The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 27, 1926, Page 5

\ SECOND PRIZE WINNER. WTCHESON TRIES TO FRAME LOCAL 376, BUT IS STUNG Will be Shown Books ‘in Presence of Officers By A, NAILWACKER (Worker Correspondent) NEW YORK, Feb.. 25 — Hutche- son’s pet poodle general executive board member, Guerin, suddenly ap- peared in Carpenters’ Local 376, and showed a letter addressed to Guerin wherein his highness, czar Hutcheson rdered him to take all books and re- lords away from the local to have em audited under the excuse that he will then be able to act properly on the appeal of Meyer Rudinsky. Meyer Rudinsky was the former financial secretary of the local and @ faithful follower of Hutcheson, He embezzled over. $1,200 ‘from the local in‘one year for which he was expelled; This honorable gentleman knowing that Hutcheson never forgets friends appealed to him, His convictions be- came veriffed when “Hutch” rein- stated his friend, John Lensky, for embezling an automobile from the local which was never returned. In Rudinsky’s case there is a fly in the-ointmenty He was bonded and the insurance company is after him. Hut- cheson must do more than simply re- instate him, He must get possession of all the records and books so he has the proof in his possession and then implicate the progressive officers in some way using it as an excuse to suspend or disorganize the local. The membership saw the trick. A motion was made that the local allow the books in question to be examined by Hutcheson only while they are in possession of the local offices and in their presence, In speaking for the motion members pointed out that Morris Rosen, a mem- ‘ber of that local was an opponent to Hutcheson as candidate for general president, He ran on the basis of a progressive program which Hutche- son violently opposed. Attention was called to the manner in which he handled other members and locals wherein théy were framed up or un- constitutionally expelled, suspended or otherwise discriminated against be- cause they fought for progressive and democratic measures ‘in the interests of the rank and file. One member who was 20 years in the union said that in his experience Ingham, Alabama, who writes an this page. a young girl millinery worker of in the present organization drive Hutcheson never sent anyone to help the rank and file fight for better con- ditions but to destroy the work of those active in the interests of the membership. Another reminded the local that about three years ago, when the other officers, Hutche- son’s henchmen, were in power a petition was sent to Hutcheson signed by a large number of members Tequesting him to audit the books as funds were missappropriated and that the officers never gave financial re- ports to the local. Hutcheson promised to investigate the matter but never did. Now when every penny is pro- perly accounted for and itemized, re- ports given, and after the local had a public accountant to audit the books, he wants to exdmine the books, It is clearly a trick to protect the old officers by getting possession of the evidence and then framing’ up the progressives. Despite the pleas of general exee- utive board member Guerin the mo- tion was carried by a vote of 61 against 2. The two voting against the motion were John Lensky, former business agent who was expelled by the mem- bership and his brother. Is the shop where you work a union shop? Do they follow up the/union rules? If not, why not? Write it up. pears on this page. @ THE WINNERS The first prize, a valuable fountain pen, goes to a miner in Birm- analysis of the Birmingham Mine Disaster showing why the miners are doomed to such disasters as long as capitalism continues to flourish. Lesson that Birmingham Teaches,” and appears on this page. The second prize, Karl Marx’s Capital, wacker, a militant fighter in the carpenters’ union in New York. His article bespeaks the struggles waged against the labor fakers in the carpenters’ union by thé militant workers. Local 376 But Is Stung” is the title of his article which appears on His article is called “The Vol..1, goes to A. Nail- “Hutcheson Tries to Frame The third prize, Lenin on Organization, goes to K. Wolodarsky, Chicago who is taking active part of the women workers in this in- dustry. The article “Girl Milliners’ Only Hope 4s in Organization” ap- Next Weeks iis. First prize, Historic Materialism, by Nicolal Bukharin. This is an extremely interesting book on an extremely important subject for every thinking class conscious worker. Pi Second prize; Li cism of present il the relation