Workers Fighting Richberg Betrayal of Section 7A
RIESEL, VICTOR
Workers Fighting Richberg Betrayal of Section 7A Munition Workers in Colt Hartford Factory Face Employers, Bergoff Stool-Pigeons and Manufacturers' Association — Waging Gallant Battle But...
...Bitterly assailing Richberg's tes- ' tiroony before the Nye investiga- 1 tion committee that the NIRB had ¦ merely "erred" in its decision, 1 Francis P. Fenton, representing the | striking unions, has appealed to the President to determine whether ' 'we have bees led up a dark alley 1 by the govermnnt, to be slugged i by Mr...
...Is Richberg j the government or is the governssent the Celt company which ¦ wants an exemption from the law ImaasL it is a monopoly...
...M. Wallaoe, local aecretar}"- It will be the third socto...
...For a year," he declared, "the workers I represent patiently fol- , lowed your injunction not to strike , before appealing to your Labor , Board...
...One explanation is the President's promise to go on fighting not only far, recovery but also for economic and social reform...
...He declared the Wagner bill will provide the necessary enforcement of collective bargaining and...
...Workers' Demand* Spurned When the company refused to bargain with the unions, for which over 80% of the employees had voted, the Joint Council applied to the National Labor Relations Board for assistance...
...Unions in Hartford have exhausted their treasuries feeding some twelve hundred families...
...We must enact reforms now before this Congress goes home...
...Behind the Scenes in Washington By Benjamin Meiman Our Washington Correspondent IMMEDIATELY after President Roosevelt's fireside talk last Sunday evening, in which he made a strong appeal for cooperation to the entire nation, the United States Chamber of Commerce opened its gathering on one side of the White House and labor opened its conference on the other side of the White House...
...The attack on the proposed banking legislation came in a report by a special sub-committee of the Chamber, vigorously opposing the act in its present form on the ground that itfwould subject the entire national financial system to political pressure.' The report listed ten specific objections to the legislation, including the provision that the Governor of the Federal Reserve Board be permitted to hold office only during the pleasure of tMe President., It argued that no changes are now needed in the Federal...
...there is a sad distortion and suppression of facts in what he did say, and many consumers are doubtless led to believe that in the general price rise and movement toward recovery they are being swindled...
...He did not tell them that maajr cotton mill stocks represent actual money invested, and quite oftes they are the life savings of tat investors...
...Louisiana 1 New Orleaa P...
...A. F. of L. unions have fought the Manufacturers' Association unsuccessfully for many years...
...He was "on .the ran...
...Opponents should mark well his determination to safeguard collective bargaining...
...The NIRB found the company had been guilty of violating Section 7A for eighteen months and ordered the company to negotiate with the unions...
...he resolutions were adopted unanimously after Oliver Myers, a delegate from Toledo, protested that they were couched in timid language...
...It is reported that President Roosevelt called upon Senator Nye to urge that the quizzing of Richberg on the Colt .matter be postponed until the official notification of the loss of the NRA emblem was sent.' When the latter was questioned be replied that "he "was at a loss" to explain the situation...
...Tender Cor* for Scobs Housing quarters have been set up in the Colt plant for about 100 scabs, to protect them from the contamination of the free air outside and from persuasion by the union workers...
...Bitterly opposed by spokesmen for business and industry, the measure carries penalties of a 95,000 fine, or- a year's imprisonment, for violations...
...He did not tell them that women and girls worked all night —11 to 12 hours—in mills in pelt of...
...In addition to the Wagner bill the meeting specifically indorsed the Black-Connery 30-hour week measure, proposed extension of NRA, the Administration's social security program and the Guffey coal stabilization bill...
...After a year's sharp conflict with the Colt people the unions struck to force union recognition and collective bargaining as provided in , Section 7A...
...It was a sort of an antidote to the Chamber of Commerce meeting on the other side of the Whit* House...
...No reasonable person wants to abandon our present gains—we 'mast continue to protect children, to enforce minimum wages, to prevent excessive hours, to safeguard, define and enforce collective bargaining, and, while retaining fair competition, to eliminate so far as humanly possible, the kinds of unfair practices by selfish minorities which unfortunately did more than anything else to bring about the recent collapse of industries...
...Meanwhile the Connecticut Federation of Labor empowered its president to take whatever measures necessary to insure victory of the Colt unions...
...Company increased its dividends to stockholders 26 per cent on March 31...
...Local 507 will soon celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its affiliation with the A. F. of L. Included in its many activities is a forum which is held the second Friday of each month, in the spacious headquarters of the union, 1258 Boston Road...
