The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, August 30, 1940 Page: 1 of 14
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Vol. 21, No. 19.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1940.
Subscription Price $1.50 Per Year.
Labor Temple
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by Wyoming. Congress enacted
national Labor Day law in 1894.
Completion of the
J. B. KENNEDY, Jra, 10, the son and grandson of a
local bricklayer, is shown laying the last brick for the
new Galveston Labor Temple. Young Kennedy laid
the first brick for the building April 28, 1939, and the
last one July 24, 1940. Shown from left to right are:
Anthony Day, J. B. Kennedy, father of the boy; young
Kennedy; James Kennedy, his grandfather; James
Kennedy, Jr., Bob Gritta, president of the Galveston
Labor Council; Miss Mary Margaret Covell, stenog-
rapher for the council; and D. A. Jung, secretary-
treasurer of the council Another bricklayer of the
Kennedy family, William, the son of James Kennedy,
was in Houston and not able to be present at the
laying of the final brick.
“Working men are at the foundation
of society. Show me that product of
human endeavor in the making of
which the working man has had no
share, and I will show you something
that society can well dispense with.”
—Samuel Gompers.
By AFL News Service.
The law making the first Monday
in September of each year a legal hol-
iday was enacted by Congerss in 1884.
Identical bills to this effect were in-
troduced in the house of representa-
tives by Rep. Amos J. Cummings, of
New York City, and in the senate by
Sen. James H. Kyle of South Dakota.
The bill passed both house unanimous-
ly and was signed by Pres. Grover
Cleveland on June 28, 1894.
By A FL News Service.
The first celebration of Labor Day
was held in New York City on Sep-
tember 5, 1882, under the sponsorship
of the Central Labor Union. The cele-
bration began with a parade of the
affiliated unions, which was reviewed
at Union Square by a large number
of labor leaders, and ended with a
big picnic and festival in Elm Park.
P. J. McGuire, founder of Labor Day,
was among those who reviewed the
parade.
By AFL News Service.
The campaign to secure legislation
making Labor Day a national holiday
began in the 1884 convention of the
American Federation of Labor which
unanimously adopted the following
resolution introduced by Delegate A.
C. Cameron of the Chicago Trades and
Labor Alliance:
“Resolved, That the first Monday in
September of each year be set apart
as a laborers’ national holiday, and
that we recommend its observance by
all wage workers, irrespective of sex,
calling or nationality.”
By 1893 the legislatures of twenty-
three states had enacted Labor Day
laws, and 1923 the roll was completed
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
*
Pres. Gompers Received
Labor Day Law Pen
Labor Day Made Legal
Holiday By Congress
Victory For Labor Day
Law Noted by Gompers
N. Y. City Witnessed the
First Labor Day Fete
Labor Day Originated
By Peter J. McGuire
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
GALVESTON LABOR COUNCIL
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor
ROUTE OF LABOR DAY PARADE
AND DEDICATION PROGRAM
National Labor Day Law
Sponsored by A. F. of L.
Labor Day Laws Enacted
In Forty-Eight States
FREY HITS REDS AS
FIFTH COLUMNISTS
LOCAL VOICE
OF THE
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
BY YE EDITOR LINDBERG
By JOHN P. FREY
President, AFL Metal Trades
Department
By AFL News Service.
Labor Day as a special holiday for
the workers was originated by Peter
J. McGuire, founder of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join-
ers of America. He suggested the idea
to the New York City Central Labor
Union in the spring of 1882. The un_
ion agreed with the plan and sponsor-
ed the first celebration with a big pa_
rade and festival on Tuesday, Sept. 5,
1882. Two years later the union de-
cided to hold the celebration on the
first Monday in September, and urged
other central labor bodies throughout
the nation to set up that day as “a
universal holiday for workingmen.”
By AFL News Service.
Congressman Amos J. Cummings of
New York, joint author with Senator
James H. Kyle of South Dakota, of the
bill making the first Monday in Sep-
tember a national holiday took the bill
passed by both houses of congress to
Pres. Grover Cleveland for approval
on June 28, 1894. Mr. Cummings pre-
sented the pen and holder used by
the president in signing the bill to
Pres. Samuel Gompers of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor.
28
I
The regular monthly meeting of Gal-
veston Labor Council was held Mon-
day, August 26, 8:00 p. m. in the Labor
Temple. President B. A. Gritta was
the presiding officer.
After reading or the minutes of the
previous meeting, same were ordered
approved as read.
