West Cost Labor Combats Demands For Incorporation
Citizens' Committee Set for Drive on Unions West Cost Labor Combats Demands For Incorporation Business Forces Seek the passage of Bills to Limit picketing and Hinder Use of Union Funds. MJS...
...This is the first of three short articles, revealing for the layman the plight of the railroads, and the things to watch for in coming months...
...This industry is the railroad in-'"dustry...
...By 192S, the number had dropped to 1,902,000...
...he exclaims, "mew torn you call an organisation that plans to put full-page ads in the papers a 'propaganda' group...
...of L.,-revoked tile charter and immediately reorganized the federation with the C.I.O...
...A convention of youth delegates from the Labor Party repeated the party's demand for an immediate General Election, and heard speakers support the Labor Party's advocacy of extension of the FrancoSoviet pact...
...There are two forms of bankruptcy for railroads, receivership and trusteeship...
...Thousands gathered to hear the Labor Party's demand, voiced by Herbert Morrison, that Britain refuse to abandon Czechoslovakia to "the tender mercy of the dictators...
...They were ran by High Finance—as they are yet —and* High Finance has never' shown an atom of foresight or patriotism, or of anything else but an insatiable appetite, for money and power...
...In Caifornia, the incorporation bow is sponsored by Harry Chandler, publisher of the reactionary Los Angeles Times...
...When the roads were turned back to private ownership after the World War in 1920, more than 2,000,600 people were working on the railroads...
...The Citizens' Committee is actually an amalgamation of company unions in thirty-eight states, and continually works to combat the efforts of legitimate groups in the field...
...The Trafalgar Square demonstration held last Sunday was the highpoint of the campaign...
...From John Ertz, president of Nottingham Local 311 of the Miners, came a similar statement in favor of Jones...
...Citizens' National Committee—Office of Secretary...
...Ernest T. Weir of Wetrton Steel, and...
...fThe ousting of the Colorado Federation has been expected far several months as Frank Hefferly, state president, is a member of the United Mine Workers and a strong supporter of the Committee for Industrial Organization...
...Unions Divided .The split has also affected the unions, beta of A. F. of L. and C.I.O...
...Ttocmghoat the West, support for the incorporation move is coming from the same shipping, lumber and industrial interests that hired vigilantes in an effort to stop labor ia 1934, and used the lockout to break the strikes of 1936-37...
...51 in the West, where you will find it easier to touch a busted railroad on tiie map than one that is still solvent...
...The publisher lag mewed the aid of Mrs...
...It is this "Communism" that is actually at the bottom of labor disturbances, the literature below the picture states...
...Now, I don't know that—I dost care to know it...
...The plight of ^he railroads is truly terrific...
...Selvin played an active role t yaw sad a half ago in the activities of reactionaries working to break the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ante...
...If Lewis collects the money, it will be used to finance Kennedy's campaign for the gubernatorial nomination...
...Louis-San Francisco—there are few important towns-west of the Mississippi River to which you cannot travel on a bankrupt railroad...
...lahor's Non-Partisan League has called the convention is Ms*, factor in Massachusetts poRecently organised under ¦» leadership of Alan R. Sweezy, JP**** instructor at Harvard, WyaiQsnwip at present is' comJ**lsrgely of CIO unions...
...And that the fores is considerable is evidenced by the fact that McHarg and his Citizens' National Committee, which helped the Steel Corporations break the Johnstown strike last summer, plan a new drive, including insertion of laiga...
...The Oregon interpolation proposal also bans picketing, except where a "majority" of the employees are parties to the dispute...
...The twwp is undecided as to whether * act as an independent party **» * pressure group which would t*r*w its vote to the most liberal *»**dftte in the field...
...The convention recommended that a national charter be given- to the Progressive Miners, and Tom Cairns, former president of District 17 of the United Mine Workers, was elected president of the federation...
...The "Crusade for Peace and Security," under which slogan the Labor Party is conducting its campaign, rhay yet sweep the Chamberlain party and its policy of bowing to the fascists out of the government seat of Britain...
...The longer the factional fight continues, the more headaehes there are for union leaders and party chieftains, A Now State Federation Meantime, the A. F. of L. announces organization of a state federation in West Virginia with 222 delegates in attendance, who represented 14 central labor unions with 218 affiliates, 160 locals of national unions, and four building trades councils...
...Posters, leaflets, and pamphlets are being distributed throughout the nation, condemning the present government for its betrayal of the League of Nations and its evident inability or unwillingness to take any positive steps for peace...
...It is felt that before returning bumper dividends companies should make provision for the future...
...Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific...
