The Daily Worker Newspaper, August 3, 1926, Page 2

Page Two cs THE DAILY WORKER : GO SLOWLY ON CONTRACTS IN N.Y. MARKET Garment Strikers Hold Jobbers to Account (Special to The Daily Worker) NEW YORK CITY, Aug. 1.—A total of 30 garment manufacturers have set- tled to date with the Cloakmakers’ Union Joint board on union terms, it was announced at the offices of the Joint board. However, despite 200 ap- plications from manufacturers and jobbers, David Dubinsky, secretary of the strike settlement committee, warn- ed that not more than 50 agreements are likely to be concluded from the applications In hand, because there is Mo evidence that the remainder can give adequate guarantees of living up to unien conditions. \ Must Alm at Jobbers. Louis Hyman, chairman of the Gen- eral Strike Committee, speaking to hundreds of striking shop chairmen at Webster Hall warned against precipi- tating settlements with manufacturers who are under the suspicion of giv- ing a considerable portion of their work to jobbers not responsible to the union. He declared that the pur- poses of the strike will not be lost if jobbers, not yet brought to account, can obtain surreptitiously some of their work from independent manu- facturers. “It is not to the union’s advantage to settle with any manufacturers about whom we have the slightest suspicion of donbt. We therefore must ask you to inform your workers not to press for individual settlements and so ob scure the main issues of the strike. We must, and we are able, to show the jobbers that they can get no work Gone either in New York or out of town. Then they will have to treat with us, whether they like it or not.” Close Out of Town Shops. Despite frequent arrests out of town, the strikers’ outof-town committee, thru Jacob Halpern, chairman, is able to report that hardly does a non-union shop attempt to rear its head that it is promptly shut down. Six pickets were arrested in Morristown, N. J., and fined §2 a piece, but not until a shop had been closed down. Three strikers were arrested in Orange, but a shop there was closed, Another shop was shut down in New Brunswick. As a result of union activities there, four men were arrested and held for the grand jury, charges of assault being branded as absurd. A shop was closed in Summit. It is generally admitted in the gar- ment industry that the success of the union in preventing the operation of mushroom shops outside Greater New York will be the greatest determining factor in bringing the jobbers, who control 75 per cent of the industry, to terms. Their ability to get work done at this time is almost negligible, according to Mr. Hyman. Contest Injunctions. The general strike committee met at Manhattan Lyceum and put the fin- ishing touches to the text of the pro- posed agreement with jobbers. Coun- sel for the union will appear in the supreme court to fight making perma- nent an injunction obtained by the manufacturers to prevent alleged in- timidation of non-union designers. This will be in the nature of a test case, since it involved the right of picketing and of peaceful persuasion to join the union. Herrin Coal Mines Resume Operation HERRIN, Ill, August 1—For the first time since March 30 last, every operating mine in the vicinity of Her- rin was working today. A report from a railroad office here indicated the coal business has in- creased 25% in the past ten days and officials anticipate a similar advance- ment in the next ten days. The Bobby Dick Mine which has not been in oper- ation for several months will resume activities next Monday, employing sev- eral hundred men. There are plenty of unemployed workers in Herrin to meet the demand for men. MEXICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR AND CALLES MAKE DECLARATIONS INWAR WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH FITZ WANT T0 against the catholic church, lows: “The challenge of the church was made just at a time when questions were arising of an international char- acter which were defining whether Mexico was a sovereign country or not. (The president presumably was referring to the oil-land legislation.) Clergy Declares War, “At such a time the clergy threw its challenge to the government, mak- ing declarations to the reactionary press of the capital that they did not recognize the general constitution of the Mexican republic and ordering all their supporters to disobey and fight the constitution. “The clergy stated in its declara- tion that the religious clauses in the constitution were a hindrance to Mexico, an abuse, and should not be obeyed. In the face of -this attitude the government had to fight, accord- ing to law, and with right and jus- tice, this high-handed attitude of the clergy. The result of this strife you already know. We are seeing it thru. It is a struggle of darkness against light.” Labor's Pledge. The declaration of the Mexican Fed- eration of Labor to President Calles follows: “We notify you that we are ready to defend the revolutionary principles