The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 30, 1926, Page 3

‘MINERS CHEAPER THAN TIMBERS,’ DECLARES BOSS Father of ae Crippled; by Fall of Slate By ART SHIELDS, Federated Press. BROWNSVILLE, Pa.—(FP)—John Gortbush, who used to oe the best coal loader in the Alicia mines of Monessen Coal and Coke Co., will never load another car, his doctor says. His backbone is dislocated and for two years he has worn, first a plaster of paris oast, then a steel jacket, Now the superintendent tells him to move out of the half of a 2-family house he occupies, he and his wife, six children and mother-in- law, and make way for & man who will work, But moving costs money. Out of his $12 a week compensation comes the $2 round trip fare by taxi and street- car’to the doctor at Uniontown, the coal the company makes him pay for and food for nine people. Crippled for Life. John was crippled for life because Monessen Coal and Coke, a part of the Pittsburgh Steel Co. and one of the huge nonunion concerns that spread across the coking coal fields of southwest Pennsylvania, feels itself above the mining laws. He told the story of his case there in his little’ home, sitting stiffly in his steel jacket and wincing as the youngsters bumped against their father in the crowded quarters, The boss had taken him off shot fir- ing, a better paid but highly dangerous job, because he complained at viola- tions of the law that endangered his life. He went to coal loading and found conditions far worse than be- fore. They, put him in a room where the rich black coal stood 9% feet high. A hard place for two men to timber up; almost impossible for one. John called for assistance. The boss refused. Then John begged that at least he be given some good timbers. Lives Cost Cheaper. “Timbers cost money,” said the as- sistant foreman. John pleaded the danger; the piti- fully weak props they gave him would not do. “I'll be killed,” he entreated. “It it kills you I can get ten more men,” was the answer. John begged again, and the boss impatiently told him to take his tools and get the hell out if he didn’t like it. And, thinking of the six children, the miner went:back to the job as many another has done. Then it happened. The cross tim- ber overhead crashed down, bringing slate with it. John fainted. When he came to he dragged himself for two hours to the shaft and waited till they consented to stop hoisting coal to take him up. Eight hours after the acci- dent the company doctor came to the house, felt his head and said he’d be all right soon. But three months later another doctor after an X-Ray put him in plaster cast. In a year the compensation verdict came, with back money, part of which went for rent to Monessen Coal & Coke, Slate Falls on Worker, He told the story slowly, the words coming out in pain as he lived over the agony and felt the hopelessness. He has given his life to the coal mines, since coming from Austria. Now ‘ts over—the doctor says he may live one year, two years, maybe three years. So it goes in an open shop steel company mine, When that argument begins at lunch time in your shop tomor- row—show them what the DALLY WORKER says about it. 18] This first glorious attempt 15 Cents. ‘The Zeigler Frame-Up 10 Cents. NEW! THE PARIS COMMUNE By MAX SHACHTMAN. No. 8 IN THE LITTLE RED LIBRARY A brief little booklet on a great event in working class history, when, as Karl Marx wrote, the workers of France attempted to “storm the heavens.” so vividly portrayed by the author, should be read by every worker on the 55th anniversary being celebrated thruout the world on March 18. 10 CENTS—Twelve Copies for One Dollar Other Books by the Same Author: Lenin, Liebknecht, Luxemburg QUAKER OATS, BEECH NUT PACKING AND BORDEN MILK COMPANIES MAKE ENORMOUS PROFITS DURING 1925 Do you eat Quaker Oats or Puffed Wheat? Ther you paid your share of the exorbitant return which the owners of the Quaker Oats Co, re- ceived on their investment. The 1925 profits, according to the company’s annual report, dmounted to $5,502,748, giving common stockhold- ers a return of $39.31 on each $100 share, This follows a 1924 profit of $87.89 a share. But since 1912 the owners have seen their stock holdings more than doubled ‘by stock dividends. Consequently last year’s profit really means a return of $81 on each $100 actually put in by the owners, while the 1924 profit meant a return of $77.20, Altogether $158.20 on $100 in 2 years is not so bad even for capi- talists. Although Quaker Oats and Puffed Wheat are the