Nazis Fear Elections By Factory Employees
Nazis Fear Elections By Factory Employees Council Members Chosen in 1935 to Hold Over Again—Wages Near Starvation Level Cause Ever-Growing Discontent. Workmen's Circle To Aid All Needy, Aged...
...Haycraft, who is young and is running his .first race for election, offers a strong contrast to Leach, who is a veteran campaigner and has already occupied the mayor's chair four times...
...The new Executive Committee consists of the following members: Organization Committee: J. Weinberg, S. Silverberg, J. Fishman, H. Sehachner, A. Simon-Educational Committee: Philip Block, I. Kreplack, L. Gelpar, H. Kretchmer, A. Rubinstein...
...This means that organized Labor in the automobile center of the country will throw its forces behind its own candidates in the fall...
...It is not known yet whether Latimer and the Dunne-Trotskyites will file an independent ticket and fight the Farmer-Labor Party...
...It is...
...Convention delegates had to choose between placing their candidates under the Democratic era-Mem in the primaries or dividing their strength at the polls by attempting to endorse candidates in both parties...
...This regional office of the National Labor Relations Board has handled almost as many cases in the three weeks since the National Labor Relations Act was upheld by the Supreme Court as it did in the 18 months between the passage of the act and the decision...
...Millions of votes were cast against the Xazist candidates, even though there were no others to be voted for...
...swung behind Haycraft...
...Reminded that U. S. Steel has signed, they reply "That's different...
...Fund Goes for Relief The National Executive Committee, however, felt differently, and believing that it was premature foT the Workmen's Circle to build a home at this time, recommended instead that the present Old Age Home Fund be turned into an Old Home and Relief Fund for the purpose of aiding needy old members, 65 and over, to pay their bills to the organization, and further help to place those requiring institutional care in homes nearest their places of residence...
...MINNEAPOLIS, Minn...
...Latimer Defeated By Haycraft in Kim Primaries Spat in Farmer-Labor Ranks Caused by Trotskyites Gives First Place to Conservatives...
...Sweatshop conditions and exploitation of the workers still exist in the open-shop factories...
...Since 1935 the Nazis have not dared to hold new elections...
...Labor's Nonpartisan League in this city set up its political machinery as a prelude to its campaign, in the coming city-wide elections, to put a complete slate of trade union men into the municipal offices...
...Haycraft, a former Ail-American football player at the University of Minnesota, is how at the age of thirty, State Director for Old Age Pensions...
...filiated international and Tutsaibj unions with headquarters ht-r fH in other cities...
...Substantial increases in meat-bership and organization of maty new unions are reported »j tht National Federation of Poet Dffe* Clerks, International BfoOK-hdoc of Teamsters, Amalgamated Met: Cutters and Butcher Wrrkerv International Jewelry tforkeff Union, Hotel and Restaurant Employees' International Allianu sal Bartenders' International LeagM...
...Elinore M. Herrick, regional director, said that she is running he*r office on a 16 to 20-hour a day basis...
...Another factor in the controversy between the Trotskyites and the regular Farmer-Laborite* is the division between the A. F. of L. and the C.LO...
...Because of the split caused by the Dunne-Trotsky ite faction, Leach was able to win first place over his opponent...
...The soundness of the Order and the continuing vigor of its activity was clearly emphasized in the comprehensive reports of President Guskin and General Secretary Baskin...
...Before I'll spend the rest of my life dealing with William Green, I'm going to raise apples and potatoes...
...If we sign now, we will be asked to sign again when this contract expires, and then the unions will want us to agree to the closed shop...
...By murray goldman Among the several outstanding problems confronting the Thirty-Seventh Convention of the Workmen's Circle, held last week in Philadelphia, that of building an Old Age Home for the organization, or aiding aged members in other direct ways, was paramount...
...The Dunne group, which is at odds with the Benson organisation, is dominated by the Trotskyites, who also control the Truck Drivers' Union...
...They want a verbal agreement because that's easier to welsh on than a written one...
...Last week 75 such workers, employed in one plant, met and laid plans for further organization work and will very soon present union demands to their employer...
...S. Resnirk...
...Thus the fairy tale of the "workers' unity behind Hitler" was effectively discredited...
