THE STORY OF THE PAINTERS UNION
Silverstein, Louis
The Story of the Painters Union III - The Alteration Painters (1908-1914) By Louis Stiverstein what has come before On £e xeava of the eutHmatm far nanonat trmji iiiiiani, tne «r»jsajajwrf of...
...1251...
...A campaign among nonajTewish painters had brought many of them into the fold of the "outside" union...
...It carries a number ot propaganda articles of a general character, together with a report of the Congress at which the organisation was founded, its rules and an appeal to the independent trade unions...
...1l Wat not until EUioft had retired- on account-of 9 health that Ae two factiomcotdd unite in 1901...
...On July 1, 1910, a score of unorganized workers formed the Alteration Painters and Paperhangers' Union of New York...
...The Bethlehem Steel Corporation has Just established Its latest method of "relief" as a part of, what its classconscious employees call, "helfare" work...
...As early as 1907 a so-called "Group of Painters" In New York City had asked to Join the brotherhood, its members offering to pay Individual initiation fees of $5...
...The story is told In the first person by a poor, hare-lipped little girl, suspected of being a witch, loved by none, and yet so pure of soul that, when she isn't up In the attic taking pity on herself, she is doing noble deeds of sacrifice for her friends, her mother, and hev hard-hearted brother...
...Later on in the year strikes In other parts of the city were Just as successful...
...The quarries are filled with fresh water and are excellent for swimming...
...Saturday evening...
...He Invites the employers to a supposed strike headquarters, where his operatives frighten the employers into engaging" him...
...By this means they hope to exert a Lett influence an the policy of the Labor Party, which In their view m becoming leas and less Socialist...
...N. I. Stone and others will participate ta the g^urday ployees...
...Meeting place...
...tp glorify them "If they were our anhj castors...
...Local 2, No...
...At the same thae agreement waa arrived at eoacscafcai the representation of the German VaaT eration on tha joint executive «¦ the' Individual unions, and concertus* the form affiliation la to take «-d tha amount of contributions to ha beta Afflltatton to t« take -— Hm|j through the German Fti1Ii slhnl jj henceforward the".two ers^mhlgtjan will combine for - purposes scggdfQ tiong and statistics...
...Meanwhile, the decision affects similar suits pending against the Connellsvllle By-Products Company and the Arkwrlght Coal Company, both owned by the Paisley interests of Cleveland, if the courts Can give no redress—as they probably will not— what other constructive steps will the United Mine Workers take to check the open-shoppers' advance...
...Not being able to Join the union of their trade, they could not find employment...
...A NEGLECTED ASPECT OF THE PASSAIC SITUATION Somehow or other the latest development In the Passaic textile strike has gone unnoticed...
...3.00 1,500 13.00 Provision Is also made for disability benefits, the amounti varying'with the years of service...
...The immigrant painters called their more fortunate fellowcraftsmen "the aristocrats...
...The Harlem branch became Local 1; the East Side, Local...
...The general officers at La Fayette, Indiana, were willing but the local District Council, No.'9, was obstinate...
...In the end the poor, bare-lipped little girl rides off with the man who looked on her and saw only her beautiful soul...
...For 100 pages, then, you have to stumble footsore and weary over rocky roads while the author perorates about "the wistfulness which ts the past," the "hyaclnthe color of the distance...
...The newcomers elected their own officers and have retained power, ever since...
...Tbe International Painters controlled this branch of the trade...
...He generally took the hint and paid up...
...F. KELLY, Second General Vice-President (of the Brotherhood...
...ARGENTINE FEDERATION PUBLISHES LABOR ORGAN The first number of La Coafederacion, official organ of tbe new Argentine Federation of Labor, organised the last two daya of February, baa made Its appearance...
...Wherever It won, it introduced the check-off, whereby dues were deducted from wages by the "boss" and sent to the union office...
...As a matter of fact, however...
...905, and Local 4, No...
...For those who cannot come Saturday afternoon, there win be another group leaving Sunday morning...