best known products of this concern, it has found several other. avenues to the consumer's pocket. It makes macaroni and spa- ghetti. Lately it has absorbed the Aunt Jemima pancake flour business. It makes feeds for stock and poultry. It has plants at Akron, Cedar Rapids, Memphis, Tecumseh, Mich. Peters- borough, Ont., and Saskatoon, as well as 59 elevators to which farmers de- Uver their sain, **? Beech-Nut Packing Go. Beech-Nut Packing company’s $2,- 099,243 profit, described as a return of about 29% on the common stock, does not tell half the story about this company’s exploitation of the demand for hams, bacon, preserves, jellies, etc. It does not show that almost all the capital used in turning out Beech- Nut products represents no real in- vestment by the owners. It was taken out of the excessive profits of pre- vious years. Beech-Nut stock dividends include 500% in 1914, 400% in 1922 and 50% in 1923. The original $100 invested has been multiplied about 45 times and the present return means some- thing like 1,300% on the money origi- nally put, into the business by the owners, In addition to the stock dividends Beech-Nut has paid the owners cash dividends to @ total of $3,627 on each $100 that was invested in 1910, an average of $227 a year. Here is an- other tollgate’ set up by capital be- tween the farmer and the consumer. one Borden Co. (Milk) The Borden Co. belongs with this group. It represents capitalist con- trol of the channels by which the farmer’s dairy products reach the con- sumer. Borden reports a 1925 profit of $6,297,235. This means a return of $10.65 on each $50 share of common stock. This 21.3% profit follows one of 20.5% in 1924, at which rate the investors will receive back in profits their entire investment in fess than 5 years. LYNN STITCHERS AGAINST STATE BOARD DECISION Local Union Plans Mass Protest Meeting LYNN, Mass., March 28—Stitchers’ Local No. 108 of the Lynn Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union has decided to call a protest meeting at which the recent decision of the state board which granted the employers’ demand will be discussed. Great dissatisfaction has manifost- ed itself in the various locals of the Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union against the action of the union Heads in accepting the decision of the state board without a protest. The), pro- gressives in the stitchers’.locak are fighting for a shorter working week, better pay and for the abolition of ar- bitration, Michigan State Police Brutally Beat Prisoner to Gain Confession SANDUSKY, Mich., March 28 — Lieut. Fred A. Armstrong and C. B. Addison of the Michigan state police were charged with assault and bat- tery by Pearl Dorland, who is being held on a murder charge. The two state policemen brutally beat Dorland in an attempt to force him to make a confession stating that he had killed Roy Lee, 19, after his estranged wife had admitted intimacy with Lee. The complaints were sworn to at the request of Dr. G. W. Tweedie, ‘Sanilac county coroner,’ who declared that Dorland had been “horribly mis- treated.” The police heads when questioned about the beating and tor- turing of Dorland in an attempt to force the confession which Dorland has repudiated declared that “no co- ercive measures were used.” If you want to see the Com- munist movement grow—get a sub at proletarian dictatorship, THE DAILY WORKER PUB, CO., 1113 W, Washington Bivd., Chicago, Il, BIMBA SPEAKS BEFORE HARVARD STUDENT DINNER Attacks Use of Laws Against Workers HARVARD, Mass., March 28 — The Harvard University Liberal Club in- vited Anthony Bimba, one of the edi- tors. of the Lithuanian Communist daily “Laisve,” to address them at a luncheon on the Brockton trial, About 75 to 100 students were present, as well as several newspaper reporters. Bimba told the students that he appreciates very much those who dare to listen to Communist ideas which are opposed to the ideas of those who are in power at the present time in this country and control the universi- ties and other educational institutions. He pointed out to the gathering that we are living in the age of intolerance when the capitalist class is unable to solve the great economic and social problems and maintains its power by force and violence. On the other hand, the working class is beginning to understand its interests and its mission and, led by the Communist movement, it is striving to take power from the enemy and conquer the world for itself. In this great con- flict the capitalist class is