with our lives. Clear Cut Issue. “Only one thing’ does organized la- bor demand of you, which is that the situation be made clear in order to be able to fight the enemy face to face and in the open; that you expel from your administratoin the sectar- lan elements which have always hin- dered the energetic work of the revo- lutionary government, in order that in this supreme movement every one may group about his colors.” The statement declared that during past Mexican history, iron-handed dic- tatorship had drowned in blood at- tempts gf the workmen to free them- selves. It ¢ontinued: Fight Ignorance. “The government is attempting to end the ignorance of Mexican work- men resulting from thirty years of tyranny and ten years of revolution. It is this ignorance which the clergy is attempting to use by fixing in the minds of our comrades and our peo- ple generally the belief that religion and the clergy are one and the same thing. You have shown, as we show, profound respect for all religious creeds; but we are opposed to pro- fanation of the spiritualism within a@ religion by using it as weapon to destroy the revolutionary conquest of the people. Ready to Give Blood. “Therefore the proletariat offers you its enthusiastic support, notifying you that in this historic moment you are not alone but that organized labor of Mexico is with you and does not hesitate to offer you is blood to save teh revolution.” Linemen and Truck Drivers Join Hands in Fight on Bosses BOSTON, Aug. 1.—Electric linemen and companion truck drivers are strik- Ing against the George W. Ellis Co., Inc., for its failure to sign the old wage and working agreement with Local No, 14, International Brother- hood of Electrical Workers. The work- ers have charge of the electric light and power lines in 12 cities and towns outside of Boston as well as of the Boston Edison Company, | The Ellis firm is successor to the former contractor, Fred T. Ley Co., with which the union had had an agreement for years, The refusal of the Ellis concern to sign with the union came as a surprise. The men get 95 cents an hour for hazardous skilled work, while Boston building trades workers get $1.25 up per hour. The 26 truck drivers, who struck with the 103 linemen, are members of the teamsters’ local. WEST VIRGINIA JUDGE DEALS OUT SENTENCES TO STRIKING MINERS +4 MORGANTOWN, W. Va., Aug. 1.—The strike in Scott's Run continues despite injunctions and arrests of union officials and pickets, “Injunction Judge” I, G. Lazzelle sent The infamous enced Sanford Synder and Ish Barnes, {international representatives of the United Mine Workers of Americu in the Scott's Run region, to 30 days in Jail and $200 fine each. servicse in front of the Gilbert- Three miners were given @ 8eN-pavis mines which is “protected” by tence of ten days and $50 fine each and two women pickets were given a fine of $50 each, A motion for an arrest of judgment until appeal is taken was refused by the court, The case was appealed to the state supreme court of appeals and an order waa issued by this court for the immediate release of the five men on bail of $1,000 each, Religious Service. The continues all along “the line, An attempt to hold religious ft RY pare ao the injunction of Judge Lazzelle* was not allowed. by the sheriff, To Issue Paper. While the representatives of the U. M. W. A, were placed behind bars for violating the injunction, arrange- ments were made by the union to con- duct the union affairs from the jail. At the same time all arrangements are completed for the issuance of a four. page newspaper, called the Union Miner, devoted especially to the in- terests of the strike, —— (Special to The Daily Worker) MEXICO CITY, Aug. 1—A committee from ‘the Mexican Federation of Labor (C. R, 0, M.) visited the official residence of President Calles today and pledged the solidarity of labor's forces to the government in its fight The president answered the labor declaration with a statement that in part fol-+ CHURCH IN MEXICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN AGENT OF WORST REACTION While the surface Indications ot the present controversy in Mexico between the church and the state ap- pear to be of a strictly relfgious na- ture, the fact Is that, at bottom, it Is a political struggle between two op- posed economic groups. The church, for centuries itself an oppressive landholder, has always defended the interests of the exploiting land own- ers. Latterly, it has used its pollt- ical power in the interests of intrigue ing foreign groups who sought a grip on Mexico’s valuable natural re- sources. Following the defeat of the reac- tionary Huerta, who was supportea by the church, the constitution of 1917 was enacted which declared that the educational institutions of Mexico shall be under the control of the state and not the church and that only native Mexicans can ad- minister the duties of the clergy. But these régulations were not en- forced until this year when the church itself precipitated the strug- gle by numerous attacks upon the constitution. Thus followed the de- crees of the government enforcing the constitutional provisions. The church then declared the economia boycott which Is in the nature of a reactionary political strike against the Mexican government. The forces opposed to the church are the rising young Mexican indus- trialists who are fighting foreign im- perialism and the labor movement which has countered the catholic move by declaring a political strike of its own on Sunday. MILL STRIKERS WANT TO UNITE WITH A. F, OF L, PASSAIC, Aug. 1.