...Tbe Friday afternoon session will be given over to a discussion of the American college situation, Alice Hall of Vassar, Hillman Bishop of Columbia, Paul Blanc-hard and others participating...
...The paradoxical situation arose whereby an organization of 8,000 waa "begging" to affiliate with one of 3,000...
...This is a bathing and camping hike so bring your pup tents and swimming suits along...
...In addition, an increase in the rate of pay to $1-50 an hour goes into effect on October 1. The iron workers have made a substantial gain ta the face of great difficulties...
...became financial secretary without pay...
...J. 8. Pbtotsky and Benjamin Stolberg win apeak Saturday owning on the problem of "Trade Union Capitalism...
...In the -fall of 1911 they chose Philip Zausner, now secretary of New York District Council, No...
...Sixth—The Charter ef the Alteration Pointers and the Certificates ef Affiliation of the various International Locals, located in the City of New York and Brooklyn to be turned over to the Officers of the Brotherhood of Painters...
...4. About this time Isadore Silverman, now of Local 261...
...which unites tbe national centers of twenty-three countries and has a total affiliated membership of 18,000,000...
...The mam discussion on "Newer Defenses of Modern Capitalism" begins Friday night...
...But In the spring of 1913, Just before the Jewish Passover holidays, when the season was usually at Its height, the painters struck...
...They found it on the so-called alteration Jobs...
...L. S. A'Shronshire Scenic MART WEBB started out In "Precious Bane" (Dutton, N. Y„ $2) to roll Loma Doone, Adame Bede, and Thomas Hardy Into one short novel, but before she traveled much beyond the foreword, she had punctured all four tires and several spares...
...y 1.50 1.000 •11.00 More than $2.500...
...The workers actually won...
...President, R. Ginsberg...
...One of the most Interesting features of the June conference will be the L. I. D. play, "Jersey Justice...
...The emphasis is upon the union as the sole means ot preserving any gains made...
...Others relinquished theirs when they applied at the offices of tbe International for work...
...The local Brotherhood men would only accept the outsiders, who were knocking at the doors of their union tor admission, as individuals coming under the ordinary constitutional requirements...
...During all this time no.efforts were spared te Induce the Brotherhood to accept the Alteration and later the International Painters Into 'its ranks...
...Even an organization of the "bosses" tailed to stop the victorious march of the alteration painters...
...East 180th Street Subway Station (downstairs...
...If an employer fell into arrears, he was notified that his men would have to quit work...
...The downtown branch, Local 2, had made less progress than the others...
...Evidently these benefits meet an urgent need of the employees...
...They were chiefly Russian and' Austrian Jews, class-conscious enough—for they were chiefly Socialist*!—to - know that their Interests lay with organized labor...
...In addition, the Industrial situation had changed...
...have founded an Independent Labor Party with Its secretariat at Sydney...
...Tbe union will appeal to the State Supreme Court...
...FEDERATION YEAR BOOK AVAILABLE HERE The 1928 edition of the Year Book of the International Federation ol Trade Unions, published in Amsterdam an* obtainable from Bruno Wagner, 243 East 84th street, Manhattan, contains 150 more pages than last ypar, bringing the total up to 854 This Year Book, which- la printed In English, French and German, fa filled with information useful to persons Interested in the international trade union movement and its organized expression...
...5Uv> yio.uu 31,500 to $2,500...
...INT...
...The labor movement of New York and the "bosses" were astounded at the onslaught...
...It was considered a practically impossible task to organize the painters employed in repairing the cheap tenement houses on the lower East Side...
...the gentle, fugitive fragrance offspring flowers, dried with bergamot "and - bay," and In general, what a dear, old-fashlohed country with* dear, grim, old-fashioned people Ij Shropshire...
...Consequently, Equity reports that Its five-year campaign te unionise the'screen play era has been fruitless...
...Fifth—That no members of the International be included in the transfer that have ever been ex-' polled by the Brotherhood...
...Time, 4:45 p. m. Saturday afternoon...
...The time was propitious...
...The Brotherhood now set out to bring into its rank* Ae independent painters' unions that had sprung up in various parts of the country...