New delegates were seated from the
Machinists’ Local No. 6, Common La-
borers’ Union No. 1138, and Brewery
Workers’ Local No. 130.
Communications and Bills.
A communication received from the
Chamber of Commerce with informa-
tion contained therein pertaining to
the forming of a special events corpo-
ration and requesting that the Council
appoint a member to participate in
this proposition, with Bros. Lindberg
and Gritta being nominated, after a
motion had carried that the communi-
cation be received and complied with.
After tabulation of votes had been
counted, Brother C. H. Lindberg was
declared elected.
There was a bill received from the
Stage Hand and Theatrical Employees
Local Union No. 65, which signified
thereon “Compliments of the Stage
Hands and Theatrical Employees” as
of their services rendered at labor’s
mass meeting held at the auditorium
Saturday night.
Reports of Officers.
Brother B. A. Gritta, submitting his
report as business agent of the Coun-
cil, stated that the Cleaning & Dye
House Workers had agreed upon a
new contract with the employers, and
that he expected an agreement to be
signed within the near future. He also
reported that the Shrimp Headers
Local Union was still negotiating with
the local fisheries in our city on their
proposed agreement for the ensuing
year.
Brother Gritta stated that all prepa-
tions had been completed for the dedi-
cation of the Labor Temple and that
Brother John P. Coyne, president of
the Building Trades Department of the
A. F. of L., would be the dedicatory
speaker.
Continuing with the reports of of-
ficers, Brother C. H. Lindberg report,
ed that he had extended an invitation
to Mr. Mosle of the firm of Mosle &
Moore, who are the bonding agents for
the proposed municipal wharf pur-
chase plan, to appear before the dele-
gates assembled in this meeting and
outline and explain to them this par.
ticular proposition which is of extreme
importance to all the citizens of Gal-
veston. Motion was made and carried
that Mr. Mosle be admitted.
After being introduced, Mr. Mosle
immediately outlined the proposition
in full dealing with the purchase of
the wharf by the city and answered
numerous questions that were put to
him by the delegates. Mr. Mosle then
stated that if the delegates desired any
further information dealing with this
wharf purchase plan, that he would be
glad to appear again at a later date
and explain to the best of his ability,
any and all questions with reference
thereto.
Brother D. A. Jung, chairman of the
- parade committee, stated that the
Labor Day parade was in complete
readiness, and upon motion, it was .or-
dered that the designations of the var-
ious unions of the parade be published
in The Union Review.
Unfinished Business.
After some discussion, pro and con,
there was a motion carried that the
wharf purchase plan be postponed un-
til the next meeting, for a deciding
vote, and that the unions instruct their
delegates as to their decision—wheth-
er to vote for or against said plan—
and that all delegates should be ready
to take a definite stand on this prop-
osition at the next meeting of the
Council.
Brother James Kennedy requested
again that the members of organized
labor should get together and try to
have the Labor Temple completed by
Labor Day. He stated he would be at
the Labor Temple every night and any
member desiring to assist in the com-
pletion of the Temple would find him
there willing to assist.
Reports of Delegates.
Brother Martin Ohenstein of Cooks’ 1
& Waiters’ Union, reported that the .
union shop card had been removed .
from Steves Cafe, located at 20th and ।
Strand, as of their refusal to comply i
with the terms of the Cooks’ & Wait-
ers’ contract. This report was accept- i
ed and all delegates of the various un- <
ions were requested to report this item :
of importance to their unions, and that
the same be published in The Union •
Review.
Brother W. C. Fowler, representing ।
Painters’ Union No. 585, stated that
the Modern Barber Shop, 412 21st St.,
had been placed on the “we don’t pa-
tronize” list of the Painters’ Union
and desired to make the same report
to the delegates assembled at the La-
bor Council.
Brother P. L. Harper, business agent
of General Drivers’ Union and first
vice president of the Council, stated
that the Best Cleaners were still un-
fair to organized labor.
Brother Quibedeaux of the Machin-
ists’ Local No. 6, stated that quite a
number of his members were at one
time patronizing Steve’s Cafe when it
was a union house, but that from now
on the members' of his organization
would not patronize this restaurant as
long as it was unfair to the Cooks’ &
Waiters’ Union. He also made a short
but enlightening talk dealing with the
mass meeting which was held at the
city auditorium Saturday, August 24.
teAis
LABOR
‘RRESS<
ASS’F
V/EhP
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Ta Io
The Labor Day parade will start
promptly at 10:30 o’clock on the morn-
ing of Sept. 2, 1940. It will make up
at 20th Street near Broadway. The
military section will make up between
Avenues I and J on 20th, the white
union section on 20th between G and I
and on Avenue H between 19th and
21st. The colored section will make
up on Avenue I between 18th and 21st
Streets. The route will be from 20th
and J west to 23rd, then north to Post-
office, where it will turn east to 20th,
north to Market and west on Market
to 23rd, thence north past the Labor
Temple and will disband on Strand.