of art'te lite. ature and Revolution, by Leon Trotsky, a criti- rary groupings in Russia and a discussion of Third prize, Lenin on Organization which needs no further ex- planation. Send in your articles. Next week’s prizes will Ject and preference will be shown for direct on the job stories. be given for sub- Tell what is happening in your factory, the conditions under which you work, and show how, organization can benefit the workers in your industry. TEACHERS’ UNION FOR DELEGATION TO SOVIET RUSSIA Turn Down Silly Letter Sent by Green By a Teacher Correspondent NEW YORK, Feb. 25 — The exe- cutive board of the Teachers’ Union, ‘Local 5, New York City, endorsed the sending of a delegation of trade union representatives to Russia and called for an éxtended and unbiased investi- gation for the information of Amer- ican workers. The resolution sent by the commit- tee organizing the delegation was en- dorsed despite a letter received from President William Green’of the A. F. of L. urging a boycott*of' any union delegation to Russia,-and a long mim- eographed statement setting forth the vices of Russia and the dangers of exposing good American unionists to the “Bolshevik virus.” Want Thoro Investigation. Another interesting item of business was the calling upon the legislation and Teachers Interests’ Committee for a survey of the city schools, which should disclose facts regarding schools and administration. The recent $50,000 board of education survey, it was reported, either whitewashed or refused to make public any flindings which were not “pretty.” President Linville reported that Thomas Mufson, a high school teacher, forced out of the system for his alleged Communist views, became insane and is an inmate of an asylum. Also that Benjamin Glassberg, also forced out for Communist beliefs, had given up the fight for reinstatement in disgust and dispair. Bert Wolfe, director of the Work- ers’ School, was accepted to member- ship in the union. HOW “GREATEST FACTORY IN THE WORLD” SWEATS ITS WORKERS IS TOLD BY ONE OF THE EMPLOYES By M. KAZAR, Worker Correspondent. t Walking from place to place looking for a job I landed in the Harvester McCormick plant at 26th St. and Western, where I am now employed. Before receiving a job a worker must pass thru a lot of red tape which includes a doctor's examination. He pummeled me and he poked me until I wondered whether I was passing for a superintendent's job, but I, poor fish, didn't know perenne egestas that. 1 was passing for a weak mind and. a strong back, Lose Job If They Talk. rf When I got into the factory I could not imagine what was the matter with my fellow workers. I would talk to them but received no reply. Later I learned that ‘to talk in that depart- ment meant to lose one’s job, In a short time I was moved to another machine and there I managed to have a few words with the men buf at most they spoke very guarded- ly. For instance I asked a chap who receives 42 cents an hour and is with the company five years whether he could not use more money and he said it was enough for him—and that was all, Another worker told me he is with the company _ thirty-three years. He js so old he can hardly | see walk. “No man should be compelled to work at your age. You should be getting a pension and would be if you worked in Sowet Russia,” I be- gan, He looked at me half frightened and replied; “I don't yant ‘tt. Leh work ye' Anothef man has been in the Me Cormick service 45 years and he gets $21 a week. Just to think that a man after slaving for 45 years receives a salary of $21 a week! Loses Two Fingers, One of the men had a gruesome story to relate, He had two fingers cut off, One was lost while at work and he ‘went to the hospital to have it bandaged. When he came back to the plant he was ordered to show the safety bosses how it happened. He proceeded to do so using his lett hand for the demonstration. In the excite- ment they cut off a finger from his left hand and he was sent home with @ finger off on both hands, The boss, John Kroll, is on the job before all the workers get there to that’they all start on the dot of ‘seven in the morning, The Harvester McCormick plant, the so-called “greatest factory in the world” is the worst sweat shop that oa, be conceived of and the ee ere need a good deal to pull them out of fig wssrance , ae FRITS FOREMAN ASSAULTS AGED PLANE OPERATOR Boss Beats Worker for Spoiling Boards By a Worker Correspondent The foreman of the machine depart- ment in the D, H. Frits Shop, 414 N. Wood St., attacked a worker who operated a plane machine, supposedly