...In order to protect the Interests ot its men who might travel, branches were also established at Trenton, Jersey City and West Hoboken...
...Nasdin, E- Rubins, Ph...
...To this period also belong the first president, J. Hochberg, the "George Washington of the Painters," as he was called...
...When their agreement expired on tune 1 they went out on strike...
...Treasurer, W. RobirJJBon...
...Local 3. No...
...Many of the members of the Brotherhood held cards in both organizations...
...The desire ot the foreigners to be connected with the organised labor movement of the United States and to have the advantage of being able to find employment in any part of the country through the use of universally recognized membership cards prevented any feeling of dual unionism from becoming prominent...
...Repairing-old buildings did not attract them...
...Nineteen thirteen, however, was the banner year...
...The United Front Committee is laying plans for perpetuating the union...
...UNIONISM FOR ''MOVIE ACTORS ' The Actors' Equity Association, tne players' trade union affiliated with the American Federation of labor, begins this month its fourteenth year of existence.'¦'• It/ha* been successful because It baa met the needs of men and women In an art that has become a stabilised industry...
...The League had not ixpected the union to put up a itaunch fight...
...They have been union meetings, not merely miscellaneous mass gatherings...
...The Story of the Painters Union III - The Alteration Painters (1908-1914) By Louis Stiverstein what has come before On £e xeava of the eutHmatm far nanonat trmji iiiiiani, tne «r»jsajajwrf of Painteri...
...To the General Officers of The International Painters and Paperhang- - era Union of America...
...He is not a man, therefore, to whose...
...There has been no'antagonism to the actors' union as such...
...The following historic document speaks' for itself: New York, November, 1914...
...HIE IRON LEAGUE RETREATS ' , It is-cheering news that comes from Chicago that the Structural bron Workers' local of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron and Ornamental Iron Workers has been able to gain ground...
...The Judge thereupon impartially sentences all, regardless of guilt or innocence...
...Eventually the mother is poisoned, the brother and a few others commit suloide, the heroine saves the hero by stabbing a dog through the heart, and the hero reciprocates by rescuing the heroine in the nick of time from a witch's death...
...The "bosses'" or company union Is despised...
...The highly original moral is that "love Is greater than riches...
...TRADE UNIONS TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL Effective from July 1 the central organization of the regular trade unions in Czecho-Blovakla affiliated with the International Federation of Trade Unions will number about 600,000 members...
...Unity be* aga been achieved, la principle, - fjrJ^M saattor off Jotat activities...
...Some of them are still active In the Socialist and labor movements...
...This Is the result of the negotiations Cpr the linking up of the Czechoslovak and German trade union federations that have been Under way, guided by Jan Oudegeest, one of the secretaries of the Amsterdam International, for more than a year...
...The coal corporations bare as In other territories have been openly violating their agreements with the United Mine Workers of America, When.the Jacksonville agreement comes up for renewal or modification next spring, there will net be left any agreement to renew or modify...
...If thp trade unions cannot satisfy these simple everyday requirements, the "radicals" can dangle before the workers a picture of the millennium or the lobby to Its approach without making any more union members...
...Even liberal terms extended I to its former members now engaged in "movie land" have been of no avail...
...Stuart Chase will deal with industrial combinations...
...the affiliating organization were granted charters by the Brotherhood...
...A food toon brehp out between Elliott and fas •accessor, /. W. McKmney, with headquarters at LafajeUe, Indiana...
...written by Clement Wood, Solon DeLeon and Samuel H. Friedman...
...It would maJte^ao^^acaa In a position of power in New York City...
...The consolidation took place as planned...
...During the mat week and a half meetings have been held evenings Instead of during the daytime...
...922, and since No...
...Only toward the end of the Journey are you j,'ven a lift on a rickety scenic railway that Jolts through a stretch of gaudy, post-card scenery...
...Big contracts tad to be filled...
...Benefit...
...In 1914 therefore, negotiations took on a more successful turn...
...CZECH...
...Take, for "Instance, this quotation from one of the very first pages: "It is pleasant to think wen...
