The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 29, 1926, Page 5

THE DAILY ee THE FIRST PRIZE WINNER” ALFRED, DECKER & COHN WORKERS BUCK SLAVERY ‘A: CW. Member Tells of Bad Conditions By a Worker Correspondent. Working conditions in coat shop No. 9 of the Alfred Decker & Cohn Tailor- ing. Co, have become unbearable. From foreman to examiner they are doing their utmost to make the life of the working man and working woman miserable. “I do not care even if you earn only a dollar a day,” is the favor- ite saying of the foreman or assistant foreman, “but your work must be perfect.” Slave-Drivers. They are vieing with each other in their demand that we turn out the highest quality of work, thus, proving their loyalty to the Alfred Decker & Cohn Tailor Co., who gave them em- ployment because of their capability of being efficient slave-drivers, Season after season new and sweep- ing réductions in wages are made. They do it in the following manner: First, by demanding a higher quality of work; second, by actually deduct- ing the price paid for a particular operation. I have experienced two reductions for the last two seasons. Iam a presser on coats. Another Way. . A third way of reducing our wages is by forcing us to do an additional operation and for almost the same price that is paid to the worker for the original operation. A point, in fact, is the case with our lining mak- ers. They have been told that they now have to put shields in armholes, in addition to their work of lining making. The lining makers naturally complained to their business agent. Théy have been promised additional pay, but the increase in price is far from coming. Our shop chairman, whose slugging tactics in the past largely installed him into the office thru the medium of Business Agent Spivak, is conspic- uous by not fulfilling his duties as shop chairman. When reproached for inactivity his favorite reply is, “Go to the business agent.” The same state of affairs exists in the overcoat shop No. 4 of the aforementioned firm. The Vest Shop. Industrial slavery of the lowest or- der exists also in the vest shop No. 11, located in the same building with the coat and overcoat shops. The vest mekers tell me that the ny a e of MUSE Of the mart from $30 to $35 per week pais in the case of the women workers it is even less. Their shop chairman, they say, has been pushed into ‘office because he can deliver the goods (votes) in election time. His activity as shop chairman amounts to less than noth- ing. The vest makers say that they don't even care to bring their complaints to him, for they have been convinced of his ineffectiveness to help them re- lieve their grievances. Since he was elected as union shop chairman, that is, the beginning of this year, he has not even once called a shop meeting, altho knowing full well that he is sup- posed to call a shop meeting at least once a month. B, A. Scarce. Their business agent, they "say, made it his business to appear at the shop as seldom as possible, nor does he accomplish very much when he does show his presence in the shop. The shop chairman—Tulo, is his name —was last elected as delegate to the seventh Amalgamated convention at Montreal. Upon returning he was asked what took place at that gath- ering . “Well,” he replied, “the whis- key in Montreal was excellent.” Unless the tailors in Chicago awaken, take matters into their own hands, we'll soon be deprived of all of the advantages that the Amalga- mated Union, because of its militancy in the past, has gained after long and bloody struggles. Day by day we are becoming more convinced that the tail- ors must ally themselves with the left wing movement in the Amalgamated and champion its policies. We must begin in earnest to fight for rank and file shop committees, ‘a forty-hour week, increase in wages, amalgama- tion of all the needle trades unions and a labor party. ey, Worker C 100° WORKER CORRESPONDENTS BY JANUARY 13 1927 me | WIN THESE BOOKS THIS WEEK WITH A STORY WORKER CORRESPONDENCE on conditions, wages and life of a worker—to appear in the issue of Friday, June 4, will win: ST PRIZE—“Ten Days That Shook the World,” John Reed’s famous story of the Russian revolution, with an introduction by Lenin. A new edition just issued. ND PRIZE—100%,” the story of a patriot (cloth bound)—the well- known story by Upton Sinclair, in an attractive binding, RD PRIZE—“Education In Soviet Russia,” by Scott Nearing. A new book by the author ‘of many well-known books and pamphlets. This Week’s Prize Winners! The first prize