The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 26, 1926, Page 3

ce ee — JOHNSTON QUITS: WHARTON HEADS THE MACHINSTS Is Former Member of Defunct Rail Board WASHINGTON, D. C.— (FP)— Grand lodge headuarters of the Inter- national Association of Machinists, in Washington, has issued this state- ment: “Willlam H. Johnston, president of the I. A. M., who has been in Iil- health for the past several months, tendered his resignation to the ex- ecutive council of the Machinists Fri- day, May 21, to become effective July 1, 1926, “When a vacancy in an elective of- fice in the I. A. M. occurs thru death or resignation, the executive council is authorized to fill the unexpired term by appointment. Acting under the au- thority so vested in it, the council has appointed Arthur O, Wharton, former JOHNSTON HIMSELF. president of the Railway Employes de- partment, A. F. of L., and former mem- ber of the Railroad Labor Board, to fill the vacancy created by Mr. John- ston’s resignation. Mr. Wharton will assume office July 1, 1926.” Wharton in Harriman Strike. Johnston was taken ill last Sep- tember, and returned to his office only ‘about a month ago. Wharton, who first came into national prominence thru the Harriman railroads’ shop strike in 1911, is one of most vigorous executives in the Machinists. Before ‘becoming a labor member of the Rail- road Labor Board his home was in St. Louis, Await Statement on Policy. This change in leadership of the largest of the shop crafts, comes at the moment when the railroads are planning the application of the me- chinery authorized by the Watson- Parker rail labor act. It gives to the Machinists a general president who ‘was not a party to the recent internal difficulty in the organization. The clearing away of this factional ‘controversy, leaders on both sides have declared, would be of the highest value to the union since ft would turn the energies of the entire membership toward recruiting new members, re- covering old ones who dropped out thru lack of faith, and galvanizing the good-will of all the members into a determination to conquer new ground. Wharton is expected to make an an- nouncement of policy when he takes office, July 1. Many Speakers Aid Growing Fight for Sacco and Vanzetti (Continued from page 1) to speak at meetings under your aus- pices.” Definite arrangements for meetings have already been made in many cities where there are units of International Labor Defense or other organizations sympathetic to the cause of Sacco and Vanzetti. More are being heard from every day. Big Garden Meeting. The huge mass meeting of New York workers in Madison Square Garden, in demonstration for the 40-hour week, unanimously passed a resolution de- manding @ new trial for Sacco and Vanzetti. The meeting, initiated by the strik- ing fur workers, was held with the co- operation of the State Federation of Labor and the Central Trades and La- bor Assembly of New York City, whose secretary, John T. Coughlin, acted ar chairman of the crowded meeting of 15,000 workers. From Europe. That workers in other countries will not be found wanting in demonstrat- ing their solidarity with the two IJtal- ian workers of Massachisetts is al- ready shown by the messages of pro- test pouring into this country from Eu- rope. In Paris, the radical workers have already arranged a big demon- stration, in which they compared the Haymarket hanging in Chicago, in the last century, with the proposed elec- trocution of Sacco” and Vanzetti, Other Buropean centers will be heard from very soon, reports indicate, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” provided you know how to use it. Come down and learn how in the worker corcespondent’s classes, The light of the English general strike showed up President Re cree Green of the American Federation of Labor as a skeleton leader of the workers—with the dollar sign of the bosses all over him. PEOPLE’S ARMY ‘PAY $5000 AND OF CHINA IN A | GO FREE’ OFFER NEW OFFENSIVE) MADE TO SCOTT Reactionaries Launch a|Wife Bares Deal with Counter Attack PEKING, May 24—The Kuomin- chun, or “people’s army” which was forced out of Peking into the country westward, where spies from the reac- tionary general of Chang Tso-lin and Wu Pei-fu report that the Kuominchun army is short of rations, is again taking the offensive. There are about 100,000 Kuomin- chun troops and these would put the troops of the reactionary governor of Shansi province to rout if it were not for aid being given by Manchurian soldiers attacking the Kuominchun from the north. Eighty thousand Shansi troops are engaged trying to stop the Kuominchun attack. Frantic telegrams calling for aid from the north have brot reinforce- ments from Chang Tso-lin and Wu Pei- fu which