The Daily Worker Newspaper, November 9, 1926, Page 5

ETS, ee ev a I 2 MEN RC SERN ASN bts WA RGM EN ORK Organized Labor—Trade Union A | SEASONAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS News and Comment Labor Education Labor and Government Trade Union Politics FIVE HUNDRED MINERS ATTEND BROPHY MEETING Vote to Support the Op- position Slate LUZERNE, | Pa., Nov. 7——Five hun- dred miners of Old Forge were in at- endance at tha me of the Brophy lection campaign; committee here a yw days ago, Aq many more would have been present if the weather were not as bad as it,was. The meet- ing was spirited thruout, and for once the U. M. W. A. field workers failed to break up an opposition meeting. Tony Panne, district organizer of the U. M. W. A. with several others bench- men of Cappellini conferred with the Burgess and sought to have the meet- ing stopped. The burgess, on the other hand, remembered that Panne did everything he possibly could to defeat him (the burgess) at the last election and so did not seem very receptive to Mr. | Panne’s proposals and refused to in- terfere with the meeting. Failing to have the burgess stop the meeting, |Mr. Panne thought he would do it himself by taking into the meeting a group of paid sluggers. The speakers were Patrick Toohey, A. Organti (in Italian), a Polish speak- er, and Alex Campbell, ex-internation- al board member of District No, 1, 4 who was reelected at the last elec- tion, but counted out by the Cappellini tellers in favor of Brislin, the machine Mman, Toohey Chief Speaker. Toohey spoke in detail on the pro- gram of the opposition, being the prin- cipal speaker of the meeting. Re | viewing the tremendous loss of mem- {bership, the rise in the averages of fon production, he stated it was neecs- } the noa-union production over the un- & i | sary that every coal miner in America | be organized before the safety of the United Mine Workers of America could be assured. Speaking in detail, the program of the opposition, organi- )zation of the unorganized, nationaliza- tion of mines, a labor party, reinstate- ment of all expelled members, national agreements covering the anthracite and soft coal regions in order to elimi- nate the scabbery now prevalent, the election of all organizers, field work- ers and éther employes of the union which would eliminate the basis of the machine building and political gum- shoeing in the organization, were some of the important points covered, Where Is Check-Off? The. speaker took up the anthracite situation, the demands of the tri-dis- trict convention, and the results of the six-months’ strike. The ques’ was raised where is the check-off which the administration assured the miners was won? Where was the 10 per cent increase for contract’ miners and the $100 day increase for all day men employed in and around the mines? Where was the two-year contract with the recognition of the union, the ton- nage issue, the question of increase in prices for rock and deadwork, and many other things the miners fought for? Quoting from the anthracite agree- ment it was shown explicitly. where the anthracite mine workers, thru their leaders, are working under a contract saturated and reeking with arbitra- tion, despite the many and emphatic assertions of the administration that no arbitration would be tolerated, It was brought out that the only thing which will save'the miners’ un- . fon from complete extinction is the re- pudiation of Lewis leadership and the election the opposition slate who are pledged to the program which will solve the ills of the industry and of the organization, Threatened Violence, Mr. Panne, who was present, ap- peared to resent the remarks of the speaker, He was given the floor to | ADD TO NUMBER QF WORKERS IN ILLINOIS AND NEW YORK PLANTS By LELAND OLDS, Federated Press, Factory employment in Illinois rose 2.2 per cent during September and reached the highest point since May, time in 1925. the average of the year 1922, which is numbers. and 6 per cent above the September figure in elther 1924 or 1925, but is still 5% per cent below September, 1923, The free employment offices placed more applicants in September than in any other month since the service was inaugurated. were still more workers looking for jobs than jobs available. . The official ration for the month was 123 appli- cants for each 100 jobs, ‘ Big Gaing Seasonal. Changes in a majority of the indus- tries were small, the big gains being cent, candy factories by 43.7 per cent, firms making miscellaneous leather goods by 137.5 and manufacturers of fur goods by 45.5 per cent. The fron and steel industry added 12 per cent to the number of its em- ployes, but car building plants laid off 4.9 per cent and automobile factories 2 per