The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 20, Ed. 1 Friday, September 6, 1940 Page: 1 of 4
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The LCnion Review
Offici.
Galveston Labor
Vol. 21, No. 20.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1940.
Subscription Price $1.50 Per Year.
HOW DID HE LIVE?
8
—Anon.
util-
Arthur S. Jandrey, T. V. A. director and asked that police be ordered not
of personnel.
to enforce the ordinance.
HOTEL UNION HEAD HITS
ANTI-PICKET ORDINANCE
Unions Given Equal Voice With
Management on Labor Issues
“Not, how did he die?
But, how did he live?
Not, what did he gain?
But, what did he give?
These are the things
That measure the worth
Of a man as a man
Regardless of birth.
“Not, what was his station?
But, had he a heart?
And how did he play
His God-given part?
Was he ever ready
With a word of good cheer
To bring back a smile,
To banish a tear?
followed by all publicity-owned
ities in the nation.
FIFTEEN AFL UNIONS AND TVA SIGN
HISTORY-MAKING AGREEMENT
“Not, what was his church?
“Nor, what was his creed?
But had he befriended
Those really in need?
Not, what did the sketch
In the newspaper say?
But, how many missed him
When he passed away?”
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—The Federal Re-
serve Board estimated that about one
million persons were taken from the
unemployed army last year, but the
net decrease in the jobless, the board
said, was only “around half a million"
because of the growth of population.
1fy
3 BILLION DISTRIBUTED
UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
Higher Wage Rates Asked
By N. Y. Teamsters Union
MILLION IDLE REPORTED
PLACED IN JOBS IN YEAR
Council and Building
Trades
U. S. COURT ENDS
TWO COMPANY UNIONS
Dwellings At Low Rent
Opened In New York City
Birmingham Street Car
Strikers Win Pay Raise
LABOR TEMPLE DEDICATED BY
JNO P. COYNE OF WASHINGTON
PRES. BUILDING TRADES OF AFL
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions
92 ■
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor
CIO Rubber Union Swiped
Local Funds, Is Charge
STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
REPORT FOR MONTH OF AUGUST
LOCAL VOICE
OF THE
8
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teZas
RRESS
ASS’F
We publish herein verbatim the speech that Brother John P.
Coyne made in dedicating Galveston’s new Labor Temple, so that
the many members of organized labor may read from their own
paper the highlights of Brother Coyne’s address:
yan of the
-EQs
LA BOR
RRESS
ASS’N
/ 60 \
04
charges that the Skinner & Kennedy
Stationery Company had dominated
and interfered with a labor organiza-
tion of its employes known as the
“Grasshopper Welfare Association,”
and had discharged two employes be-
cause of their union activities. The
charges were made by unions affili-
ated with the St. Louis Allied Printing
Trades Council.
By AFL News Service.
New York, N. Y.—Three hundred
families in the low-income groups mov-
ed into the first four completed build-
ings of Vladeck Houses, a Federal
housing project on the East Side. The
entire project will house 1,531 families.
It covers siv city blocks. Ninety per
cent of the cost was furnished by the
United States Housing Authority in
the form of a loan.
By AFL News Service.
Monticello, N. Y.—Herbert Lerner,
chairman of Local 747, Hotel and Res-
taurant Workers Union, which is or-
ganizing hotel workers in the Catskill
Mountain resort section, challenged in
a telegram to Gov. Lehman the legal-
ity and constitutionality of an anti-
. picketing ordinance recently passed
by the Cochecton Town Board barring
picketing as an obstruction to traffic
Supplementary to the agreement
the 15 unions, through the Council,
adopted a resolution pledging all ef-
forts to keep production for the na-
tional defense power program at the
highest possible level. The unions also
promised to stamp out any subversive
elements that might arise.
T. V. A.’s labor policy has drawn
high praise from many sources. The
most comprehensive analysis of the
policy was made recently by Judson
King, director of the National Popu-
lar Government League, and published
in pamphlet form.