...TOURIST CLUB HIKE Sunday, June 27, we hike to the Quarry, n*ar Silver Lake, White Plains...
...Although the movement began In Harlem, In the upper portion of the city, it soon spread to ether sections...
...They agreed to striking tut the clause prohibiting the iron wethers frees going- oat on ¦spnsge> tbetlc strikes- This gives tbe workers an important" instrument fas maintaining tha "dosed* shop fat -the building trades of Chicago...
...But they were poor and the $25 initiation fee required by the brotherhood locals In New York City was to- them too huge a sum to pay...
...The foreigners sought work where they could...
...Not so in the moving picture business...
...Due to the operations' of the detectives, several strike leaders are arrested and brought In for trial...
...Second—That the International Painters have the privilege of selecting the local unions thajt they desire to transfsr to...
...In the new situation the members of the International Painters Union Joined as Individuals, but und.er circumstances which guaranteed their control by numerical predominance In the locals they were to Join...
...This time we bike to Eastern Pennsylvania...
...The Field of Labor NON-UNION SOFT COAL WINS ANOTffiR VICTORY Down in, the Went Virginia, bitumiaeus coal fields tba open-shoppers have gained another victory...
...3, and the Bronx, No...
...Meeting place, same as above...
...Max Ginsburg, Sam Jaffee, Max and 8am Kingston...
...Thus Local I became No...
...Second vice-president, S. Jaffee, Third vice-president* E. Nodel...
...J. Franklin Jameson la ejjssjj tor ot the Department of saw...
...They have yague tears that the futility ot past textile strikes Just as dramatic as the current will be repeated...
...A series of successful local strikes now placed the International Painters thaa'<thirty^sr, so,to...
...In 1911 the officers listed below were elected...
...Internal dissension aused the employers to come to arms...
...The strikers pay monthly dues , which are nominal at present...
...New England, aad Philadelphia...
...Decorator* and Paperhangers worn founded at Baltimore in f887~> /it leader was John T. Elliott, formerly of New York...
...one would logically turn for'other than' orthodox ldeaa on American history...
...make unionism imperative...
...Tha decision for unity was made at a recent joint meeting of the ossejasj of both federation...
...an injunction to restrain the Cleveland and Morgantown Coal Company, owned by, the Pursglove'lrherests of Cleveland, from violating its agreement with the union...
...Zauaner...
...H. 8. Raushenbush, secretary of the committee on coal and power, was the leader of discussion at the first session, while Edward Richards, forester, dealt with the whole forest situation in this country, and Evelyn Preston, recently returned from England, spoke briefly in regard to the British coal strike...
...ef a whole generation of those who hava preceded us...
...The scene Is laid in Siberia, N. J„ and the time, right now...
...These figures are evidence of the Importance of this trade union International, with whose rules our own are In agreement...
...The brotherhood paid no attention to them...
...Leader H. Loeffler...
...Further information may be secured from League Cor Industrial Democracy, » Fifth Avenue, or Rang School mi 8!5ShP£ftrr^H,;xp' -. .'tfMSttflsfrL'oA&i Labor Doings Abroad AUSTRALIAN SOCIALISTS ORGENIZE A NEW PARTY The* JJnrteh office of the ataessJtat an* LamW hitornatlenaJ reports that Socialists in AaetrsJU...
...Ordway Tead, Robert W. Dunn, C. M. Ripley of the funeral Electric Company...
...These advances of "the International Painters and Paperhangers Union made the Brotherhood officials take notice of what wasi going on...
...MORE ; " "HELFARE" WORK Those "revolutionists" who are prone to attack union life Insurance and benefit schemes as compromises with the existing social order will be interested in noting thst another large company has recognized the appeal that these "obnoxious" plans have for "workers...
...N. J., as well as at Philadelphia...
...His diplomatic activities at that gathering increased tbe prestige of his organisation...
...An organizing campaign marked by an almost fanatical idealism was begun, nobody receiving any compensation for his work...
...This appeal points out that the new center already haa a membership greater than that of the old Federations...
...L. Levin, Is...