cent of their workers. The tex- tile industry showed a gain of 1.3 per cent. Garment Trades Lower. The garment trades alone of the nine major industrial groups show em- ployment below the level of Septem- ber, 1925. Altogether there are about 6%% fewer workers with jobs than a year ago. During September, men’s clothing firms laid off 5.2 per cent of their employes but the decline in em- Ployment in women’s clothing halted with a gain of 88'per cent over Au- gust. Reports from the coal mines indi- cate continued improvement, Accord- ing to tle .statement: “Announce- ments came to the department of 11 mines to resume operations within a, of the state department of labor. With the winter just a little way off, says the report, 37,000 more persons are drawing pay at the factories than at this The employment level in Illinois factories is now about 3 per cent above It is between 5 per cent+ In spite of this, there} seasonal. Among these the canneries | increased their forces by 288.1 per) 1924, according to the monthly report used as a base in computing the index short time, Current reports. of the U. S, bureau of mines show that dur- ing the weeks of August 28 and Sep- | tember 4, Illinois ranked third in the} production of soft coal and lost this | place to Kentucky in the week of} September 11 by a bare 4,000 tons. | Mines reporting regularly to the de-| partment showed an increase of 2 per | ctivities | Polictes and Programs The Trade Union Press Strikes—Injunctions Labor and Imperialism COAL BARONS DO NOT WANT INVESTIGATION The Less Interference the Better, -They Say (Special to The Daily Worker) VASHINGTON-“Protest against a Proposal that the federal government investigate the facts as to investment, |cent in the number of men employed. | While this increase is not as great as | lin August when 12.7 per cent more | men were taken on, it yet denotes an | increasing activity at the mines that | |were opened some time ago, Corrob- | oration of this fact is seen in the in-| crease of 12.5 per cent in wage pay-| ments to miners during the month,” | $4.6 | New York Employment Gains. | Factories in New York state added | 2% per cent to the number of em- g2loyes on their payrolls in September, according to the monthly report of the state industrial commissioner. Em- ployment is now at the same level as in September, 1925. Between March and the low point of the year New York factories laid off approximately 83,000 workers. Since July about 40,000 have resigned their jobs, The September report features the unusually large gain in the clothing industry, in part seasonal and in part due to settlements by individual shops involved in the strike of the ladies’ clothing, workers. Altogether the needle trades added about 10 per cent to the number of workers employed. Other important ghanges were gains of 4 per cent in the steel mills and 2 per cent in automobile factories, and an 8 per cent layoff by’railroad equip- ment shops. ACCIDENTS TO CHILDREN SPUR INVESTIGATION Compensation Laws Do Not Deter Injuries NEW YORK—(FP) —A nationat survey of accidents to child workers has been started by the National Con- sumers league in the belief that this is one of the most important pieccs of work the organization has under- taken, The Eastern Pennsylvania league studied accidents to working children in 1924-25, with co-operation of the Pennsylvania state labor department. It was found that in-one year 8,746 children were disabled in industrial accidents; 56 of these children were killed; 152 injuries resulted in ampu- tation. te Many injuries, technically called temporary disabilities, did in fact, the league declares, weaken the child permanently, on his very entrance in- to industry. From a preliminary survey of re- cent publications of the federal Chil- dren’s bureau, New York Bureau ot Women and Children in Industry, and official reports of Wisconsin and IIli- nois, it is all too evident, says: the league, that children in industry are not really compensated and that the cost of compensation is not assuring such greatly increased safety for them as generally assumed. Lack Information. There, is a dearth of information of accidents to working children, the ‘league finds. It is the purpose of the league’s national survey to dig out the facts. Pennsylvania's labor department revised its record keep- chew the rag as long as he wanted and he did it to perfection, The longer he spoke the more of an ass he made of- himself. Stating openly to the audience that he would stand for no criticism, he turned to Toohey and said, “If you criticize me, and I am an organizer, I'll riddle you.” Upon being invited by Toohey to start “riddling,” Mr, Panne changed his mind and thereupon proceeded to make a fool of himself