always ready to suppress any ‘protest on the part of the working class. Manufacturers Aid Prosecutor. He took up the question of the Brockton trial and showed how the agents of the Catholic church and the shoe and textile manufacturers were contributing money to the prosecution. It is not hard to find the reason for their action. The workers of New England are being exploited to the utmost and therefore the employers cannot tolerate anyone who comes to their slaves and talks to them about organization and a struggle to better their conditions. He told the students that the judge brought a verdict which confirms the wishes and desires of the shoe manufacturers, The $100 fine is not so important, but it is very important that the -| Massachusetts so-called sedition law is being used for the first time against the labor movement, If the reaction- aries are not defeated in this fight they will effectively use that law to further suppress freedom of speech and assembly, Bimba also discussed the relation of the bankers of this country with the reactionary European govern- ments, which were established during the war and which are suppressing the labor movement there. The bank- érs are very much interested to main- tain these governments as a barrier against Soviet Russia. They also sup- port the agents of these governments who come to this country and carry 6n poisonous propaganda among the foreign-born workers and sow national hatred, Weapon of Master Class. Bimba explained the Communist po- sition on religion and declared that church and god are bit instruments of the exploiters of labor. The stu- dents laughed very heartily when Bimba pointed out that there still exists a law in the state of Massa- chusetts which was enacted in 1654 against the Jesuits or the agents of the Catholic church. Bimba asked if Cardinal O'Connell would contribute THE BPAILY WORKER FOES OF ITALIAN DEBT SETTLEMENT OUTLINE ATTACKS Places Tax Burden Upon U. S., Says Norris (Special to The Daily Worker) WASHINGTON, March 28 — Altho administration forces contend Italy will pay to her “full capacity” under the $2,042,000,000 war debt settlement, the senate’s democratic-insurgent al- liance’ began organizing today for a battle against ratification of the pact. The coalition, somewhat weakened by democratic desertions, will base its attack ea tt points. First, it will be charged} that the settlement dis- plays @ “wbetul lack of knowledge” concern Italy's resources, second, that it fost the American people hundred Of ‘millions of dollars in taxa- tion for interest payments on the money loa) Italy; and third, that once Pie al the other debt settle- ments will have to be revised to give the same lenient terms to America’s other debtors. American Taxpayer Hit, “This séttlement places the burden of paying? Italy’s war debt upon the American taxpayer instead of the Ttallan taxpayer,” was the cryctic comment of Senator Norris, republican of Nebraska, leader of the insurgents. His declaration briefly stated the angle of attack to be followed by the opposition. Democrats for Postponement. Senator Robinson, democrat, of Ar- kansas, the minority leader, announced he would offer .a motion to recommit the settlement “at the proper time” to the senate finance committee, The debt battle meanwhile faced a temporary lull today while the sen- ate turned aside to dispose of the Woodcock case. It probably will be resumed tomorrow and continued next week. There appeared small likelihood, however, of a final decision before the middle of April because the Steck-Brookhart case will be given the right of way sometime next week, se Confident of Ratification. In the face of this confusing specter, administration leaders remained confi- dent. Senator Smoot predicted the vote would be at least 56 to 40 in favor of ratification. “There will be no attempt made to limit debate,” said Smoot. “I predict, however, that the settlement will be easily ratifi¢ ‘Smoot ‘Leads Fight. The administration’s fight to secure ratification of the $2,040,000,000 Ital- ian debt settlement was launched by Smoot, republican of Utah, with a four-hour appeal for its consideration “on its merits and devoid of partisan polities.” The settlement forces Italy to “pay to its full capacity,” Smoot declared, a better settlement can never be ob- tained, and if the pact is rejected, Italy will merely be relieved of all payments. for an indefinite number of years. He.closed with a “take it or leave it” dictum to the senate, sup- porting his challenge