ RIOT WHEN LAID OFF AT HOLLYWOOD Exploitation Made Easy By Job-Hunt By L. P. RINDAL. (Worker Correspondent) LOS ANGELES, Calif, Dec. 3. — Three hundred “extras” employed at the Hollywood “movie” studios nearly caused a riot here this week in pro- testing against their being laid off and replaced by lower-paid help, As the result of this incident, a public hearing was‘ecalled by the Industrial welfare Commission at the Chamber of Commeres auditorium, Only a few “stars” supported the movie bosses, avhile the “extras” laid bare scandaloys exploitation behind the scenes,—byt there is little likeli- hood of improvement as the boss opposition ig junorganized and the “stars” are real class-collaborators. Expigitation Rife. However, there are very few “stars” these days. Jhe masses of the work- ers are “extras!’ and they are always exploited, not,matter what parts they lay. .Armigg<of. job-hunters and sareer-seekers.noam about the studios | lay and night,emaking exploitation all che more easj4 Since there is always a mob waiting to be employed. As a recenb‘instance, it has been reported to me that 200 “extras” of both sexes began work at the William Fox studio aty5:30 p. m.; keeping at it until 4 a, m., when kicks became general and ythey were allowed to quit. Overtime was demanded and denied. For ‘this ten and one-half hours of labor, wages of $3 were allowed. Fromi®this must be deducted 65 cents for commission and car-fare. Fifteen Cents an Hour. And the net $2.35 was refused to the workers until the next day, when they were forced to go back just to get their pay, bringing the sum-total of the time’ spent for $2.35 up to 15 hours,—15 cents an hour! The eight-hour law was violated again, as usual, This “respect for law and order” is general in the movies 365 days (and nights). But only a few of the moviehands have the nerve tp say so publicly. Seeing Stars! Thousands of high hopes are crush- ed in all linéS’ of activity under cap- dustry has, perhaps, more than its share of victims. People from all over creation comé here with the expecta- tion of becoming screen stars, (in- cluding Senorita Calles, the 15 years old “Americanized” daughter of the president of /Mexico). They are al- ready sparkling stars (in their minds) some place back east, west, south or! north, But, when they get here, what happens?—Thg@ sunshine is about the only thing worth while to be found in the Golden, State, the “oasis of abundance’ for destitute job-seekers. Byen the much advertised blossoms and oranges are hanging pretiy—but high, “4 The result is small armies of job- hunters. And the stardom of Holly- wood is nearly a8 much of a myth as the kingdom of sheaven, Negotiate Contract. SPRINGFIELD, Ill, Dec, 3.—Agree- ment upon a new contract was reach- ed by Illinois Traction System officials and representatives of the Trainmen’s Unions at a meeting last night. It Will ‘be submitted to other company officials soon. Worker Correspondents What By WM. F. DUNNE. LABOR TURNOVER *° WEEKLY NEARLY TEN PER CENT Youth Replace Old- Time Iron Workers By WILDERMAN (Worker Correspondent) LOS ANGELES, Calif. Dec. 3. — Without warning, ten workers ‘with a long record of services werd recent- ly laid off in one day at the iron works where | am employed, and younger men put in their places at less pay. When some of the discharged men begged the boss to give them another chance, because they had families to support, and pleaded that they would slave harder than ever, he told them bluntly that “a young fellow can turn out twice. as much work for less money.” The labor turnover here is always high, averaging about 10 men week! from a staff of 100. Either the me quit because of unbearable condition or they are discharged for “inet ficiency,” As this shop isn’t organized, ther is no remedy yet for all the evils, th: all the men could be brought into a union if the union officials would start an active campaign. Instead the of. ficials spend most of their time fight- ing the left wing, which is the only section of the union interested in or- Page Thre a) ROOM FOR BUNK-PEDDLERS— IF THERE’S A W. C. ON THE JOB! ~~, DAILY WORKER IS TOLD FACTS DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry, I wish to put before you, the op- portunities offered by the profession of lumbering. If you are not already a logger, you probably do not realize that so many different trades are em- ployed by modern, large-scale operations in the great forests of the North- west. No longer is logging only a job for the man who can handle a cross-cut saw and a double-bitted axe, altho this man has an important place, as well. The work is fascinating and wholesome, Pay is good, better, on the whole, than for similar jobs in town, because living is cheaper, and better, too. Modern logging ¢damps are equipped with shower-baths, electric lights and recreation facilities. Food is almost always excellent and in abundance, The cookhouses of the Northwest are famous for the good tables they set, The opportunities for promotion are great. It is a game where a capable man can work up from the bottom in a comparatively short time to the best jobs, paying as high as $500 and $600 a month. Here is a chance to show your stuff. “Pull” plays no part in selecting the personnel of a logging camp, The man who produces, gets ahead, Few of the camps are more than twenty miles from town, and regular stage-lines operate at least twice daily, . . I do not hire you myself. I am showing you how to get hired, if you can produce. I also call your attention to your opportunity. If you really want a job, and have the stuff in you to make good, you will be repaid many times over for the small cost of my valuable book. Send me a dollar today, and I'll send your copy promptly, Yours sincerely, Box 44, Aberdeen, Wash. J. L, BLACKBURN, WHAT DYA ganizing the unorganized. MEAN? Plan New Labor Lyceum. By A Worker Correspondent DENVER, Colo., Dee. 3.—May 1, the workers’ own labor day, will see thc completion of a new labor lyceum, i!! local plans for raising the necessary $10,000 succeed. Already $3,500 has heen pledged, including $500 from Workmen’s Circle No. 450 and $200 WCARLSOM No, cae above letter wasn’t written by a worker correspondent,—by no from the Ladies’ Educational’ Club.