The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 26, 1926, Page 5

YELLOW CAB CO, SEEKS TO COIN BIGGER PROFITS Long Hours, Low Pay Is Workers’ Share By a Worker Correspondent. ne Yellow. Cab Company uses very possible means to reap larger profits. When a man is hired by the company he is forced to buy a uni- form ftom the company for $32. He is then compelled to go on a school car without pay for two weeks, After the expiration of the two weeks he story sent Novy Mir Gets Help is hired as a driver ona 27 per cent commisison basis. Average Wage $15. Out of this he is forced to buy his own gas which costs him’ 10 cents a gallon, The average wages of a cab driver is about $15 a week. While schooling a beginner they seek to im- press on his mind that he can live on the tips and save the rest. The driver’s time is not his own. He is forced to stay out until his bookings are sufficient to suit the floor man. If the driver happens to check in with a small booking the floor man accuses him of loafing. Work Long Hours. A driver works from 13 to 18 hours @ day. Often he is told to take an or- der to a certain destination, On ar- riving at the place where he was or- dered to go to he is informed that the party has left or has taken a different cab, In this case the driver loses. He wastes his time and burns gas for which he is paying out of his own pocket. It is nothing for a driver to report for work at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and wait until 3 or 4 before he gets his car. The old cars are in a very bad condition and have to be hauled into the garage for repairs while the driver has to wait for two or three hours before he can take it out. Docked For Lost Parts. If a driver happens to lose’a chain it is taken out of his pay. $3 for a chain, $5 for a robe, $5 for innner tubes, etc. This encourages one driver to steal from another to avoid paying for articles that are lost. A fleet of gold starred men, known as canaries, who turn you in for every little thing they consider wrong, is maintained by the company, They re- ceive $5 a week extra for their rele as company spies, When a driver quits and turns in his uniform they allow him. but $5 for the uniform. They then clean it, repair it and resell it to another driver as a new uniform for $32. It takes the driver all day to get his money when he decides to. leave the employ of the firm. This is done so that many of the drivers, disgusted at the conditions they were forced to work under, may leave the employ of the firm without trying to get their last week’s pay. Red Tape to Get Money. The driver is sent to the cashier. The cashier then sends him to win- dow three; window three to window seven; window seven back to the cashier. The cashier denies she has any record of any money coming to the driver. Finally the cashier locates it and informs the driver that the sum was kept by the company as a payment on the uniform.’ The drivers for the Yellow Cab Company are in this way often forced to pay twice for a single uniform, To keep many of the newcomers from quitting immediately they have changed the bonus system so that you must now work six months to get the bonus where before all you had to work was one month to get this measly bonus. f Those who I¢a,. the company be- fore the half-year is up lose the bonus! When bonus time aprpoaches many of those who are due to get the bonus are fired on some pretext and rehired when the distribution period has passed, . é Underpaid Starters. | The drivers are not the only ones that are underpaid and overworked. All of the workers for this company are in the same boat. The starters work seven days a week for*small pay. They work from 7 to 12 and then go oft from 12 to 4 and return at 4 and work to midnight. The following day they come on at 12 and work to 4 and the next day they start again at 7 and work to 12 and work from 4 to midnight, This prevents them from gettin a day of rest, forcing them to spend double carfare dyring the week. Formerly they worked nine hours a day, 6 days a week or 64 hours a week. At present they work 62 hours a week, seven days a week. The Yellow Cab Company, thru this arrangement, saves one we wag on every three starters. They save $18 a week by making the workers work longer hours and seven days a week. WRITE AS YOU FIGHT! 1 Look around! of the workers’ trugg' begging to be written up. ,Do it! Send it In! Write as you fight! from Chicago Friends at Workers’ House By a Worker Correspondent. A bouquet of flowers at the Novy Mir concert and dance Saturday night at the Workers’ House brought in over $275 and was won by Mrs. Topler who received 14,225 votes at one cent a vote. The next highest vote received by Mrs. Maller was 13;272. About $400 was raised for the benefit of the Novy Mir at this affair. It was one of the most successful affairs held in the Workers’ House during the season. The hall was packed to capacity by friends of the Novy Mir and its Chi- cago worker correspondents who ar- ranged the affair, The program proved to be “as ad- vertised”—very interesting. Mr. Kol- tunov, the Russian singer, made