The Daily Worker Newspaper, January 11, 1927, Page 4

Page Four News and Comment Labor Education Labor and Government Trade Union Politics FURTHER DELAY OF THE A. F. OF L. AUTO CAMPAIGN Jurisdictional Clash Pre- vents Action WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.—(FP)— Further months of delay of the organ- izing campaign promised by the Amer- ican Federation of Labor for the au- tomobile industry is now seen by the oMeials in direct touch with the job. This delay is based primarily on the Jurisdiction issue. More Talk. When the Detroit convention las' October called for an organization campaign it asked the international unions in the metal and wood indus- tries to yield jurisdictional claims in this field. A conference of executives of the international unions, held in Washington in November, decided that the executive council must first make formal requests upon the ex- ecutive boards of these organizations. That step is to be discussed and probably will be taken by the execu- tive council at its January meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla. Then the execu- tive boards of the various unions must be given time to deal with the re- quest, Next April—Maybe. Assuming that all replies are Te- ceived before the A. F. of L, execu- tive council meets again in April, the council will at that time determine whether the replies are nearly enough unanimous and are sufficiently defi- nite in favor of a temporary industrial organization of automobile workers, to justify a serious attempt to enlist union members in Detroit and other motor factory centers. A small organizing force is being kept in Detroit by the Int'l. Ass'n. of Machinists. Its achievements have been relatively small, because it is almost impossible to unionize any one group of workers in the mass-produc- tion plants. \Free Speech Test Is Held at Passaic as Police Stop Meetings PASSAIC, N. J., Jan. 9.—With the aid of the American Civil Liberties union, the Polish Branch of the In- ternational Labor Defense held a free speech test in Ukrainian Halll, Pas- saic, N. J., George Collins of the Fellowship of Reconciliation repre- sented the union. No police appeared and the heretofore forbidden meeting ended peacefully. The frea speech test followed the eotion of Passaic police in barring three meetings arranged by the Labor Defense for the Rev. Mazur of De trot. Mr. Mazur is touring the coun- try for the Labor Defense. His lec- tures were barred because Polish priests in Passaic are alleged to have complained that he would “attack God and the state.” His subject is “Political Prisoners in Poland.” Worker Dies from Exposure. AUBURN, Nevada.—Willram Welch, 87, a woodchopper, died while being taken to the county hospital, from exposure to the cold. He was em- on the Dolce ranch and an in- vestigation showed that he had been fmadequately protected by only one blanket, altho he had been ill for some time. NOW READY! LITTLE RED LIBRARY - CONSTITUTION OF THE USSR. Rights of the Trade Unions in the U.S, S. R. By V. Yarotsky. Social Insurance in the U. S. S. R. By N. Yekovsky. This little booklet is intended as a for American workers con- taining in the form of adopted laws all of the demands that they them- must fight for in the United . But it also shows what can in the way of protection of a country where a child labor not be declared unconstitu- deca it interferes with pro- In Russia child labor is judged not from its effects on profits but on the health of the children. Published by the DAILY WORKER PUBLISHING CO. 1113 W. Washington Bivd., CHICAGO, ILL. speed-up and lowering of cost in the from foundry to warehouse.” The Harvester World points out that: “Smoothly and effectively, step by step, the plant organization is tak- jing up new motions, new routings | and new ideas of uninterrupted manu- |tacture and translating them into new |standards of production per hour or per day and new standards of qual- ity.” (Our emphasis.) These quotations from the company organ and from the vice-president of the International Harvester Company are themselves convincing evidence and proof of what The Harvester Worker has declared all the while to the workers, Work iis speeded up ter- rifically; profits increase enormously. But ‘wages are lowered steadily. The workers are ground more and more nto a miserable state. “New standards of production per aour or per day” is just scientific or polite language for lower piece rate or hour wages. Another polite name for this wage-cutting and speed'ng up of ‘the workers is “the development of quantity production and low-unit costs.” So the speed-up system, with wage cuts and lower