The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 18, 1928, Page 2

Page Two THE DAILY WORKER, NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1928 California Forges Ahead in Huge Daily Worker Su PRIZES OFFERED AS SUBS PILE UP IN STEADY DRIVE Attack on Paper Spurs on Workers The drive for 10,000 new subscrib- ers to The DAILY WORK is on in California and the Los Angele workers, under the leadership of Paul ent for the ER, have promised to double their quota, The c forward w effort is being pushec n and every sing made to force the Cal- rict (o the first place in scription drive. The Califor- nia workers realize that they have strong competition from all the other districts in the coun.ry and Reiss and his fellow workers are laboring day and night to pile up a total of subs that will leave their nearest rivals far behind in the race. Offer Prizes. The campaign closing date has been pushed ahead to March 18th and spe- cial prizes are being awarded to the most active wor! in the drive There will be a ze consisting of a trip to Catalina Island and re- turn, and a second prize of a season ticket to the Symphony concerts. The lucky third prize winner will receive a@ handsome volume of Lenin’s Col- lected Works, while fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh prizes consist of! Seott Nearing’s “Whither China?” a gold hammer and sickle pin, a six months sub to the “Communist,” and a Lenin medallion, respectively. A vetcherinka, held on Thursday evening at the Cooperative Cencer Hali resulted in sco of new sul and a banquet, scheduled for March 16th, promises to net many more. The new attack which the Ameri-|* can capitalists and their agents in ch courts and the police are attemptin, to wreck the workers’ press ha: aroused the California workers to re- newed efforts. Under the slogan, “300 new subs be- fore March 18.h,” the workers of Cal- ifornia are doing their bit to spread the influence of the militant daily organ of the working class and to defeat the latest attack of their class enemies. WAR SERVICE FOR MERCHANTMARINE Govt. to Pay Part Wages for Guarantee American A huge merchant marine prepared for active war service, was revealed as the aim of the government and shipbuilding interests in a speech yesterday by H. G. Smith, vice-presi- dent of the National Council of Ship- builders, speaking before the Pro- peller Club in Brooklyn. After urging a $1,000,000,000 build- ing program to be completed by 1940, the speaker stated that at least four financial groups were ready to invest their money in a merchant marine as Soon as legislation was passed to aid them against competition from foreign shipping. Describing how the government would aid this development, Mr. Smith reported that the Copeland, Jones, Wood and White bills provide not only for loans to shipbuilders at 2% per cent, but for payment of part of the crews’ wages in return for guarantee of their rvices in case of war emergency, also providing for the training of the crew. Another speaker at the Norman F. Titus, of the I meeting, of Commerce, str 2 of a strong merchant an arm of the navy in case of war. He re- ferred to Secretary Wilbur’s speech on Navy Day, when he dealt more with the need of merchant ships in the war preparations, than with the battleship needs. ANOTHER FRAUD CASE EVAPORATES INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 17.—Gov. Ed. Jackson was ordered acquitted of bribery charges in the criminal court yesterday by Judge Charles M. Mc- Cabe. Jackson was brought to trial a week ago on charges of having at- tempted to bribe former Governor MeCray in order to bring about the »pointment of a friend as Marion unty prosecutor. Jackson gained acquittal upon his lawyer’s con- tion that the state had failed to e acase. Judge McCabe stated the period allowed under the ite of limitations, which for ry cases specifies two years, had a and that Jackson had not indicted within that period. The contended that the charge had brought up after the expiration | two years because McCray and involved in the case had con- the evidence, rm | held a big me | save 39 miners in the Hollinger when fire broke out. deadly fumes. termine whether or not negligence: 39 Miners Above is shown the rescue crew which made a vain attempt to gold mines at Timmins, Ontario, The miners were overcome in their flight by The Ontario government has taken no steps to de- e of the owners caused the fire. Bloody Conflict | | (Continued from Page One) Jers are determined to stick by Bonito. |The miners believe that the union of- }ficials and the coal companies aim to {convert the Aggati affair into a sec- {ond Illinois miners’ frame-up. * * ° (Special to The DAILY WORKER) WILKESBARRE, Pa, Feb. 17.