with a hitherto unpublished letter from Secretary ef the Treasury Mellon to President Coolidge. Letter to Coolidge. “The settlement,” the letter states, referring to the president, “was ap- Proved by you and was passed by the house of representatives. If now the senate failed to approve the settle- ment, I think it would be obvious to the world that the reason was politi- cal and not fiscal. “It is my conclusion that the only practical effect on Italy of a failure to approve the debt settlement would be that Italy would be relieved, for the present at any rate, of any payments and no settlement more favorable to the United States would likely be made in thé future.” Smoot’s Talk. Smoot touched on a wide range of subjects,—Mussolini, Italy’s dreams of conquest, the Tyrol dispute, the Mor- gan loan. All of these, he said in ef- fect, were “none of fhe senate’s busi- ness” in considering the debt pact. Smoot delved with meticulous detail into the national finances of Italy. The final picturé was an Italy paying to its limit in the'settlement with the United States. The original Italian debt, Smoot ex- plained, was $1,648,000,000, including $1,000,000,000 pre-armistice advances 48,000,000 post-war loans. To this was aided interest at 4% per cent to December 15, 1922, and inter- est at 3 per cent from then until June 15, 1925, the date of settlement, total- ing $394,000,000, The settlement re- funds this principal of $2,042,000,000 with interest ranging from one- eight of one per cent during the first ten years to 2 per cent during the last seven years of a 62-year amortization period. The United States, in all, will receive $2,407,677,500, which includes future interest payments, totaling $365,677,500, . Why All the Fuss? LABOR UNIONS IN NEW YORK HAVE ONLY VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF ‘ NEGRO WORKERS IN THEIR RANKS By ESTHER LOWELL, Federated Press. NEW YORK, March 28—That unionization of Negro workers is essential to the success of the labor movement {s granted by practically all New York union heads interviewed by Urban League investigators, says Ira DeA. Reid, industrial secretary of the Negro organization. Data was sought on the num- ber of colored members of unions; whether colored workers had been in- volved in strikes of the union, either as loyal unionists, non-union workers or as strike breakers; whether Negro or- ganizers are employed, etc.; present union programs regarding Negro labor and future prospects, Negroes Unorganized. Results of the survey show Negro workers, unusually in very small pro- portion, in many unions. Longshore- men’s local 968, however, has 1,000 Negro members out of a total mem- bership of 1,200, and its officers are colored. About 100 out of 3,000 cigar- makers are reported colored and a Negro organizer and former local pres- ident had been active. About 35 per cent of the 1,400 members of the com- pressed air and foundation workers’ union are Negro, the survey finds. Only 10 out of 1,600 carpenters in local 2090 are colored, but there are other locals in greater New York, The architectural iron, bronze and structu- ral workérs’ union head said that Negro workers are coming into the union gradually. In United Cement Masons’ Local 32 only 29 out of 900 members are reported colored, Some 600 colored dressmakers are known in the 12,000 members of that union, The union head here sug- gested that Negro workers need more training for skilled positions, The same need was reported in the chil- dren’s dress union, where there are 300 Negroes out of 3,000 members. Few colored workers are reported by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers’ Union, altho a Negro girl presser is an organizer. There are 300 colored workers out of a 4,500 total in the mil- linery workers’ union, Typographical local 6 has about 100 Negro members out of a 9,800 total and employers are charged with discrimi- nating. Organization on Negro news- papers and printing plants with wholly Negro staffs is declared difficult, tho a colored worker on a Spanish daily has helped union organization work. Press Assistants’ Local 3 penalizes firms refusing to hire Negroes by making them pay a day’s pay. About 6 out of 3,200 members of printing pressmen’s local 51 are colored and they have participated in strikes as loyal unionists, Only 10 out of 700 union teachers are Negro, altho this local has tried to induce colored teachers to join. Upholsterers’ local 76 reports only tour colored workers out of 1,000 in the union and says