—Passaic police arrested Albert Weisbord, organizer of the United Front Committee of Textile Workers, for carrying a pocket knife. Police claimed he was “carrying a con- cealed weapon.” His aid, Michael Grabinsky, was arrested in his ma- chine “for obstructing traffic,” and an- other strike leader, Jack Rubinstein, Was again arrested “for disorderly conduct.” The strike heads had come from a mass meeting at which Weisbord told of his visit to Senator Borah and said that he would withdraw if his pres- ence blocked negotiations. He de- clared that the strikers “unqualifiedly desire to associate with” the American Federation of Labor.” Demand Recall, The Associated Societies and Par- ishes of Passaic, catholic organiza- tions, are seeking the recall of Mayor John H, McGuire and Police Commis- sioner Abram Preiskel as responsible for attacks of Passaic police not only on strikers but on outside visitors. The brutal beating of New York tur workers brought the situation to a head for the societies, “ee Slave Stealing Charged. NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Aug. 1.— Attempts of Passaic woolen mills, where workers have been on strike for six months, to recruit other work- ers in Massachusetts mill areas are being investigated by the state board of labor and industry, Massachusetts agents have talked to mill workers who were falsely induced to go to the New Jersey mills. Work- ers were told that $50 a week was the guaranteed pay in the mills, Run Away from Mills, Workers say that they were not told of strike conditions and in many cases were told that the mill was “in Long Island.” None knew until they arrived in Passaic and were force? to eat, sleep and work in the factory that they were brought to to serve as strikebreakers, They refused to be such and were left stranded by the mill agents, In some cases the Massachusetts work- ers went to the United Front Com- mittee in Passaic for aid in getting back to their homes. PASSAIC TEXTILE STRIKERS GET $4,000 OF NEW YORK FURRIERS PASSAIC, N. J. Aug, 1. — The New York Furriers’ Union has, turned in @ check for $4,000 as the first installment on the $12,000 the union is raising thru a membership tax for Passaic strike relief, Five thousand dollars have also been received from the Emergency Committee for Strikers’ Relief, of which Mrs, Clarina Michelaon is the secretary, of we NOCKELS AND RUN THE JAIL Better Than Fighting Against Injunctions (By Our Untiring Reporter.) The half a dozen members of the 1, L. G. W. U., who are ‘still in the county jail because they violated an anti-picketing injunction, have the chance of a life-time if they only knew it. They may be Invited/By a harassed Judge to run the county jail. Perhaps it never océurred to the girls, but they were too busy fighting to do much thinking, Somebody once said that history left the fighting to the fools. Never Too Late to Learn. - Therefore Edward Nockels and John Fitzpatrick, who began to read history recently have a lot of time to devote to thinking. Those two very much “ ten a ae abt atte abused labor leaders were recently taken to task at a federation meeting for not doing anything to help the jailed pickets, other than asking their friend Len Small for a pardon. Stung by the taunt, John and Ed swung around in their battered swivel chairs like two gigantic weather vanes, Time for Action, Said John to Ed: “The reds will have us ‘in red’ politically unless we do something for those pickets.” “Tl fight them in couples,” growled Ed. “They’re no good anyhow. They can’t fight. If I was a young man—” David Stopped Goliath, “Now can that stuff,” replied John. “Do you remember the day ‘Big’ Fitchie walked across the room at the federation meeting wanting to know who said, ‘Sit down, you big stiff’? And little Walt of the iron workers, who never opened his bazoo until then, piped up and said, ‘I said it, you big bum. What are you going to do about it?” And Fitchie sat down. Ed, that kind of stuff doesn’t work as it used to in the days of old Skinny Madden. Brains is what counts today. Put on your hat and do a little thinking.” Ed Ran Into an Idea, There was silence for a few minutes. Ed was reading his favorite daily paper, the Chicago Tribune, “TI have it,” he said. “They’re look- ing for a gang to run the county jail. Suppose we demand that the I. L. G. W. U. pickets be haQded the job. This will save our hidps from the reds. Surely they