...Week...
...the ' "workers'" union is cheered...
...It will affiliate with the I. F. T. U...
...They had seen a group of Idealistic workmen, no more L. I. D. Conference Meets At Camn Tammiment THURSDAY evening, June 24, the League for Industrial Democracy opened what promises to be one of the most interesting and valuable conferences' lng) the history of the league at Camp Tammiment, Forest Park, Pa...
...Time, 8:45 a. m...
...First vice-president, M. Weinsteln...
...Entire expenses act move rajs tJfltosn class ot work, that on new construction...
...Sunday morning, Harry Elmer Barnes and others will analyse the movement toward American imperialism, while on Sunday afternoon, McAlister Coleman, Norman Thomas, Alfred Sheffield and others will speak on "Newer Methods of Propaganda...
...The psychology of the migratory -worker which pervaded the I. W. W. at the time of the historic struggles at^iSawrence and Paterson is entirely absent In the present situation...
...fci9 Saltinir Our Histry DR...
...Branches were organized in Harlem, the lower East Side, Brooklyn and the Bronx...
...NO sooner had the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and . Paperhangers secured the affiliation of the National Alliance of Painters than It had to turn Its attention to another situation that bad arisen in New York City...
...Whereas at tha beginning they only paid does of tea cents per month, these had increased to sixty...
...The head of a detective agency brings in his under-oover men and women, hoping to get a Job breaking the strike...
...The strongest of these, the Amalgamated Association of Painters and Paperhangers of New York,, later known at the National Alliance, capitulated in 1908...
...Sympathizers have been continually inquiring as to what the prospect of a permanent union Is...
...The actual administration, however, is carried out by the Belief Department of the company...
...Respectfully submitted, JOS...
...The International Painters did pot despair, however...
...Greeting: Tha General Executive Board of the Brotherhood of Painters met in joint session with the officers of the International Painters, and after discussing terms of amalgamation between the two organizations the following proposltion^was agreed to: First—That the members of the International Painters be transferred into the Brotherhood of Painters on the payment of tha sum of One Dollar and three months dues in advance...
...A last chance la given them to redeem themselves, by Joining a company union, but they refuse...
...It was not lqng before they discovered that the brotherhood unions confined their activities to only one good Jobs on new buildings that were springing up oe all sides in tbe boom of that period waa net the only motive that actuated the local officials...
...Harbor Allen...
...Still others picked up' the trade here...
...The paperhangers Joined Local 10, which has since become Paperhangers Local No...
...As we go to press, we are informed the union la asking for the impeachment of Judge Lazeile on tbe ground that" he and his relatives have been receiving royalties from the very companies His Honor has refused to enjoin...
...Among the numerous immigrants who had anchored In the great metropolis we're many who had been painters on the other side...
...Club—stroking bis neat grey beard gag, presumably thinking pleasant thoughts...
...Union Iron workers have been.recelvlng $1.37% an hour, but for the last two years lave been' demanding 31.50 in '¦ vain...
...Relief Is only paid to members in good standing...
...E-.ulty will continue its far-sighted policy of ^working among the, cinema folk, rt will be on tbe ground floor whe-n industrial conditions In the "ir.avlo" business...
...Next week, July 3-4-5, our annual hike participated la by Branches New Fork, Newark and Philadelphia takes place...
...Third—That the said' transfer be conducted by General Officers of the Brotherhood...
...who are awl satis fled with the official Labor Jrhsxx, and Who yet .do net feel 'abas to threw jxt thatr lot with the Cdmmaalsta...
...and especially pleasant...
...Board of directors, M. Ginsberg...
...Be, Jameson haa written many books slat are far from orthodox and his latest (The American Revolution Considered as a Social Movement, Princeton Uni-< veraity Press, $1.50), Is not the' esse' of thing that goes big with tha O. IB...
...fij other members of that richly sadeweA organization, he haa little to worry about- His airy office is on the etsvegjtJh floor of the Woodward Bolldiag agj|j since, there Is but little noise ef xiagU, Ing to Washington, there he tits ¦¦sg in a comfortable chair at the Caesata...
