The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 31, 1926, Page 1

The DAILY WORKER Raises the Standard for a Workers’ and Farmers’ Government Vol. Ill. No. 67. MEETING SHOWS U. §. BACKWARD A. F. of L. Delegate Shows Vivid Contrasts (Special to The Daily Worker) LOS ANGELES, March 29—The backwardness of the American Fed- eration of Labor and the political limi- tations of the American labor move- ment were conclusively revealed in the report upon the Mexican labor movement ‘made to the local labor council by-John S. Horn, the former secretary of that body. Horn was a fraternal delegate to the recent Mex- ican Federation of Labor convention at Mexico City. His report emphasized facts which the local radical delegates have been hammering home for many months, Coming from an ultra-reac- tionary, however, it was most signifi- cant, The American delegation was made up of President Mahon of the Street- car Men’s International Union, repres- enting the American Federation of Labor; Paul Scharrenbérg, represent- ing the California State Federation of Labor; and Horn;- himself, represent- ing the Los Angeles Central Labor Council, The delegates were all great- Subs ~iption Rates: MEXICAN LABOR |[__ THE DAILY WORKER. In’ Chica; by Outside ¢ ly empressed with the remarkable |. spirit prevailing at the Mexican con- vention. Horn stated the convention con- trasted favorably with those of the American Federation of Labor, but was very much larger in number of delegates attending. The American convention draws some 400 delegates representing 3,000,000 workers. Mexican convention had 1,500 dele- gates representing 1,500,000 ‘workers, The contrast, he pointed out, extend- ed to the physical appearatice jof the delegates. Most of those of the “A. F, of L. conventions ‘wear fine’ cléthes, with spotiessly clean collars; “Ait"Méx- ico City about 67 per cent of tlidse in attendance were peons. ‘Some ‘dele gates, of course, were well-dressed: but many, came in their working’ clothes. Despite the fact that Negroes con- stitute an eighth of the popdélation of the United States, there are’ mever over half-a-dozen colored delegates at the A. F. of L. conventions: i:These, moreover, are from federab::unions which are directly chartered:-by that body and have no autonomous rights. Horn stated that all shades of color were represented at the Mexican gathering, as no color lines are drawn in that country, The political power of the workers there, he pointed out, was indicated by the fact that there were men present from every Mexican cabinet since the overthrow of Diaz. Most remarkable of all, he thot, were the oratorical abilities of the Mexican representatives. Many of the workers took the floor on matters con- cerning their groups or when conflicts of policy involving the interests of the working class as a whole were in- volved. This, too, was quite. different from the American conventions, where a few old-time leaders do all the talk- ing and there is very little oratory. “The whole atmosphere,” he exclaim- ed, “Was so filled with earnest.emotion that altho we could not understand the language we felt just as if we could,” ‘ # Horn then pictured the moment when Calles, the President of Mexico, appeared and told of his own surprise to hear Morones, the chairman of the convention, address him familiarly as “Comtade.” Even the most reaction- ary delegates thot that Horn had real- ly learned’ something from his visit in thus having witnessed the power- ful influence of Mexican labor in its’ own country. But no! He was merely. an American patriot delighted to see the Red flag in Germany during the (Continued on page 2.) Italian workers are bound to the stake of fascist dictato UNIONS OF N.Y. FURRIERS HOLD A New | DEMONSTRATION WAGE RATE LAW Want Defective Meas- ure Replaced (Special to The Daily Worker) ALBANY, March 29—Organized la- bor of the state, as represented by the Federation of Labor, is carrying on a bitter fight for the passage .of the Phelps bill which provide: . that the “prevailing rate of wages” must be paid by all contractors doing work for the state or municipalities. This rate is defined as that paid to 51 per cent of the workers of the locality where the work is to be done. The state now has a law covering this subject but as it is open to attack upon the same grounds as those which caused the United States supreme court to declare invalid a similar statute of Oklahoma, the unions want this new bill enacted at once to pro- vide against an emergency. Contractors Fight Bilt. The