for ruining certain boards, which were to be used for glueing purposes. The worker attempted to explain that it was not his fault, that the job was properly done two days before, but the boardsein drying twisted out of shape and did not fit. Aged Worker Loses Job. The foreman, a bully, ignored the explanation, called the cashier and in- structed him to pay off the worker. The worker in accepting the meager sum tried to say something to the cashier, and without any warning, re- ceived a severe blow on the face. The worker did nothing for he was no longer a young man and could not defend himself. It seems that the bosses can do as they please with the workers, while the workers must submit to their cruelty and bullying without a word of protest. The reason is quite clear. {t is because the workers are not or- ganized, Not the First Time. Some time ago this same foreman quarreled with the office clerk and soon afterwards fired him. Now he “bullies” other workers, but he is al- ways’ in the “right.” Why doesn’t the employer, the factory owner blame him for these troubles? Because he faithfully serves the employer and viciously persecutes the workers, This Cannot Last Longer. Fellow workers, are we going to stand this much longer. Are we going to permit the bosses to exploit us and without any reasons beat us? What must we do, so incidents like these will not re-occur? There is only one answer. We must unite, so that in case of necessity, we can effectively protest against such unbearable con- ditions. What we need in this shop is a union, which would aid us in our dafly struggles, As long as we demand our rights as individuals from the bosses, nothing will come of it, but merciless persecution and dismissal from the Job for the slightest whim of the boss, We must not fold our hands and leave things to fate, but our slogan should be “One for all and all for one, Unity is power.” And if we under- Stand this and unite, the bosses will not be able to assault us and perse- cute us. DON’T LEAVE OUT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS Due to the volume of Worker cor- respondence that comes to our office every day and the necessity often to ask for more detailed intormation and send suggestions and instruc- tions, we make the following request from our Worker Correspondents: At the top of h page of your manuscript, in the right hand cor- ner, write in plain hand, if you do not use typewriter, your name, ad- dress and,date. At the end of your manuscript add a note stating whether you wish your name to be used and any other instructions re- garding u) ng of your arti THE’ DAILY WORK ER Page ‘91% By a Worker Correspondent. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 25—Many people, in the face of such “accidents” which not long ago shocked Birming- ham, Ala, (and, more recently, sev- eral other localities), may ask why it} is that safetydevices are not being| more rapidly linstalled in the mines thruout thescountry. The answer is safety devices: cost money. On, the other handjslack of them costs ‘only lives of workers. Note the following facts specifically relating to the Birmingham disaster: Within a:cfew .moments from the! roar and shock of that explosion, the| government offered help, (costing the mine-ownerjnothing), as did also the! state, (costing the mine-owners noth- ing). The Red Cross promptly got busy, (costing: the mine-owners noth- ing), and it: was quickly joined by scores of citizen-volunteers, in at- tempting to reach the entombed men. The frantie;wives and wailing chil- dren struggling to reach the entrance to the tomb.where their husbands and fathers lay buried alive or perhaps be- ing slowly roasted, were taken in FIRST PRIZE WINNER. charge by the Birmingham police, and when these latter seemed about to be pushed off their feet by the grief and anger-crazed widows and children, and their friends, a colored preacher mounted an elevation and chanting, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Coming For to Carry Me Home,” thus effectually quelling the dtsorder and humbling the crowd. After this, as the mine burned out and cooled, ambulances, (costing the mine-owners nothing), were employed in carting away the remains of the scabs, tho none-the-less unfortunate miners, as Tapidly as the bodies were brot to the surface.. The mine shafts and passages, under the combined ef- forts of government, state, city, Red Cross, police, and volunteer citizen workers, (costing the mine-owners nothing), rapidly assumed their nor- mal condition, and within an unbe- Hevably short