...The union has, therefore, applied to the ceurts for help...
...Organizer, M. Graft.' General secretary, H. Lang...
...Walking time, abcut 3 hours...
...In their selfsatisfaction .they bad hot followed up their organisation work...
...It gives the names, addressee and membership of all organization^ affiliated with the I. F. T. U. and with the International Trade Secretariats, a list of their publications, a survey of the whole world trade union movement, a list of all existing labor educational organizations and the sections of the Socialist and Labor International, the International of Youth, etc, detailed reports on the activities of organizations affiliated with the I. F. T. U., and on the work, ot the International Trade Secretariats, and a survey ot the, most important rules ot the National Trade Union Centers and of the International Trade Secretariats...
...Fourth—The plan of transfer to be agreed upon by the said General Officers of the Brotherhood and the officers of the International...
...There the rapidity of growth of the Dim industry has afforded those active in it many favorable _• opportunities for personal advanoemthl^-'rhe heed for uniformity of contract and minimum standards of working) conditions has not yet appeared...
...It- may seem harmless, batV when It Is done to terms of companV teh with later generations it is gut altogether wholesome...
...It asked for...
...Later on...
...261 of the Brotherhood...
...The argument is as follows: The weavers have struck against a wage cut and for the right to organise...
...The police have been requested to absent themselves and they have compiled— ostensibly...
...Incensed, the strikers storm the Jail aad release their leaders, while the employers, detectives and Judge flee in terror...
...Leader, A Blerfreund...
...Frank D. HaJseyv...
...This effort was soon abandoned in tbe face of the >cold reception given them...
...The scheme works aa follows: Employees Sickness Employees Monthly Benefits with Annual Contri- . Death Per Earning" of buttons...
...The Brotherhood locals oa the other hand had gradually declined In membership...
...The necessity for Joining it has not been present...
...Alteration work now took first place...
...Neither would they scab...
...Sporadic attempts after that also proved fruitless...
...The only alternative was separate organization, at least on the less desirable alteration Jobs, whete hours and working conditions were abominable...
...Judge I. Crant Lazeile of the Monongahclia County Clromjt-Ceurt, who had recently sentenced the chief attorney for the union to six months in jail for alleged contempt of court, refused to grant the injunction...
...In a leading article the following passage covers International relations: "The position of the Confederaclen Obrera Argentina Internationally la sharply defined...
...2; the Brooklyn, No...
...George Soule wlU lead the discussion on "Changing Relationships Between Property Ownership and Contrqj...
...9. to attend the Atlanta convention of the American Federation of Labor the following year to plead their cause...
...torical Research of the Csjasgjj2 Institution ot Washington and...
...Fare...
...The building boom had come to an end...
...number expand fes reach a nssBBhessfalp of eight thanband with as ansa ss not only an Mew York but gtso in New Jersey...
...The new party applied to tbe Independent Labor Party of Great Britain for permission to affiliate,* but the statutes of the L L. P. do not allow the affiliation ot Individual parties hi the British Dominions...
...In the case of the Amalgamated Painters (later National Alliance), It will be recalled, the locals of...
...According to all signs, Passaic Is profiting from the lessons of the past...
...represented equally...
...The organizers chosen were Max Gaft and Abe Avlns, the financial secretary fafter an Interval) I. Silverman and the general secretary, Harry Lang...
...However, good wishes for the success of the new enterprise have been sent from the British L L. P. and the hope expressed that co-operation in their work may later be found possible through the medium of the Socialist and Labor International...
...The general supervision of the plan is conducted by a board of trustees in which the workers -and the management are...
...Not having come In contact with these foreign painters socially, these officers misunderstood them and entertained racial and religious prejudices...
...So successful were the Alteration Painters and Paperhangers' Union of New York that on July 4, 1911, It held its first annual convention as the International Painters and Paperhangers' Union of America...
...Its opponent is the notorious Iron League, one of the best organized of employers' associations in the country...
...Old-timers will remember these persons with sentiment...
Vol. 3 • June 1926 • No. 24