this week goes to the writer of the interesting story on conditiona in the shop of Alfred, Decker & Cohn Tailoring Co. The writer gets the book, "Whither Russia?” by Leon Trotsky, The second prize, one year subscription to the Workers Monthly, goes to the writer of “Flivver King Drives Workers; Amasses Wealth,” which appeared in the Worker Correspondence Section on Wednesday, May 26. The third prize, “The Awakening of China,” by James H. Dolsen, goes to the writer of “Henry’s Career,” a description of the “evolution” of a worker Into the ranks of the yellows. THE THIRD. PRIZE WINNER. HENRY’S CAREER By R. KATZ, (Worker Correspondent) EENRY was a modest young man and never mixed in others’ affairs. He was neatly dressed, even on small pay as a pants operator. He was not very good as a mechanic, so he usually laid low and did no kicking about the small wages. But in 1916 something happened that made Henry very ambitious. He worked at that time in Hamilton, a city in Canada which has a popula- tion of eighty thousand, There was no union of that trade in the city and an organizer was sent in by the Amal- gamated Clothing Workers to organize one. After many months of hard work the organizer succeeded in form- ing a local of a few hundred members. At first Henry was very much afraid of joining the union. “The boss would fire me as soon as I join,” he said, But after the shop where he worked signed an agreement with the union the boss stopped the power one | day and said: “All workers that 't-helong tothe union as yet must join.” So Henry became a union man. The union was composed largely of loreign-born workers, mostly Jewish, but many Polish and some Canadians. The union meeting had to be con- jucted in English, so all Could partici- pate. But since many were recent immigrants they ignored the official language. One would speak Jewish, another Polish and few would use English at all. Naturally, the organ- izer, who was the chairman of the meeting, did not understand and had a hard time trying to conduct the meeting. So he found that Henry un- derstood Jewish and Polish and he got him elected as chairman of the local, Lge Henry found himself chair- man of the union he became very ambitious and dreamed of a “career in the labor movement.” He felt sure that it would not be long until he would become a paid official and would not have to get up early in the morn- ing and go to work for $20 a week. So when Mr. Klein of the Klein Pants Shop offered to make him a sub-con- tractor over three operators he flatly refused, saying that he would not be- tray the union and sell himself for money. But time went by and Henry did not become a paid official. In fact, he was a total failure as chairman and there+ fore became greatly discouraged. One day after work the boss called him into the office and after a drink from a bottle that always stood ready in the office the boss told him he had decided to give him a chance to work himself up. He was to be made contractor over all the operators and in that way get a good start. Of course the boss had his own reasons for this. He would not stand for a union in his shop any longer, and if Henry would become contractor that would help considerably. Besides, such an able man as Henry should not have to work for $20 a week. T first Henry would not listen, al- tho he appreciated the good inten- tions of the boss, He, as chairman of the union, could not accept it. Of course if he were not chairman of the union he would gladly accept. But after a few more drinks and a little more friendly talk by the boss he was convinced that it was not such a SAHEDICAN . RKER. , CORRESPONDENT A Magazine By and for Workers in the Factories, the.Mines, the Mills and on the Land Price 5 cents Subseribe!, Only 50 Cents | Per Year! Become a Worker Correspondent! AMERICAN WORKER CORRESPONDENT, CHICAGO, ILL. sgt crime. fice his whole life for such small After all he could not sacri- wages. So the next Monday when the operators came.in to work they found that Henry, the chairman of the union, was sub-contractor. Before a week was gone everybody in the shop realized that Henry would not last. He could not get the co- operation of the operators, as much as he might try. They simply despised him, especially “David, the dreamer,” who was considered the leader of the shop. David could not forgive Henry because, while being the highest of- ficial of the union, he had sold him- self to the boss. After six weeks of struggle Henry realized it was a losing fight and quit his job. 