Associated Industries’ and the Contractors Association: are ‘opposing the bill. They are using the camou- flage that it is not needed inasmuch as the present law has not beén attacked. What they are hoping to d0°i8 to post- pone action by the legisidttire and then try to get the issue im the‘ courts for'a final decision befote the ‘legisla ture again meets. They betieve that if they can once get ridof this legis- lation they can prevent similar measure being passed ie future, Many New Radio’ Stations. WASHINGTON, March 29 — With 500 applications for licenses to oper- ate new radio stations pending before Secretary of Commerce’ Hoover, plans were being laid today ‘by the depart- ment of commerce for a general re- allocation of wave lengths.’ CLEVELAND THEATRICAL WORKERS INSIST ONLY UNION LABOR BE USED IN THE PHILADELPHIA EXPOSITION CLEVELAND, March 29.—The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes Local No. 27 has adopted a resolution calling on those in charge of the ®esqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia to use union labor and union- made material for the exposition, They also demand that labor, the farmers and the Negroes be given space in the exposition to demonstrate their share in the development of this country since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, , This action was taken in tive committee of the Workers (Co CORY onde to a letter sent by the district execw- unist) Party, District 6, who declared that they would “do everything in our power. to’ co-operate with you in bring: ing pressure to bear upon those ine in Philadelphia, 6o that the realized,’ wot | mands Pot the Besqui-Centennial #4: Mcago, by mail, Entered at“Second-class matter Septeinber 21, 1923, at the Post ‘Omice at Chicago, Ilinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. mail, $8.00 per year, 6.00 per year, (Plekets ‘Boo ‘Forwadd Henchman (Special to The Dally Worker) NEW YORK, March 25—Thousands of striking furriers turned out in a huge picketing demonstration. The line of strikers wound itself around the entire fur district. This marks the beginning of the sixth week of the strike. The bosses who were looking out of the windows of the empty shops were in despair. Tho entire police force looked about to errest’and beat the strikers, but the workers did not give them a chance. They marched quietly around the shops in lines of twos as ordered by. the judge of the court. One of the bystanders who was watching the picketing demonstration of strikers was President O. Schacht- man of the International, who disap- peared suddenly from New York when the strike was declared and handed over the presidency to I. Winnick, who together with the Daily Porward, conspired to break the militant strike of the furriers. Winnick and some more adjutants of the yellow sheet held secret nego- tiations with the agents of the boss- es, When the workers saw Schacht- man this morning watching them march they showed a strong dissatis- faction with the action of the inter- national president in Wanding over the presidency to the servants of the bosses. Some of the strikers hissed the president as they passed him. Many manufacturers have already settled with the union. Among them there are great many who have bro- ken away from the Fur Manufacturers Association. Dissatisfaction among the manufacturers is growing. They are opposed to the leadership of President Samuels of the Fur Manu- tacturers’ Association. The policies of Samuels will ruin many of them. Despite the threats of the leaders of the association to cut off the cred- vite of any manufacturer who dares to break away from the association and settle with the union as many have done, one large and influential manu- facturer, who was a member of the board of directors of the association broke away and settled with the un- fon. Another very large manufactur- er made an attempt to break away and settle with the strikers. He was immediately approached by Samuels and threatened to be put out of bust ness if he signed with the union, The workers are determined to win the strike atid they all see that vic- tory is \véry ‘near for the shops are empty and'no'scabs are to be gotten, ; Exposition rng few. who’ dared to scab were in the resolution may be] quicklysebtvinéed and they are now ‘ thetoldy of the strikers. | WEDNESDAY, a ey “IM PATERSON Passaic Workers to Aid Organization Efforts {Special totThe Daily Worker) PASSAIC, N..J. March 29—A vigor ous organizatiom drive among the dye workers of Paterson, some