...In an official commentary it was frankly stated that the Works Councils must at all times enjoy the confidence of their employers...
...Nation-wide sentiment for political action by Labor was reflected here in a decision ef the Detroit and Wayne County Federation of Labor, an A. F. of L. affiliate body, favoring independent political action...
...The 1935 Convention appointed a committee to study the question thoroughly and bring in its recommendations this year...
...Martel was optimistic over the posibilities of a 6trenuous labor campaign in Detroit and expects the ticket to show sufficient strength in the polling to definitely establish Labor as a political force to be reckoned with in Michigan...
...The split has visibly helped the morale of the conservative elements throughout the state...
...We are march** forward for a real leather worker* international union in the Unitat States and Canada...
...President Frank X. Martel, of the State Federation, told the press that the motion means that a Labor slate for Mayor and members of the Common Council would be drawn up...
...Mrs...
...hard to take seriously the excuses which the steel officials make for refusing to sign...
...All nominees have been chosen from the ranks of the trade unions...
...We are not going to deal with the Amalgamated or any other professional union, even if we have to shut down'," he said...
...Lest the steel workers be thought prejudiced, it may be well to quote some of the things from an article in "Fortune" magazine published in December, 1935...
...All propaganda against official candidates meets with harsh punishment...
...Labor was successful in blocking a conservative move to put control of the police department in an untouchable position by placing the chief of police under civil service...
...Workmen's Circle To Aid All Needy, Aged Members Gejalrin Reports on Cultural Accomplishments of the W. C. —Baskin Reports Strong Financial Condition...
...the union feels, has just begun...
...The A. F. of L. was mainly back of Latimer and the C.I.O...
...and the Youngstown Sheet * Tube Co...
...Haycraft won over Latimer by a close margin and will face General George E. Leach, former mayor and candidate of the Conservatives, in the final elections on June 14...
...Specie' to The New Leader DETROIT, Mich...
...Latimer, 25,315...
...Men who had belonged to the regular trade unions, Social Democratic in their tendencies, won more than 73% of the mandates, Catholic unionists nearly 8, and Communists less than 5. The answer of the government to this triumphant re-assertion of labor's rights was the destruction df the free trade unions and the establishment of the state-controlled Nazi Labor Front...
...The fight...
...The present cOUndTs, composed virtually of government appointees, will hold over...
...The convention also made provision for the drafting of a Labor program to which its candidates will be definitely committed...
...Umofe Report Big Gains...
...Financial Stability Stressed Secretary Baskin stressed the solvency and financial stability of the Workmen's Circle...
...The committee proposed to raise further money from various sources and proceed immediately with the building of an Old Age Home...
...Despite the pressure exerted by the government and the solid backing of the employers, the Nazis got only 11.7% of the mandates...
...Mayor Latimer, who was thrown over-i board by the Farmer-Labor Party as too conservative and was picked up by a "rump" faction, led by William Dunne, a member of the Thomas-Trotskyite Socialist Party, was defeated in the primaries by the regular Farmer-Labor candidate for mayor, Kenneth C. Hay-craft...
...They profess to fear, not a verbal agreement with the union, but a written one...
...akron labor SETS UP political party AKRON, Ohio...
...Trade Unions in Detroit Organize Party Machinery Wayne County Federation of Labor Decides to Enter Fall Elections—Complete Slate Named...
...The count was: Leach, 50.691...
...Many Ail...
...H. Rnbinnkv PARIS.—The election of Works Councils all over Germany, scheduled for May, has been postponed for' a year...
...Minneapolis, major city of a state known internationally as a forerunner in progressive polities and social readjustment, must not desert ite tradition on June 14...
...while before the Supreme Court's decision the rate averaged three a month...
...Girdler Bitter Union Foe Union workers here, however, have no difficulty in explaining the refusal of the independent steel companies to sign written agreements...
...The decision is understandable in view of the Nazis' experience in the 1934 and 1935 elections, in both of which large lumbers of workers asserted their independence...
...Outstanding among tit gum just reported are agreement* tf, national interest made at Cfcitsji and Minneapolis...
...A political action committee was set up and instructed to present a comprehensive pian for trade union participation in the campaign...
...Only one list of candidates, approved by the head of each enterprise and by the Labor Front, may be presented...