'T was plain he could not go back to the union for a job. They would take him to the executive board of the local and there Jimie and Shapiro would ask him all kinds of disgracing questions. So after looking in vain for a non-union job, he took the train for Chicago, far away from Hamilton, where nobody would know him and where he could start anew. In Chicago he soon Jearned that the easiest way to get in right with the officials of the union and be consid- ered a “loyal and active member” is by making war on the left .wingers, shouting, “disrupters” at them in meet- ings, etc. It did not take long until Henry had a good job, a Ford car and was considered a prominent member of the Pants Makers’ Local in Chi- cago. UT once Henry got in wrong. He got a job at Alfred Decker. At first he introduced himself as an ac- tive union member and had the ambi- tion to become the shop chairman. But that did not prevent him from be- coming a good friend with the fore- man. So when the workers of his sec- tion had a fight with the foreman and the shop chairman called in the labor manager to take up with him the ques- tion of discharging the foreman for misbehavior, Henry got up and made a speech before the labor manager in favor of the foreman. That settled his “career” in that shop. The workers saw his character and Henry will soon have to look for another city to start again shouting “disrupters” at the left wingers, fest Yemnaa ragema-Kyprar ~ Ujkarckoro omaena ras. == HORI MVP The ninth number of Prolet-Tribune, the Russian living newspaper issued by the Chicago worker correspondents of the Novy Mir, will be out Sunday, June 6, at Marvel Inn Grove, Mil Waukee Ave., opposite St. Adalbert’s cometery. It will be the first summer issue of Prolet-Tribune. During the summer months the paper will be ani out- doors, There will be no special ‘adinlestons charge for the living newspaper, as it will be one of the features of the worker correspondents’ and party press builders’ picnic. The second number of the living newspaper in the English language, issued by the worker correspondents of The DAILY WORKER, will also be issued at the picnic, The general admission price 1% 50 cents. Tickets bought in advance are 40 cents. Get your tickets in advance! Ard SEND IN A SUBI The American Worker Correspond- ent is out. Did you get your copy? Hurry 3 Send in your subl it’s only 60 cents. IN A SUBL WIN RAISE IN PERTH AMBOY WITH STRIKE Mechssili Guilty of Breaking Ranks By a Worker Correspondent. PERTH AMBOY, N. J., May 26.—A three-day strike of the Raritan Copper Company's workers, involving 1,300 men, ended when.the workers decided to accept the 5 cents and hour in- crease and a weekly pay day to be paid in cash. The. workers struck for 10 cents and weekly cash pay. The strike broke out in tank house No. 2 and was soon followed by the men in all departments. The second and third shift men also struck., A meeting was helt and demands for- mulated. Learn to. Run a Strike. The men elected.a strike committee of 23 men representative of all de- partments at thig. meeting. George Pearlman, a labor Jeader of New Jer- sey, spoke at the;meeting and) the strikers elected him as chairman of their strike committee. When the strike committee met 7 Pearlman outlined; the methods of handling strikes,.putting the commit- tee wise to many sorts of tricks used by the bosses when confronting a strike committee, When the commit- tee returned from a conference with the management, the committee felt that the forewarning was the means of their getting the best of the con- ference. In the three days of strike the Rari- tan workers lost thousands of dollars. The hot copper “froze” and became a solid mass and it will take a few days before all this is broken up. Mechanics;Break Rules. The second visit,pf the strike com- mittee with the management resulted in the offer of. thej,5-cent raise and weekly pay im eagh. Previously the workers received their pay in checks twice a month. -fhe workers at a mass meeting refused to accept the 5- cent raise and ee eateratsen to re- main out until. 