period the places of the luckless victims of the “accident” had all been filled, (costing the mine own- ers nothing), by recruits from the un- employed army which © annually marches southward upon the ap- proach of the season of ice and cold in the lattitudes farther north, began | The Lesson That Birmingham Teaches Thus the scab-hiring private owners of that open shop mine near Birming-| ham, Ala., were relieved of, not mere-| ly the cost of sa y devices, but also} of the greater portion of the cost of clearing aw the bodies, cleaning up| | the debris, and getting the mine again |into shipshape condition. What need} have th to buy and install safety devices? The crime was forgotten and its lesson entirely lost by all but the} immédiate neighborhood and the fam- ilies actually touched, within three days from that first muffled roar, The capitalist newspapers of the country} | promptly shoved all reference to it be- |hind the scenes and played up oceans| of bunk before the masses. Here is the lesson: If for none other, here is reason enuf why The DAILY WORKER must be kept living and growing and thriving. The} DAILY WORKER must not allow the | memory of this and countless similar wrongs to die. It must constantly re- mind the workers of the gross unfair- ness—the criminal dishonesty, of such a system. Help to make The DAILY WORKER grow, then help to keep it growing! SCENES FROM OKLAHOMA MINE DISASTER The twacpictures above show scenes of the coal dust explosion in the Degnan-McConnell mine No. 21 near Wilburton,<Qkla., last month, Lewis and His Bunch of Crooks Must Go, Is Kansas Miner’s Demand By 1 ‘ker Correspondent ARCADIA, Kansas, Feb. 25 — The ending of the miners’ strike brings to light the sell out of the anthracite miners who have made such a noble fight. It is to the disgrace of the entire working class of this country that the anthracite rank and filers have not repudiated the yellow heart- ed John L, Lewis settlement which sells them into slavery for five long years, If they had stood by their tri-district convention the whole labor- ing world would have come to their ald. T have followed the anthracite strike from beginning to end, thru The DAILY WORKER articles and also thru the capitalistic press, I am con- vinced that it-fe\high time for the rank and file of the United Mine Workers of America ta. expel the labor faker John L. Lewisvand his puppets, We are not red blooded fighting union men unless we do, Lewis is in our or- ganization to, drive us to our destruc: tion, Down with John L, Lewis and his bunch of crooks, Ninety-three miners lost their lives in the disaster, issued the Usual report blaming the explosion on the negligence of the miners, these coal dust explosions are preventable by use of safety devises. operators Wetause of the expense involved, 4 TWO NEGRO WORKERS KILLED BY EXPLOSION By CHARLES ERICKSON, Worker Correspondent. Charles Nettles, 48 years old, 4715 Langley Ave., and Thomas Richard- son, 29 years, both Negro workers employed by the William J. New- man company, were ,killed by, an explosion 6f sewer gas while ex- cavating for rock bottom to sink a caisson 120 feet below the surface, for the new Eited Hotel under con- struction at the northwest corner of Rush street and Delaware place. two workers were below the surface working in icy water filling buckets with clay and sand ed up. The explosion round so violently that it caused the heavy water pump at. the top to come loose, which fell down into the caisson catching the men and crushing out their lives. The men had no way of escape.'For this very hazardous work the labor- ers receive the pay of $1.17/2 per hour, working under the Landis,, award. The state mine inspectors But mining engineers state that These precautions are not used by the It is cheaper to let the miners risk their lives. _|Many Toledo Workers Fear Loss of Jobs ‘ By FRANK SEMAL (Worker Correspondent) TOLEDO, 25 -— Toledo an open shop city, draws most of its white industrial workers from Ken- tucky, Tennessee and Georgia and the colored workers come from every direction, When a worker arrives he has but one thing on his mind, that is “Where can I get a job.” Conditions, wages, hours, means nothing to him or her, They just want a job, job, job. One who landed a job at Bowle's Lunch on Madison Ave. as a bus-boy and working 12 hours day, 7 days a week, #eceived small wages and rotten food, but when asked why he didn’t demand more, he replied he was afraid to lose his job, Another had a real “position” with the Grennan Cake Corporation, Inc., He ‘had to get up