PROGRESSIVE ISSUE DODGED BY A. F. OF L.
Progressive lssueDodged By a. f. of l. Lfi-f Federation NewsSJr Resort? to Weak t^Lp, and Attempted W-~ V t^Mer c«rrMB»aa«»*> ^^eyrON. D C—The chief item jrjBfcii"" in the current issue of...
...The place was packed with men and women ready to be "obligated" into the United Textile Workers...
...He was fined $50 and costs...
...There were some who felt that something had to be done...
...Brown of the Teamsters, Schwartz of the Jewelry Workers and Ooldofaky of the Ladies Garment Workers upheld the Executive Committee...
...I wondered how many they ever got, with wages at this mill ranging from 9 to $10 a week...
...The Union appeals to all readers of The New Leader, to remember that a strike is still being conducted against the above mentioned stores...
...is lnE ss a guide to labor publications g...
...The meeting is opened with prayer...
...Over forty textile workers are new being tried for a variety ef charges growing eat M thm strike, taMkading alleged carrying of pistols, tswaaaeatng an company property, etc...
...At Whitmore, 55 miles away, 1,400 men...
...Here, too, they demand an Increase in wages and recognition of their union...
...It's smaller than the others, but they're all out...
...Spirit runs high...
...The Conference for Progressive Labor Action was given publicity...
...A little rhyme current about here goes: Within the sight of cotton mills, The well-kept golf links lay...
...Then the speaker made his final plea: "If yon cannot co-operate with es collectively, then come along indrridaalfy...
...The strikers are dissatisfied with the slowness with which re-employment has proceeded...
...Prom Anderson, twenty miles away, came another delegation from a newly organized local in the United Textile Workers...
...should have n*aaWd the organisation...
...Progressives DiscussedBy Jewish Body United Hebrew Trades Considers Resolution Condemning the C P. L. A. rT<HK Conference for Progressive Labor Action was the subject of debate at the last meeting of the United Hebrew Trades in New York City...
...2104 Avenue X, and at 5S3 Gravesend Avenue...
...It criticized the Conference for Progres slve Labor Action for not inviting representatives of the United Hebrew Trades or the unions affiliated with it .The conference had been a "secret one...
...Only the overseers' sons and daughters found time to continue...
...The bosses are uneasy...
...That's another thing they'll remember...
...ISgaskant phase of this item is the at net nowhere does it charge the But, with following the course of ej ami dral unions...
...Ware Shoals Strike Settled GREENVILLE, S. C.-(FP)—State Conciliator H. E. Thompson reports that he has adjusted the strike of 2.000 Ware Sho-ls mill workers...
...It's God that they pray to...
...Paul Aymon, president of the Tennessee Federation of Labor, and William F. Kelly, vice-president of the United Textile Workers are very energetically preaching the gospel of trade-unionism...
...As they gave them their relief, they said, "Join the union, boys, it's the only way...
...they declare to themselves, to me, to whoever will listen—they are fighting not only their battle, but the battle of the workers throughout the nation...
...The speakers will be Dr...
...And the whole community tightens its belt, looks at each other, and joining the union becomes a mass movement...
...They were strong unions...
...It was against the "boas'1 psychology of the National Civic Federation...
...ON THE TENNESSEE FRONT ELIZAS ETHTON, Term.—Only about 500 or 600 strikers have thus far received the call to return to work from the management of the American Bemberg and the American Glanzstoff Corporations...
...Pact Is Broken Ware Shoals Strike of 2,000 Settled — 600 Back at Sparta nsburg, S. C. By John Herlins Enabethtoe, Trmnr—e.—The Carter Cventy grand Jary has refused U return wiSielan—ta against the •reaninent saamces amen alleged te he kiduppers ef Robert Hoffman and Edward M. MeGrady, andaa organisers...
...The C. P. L. A. was no opposition union to the A. P. of L. It wanted to strengthen the A. F. of L. It stood for the same progressive ideas as the United Hebrew Trades had been committed to since the beginning...
...At Specter's request Abraham Lefkowits of Teachers Union, Local 5, vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, and another Executive Committee member of the C. P. L. A., was granted the floor...
...Officials connected with the United Hebrew Trades were not invited in order that they might not be embarrassed at this time...
...Loud and long are the handclappings and John Amick proudly takes his position on the platform, while tears roll down his cheeks...
...His hearers realized, he went on to say, that there was no militancy in the labor movement today, no Gebrt...
...Z"1 REBNVILLE, S. C.—Textile strikers in South Carolina have become conscious of their strength...
...Frederick Woltman...
...If any action was to be taken, it should be an endorsement of the C P. L. A. Pensions Held Unnecessary Guskin of the Hebrew Actors' Union spoke in favor of the Executive Committee's report...