of whom are already om strike, will begin this week, aceording to announce- ments made by’ Albert Weisbord. In pursuance of this aim, the United Front Committee has been in consul- tation with the Associated Silk Work- ers of Paterson, who have sent a com- mittee to investigate the conditions at the United Piece Dye Works of Lodi. Will Aid Organization Drive, In a letter to Fred Hoelscher, sec- retary-treasurer of the Associated Silk Workers, Weisbord proposed joint ac- tion with the @ssogiated in organizing the dye workers, If the Associated wishes to organize alone, the United Front Committee of textile workers “will heartily cooperate in any move,” according to the letter, “If the Associated Silk Workers does not wish t participate in any way in this drive, then the United Front Committee>will organize alone, and if necessary open an office in Pa- terson for that:qurpose. The under- standing will then’ be that only the dye workers williibe organized by us and that at any time the Associated Silk Workers smay join us in the united front.” Union Mid Strikers, Twenty thousamd pounds of sugar has been donated by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers: This is the second large donation ini a week from this organization, whidh sent a carload of flour last. week. Other outstanding donations were: $520 from Locais?5.and 3 of the Amal- gamated Food Workers, $500 from the Workers (Communist) Party of New York City, $100 from the Workers (Communist) Party group in Detroit, $249 from the Amalgamated Clothing Workers local of Brooklyn, and $300 raised by a private organization by Mrs, Stephen L, Wise, JOURNEYMEN TAILORS TO DISCUSS GENERAL STRIKE ON THURSDAY NEW YORK, March 29. — Local No, 1 of the Journeymeén Tailors’ Un- jon of Amerteasis holding a mass meeting at the Bohemian Hall, 321 East 73rd et} Thursday night, April 1 at 8 o'clock at which final action on the question of a general strike this spring will be taken, All mombers are urges to attend. MARCH 31, _ pthe customary privilege. The session 1926 <>” PUBLISHING CO., 1113 W. Published Datly except Rercay. Ld ated Bd, Che ‘ashington Blvd., cago, Ill, LA FOLLETTE IN BIG FIGHT FOR TEXTILE PROBE Barons Fear Quiz on Passaic Strike (Special to The Daily Worker) WASHINGTON, D. C., March 29— The attempt of the big business tools on the senate committee on manufac- tures to throttle the preliminary in- vestigation before the committee of the P. ic textile strike situation is meeting with strong opposition from a number of committee members. Senator William B. McKinley of IIli- nois, who is chairman of the commit- tee, had the committee meetings post- poned from day to day in an effort to avoid the presentation of evidence showing the low wages that are paid in the Passaic textile shops. Postpone Action. When the matter finally came be- fore the committee on manufactures the big business tools by a vote of 6 to 2, with Brookhart of Iowa refusing tO,express his view, decided to post- pohe all action for at least a week. Senator LaFollette, who introduced the resolution, had the support of Wheeler only. Senator McKinley, Me- Nary, Edwards, McLean, Metcalf and Tyson opposed the preliminary hear- ing and refused to allow Senator La- Follette to tell the committge why he demanded an investigation. It is the custom of senate committees to allow the proponent of a’ resolution to present reasons for his proposing the resolution. Sen. LaFollette was denied of preliminary hearings was discussed was nothing more than an attempt to stifle the investigation which thé tex: tile barons fear. li Pleads to Forestall Action. Edwards of New Jersey, a faithfut rvant of the textile interests, plead- that he be allowed to go to-New Jersey and that he would bring’ the bosses and the strikers together into some sort of a settlement. By his actions before the committee, which was in a secret closed session all the time, he betrayed the fear of the tex- tile interegts that the investigation might disclose many facts that would aid the textile workers into getting their demands. One of the arguments raised by Ed-| wards was that New Jersey was cap- able of handling this problem and that | the federal government should not in-| terfere, | MeNary of Oregon proposed as ay compromise.that one speaker be heard | (Continued on puge 2} | se: led Nine New Camps Are | Ready to Train Dubs for Shooting Workers WASHINGTON March 29 — The war department has announced an enlargement of the civilian military training camps for this,year. Nine hew camps