by attempting to defend Cap- pellini and Lewis, Under discussion, Pane was “panned” by the rank and filers fer his conduct in the Pennsyl- the Pittston strike, and his accepting a job as organizer from Cappellini after he had fought) ‘cappettint as a “betrayer” for months, A motion was adopted and unanimous- ly carried to support the opposition ticket, Mr. Panne voting “No” alone, but we don’t consider him. —_——___—_— GINSBERG’S - Vegetarian Restaurant _ 2324-26 Brooklyn Avenue, Mila aimee ap, ing methods after the 1924-25 study. Now the-nature and cause of all acci- dents, especially those to minors, will be accessible. The Ohio Consumers League, co-op- erating with the State Industria. Commission, is working on a simliar study to the one done in Pennsyl- vania, Open Workers’ Home in Passaic, Nov. 13 PASSAIC, N. ‘J., Nov. 7.—The new Workers’ Home in Passaic will have its offcial opening Saturday night, /Nov. 18. A building in 27 Dayton ‘Ave. with a large hall and several meeting rooms, it will be a real home for all class-conscious workers. It’ will house the Workers’ School, the I. L. D. branches, the Women's Councils, the youth and children organizations, 4 place where workers of all nation- to The DAILY one month to the mombors of your union is a good +. TEACHERS HELD: FROM PROMOTION ACCOUNT IDEAS Committee of 100 Faces New York Board (Special to The Daily Worker) NEW YORK, Nov, 7.—To fight ac- tion of the board of superintendents of the public schools in denying pro- motion to three members of the teach- ers’ union because of “radical ideas,” a citizens’ committee of 100 has been formed. The teachers who are dis- criminated against are\Dr. Abraham Lefkowitz, teacher in history in the High School of Commerce; Dr! Jesse Wallace Hughan, teacher of English in Textile High School, and Ruth Gil- lette Hardy, head of the department of economics in the Girls’ High School, Brooklyn, Called Reds. All had qualifications for promo- tion, but this was denied them. It is charged that Dr. Lefkowitz was kept from promotion because he was to be a Communist. Dr, Hughan was pre- vented from being promoted formally to head of the department and receiv- ing proportionate pay, altho she was acting head, because she was identi- fied wwith the socialist party, it is said, Miss Hardy, it was revealed, was held back because of a letter she wrote to a@ newspaper which did not meet with the “approval” of the board, Included on the committee are: Dr, George A, Coe, director of religious education, Teachers’ College; Prof. G, Bonser, Prof. John Dewey, Dr. John Elliot, Prof, Franklin H, Giddings, Dr, S. S, Goldwater, Rev. Percey Stick- ney Grant, Arthur Garfield Hays, Rey, John H. Holmes, Christopher Morley, Joseph P. Ryan, president Central Trades and Labor Council; John Sul- \ivan, president New York Federation of Labor; Mrs, Maud Swartz, vice- president Women's Trade Union Label League; Rabbi Stephen S, Wise and L, Hollingsworth Wood. — Barbers’ Local 657 Honors ’Gene Debs BROOKLYN, N. ¥., Nov.’7. — The Journeymen Barbers’, International Union, Local 657, of Brownsville, at its special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 26, passed the following resolution upon the death of Eugene V. Debs: Whereas, Mr. Debs inspired and ed- ucated workers all over the world with his consistent and militant stand against war and all other evils, and Wh Mr, Debs served, for a tury, our labor and socialist "We promise to follow the of our late ‘beloved ‘leader, striking weavers who left on the I operating costs, marketing efficiency and profits of the coal industry is made in 4 long editorial in the Amer- ican Mining Congress Journal, pub- lished by the American Mining Con- gress in Washington. The investigation is suggested in the Journal’s own ‘pages in an article by Samuel A. Taylor, president of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engiheers. He asks that a governmental fact-finding agency be set up under the direction of the De- partment of Commerce, “clothed with authority to secure coal information.” Denies. Coal Monopoly, In substance, the Journal denies that there is a coal monopoly, and urges that the coal industry be given “the same privilege now given to agricul- ture and labor—such an exemption from the Sherman anti-trst laws as will permit them-to regulate and sta- bilize their own, business.” Postal Workers Want Five-Day Week Put in Effect on U. S. Mails BOSTON, Noy,’ 7—(FP)—Since the fivetlay week is proving a success in private industry, Massachusetts postal clerks want it tried in postal service. The state branch of the National Fed- eration of Postoffice Clerks meeting in convention passed a resolution to that effect, ah Weekly pay is asked instead of twice-a-month