quite a hit with his new version of the popular workers’ song “Dubinushka,” winding up with the International, the audience joining in. Mrs. Maller, the dramatic soprano, won the audience by her beautiful singing to such an extent that over $132 was raised in an attempt to win for her the bonquet of flowers. Miss R. Rubin was great- ly applauded for her beautiful Rus- sian songs. The Workers’ House Singing Society and all others who participated in the program received ‘|their share of recognition from the audience, The Russian actor, Com- rade Pokatilov, who conducted the flower contest, stated that he never raised so much money in such a short period of time, but he certainly work- ed hard and earned the big flower that he received from the .winner of the contest. The dancing lasted untfl 2 a. m. WRITE AS YOU FIGHT! NEW YORK HOUSING CONDITIONS, BAD SINCE 1842, GETTING WORSE AND TOO HIGH FOR THE WORKERS NEW PRIZES for the best worker correspondent's in the issue of May 28 —WHITHER RUSSIA? In this brilliant book by Leon Trotsky every worker will find the latest facts about the world’s first workers’ government in Soviet Russia. One year subscription to THE WORKERS MONTHLY—twelve es for a year’s pleasure and benefit, —THE AWAKENING OF CHINA, by Jas. H. Dolsen. that should be in every worker's library. / THE DAILY WORKER in this week to be published A new book Southern Baptist Church Convention Condemns Teaching of Evolution By a Worker Correspondent HOUSTON, Texas, May 24, — The Southern Baptist Church went on rec- ord to oust any pastor who believes evolution, or teaches it in any form. They urged all members to vote for prohibitidn candidates, regardless of party affiliations. J. Frank Norris, declared when the convention accepted John D. Rocke- feller’s offer of aid in large amounts, “The Baptist Church is becoming the religion of Standard Oil.” Negroes were denied representation. Delegate William of Ripley, Tennes- see, gave the reason, “a Negro is a Negro.” Several foreign missionraies spoke. Three from China admitted a strong anti-religious movement, but they all prayed that god would convert the radical youth among the heathen Chinese. One from Canton had meet- ings broken up by radicals shouting “China for Chinese. Down with im- perialism!” “Chinese merchants are very ungodly,” declared the sky pilots. The chairman, McDaniels of Rich- mon, Virginia, said “The purpose of god’s calling this convention is to at- tend to his interests, we must see that the $9,000,000 co-operative program is adopted.” This program calls for $9,000,000 to be dug up by the lowly rank and file, each year. The whole program led up to the adoption of the “9,000,000 annual co-operative pro- gram.” That was the main purpose of the convention being called. A special train cartied many dele- gates to Galveston where the annual Bathing Girl Revue was in progress, tho they condemned the revue at the convention. REACTION HAS By LELAND OLDS, Federated Press. Private capitalism stands condemned for failures to provide decent hous- ing for its city workers., That is the significance of the New York state housing bill signed by Governor Smith. The new legislation follows the find- ings of the commission on housing and regional planning that housing con- ditions in New York City for those in moderate circumstances are worse than before the war and that new construction is beyond the rent-paying ability of two-thirds of the population, “At all times and in all places,” said the commission, “private enter- prise has failed to meet the needs of the underlying population. In New York City the first official statement of the inadequate character of the housing of these economically less fortunate groups dates back to 1842. Periodically thereafter, investigations have been conducted by official and unofficial bodies, all of which find the same or similar conditions continu- ing.” $ Housing Gets Worse and Higher. Specifically, the commission found that the 50,000 tenement suites pro- vided by new construction during 1924 rent for upwards of $15 per room per month, more than two-thirds of the population can afford. “Rents are still increasing in apartments built before the war. Con- ditions in the tenements are worse today than before the war because of depreciation of the properties. Land- lords make no repairs.” Most of Rent Is Interest. The commission found that about 54 per cent of each month’s rent goes for interest charges, The original bill, drawn by the com- mission to remedy the situation and backed by Governor Smith, was re- jected by a republican legislature as “socialistic.” It provided for a state housing bank similar to the federal land bank to acquire land by condem- nation proceedings and lease it to lim- ited-dividend building companies, Two- thirds of the building capital was to be provided by the sale thru the bank of state housing bonds, the other third thru the limited-dividend com- panies permitted to earn not more than 6 per cent, The substitute bill passed by the legislature eliminates the state housing bank but provides for state regulated limited-dividend