...At this point Acting President Dublnaky and Secretary-treasurer Baron" of the I. L. O. W. U. arrived...
...But the kidnaping cases are being awaited eagerly...
...After numerous arrests, and attempts of gangsters employed by the firm to beat up some of the pickets and some of the officers of the union, the union continues its picket line...
...but from now on they wont rely on him alone...
...They remember that Alfred Hoffman one of the kidnaped organize...
...Only 500 Back in Eliza bethton...
...Jar of the clip sheet does aot * —-**—« that remarkable event *n pravtous issue ran an InconJTjlssj of the victory as though —Taj jj^j, interest to the working , gfiiMwl on the c.p.L.a...
...The company recognized that fact and fired them, and 2,000 struck again...
...The law rtrarriari kidnapping aa "heUiag far naia" Sine* ne raa¦m was aonght, H la beta, the bnaaaas seen cannot be indicted...
...But now that they know they belong, they're fighting hard...
...Richards to lay their case "jefore htm...
...He was against all educational leagues...
...600 strikers at the Lydia mill near Spartanburg, 8. C. have returned to work after a short walkout...
...The moat serious set of charges was against Robert COle...
...The C. P. L. A. was a new opposition movement to the American Federation of Labor...
...The strikers had threatened to send a delegation to visit Gov...
...They had benefit systems and homes for the aged...
...BRONX FREE FELLOWSHIP "The Outlook for Progressive Religion...
...They thought that the American workers ought to be educated just as the U. H. T. has been educating the Jewish workers...
...All right let them try to starve us...
...Mat**yt can reconcile this statement fcnh continuous fraternization with shanl autocrats and company union ¦sank in the National Civic Feder^fk* Mr- WoU's cooperation with •a^aanuon in fighting social legant went members of the unions in ¦Wnttai gtve their time in trying thk legislation...
...The Conference for Progressive Labor Action was primarily engaged in educational work...
...They are southerners...
...The conference for Progressive Labor Action wanted to arouse the militancy for which the members of the Jewish unions have bled...
...The strikers believe that outside help has been employed and one fear is expressed that they will be left high ar.d dry with the source of livelihood taken from them...
...For this reason it regrets that Socialist leaders have been associated with the C. P. L. A. The United Hebrew Trades has always been progressive and it believes that the Conference for Progressive Labor Action will hinder rather than aid the spirit of progressive ideas in the labor movement...
...Lefkowits pointed out that there was a difference between attack and criticism...
...The strikers believe that this new law and order league is a badly disguised effort to kill the local union of the United Textile Workers of America...
...Immediately the company shut down the store, the only source of food in the community...
...He was accused of felonious assault with intent to murder, but the jury brought in the verdict of guilty only on the grounds of possession of a pistol...
...The position of the C. P. L. A. was no different from that stated in the resolution...
...The manifesto of the Executive Committee was read by Secretary Pelnstone...
...Schooling te Unknown At Mills Mill, two of the women folk are elected to the Board of Trustees...
...Pretty well, pretty well, a striker told me...
...He was somewhat amused by the attitude that "this is not my party and, therefore, I shall not play...
...At the Ware Shoals Manufacturing Company, the key strike for organized labor in South Carolina is taking place...
...He did not care that Thomas, Maurer, or other Socialists were behind this movement...
...Civil Liberties and Industrial Democracy in America" will be the topic of discussion at the weekly meeting of the Bronx Free Fellowship at Azure Masonic Temple, 1591 Boston road, near East 172nd street, on Sunday, June 33, at 8 o'clock...
...They then elect by acclamation John Amick as their president...
...Therefore, there was no secrecy and there was no slighting of the United Hebrew Trades or Jewish trade union leaders...
...The election took place in the mill village movie palace...
...The question had been referred to the Executive Committee for a statement of policy and it was the written declaration of the Committee which brought forth the discussion...
...Unionism has become a sacred cause, and their hard worked hands, and lined determined faces make one feel that it is more than wages they want...
...To enlightened labor 'itpsU arnem that the leading item IJ with a forward-looking ^^gsmjnt would be a broadcast on jl <rf the British Labor Party...
...women and children are on strike...
...Meeting Starts With Prayer "How's the food holding out...
...The local relief committee, is working against great odds and with little or no funds on the distribution of relief among the jobless strikers...
...The Conference for Progressive Labor Action did not attack the American Federation of Labor...
...The Hebrew Butchers Workers Local 234...
...There are many Amicks in this oountry out here...
...He explained that the A. P. of L. unions were not interested in old age pension legislation, because they did not need it...