Dedication ceremonies for the Labor
Temple will follow immediately, John
P. Coyne, president of Building Trades
of American and A. F. of L. official,
making the official address.
O. C. Unbehagen will be grand mar-
shall of the parade, and Frank Gross-
man will be assistant grand marshal.
Most of the unions will have beau-
tifully decorated floats, a great many
carrying the patriotic theme in colors
and design. A large military section
will head the parade and Col. O. H.
Longino will lead the 59th Coast Ar-
tillery regiment. Members of the U.
S. S. Saranac have been invited, and
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post
No. 880, will participate. County Judge
and Commissioners and the Mayor and
City Commissioners have accepted in-
vitations and Girl Scouts will be in
line for the first time.
The 69th Coast Artillery Band, a
large band from the Musician’s Union
No. 74, Boilermakers No. 132 Band,
the Ball High School Band and Bugle
and Drum Corps and the Kirwin High
School Pep Squad have been allotted
places for music at various distances
in the line-up.
The Galveston Labor Temple will be
open for inspection. It is one of the
most up-to-date labor temples this side
of the East and a monument to the A.
F. of L. organizations of America. The
Temple has hardwood floors through-
out and exhaust fans are utilized to
cool the building. The second floor
has a beautiful lobby besides eleven
offices for union officials and two
conference rooms. The third floor is
for meetings of unions and organiza-
tions, and the fourth floor is a large
assembly hall with stage.
All Are A. F. of L. Affiliates.
A large body of high standing labor
officials will participate in the dedi-
cation ceremonies and will be listed
in the parade line and Laundry Work-
ers No. 121 and General Drivers No.
940, two large militant organizations,
have been selected to close the white
section of the parade. All of the union
organizations in the parade are A. F.
of L. affiliates.
The participants in the parade will
be as follows:
Police department, 69th Coast Artil-
lery Band and units, crew of Saranac,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Girl Scouts,
County Commissioners, City Commis-
sioners, grand marshall and asistant,
international officers and representa-
tives, Musicians Local No. 74, Galves-
‘RRESS-
ASSN
_(6SN
Brother W. A. Register of the Com-
mon Laborers’ Union No. 1138, stated
that a new Common Laborers Union
charter had been installed which
would be known as “Common Labor-
ers’ Local Union No. 1139” covering
the common laborers at the Galveston
Dry Dock, and that they would affil-
iate with the Council within the near
future.
M. L. Pine, delegate from Local Un-
ion No. 851, I.L.A., and parade mar-
shall for the colored section of the
Labor Day parade, stated that from
18th to 21st and I would be the street
and location designated for the colored
unions to assemble for the parade.
There was a motion made and car-
ried that the office of business agent
be carried on for another year, Brother
B. A. Gritta being nominated and
elected by acclamation.
Good and Welfare of 'Council.
It was passed by the delegates as-
sembled at this meeting that Brothers
B. A. Gritta and D. A. Jung be bonded
for $1,000.00 and $1,500.00, respectively,
both officers requesting that this ac-
tion be taken.
After which there was the reading
of receipts and disbursements and a
motion to adjourn carried. Meeting
adjourned at 10:20 p. m.
Fraternally submitted,
C. H. LINDBERG, Secretary,
Galveston Labor Council.
By AFL News Service.
Between 1887 and 1923 every one
of the 48 states, as well as the terri-
tories, insular possessions and the Dis-
trict of Columbia, enacted laws mak-
ing Labor Day a legal state holiday.
The first state law was enacted by
Oregon in 1887; the legislature desig-
nated the first Saturday in June as
Labor Day, but later changed the date
to the first Monday in September.
Other states enacting similar legisla-
tion in 1887 were Colorado, Massachu-
setts, New Jersey and New York.
Wyoming completed the roll by enact-
ing a Labor Day law in 1923.
In this column The Union Review will
set forth short items of mutual inter-
est to the labor movement, including
such observations as may present
themselves to the editor in passing.
IB
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erhood and S. P. Dockworkers
1470 with their band.
ig
Municipal Wharf Purchase.