will be conducted, includ- ‘of thecommittes at which the holding) Special Trip Made for Mutt to Buy Him Paris Clothes . NEW YORK, March 29—The cheap, Yow-down, ordinary human being known as the worker will get some consolation out of the fact that the | relatively most pampered and petted | passenger among the arrivals on the Olympi¢- today was a black and tan | terrier named Francie, the favorite of | six mutts owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sid- | ney Williams of 15 East 58th street. | These generous individuals purposely | made a trip to Paris to get Francie | fitted out with a new wardrobe at the } cost of $700. Mrs. Williams said it | costs $4,000 a year for her mutt’s ex- penses. Comment is superfluous, MOTHERS LEARN NEED OF REAL ORGANIZATION United Efforts Defeat School Discrimination NEW YORK, March 29 — The at- tempt of the authorities of the Board of Education in New York City to di- vide the mothers has miserably failed. They did not know that the mothers organized in a permanent organ- ization called the “United Mothers of Williamsburg” for the protection of their children in the school and at home were ready to fight for theic rights. Mothers Protest. ‘When the mothers of Public School 148 were fighting against the transfer of children from that school to other schools they visited the Board of Education and Mayor Walker twice. When the authouities learned that the mothers were determined to withhold the children from school until their demands were granted, they called the mothers to the Board of Education on a Friday before the transfer was to take place and told the mothers to take the children to School 148 on the date of the transfer. The mothers were overjoyed, They had won a vic- tory. The children were to stay in schools nearby and not have to cross dangerous crossings. Threaten Mothers, When the mothers brot the children to school each one was called into the office. The mothers were treated roughly and told the children would be herded together in the basement without instruction, without books and that they would not be promoted apd insisting on the mothers taking the children to the schools designated by the Board of Education. Each mother answered that she wanted her child to remain in schoo] 148, The mothers were then told roughly to “get out.” The mothers watched, and true enuf the children were herded together, all grades, in the basement. The authorities of the Board of Education were true to their promises that they will do all in their power. to compel the mothers to take the. children to other schools. Instead ff .taking the children to other schools, the mothers called a meeting, where statement# signed by the moth- ers were taken of the treatment their children. had received. It was also de- ing one at Fort Sheridan, Ill. This will make a total of 52 invall. The new location at Fort Sheridan, Il, is expected to accommodate 1,450 men. Department officials believe it will attract many business men from Chicago, who will welcome the oppor- tunity to learn close at holhe how to use military tactics to break strikes. New South Wales Seamen Receive 44-Hour Week SYDNEY, Australia, March 29,— Seamen employed on steamers en- gaged along the coast of New South Wales have been granted a 44-hour week. There is no reduction in wages because of the shorter work week. The 44-hour week is now general thru- out New South Wales. Arrest Baker Pickets for Criminal Contempt NEW YORK, March 29.—Five strik- ing bakers of local 305, Bakery and Confectionery Workers’ International Union, are charged with-eriminal con- tempt under an injunction obtained by Moritz Schwartz, whose..bakery has been picketed as unfair, The, workers are held on $500 bail eaeb. Criminal contempt has never,,before been harged in New York, #0,:that, this becomes a test case, cided: to instruct the organizer, Mrs. B.:Zlott, to write the Board of Educa- tiom outlining the conditions and the nothers also decided to demonstrate around the school in protest. A dele- gation, was elected to go to tne Boara xt Education. ,)) Demands Finally Won. Mrs, Zlott sent a letter to the Board of Education also informing the press that a delegation was to go to the Board of Edpcation. As usual, the cap- talist press gave no notice of this. When’ the , mothers arrived at the Board of Education the elevator took them up to the seventh floor. The first time when the delegation went to the board they were compelled to walk up the seven flights. They were taken into the office very