ELIZABETHTON RAYON UNION HOLDS FAST
Elizabethton Rayon Union Holds Fast n^gges" Disruptive Efforts Fail—U. S. Probe .Demanded—Loray Worken Attacked By Tom Tippett pjjBABKTHTON, Term—Boys and itf jjri, employed by the...
...The Salvation Army is blissfully oblivious of earthly problems in Elizabethton and talks long and loud of pie in tbe sky...
...he said...
...Socialist speakers, while at first regarded suspiciously perhaps because of fear of Communism, are now welcomed and have been very active In keeping up the fighting spirit of the workers...
...The strike meetings were held nightly until fcft week in a huge tabernacle built by tbe county...
...S. Probe .Demanded—Loray Worken Attacked By Tom Tippett pjjBABKTHTON, Term—Boys and itf jjri, employed by the Bemberg and (¦hnsstofl rayon corporations are being ¦jfrj under company orders for nonmrmen' of their board bills in company Sng houses...
...Our aim is to create a situation which has not existed for some time, namely, to equalize and standardize conditions and prices so that there should be a uniform basis for all settlements with all manufacturers...
...Wheeler Causes Consternation WASHINGTON—(FP)—Sen...
...When a strike meeting was ™* in the yard back of the union's '**aqttart*xs, demolished last week by mill mcb...
...Dogwood is in bloom now and the hills are splashed with every imaginable color...
...August Claessens, executive secretary of the Socialist Party, has been elected to the position of organizer, relieving him of the administrative details involved in the position of executive secretary, and releasing him for work of organization throughout the city...
...T*ry aged and excited, shook his fist aloft *ad shouted that he would not consent to any Inquiry...
...It isn't any wonder that they called it Happy Valley—before the factories came...
...to the newly established Mobile Press has seriously embarrassed the utilities' organ...
...He has managed numerous political campaigns for Socialist candidates, and was Socialist News Editor of the New York Call when that paper was published in this city...
...The production Is highly seasonal, and the actions of the manufacturers made bad conditions worse...
...Wheeler of Montana created a panic among Southern reactionaries in the Senate, when he introduced a resolution authorizing the committee on manufactures to investigate the textile strike in the South with its causes and its Incidents...
...The Boot and Shoe Union, further, often gave no protection for discharge...
...Funds are urgcbOj needed for relief purposes, asserts tbe U. T. W. The 5-500 strikers are learning valuable fraont In the function of government...
...He was on the picket line getnews...
...In Johnson City, IS miles away, a central labor union has been reorganised since the strike began...
...They feel that they are fighting for a principle...
...Horton came to town but failed to the 7"'11 managers into a strike conference...
...If the manufacturers Intend to fight to the limit, the strikers will be there battling to the end...
...I Alabama Power was starting the Moj bile Press at the same time that Interj national Power & Paper Co...
...Then he ^aid "The state of Tennessee will take no part...
...Marx Lewis Is New Secretary Of N. Y. Socialists As a result of decisions reached by the Socialist Action Committee and the city executive committee of the Socialist party, Marx Lewis, elected to succeed G. August Gerber aa secretary of the Socialist Action Committee, will also assume the administrative duties of the city office of the Socialist party...
...He demanded that North Carolina be allowed to handle her strikers in her own way, which he •aid was "very competent...
...r*eaty-njne men and women strikers •we clubbed into jail by plug uglies imported into the Loray mill village on the •hahla of Gastonia by the company •M deputized by the Gaston county *eran...
...The season would last for six to ten weeks...
...This rayon center Is the oldest settlement in Tennessee...
...The air is charged with perfume from spring flowers...
...It is believed that many of the manufacturers, especially, th= small ones, will be forced Into bankruptcy by the strike If they do not settle soon, yet th' strikers are not putting too much confidence in this fact...
...and acquaintances, thereby advancing the cause and purposes for which we are organised and In which we are bound to one another by a mutually beneficial relationship and in a spirit that finds its source in the advancement of the well being and welfare of all mankind...
...But it does not directly deny | the source of its financing...