payment, The letter carriers want to retain their seniorityi¢anking when trans- ferred to cler’ uty in_postoffices. There will vals ifiany lame ducks in the next lon of congress for postal workers to expect any wage increases or‘improvements in their working conditions, mational secre- tary-treasurer- ‘Thomas F. Flaherty told the convention. He said he ex- pected more lame ducks than for many years in this congress and that they would be sa,busy asking favors for themselves that they would have no time to look ‘after the interests of anybody else, Navy. Yard Machinists Demand Dollar Rate WASHINGTON, Nov. 7. — (FP)— Navy yard machinsts, 5,000 in all,.are asking that $1 an hour be established this year as the uniform minimum rate for their work. At the Washing- ton, Boston and Portsmouth yards the commandants haye recommended that the existing rate of 84c be raised to 86c, At Philadelphia a raise from 84c to 85c has been recommended. At New York the recommendation of the com- mandant is that the rate of 90c¢ be raised to 93c, while at Mare Island and ‘Bremerton on the Pacific coast the recommendation is that the 91c rate be increased to 92c an hour, Negotiations of a new agreement for the coming year will follow hearings which will open within two weeks. The total navy yard force is about 26,000, divided into more than sixty trades and occupatiotis, Milk Producers’ Co-Ops to Meet in Conference WASHINGTON+- (FP)— Announce- ment that over 700 delegates repre- senting 300,000 dairy farmers belong- ing to dairy co-bperative associations in 30 states ate to meet in conven- tion in Cleveland, Nov, 10-11, is made by the Natl. Co-operative Milk Produc- ers’ Federation, In the capital, This federation is now 10 years old. It has secured *législation in nearly all of the state’ based on the Cali- fornia act of 1969 and the Wisconsin law of 1911, exempting co-operatives from the provisions of state anti-trust laws and giving assistance to the movement. Milk producers now claim to be the most secure of any class of agricultural producers in the power of bargaining in the market, New Bedford Mill Workers. Still Strike.» y NEW ‘BEDFORD, Mass.— (FP— Dartmouth Mill workers are stilt under jong ride gM By JOHN HAMILTON (O-OPERATION has not developed on eaxctly similar lines abroad as in Britain. There ere three general classes of Co-operative Association: (1) Societies of consumption, where Britain stands at the head. (2) Societies of production, where France is pre-eminent, (8) Socteties of credit or banking, which have developed most success- fully in Germany. The most prominent fact abroad has been the tremendous growth of agri- mark, We must note that this form is supplementary to individual culti- vation, and seeks chiefly to give the farmer a better profit. Also it tends to give the peasant proprietor some of the advantages of large-scale produc- tion, Irish co-operation is mainly agricul- tural and has shown a steady advance, to receive a temporary set-back by the British government's terrorist tac- tics by the “black and tans,” and the sfibsequent Civil War. Russia, In Russia the modern movement dates from about 1870, and had the usual burden to bear of bureaucratic obstruction and police espionage, Cen- tralization was inaugurated in 1898 by. about 300 societies being formed into the Moscow Union of Consumers’ So- cieties, later known as the Central Union of Co-operative Consumers’ So- cietids (Centrosoyus), There was a rapid growth up to the beginning of the war, the societies numbering 13,500 with a membership of 1,500,000 in 1914. During the war the national economic organization completely broke down, and this resulted in a Une growth of the co-operative move- ment, expressing a revolt against prof- iteering and the inability of private trading interests to solve the problem of supplying the necessities of exist- ence. Up to the time of the Revolu- tion in 1917, the numbers of societies had increased to 36,000 with a mem- bership of 11,500,000. The turnover was increased five-fold. In the Soviet struggle to “preserve the revolution” the co-operative move- ment was taken over in order to give a literal interpretation of “each ac- cording to his need!” and also on ac- count of counter-revolutionary tend- encies in the leadership of the move- ment, When the acute rationing pe- riod of military communism was over, British Unions Urge Worker Co-operation A resolution urging all trade union- ists to become active and purchasing members of their local co-operative societies was enthusiastically adopted by the recent British Trade Union Congress at Bournemouth, the aim be- ing to bring about a fuller develop- ment of working-class organization of industry and effective unity of pur- pose and action between the co-opera- tive and trade union movements. It was pointed out by speakers that in- dustrial disputes have to be fought on the workers’ stomachs, and that the co-operatives should be used more and more to feed people during such disputes, The new machinery for settling dis- putes between the co-operatives and |their employes, which had been ap- proved by the cooperative congress at Belfast this year, was accepted by the Trades Union Congress. All co- operative stores and enterprises, inci- dentally, demand that their employes belong to their respective trade unions.