can) expect any more than that from us, He Saved the Day, “Good bye, Ed,” chuckled John. “Only for you I wouldn’t know what to do, You are @ genius. Sit down and write a letter to Judge Jack Mc- Goorty.” Ed got busy and this is! part of what resulted: “May we ask, judge, when appoint- ing an advisory committee on jail con- ditions, etc., why the class distine- tion? Why highbrows and _intel- lectuals? Why bankers? Why a direc- tor of a self-constituted so-called crime commission? “The Chicago Federation of Labor, representing the labor movement of this city, is an honest-to-god civic or- ganization not organized for profit, a human and humane institution of the working people. And we have quite a few men and women prisoners in the county jail because of the illegal abuse of the injunction by some of our judges in industrial disputes, “Therefore we suggest that these folks with the experience of the coun- ty jail, who are there because they are poor, be substituted for some of those on your advisory committee.” Chicago Nuclei Elect Delegates for Nomination Conference The Workers (Communist) Party nomination conference ‘will be held Tuesday, Aug. 10, 7 p, m., at the North Side Turner Hall, 820 N. Clark St., to nominate the party ticket for the state and county ballots for the November elections, The conference will also consider the organization of the election campaign andthe adop- tion of an election platform. Chicago nuclei should each sendtwo delegates to this conference. The cities in the northern part of the state having par- ty units will also send delegates. A separate conference ig being held down state. Grand Jury Ready to Act on Church Death FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 1. — Its investigation complete, the Tar- rant county grand jury was ready to vote today on the question of laying a formal charge of murder against Rey. J, Frank Norris, fundamentalist leader who shot and killed D. B. Chipps, prominent lumber broker and clubman, in the pastor's study of the First Baptist Church here July 17. Should the grand jury accept Nor- ris' sworn statement that he shot in self-defense, the pastor Would be freed Immediately from the )$10,000 bond under which he has bgen at liberty since the killing, ase Workers Will jude the Socialist Party on Its United Front Position By J. LOUIS ENGDAHL. | UTSIDE a few favored spots over the nation, there isn’t much or- ganized material with which to build the United labor front against the capitalist parties for this year’s con- gressional elections. Thus the organizations that do exist stand more glaringly in the limelight and their activities re- ceive closer scrutiny, Ce oe. 3 If there existed a Labor Party with masses attached to it, the pres- ence of the socialist party, for in- stance, in the political arena would receive but little notice, Whether the socialist party joined in the united front or evaded it would then be only’a passing, unimportant. phenomena. But since the forces building for 2 SSF Ie arte SBR ne Se a OD Ae AT SS ES independent political action of the workers and farmers are weak and scattered, those forces that dodge or evade the struggle necessarily subject themselves to denunciation by and ostracism from the work- ing class movement, “ee In very few states does the social- ist party even give an ear to the demand for the United Front of La- bor for the fall elections, The state of California is one of the few exceptions. In the Pacific coast state the socialist party has at least answered the appeal of the Workers (Communist) Party for the placing of a United Labor Ticket in the field. This indicates that there is a little ferment within the social- ist ranks against the recent Pitts- burgh national convention edict of the socialist party against all such United Front actions with Commun- ists, The disappointment, of course, comes in the very clear con¥ession of the socialists, contained in this letter, that in California as else- where, the socialists have learned nothing and forgotten nothing. The Socialists still stand, after seven years, at their Armageddon of those August days in 1919, when the Com- munist forces in America left the socialist ranks and built their own party, the American section of the Communist Jnternational. Instead of joining with all other labor elements to fight for certain immediate interests of the workers and farmers, the socialists revive their old attacks on the Commun- ists and demand that the Commun- ists surrender their principles and return to an acceptance of the so- cialist reformism—which is not so- cialism—against which they rebel- ed years ago. It is easily understood how the two signatories to the California so- cialists’ letter, Cameron H. King, State chairman, and Lena Morrow Lewis, state scere , cling to such illusions, They play the role of so- cialist officials in all countries, who combat Jabor’s United Front ac- tivities. But it is difficult to un- derstand how Upton Sinclair, select- ed as