— Were the bullets which killed Frank Agati, personal “bodyguard” for President Cappelini, head of District 1, United Mine Workers of America, intended for Cappelini himself? This is the question which was the srincipal topic of discussion in mining cles here today. Cappelini claims he would have een in the union headquarters at the jtime Agati was killed if it had not been for another meeting in Hazel- ton. It is reported that since th« jmurder of Thomas Lillis, treasure: of Local Union Number 6 of Pittston, for which Cappelini henchmen aré blamed, Cappelini has been sleeping at a local hotel fearing attempted re prisals if he were seen near his home. ee (Special to The DAILY WORKER) WILKESBARRE, Pa., Feb. 17.— The attempt of the Lewis-Cappelini machine to maintain control of Local | Union Number 6 of the United Mine | Workers and- other Pittston local |unions thru contractors and company agents has cost two lives already. Miners here expect more killings to follow the shooting of Frank Agati, one of President Cappelini’s personal bodyguards, in union headquarters here yesterday. Follows Lillis Murder. It is not believed by miners here that Joseph Cicero who was found after the shootings with his throat cut was connécted in any way with the conflict which has resulted in the murder of Thomas Lillis, recently elected treasurer of Local Union Number 6 in opposition to the Cap- pelini machine, some three weeks ago, and the shooting of Agati. Samuel Bonito, president of Local Union Number 6, is’ charged with killing Agati, but has not not yet been arrested. Two other miners, Steve Mendola and Adam Moleski, are un- der arrest and are accused of being ; With Bonito when Agati was shot. ' The Terror Campaign. The murder of Lillis brought the situation in the Pittston section of the union to a climax. Lillis, Alex Campbell and Frank Bonito, sup- ported by the anti-machine forces in the union, defeated the Cappelini re- gime after a bitter uggle. Lillis was found dead with five .45 calibre pistol wounds in his body the morn- ing after Local Union Number 6 had sting presided over by the new officials at which the matter of calling a strike to force the com- pany to live up to the contract had been discussed. Company Control of Union Progressive miners here charge | that Local Union Number 6, before the recent elections, was completely in control of contractors and com- pany agents supported by Cappelini. The Pittston section of the union | with between 8000 and 10,000 mem- i ‘bers, was known as President Cap- |pelini’s stronghold. The membership lis largely Italian and it is charged that Cappelini was using members of certain Italian societies to push what the progressives call his “united front with the coal operators.” Changes Legal Adviser Recent changes in the legal staff of District 1, the largest district in the anthracite, seem to indicate that Cappelini was preparing for a more intensive drive against the rank and file opposition in the union. A lawyer named Marianelli, who had been practicing in Oklahoma, and who had been in charge of the finan- cial affairs of Pete Latzko, a well- known prizefighter, was brought to Wilkesbarre, quietly admitted to the bar association in Pittston and selec- ted to replace one Rosenthal, who had been doing the legal work for the three anthracite district—1, 7 and 9. This procedure caused much com- ment in local labor and political cir- cles. The murder of Liltis took place in Mine Union Clue to Boss Control hortly after the change in the legal svaff had been made. It is a matter of public knowledge that the coal operators are violating the agreement with the union in a hundred ways. It is likewise a mat- ter of public knowledge that prac- tically no grievances are ever ad- usted by the district machinery and that miners who make complaints are discriminated against by both bosses and district officials. The Contractor Evil. The control of local unions by con- tractors—miners who are petty vosses and who hire other miners to work for them—has become an open scandal. Those contractors who sup- port the companies and the Cappelini machine get the best locations and che miners who make no protest at he violation of the agreement get the best jobs. This furnishes the economic basis for the machine con- trol. There has been a developing senti- nent among the rank and file and rogressives for the abolition of these abuses and the struggle in Loca! Union No. 6 is a direct outgrowth of this sentiment. The Speed-up System. The speed-up system has been in- stalled tesuch an extent that, to- gether with the falling off of the de- mand for anthracite, it is estimated that from 40 to 50 per cent of the j miners are unemployed. Demands have been made on the district