that unskilled Ne- gro workers were brought in as strike breakers. Federal Employes’ Local 4 has about 50 out of 2,000 to 4,000 workers colored. Cleaning and dye house drivers’ locals have about 400 colored members, Progressive Women’s League Will Hold a Conference April 10 CLEVELAND, March 28—The Wo- men Workers Progressive League which was recently formed in Cleve- land will hold a conference Saturday evening April 10, at 8 o’clock at the Goodrich House Settlement, 1420 BE. 31st St. The call for the conference states in part: “The working class women of this country face a serious menace. A two billion dollar food trust is being formed, the purpose of which is to monopolize the food industry and ex- ploit the entire people as consumers. This burden falls particularly upon the women of the working class. “In addition this gigantic trust is one of the worst labor haters im the country. Organized labor has not been’ able to enter, the doors of the establishments included in the trust. Hence the workers as producers also are directly interested in this trust. “Furthermore, despite the abolition of military training from the public schools of Cleveland, the militarists are organizing to restore it to the curriculum. Imperialism menaces with new wars and working class mothers and fathers will be called up- on to furnish their sons for a new slaughter.” The league asks that all women’s organizations, parent-teacher associa- tions, trade unions, fraternal organiza- tions ate., send delegates to the con- ference. The issues above mentioned are burning questions for all working class women. All organizations should get into touch with the provisional secretary, S, Van Veen, 1893 B. 66th St., Cleveland, Hoisting Engineers May Strike April 1 WASHINGTON, ,March 28—Steam shovel and hoisting engineers be- longing to the Steam and Operating Engineers’ international union have served notice on building contractors in Washington that unless granted $12 a day they will strike on April 1, The the majority of the part of the proletarl: POPE SHOWS IGNORANCE IN CLAIM THAT SCIENCE PROVES MIRACLES OCCUR (Special to The Daily Worker) ROME, March 28,—Pope Pius, in a speech following the reading of a decree dealing wtih the alleged mir- acles performed by a fakir entitled the Venerable Fournet, declared that science constantly showed in ever clearer light the fact of miracles, Fournet founded the Catholic Or- der of Daughters of the Cross, LAKE SAILORS MUST COMBAT STEEL TRUST Annual Straggle Starts This Month CLEVELAND — (FP) —Two thou- sand lake sailors working out of Cleve- land begin their annual struggle with their steel trust employers this month. The trust, prastically monopolizing the ore, coa] and wheat carrying busi- noes on the lakes, is bitterly antiunion and has prevented the various lake unions from enforcing union rules since 1921 through the blacklist. Organizations affiliated with the Int. Seamen’s Union enjoy union con- ditions on passenger boats, car fer- Ties and independent carriers. In ad- dition they wage an unrelenting fight against steel trust efforts to evade the LaFollette seamen’s act. Work- ing under the handicap that all local marine attorneys are bought out heart and soul by the Lake Carriers Assn., the sailors union has neverthe- less thwarted scores of efforts to cheat seamen out of their wages, ac- cording to Secy. HB. J. Sullivan. In many cases seamen who go ashore for the evening are declared deserters and are robbed of their wages. Although. the LaFollette act forbade the use of sailors’ discharge papers for blacklist purposes, the. carriers evade this by including a “character voyage” line on the card. The cap- tain marks this good, fair or bad in accordance with the seaman’s own desirability as a nonunion workman. 200 Austrian Workers Go to Soviet Union (Special to The Daily Worker) VIENNA, March 28—In spite of the much-advertised “reconstruction” of Austria by the league of nations, eco- nomic conditions are getting worse: Arrnagements are being made for the emigration of unemployed work- ers to other countries. A large group are to go shortly to the Soviet Union where an Austrian colony subsidized by the government and the Vienna authorities will be established. An- other group is to settle in Germany. Negotiations are also going on for a colonization tract in Brazil, “Trade unions are the reservoir ot Page Three — KILLING UNION MINERS IS NOT CRIME IN W. VA. Company Th ug Kills Prisoner; Is Free By ART SHIELDS, Federated Press, LOGAN, W. Va.