...The workers enths-siastically ratified an agreement giving us the sole collective bargaining agency for all workers a the industry, the 40-hour week U> a minimum wage scale...
...bership...
...Labor Dispute Quickly Settled By Wagner Acts Supreme Court Decision Brings Flood of Cn.es in Nrw York Office...
...Labor controversies are being-settled peaceably at the rate of 56 a month...
...Secretary-Treasurer Frank Me*, rison of the A. F. of L. rep#fi that 446,169 new member...
...The ensuing primary battle will reveal whether Labor in this industrial center is strong enough to nominate its1 own candidates...
...has followed Girdler's example...
...it-suited from negotiations wit« employer...
...Office Committee: J. Rothmaa...
...No better proof of the growth of unrest among the workers and of the government's fear of an outbreak could be looked for...
...Nazi Officials Goad Catholic Employees A judgment of the Sieger, Labor Court, reported in the "Frankfurter Zeitung" of February 28, shows the systematic vexation to which Catholics are exposed in Nazi Germany...
...Haycraft had the support of the regular Farmer-Labor organisation in city and state...
...out the Nation...
...Catholic building workers had been set to work on fortification works in a district with a predominantly Protestant population...
...Sanatorium Committee: L. Ginsberg, J. Padnick, S. Rifkin, M. Golding, J. Finkelstein...
...On a Catholic festival the workers wished to have the day off and were willing to renounce their wages for the day, but the manager insisted that they should work...
...A five cent tax for that purpose levelled in 1919, and increased to twenty-five cents :n 1932 has to this date accrued a sum close to a half million dollars...
...The men were dismissed without notice...
...Under the new Labor Act, the principle of the Works Councils elections was re-affirmed, but the new rules laid down by the Nazis made a genuine representation of the workers illusory...
...William A. Anderson, Joseph A. Poirier and Arthur LeSueur are the Farmer-Labor candidates for the municipal judgeships...
...Nasi Hopes Deemed In 1933, after the seizure of power by Hitler, the government did not interfere with the council elections...
...The candidates selected will appear on the ballots, at the August primary, under the emblem of the Democratic Party...
...The new rulers believed that the intimidated workers would be afraid to vote against candidates favored by the regime and the employees...
...Haycraft immediately sounded the keynote of his campaign, asserting that the "next task is to defeat reaction...
...These hopes were doomed to disappointment...
...Already ten of the largest syrup manufacturers in the city have settled with the union and salesmen and inside workers have received substantial wage increases and better working conditions...
...These are only a few of the -jniefe which are forging ahead in ite...
...The amendment was defeated by the Farmer-La bo rites, who opposed it on the ground that it would make the police chief a "czar" and responsible to nobody...
...in the rural sections of the country, particularly the Far West and the Coast...
...The welters greatly appreciate the spieaei cooperation and support the AaS ican and Chicago Federate** «* Labor have given us both monh) and financially...
...Haycraft, 25,551...
...A. Seldin, S. Dovitch, S. Elenson, J. Watnick...
...Organizationally, he said, ite greatest gains were among the younger elements, and he placed a good deal of hope \n the recommendation, of the Executive Committee to broaden out the activit yof the W.C...
...Worker's Election* 'There are indications," she said, "that the technique of holding a secret ballot to determine the wishes of employees will be used more and more where the right of the union to recognition as the exclusive collective bargaining agency is challenged, now that employers have shown a disposition to concede the fundamental right of workers to organize and to bargain collectively through their chosen representatives...
...If enough ardent union label buyers should go through a merchant's door, unfair products would to out of the window...
...He also envisioned a great field of activity in the trade unions, with which the W.C...
...Grievance Committee: M. Abrams, J. Savin, L. Zinderman...
...For his services he gets $129,000 a year...
...Under his autocratic control, the Republic Steel Corporation has refused absolutely to sign an agreement with the Steel Workers Organising Committee...
...The teiegra* says: "Just signed collective agreement with Luggage Manufacturers' association, comprising the larger shops in the city employing show 1,600 workers...
...445169 Enroll*} Important Agreement Signed at Chicago ajrf Minneapolis Are Amifcg Many Reported Tr routo...