offi- cialdom for a campaign against the speed-up and the steady breaking down of working conditions which are obviously preliminary to a wage-cut, jbut the officials have not acted. The Lewis-Cappelini machine has entered into a joint program with the] coal operators and the chambers of | commerce to boost the sale of an- thracite. In actual practice this form of cooperation becomes an open at- tempt to lower the wages of the miners—“reducing labor costs,” is the term used. Officials Aid Operators. Repeal of the state tax on anthra- cite tonnage is another demand that is being made by the union official- dom jointly with the coal operators. The taxes of the coal companies have already been somewhat reduced and this cut in the income of ciiies and towns has forced the closing of schools and the halting of road pav- ing, sewer maintenance and exten- sion of other municipal activit: The reduction of taxes on the coal companies places a heavier burden upon the workers who own small homes. Causes of Civil War. The civil war in the union results from the attempt of the Lewis-Cap- gram of cooperation with the oper- ators in all its phases and to thde roughshod over the union member- ship. so far the union reactionaries must be held responsible, is the general feeling here among the miners. Move for Organization, The progressive miners are urging the organization of a rank and file opposition movement embracing the three districts on a program of state relief for the unemployed, enforce- ment of the contract and struggle against the speed-up system. That a mass movement under progressive leadership will be organized te com- bat the coal company influence in the union seems certain since the recent killings have shown clearly the desperate nature of the struggle and the need for organization. . a ° Inquiry Next Week. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17. — The senate’s inquiry into conditions in the bituminous coal fields will get unde: wey early next week before the In terstate Commerce Committee, it wa announced today. The inquiry will go into all ques tions relating to the coal strikt i the bituminous fields of Pennsylva nia, Ohio and West Virginia. It wi deal specifically with the condition: pelini machine to carry out its pro- For the deaths that have occurred | P: ‘SMITH. SURVEY ‘SIDESTEPS ISSUE OF JOBLESS ARMY Blames Warm Winter and Floods (Continued from Page One) industrial depression but to floods and industrial stoppage for a variety of causes in other states. Hamilton says unemployment in New York state was more serious in New York City and in the vicinity of Buffalo than elsewhere. ” *. * SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17.—De- finite demands for the 100,000 unem- ployed workers in the Bay District have been made by the Workers (Communist) Party upon the board of supervisors of this city, following the passage of a resolution by the San Francisco Labor Council demand- ing of the board that an all inclusive conference of trade unions and other working class organizations be called immediately, The statement which was present- ed to the board of supervisors by E. Levin, district organizer of the Work- ers (Communist) Party, calls for im- mediate relief to the jobless thru the opening up of public works at union wages, “the organization of councils of the unemployed, relief funds from the board of supervisors, administer- ed by representatives of the unions and the unemployed workers. The program also calls for an or- ganizational drive by the unions with the necessary reduction of initiation fees, and for the cooperation of the mmorganized and organized workers in the present crisis. City Stalls on Relief. Mayor Rolph, chairman of the board of supervisors, has indicated the steps that will be taken by this hody to forestall any real relief ac- tion, by stating “we want no soup kitchens,” and asking the local papers not to publish any statement to the effect that the city officials were planning to push forward public im- provements, The unemployed workers are not being misled by the “empty talk” about unemployment, but are pushing ahead with their plans for immediate relief to the jobless and for the pro- tection of the standards of the unem- ployed workers thru organization. * «(fs Davis Admits Crisis. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17. — “We have unemployment in the country. Everybody knows it, why not admit it?” was the statement of Secretary of Labor avis in a speech here be- fore an association of marine engi- neers. Offering the only solution of up- holding the present high tariff, Davis indicated that the department of la- bor planned no steps further than that of gathering “further statistics.” The secretary of labor tried to under- estimate the number of jobless by referring to the “42,000,000 now at work” and stating that many of the large estimates made of the total unemployed were exaggerated, PACIFIC LINES 60 TO PRIVATE FIRMS Indicate Big Merchant Marine Expansion WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—Gained strength for the merchant marine boom was seer today in the an- nouncement that the shipping board had sold the last government lines on the Pacifie coast, thirty-nine vessels ing to private companies for $3,- 742,661. The terms of the purchase are con- sidered extremely favorable for the ate interests involved, and they will be allowed seven years to pay the total. At the same time the companies guarantee to maintain regular service over prescribed routes for a period of five years. It is believed especially significant that all the main lines are to the Far East: North and South China, and Japan, and the govern- ment is understood to have an unoffi- cial agreement in regards to rapid expansion including new lines to other ports on both sides of the Pacific. The navy department is said to have been especially interested in the rapid expansion of these Pacific lines, and to have been influential in getting agreement in the board for the transaction. 18th @UAKE IN MAINE. MILO, Me., Feb. 17. — The thir- teenth earth tremor of the pas: three weeks was felt here early today. ————————————S nder which the families of strikers ave been living for many months rast. Senator Burton K. Wheeler (D) of lontana, who headed the famous augherty inquiry will direct the senate’s investigation, o escape from death when fire swept Workers’ Lives Imperiled in Factory Fire Workers in a varnish plant on Fletcher St., New York, had a narrow bscription aS the plant. The products handled by these workers are highly inflammable and explosive, yet the wages paid for the work are ridiculously low. A bove is shown the roof of the varnish plant engulfed by the poisonous fumes. Loan Sharks Ge from N. Y. Workers Annually ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 17.—Work- t $25,000,000 Loopholes in the usury laws have ers in New York State are being|>een taken advantage of by “the muleted of over $25,000,000 annually sharks by use of the “salary pur- chase system,” by which part of the by loan sharks, it was revealed at a| victimized workers’ salary is assigned hearing in the attorney general’s of-|in advanced to the loan shark, at the fice. About $20,000,000 of this|rate of about $2 a week. It is said amount is taken from New York City] that the loan sharks in this state are workers. Interest at a yearly rate|all part of a politically active ring as high as 240 and 520 per cent is| with headquarters in Atlanta, which charged by many of the loan sharks. | has entrenched itself thru jury-buying Most of the loans, it was revealed,|and under-cover influence with polit- are small amounts under $300, bor-|ical officials in every state in the rowed by needy workers. union. HILLMAN’S CROWD IN SECRET POWOW To Give in to Bosses on Piece Work The meeting of the general exec- utive board of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, ended late Thursday night after a two day session, in the Hotel Manger. Al- though the board meeting is held only four times a year, and was at this meeting to consider the matter of new demands to be made from the manufacturers in nearly all the cloth- ing markeis in the country, in ad- dition to many other vital. matters, the Amalganiated officials main- tained the utmost secrecy as to their decisions. Worsening Standards A geheral idea of the tone of the deliberations was given when Sydney Hillman declared that the reporis from the various clothing centers prove that union conditions are good. This is stated in spite of the over- whelming opinion of the membership that the worsening of union stan- dards is on the order of the day in every market. An important forecast of the probable course of action of the union officialdom, when negotiations begin in a few weeks for the renewal of the New York agreement, was also made public when it was stated that the piece-work question will give the union a greatly enhanced bargaining power. This is quite definitely taken to mean, by those acquainted with the situation in the industry, that the union officials are ready to concede this vital point to the employers, in spite of the most intense opposition to this measure manifested by the membership. It.is believed that the rank and file of the membership will fight bitterly against the installation of this system. No Steps Taken. Nothing in the nature of even a hint was offered as to the action of the board on the question of what they intend to do to get the 40 hour week, Practically all other needle trades unions have succeeded in forc- ing the employers to grant this de- mand. While the Amalgamated Union, in spite of numerous resolu-; tons passed at each national conven- tion has refused to take any practical] steps that lead to the realization of the five day week. As to the union’s action on the agreements nationally, it is believed that no improvements will be de- manded. Investigation Ordered ALBANY, Feb. 17.