—(FP)—Guns ef worn with less conspicuous display by Logan’s deputies since Don Chafm went to Atlanta. The shooting frons are still handy, but on the hips. Some of the thugs were walking arsenals in the old days, Two big gua butts at open scabbards were not um- common and sheriff Chafin sometimes dressed with three gats. On the dey early in 1922 that 300 union miners from across the mountains were @r- raigned in Logan courthouse on charges of murder and treason for their alleged part in the armed march of the preceding summer the sherlf was on deck with a 45 at the belt and 38's protruding from the hips. They were heavy old fashioned rey- olvers. Don scorned the automatic. I was reminded of a cell killing of 1921 when Oscar White, son of the former courity jailer, was pointed out to me. I remembered well the story that two workingmen told me that year, They had been prisoners in Le gan, two of about a hundred men picked up in Logan as union suspects when the march against the county started. A foreigner, a mechanic, had the cell next to them. One day, they said, they saw young White blow out the man’s brains for something that he said. The witnesses’ affidavits are still on file but White was never prosecuted, White was a prison guard then and when later the alleged marchers were brought to the jail there were com- Plaints that money sent to them in registered letters turned over by the postmaster to young White was not delivered. White is driving taxis in Logan te = & day. Last year his father lost the wardenship after state anditors found a shortage of more than $9,000 thet White had collected from the county for the board bills of prisoners whe had already left his custody, Soviet Union Schools Liquidate Illiteracy in Mountain Villages KRASNODAR (Cancasus) U. 8. @& R., March 28 — In the Adygaisk-Chen kess region 89 illiteracy liquidating stations (schools) are in operation, Altogether 1,417 men and 964 women attend these schools. The teaching is done in the native language, and they are well supplied with textbooks, There has also been established schools for those who have had some education, and there are seven “tray. eling schools” among the Aools (moun tain villages), Chicago Amalgamated Sends $2,000 to Aid the Passaic Strikers A $2,000 check for the Passaic N. J. textile strikers is on its way east from the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union of Chicago, $494,632,557 Is Set as Burlington’s Value WASHINGTON, D. C., March 36 — The interstate commerce commission has placed a tentative valuation of $494,632,557 on the property owned the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney road, and of $497,441,808 on the gre perty used but not owned by the roaé, as of June 30, 1917. My Flight from Siberia By Leon new edition, Trotsky. attractively oni of the famous story by language. By Hermina Zur Muhien, A beautiful book of children’ Ruésell-Nearing Debate A stenographic report of a debate by two well known (Bertram Russell— one of Russia’s most brilliant writers, 60 Cents, Communism vs. Christi- anism By Wm. Montgomery Crown, Bishop Brown's book is without question the most widely read book on the subject, It has been trans lated into every important This new edition just off the press carries sup plementary data, 25 Cente, Fairy Tales for Workers’ Children unusual figures Scott Nearing) on the ques- tion, “Resolved the Soviet Form of Government Is Ap oe Ral to Western Civiliza Ge Coste, Dear tied, THE DAILY WORKER PUB,CO, 1118 W. Wi tic MR WASHINGTON, March 28—Presi- dent Coolidge is sending Brig, Gen. Harry A. Smith, assistant chiet of staff of the war department, to the coronation of Persia’s new sha, Re: wage is now $10, Among the big jobs affected 1s the National Press Club building, Employers are reluctant to grant the raise. Carpenters in the capital are asking @ raise from $9.50 to $10 a day, while union millmen want $1 a day raise and concrete rodmen ask $2 a day in- money to enforce that law as he did in trying to enforce the blasphemy law which was passed in 1697. He concluded in: par the students to hands © workers in the oxen auniee reaction, Pahlevi, formerlyta Cossack military peech a few questions | leader, the students about} Reza is reported to be friendly Moscow, = a THE MOVEMENT FOR wag TRADE UNION By Tom Boll NITY A brief but complete and labial ms of the subject now under discussion by world Labor, The history of the past prince and the dvasis of world Keettd of Labor are included. 15 Cents. ieee Nhe