the socialist candidate for gov- ernor, can feel himself serving the working class thru imbibing such moonshine. eee It is hoped that the California socialists will carefully study the reply of the Executive Committee of District No. 18, of the Workers (Communist) Party, published in last Saturday's issue of The DAILY WORKER. That letter is written to meet the situation that hag arisen in California, but it applies equally well to the whole nation. It is a statement of the Communist position that rank and file workers should be able to understand, even if so- cialist party officials, who claim to have been in the revolutionary movement for a score and more of years, fail to grasp its meaning. ie te California is a plague spot of cap- italism. Labor is practically outlaw- ed under a dastardly state criminal syndicalist law. Courageous spokes- man of the workers sit in prison. Capitalist interests are busy plun- dering the subject working class everywhere, The capitalist robber never rests, The Communists, in this crisis, call for a fight to repeal the state criminal syndicalist law, a fight against the use of injunctions in la- bor disputes, a fight against anti- Picketing laws, against military training ‘in the schools, against the plundering of the water power of ‘the state, and a struggle for the re- lief of the farmers and the improve- ment of the working conditiogs of the badly exploited Mexican and Negro workers, ae eS Cameron King, Lena Morrow Lewis and Upton Sinclair will be compelled to answer for themselves and for the socialist party if they reject the United Front demand to develop the solidarity of the work- ers and farmers for this very neces- sary struggle. Technical quibbles will not avail, ¥ Belief in the proletarian dictator- ship, the Soviet power, the Bol- shevik overthrow of the capitalist state, Communist criticism of so- cialists and the nature of Com- munist activities in the trade unions, are not at issue in the plac- ing of a United Labor Ticket in the field in California. Communists cer- tainly intend to remain loyal to their principles. Workers who do not ac- cept those principles will remain outside the Communist Party..Some of them may remain in the social- ist party. When workers discover that Communist principles offer them the only escape from their present difficulties, then they will consider joining the Communist Party. But that is ‘not the im- mediate problem, ns @ The problem right now 1s the building of a United Front of la- bor to fight the very evident unity of the employing class in California, There is yet time for the Cali- fornia socialists to accept the Com- munist proposal for solidarity un- der the standards of a United La- bor Ticket on the basis clearly and definitely outlined. The socialists must make their decision in full view of the whole California work- ing class, INSULL WILL BE ASKED WHY HE GAVE COIN (Continued from page 1) Chicago Fedération of Labor does not increase the equanimity of Fitzpatrick and Nockels, Surely they cannot blame the Communists for the investigation or accuse them of having inveigled them into endorsing Frank L. Smith, the chosen son of Samuel Ingull, Will Fitzpatrick and Nockels repudi- ate their endorsement of Frank L. Smith, since they must know by now that his campaign was so heavily eub- sidized by the public utility barons? And if they repudiate Smith who will they endorse? Or, will they turn their backs on their recent past, and decide that after all, they were right when fighting for a labor party even against overwhelming odds? That they owe an explanation to the labor movement is beyond question, Washed His Hands Like Pilate, According to news reports . when Fitzpatrick was asked for comment on the slush fund exposure he said; “You know well that the Chicago Federa- tion of Labor is not mixed up in such procedure, The thing is so entirely remote from our organization that I care to say nothing.” So remote! It should not be forgot- ten that the Chicago Federation of Labor endorsed Smith, Send a sub now and get the spe- cial rate of five dollars for a year’s subscription and the pleasure of help Our, Daily, - ~ we Passaic, New Jersey, Strikers Are Urged to Join the A. F. of L. (Continued from page 1) ing me back talk,” declared the uni- formed thug. On the way to the station the cop thought of another bright idea, When they arrived at the station Weisbord was accused of another charge—that of carrying concealed weapens, A huge bologna knife, which the cop produced from his own pocket, was declared to be the property of Weis- bord, Even the sergeant looked skep- tical and released the strike leader on $25 bail. The police court judge was very grave the next day. He ex- acted a $200 bail and held Weisbord for the grand jury on this charge, New York Central R. R. Moves for Big Merger A * with Midwestern Lines WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-—Another big railroad consolidation was sub- mitted to the interstate commerce