are concentrating at the mouth of the Nankow pass and at Dol- onnor-ting. Rail communication is cut off and all telegraph wires are wrecked go little communication is possible with the scene of battle. Parole ‘“Fixers” The appearance of Mrs. Russell Scott, wife of the slayer of Joseph Maurer, before the Carlstrom-Crowe special grand jury, is expected follow- ing a story she told her husband's at- torney, William Scott Stewart. Mrs. Scott said her husband had urged her to raise $5,000 so that he could purchase his freedom from the Chester State Hospital for the crimi- nal insane. “Russell told me he was given to un- derstand that his escape could be ar- ranged if he could produce $5,000,” she said. “I went to Michigan and tried to raise the money, but I failed. ‘I went to see him again and he told me if I could save $100 a month they could pay the ‘escape price’ in instal- ments and when the $5,000 had been thus paid he would get out. “Once a man stopped me on the street and asked me if I had been able to raise any money. When I told him it was all I could do to support myself and our three children he walked away.” (Continued from page 1) urged the fur strikers to remain firm and confinue their great fight until the forty-hour week is won. Victory In Sight Ben Gold brought the meeting to a pitch of highest enthusiasm by his Plea for a continuation of the strike, with renewed vigor and determination. “The bosses now acknowledge,” said Gold, “that if it had not been for the treacherous promises of our Interna- tional officials, the strike would have been settled by this time. They are still not quite convinced that the fur strikers are firm in their determina- tion not to compromise. Some of the manufacturers realize this; some of the others need further proof, and to- day’s meeting with its endorsement by labor unionists all over the country will be the last great blow. Victory is ours if we ‘but fight in the same splendid fashion we have carried on our struggle for the 14 weeks, The strike was never in better shape; we are sure to win—and that very soon.” Other Unions’ Aid. Among the dozens of telegrams re- ceived from state and city federations and labor unions was one from Local 22 of the I. L. G. W. U, saying: “Greetings. Your fight for the 40- hour week and for two days rest deserves the whole-hearted support of all progressive workers, The Dress- makers’ Union has been watching your brilliant battle against all the dark forces who are trying to split your solid ranks, Your wonderful fight is writing a new page in the history of labor's struggle for freedom, and the better things in life, We have already secured the 40-hour week but we real- ize that your fight is our fight; your victory is also our victory. We feel sure that your brilliant struggle will bring a full victory in the very near future, Altho we have already render- ed financial aid, our members remain ready at all times’ to give as much more as well be necessary. Long live the 40-hour week. Long live the fight- ing army of Furriers, Long live one needle trades union.” Office Workers Contribute. The following resolution from the office workers of the joint board was read to the members. Fight for Shorter Work-Week WHEREAS the Furriers’ Union is conducting a heroic struggle for a forty-hour week, and better working conditions; and WHEREAS we, knowing that their demands are just ones, are entirely in sympathy with our fellow workers, and wtsh to see them bring their struggle to a successful end; there- fore be it RESOLVED, that we, the employes of the Furriers’ Union contribute $300 to the General Strike Fund of the joint board, Furriers’ Union.” New Trial for Sacco and Vanzetti The meeting closed with the passing of the resolution for Sacco and Van- zetti which read: WHEREAS Nicola Sacco and Bar- tolomeo Vanzetti—two champions of labor—have had their appeal for a new trial from an unjust murder con- viction denied by the Massachusetts supreme court, and these men will automatically be sentenced to the elec- tric chair unless this action is re- versed; and WHEREAS, the Sacco-Vanzetti De- fense Committee has asked the su- Preme court for a rehearing of the appeal, on the basis of still further proof of a frame-up in the murder con- viction; and WHEREAS, the American Federa- tion of Labor at the El Paso conven- tion branded their conviction as a “ghastly miscarriage of justice”; be it RESOLVED, that this huge assem- bly of organized labor, gathered here in Madison Square Garden in a great campaign to shorten the hours and im- prove the conditions of the workers, hereby demands that justice be grant- ed our two persecuted fellow workers, Sacco and Vanzetti—whose life has been dedicated to the same great cause; and