standards of living for the mass of workers now becomes the rule all thru the McCor- micks’ works—in the tractor and truck plants amd in the tool or im- plement factories. These improvements mean of course gTeater profits and dividends for the MeCormick family and the few other lurge stockholders. But for us, the Harvester slaves, it means that the company is going to suck the last drop of blood and energy out of us. It means that soon hundreds more will be thrown on the scrap heap as unempldyed workers. Or, perhaps, the company will be good to us and say, that if you will quietly and nicely accept another wage cut, we will let you work a little longer. These improvements in production are used to make worse the conditions ‘This article is reprinted from - shop bulletin distributed at the McCormick Works by the shop group of the Workers (Communist) Party. it shows how the issues of the workers’ life in industry can be ‘used to aid trade union organization and build shop committees which ‘are the preliminary steps to trade union organization. TH E DAILY WORKER Organized Labor—Trade Union Activities la WEEK’S WORK IN THREE AND ONE-HALF HOURS; FINE FOR THE BOSS, BUT HELL FOR THE WORKERS "The Harvester Worker,” the In the November issue of the Harvester World, an organ of the Inter- national Harvester Company, the company boasts of fits mewly developed making of farm implements, such as mowers. Cyrus McCormick, Jr. states that the new plans are working smoothly. It can do some work now in 3% hours that formerly took a week! “Production is coming off the chain,” he declames, “at a daily increas- ing rate. (Our emphasis.) “Mowers are mowers now in three hours and thirty minutes after the pouring of the molds in the foundry. This is spec- tacular speed when it is considered that formerly a week or more elapsed oe of life for the thousands of Harvester workers. Instead, these improve- ments should mean an easing up in the work, more wages and less hours. Increased and cheaper production means hundreds of thousands of dol- lars more profit each year for the company. Why should not the work- ers, who produce all, share in the in- crease of profits? Organization of Workers Necessary. But the Harvester Corporation is the blood brother to the Ford system of exploitation, to the Gary Steel Cor- poration, and so on. These leeches and parasites upon the mass of work- ers give nothing up unless the work- ers compel them to. The Harvester Worker has pointed out before that we workers will get nothing unless we fight for more wages, no speedii3 up and better conditions ‘of work. The Company Council or so-called union is a tool of the bosses. Still, we must demand that the so-called workers’ representatives shall put forward fh the council the demands of the work- ers which we have printed in another columm. This fake Council of Em- ployers and Workers will be shown to be only a company outfit. It is necessary that the workers in all the Harvester plants and shops shall be- gin to voice their grievances every- where; shail send in their stories and complaints to us that we may show what the workers are really think- ing. It is time to begin considering the formation of workers’ shop com- mittees without any boss interference or connection—and to lay the ground for an organized struggle for our de- mands. The speed-up system, the constant lowering of wages, the boasts of un- precedented profits by the company, these and other facts demand from us, the Harvester Workers, resistance against the extreme exploitation, Let us prepare! Paper Box Strikers in High Spirits; Union Contributions Help Relief Work NEW YORK, Jan. 9.—A concert and dance were enjoyed by the paper box strikers when Joe Magasine with his Columbia Jazz Band played to a crowded mass membership at their meeting hall, the Church of All Na- tions, 9 Second avenue. The spirits of the workers are high and the gaiety was of the greatest when the chairs were moved back and dancing began. The strike is known to many as “the flappers’ strike,” and they certainly can dance, Contributions toward the relief work of the union are coming in in increasing numbers. The union gave a party to the chil- dren of the strikers yesterday, with the co-operation of Mrs. J. Seargent Cram, at the Peace House, Fifth ave- nue and 110th street. The 300 chfl- dren who came with their parents were highly amused and learned some- thing about the strike their mothers Congress Idles as Longshoremen Die NEW YORK, Jan. 9 — Leonardo Dorstadina was killed when a packing case containing an automobile struck the ladder on which he stood in the hold of the Peruvian Line steamship