...During the past two years, he pointed out, the Workmen's Circle has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for support of labor and progressive institutions in Europe and in America—its aid to the Spanish workers, to the Jews of Pland, to Hias, Ort, the Underground movement in Germany, the Jewish Schools in Eastern Europe, and the cultural and health institutions in the United States...
...Because of the settlements already reached, the workers in these non-unionized plants have been coming to the union for aid...
...After lengthy debate, lasting for two full sessions, this recommendation carried by an overwhelming majority...
...That is a fair summary of their attitude...
...Plans are being pushed for an intensive campaign and for the eventual setting up of its own machinery to operate in the primaries and the regular elections...
...Republic Steel Defies Union Workers' Drive Threatens to Close Mills Rather1 Than Sign With Labor Unions—36-Hour Strike at Jones & Laughlin Bring* Agreement for Bargaining Elections, YOUNGSTOWN, O. — "Tom" Girdler has taken the first step to make good his boast that he will close the Republic steel mills permanently and "pick apples," rather than deal* with labor unions...
...Despite restricted immigration he saw great organizational opportunities for the W.C...
...Milling Compony Pest In Minneapolis, an agreement covering general labor policies the nation-wide interests of General Mills, Inc., big manufacturer of flour, feed and package geeda has been signed by the n-Jllhtf company with the A. F. of L. Meyer Lewis, representative <rf William Green, said the agieeuitftt was signed for General Mills tf Donald D. Davis, company pteU-dent, and for the A. F. of L. Vf Green and himself...
...WASHINGTON, D. C.—Prarreai in membership and in the of natter pay and working csmL tions is reported by the Afterke) Federation of Labor and bj «f...
...hart joined affiliated aniens and Feders) anions in the last eight tnorthit...
...Jones & Laughlin, with 27,000 employees, after a strike of only 36 hours, agreed to an election supervised by the NLRB to determine what organization should conduct collective bargaining for the men and with the company...
...The Nazis suffered a crushing defeat...
...The vital force in Republic is Tom Mercer Girdler...
...Benefit Committee: M. Spinrad, S. Dworkin, S. Rosen, Philip Weiner, N. Pogran...
...Leofher Worker* fro* Gaining of higher wages, short* hours and improved working ce> ditions is reported by A. F. >ft unions from all over the nctia Most of the progress has bee, made without strikes and ha...
...A complete list of candidates for the City Council and the Akron Board of Education was drawn up...
...This important step in the development of a strong Labor Party in this section was taken at a convention held last week in the Mayflower Hotel, attended t>y more than 200 delegates representing every local union in the city...
...This did not preclude the building of a Home at some time in the future, but merely postponed action to some future date...
...Drive Launched To Better Evils In Syrup Plants A campaign to bring into the union fold hundreds of workers in the syrup factories of New York <Sty, who work without air or light and whose average pay envelope is less than $12 for 80 or 90 hours a week, has been started by the Syrup Salesmen and Inside Workers' TJnion...
...In this way the American Federation of Labor and the Trotskyites were thrown into the same political camp...
...This procedure is one which, when followed, leaves no aftermath of bitterness and ill-will in the minds of either the employer or those workers who may not be organized...
...has always worked in closest cooperation...
...among the English-speaking elements of the population...
...Many prof gressives here hold Latimer responsible for the shooting of union men by the police during last year's strike...
...Pittsburgh Steel, with about 5.000 workers, yielded at the same time and in much the same manner...
...Reminded tl)at- they themselves have signed agreements with the United Mine Workers for their captive coal mines, they say that President Roosevelt asked them to do tHis" But asked what they will do if the President asks them to sign with the steel workers, they have no answer...
...The story is told in a telegram to Pretidejt William Green ef the A. F of L from Samuel Laderman, vice-president of the International L»da»' Handbag, Pocketbook and Novelty Workers' Union and manager ef the Chicago local...
...The problem of establishing such a Home has occupied the attention of the membership at many previous conventions...
...Merely to mention the set agreements would take colour* «f space...
...In Chicago, organised teetMr workers have won an agreeme»*V*T outstanding importance...
...President Guskin dwelt at great length on the cultural activity of the Workmen's Circle and the support it has given to the Jewish working masses, here and abroad...
Vol. 20 • May 1937 • No. 21