companies with power to acquire land by condemnation proceeding and with tax exemption to get low rates of in- terest. - BEARS AND CUBS CLASH AT CHICAGO T.U. E. L. PICNIC MONDAY, MAY 31 Bears to clash with Cubs, at T. U. E. L. Picnic. A real feature of the coming pic- nic of the Trade Union Educa- tional League at Chernauskas’ grove Monday, May 31, will be a baseball game between the Cubs and the Bears. Albert Glotzer is captain of the Cubs, and Walt Carmon is captain of the Bears. Both captains have had their men out in Humboldt Park, practicing, and already both sides are boasting of victory. Captain Glotzer boasts a formid- able array of young fence busters in his line-up, which is as follows: Heywood Hall left fleld Pat Toohy .. tight field Al Glotzer .. third base Nat Kaplan Paul Cline Sam Darcy Morris Yusem center field Dan Elman .. catcher Max Shachtman pitcher Sam Kurtz, an, Joe Plotkin, and August Valentine are the reserves. Captain Walt Carmon says that his machine of veterans will flatten the youthful Cubs. The Bears line- up is: Harry Kweit first base Martin Abern short stop Jay Lovestone . . third base Bill Dunne Thurber Lewis . Bob Garver . center field Louis Engdahi Morry Loeb . . catcher Walt Carmon .. pitcher The game will be called promptly at 2:30. “Sammy” Hammersmark will umpire. right field The subscription price to the Amor. joan Worker @orrespondent is only 50 cents per year, Are you a subscriber? |: FREE HAND IN CROATIAN MEET Progressive Resolutions Are Steamrollered CLEVELAND, May 23.—The reso- lution committee reported and propos- ed resolutions of little moment to the South Slavic workers in this country. Only one aroused consider- able discussion, There are two homes in Jugo-Slavia’ where poor children are given a training for three years and then handéd, over to manutactur- ers and big peasants for exploitation, One of the schools is under the con- trol of the Peasant Party, the other under that of the democratic (manu- facturers) party. The Commufists supported a pro- posal of the §vétkovites (renegade Communists) in committee to demand that both sch@ols be combined and the bureaucrat§ be cleaned out. On the floor of the convention the Svet- kovites “turned fail. They saw that they were in too close contact with the Communists and the Progressive Bloc and brought in a compromise resolution, which the reactionaries promptly accepted. The alliance of the Svetkovites and reactionaries was complete. After the motion was passed the priest, Stephanoyich, who is the chair- man of the resolution committee, the Svetkovites and the reactionaries could be seen in whispered conversa- tions. Aim Blow at Militants. ‘The reactionaries aided by the Svet- kovites also put across another sin- ister motion, viz, that any one against the constitution of the United States, would not be admitted to the organ- ization, The intent of this clause in the constitution was apparent: It was to entrap the militant South Slavic workers in this ‘country, who in the class struggle ‘may come into con- flict with the law. Svetkovites and reactionaries joitied on this issue. Dur- ing the heated’discussions, the chair- man did not ‘like the militancy of the progressivés, Noticing Comrade Zinich, member of the South Slavic bureau of the Workers (Cominunist) Party, he said: “For the last time, I order Mr. Zinich to leave the floor of the conyention.”| Zinich did not leave. During the report of the editor-in-chief of the organ of the union, an attempt was made to ‘eject Comrade Zinich from the floor» Phe Communists in the convention immediately ran to the back of the’hall, where they thot Zinich was seated, but he was in the gallery. The reactionaries did not dare to lay a Hand on him, Progressive Bloc. The united front of the reactionaries and the Svetkovites prevented all working class tésolutions from being presented to the convention. The progressive bloc did not show suffi- cient aggressiveness when the motion was made to accept the resolutions committee report, which turned down all proposals of the progressives. There was too much passivity. Had this been a trade union convention and had as large .a bloc of progres- sives been present, there could not have been such peace in the con- vention. The result was that resolu- tions in favor of the International La- bor Defense, in favor of recognition of Soviet Russia, for a Labor Party, for joining the unions, were not read, but steamrollered. In reporting on why the resolution in favor of the International Labor Defense was turned down in com- mittee, the priest Stephanovich said that the organizdtion supports and de- fends anarchists and I. W. W.’s. The last he drew out and emphasized so as to terrorize the convention. Neverthe- less the convention voted $100 to the International Labor Defense. The conventio; drawing to a close after nearly thregeweeks of work, The progressive bl mes out of the con- vention streng! d amd organized to carry on its rk during the next three years till @fe next convention. Tickets for the picnic given by the Russian, Polish and Ukranian Work- ers’ Clubs on Subday, June 