...The whole tenor 'ttjtaftorUl is that a lot of sore-heads i tfci fcase unions have an "autocratic sanf* who want to reach down and nJwswmhfin of the unions who are nana ef taring themselves...
...I know too will be fair...
...That agreement has not been lived up to...
...Bringing in the Sheaves...
...At the same time, the local Chamber of Commerce is said to be the prime runner in the formation of a new organization, known as the Carter County Citizenship League...
...This was an insult to the American Federation of Labor and the American working class...
...said "Fight like hell, work liie hell, and win like hell...
...Lefkowits Is Beard Nathaniel Spec tor, Manager of Millinery Workers' Union and N. E. C. member of the C. P. L. A., local 24, though not a delegate to the United Hebrew Trades, was given the privilege of the floor to reply to the report of the Executive Committee...
...writer on the Evening Telegram and formerly of the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh, and Ob Harry W. Laudlar...
...The firm involved is Turkewitz Brothers, operating their five stores at the following locations, all in Coney Island, 623 Brighton Beach Ave., 2211 Coney Island Avenue, 3140 Coney Island Avenue...
...They want recognition for their union, and a twenty per cent, increase in wages...
...Communists Scab On Butcher Strike At Brighton Beach After having organized and conducted a strike for four weeks against a stubborn "open shop" butcher firm which operates 5 stores, the Communists have come to the "rescue" of the employer, by supplying him a so-called union label sign...
...He praised the union label trades unions...
...There's no doubt that God's on their side...
...It is a strange thing that the United Hebrew Trades should turn tound and attack the C. P. L. A. Asks For Fair Play Lefkowits then quoted from the resolution adopted by the New York City convention of the Socialist Party the day previously, calling upon the needle trades unions to return to their old idealism...
...Goode, representing William Green, president of the A. F. of L., Dowell E. Patterson and John Hall, president and vice-president of the State Federation of Labor, ride around from place to place, organizing and advising...
...Secretary Morris Pelnstone had called attention at the last session of the U. H. T. to the recent gathering at which the C. P. L. A. was organised...
...They are in it with their lives...
...Don't tread on me," they say now—and they say it with a light in their eyes that their employers have never before seen...
...T. W. Locals Organised Before two days had gone by, Brandon and Poinset mills showed that they had learned solidarity...
...and "Lord...
...was that all the strikers be back at work by June 10...
...Unorganized Strikes Give Southern Mill Worker Lessons In Unionism...
...In the Elizabeth ton Star, the only daily In town, which has persistently neglected* to tell the members" side of the story, appeared the following report of remarks made at the Carter County Citizenship League...
...fj f I. * Misrepresented a* ssstJsaent runs through the enIBejorkl...
...Newspapers make no claim of "foreigners" against them...
...And more and more are-coming in to the fold...
...Minot Simons of All Souls Unitarian Church...
...At Mills Mill, I attended the election of officers in their newly organized local...
...The Conference for Progressive Labor Action was a Socialist educational league...
...D C—The chief item jrjBfcii"" in the current issue of the -^j^ Weekly News Service, a one¦ «mi shert that is sent each week Ja-aTaakm publications, is a lead ' iK the Conference for ProgresAction recently orfanlaed ' a» a*eJttbeTs of trade unions in R2 cny...
...Several days ago, the so-called progressive dual union formed by the communists, placed a so-called union label sign into all the windows of the struck stores, without having even replaced the scabs who have been scabbing on the job ever since the first day of the strike...
...Some of the leading citizens in town are said to be involved in the kidnapping last April of MeGrady and Hoffman, Union leaders . R. S. "Bud," Arnold, a preacher with a great following among the stricken, and about the only preacher in town sympathetic with the workers' cause, has been addressing nightly meetings up in the hills, twenty miles from town...
...Striken Flock to Court The jobless strikers, waltirr with impatience for the call ti return to work, attend court dally listening to the cases of their fellow members as they are called to trial on charges growing out of the strike...
...But the spirit of the strikers is class conscious, rather than section sectionconscious...
...He spoke at length, telling how the organisation came into existence and what its alms were...
...Over 800 men are signed up with the union...
...Ware Shoals understands now the fight it's in...
...The delegation of the I. L G appealed for financial and moral support in their coming strike...
...Ret surely yon can not be true to the ideals for which you hare fought and adopt this statement of the Executive Committee...
...A delegation from these mills 36 miles away lust recovering from their own strike, came bearing $300 and a message of comradeship...
...It wanted to spread progressive ideas in the labor movement, the very ones that the United Hebrew Trades stood for, militant action of the industrial field and independent political action...
...While little children toil and sweat, Watch the men at play...
...Plant My Feet on Higher Ground...