commission today for approval. The New York Central asked for authority to acquire contral by lease for 99 years of the Cleveland, Cincin- nati, Chicago and St, Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four system, the Michigan Central, and the Chicago, Kalamazoo and Saginaw Railroad, At the same time the Big Four asked to acquire by lease for 99 years the Cincinnati Northern and the Evansville, Indianapolis and Terre Haute Railroad, SEND IN YOUR SUB TO THE DAILY, WORKER! hn Pilar Sea. CHICAGO LABOR RADIO REPORT MADE TO C.F.L; Get Letter of Warning from K. K. K. The Chicago Federation of Labor heard a report by Ed Nockels, secre- tary, on its new radio station, WCFL, recently set up at Municipal Pier. The federation broadcasts speeches and an- nouncements from 6 to 7 p. m, every evening. From 10 to 11:30 p. m, the Municipal Pier jazz band takes the microphone, A letter was received from persons signing themselves, R. K. K. K., pre- sumably a sort of radio ku klu klux, warning station WCFL to sign off at 7p. m. every Monday night so as not to interfere with the program. of WEAF, New York station of the Radio Corporation of America. The letter, of course, was ignored. 85,000 Pay Per Capita, The radio report concluded with the news that 85,000 members of the fed- eration had paid their per capita tax for the radio station. This amounts to 25 cents per quarter, or $2 over a pe- riod of two years, The grievance committee reported that an effort to get the Grand Rapids Furniture Co., of 239 Wabash avenue, to observe night closing in their store had been made with no success. The committee that visited the manager to protest about the six nights a week ob- served by the store for lengthening the business hours was told to get out, Furniture Union Fights. The fight against the company is be- ing waged by the Furniture Salesmen’s Union, which has many men working in the Wabash avenue furniture dis- trict. The union label committee an- nounced that the Chicago Federation of Labor would take part in the na- tional union label drive being made by the American Federation of Labor, The drive will be in progress from August 29 to September 3 and dur- ing those days union labor will agitate for the purchase of only label goods. CATHOLICS RIOT AS CALLES RULE SHUTS CHURCHES (Continued from page 1) day, business does not show the sharp decline that was anticipated. Three sets of. directors have now been ar- rested in the offices of the League for the Defense of Religious Liberty, which initiated the boycott and the league is consequently proceeding in its activity with much more caution. For several days before the churches were abandoned by the clergy, thou- sands and thousands of worshippers jammed into the structures to have their children baptized or confirmed and many marriage ceremonies have been enacted, In Mexico City the crowds were so dense in the larger churches that red cross stations were established to take care of the suf- ferers from the congestion. Many babies and smaller children almost died in the crush and stifling air of the churches. Plot Thwarted, A plot against the life of President Calles has been discovered and a group of nine persons, including six women, were arrested in a fashionable section of the city in connection with the affair. i eee Report Revolution Brewing. SAN ANTONIO, Tex., Aug. 1. — Rumors are rife here of counter-revo- lutionary movements being started along the Mexican border. There are wild stories of General Obregon mak- ing preparations to lead an army against the Calles forces in an attempt to overthrow the present government by taking advantage of the present controversy and espousing the catholic cause to accomplish the coup. There are many refugee Mexicans here, for- mer leaders of reactionary parties, who are anxious to have a chance of regaining their lost power. Among them is Adolph de 1a Huerta, who fail- ed in @ movement two years ago. . Arms Question Up, WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.—Secretary of State Kellogg is know to have re- ceived demands from arms manufac- turers for months past, to lift the em- bargo on shipment of arms to Mexico. Fresh demands and pressure have fol- lowed the recent crisis in Mexico, It is known also that demands are pouring dn from catholic sources ask- ing the state department to address ° a note to the Mexican government protesting against the anti-religious laws, The precedent cited as grounds for this action is the note sent by Kel- loge in protest against anti-alien ot! and land laws. The state department is still considering the question of the arms embargo and no decision has yet been reached, Severe Earthquake in Channel, ST. HELIER, Jersey, Channe} Island, Aug. 1.—Severe earthquake today shook the Isle of Jersey. Buildings in St. Heller rocked to and fro for several seconds. Many chimneys tumbled down, No casualties were reported, ‘The earthquake was the most severe ever experienced in Jersey, Hi . anmavntlithaltig A