be it further RESOLVED, that we demand that these two workers be granted the new trial which common justice demands. Drowns in Gravel Pit. ELKHART, Ind., May 24—William Troup, 35, was drowned in a pool at a gravel pit here today when he was plunged into the water by the caving in of the bank after he had backed his ser to the edge of the pit, ») w ” { THE DAILY WORKER Page Three URGES. UNIONS TO FIGHT PA. SEDITION ACT Pennsylvania Federation Aids Repeal By .D. E. EARLY (Special to The Daily Worker) PITTSBURGH, Pa., May 24, — Sev- eral hundred workers and liberals at- tended the mass meeting last night at the Harris theater to demand the repeal of the “Flynn Sedition Act.” The meeting was arranged by the con- ference for repeal of the Flynn sedi- tion act, which was organized here sev- eral’ weeks ago, by trade unions and other workers’ organizations. Law to Stop Strikes. James Mat tr and Robert Dunn were the printipal speakers with Bro. Gordon of th@ Electrical Workers presiding. Dunh pointed out that the sedition law# ‘of Pennsylvania and other states arq@ un-American and are aimed not offly¥ against Communists and I. W. W.;"btit against all workers, and will be used largely during strikes. , Dunn enumerated a long list of per- secutions undérithe Pennsylvania sedi- tion act for mere expression of opinion or possession.of literature, Maurer in. a lengthy and vivid speech described how the sedition act originated in Pennsylvania, After the war when agents of the department of justice were on the verge of losing their jobs and when some of the gov- ernment officials were afraid that some of their own crimes committed during the war might be disclosed if free speech would be allowed, the “sedition act” was passed, It was in- tended to stop any one for talking and as a possible preventive of strikes. The bill, said Maurer, was drafted by a republican and introduced by a democrat and contained clauses which, if passed by congress, would have made it impossible for any labor organ- ization or mifiofity political party to hold meetings of any kind. Urges Unions to Aid Repeal. The Pennsylvania Federation of La- bor succeeded after a long and bitter fight to eliminate some of the worst provisions of the act and will continue its fight against the law to the very end. Maurer appealed to all trade unions to unite in opposition to the act and to support thé ‘movement for repeal. He emphasized that if trade unions permit the jailing of Communists un- der the sedition act without protest, they will be text to be persecuted. John Otis, seeretary of the confer- ences, gave a brief outline of the acti- yities of the conference and of its future plans, Carpenters in San Francisco Strike - Fight the Banks (Continued from page 1) Exchange, affiliated with the Indus- trial Association, calls at jobs and in- sists on placing at least two scabs on each job and informs the contractor, in event of refusal, that it will be im- possible for him to get the material necessary for continuing operation. The gtrike-breakers then start to work, union men walk off, and mate- rial ig delivered. Instead of a crew of carpenters and no material, the con- tractor now has two scabs and mate- rial, with the Industrial Association's promise to ship him a consignment of strike-breakers. Law and Order. Prominent in the fight against labor is ex-Senator Boynton, chairman of the Industrial Association, who assisted in the organization of a Law and Order committee and informed the board of supervisors in San Francisco that unless they enforced law and order more to his liking, he would do so with his commijttee. It was he who insisted upon grand jury indictments for the 102 men arrested in San Fran- cisoo in connection with the strike. Another activ’ in the fight against the workers is"Bill George, leading light in the fight against the workers in 1921, who was recently brought up wefore labor coriinissioner on charges involving payments to the workers laboring at the cement plant with which he is connected, Intensive Campaign. The carpenters are planning a more intensive campaign to unionize the jobs, and are beginning to see the logic to the left wing's program, which calls for a strike of all building trades workers, As it is at present, only those carpenters; working with non- union carpenters are called on strike. Had the rest of the building trades workers supported it, the strike would probably have lasted no longer than two weeks at the most, ee OAKLAND, Calif, May 24, — The business agent of the Oakland Build- ers’ Exchange, an affiliation of the In- dustrial Association, demanded of a union foreman that at least two scabs be placed on the job and informed him that no material would be delivered until the