VOICE OF NEGRO LABOR
CROSSWAITH, FRANK R.
Voice of Negro Labor The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Brings Trade Unionism's Message By Frank R. Crosswaith To TBS, aamkt «Mnt^# tartan vctoeeto ecktstt'in* ao^ awakeaatf...
...tt waa plain to those who knew tha history off labor in the "United States aa well aa the relationship of .the Negro to the white population of the country, that there was being borat a movement which would test to the fullest degree the capacity of the American Negro to grasp the significance of trade unionism, ahd which would establish the fact that the Negro masses had at last entered upon the industrial battlefield to endure experiences that other workers have encountered...
...One fact that .win make the : episode always of first rata tetareet to students of labor la that tn MM tha name group of workers whom absence t)fem the ranks of tha A- B, TX...
...chauvinism, prejudice, and poverty, they, th* organised representative* of the soul-racked victims of a soulless social system, are determined that no longer must labor he divided on the basis of color, race, religion, or nat tonality*thereby playing into the hands of the master class, but that Labor must stand solidly united in recognition of its common interest and common destiny...
...Amen* the speakers to address th* meetlna- will be Harry W. Laldler ot tho League for Industrial Semoersey...
...jp^ ^^g^^jji^l^ d^^^^ll* n ^ns^^2ar porters of ^l«w Tort have ermnsed for «i celehstjtlon of Labor ©ay on oral/, theme of the 4 meeting ^fu^o* "Labor Sunday.-" "*nd a discussion of the labor problem -with special relation to Negro workers...
...Into tha American railway'Union...
...Facing unparalleled obstacles, lacking in th* mala actual experiences is trade union technique and tactics, these Megro workers have conducted, a campaign of education, agitation and organisation that has added new lustre to labor's cause and new laurels to their race...
...In contrast OS this, the Brotherhood staged an anniversary rally that very night in tho spacious and inviting auditorium of St...
...In every mine, on every railroad...
...The usual inducements of free (?) Ice cream, cake, punch, dancing, etc., were offered, but th* man for one* vary graciously declined tho company's Grecian gift...
...salute the workers of every rac* In every land...
...poHtJeal and •canonic ladder staunchly defendlaa...
...It waa with this past experience that th* parade was recommended...
...behind them waa a band of .music followed by porters who by actual count numbered six and only on* of whom can be truly classified as a porter...
...Tha Brotherhood of Bleeping Car Porters was launched upon the charted but troubled aaa-at trade untorJam on the night of August, M, IMS, when a handful of Pullman porters assembled hi the lower meeting hall of the Negro Elks of New Tork City...
...It was undoubtedly the largest group 8t Negro worker, e if...
...tikptoln...
...Staton* jr...
...In one year of activity they have chalked up a new record...
...profits, through organisation, these workers had to grapple' with the peculiar psyachology of a race, who for...
...Theirs is the record of being th* first large group of workers to defeat a Company Union in battle...
...A. Philip Randolph, renerei organiser ot th* Slaap&ng...
...Here, indeed, la a eoctofogleal paradox which Social tonenttouaome'day may be able1 more"" fully to...
...Hug* throngs usually attended this affair...
...At tho head of the parade rod* the local whit* Fullman officials...
...Voice of Negro Labor The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Brings Trade Unionism's Message By Frank R. Crosswaith To TBS, aamkt «Mnt^# tartan vctoeeto ecktstt'in* ao^ awakeaatf UaoB'waa^ United MttH:Bi'!aw,BraBaaa»J «| Sleeping Car Porters, 'la...
...Indifferent to the wrons* suffered by labor, and ever ready to be used on the old* of entrenched power and against all those who challenged the power of the master class...
...This tact was vividly brought out when on th* afternoon of August 26, the annual "Field Day" of th* Company Union took place...
...In every mill...
...make many Negro leaders, both, religious and secular...
...In brooding over this working class tragedy, the writer la (tot unmindful of th* indifference, tho epos and concealed hostility and apathy of a large ---alas...
...On their way to th* "field" a parade was staged through th* streets of Negro Harlem and passed the Headquarters of th* Brotherhood...
...Hare, - too,' M" A testimonial bo the asluttnsss and tl»of these who rod* America...
...a race occupying the lowest run* of th...
...too large—section of whit* labor...
...Luke's Hall...
...For, argued those who are supposed "to know," when we can march through th* streets of Harlem with several thousand porters and their families, it will prove to all and sundry that the porters are with us and against the agitators...
...Th* local waterproof t*fj meat workers union la afflliated wlthrj th* International Ladles Garment^ Workers union...
...Tha atary of this brilliant early effort of American labor la still rich and fascinating reading, and will beoosae aren more so with, the passing of years...
...It brings the meesjaaw of class solidarity the the workers of the "United States In every shop...
...of such a serious situation is admitted by friend and foe alike...
...those who have decreed to them that position, and who, because of their control of the press, .the school, and th* pulpit, are mainly responsible for th* social...
...ec I*ort*r^^ and ^tc^f Lancaster, secretary - trow htj rer...
...Debs, waa sent ta Woodstock MH because of his efforts-'to weld all, th> rafiroad woikeis, including Negro porters...
...On this Labor Dey fie Brotherhood of Blasping Car Portere...
...those meet active in thla accomplishment are two Negro comrades of Debs...
...The rally waa staged as s test of tho relative strength of tho Company Union and U>* Brotherhood...
...That th* birth ot th* Brotherhood of Sleeping: Car- Porters marked th* beginning of the end...
...it lSc sap acted that th* church will be packet] with Nacre woiasts and othere t*J RAINCOAT WORKERS STRIKE] » BOBTON.-»Bostons 1.0*0 —¦---fW irorloro are striking to vet a 42-how9 five oar week instead of the 44-heur] aix day one...
...It waa also plain that in addition to the experiences common to all workers attempting to increase their wages, thereby reducing...
...The message of trade unionism and the class struggle wad explained to them by A. Philip Randolph, brilliant editor of the 'Messenger" Magaxirie;' George 8. Schuyler, Roy Lancaster.- the writer, and others...
...qtient defenders'of entrenched wealth...
...Th* hall was crowd - ad to oversowing, th* enthusiasm of tho men was st tho highest point...
...3S0 years were held in servitude, nwds to believe that thay were created to be only "hewers of wood.and drawers of water," a belief so deep-rooted aa to...
...JOs suffered by that race...
...the ardent and elo...
...contributed largely to its failure, has now become organized,- and amend...
...stiiar*d-s»d*fr *>* roof to lieten to an ecoaomic proa-ram...
...It says to them that henceforth In the struggle of labor-everywhere to rid the world of exploitation, war...
...social...
...its* •that "Grand CM Man" of labor...
...a race of workers hostile to the claims of labor...
...Prior to tho organisation of the Brotherhood, th* Fueld Day of the porters was an eagerly awaited and well patronised social event In the life of the porter In particular and the race In general...
Vol. 3 • September 1926 • No. 34