...SENATOR BORAH of Idaho, a "liberal" whose economies differ little from the economics of the classic reactionary, is very much exercised over the fact that cotton goods have advanced '31 per cent...
...But Green said the workers will talk through the ballot box...
...U.T.W...
...He did not tell them that tat best market is a home market, created by paying living wages to workers and adequate remuneration to farmers for what they produce...
...All groups and parties except the Socialists were refused permission to aid the workers...
...Richberg Defies Lows Openly violating the Federal laws, Richberg disdained to notify Secretary of War Dern that army contracts with the Colts were to be cancelled after they lest their Blue Eagle...
...Tight picketing and a complete walkout have cut off production completely...
...The grapevine gossip whispered that the economic legislative program would have the heart cut out of it...
...Coordinating their forces the Council presented a series of demands to the Colts...
...W. F. Gephart...
...In the meantime Donald R. Richberg and the Department of Justice have ruled that the Colt case is not adequate for prosecution and Richberg intends to return the Blue Eagle to the corporation...
...Labor has no reason for being over-enthusiastic over the President's promises in his seventh radio address to the American nation...
...The bill creates a permanent labor board with quasi-judicial powers, writes majority rules into law, outlaws company-dominated unions and sets up rigid labor standards...
...Replying to the giant power lobby against the utilities bill, he blasted the so-called widows-andorphans-investment propaganda by showing that "This legislation will not only in the long run result in providing lower electric and gas rates to the consumer, but it will protect the actual value and earning power of properties now owned by thousands of investors who have little protection under the old laws against what used to be called frenzied finance...
...Itelegates arc expit ted from Texas, Mississippi...
...It is sitting pretty . under the protection of NRA...
...The committee consists of Daniel F. Hurley, chairman of the Strike Committe, and Morris Hurwich...
...William Green, president of the A. F. of L., has endorsed the strike and the threatened general, sympathetic strike of the Hartford trade unions...
...However, the greatest problem facing the Joint Council is strike relief...
...in New York Bakers' Union, Local 507, together with the Cake Bakers' \ Union, continues to wage a deter\ mined fight for union conditions | against the chain of bakeries oper, a ted by the Hanscom Co...
...May 18 and ID...
...A fighting combination of three organizations, the Plastic Workers, the Firearms Workers and the International Association of Machinists formed a Joint Council and smashed the yellow-dog group...
...rtrr al'tt SI <ticr Senior* Will (.peak at the "Par South" organisation ronlerrncr hire, according to LodiM- S. Jcasen, utatc repre...
...Far from bowing to the banks opposing the Ecclea bill, he described its provisions as a "miniMum of wise readjustment of our Federal Reserve System...
...The company through its president, who is also head of the Manufacturers' Association, stated that it will use its entire surplus of three million dollars to fight the unionization of their plants...
...The immediate result is the appearance of editorials in the Hartford dailies taking a firm and resolute stand . . . against the workers...
...The trouble with these Bertht is that they have outlived their day...
...He was "swinging to the right...
...Reserve System except minor revisions...
...promoting its purposes...
...Green attacked the Communist Party and the American Civil Liberties Union, accusing "them - of lining up with big business in opposition to the Wagner bill...
...Both have credentials from all the organizations involved and they will visit the Central Trades and Labor Council, the United Hebrew Trades, the national convention of the Workmen's Circle and many local trade unions...
...Only minor amendments were written into the bill in committee and the report came on the unanimous vote of* seven of the twelve committee members present...
...That is probably true of cotton goods, and of a good many other things, and prices are still rising...
...President's speech died away when the voice of the Chamber of Commerce was heard shrieking and screaming against "government interference in business," against "political domination of finance" and against "State Socialism...
...It manufactures revolvers, automatic pistols, machine* rifle* and machine guns, effective weapon* against strikers and for cannon fodder enlisted for fighting in imperialist war...
...We hold no brief for the NRA insofar as it has failed to make good upon its promises...
...Also the liberal* seen to be more pleased than the dyed - in - the - wool conservativei...
...senlatlvc of the party...
...They talked merely for the •partly settled open spaces and the still more sparsely settled mountsit peaks and valleys...
...they had inspired stories he was weakening...
...After this reassuring report on the-policies and organization which are to torn the great $4,000,000,000 emergency appropriation into work for the"-unemployed, the President said flatly that work relief was not enough...
...The statement follows: "Senator Borah of Idaho, who professes a great friendship for 'the little business man,' in his opposition and resistance to a continuance of the National Recovery Act, announced to the country that cotton goods have advanced 31 per cent...
...The Tea CemiwuwdsssiiTi of Biq tafltiflflB 1IARDLY had the echo of the...
...Socialists Aid in Strike The Jewish Daily Forward sends daily truckloads of food up to strike headquarters...