—An investiga- tion has been ordered into the New York House of Refuge on Randall’s Island by Gov. Smith. Complaints have been made to the governor that the House of Refuge is being con- ducted in an unsatisfactory manner. The institution is under private man- agement but is backed by the state to the extent of about $300,000 an- nually. A move to bring it under the supervision of the State Department of Charities will be made, FIRE DESTROYS R. I. MILL. PROVIDENCE, R. L, Feb. 17, — A $250,000 fire ruined the plant of the Rhode Island Processing Mill Cam- pany, at Coventry Center today. SINCLAIR, BURNS DEFENSE ENDED Oil Conspiracy Con- tempt Trial Drags WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—The end of the long-drawn-out conterapt trial of Harry F. Sinclair, miliionaire oil man, William J. Burns, private de- tective agency owner and their asso- ciates neared today when the defense rested its case and the government offered rebuttal testimony. The case, which has dragged for more than ten weeks through a legal labyrinth in district supreme court, grew out of the shadowing of the jury in the oil conspiracy trial of Sinclair and Ex-Secretary of the In- terior Albert B. Fall. The govern- ment cited the defendants for con-| tempt, alleging Burns detectives, hired by Sinclair, had maintained improper and illegal surveillance over the jury, which resulted in a mistrial being declared. Dies at Throttle MERCHANTSVILLE, N. J., Feb. 17.—E. W. Trout, 57 year old engine driver for the Pennsylvania Railroad, collapsed at the throttle of his engine which was pulling a freight train near here yesterday. He died almost im- mediately after bringing the train to a halt. With Sandino in Nicaragua By Carleton Beals First correspondent to reach Sandino and re- port his terms of peace. The Nation lie OUT TO-DAY all newsstands Campaign TEXTILE BOSSES REOPEN DRIVE ON WOMEN’S HOURS Demand Law Change for Late Hours \ BOSTON, Feb. 17. — The textile interests here reopened their cam- |paign to lengthen the hours of labor |for women in industry, at a hearin; |before the Massachusetts Committe: jon Labor and Industry. The mil! jowners demand the repeal of ceriain laws that restrict the working hours of women till not later than 6 p. m. The employers intend to employ wom- en till.10 p. m. Using the same old time worn ex- cuses which are that business is mov- ing out of the state, that the textile mills are not making enough profits, B. Loring Young, representing the Associated Industries of Massachu- se.ts said at the hearing that the tex- tile industries should enjoy the same benefits as all other industries in the state. Why should the other indus- tries be able to employ women till as late an hour as they want, and not the textile industry? This is what Young wanted to know. It is generally believed that the bus- iness interests of this state will not have any trouble at all in changing for the worse the small number of labor laws in existence on the state statute books. 694 CHILD DEATHS INN. Y. IN YEAR Victims of insufficient playgrounds and parks provided by the state and city governments, 894 children met. their death last year in New York State, while at play in the streets, according to the annual report of the state motor vehicle department. The majority of these children were killed in New York City and were the child- ren of workers, taking advantage of the only possible place to play in the congested working class districts. A very small percentage of accidents are shown for children in the wealthy districts. Altogether 2,424 persons were kill- ed by automobiles in New York state during 1927, an increase of 281 over 1926. our @ readers Many of our readers like | to get the DAILY WORKER | | at their newsstands or news- dealers, and for various rea- sons cannot get it. We ask our readers to speak with their newsdealer, fill out the coupon, and send | it in to us, so that we will be | able to make the necessary arrangements, to have it de- livered regularly. CIRCULATION DEPT. DAILY WORKER, 33 First St. New York City, My newsdealer is (name) cious Winter Vacation Camp Nitgedaiget BEACON, N. Y. Social Entertainments.—Skating Rink. Steam Heated Spacious Rooms.—Deli- ONLY SEVENTEEN DOLLARS PER WEEK. Food.