Spurina, The case was one of many being lowered into the hold. The worker was guiding cases downward into place when the one struck him. Another longshoreman was badly cut on the back by the corner of the case. These workers are unprotected by any compensation law, since the supreme court held them maritime workers and the federal congress has not enacted legislation pending which would cover such cases, We willl send sample coples of The DAILY WORKER to your friends~ send in their addresses, NOTICE TO CHICAGO READERS According to a new and more economical system of newsstand distribution, The DAILY WORKER will be on the stands by noon each day, Watch for it, and fathers are putting up for decent working conditions in the paper box industry. The following contributions were received and made possible the pay- ment of relief checks to the girls, which had to be held back on Christ- mas, due to lack of immediate funds: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers, $50; Upholsterers’ International Union, Local 76, $12; United Neckwear Cut- ters’ Union, $50; Fur Dressers’ Union local, $250; Local 2163, United Broth- erhood of Carpenters and Joiners, $10; Emergency Committee for Strikers’ Relief (Clarina Michelson), $100; United Workers’ Co-operative Asso- ciation, $63; Branch 301, Workmen’s Circle, $25; Branch 245, $11.50; Branch 144, $3; Branch 20, $10; Branch 173, $2; Loyever Progressive Society; Branch 177, Workmen's Cir cle, $10.50, Pittsburgh Will See Passaic Strike Film PITTSBURGH—This city wNl have an opportunity to get a close-up on the historic eleven month Passaic Textile Strike with the showing in this city on January 13 of the sensa- tional motion picture of that stirring and dramatic struggle, ‘The picture will be put on at Moose Auditorium and will run continuously from 7:30 to 12 o'clock. It is in seven reels, and of the mass drama type. In fact, it has been fav- orably compared with “Grass,” a mass irama which scored a signal success few years ago, Its grand mass novements, stark realim and sustain- 2d continuity make the Passaic pic- ture @ mass drama of outstanding iuterest and dramatic appeal, Auspices Organized Labor. The showing is under the auspices of the Pittsburgh Central Labor Union and has the backing of the entire la- bor movement in Pittsburgh, All pro- ceeds from the showing will be sent to the General Relief Committee of Local 1603, 743 Main Ave., Passaic, to support the strikers in their fight against the five mills which still re- fuse to recognize the union, Of the nine original struck mills, four have settled, including the powerful Botany ee Policies and Programs The Trade Union Press Strikes—Injunctions | Labor and Imperialism PHOTO WORKERS BEGIN CAMPAIGN OF ORGANIZATION Nationwide Drive Goal of Union By SYLVAN A. POLLACK. (Special to The Daily Worker) NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 9, — The Photographic Workers Union of America, Local 17830, ig planning a nationwide campaign for the organ- ization of all photographic workers thruout the country. Organization of jall the photographic workers in. this |oity will be the first step in the cam- paign, to be followed by a broadening of the movement as time goes on. New members are being enrolled at every local meeting here, To Organize Contractors’ Shops. At the present time an organization campaign to unionize the contracting shops is on. In these sweet shops the workers toil at piece work, and with great difficulty average $15 to $20 a week. About eight such shops are in this city, each employing from six to twelve workers under the most unsanitary conditions, It is also planned to tackle the ama- teur finishers’ shops where high school boys and girls are employed at $10 a week, depriving a full grown man of a job. These youngsters take these jobs on the promise of “learning the business” but they never do, being kept at special work, Baum Tells of Plans. In an interview with The DAILY WORKER, Louis A. Baum, secretary of the union, went with great detail into its plans for the future, “We intend to appear soon before the Central Trades and Labor Coun- cil and ask for their assistance in our campaign for the orgamization of the photographic workers,” said Baum. “We plan to have all ,union-made photos bear the union label and all union studios display a union sign so all can see it. “It is our hope to start shortly a nationwide campaign, and we desire the help of photographic workers in all parts of the country in this drive. They should write me care of the un- ion office, 352 Brook Ave., New York City: In this manner we will be able to centralize organization work.” Henry Rossman