...Southern labor secretary of the party, and Franz Daniel, of the NUM.., will lead the sessions...
...An appeal is made to all unionists and their friends to help win this fight for the union...
...It haa retained the infamous Bergoff strike-breaking agency of Columbus Circle, New York, paying them thousands of dollars for expert services in strikebreaking, espionage and stoolpigeon work...
...regional conference held by the Sorinltat party this spring Clarence Senior...
...Upon receiving weed that the company refused to comply, after two unsuccessful attempts to mediate, over two thousaadjaen walked out and are still strikinr All efforts to break the strike are futile...
...Funds may also be sent direct to the Colt 7A Strike Relief Committee, B. Stearns, Labor Temple, 97 Park St., Hartford, Conn...
...Still Labor seamed to be more pleased with what the President did promise than was big business...
...He cited this the other day as proof that the NRA has been detrimental to the interests of the country...
...Teamsters' Union, Local 138, is also involved...
...Mi iTOtrt^ Lflbar ^^Csaferences BLUNT threats of early strikes ° unless Congress heeds the legislative, demands of organized labor marked a meeting of about 600 representatives of international unions and central labor bodies of the American- Federation of Labor...
...He did not tell them that prosperity comes, not from gluts at cheap goods but from plenty ef work well paid for and a wide distribution and consumption of watt is produced...
...Paul Porter, ZiiW Hawea...
...He did not tell them that before the NRA certain cotton nrnfll operated from 125 to 144 hours a week in a market already overloaded in an effort to lower cost} and strangle competition...
...A great part of the Colt profits is derived from sales of machine guns and revolvers to the government...
...He ignored the decisions of the 1 National Labor Board, which re- ' moved the Bine Eagle from the • Colt company, and refused to notify 1 the War Department that all con- ' tracts were to be cancelled because* of the loss of that emblem, as the 1 law required...
...It is hoped that the aid to be obtained in New York City will bo of immense help in winning the strike...
...By hi* action Richberg virtually*" betrayed organized labor and crashed the effectiveness of Sec- ; tion 7A of the MRA...
...They adhere to a philosophy that has been swept away by tbe very cataclysm that it produced...
...according to Chaa...
...Shortly after the NRA became law, attempts to organize a union of-Colt employees were met with refusal to bargain, discrimination aad discbarge of the active worken, and the creation of a yellowdog compny union...
...By Victor Riesel BfrY his flagrant protection of the Colt Manufacturing Company...
...It's true they didn't expect more, but they couldn't get much less, either...
...He did not tell them that during that 12 years the dominant et> ment in this industry was mate interested in selling in a glutted and overloaded market than it was in living standards of workers aid the payment of living wages...
...The firm has refused to negotiate with the labor organizations affected...
...enormously wealthty and powerful makers of revolvers and machine guns, Donald R. Richberg, acting head of the National Industrial Recovery Board and President Roosevelt's right-hand man, has made a national issue of a local strike of three unions against the big Hartford munitions corporation...
...pays its workers far less than the union scale, works them without limit as to hours and in every way seeks to profit by the unemployment situation...
...The strong protest against governmental regulation of the economic system came in the opening address of the 23rd annual convention of the United States Chamber of Commerce...
...The Price of Decay "He did not tell them that the country has had to pay for thost years during its depression—pay in scrapped industry, idle workers, lost wages, and relief doles...
...The Labor Committee of the Socialist Party has been cooperating in this work...
...But insofar as, under the pressure of trade union organizations, it has succeeded in certain organized industries in raising wages and improving conditions, there can be no criticism of it, unless it be the criticism that not enough has been accomplished...
...Secretary Dern laughingly told reporters that while be knew of , the situation "unofficially" he had never been notified "officially...
...Fenton , asked the President...
...Five-Cent Cotton "He did not tell them that in recent years 5-cent cotton meant for the cotton farmer, and 3-cent tobacco meant for the tobacco farmer, a level below that of the Russian peasant, and put them in a position where payment of their debts was an absolute impossibility, forced them into bankruptcy, drove them from their farms, sat sent them with their families down against the mill doors looking far jobs at any wages they could gat...
...The Union Labor Club continues to hold openair meetings and is doing good work in promoting the popularity of the bakers' union label...
...The Celt Patented Firearms Mfg...
...The President, mast have surprised his enemies...
...Alabama and out state Louisiana...
...In the list of laws that Congress "must" pass at this session the President did not include the Wagner Labor Disputes bill, or the- Blaek-Oonnery 30-hour week bill, or the Guffey coal nationalization bill—all of whkh Labor demands...
...The speaker, Mr...