...wages, hours of labor, and general conditions being such as established by the State Board of Arbitration in the Lynn district...
...was acquiring the Herald and the Traveler in Boston...
...They are now making plans for a big campaign for relief funds, and as part of the campaign New Leader readers will probably be asked to contribute when the union begins to circularize sympathizers...
...The United Shoe Workers Union recognizes the necessity for protection of the worker...
...A minute after the Wheeler resolution had been referred to committee on commerce, Sen...
...deputies termed it a "pap*" and broke it up violently...
...Overman of North Carolina...
...is a member of the committee on wmnerce, as is Metcalf of Rhode Island, *extile magnate...
...12,000 Shoe Workers In Mass...
...We intend to have a union for all...
...Most of the plants manufacture women's shoes...
...of Wisconsin...
...Norris's request that the ownership of the Press be bared is featured in the slightly liberal Morning Register and Evening News-Item, two old Mobile papers that have been criticizing the power trust ra^es and propaganda...
...For four years, Lewis was secretary to the late Congressman Meyer London, and during the past six years secretary to Representative Victor L. Berger...
...Under him there was a regular chaos in price fixing, often the same team was composed of men who received different prices for the same work (a variation from $1.17 to $1.00 was not at all uncommon...
...Its circulation drive weakened by the senator's attack the power company j newspaper assails Norris in its April 127th issue...
...Hundreds cf thousands, yes...
...Not only did the lasters respond nobly but the other trades were not far behind...
...Wheeler replied that he had introduced his resolution at the request of President Owen of the American Federation of **hor- Tyson of Tennessee, cotton mill owa*T...
...In addition, he will have charge of administrative detail in the city office...
...Eeaptte these efforts to demoralise waters' spirit, the ranks are holding jnn...
...They amount to nothing...
...There ts a small river, very wide, that flows gently through the center of the town...
...The Salvation Army moved Into Elizabethton to save the strikers' sails, set up business In the tabernacle, and commenced counter meetings to the strike activity...
...The morale of the strikers, however, is fine...
...Insurance Co...
...The Press is published by R. B. I Chandler, long a representative of Bir' mingham interests identified with Ala| bama Power...
...Directors of the newspaper ! include T. A Jackson, power company | vice president...
...Aims To Keep Existing Order, Woll Declares |~|NS of the anas of the Union Labor ^ Life Insurance Company, of which Matthew Woll ia president, Is to demonstrate that America presents aa "opportunity to all in working out tbe problems of life under tbe existing social order and our present form of government.*" In a letter to policy holders of the company, sent out April 23rd...
...The meetings, held twice a day, pack eight large halls, are very enthusiastic, and are becoming even more enthusiastic as the days go by...
...The agreement which the strikers desire would have a tendency to eliminate this condition: many of the unemployed would also be helped in having work...
...Simmons of North Carolina began an attack on it...
...President Henry of the United Shoe Workers Union, the core of which is the Lynn Lasters' Union, which has had a continuous and vigorous existence since 1879 (even preceding the Knights of Labor) and which intends to bring all the strikers within Its fold, made the following statement: "There are 12,000 shoe workers on strike now—the manufacturers' advertisement in the newspapers admitted 8,500...
...The Gastonia city ^council Passed an ordinance forbidding strikParades...
...Beginning two weeks ago with a well financed circulation campaign the new paper is running into the citizens' query—"Who owns you...
...Receiving $6 to $10 s jjjglr funds had been exhausted by ^ turee weeks strike for better wages ^ working conditions...
...millions of dollars have been thrown away in these investigations by Congress...
...One strike there of cigar box makers is a direct result of the Elizabethton revolt Strike meetings are held alternately at both places, and so are parades of workers through the streets...
...He is a member of the law firm of Lewis and Wendroff, of Washington, D. C. Mobile "Press" Suspected As Power Company Paper MOBILE, Ala.—(FP)—Senator Norrls' demand for a Federal Trade Commission investigation of the relation of Alabama Power Co...