| means; but it was written to one. And it happens that this worker corres- The new building will seat at least 300, according to plans. pondent who got the letter had previously been given one of the “fascinating and wholesome” jobs by none other than J. L. Blackburn himself, who is an employment agent turned book agent and who gets a dollar for his hokum from ignorant eastern workers who+- Long Hours Forced don’t know the facts about the north- west lumber camps. italism; but the motion = ( pili $ SIGMAN GALLS NAMES | TO CONCEAL ISSUES AS 1.4. GW. U, MEETS By WILLIAM LUPU (Worker Correspondent) NEW YORK, N. Y., Dec. 3.— President Sigman of the Interna- tional Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, thru the columns of the of- issued a thickly sugarcoated appeal to all ficial organ Justice, has convention delegates. “Delegates,” pleads he, “a great responsibility is confroting you at this convention, the greatest per- haps in the history of our union. You are being called upon to heal its wounds, to reunite its forces, and to rid it of all harmful and dis- ruptive elements which menace its existence.” That Sigman is dead right in his appeal to rid the union of all harm- ful elements, surely none will doubt. But whether he is ready to acknowledge himself as being the ‘most guilty and the most in need of removal from office is another question. The progressive elements are, of course, the ones to whom Sigman and Co. brazenly refer as being destructive. But they are not afraid of being ely branded by such putrid parasites, nor will they hesi- tate to continue their fight against such corrupt leadership. That they are winning is shown by the fact that this convention is held five months before its fixed date, due to their pressure. Stewart Cigar Co. Reduces Wages and Fires Many Workers By A Worker Correspondent READING, Pa., Dec. 3,—Stewart Cigar Co, reduced wages of cigar- makers $1 per 1,000 and discharged a number of workers who were ex- pected to lead a protest against the cut. The first book of its kind ever issued. 10 Cents 12 copies for one dollar. The Daily Worker Pub. Co, 1113 W. Washington Bivd., Chicago, II, Three other worker correspondents have written The DAILY WORKER a close-up view of the “important place” that a worker has in the woods and the “great opportunities.” “The woods are rotten,” writes one old-time lumber pack who has just “got the habit” of being a worker cor- respondent. “Why, the last job I was shipped out to, we had to hike fifteen miles after we left the train, and then there was a second hike up a ravine. At the head of this ravine stood our shack,.its logs almost. ready to crum- ble down. Inside was straw in the bunks, the floor covered with filth; no bull cook to keep the place clean, I never saw a pig pen as bad, and the grub was the same. “The wages were a little more than $3.00 per day and out of that you paid $1.25 for your flop on the straw.” The story of another worker cor- respondent, a woman who worked as waitress, is as follows: “I worked in the logging camps out of Aberdeen one year ago this sum- mer and here are the conditions I found there: The hours are from nine to ten daily, with all the work piece work, and the slaves work at death rate speed to make anything. Every- body packs their beds. They operate their kitchen with half a crew and things are just thrown together. “Timekeepers are instructed to rifle all mail, so that if a DAILY WORK- ER or I, W. W. publication makes its on Toledo Workers By A Worker Correspondent TOLEDO, O. Dec. 3.—Longer work- ing hours are being forced on the slaves in this scabby town and it pas struck our shop, the Toledo jwire works. The boss came around foaay and told us that hereafter we would work all day Saturday instead of the usual half-time, and get overtime of time and a quarter. I asked for over time of time and a a half, but the boss said no. He said that we work only nine hours straight time on week-lays, while the Toledo Bridge and Crane and the American Steel Bridge work ten, and “we don’t know when we are well-off.” The shop foreman asked the rivet- ing boss to work ten hours for straight time but he said that he wouldn’t dare ask the men to do this, as he knew they would refuse, So | that killed one argument, As there are about 25 men in our department, if we were to work one hour over time for straight time, it would mean putting more of our good money in the bosses’ pockets, eye because one of the waitresses called that ‘bunk,’ she was fired! “Yes, the I. W. W. once made the lumber barons furnish libraries and shower baths, but not any more, In those days, the wobblies fought the jlunber kings, and now they fight each other.” way into a camp, it is promptly de- stroyed. All organization is taboo. The company maintains a crew of finks and stoolpigeons. They sent in a lot of preachers to convert us and iIRON The DAILY WORKER sub- scription list is a Communist honor roll. Is your name on it? WORKS BREED DISEASES OF EYES AND LUNGS; LOSS OF FINGERS OR LEGS IS COMMON By WILDERMAN, Worker Correspondent. LOS ANGELES, Cal., Dec. 3,—Hardly a week goes by but an accident happens in our iron works and green young fellows who have been taken on at $12.00 a week to displace the older experienced workers lose a finger, or a leg, or an eye. Altho there aren't 100 workers in the shop, there are always several on the sick list. As the shop isn’t half the size it should be, the machinery and forges are crowded together so closely that the men must edge their way between the machines sideways to avoid getting caught or getting hurt by projecting steel bars and wheels. Besides, tiny particles of metal get into the workers’ lungs, which is of no great advantage to health, When, in addition, a cold wind sweeps thru the hot room, it puts the worker in a condition to see the doctor, and then he gets docked for the time he is gone, ; Among iron workers, too, there is a disease of the eyes, which comes from the workers not using glasses to protect their eyes from sparks, flames and metal particles. And, of course, the worker must buy his own glasses, And there are other needs for glasses, as the late afternoon work is done almost in darknegs—so few electric lights are furnished— and the eye-stfain is fearful. All day long the air is full of dust, and dust accumulates on the floor inches thick, as tho the factory hadn't been swept for months. It certainly has never been swept since I work- ed there e