is president of the union, and Harry Cohen, financial sec- retary. Pan-American Labor Hits ‘Nervous Nellie’ Kellogg’s Policies WASHINGTON—(FP)—“The Pan- American Federation of Labor be- lieves that the secretary of state com- mitted an error in recognizing the government of the ‘directing head’ of Gen, Chamorro, Adolfo Diaz,” says an official statement by that organiza- tion on the Nicaraguan tangle. Santiago Iglesias, Spanish-language secretary of the P, A. F. of L., in this declaration of attitude, reviews the protest made by Samuel] Gompers in 1923-24, the activities of William Green in 1925, and the moranda sent to Washington by labor organiza- tions of Central America, in support of the liberal-labor movement in Nic aragua. It declares that both Dr. Sa casa and his agent, Dr, Vaca, held con- ferences with President Green sinc: the Chamorro revolt, seeking aid in restoring constitutional ronment in their country, - Recognition of Diaz, the statement says, “has caused unnecessary ill-feel- ing against the moral prestige of American democratic institutions, all over the world, because such recogni- tion was useless, unjust, and inimical to the people of Nicaragua and of the United States.” ? It asserts the constitutiongl right of the Sacasa government and says the P, A. F, L. urges the United States withdraw its action and give its en- dorsement to the constitutional re- sime of Sacasa. It annonces that a communication to this é@ffect was sent some time ago to President Coo- lidge and to the state department. This plea was made, it says, in the interest of peace and better under- standing in the western hemisphere, for the protection of the rights of all peoples, and in accordance with the sentiments of the labor movements of the American continents, Bakery Pickets Get Stay of Sentence. NEW YORK—(FP)—Stay of sen- tence was automatically granted on the appeal of Charles Solomon, Inter- national Bakery & Confectionery Workers’ union counsel for’the nine members of Local 87, fined @ total of $750 and given sentences of°10 to 30 days. The workers were d in mills, but five still refuse to concede |contempt of court under a two-year- their workers: the right to organize | old injunction against their picketing and do collective bargaining, , NaC shops and Groceries, its works, the syndicalism act must stand condemned.” Mob Law “Justice.” Prosecuting attorneys in syndical- CALIFORNIA GAG LAW TAKES TOLL OF 504 ARREST Syndicalism Statute Hit by A. C.L. U. NEW YORK.—By maladministra- tion the criminal syndicalism law in California has often been converted into an instrument of “injustice and oppression,” it is asserted by Dr. George W. Kirchwey of the New School of Social Research, formerly dean of Columbia University Law School and warden of Sing Sing prison, in a survey of workings of the law, published today by the Ameri- can Civil Liberties Union. The law itself Dr, Kirchwey de- scribes as “a concrete expression of war psychology.” ‘Trials in criminal syndicalism cases he attacks as “in many instances characterized by methods calculated to bring serious reproach on the administration of law in California. There are cases in which the trial judge made himself the mouthpiece of the prosecuting at- terney and in which the prosecuting attorney was at his worst. Judged by ism eases, according to Dr. Kirchwey, who lectured on criminology in the University of California in 1925, “con- ducted the prosecutions with all the vizdictiveness and the unscrupulous regard of orderly and lawful proced- ure which is described by Dean Ros- cece Pound of Harvard as ‘the spec- tacle of press, public, and prosecutor in fall cry in a man-hunt.’” The survey is the first maneuver of the American Civil Liberties Union in the campaign of its California com- mittee for the repeal of the anti-syn- dicalism law. Since its passage in 1917 the law has kept more political prisoners in California than in all other states put together, according to the union, and has plastered on Cal- ifornia the reputation of being the most intolerant state in the republic. The weakness of the statute, Dr. Kirchwey asserts, is proved by the fact that reversals were secured on one-half the cases appealed to higher courts, Communists and I. W. W. Hit. The full brunt of the law was felt by the I, W. W. and the Communist Labor Party of California. It was passed, Dr. Kirchwey states, “as the result of a mass fear that had no basis in fact. We find nothing to jus- tify the dread that engendered it. That part of the community which was responsible for the law and its enforcement took far too seriously ‘the lunatic fringe’ of the labor move- ment