—Co-op, Pyramid Builder. Michigan Has Million Dollar Farmer Co-op DETROIT, Nov, 7.-The Farmers’ Co-operative Grain Company of Kinde, Michigan, has won its place in the ranks of million-dollar farmers’ co-op- erative societies, according to the All- American Co-operative Commission, by virtue of its sales record for the past year, This flourishing farmers’ marketing co-operative, organized in 1911 on a modest basis, now has 425 active mem- bers Who market their crops of beans, wheat, rye, oats and barley thru their co-operative grain company. The com- pany in turn is linked up closely with the Michigan Elevator Exchange. While the original capital of the com- pany is but $26,000, a net earning of $16,580, or approximately 65 per cent, was made on last year’s million-dollar busine’ One-third this amount was refunded to the members in a co- operative dividend, and the balance kept in the company’s treasury as ad- ditional working capital. Workers Hurt Constructing Govern- ment Radio Tower. ° ATLANTIC CITY, N. J.—(FP) — direction of the |Five men were severely injured when American Federation of Textile Op | they fell 100 feet as the chains of the eratives, independent union. Work line hoisting them to the top of the ers who did not join the strike have | sovernment radio tower snapped. The | now been laid off indefinitely, ¢dxcep: |men are working on the construction finishing up work|of the tower. at The beast wooy—eudeonibes ) today. DAILY WORKER, , eertomes culttral co-operation, notably in Den-| Co-operative Section | This department will appear In every Monday's issue of the The DAILY WORKER. ; International Co-operation the government (1922) restored the movement to its previous voluntary basis, Encouragement is given by substantial reduction in taxation, and the State Bank gives crgdit at low interest rates. The C, W. S. has given considerable financial assistance in the restoration of the Russian co-operatives, this year taking half of the co-operative pro- duced Siberian butter (see below.) In Russia they do not pay dividends on purchases. Goods are sold at prices usually below the current market prices, with a percentage added to jcover expenses of organization. Any surplus is used to extend the move- ment. There is a close contact be- tween the Trade Union and the Co-op- erative Society, dual membership se- curing important advantages to the worker in obtaining his necessaries. Any friction is dealt with by the “Eeonomic Board,” or by the Council of Labor and Defense, | Italy. The co-operative movement in Italy has suffered a severe setback by fas- cist violence. The International Co- operative Alliance reports that fascist joutrages, with the complicity of the police, had meant “brutality, violence and devastation against co-operative institutions and also against co-op- erators.” A strong resolution of pro- test was sent to the Italian govern- ment, but no reply was received. Dr. ‘A. Suter (Switzerland) reported: “It {is impossible to form any idea of the unless it has been actually witnessed. I could have spent many weeks and even months in Italy paying visits to societies which had either been pil- laged or set on fire . . . Approximately one-third of the societies belonging to the league have been destroyed.” La Co-operazione Italiana gives a damning report of fascist administra- tion of the great Milan ¢0-operative ed and replaced by black-shirts. the pound, cover the fuin of the’society a cooked balance sheet has been issued. A similar persecution of the Bul- HELP BRITISH STRIKERS SAY CO-OPERATORS Central Exchange in Ap- peal to Members The Co-operative Central Exchange, an organization of midwestern con- sumers’ co-operatives with headquar- ters at Superior, Wis., has sent the following appeal to its units to aid the brave miners’ struggle in Great Brit- ain: The British coal miners are fighting against a 10 per cent wage reduction and a one-hour increase in the work- ing day, Since May 1 they have fought with courage and self-sacrifice. This struggle is of great importance to the workers of all countries. A de- feat would mean an increase of ex- ploitation in every capitalist