“The T.V.A. experiment,” King said,
“gave its board and its employes an
opportunity to set up a new and ad-
vanced type of labor relations; one
in which the old master-servant, dog-
eat-dog, strike-and-lock-out methods
would be abolished.”
All foremen and superintendents
were coached in administering the
policy, so that labor would be fairly
treated. Those who failed to go along
were disciplined or dismissed, King
pointed out.
The result has been, he added, that
not only has labor won superb work-
ing conditions, but efficiency has been
high and construction costs low. King
suggested that the T. V. A. idea be
By AFL News Service.
Birmingham, Ala.
The parade ended in front of the
Labor Temple, where the dedication
took place. Bob A. Gritta president of
the Galveston Labor Council, was in
charge of the ceremonies, and present-
ed Mr. Coyne.
After referring to the nation-wide
significance of Labor Day and to the
special interest it held for members
of the local labor council as a day for
dedication of the Labor Temple, Mr.
Coyne referred to the position of the
United States as a nation having con-
stitutional guarantees of liberty while
many European nations are without
liberty. He then discussed the drafting
of the United States constitution.
“It is generally assumed,” he said,
“that Washington participated in the
debates, and Prof. Fiske, a great his-
torian of the time, has said that it
was suggested that palliatives and half
measures would be far more likely to
find favor with the people than any
thorough-going reform and Washing-
ton suddenly interposed with a brief
but immortal speech which should be
blazoned in letters of gold and posted
on the wall of every American assem-
bly that shall meet to nominate a can-
didate, or declare a policy or pass a
law, so long as the weakness of hu-
man nature shall endure. Rising from
his president’s chair, his tall figure
drawn up to its full height, he exclaim-
ed in tones unwontedly solemn with
suppressed emotion: ‘It is too prob-
able that no plan we propose will be
adopted. Perhaps another dreadful
conflict is to be sustained. If, to please
the people, we offer what we ourselves
disapprove, how can we afterward de-
fend our work? Let us raise a stand-
ard to which the wise and honest can
repair; the event is in the hands of
God.’
“A goodly number of delegates took
no real part in the framing of the con-
stitution and some were obstruction-
ists. Their objections may have exer-
cised a wholesome influence but they
added cares and worries and the great-
er men assumed the responsibilities
and did the work. So, it will be seen
that from time to time a high price
has been paid for liberty and democ-
racy by our great statesmen—such
men as Pres. Lincoln during the civil
war, Pres. Wilson during the world
war and our great Pres. Roosevelt
during the present cirsis.
Says FDR Kept Faith.
"Pres. Roosevelt has kept faith with
all the people—the business man, big
and small; the man in the street and
the underprivileged. He has accoun-
ted for his stewardship in his fireside
chats and has at all times laid all the
cards on the table. He has in his ad-
dresses to the joint sessions of con-
gress, or through special messages let
the house and the senate know his in-
nermost thoughts as to what legisla-
tion would be good for the future wel-
fare of the people of the nation. He
has counseled with the representatives
of labor and during his administration
more legislation has been passed by
congress and placed on the statute
books than ever before in the history
of the United States to provide for the
indigent, the under-privileged, the aged
the blind and the unemployed in an
effort to provide security for those
who could not provide for themselves.
To enumerate all of the liberal, pro-
pressive legislation enacted into law
during the seven years of his adminis-
tration would take the rest of the
afternoon.
“I do not make these statements as
a party man. I am not a politician. It
is not the policy of the American Fed-
eration of Labor to subscribe to party
politics or political parties. But it is
the policy of the American Federation
of Labor to adhere to the tried policy
strike of colored maintenance men
which tied up streetcar and bus serv-
ice here was ended when representa-
tives of the Amalgamated Association
of Street and Electric Railway and
Motorcoach Employes of America
signed an agreement with officials of
the Birmingham Electric Company
providing a ten per cent wage in-
crease for 106 Negro employes of the
company’s maintenance department
and giving the Amalgamated members
seniority rights. Union bus and street-
car operators refused to pass through
picket lines of the striking colored
maintenance workers.
paid its pro rata allotment to the Leg-
islative Fund in full, and other central
councils are urged to give this matter
their immediate attention. We have
received an unsolicited donation of
$100.00 to this Fund from the State
Council of Brewery Workers.