...Ertz went so far as to say: "Lewis is becoming a dictator...
...But the contrast between railroad prices than and now shows the plight of the railroads as truly as it shows the incompetence of "investment bankers...
...McHarg grow* almost as irate at hearing his committee mentioned as a "propaganda" group as he does at the mention ef the C.I.O...
...This was taken for granted in Pennsylvania, but Fred J. McCall, who heads a big local of the Electrical and Radio Workers, a C.I.O...
...That the alleged purpose of war on "Communism" is only a cover for all the pro-fascist activities of the Citizens' Committee is modi quite clear by McHarg's description of the activities that make him want to see the "Communists" exterminated...
...And the financiers who have managed this industry into its present plight want the public or the" government to pay the cost of getting out of it...
...T—«g*»^ the students of an American college refusing to listen to the ambassador of a friendly ameerament...
...On hearing a suggestion that perhaps the students wished to protest against German treatment of Jews, McHarg said: "What they do over there is their own bosiaaesi We shouldn't interfere...
...The advance of freight rates by the I.C.C., the proposal of railroads for a wage cut for over a million men, and the rail conferences at the White House arouse once again the rumors of an administration drive for government ownership...
...I have some very good Jewish friends...
...But on being asked whether he thought Jems form the major part of the Communist Party, the party be washes to exterminate, McHarg deciaiesU "Well, a committee that invest*gated the matter said that these Communist schools have 90 per cent Jewish membership...
...Despite the "I am Horrified" speech of...
...By 1936, it had come up to 1,806 - 000...
...The security of Britain," he stated, "is really bound up with the security of the world, for if the world is insecure the far-flung British Commonwealth is bound to be insecure...
...Their names once were symbols of financial power and prosperity...
...The present market value of that industry may be a little more than half the smaller sum...
...Chicago & Northwestern...
...Liberal and labor forces of Massachusetts have beret their pre-election drive, the purpose of which is to defeat the s-election aims of Governor Hurkj, head of the State Democratic machine...
...draw your own conclusions...
...Class I railroads, however, have 95 per cent of all rail employees...
...That is the latest year for which complete figures can be had for all railroads...
...Democratic Spirt Widens An amusing phase of the factional fight is that "the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee owes thaj United Mine Workers $40,000 which that organized loaned the committee last year, and Lewis is pressing the committee for payment...
...and the market prices of the same stocks at the end of February: Price Price Road 1929 1938 New York CentraL.$256.50 $19.00 Baltimore & Ohio_ 145.13 10.50 Southern Railway— 162.13 12.50 Illinois Central- 156.50 12.00 Northern Pacific _ 118.87 12.13 Southern Pacific _ 1§7.60 20.50 Undoubtedly, railroad stocks were too high in 1929...
...have decided that the present time, with disruption weakening the labor movement, industry well stocked-up in annual inventories, and unemployment rapidly depleting union funds, is a propitious one for a finish fight on labor organisation...
...but they have lost an appalling proportion of jobs for their workers...
...That neglect of and indifference to the League of Nations is isolating Britain and involving her in valueless agreements'with untrustworthy nations was the opinion expressed by Herbert Morrison, leader of the London City Council, and British Labor head, in a speech delivered at Newcastle...
...In Pennsylvania, Labor's NonPartisan League is largely following the A. F. of L. policy of nonpartisan politics, but its activities are ¦ confined to the Democratic Party...
...Part of the revenue will be placed to a new Labor Insurance Fund to supplement unemployment and oldage insurance in times of depression...
...Soon the radio commentators and the front pages throughout the nation will find the biggest story in months in the railroad crisis...
...It sunk to 991,000 in 1933— less than half the number employed ten years before...
...Meyer Lewis, acting for President Green of.the A. F...
...McHarg never mentions any of his backers...
...It is intimated in informed circles that charges will be made shortly by Loyalist representatives that war supplies are Split in Labor Affects TwojAdditionalStates William Grew Revokes Charter of Colorado State Federation—A...
...John L. Lewis is fighting for the nomination of Thomas Kennedy as Governor, and this has brought about the split...
...Bombs During Barcelona Raids Evidence Points to DuPont Factories as Source of Supply — American Oil Sent to Rebels...
...Its "book value" is something over $22,000,000,000...
...WASHINCT0N, D. C—With the revocation oL the charter of the Colorado State Federation this wee~fcTand a split in the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania because high party leaders will.not accept" John L. Lewis' candidate for Governor, interest in the split in the labor movement is focused in two states...
...sl,----Ifc...
...Denver & Rio Grande Western...