Mr. Mosle of the firm of Mosle &
Moore, appeared before the delegates
assembled at the regular meeting of
the Galveston Labor Council, August
26th, at the request of the secretary of
the Council, Bro. C. H. Lindberg, and
gave a very enlighting and informative
talk dealing with the municipal wharf
purchase plan. It is a safe bet that
the delegates to the Galveston Central
Labor and Trades Council far better
understand and comprehend this pro-
position now and will be able to give
an enlighting report back to their re-
spective memberships. This proposi-
tion was laid over until the next meet-'
ing of the Labor Council and the dele-
gates instructed to ascertain the posi-
tion of their respective unions with
reference to this plan, and to be ready
to cast a vote for or against said pur-
position at the next meeting of the
Council, which will be Monday, Sept.
9th.
According to recent newspaper re-
leases anyone holding a poll tax will
be eligible to vote on said proposition,
but it is far better to be able to cast
an intelligent ballot than to wander
about in the dark not fully understand-
ing whether the purchase of the Gal-
veston Wharf Company would be a
step forward in progress, or whether
it would leave the tax payers of the
City of Galveston with a dead horse
on their hands.
Willkie Acceptance Speech.
Wendel Willkie in his acceptance
speech of the nomination for president
by the Republican Party, practically
gave an outright endorsement to every
piece of legislation that has been pass-
ed by the New Deal Administration. It
seems ironical that his predecessors
of the Republican Party could not
bring about such legislation as of old
age security which takes care of the
many old age pensioners of the United
States; the CCC which takes the grow-
ing youth off the streets and places
him in a worthwhile and clean occupa-
tion, teaching him to be a better and
more upright citizen and the morals
of a good clean healthy life; the Wag-
ner National Labor Relations Act
which has been declared the “Magna
Charta” of labor which has benefitted
to organized labor through these past
eight years, many millions of new
trades unionists and many new union-
ists and many new unions giving the
employees the right to collectively
bargain with their employers with ref-
erence to wages and hours and official
representation; the Federal Housing
Authority giving to many of our people
of our great nation a chance to own
their own home at a low rate of in-
terest and extending the installments
over a period of years where the pay-
ments are not burdensome or exces-
sive.
Of course, Mr. Wendel Willkie did
not give his indorsement to the Se-
curities Exchange Commission which
regulates and controls stock markets
of Wall Street, of which we all remem-
ber the mad and crazy tumble that
took place in 1929, when many hund-
reds of thousands of small stock in-
vestors were wiped out without the
least possible chance of recovering
any of their life’s earnings. The elec-
trical salesman and utility magnate
is not in favor of such legislation as
this because the Wall Street barons
are in deed earnest against the New
Deal as of this type of legislation. Mr.
Willkie did say in his acceptance
speech that he was in favor of some
form of selective training for the build-
ing up and increasing of our armed
forces. That phrase “some form” is
not very definite and seems somewhat
hazy. Why didn’t Mr. Willkie come
outright and state what form of selec-
tive service he stood for? He accuses
the President and the Congress of not
putting into effect legislation that
would give sufficient protection to our
country but I believe that the people of
this country will recall, with startling
clearness, that the President requested
time and time again that this country
should be prepared and it was always
a Republican party, senator and rep-
resentatives, alike, of the GOP, who
yelled themselves hoarse that Mr.
Roosevelt was leading his country into
war. Now the situation has become a
political plumb of which the bold
knight-errant has come to save the
country from the woes of the New
Deal—Mr. Wendel Willkie.
It is the firm opinion of the rank and
file, judging from the remarks that
have been heard, that the people cast-
ing ballots in this country who repre-
sent those who toil for a living and
who are—Thank God—in the majority,
will remember the benefits that have
accrued to them under that great hum-
anitarian Franklin Delano Roosevelt
and that when it comes time to cast
their ballots, it will be like a sticker
on an automobile ye editor chanced
to see and which read in somewhat
this way “Willkie—L No! Roosevelt”
—that’s the way the people of this
country will reward the man who has,
in every way, attempted to be a bene-
factor for the best of the majority of
the people of this nation.
The most dangerous of all Fifth Col-
umns in our country, is the one con-
trolled and directed by Moscow. Since
Lenin conceived his scheme for world-
wide revolution, American Communists
directed and controlled from Moscow,
have labored strenuously and cease-
lessly to infiltrate into our trade un-
ion movement. The immediate menace
to our nation and its institutions
comes principally from this Commun-
ist Fifth Column, a Fifth Column
which found no followers in the ranks
of organized labor until it was able to
capture a controlling position with-
in the C. I. O.