The San Antonio meeting instructed
that this office procure lapel buttons
bearing the insignia of the State Fed-
eration, and make them available to
the membership. These buttons are
now on hand, and are attractive gold-
plated, screw-back lapel buttons, in
three colors of enamel. One or more
may be purchased at 25c each. Include
your remittance with your order, and
buttons will be forwarded by return,
mail.
We are glad to be able to report
increased activity throughout the
state, which is reflected in the large
number of new affiliations received
during the past two months, and the
continued activity and cooperation of
all unions and central bodies is es-
pecially requested, to the end that
through increased membership, the
Federation may increase its influence
and activity.
Secretaries:
Enclosed you will find our regular
monthly statement, which shows the
financial standing of your organiza-
tion with the Federation. If delin-
quency is indicated, please give the
matter you immediate attention.
Fraternally submitted,.:: -
HARRY W. ACREMAN
Executive Secretary, Texas
State Federation of Labor.
BUY UNION-MADE PRODUCTS
Austin, Texas, August 1, 1940.
TO ALL AFFILIATED
ORGANIZATIONS—GREETING:
The second, or run-off, Democratic
primary is now over, and there are
ninety-two new members elected to
the House of Representatives, and ten
new members elected to the Senate,
which creates the unusual condition
of a majority of the 47th Legislature
being new members. It appears at this
time that the liberal forces in the
Senate have improved their represent-
ation; while the House is as yet an un-
known quantity, about eighty-five per
cent of the membership are pledged
in their election campaign to oppose
a sales tax, and to seek other means of
taxation to finance the Social Security
program, and we shall observe with in-
terest and carefully analyze the
methods suggested in bills as they are
submitted. This office will, of course,
prepare and present Labor’s program,
as outlined in our conventions; but we
are unable to prophecy, at this early
date, just what the attitude of the
Legislature will be on these questions.
It is indicated, however, that there is
grave possibility of another legislative
session devoted to heated controversy,
with little accomplishment.
Miscellaneous
The Proceedings of the San Antonio
Convention, together with the by-laws
as amended at that meeting, should
now be in the hands of every affiliated
union. The Proceedings contain a
verbatim record of the San Antonio
meeting, and should be carefully stud-
ied by the respective unions.
The San Antonio Trades Council has
By AFL News Service.
St. Louis, Mo.—Two decisions of the
United States Circuit Court of Appeals
here reaffirmed the legality of the
provisions of the National Labor Re-
lations Act prescribing company un-
ions and prohibiting employers from
interfering with the right of their em-
ployes to organize in unions of their
own choice.
The Christian Board of Publication
was ordered to disestablish an “Em-
ployes Committee.” The evidence re-
vealed that a poll of the employes
prior to the organization of the Em-
ployes Committee showed a majority
in favor of unions affiliated with the
Allied Printing Trades Council as
their bargaining agency.
In the second case the court upheld
By AFL News Service.
Akron, Ohio.—Goodyear Local No.
2, C.I.O., Rubber Workers of America,
has taken action against the interna-
tional union to recover an $8,028.26
strike fund which it claimed was con-
fiscated by the international. This
sum, called the “Savings Bank Strike
Fund,” was donated to the strikers by
local unions, central labor unions and
national unions in and outside of
Akron.
Members of C.I.O. Local No. 2, head-
ed by a “Square Deal Committee,” dis-
tributed copies of the bank statement
showing the amount remaining after
minor expenditures had been deducted.
The committee charged that while
members of the local were on the pic-
ket line the international union was
“taking the money which was donated
to us—money that would have fed our
families. The United Rubber Workers
of America is the only union in the
history of the labor movement that
confiscates strikers’ money to pay
their constitutional obligations.”