...Anti-Depression Bill Sponsored ByNotway Labor By REGINALD SPINK Special to The New Leader COPENHAGEN.—Following the lead of the Swedish Labor Government in preparing emergency plans (already described in The New Leader), the Norwegian Labor Government, under Johan Nygaardsvold, has drawn up a scheme of national reserves which, when passed by the Norwegian Parliament, will place Norway in a position to withstand the worst onslaughts of a new economic depression, should one occur...
...Oregon and Washington, ftold enable manufacturers to tie wuoi* funds by having a small ggsiber of union members—pos,jbJy company spies—demand an jswstigstion of the books...
...Up to Old Tricks Just as during the World War munition makers sold to enemies of their own countries so that thousands of British Tommies and French Poilus were blown to bits by British cannon and French nickel-covered bullets and bombs, s« today the American industrial apostles of "decency" and "patriotism," many hiding behind the cloak of religion, are supplying Hitler and Mussolini, on a credit basis, with the munitions and war materials with which Franco is blasting loyalist women and children to bits...
...This has been its ^meaningthe convention, which Mwpea, will become a new and Bff "J*?* in Massachusetts poliBritish Labor Starts National Peace Drive Morrison and Attlee Lead Campaign to Drive Tories From Office and Avert War Through Policy of Collective Security...
...taaumml a am Up in McHarg's office at 41 East 42nd St...
...There is excited discussion of the plans in Norway, and although the Norwegian Labor Government does not possess a clear majority it is expected to receive the support of the Farmer Party...
...One effect of the plans would be to stabilize the share market and impede the workings of speculators, who thrive on the violent fluctuations of share values caused by alternating good and bad times...
...Secretary Hull, the State^ Department refuses to use ils*<nfluence to" stop the carnage by seeing that the Fascist states' command of credit in this country is cut down...
...Special to The New Leader...
...i#or Marshals Ftrces to Oust Governor Hurley If DOUGLAS BLAUFARB apodal to The New Leader BOSTON...
...Papers Back Move Proponents of the bill in Oregon ue attempting to pass it by use of the initiative, with all three of Portland's newspapers backing the BOTe...
...At a secret meeting, March 13, hbor groups attacked the'reactionay labor policies of Hurley and awed as their choice for Governor Robert J. Watt, former secretary-treesBrer of the American Federation of Labor...
...Farmers are told that failure to have unions incorporated will prevent them from driving their gen trucks to market...
...WASHINGTON, D. C—There is a twenty billion dollar industry in the United States today, much of it actually in bankruptcy, more of it trending toward bankruptcy, and only a minor fraction of it prosperous...
...full-page ads in the daily papers, a venture which involves hundreds of thousands of dollars...
...But this "not-secret'* organization of Mr...
...MJS ANGELES.—Labor on the West Coast is fighting against the 4trt* of industrialists to force metures on the unions through ?t process of "compulsory incorporation.'" Inch incorporation, now being gtftested by labor's foes in California...
...Nine years ago, it was proclaimed by the Wall Street Journal to be well worth $55,000,000,000...
...McHarg, "I have no feelings against en* race...
...Chicago, Milwaukee, St...
...Funds resulting from this levy will, in an emergency, be used to assist distressed industries, and to release idle resources...
...The A, F. of L. unions will not support Kennedy...
...Labor and investors Hit C Not only have the railroads lost money for all but "inside" investors...
...25 in the South—such as the Seaboard Airline and Florida East Coast...
...Not only has it been established that many of the bombs which crushed half of Barcelona last week came from the DuPont factory in Wilmington, but it has been verified that the oil which was used in the insurgent planes during their relays between Majorca and the Mainland came from the reserves of the largest American companies...
...Taxation will be so adjusted as not to penalize such reserves...
...Here is a table of the high point of their common stocks in 1929...
...The sitssijo" is most serious at present is Oregon, where a bill for incorporation failed of passage by two TOtes at the last legislature...
...Special to The New Leader WASHINGTON, D. C—As tons of steel and chemicals mangle loyalist civilians and cities, and it becomes more obvious that Franco is getting the huge 800- and 1,100pound bombs from the industrialized centers of the United States and Creat Britain, the fight to extend the so-called neutrality act to Italy and Germany grows rapidly here...
...The existence ef McHarg's group is both in itself and aa a syaaptgm obviously indicative of tms- TV in as that constitute today's greatest threat at home to American labor, —----m...
...It was 1,517,000 in 1930...
...F. of L. Opposes Lewis' Choice for Governor of Pennsylvania...
...We're not a secret organization...
...Edwin Sehrin of Seattle in his campaign...
...But it fell sharply the latter part of the year...
...Tom Girdler of Republic, are among the committee's backers, who...