politely and seated. The district superintendent, Dr. Verrt, then came out and informed the dele- gation very sweetly, that all “arrange- ments had already been made” for the “children’s comfort and education.” The authorities of the Board of Educa- tion tried to divide the mothers and frighten them into subsiding and failed miserably, The mothers have learned the lesson of organization and unity, Lathers Double Membership. CLEVELAND — (FP) From Sep tember 1921 to August 1925 the ‘Lath- ers international union has, almost, oubled its membership. The official figures are 6,219 in 1921 and 11,888 in 1926, a gain of 6,668 EDITION NEW YORK Price 3 Cents PARIS ELECTIONS oe EERE 4000 | CAPITALISTS IN RAGE AS LABOR GOES BOLSHEVIK Pile Up Gigantic Vote Against Opposition (Special to The Dally Worker) PARIS, March 29—The Communist |fraction in the French chamber of | deputies has been increased from 26 to 28 by the election of the two Com- |munist candidates, Fournier and Du | Clos, in the recent elections in second [electoral district which is the very | heart of old Paris. | The two Communist candidates | piled up a vote of 63,256 votes against |the 61,718 for Kerillis and Raynaud, around whom rallied the nationalists, the fascists and the moderates. Bourgeoisie Horror-Stricken. The flashing of the election returns in many of the theaters caused great consternation and horror to the bour- geoisie, In a number of other thea- ters where election returns were an- nounced fascists and the Communists clashed. The fascists in their anger began to club and beat workers who expressed satisfaction with tne out- come of the elections. Attempts were made by the fascists to break into the headquarters of the Communist Party and the homes of Communist workers. These proved fruitless as the Communist workers resisted the attempts of the fascists and gave them their just due In the Place de l’'Opera over 30,000 watched the election returns come in. In this brightly lit up place the fas- cists seeing their candidates badly beaten by working class .candid: stafted to slug and maul the workers cheering the Communist candidates. The workers were in no mood to be mauled and clubbed by the fascists, nationalists and moderates and they expressed their righteous indignation by giving those who participated in the assaults on the workers one of the best beatings they ever had. When the police authorities saw that the fascists and the anti-working class forces were being worsted in the fight, mounted municipal guards trotted into this vast theater with drawn sabers waiting for the bugler to give the signal to charge on work- ers defending themselves against fas- cist attacks. The Communist work- men finally restored order in the thea ter and several fascists were forcibly ejected. { Bourgeoisie that were parading around the cafes and cabarets cut their evening festivities short as all Joy in life had left them when they learned that two working class lead- ers had been elected. Some of the cabarets did such little business that they were forced to close down. Tho the Paris bourgeoisie was -ter- ror-stricken, the workers on the other hand were jubilant over their victory. In the election previous. to this, which had been a three-cornered fight, the working class vote had been split between the Communists and the so- cialists. In this election which was a fight between the fascists and the Communists many of the left-wing so- cialist workers joined the Commu- nists at the polls. Many of the right wing socialists supported the fascist candidates in an attempt to defeat the Communists. INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ AID COLLECTS SHOES AND CLOTHING FOR STRIKERS NEW YORK, March 29—The In- ternational Workers’ Aid is conduct- ing a drive for shoes and clothing for the Passaic strikers, These men and women have been on the pick- et line for ten weeks, tramping miles in rain and snow. Their shoes, are worn out, their children’s shoes are worn out too, but still they tramp, up and down, never losing heart but determined to win. They must have shoes and cloth- ing to wear and you must provide them, Canvass your shop, ask your neighbors, your grocer, your buteh- er and all your friends for shoeé and clothing and send them to us as quickly as possible. Get shoes for men, women and children for they are especially needed. Show the strikers that you are behind them in their fight by supplying their nee Bring or send to the International Workers’ Aid, Room 237, 799 Broad way, New York City, 0 ‘ 4