country. The profiteer would use this defeat as a club against the workers and farmers in their respective countries, This struggle must therefore call forth the aid and solidarity of the workers of all countries. In England, Germany, Soviet Russia and other European courtitries the la- bor and co-operative organizations are already giving aid, Organized labor in America has taken steps to help the British miners. American co-operatives should follow the ex- ample of the co-operatives in other countries and translate tle great idea of co-operative solidarity into action and hasten to the financial and morai aid of their British class “brothers. Co-operators! Organize immediately a relief campaign in your co-opera- tives, Have a collection box in four stores. Circulate collection lists, Ar- range dances and entertainments for this purpose. Ask your membership meetings and board of directors to donate. These heroic miners with their famt- Mes are facing starvation. The ¢o- operative movement should stand with the miners, You may send your donations thru the Co-operative Central Exchange, or thru the International Workers’ Aid, 1553 West Madison street, Chicago, m. Yours for co-operation, Co-operative Central Exchange.” Scranton Plumbers Get Fifty Cents. More. | SCRANTON, Pa.—(FP)— Scranton union plumbers have accepted a new agreement running to May 31, 1928 making their pay $10 a day, an in- crease of 60 cents over the former Page v1.0 NEWS AND | } } COMMENT garlan co-operative nization has been carried out and directly by, the ernment, The disastro: in Japan has given at to the developing moveme the end of 1923 there we operative societies wit! bers. 070,000 mem. Germany. German co-operation which o through many forms, some are unfamillar to Brit ators all in Ger. 1e mil Credit alances, reserves, and members’ de- posits were now practically worth- less as the result of the 4 ‘eciated currency. Of course, “Pr proper- ties are still extant of small societi ha ature is t @ muck more § ones There is generally a closer co-or- dination on the continent between the three sections of the labor movement (industrial, pol and co-operatiy systematic destruction of the Italian} co-operative societies by the fascists | The | fascist directorate has increased its | fees from£120 per month, drawn by | preceding directors, to £300. | cilities, viz., credits up to £1,000,000 Creditors have been’ forced to accept|The nominal capital of the company, 4a composition of 10 shillings in the | £100,000, is being depc Property atid securities have |don, and will not les been mortgaged up to the hilt, and to|the deal, confined in th than is the case in Britain. E - jally 1s this so in Beleium. The move- ment is very weak in the United States, The 1. C. A. The International Co- ‘ative Alli ance works for intercourse between co-operators in different countries, and for knowledge of their movements, but, as in the educational side of the movement, the preponderating distrib- utive stores’ influence is a retarding one, The C. W. S. has done a consider- able amount of international trading and transactions in pre-war days, and an interesting possibility is that of an International C, W. S. A recent de velopment of interest is that of the formation of the Anglo - Russian Wheat Exporting Compa composed on the Russian side of the Soviet gov- movement which had been seized on|crnment, Arcos, limited, and Centro- the pretext of carrying out reforms. |soyus, and on the English s of the The whole of the staff were discharg-|C. W. S. and two independent brok- ers. Arrangements have been made with the C. W. 8S. Bank and varfous leading London banks for financial fa- ited in L to the purchase of wheat, bein nature of barter— manufactured articles of th Waukegan Co-op Plans Educational Program the t a WAUKEGAN, Ill., Nov. 7 — The Co- operative Trading Co, of Waukegan, Ml, has launched a great educational drive. The work is being carried on by a special department of education and research which has been created with Oliver Carjson, well-known edu cator and lecturer, in The plan of work, which is already put into operation, embraces all Phases from mass meetings and de- bates to study classes, The children are not to be neglect- ed either. A Junior Co-operative League is to be organized, embracing all children between the ages of 8 and 13 years. 25 CENTS THE BRITISH STRIKE It's Background—it's Lessons —By Wm. F. Dunne 10 Cents BRITISH RULE IN INDIA —By Shapurji Saklatvala 10 Cents WHITHER ENGLAND —By Leon Trotsky Cloth—$1.76 ORIGIN OF THE WORLD A New Book By Alphonse Guerten Origin of Species Presented in @ New Light 35 CENTS A COPY’ Published by the author at N. State St. Chicago, Il. oan giana alles Sy Ts wo eS NC tt tr