10.egnts was granted. But.the.mechanies, who get from 65 to 76 cents, per-hour, while the rest of the workers get only from 45 to 49 cents, were satisfied with the 5-cent raise and the following day agitated 5 cents and work, After an add the workers by Mr. Clark, the er of the plant, the mechanics broke strike solidarity and returned to work. The rest of the workers, seeing this made the sit- uation hopeless to hold for the 10 cents demand, returned. The Negro workers stayed out solidly until the last and in a body. Pearlman has prontised to organize the copper workers tad is laying plans to that end. if PESTHOLE AT FLINTKOTE CO, N. J, FACTORY 14 - Hour ‘fey. 7-Day Week in th the Dust (By R.'S. G., Worker Correspondent.) PASSAIC, N. J., May 26—The fac- tory I am working im is about the worst pesthole arownd here, barring none. I refer to the-Flintkote Roofing company of East Rutherford, N. J., which is near Passaic. It has a ‘speed-upesystem which I believe is equal to aly anywhere. The men have to work d# hours a day or a night, there being’two shifts. The pay is from 40 to 50 ents an hour. There is no lunch’ hour period, or half an hour, or any"time at all. You have to grab a bite when the boss isn’t looking or youjdon’t eat. You have to work seven’ days a week, sometimes from 14%to 16 hours with no extra pay for Sunday nor any extra pay for overtime. If any man is caught talking about the conditions under which he works he ig fired instantly. There is so much dust in the air that you have to chew tobacco to kill the taste of a mouthful of grit and mineral composition, I thoroly be- lieve in unionism, but this place could not be. changed in a hurry, Every Worker Correspondent must be a subscriber to the American Worker Correspondent. Are you one? WORKER CORRESPONDENT GLASS MEETS TUESDAY TO DISCUSS LIVE PAPER The worker correspondents’ class will meet Tuesday, June 1, at,8 p- m, at the office of The DAILY WORKER, 1113 w. Washington Bivd. The articles for the second Newspaper to be discussed. All students are requested to send In the articles as a8 possible, : among the rest for acceptance of the ; Miscellaneous pk District total ..... E New York City Gains 2 Places. Last week, New York City moved up one place. This week they gained «WO places. As we go to press City Agent L. E. Katterfeld sends a stack of Pug? Five District 13 (California) Still Leads the Race to Moscow (Quotas Up to and Including May 19) California still leads the race to Moscow. Last week they took the lead away from Detroit (District 7) and still hold it. As we go to press batches of subs have piled in from New York and Pittsburgh promising. new changes for New York. California intends to hold the lead—other districts are climb- ing. Watch the score next week. We are on the last lap of the campaign, DISTRICT 13 Percent Points of Quota Quota Secured Reached Berkeley, Calif. 4,000 © 660 Eureka, C: Los Annies, “calif. Oakland, Calif. San Francisco, San Pedro, Calif. Miscellaneous District total .... Detroit (District 2) Still Holds kiss. Thru thé activity of such Builders as Sarah Vic- tor and A. Victor of Detroit—(and Gene Bechtold of Grand Rapids who has 1290 points)—Detroit is right behind the leading district and is ‘battling for the lead. Sarah Victor leads the country in individual points scored with around 5,000 to her credit. Look out California! DISTRICT 7 Detroit, Mich. .. 7,710 14.02 Grand Rapids, Mich. 1290 18.43 10 140 3: 33 65 Miscellaneous oy District total ... 9945 14.2 Pittsburgh (District 5) Jumps Into Third! A new surprise comes from Pittsburgh. Last week in 5th place, this week they have jumped into third and a new batch of subs will put them right in the fight for leadership. A new Builder by the name of Kaspér has just sent in $35 worth of subs today. Watch Pittsburgh next week! DISTRICT 5 Ambridge, P. Avella, Pa Cannonsburgh, Pa. Daisytown, Pa McKeesport, Pi ‘9! Miscellaneous District total aE: District 15 Still Going! The Sunny South is still with us. They have lost third place and are in fourth this week but they don’t give up the ship. You'll hear from the South —just watch their score next week! DISTRICT 15 Atlanta, G 100 10. Lo 100 10. Miam 450 45, Miscellaneous 490 District total » 10,000 1,140 14 District 12 Sinlie Up! Last week the Pacific Coast (Oregon and Wash- ington) was 12th in the race. But look at them this week! up in the race. They have moved up to 5th and they are Let’s go Oregon! DISTRICT 12 Astoria, Oregon 2,000 235 11.75 Portland, Oregon 6,000 550 9.16 Seattle, Wash, 6,000 360 6. Tacoma, Wash, 1,000 20 2. subs that would choke a horse. Brother Builders, just you take a glance at this standing next week and you'll find New York near the top! to Moscow is going to be a hot one! The race DISTRICT 2 Bridgeport, Conn, Elizabeth, N. J. Hartford, Conn, Hoboken, N. J Newark, N. J. New Haven, Conn. New York City 8 BaSeegene Ss RBoR Sram veBesrus. 