6, at Mar- vell Inn Grove now for sale at the following statioelt Workers’ House, 1902 W, Division St.; Russian Co-operative restaurant, 1734 W. Division St.; in the office of The DAILY WORKER, 1113 W. Wash- ington Blvd., and by all members of the Russian, Polish and Ukranian Workers’ Clubs. Tickets bought in advance are 40 cents. At the gates 50 cents. Get your tickets now! Russian I. L. D. Branch Meets Wednesday Night The Russian branch of the Interna tional Labor Defense will meet Wed- nesday, May 26,'at 8 p. m., at the Workers’ House, 1902 W. Division St, All members are requested to come in in time, at 8 p. th, and bring their Russian speaking friends. All mem- bers are also requested to bring their membership cards. | | TWENTY MILLION AUTOS IN U.S. AND FLIVVER PRODUCTION INCREASES NEW YORK, May 24.—The Cop- per and Brass Bulletin states that the increase in automobile produc- tion has raised the consumption of copper in that industry to a record figure of 245,000,000 during 1925, The automobile output of 4,314,636 cars in 1925 was an increase of 20 pet. over 1924 and the Automobile Chamber of Commerce figures show that 1,138,408 cars were produced in the first three months of 1926, which rate if maintained will send automotive production for 1926 still higher than in 1925. The number of automobile regis- trations in 1925 passed 20,000,000, being a rise of 13 per cent over 1924, TOM MANN TALKS ABOUT STRIKE T0 BERLIN WORKERS English Strike Is an In- ternational One (Special to The Dally Worker) BERLIN, May 9 (By Mail).—During an airplane stopover between Moscow and London, Tom Mann, veteran mi- nority leader of the English trade unionists, addressed in Berlin three crowded meetings held under the auspices of the International Workers’ Aid. His main plea was that the workers of other countries should make it their business to. see that no coal was shipped from their shores to England. i International Affair. “This is your strike, as well as ours,” he told the German workers assembled to hear him. “It is more than an English affair. It is inter- national in its scope and meaning. We aim to strike a blow at interna- tional capitalism. To do so we shall need the loyalty and solidarity of the workers of the world.” In an interview Mann outlined the conditions in the labor movement in Engiand preceding the strike. The Change. “For many years there have been advecates of a general strike, but the idea was pooh-hooed by the Trate Union officials. The majority of trade union officials in England have been reactionary or indifferent to any change in the present social system. But, as a result of the progressive activities within the unions, partially in the last four or five years, which have been carried on mainly thru the national majority movement, the out- look has been changed. There has been so much effective propaganda in the Trade Union branches that I think as high as 35 per cent of the member- ship is now with us. “One hundred per cent are definitely favorable to the elimination of all sec- tional unions and the establishment of workers’ control of industry.” Workers’ Republic, Those are the two big issues being fought in England today. That state- ment of demands is the English work- ers’ declaration of independence. It is the theoretical preface to the ac- tual and practical writing of a consti- tution for a workers’ republic! “Men of the type of J. H. Thomas, Will Thorne and Clynes have been checkmating and hindering the growth of this feeling and principle,” added Mann, “But, in spite of them, at the last minority international conference which consisted of 870 delegates from the Trade Union branches, without any stipulation given except those their respective branches gave, it was voted unanimously to support the revolutionary measures submitted to the conference. It was a concrete in- dication of the growth of this idea of control for and by the workers. It gave evidence of the fact that force was possible, irrespective of reaction- ary leaders.” Rank and File Action, Mann went on to say that the una- nimity and soHdarity of the workers of Great Britain in supporting the coal miners was a complete surprise, even to the miners. He also said that he was sure that the situation would not have been initiated by the union lead- ers. The force of the decision and the action came directly from the rank and file, Protest Persecution of Greek Workers at N. Y. Mass Meeting NEW YORK, May 24. — A protest meeting, under the auspices of the International Labor Defense, to pro- test against the imprisonment of workers and peasants in Greece for the mere crime of expressing their political opinions was held Mon- day, May 24, at Bryant Hall, Sixth avenue, between 4ist and 42nd Sts. Solon Seeks Probe Into Oil Trust Price-Fixing WASHINGTON, May 24, — Invest!- gation by the federal frade commis- sion of the “monopolistic conduct” of oil companies in increasing gasoline, kqrosene and crude ofl prices was de- mgnded in the senate by Senator Trammell, republican, of Florida, Page Five Here You Are! 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