...Chicago Great Western...
...and in the middle of February, 1938, 939,000 persons were working on Class I railroads of the United States...
...the letters state simply The board of directors, trustees, or other backers, whose i iislam¦ is proved anew by the large financial campaign planned by tee committee, don't want their nsoars poo...
...unions out...
...A statement iy the group said that its purpose t| to weld the progressive and lib«*1 block into a solid group...
...In the meantime Governor Earle, who has played ball with the League and had remained neutral in the factional fight, last week suddenly switched and is now lined up with the whole organization ticket opposed to Lewis and Kennedy...
...The old federation had voted some months ago to affiliate with the C.I.O...
...the walls are decorated with copies of the projected ads, which contain gory pictures showing skeletons, labeled "Communism," stabbing semi-nude women called "Liberty," and men called "Intelligence...
...Included in the proposals is a new prosperity tax to be levied on companies returning a dividend of over 6 per cent...
...But its fjfpose is not only to recruit all laWffcroes, bat CIO and AFL, but **J»B ite its fold the representaE* of the fanners' unions in this ^y...
...At the present writing, 94 railroads, with 77,149 miles of track—more than a quarter of all the track in the United States—are in one form of bankruptcy or the other...
...It is less, doubtless often a good deal less, than their outstanding bond issues for they cannot pay interest on their bonds- Yet the bankrupt roads are merely the clearest cases of railroad collapse...
...and all other possible pro3*wve groups...
...Yet it is in these circumstances that the Government has now openly deserted the League of Nations and the collective organization of peace...
...Leaders Speak Everywhere Speaking at a recent meeting in Bristol, Major Attlee, parliamentary leader of the party, expressed the Labor Party's demand for collective security as the only means to halt the dictators, "The democratic states, if they united not only in the political but in the economic sphere could create such conditions of betterment for their people as would lead other States to abjure the curse of dictatorship and imperialism and join together with them to make a peaceful and prosperous world," he added...
...Good Jewish Meads" "Of course," said Mr...
...Missouri Pacific...
...Plight ef Six Lines Here are six big roads, all of which are paying interest on their bonds though none of them pay dividends on their stocks...
...The slogan "Collective Security — the People's Answer to the Dictators" —featured the meeting...
...State labor groups are a 1ready preparing for the convention of Labor's Non-Partisan League sum has been called for March 27...
...What these bankrupt lines are worth is anybody's guess...
...U. S. Railroads Face Worst Crisis in History - By ELIOT HARRIS * Railroads in the news...
...Action of college students ia boycotting meetings at which Nasi ambassadors are scheduled to spank is called- "disgraceful" by this secretary of the Citizens' Committee...
...licly connected with the society...
...I believe in the Bill of Rights and the right to worship or not worship...
...Company-Backed Stooge Makes Use Of Huge Resources McHarg, Secretary of Group that Fought Johnstown Strikes, Hits American Protests Against Nazism...
...Senator LaFoflette of Wisconsin was present •t the meeting, chairman of which V A. Prank Reel, labor candidate fe Congress from Cambridge, in tm recent elections...
...Paul & Pacific...
...Industrial companies are to be compelled to set aside adequate reserves of capital now while times are good...
...LONDON.—With hundreds of meetings throughout England devoted to attacks on the Government's policy of conciliating the dictators, and with widespread rallies calling for a general election at which the "peace by surrender" stand of the "National" cabinet can be submitted to the people, Britain's Labor Party is in the midst of its most heated drive in recent years...
...Simultaneously with their drive for atorjoration and as an essential factor in that drive, these interests are continually working to paint noons as lawless, violent groups, doumated throughout by graft...
...McHarg carries apt one single name on its lottutaenai, and Mr...
...All Sections Affected There are 18 bankrupt railroads in Eastern territory—New Haven and Wabash for example...
...At meetings in city halls, schoolrooms, churches, theatres, and open market places, from Scotland to the southernmost part of England, large audiences are gathering to hear demands voiced by Labor Party members for English action toward peace and democracy...
...yj?rjfrfsfriaMo tkm-Now Leader...
...and Class I railroad employment for 1937 averaged 1,115,000...
...Ormsby McHarg is at it again, ready to swing oat against the American labor movement with all the force he and the finsnrtai structure behind him can muster...
...affiliate, has issued a statement critical of Lewis and Kennedy and favorable to Jones, the regular choice for Governor...
...The fight now threatens to throw the election to the Republican Party and it has the regular Democratic chiefs in Pennsylvania and Washington worried...
...Franco Used (Many U.S...
Vol. 21 • March 1938 • No. 13