...The agreement between the textile corporations and the strikers at conciliation proceedings, presided over by Anna Welnstoclc...
...Their leaders, -R...
...It criticised certain policies of the A. F. L. Also the C. P. L. A. was against the Communists in every shape and form...
...a* editorial completely Ignores ¦¦aid attempts Home poor saure as a aasn far argument...
...They have not even secured any agreement from this open shop employer, all they are obviously doing is carrying on their "progressive" policy of playing into the hands of the boss, and help to defeat the bona fide union...
...The firm applied for an injunction and was denied same...
...The United Hebrew Trades has always stood behind the Socialist Party...
...E. Campbell and O. H. Barnwell, are real leaders...
...Ledennan of the Pocketbook Makers undertook to defend the Conference for Progressive Labor Action...
...We had two families needin* relief here on Friday, but before you could snap your finger, we got 'em over fifteen dollars and a sack of flour...
...Lefkowits then turned to the charge of secrecy...
...y aajrjng, abort-cut methods and I ijjt pictures of self-styled ieadj...
...ttlssTii, this is a perversion of the ihs ef the men and women who esntota the C m. and who take up at w*x with the idea that education I ah the members of the trade un¦ a break down apathy and make tsnort progressive and expending . mmuaej and WeB Isjtri tkallenge to industrial autonpS) ¦fUtancy of the sternest sort," arse* passive statement regarding SSM tuJiUca of the A. P. of L. The ¦gassed reader will wonder how one hi nest frequent and conspicuous nasna ef the A. P. of L., Mr...
...women ard children also struck...
...Don't tread on me," they then said weakly...
...Strike Heads Attacked "The secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, in the last scheduled address of the evening, started with a resnmA of the progress made by the city and county, and then launched himself into a Aery denunciation of the strike organisers in Ettsabethton, who he said, are 'the seam of Moscow and the best examples of Satan and Hell.' "A motion was adopted by the meeting that a prayer saeeebag far the Citizenship League be hehL" "Well," says "Bud" Arnold, "as long as we've got them praying, I think it'll be all right...
...Nine weeks these men and women at Anderson struck...
...Deeatta the agreement which ended the strike, only a beet Sew are back at work tans far...
...George L...
...Both Brandon and Pinset now are organised as locals in the United Textile Workers...
...It does not occur to the tat «t the editorial that many leaders :k»haea anions make the "first page" \ srjssai and that they are justified i ananas this publicity...
...He pointed out that the movement began as the result of the Challenge to Progressives published In the February issue of "Labor Age" and that those who responded to that challenge were invited to the conference last month...
...The jo' '.as vrorkers laugh proceed with new enthusiasm to work for heir union...
...Yellow dog," say they, "not us...
...And they're happy— happy that people in the north and east and west are with them in the fight...
...And they thought that mere explanations would clear the way...
...Their strike is for recognition...
...It was a little hard to convince the women out here that they were a part of all this...
...If yon cannot help tndivtdaaUy, let ns go oar respective ways...
...but .the South Carolina executive replied that such a deputation would be a "grett misfortune...
...Terms were kept secret...
...The more kWea*)" news that can be obtained ibjfar for the labor movement as a SB k* thai editorial implies that the gjgbvgiwB the CP la...
...They struck blindly...
...And I tell ye, buddy, its more for the kids than it is for us...
...U. T. W. Local Formed...
...A little mill girl takes her seat at the piano, and bangs out the first nfetes...
...From this mill not one of the strikers' children was graduated from the high school...
...esdsm the editorial...
...Five hundred and fifty are on strike here...
...Puchs later suggested that the C. P. L. A, matter be taken np again but the original decision was adhered to, amce the hour was late...
...Hymns are called for...
...attttode to the educational or^m {onned in New York which gjgjd to as "another whoopee n does not consider the Issues gftf the New York conference, nana** kawes are disturbing trade oaass &> many sections of the coun•sht whoopee believes in noise...
...It even coupled the Communists with the A. F. of L. in its attacks...
...They struck in sheer desperation...
...These people decided to get together and 'eel things out...
...Louis Puchs of the Neckwear Makers moved that the debate be postponed to the next meeting...
...Yeh bo', we stick t'another...
...Four weeks ago the union succeeded in organizing some of the workers and placing them on the picket line...
...When the first strikes broke out four months ago at Ware Shoals Manufacturing Company at Ware Shoals, the men...
...Where is the courage, vitality and idealism of old...
...I guess well get a little low in oar food later on, but two meals a day is enough when we're loaf in...
...And they go to it...
...The rayon workers are holding nightly meetings protesting against the continued anenptoyntent...
Vol. 8 • June 1929 • No. 23