scabs were employed. The union foreman refused, saying as long as he was there, it would be a strictly union job. When the business agent threatened him with the blacklist with remarks that it would be difficult for him to get another job, the scab-herder was instructed, in no ‘polite terms, to de- part, Later the foreman was fired and the rest of the union men walked off. AGED WORKER KILLS DAUGHTER AND SELF FEARING UNEMPLOYMENT NEW YORK, May 24—A “merciful murder” in which the aged father killed his crippled daughter and then committed suicide was under police investigation, The principals were Frederick Raabe, 62 years old, and his daugh- ter, Evelyn, 22, who had been hope- lessly paralyzed since birth. Since the death of Mrs. Raabe, several years ago, the man and the girl had been living alone together in a small Brooklyn apartment, Raabe strug- gling hard to make a living as a machinist and care for the needs of the helpless daughter. Lately he had not been working steadily and feared the loss of his job. The following note was found ex- plaining the tragedy: “1 cannot stand this mental agony any longer. My nerves are wrecked. Goodbye to all, There are $38 in a tin box. My will and bank account will take care of all funeral expenses. Oh God, forgive me. F. Raabe.” MUCH CHAMPAGNE USED AT EARL CARROL'S PARTY Witnesses Give Lie to Producer’s Denial NEW YORK, May 24.—The spigot of testimony was turned on anew at the “wine bath” trial of Earl Carroll, Broadway producer, charged with per- jury. Robert B. Coleman, Jr., dramatic editor, testified to seeing Joyce Haw- ley, pretty model, slip off her clothes and step into a bathtub of champagne, from which a score of men drank during Carroll’s Washington birthday party. Plans Made By Council for Protection of the Foreign-Born Workers (Continued from page 1) bron, which was held in Washington, was attended by many delegates rep- resenting trades unions, local councils of the Protection of Foreign-born and large benefit societies. Among the unions represented by delegates at this conference were the New York joint board of the Interna- tional Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, Carpenters’ Local 2090 of New York, Amalgamated Food Workers of New York, Local 230 of the Amal- gamated Clothing Workers of America, United Mine Workers’ Locals 1365, 2881, 975, Amalgamated Clothing Workers Local 285 of Baltimore, Local 209 Bakers’ Union of Baltimore and Upholsterers’ Union Local No. 26 of Philadelphia. Twenty-eight fraternal organiza- tions, representing Bohemian, Bava- tions, representing Bohemian, Bavar- jan, Jewish, Slovak, Ukrainian, Lithu- sent delegates to the conference. A member of the fraternal organizations represented were the Pennsylvania Slavic Roman Catholic Union, First Catholic Slavic Women’s Organization with 65,000 members, Croatian Frat- ernal Union of Pittsburgh with 60,000 members, Polish Roman Catholic Uinon with 150,000 members, and a number of Workmen's Circles. Local and District Councils for the Protection of Foreign-Born in Phila- delphia, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Connersville, Pa., Western Pennsylvania district, New Haven, Washington, Utica and New York had delegates present. Many of these councils are supported by central la- bor unions and local unions in their respective districts. 7 The delegates regarded this con- ference as a preliminary to a larger conference to be held this coming fall when congress reconvenes, Attempts are being made by the big business backers of these anti-union and anti-labor bills to bring them up at the next session of congress. The national committee of the Council for the Protection of Foreign-Born intends to call a conference about the time that congress meets to voice the pro- test of the organized workers against these attempts on the part of the open shop employers to enslave the for- eign-born workers and use them as their pawns in the coming drives of the open shoppers on the wages and working conditions of the American- born workers, The Council for the Protection of Foreign-Born was unable to send a delegation to testify before the sen- ate immigration committee and to pro- test against these vicious laws, pro- posed by the servants of the open shoppers, as the immigration commit- tee had abandoned its sessions, The national conference adopted a resolution in which it urged the American Federation of Labor to con- tinue its opposition to the proposed measures pointing out that the Amer- ican Federation of Labor had taken & vigorous stand against these bills and should continue their support of the campaign against these measures so that these anti-foreign-born, anti- measures will be defeated, SEEK INJUNCTION AGAINST STRIKE