8883328388338 West New York, N. J. Yonk Y. Misc District total ie District 11 Stays in 7. Denver District lost a place. New York crowded them out last week. This week J. E. Snyder, who is touring for The DAILY WORKER, writes that we’ see a stack of subs this week. Come on ‘leven! 88 tenes DISTRICT 11 gg Col District total 15,000 Texas Drops 4 Plac Last week this district was fourth. But they stopped to catch their breath and four other districts Pore past them. Now they are eighth. Step on it ‘exas! 10.03 Telephone Lehigh 6022 DR. ABRAHAM MARKOFF Surgeon Dentist 249 East 115th St., Cor, Second Ave, YORK CITY Omics 9 to 1 M.; 2 to 8 P. ’, roy Briday: Sinday 9 9tol P, Members EE ‘beaoes have to Room For Rent Large, steam heated, in a new buil ing. Good transportation. Suitabl for one or two, 3458 W. Monroe Phone, Nevada 10347. FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT Modern conveniences, near Humboldt} Park, 3341 W. Division St, For ap- pointment, Phone Belmont 9252. Come to the Sacco-Vanzetti meeti @riday night, at Temple Hall, Van! Buren and Marshfield, Auspices Women's Consumers Educational League, DIRECTIONS TO THE PARK: Take North Broadway to Pasadena Avenue and drive ag far as Annandale Blvd, Follow Boulevard to Eagle Rock Park, Those who wish to go direct can take the “W"~ Eagle Rock Car and ride.to the end of the line, then walk to the park, DISTRICT 14 Clifton, Ariz, 100 El Paso, Te: 20 Ft. Worth, T 45 Houston, Tex. 30 Miami, Ariz. 100 Phoenix, Ariz. 65 Miscellaneous 625 District total ... 985 Ohio (District 6) Gains a Place. Ohio was tenth last week—but it isn’t any more. They gained another step this week and promise that in the next few weeks they are going to be up in the race. Well, well, we will see! DISTRICT 6 Akron, Ohio .. - 370 12.33 Alliance, Ohio 1000 145 014.5 Barberton, Ohio .. 1,000 90 9. Bellaire, Ohio . 1,000 100 10. Canton, Ohio 3,000 145 4.83 Cincinnati, 01 3,000 365 12.16 Cleveland, Oh 36,000 1,970 5.63 Columbus, Ohio 2,000 165 8.25 €. Liverpool, Ohio Martin's Ferry, Ohio Neffs, Ohio . Toledo, Ohio Warren, Ohio .. Youngstown, Ohio Miscellaneous .. District total . Chicago (District 8) Also Gains. Chicago is a slow starter. But they gained a place, Illinois and Wisconsin will be heard from yet or 5,000 7,260 9.68 we are bad weather prophets. Watch ’em! DISTRICT 8 90,000 7,655 8.5 2,000 200 10. 3,000 185 6.16 9,000 950 10.55 2,000 145 7.25 Madison, Ill. 1,000 45 4.5 Madison, Wis. 1,000 40 4. Milwaukee, Wis. 9,000 430 4.77 Moline, Ii. 1,000 10 % Peoria, Ill. 1,000 550 55. Rockford, ill. 3,000 20 +68 St. Louis, Mo. 7,000 360 5.14 Springfield, II 3,000 720 24, Waukegan, Ill. 4,000 325 8.12 West Allis, Wis. ... 4,000 300 75 West Frankfort, Ill. 2,000 110 5.5 Zeigler, ill. 2,000 100 5. Miscellaneous .. ssn 1,095 pane «150,000 13,240 8.83 Buffalo Loses 3 Places. Buffalo and New York state in District 4, have lost three places during last week. But they haven't lost the race. Six weeks remain to regain lost District total ... ground. Watch ’em close! DISTRICT 4 Albany, N. Y. . “6 3. Binghampton, N. Y. 145 14.5 Buftatg, 'N. vs 1,210 8.64 Pa. 1006.66 Tantei 100 5. Rochester, 'N. 'Y. 395 «6.58 Schenectady, N 120 12. Utica, N. Y. 45 45 Miscellaneous am District total ... 2,600 8.66 Boston District Stops a Little. Boston will not be lost in this race—even if they did loose 3 places last week in the race to Moscow. We believe in Boston. Come on Boston—use your beans! DISTRICT 1 Boston, Mass. Norwood, M Lawrence, Maynard, M Providence, R. Springfield, M. Worcester, M Miscellaneous District total ... lowa Gains a Place. Subs don’t grow as fast as corn in lowa. DO grow there also. But subs Iowa gained one place last week—and maybe a couple next week. We shall see! DISTRICT 10 Sioux City, lowa 10 3 Miscellaneous .. District total .. District 3 Stands Still. Philadelphia and the territory around it is in @ slump. A new DAILY WORKER agent promises action at once and Philadelphia will be up and at ‘em P. D. Q. So they tell us, anyway! DISTRICT 3 Baltimore, Md. Camden, N. J. Philadelphia, P. Richmond, Va Washington, ¥ ‘Wilmington, Del, .... MISCeNAMCOUS croveeseseser District total .. 50,000 Minnesota (District 9) Also Minnesota is in the hole for another week. Crawl out comrades—get some action! DISTRICT 9 Ashland, W Duluth, Mini Minneapolis, Minn. Minn, Miscellaneous District total LOS ANGELES FIRST SUMMER OUTING Sunday, June 6, 1926 EAGLE ROCK PARK GOOD AMUSEMENTS AND GAMES Tickets, including round trip, 50c—Busses leave Brooklyn and Mott and 6th and L. A. Sts. 8:30 p. m. Don’t take your lunch with you. We will serve plate lunch and refreshments.