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—Fifteen Ameri-
can Federation of Labor unions and
the Tennessee Valley Authority signed
a history-making agreement covering
8,000 building and metal trades work-
ers engaged on the giant power proj-
ect.
This far-reaching contract gives un-
ion representatives a direct and equal
voice with management in fixing rates,
promoting safety and health, training
apprentices and improving efficiency
and economy in operations.
Thus the fundamental philosophy of
the American Federation of Labor
calling for a friendly, co-operative
partnership between labor and man-
agement is written into this highly
significant pact with a Government
agency.
Thousands of additional workers
will be covered by the agreement when
the proposed $25,000,000 expansion of
T.V.A. facilities for national defense
purposes gets under way.
David E. Lilienthal, T.V.A. director,
said:
“I consider this agreement more
valuable than any of our dams. It
charts the way to labor management
co-operation in the national defense
program. It is worth millions to the
people of this country.”
Marion Hedges, research director
for the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, who _ served as
technical adviser to the T.V.A. unions
was similarly enthusiastic.
“It is the finest contract ever en-
tered into with any branch of the gov-
ernment,” he said. “It sets a high
standard that both private employers
and other agencies of the government
would do well to follow."
John P. Frey, president of the Metal
Trades Department, joined in praising
the agreement.
“A labor policy has been worked out
within the T.V.A.,” he declared,
“which makes a valuable contribution
to employer and employe relations,
especially when the employer is a
federal authority.”
Under the contract, joint machinery
is set up through which labor has
equal authority with supervisory offi-
cials over problems affecting both
A two-day
advocated by the grand old man of
labor and the founder of the American
Federation of Labor, Samuel Gompers,
to elect our friends and defeat our en-
emies, and I submit that there is no
man who works and earns his daily
bread by the sweat of his brow that
can successfully deny that our great
president is a friend of labor.
“Organized labor in this city,
through the Central Labor Union and
the Building and Construction Trades
Council, has accomplished its aim and
aspirations to a great degree. The
membership has taken a place and
borne with honor its responsibility in
the best society in the community and
are seeking to aid the mayor and his
official family to make the beautiful
city of Galveston a better place in
which to live.
“My presence here today is due to
the earnest request of that great lead-
er of the American Federation of La-
bor, Pres. William Green, who found
it impossible to be here himself due
to his having accepted a previous in-
vitation to make his Labor Day ad-
dress in Denver, Colo., and he has re-
quested me to extend to you the fra-
ternal greeting of the American Feder-
ation of Labor.
“No doubt you expect that I shall
have something to say about national
defense because I am a member of the
labor advisory committee to the Coun-
cil of National Defense. It will be re-
called that the president delivered a
special message to the congress on na-
tional defense, in person, and make a
request for appropriations adequate to
provide the necessary battleships, air-
planes, tanks and other military equip-
ment to provide for the defense of our
nation. The national defense commiss-
ion was appointed and is now, and has
been for some time, awarding con-
tracts for airports to be used as train-
ing stations for pilots. The American
Federation of Labor and the building
and construction trades department
are co-operating with the government
to the fullest extent. Of course we are
interested in maintaining established
labor standards and to that end the
labor advisory committee prepared and
presented for approval to the National
Defense Council a statement of labor
policy. The council will, in the very
near future, take action on the policy
to which I refer.
Your labor committee in the mean-
time is taking up complaints with the
council through an administrative as-
sistant Joseph Keenan, a member of
the International Brotherhood of Elec-
trical Workers and secretary of the
Chicago Federation of Labor, who in
turn takes these matters up for adjust-
ment with the United States army,
navy and marine corps and other gov-
ernment agencies. In most instances
satisfactory results have been ob-
tained.
Skilled Men Needed.