at 3:30 in the morn- ing, arriving at his job at 4:30 and leaving for his route after loading up at 5:80 and worked into late after- |shop and found, THIRD PRIZE WINNER, GIRL MILLINERS ONLY HOPE IS IN ORGANIZATON Changing Shops Does Not Solve Problem By K. WOLODARSKY (Worker Correspondent) I went in search of a millinery fac- tory in Chicago where the prices are a little better and the sanitary condi- tions more tolerable. I made the rounds of shop after to my dismay, that they are all filthy and devoid of the crudest sanitary conditions and that the bosses, without exception continue to tear down prices, Filth on Michigan Bivd. As an example I will give my ex- perience in the Ideal Hat company, | presumably high class, since it is lo- cated on Michigan Blvd., in the Ward Building. The workrooms are dark and dirty and all day polluted with foul air, The wall, woodwork and windows are as black as the cords on the electric lamps. There is no daylight whatever at any time of the day in the workroom, and the ceiling is so low one can reach it with outstretched arms. This firm also boasts rooms with clean windows, facing the beautiful landscape of the lake, but they are not for the working girls whose lungs and skins need to breathe in the pure air, but to exhibit the products of their sweat, My neighbor, a consumptive girl, slowly moves her bony fingers over the hats. Her sunken breast lifts up in a deep sigh every now and then. |“The whole afternoon,” she pitifully complains to me, “I'll be working on this hat and I'll get fifty cents for it. You're fast on this work,” she says. “It took you only one hour to finish that hat.” I looked at the girl’s bony hands and thought to myself, “A few years in this atmosphere and I'll be as fast as you are.” One Small Wash Room for 16 Factories, At 12 o'clock the power stops; it is lunch time. From 8:30 in the morn- ing I was the inseparable part of my chair. Now I lift up my tired body and inquire of my neighbor for the lava- tory. She looks at me smilingly and says: “No such comfort as to have it on this floor. You've got to go to the floor above.” I go to the upper floor. Girls from four different floors, which take in about sixteen millinery factories; come pouring into this wash room at lunch time, It is small and filthy beyond - description and the only lavatory for all those factories. Towels are sup- Plied only to the old privileged girls. I return to my chair and in the company of disease germs which are the free inhabitants of this foul place I eat my lunch, for it is not the privilege of a millinery worker to go out to a clean cafeteria for her lunch. t 5:30 the forewoman collects the books in which she marks the amount of work done: I wondered whether a better price would be paid here, the Place is filthy enough. To my utter disgust I found that the prices are as * low hére as in any of the other fac- tories, Once more I realized that there is no hope in changing jobs. The only hope for the millinery workers is in organization. BOSSES DIVIDE WORKERS; REAP HUGE PROFITS Christmas ‘Present’ Must Take Place of Overtime By a Worker Correspondent By playing one worker against the other Maurice Cohen, one of the large commission merchants formerly on South Water Street, but who has now moved to Fifteenth St. and Racine Ave., is able to increase his profits more and more, H, T., one of the workers employed by him, starts at 6 in the morning and « quits at 5:30. Those are his “usual hours. If the boss gets a carload of fruit and vegetables in the afternoon, then he and his fellow workers work until 8 at night. They are all union men, They get $36 to $37 a week. H. T. being a good servant gets $40. The boss pats him on the back say- ing, “don't tell anybody that you are getting more than the union scale. H. T. feeling richer than ever says, “Don't worry, Mr. Cohen, I'll keep my mouth shut.” When they work late at night the | boss pays no overtime. The men talk 4 it over, express their dissatisfaction | but do not dare to say anything to the boss, Ai Christmas time the boss hands out a $10 gold piece to the humble slaves for their “loyalty” to the com- pany, The workers take it and then talk about how good the boss is for- getting that the boss has made more than that on the unpaid overtime. The manager gets a check for $3,000, because as the boss says, he Shee tae HEE 3S PBST TEs Tatts noon, .Be a worker correspondent. Jt pays Yor the workers. it hurts the bosses. has picked up new business, One Christmas the boss gave him a limou- sine and a check af $200 as @ ent, See Nl