OF OHIO CARMEN Canton and Akron Street Carmen Hold Out (Special to The Daily Worker) CANTON, O., May 24—The Northern Ohio Light and Traction Company is seeking an injunction against street car men on strike against the com- pany. against international officers of the street carmen’s union who are on the scene directing the strike, Provocateurs have been found in the ranks of the strikers and many have been weeded out. However, the usual tales of stopping mails and dynamit- ing bridges are going the rounds, Men Firm. The men in Akron and Canton are holding firm. In Canton the strikers stopped cars yesterday as they left the barns and at the public square a group ef carmen joined the strike. The men are out every day with ban- ners and leflets. Low Wages. The fight of the strikers is more than justified. The wages paid them range from 48 cents to 54 cents an hour on two-man oars and 53 cents to 57 cents on one-man cars. There is no Possibility of rising above this scale. Duped, The men remember that in Febru- ary, 1924, they went from door to door collecting signatures for a new fran- chise for the company with the prom- ise that if a raise in the fare price was granted their. wages would also be raised. The franchise was granted, the fare raised from 5 to 7 cents but the men were given only a sop in the form of an insurance. The police are on the job as usual, “protecting the property” of the com- pany—which means they are doing their duties as strikebreakers and are clubbing the heads of the strikers whenever the company deems it neces- sary, Kokomo Fire Loss $250,000. KOKOMO, Ind., May 24.—Fire of un- known origin at the mine plant of the Kokomo Stee] and Wire Company to- day totally destroyed two buildings housing the nail mill, the nail clean- ing room and copper shop, with an es- timated loss of $250,000, LOS ANGELES, May 24.—Comrade M. Kessler, who was a member of the Workers (Communist) Party since Its organization and was also a mem- ber of the Lenin Branch of the Work- men’s Cirele and the Machiniste’ Union, died of canoer. The movement loses a very valuable comrade. This is particularly directed | FRENCH IMPERIALISTS REPORT CAPTURE OF A STRONGHOLD OF KRIM PARIS, May 24.—The French wer office announces that French cole onial troops supported by Moroccan cavalry have entered Targuist Abd- el-Krim’s capital since the Spanish took Ajdir ast autumn, almost with- out a fight, but found that Krim hed fled. It le said that the Beni Ouriaghel tribe with about 6,000 fighting men has submitted to the French. Both the French and Spanish are now preparing fora drive on Chechaouen, which is Krim’s most Important town remaining In his hands. By. capturing this, the Impertalists hope to capture Krim himself and end the war for subjection of the Riff, The Rifflane, however, have a habit of retreating to mountain fastnesses when hard preesed and waiting for another chance. 40-HOUR WEEK IS DEMAND OF . FURRIERS HERE Will Ask for $5.00 Per Week Raise Chicago Fur Workers’ Union, Lecal 45, met on May 22 at Roosevelt Hall to consider their new agreement with Chicago fur manufacturers. The mem- bership approved an agreement that contains the following demands: 1. A forty-hour work week of five days. 2. Equal division of work in dull season. 3. Wage increase of $% a week. After the adoption of the agreement a protest was made from the floor against the action of the local man- ager, Levin, in taking a member off the job because he failed to pay an unjust fine, It was pointed out thet the action was unconstitutional; that only by a vote of the local can a mem- ber be expelled or suspended. Sam Levin, manager of the Joint Board of the Chicago Amelgamated Clothing Workers’ Union, spoke to the members. His plea was for her- mony and unity during the negotia- tions for the new agreement. Just as Levin was concluding his speech for harmony between the right and left wings of the union a right-wing mem- ber jumped up and hit a brother of the left. Compensation Law Constitutional. WASHINGTON, May 24—(Ine}— The supreme court of the United States todey held constitutional the Wisconsin workingman’s compensation law. With an introduction by , Boy— This is a book to be proud of! You'll throw your chest out when you own one of these books! with Daily Worker ... $6.00 « year Workers Monthly .. $2.00 a y Cartoons Like This--- Over seventy of them by seventeen leading proletarian artists in this country— Size 9x12—Bound in Brown Art-Board Covers And it’s so easy to get—it’s a premium EACH 100 POINTS Gotha Dong A Year's Sub to Any of These Papers 100 Points| Young Worker .80 Pointe $1.00 a year 30 Points| Young Comrade ..........0.10 Points 50 cents a year The book of RED CARTOONS without subscription $1.00