...Gastonia Striken Attacked GASTONIA N. a—(FP>—Violence | Greeted by the Manville-Jenckes Co...
...His resolution mentioned the starvation wage, the kidnapping of labor organizers in Tennessee, and the wrecking of strikers' headquarters and destruction of strike relief stores in Gastonia, N. C. It pointed cot that the textile industry is now asking Congress to increase the already high tariff on Its products, under pretense that It is paying an adequate wage...
...In many cases a report of grievances to the union officials has meant the loss of one's job...
...Otherwise, he said, the resolution should cover all «tstes in which cotton textiles are promoted...
...The Union Labor Life Insurance Company has a great purpose to serve...
...The Boston papers, considering the size of the strike, have been giving very little publicity to it...
...I will be most grateful, indeed, for whatever additional cooperation you may find tune to render in extending and promoting our insurance faculties among your friends...
...Fifty „f these soldiers are strikers...
...Irony lewhf" ia apex 111 the Presence °f large numbers of soldiers, clad in overseas fcfcafcl and carrying rifles, keeping worken a mile away from both plants...
...it desires the workers to have some measure at least, of Industrial Democracy...
...About eight weeks ago the Lynn shoe workers struck for better conditions and obtained their demands, but in answer to this victory the manufacturers began sending their work to Boston and Chelsea...
...from the cutters to the shippers...
...His proPomI was that the committee, or a subcommittee, investigate the facts as to Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina...
...Lewis will have jurisdiction of the work previously performed by the Socialist Action Committee, such as the geting out of literature and general publicity, making campaign plans, arranging for propaganda meetings and obtaining finances for the work of both the Action Commute and the city office of the Socialist Party...
...Then would follow a period of slack work for eight to ten weeks in which men would work for anything, even three or four dollars a week...
...The little town sets in a bowl completely surrounded by high mountains...
...The Lynn unionists reciprocated in their turn by asking the lasters of Boston and later of Chelsea to come out...
...Elizabethton preachers are Bating the rounds of strikers' homes, persuading the workers to sign the Loyal Workers yellow dog contracts...
...D. B. Bestor, jr., power j company director: F. J. Inge, power company attorney: Marion Inge, company surgeon, and several men connected with Mobile banks doing business with the power company...
...One deputy struck a Charlotte ""•paper man unconscious with a rew*«r...
...Aside from the United Textile Workers local, Ave other crafts are forming onions in Elizabethton...
...Close upon the strike of the Southern mill-workers comes that of the shoe workers of Boston and Chelsea who have struck against low wages and wretched working conditions...
...Won says: i "In building up Tbe Union Labor Life Insurance Company I wish you to know that we regard highly your association with our enterprise, hot alone for your insurance patronage but as an active participant in a great cause to arouse the workers In providing adequately for the care of their families and dependents in time of their darkest hour, and in demonstrating that America does present an opportunity to si in working out tbe problems of hie under tbe existing social order and our present form of government...
...It has a great future before it...
...Attempts to split the strikers by jjpaatlon of company unions known as Uie Loyal Workers of Bemberg and QjiBBtoff have failed...
...The State Law was continually being violated especially In the case of women...
...Your helpful patronage and active participation are appreciated...
...Otorrhea Oppose Strikers The attitude of the churches in Elizabethton and vicinity is uniformly against the strikers...
...Strike Lynn Walkout Finds Inspiring Support in Boston and Chelsea Plants By A. H. Kalish gOSTON.—Once more we have evidence that American labor Is awakening from its slumber of "prosperity...
...Down in my *ate a lot of trouble has been created by *¦ W„ Communists and Soviets...
...Miinst workers is continued in the toorth week of the Loray textile strike...
...Oov...
...The union meetings are sow held In the tabernacle in the afternoon...
...Workers, during the season, would often work the whole day Saturday, and in many instances, Sundays and holidays...
...Criticises Other Union "The Boot and Shoe Workers Union which was in control of some of the shops before the strike was a mixed union dominated In Boston by Cook for the last 15 years...
Vol. 8 • May 1929 • No. 16