in California.” Dr, Kirchwey labels members of the Communist La- bor Party “largely idealistic, pacifiis- tic types, who were opposed to any kind of violence.” Most prominent of criminal syndicalist convictions from this group was that of Charlotte Anita Whitney, Oakland civic and suf- frage leader. Her appeal from a one to fourteen-year sentence for mere membership in the Communist Labor Party was argued before the United States supreme court last March and 's waiting decision, “A man may advocate burglary or robbery or murder or malicious de- struction of property without fear of the law so long as he does not aim to accomplish ‘a change in industrial ownership’ or ‘any political change,’” declares Dr. Kirchwey, attacking the loose phrasing of the statute. As a result of this looseness, he asserts, the law has been used “in a spirit of panic, as a weapon of Class hatred, and as a cover for private malice and vengeance.” . Charges Against 531, According to Dr. Kirchwey, 531 peo- ple in California were charged with -yndicalism and 504 arrested. More han half of these, 292, were dis- nissed without trial, Of 264 tried 164 were convicted. Appeals were taken in 114 cases. Half of the de- cisions were reversed and others are still pending. “The picture,” says Dr, Kirchwey, “is one of sudden immense activity following immediately on the enact- ment of the law with a complete ces- sation of effort within the short space of five years.” Dr, Kirchwey chal- lenges the constitutionality of the law on two grounds. He charges that it violates constitutional clauses guar- anteeing equality before the law since it discriminates only against ad- vocates of industrial or political change, and that it makes mere mem- bership in a proscribed organization acrime. He charges also that crimi- nal syndicalism trials were unduly prolonged, that judges and juries were biased and that “irrelevant and prejudicial evidence was admitted.” THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ATHEISM will mail its first annual report, compris- ing six pages of reading matter, and other literature FREE to interested people. Dues $1 a year. Organizers wanted. Write to Freeman Hopwood, General Secretary, P.O. x 483, City Hall Station, Now York City, lll ln nln tap GDA WITH THEY CONDUCTED = BY THI YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE OF GREAT BRITAIN HOLDS IMPORTANT CONGRESS LONDON, Dec. 24 (By Mail).—A hundred and twenty dele- gates, coming mainly from all the most important industrial dis- tricts, attended the Fourth National Congress of the Young Com- munist League of Great Britain at Sheffield last week end.“ In his opening address, Comrade William Rust dealt with the situation before, during and since the general strike, paying faa We eG ec aaa a particular attention to the role played by the so-called “left wing leaders” of the movement. Alluding to the attacks to which the league has been subjected by the Baldwin government, he declared that “imprisonment and persecution could not deter young Communists from car- rying on their work unflinchingly.” Receive Greetings. Fraternal greetings were received from the I. C. W. P. A., the Y. C. L. of Germany and. Canada, the N. A, C. of the L L. P. Guild of Youth, from Alex Gossip and the E. C. of the minority movement. An emergency resolution, outlining the slave terms imposed on the min- ers, showing the impossibility of ob- serving them, and explaining the tasks of the laborymovement in regard to the young miners was carried unanimously, Amid thunderous applause, Comrade Springhall, who has just recently been released after his second term of im- prisonment. presented an emergency resolution on China, “We must,” he said, “assist our Chinese comrades to establish a free, independent and united China.” The resolution was unanimously accepted. Comrade Gallacher, who conveyed the Communist Party’s greetings and report on the political situation re- ceived a tremendous ovation. He dealt with the world situation, emphasizing that “particularly important was the danger of a new imperialist war. All signs at present show that the capi- talists are preparing for this and that it would be much more frightful than the last.” The report of the league executive committee showed the league’s activ- ity as: Active participation in the general strike and lockout, organiza- tion of young workers’ conferences, sending the young workers’ delegation to Soviet Russia and the establish- ment of the “Weekly Young Worker” —its weaknesses being organizational and in education work. The discussion on organization which followed showed the impor- tance attached to this question. In