As citizens we must be on constant
guard against Fifth Column activities
within our country. As trade unionists
we must be particularly on guard
against the Communist Fifth Columns,
working to infiltrate into our unions,
for their directors are cruel, cunning,
treacherous and without conscience.
The Communist who secures member-
ship in our local unions is not inter-
ested in trade union problems and
policy. His sole interest is in shaping
the policy of the local union, and in
some instances the national union, in
adopting policies and carrying on act-
ivities which will be in line with the
purpose of the Rusian controlled Com-
munist movement in the United States.
In view of the national emergency
which has been created because of the
onslaught of Germany upon the free
people of Europe, we must be on guard
night and day so that no representa-
tive of a foreign country will be pre-
mitted to in any manner influence
trade union policy in the United
States.
Trade union policy Communist and
dictator policy, are as far apart as
justice, honestly and dishonesty, pat-
riotism and treachery. There is no
place in our American institutions for
the Communist, or his policies, his
so-called idealogies, or his tactics. Our
watchword must be: “Out with the
communists and dictators, and up with
the banner of American trade union-
ism!”
1 '
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888
By AFL News Service.
The victory of the American Feder-
ation of Labor in securing enactment
of the Labor Day law by congress was
noted by President Samuel Gompers
in his report to the 1894 A. F. of L.
convention. He said:
“National Labor Day.—It affords me
pleasure to be able to report that the
demand made by the American Fed-
eration of Labor for making the first
Monday in September of each year a
legal holiday passed congress and was
made a law on June 28, 1894.”
IS
-bss.
ton Labor Council, Galveston Fire
Fighters Association, Galveston Build-
ing Trades Council, Sheet Metal Work-
ers No. 144, Bricklayers No. 1, Plas-
terers No. 177, Painters No. 585,
Plumbers No. 200, Ball High Band and
Pep Squad, Electricians No. 526, Iron
Workers No. 135, Common Laborers
No. 1138, Operating Engineers No.
459, Stationary Engineers No. 707,
Brewery Workers No. 130, Ladies Aux-
iliary Brewery Workers, Bakers No.
407, Barbers No. 100, I. L. A. Checkers
No. 1445, Metal Trades Council, Boil-
ermakers Band, Boilermakers No. 132,
Machinists No. 6, Bookkeepers No.
20590, I. L. A. No. 307, Motion Picture
Operators No. 305, Theatrical Stage
Employes No. 65, Allied Printing
Trades Council, Typographical Union
No. 28, Ladies Auxiliary No. 147 of
Typographical Union, Printing Press-
men No. 25, Bookbinders No. 50, Stere-
otypers No. 63, Hotel and Restaurant
Employees No. 69, Kirwin High Drum
and Bugle Corp and Pep Squad, Meat
Cutters No. 363, Burlap Bag Workers
No. 21078, Flour Mill Workers No.
20937, Switchmen No. 70, Ladies Aux-
iliary of Switchmen’s Union, Sign
Painters No. 1002, Marine Steamfitters
No. 251, Bus Drivers Association, Taxi
Cab Drivers No. 858, Brotherhood of
Maintenance and Waymen, Cleaners
and Pressers, Laundry Workers No.
121, General Drivers No. 940.
The oldest colored organization, I. L.
A. No. 329, will lead their section, and
one of the largest organizations of col-
ored people has been given the honor
of ending the parade, I. L. A. No. 1470.
This section has four bands and will
be placed as follows:
Lee Mack Veterans, Post No. 1, I.
L. A. No. 329 with band, Women’s
Auxiliary of No. 329, Hod Carriers and
Common Laborers No. 536, Hod Car-
riers and Common Laborers No. 1166,
Laundry Workers No. 131, Shrimp
Headers No. 21044, Cotton Headers
No. 1308, Teamsters No. 837, I. L. A.
No. 851 with their band, Women’s
Auxiliary to No. 851, Cleaners and
Dyehouse Workers No. 70, Flour Mill
Workers No. 20938, Boilermaker Help-
ers No. 20887, Warehouse Workers No.
1453, Burlap Bag Workers No. 20967,
Rice Mill Workers No. 1513, Sugar
Local No. 1428, Packing House Work-
ers, Maintenance and Waymen Broth-
Official Organ of the
, . Galveston Labor
.1 i n .>
and Building
Trades
The LCnion Review
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, August 30, 1940, newspaper, August 30, 1940; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1438450/m1/1/: accessed June 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rosenberg Library.