One of labor’s greatest problems will
be to provide skilled men in sufficient
numbers to supply the demand. Hasty
completion of defense projects is of
major importance and the utmost will
be required of every citizen of the na-
tion to carry the program to a success-
ful conclusion.
“Allegations have been made that
some of the big corporations have re-
fused to co-operate unless profits are
guaranteed or expenditures for plant
expansion are guaranteed by the gov-
ernment, but this does not appear,
even if true, to be seriously retarding
progress of the program.
“There is no doubt about the serious-
ness of, oi' the necessity for, adequate
defense, and we, as citizens and mem-
bers of organized labor, must recognize
that all that is dear to us, our labor
organizations, our churches, our stand-
ard of living and our way of life de-
pends upon our ability to maintain our
democratic form of government in
these United States.
workers and management.
Preference in hiring is given to
A. F. of L. union men. Methods are
provided for handling of jurisdictional
disputes without any cessation of
work, and for quick disposition of em-
ploye grievances and other disputes.
Negotiations leading to the con-
tract took nearly a year. It was made
public in a joint statement by Presi-
dent Sam E. Roper of the Tennessee
Valley Trades and Labor Council and
By AFL News Service.
New York, N. Y.—Local 807 of the
International Brotherhood of Team-
sters is seeking an increase of 88
cents per day plus 30 cents more per
hour overtime in a proposed new wage
scale agreement offered to supercede
the current pact with the Merchant
Truckmen’s Bureau. The new rate is
$9.60 per day against th epresent rate
of $8.72, and $1.80 per hour for over-
time against the present $1.50. In ad-
dition, the union is demanding one
week’s vacation with pay and a re-
duction in working hours from 44 to
40 a week with no cut in wages.
Secretary-Treasurer Thomas L.
Hickey of the union said warehouses,
docks and most businesses had adopt-
ed the five-day week, so that there
was little hauling for trucks to do on
Saturdays.
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—The Federal
government’s social security program,
which celebrated its fifth anniversary
this week, has distributed $3,000,000,-
000 to aged and unemployed workers,
and to widows, orphans and the blind
in the United States.
The large scope of protection given
by the program is revealed in a state-
ment by the Social Security Board
that approximately 50,000,000 had been
enrolled in the program since Presi-
dent Roosevelt signed the act in 1935.
The benefits of the social security
program are distributed through half
a dozen outlets which are either ex-
clusive Federal enterprises or joint
undertakings of nation and state.
Its “insurance” benefits for the aged
and unemployed are financed by pay
roll taxes, while direct grants from
federal and state treasuries sustain
the public assistance features for the
young, the old and the helpless in
need.
At the top of the program is the
old-age arid survivors’ insurance sys-
tem, which pays out monthly benefits
to workers who retire at 65, and to
their wives, widows and orphans. Up
to June 30 this system had paid $38,-
000,000 to 102,941 persons.
Unemployment compensation, which
gives insured workers a moderate
weekly sum during a limited number
of weeks of joblessness, is reported
to have distributed more than $1,000,-
000,000 in out-of-work benefits.
Of the more than 28,000,000 com-
mercial and industriel workers cov-
ered by the insurance, about 1,500,000 ,
new jobless are drawing unemploy-
ment compensation.
To find jobs for the insured idle, the
social security system has taken over
the Employment Service. It has been
credited with filling 5,000,000 jobs dur-
ing 1939 and the first six months of
1940.
The public assistance phases of the
program, distinct from the old-age
and jobless insurance systems, are op-
erated through joint Federal-State ma-
chinery to provide, on a basis of need,
financial care for the aged unable to
qualify for insurance benefits, for the
needy blind, and for dependent chil-
dren.
The public assistance operation of-
ficials reported, aid some 3,000,000
persons every month, among them
1,983,900 aged, 807,900 children and
48,000 blind. The expenditure for this
part of the system has totaled about
$1,900,000,000.
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 20, Ed. 1 Friday, September 6, 1940, newspaper, September 6, 1940; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1438451/m1/1/: accessed June 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rosenberg Library.