considering the “Capitalist Crisis and the Young Workers,” the congress devoted itself to the task of overcom- ing the difference between the league’s membership and its influence. An interesting incident took place when a special welcome was given to seven of the delegates who had suffer- ed terms of imprisonment—followed by a report on behalf of the young workers’ delegation to Soviet Russia, given by Bob Edwards of the I. L. P. Guild of Youth. Workers’ Russia. Conditions of labor, the educational system, the trade unions and the po- litical prisoners in Georgia were dealt with while comrade Edward’s declar- ation that “only by building a united front of young workers’ organizations could we go forward ip the struggle against capitalism,” aroused the greatest enthusiasm. A representative of the Young Com- munist International addressed the congress and stated that “in its dis- cussion, in the types of delegates pres- ent, in the questions discussed and its splendid fighting revolutionary spirit, the congress showed that in Great Britain we have a Young Communist League worthy of taking its place in the front ranks of the international.” On this note the congress closed. Detroit Y. W. L. Honors Liebknecht at Memorial Meeting on January 16 DETROIT, Mich, Jan. 9, — The Young Workers (Communist) League, district seven, has arranged a Lieb- Knecht memorial meeting for Sunday, Jan. 16, at $ p. m. in Carpenters’ Hall, 935 Alger Ave. near Oakland. Ad- mission is 25 cents. There will be a program and en- joyable speakers will be Sam Darcy, national secretary of the Y. W. (C) L., Walter M. Trumbull, district organiz- er of Dist. No. 7, Y. W. (C) L.; Al fred Goetz, representative, Workers (Communist) Party. Friends are requested to come”and bring their friends. The Y. W. L, is engaged in the task of building th league in Detroit to proportions never before reached. With the help and support of friends this is possible. LIEBKNECHT MEETINGS. BOSTON—Paine Memorial Hail, 9 Appleton St., Jan. 23rd, 2:30 p, m., S. Bloomfield speaker. CHICAGO—Northwest Hall, North Ave, and Western, Jan 16th, 8 p, m., Zam, Williamson, Bedacht, speakers. NEWARK—Sunday, Jan 23rd, 7:30 p. m., Newark Labor Lyceum, 704 So. 14th street, near Springfield Ave. PITTSBURGH—Sunday, Jan 28rd at 8 p. m., at Labor Lyceum. HAMMOND, IND.—January 16th, Sunday at 10 a m. Workers Hall, 1059 Wallace Road, GARY—Saturday, Jan. 15 at 3 p. m., Co-operative Hall, 215 W. 18th Hall, Gammet, speaker. Br..1, Frei- heit Hall, Gammet, speaker, Br, 3, Hungarian Hall, Gammet, speakers, DETROIT—January 9th at 2:80 p. m, at So, Slav Hall, 18th and Chou- teau Ave., Schachtman, speaker, Amter, Scott Nearing Asks a Question COTT NEARING puts it neatly. “New York bankers talk to one another through the WALL STREET JOURNAL and the JOURNAL OF COMMERCE. New York manufacturers and merchants maintain a long list of dally papers through which they propagate the idea that they want the New York masses to absorb. The coming of The DAILY WORKER to New York gives the English speaking workers their only chance to keep in touch with the labor movement through a daily labor paper. will the New York workers not show at least as much solidarity in the support of The DAILY WORKER Support of thelr papers?” as the business men show in the WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ’ THE CHALLENGE OF YOUTH Upton Sinclair: “Interesting. ought to know.” Freeman Hopwo Secretary, y for Advancement of Atheism., “The Challenge of Youth is a gem, « « dt is full of facts young workers American Association It is one of the best things for propaganda that I have ever seen. I handed it to a Catholic youth and he finished it during the after- noon at work. Another took it with him to the six-day bicycle race and read it all there. The simple style is effective, I hope it is sold by the thousands,” John Kasper, Prize Winning Communist Literature Agent. “I want to congratulate Comrade Darcy for putting out a real pamphlet, The Challenge of Youth. a League member could go out and sell with pride, It ig a book that This book is real, the best book the League ever put out. That is the way to write efor the young worker. Keep it up.” SEND US YOUR ORDERS: Single Copy 15¢, Bundles 100 YOUNG WORKER PUBLISHING co.,, 1113 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, Ill. Enclosed please find §$. for the CHALLENGH OF YOUTH sovsesusennennnsnnecnvecsanscanssanenneanecanensnnassnusnonansessansennnenseney, ssesasenencnsssvnasannenonnvansannessessanssanecgnssenssasenuscronesnneconecanosensssnanmssuanssny ssossssnsnssagsssonsnnsssooiee STATED ssssssosssnsersocsninansnensnsnennsoes