...added: "The employers fear that the workers, given their legal rights under the Wagner bill, will discard company unions and come flocking into the American Federation of Labor by the millisns...
...A sort of a symbol of the President's middle-of-theroad course...
...the country for this low wage during those years, and that chfidren at a low wage were coma*, titors of adults in seeking asl holding jobs...
...In a statement replying to Senator Borah, the United Textile Workers of America undertakes to teach the senator a few salient facts about the problem which he discusses with such emphasis but little knowledge...
...The big special interests applied pressure on the White House and...
...He did not tell them that savage, wolfish competition in the decade preceeding the Roosevelt administration and the advent of NRA forced wages in many localities to as low as $4.50 a week...
...This time the Joint Council in - charge of the strike promises it will be a fight to the finish...
...The unions are determined to break the stranglehold of the notorious Hartford Manufacturers' Association, to test the sincerity of the government, its interpretation of collective bargaining, and the constitutionality of the NRA...
...said: "Election or appointment of men to public office does not thereby endow them with superhuman wisdom...
...He did not tell them that text** workers waited in many mills far 12 years—from 1921 to 19SS— without having regular employment in a single year out of fit twelve...
...Unfortunately, Borah did not tell the whole story...
...Seven weeks' contributions have exhausted resources of both the trade unions and the Socialist Party of Hartford...
...We must build for the future...
...The unemployment insurance part of the legislation will not help to guard the individual in future periods of lay-offs against dependence upon relief, but it will, by sustaining purchasing power, cushion the shock of economic distress...
...Mr...
...Kaaxvilte.—A Southern Mountain Stale* Socialist organization conference will !*¦ held here Saturday and Sunday, May S3 and 26...
...To those who would prevent , .strengthening of NRA, he said: "We have found from time to time i more and more useful ways -of Bakers' Union Is Fighting Hanscom Co...
...so, at least, we were told...
...Congress Until they were convinced they had: blocked reform...
...Several members of the Hartford Socialist local have been appointed honorary members of the council...
...To those who would cut down old-age pensions sand throw out unemployment insurance, he replied '. "The program for social security now pending before the Congress is a necessary part of the future unemployment policy of the Government...
...The workers wanted a joint agreement, a 25% raise, seniority and improved working conditions...
...Among all the necessary reforms listed he stressed those four which have been most endangered by lobbies—the social security, NRA, utility holding company, and banking hills...
...The Socialist Party has done prodigious work m providing ameliorative measures—and is working in close cooperation with strike leaders...
...Richberg at its blind end...
...To entrust to them under a system of economic planning or state Socialism these complicated problems of industry and finance is to expect what cannot be realized...
...Speaking to the union delegates, President Green charged big business has turned Section 7A of NIRA into "an instrument of persecution...
...It proposes, by means of old-age pensions, to help those who have reached the age of retirement to give up their jobs and thus give to the younger generation greater opportunities for work and to give to all a feeling of security as they took toward old age...
...The Manufacturers' Association, largely dominated by the big arms companies of Hartford, is acting true to form...
...Workers Fighting Richberg Betrayal of Section 7A Munition Workers in Colt Hartford Factory Face Employers, Bergoff Stool-Pigeons and Manufacturers' Association — Waging Gallant Battle But Need Aid...
...The only language big business understands is force," the stocky -Ohioan cried...
...An emergency strike relief committee is now in New York City seeking funds to prevent the strike from being broken by hunger...
...At the same time, the manufacturers are inserting huge advertisements in the local newspapers, seeking to break the morale and the spirit of the strikers...
...Instead of outlawing company unions this law, because of ineffective enforcement, has enabled employers to strengthen them, President Green said...
...While organized labor militantly launched a big push in its behalf, the Wagner Labos Disputes bill was favorably reported by the Senate Labor Committee...
...When we appealed your : board sustained vs...
...Scores Borah for Help To Textile Industry Exploiters Declares Senator Has Distorted Important Facts Snowing Workers Decay Under Revolting Regime of Textile CorporationsThe Borah's Have Become Useless Bores...
...The conference, which will deal moatly with labor wart and Socialist aid In flu- organization af southern farmer*, will t»e held in Sit party headquarter!* Saturday ami Suaday...
...The union charges that this concern refuses to comply with conditions laid down by the NRA...
...Borah did not tell consumers that under ruthless competition, for the return of which he pleads, things fell to r-uch a low estate that the 31 per cent advance he refers to was in reality merely a partial return to decent standards of living, to decent wages, to decent working conditions, and to more adequate consumption of what the nation produces...
...Local 507 is also on strike against the Efron Bakery, located at 183rd St...
Vol. 18 • May 1935 • No. 18
