The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 15, Ed. 1 Friday, August 22, 1924 Page: 1 of 14
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PLACE YOUR MONEY WITH THE
Local Voice of the
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
7
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1924.
VOL. 6—No. 15—Price 5c.
LABOR DA Y 1924
THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL
BANK OF GALVESTON
By SAMUEL GOMPERS
President, American Federation of Labor.
High Lights in a Half Century of Existence
ment.
-0-
o
RIDICULES ANTIS.
rect opposition to the workers’ interests, ture that will be distributed throughout
the country in large quantities.
0
Let us blazon the message of trade unionism across the hori-
Let us give of its inspiration to those who are oppressed, who
zon.
are 1
Guaranty Building &
Loan Co.
Thirty Third Annual Labor Day Celebration
to be Held at Crystal Palace
TERRIFIED COOLIES
WON’T FIGHT FLAMES
MEXICO’S NEW CHIEF
CONFERS WITH LABOR
COMMITTEE STIFFENED
TO AID NO-PARTY PLAN
FEDERAL PENSION LAW
PAYS $550 ANNUALLY
---o---------------
OIL PROBERS BROKE.
----- Washington, D. C.—The A. F. of L.
Richmond, Va.—Vice President Con- executive council increased the member-
Ion of the International Association of ship of the National Non-Partisan Po-
Machinists is chairman of a committee litical Campagin committee by adding
Che Union, e view
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor.
Evanston, Ill.—Convict made goods
and the extent of their sale were dis-
cussed at the annual convention of the
Retail Clerks’ International Protective
Association in this city.
The delegates were assured that if the
public were acquainted with conditions
under which these goods are manufac-
tured there would be no demand for
them. It was declared that publicity is
the remedy for this social evil.
------O—---------- >
Vice Presidents Thomas A. Rickert,
Matthew Woll and Martin F. Ryan. The
old members of the committee are Presi-
dent Gompers, Secretary Frank Morri-
son and James O’ Connell, president of
the A. F. of L. metal trades department.
The enlarged committee is indicative
of labor’s determination to elect the La
Follette-Wheeler ticket and congression-
al candidates, irrespective of party, who
have proven their friendship to the cause
of labor.
Reports of A. F. of L. offices snow
that state federations of labor and city
central bodies are enuthsiactically accept-
ing the non-partisn poalicy. The absence
of discord or differences is most morked
and in no campaign have the workers
presented such a united front.
The national committee expects sub-
stantial responses to its appeal for finan-
cial aid to meet the expenses for litera-
Washington, D. C.—The retail cost of
food in 14 of 19 cities in which surveys
have just been completed by the bureau
of labor statistics increased from a frac-
tion of 1 per cent to 3 per cent last
month
Boston and Indianapolis are the 3 per
cent cities Dallas, Milwaukee, Provi-
dence and Portland Ore. gained 2 per
cent! Birmingham, Denver, New Haven,
Peoria and Scranton, 1 per cent, and De-
troit and Bridgeport, less than five-
tenths of 1 per cent.
Cincinnati Atlanta, Norfolk, Fall Riv-
er and Louisville showed decreases of
3 to less than 1 per cent.
-----------0-----------
IMPORT STRIKEBREAKERS.
Washington D. C.—There are approx-
imately 10,500 persons on the annuity
roll of the federal civil service retire-
ment and disability fund. During the
past year 2500 died, according to a state-
ment by C. S. Dewey, assistant secre-
tary of the treasury. The average
amount paid to those on the retired list
is $550 per annum. In the last fiscal
year the fund increased $9,000,000, or to
$34,000,000, and it is estimated that at
the end of the 1925 fiscal year the fund
will total more than $42,000,000. When
the law was under consideration actua-
ries’ estimated that the employes’ contri-
butio nof 2% per cent of their salary
would maintain the fund for six years
without government aid. This aid will
not be needed, for practically double that
period, because of increased wages.
The organized employes are urging
that the annuity be increased, deductions
increased and the age limit be reduced.
It is estimated that a 1 per cent increase
in the employes’ deduction for the fund
will cover the increased annuity and the
decreased age limit. With the proposed
increases the government will not be
called on for an appropriation in aid of
the retirement fund for 25 years, it is
believed.
without hope and whose souls are hungering. Let us unfurl its
Labor Day is the one holiday in all the year dedicated to hu-
manity. It is a day set apart for the consideration of human prob-
lems and for rejoicing at progress made toward that better day for
which we strive constantly.
Labor Day is a day on which the leadership of the trade union
movement in the fight for human betterment is universally acknowl-
edged and acclaimed.
There could be no Labor Day without Labor. There could be
no Labor Day without Organized Labor.
Those who do not belong to the labor movement may here and
there make speeches on Labor Day. Usually their speeches are un-
necessary ; and where they are helpful they are filled with a recount-
ing of the services rendered by the Trade Union Movement.
Labor—Organizd Labor—the Labor Movement—that is what
make Labor Day possible; that is what makes it real.
Labor Day was set apart as a holiday because Organized Labor
demanded it. It was a recognition of Labor’s right to celebrate its
victories and to carry to all of the people its great message of hope
and freedom.
On this Labor Day TALK LABOR! Do not anywhere permit
Labor Day to be anything but LABOR DAY. Talk Labor, preach
the great message of Labor, carry forward the message of human
freedom and human aspiration as a Labor message.
Welcome the friends of Labor in all gatherings. Welcome
these friends when they come with their support and their encour-
agement. But see that everywhere the day is observed as Labor
Day.
The Labor Movement in America is a movement of wage earn-
ers, for wage earners, conducted by wage earners. It is a move-
ment primarily for the protection and advancement of the rights
and interests of the wage earners through_trade union organization.
Let us observe Labor Day in the spirit of the Labor Move-
Washington, D. C.—At every oppor-
tunity labor is advised to produce more.
The latest excuse for this advice is a re-
port on the length of European work
days, issued by the Federation of British
Industries. Commenting on this report,
one labor adviser, disregarding every ex-
perience and every industrial history, fe-
verishly asks:
“Can America, with a short working
day hold it,s own in the markets of the
world with European countries that have
a long working day?”
These advisers assume that business
management is perfect and that labor is
the one drawback to a 100 per cent pro-
duction. Investigations by skilled engi-
neers reveal an astounding waste in Am-
erican production. They' show, for in-
stance that employers are responsible for
81 per cent of the waste in the metal in-
dustry. In textiles, labor is blamed for
but 10 per cent of the waste.
Untold billions of dollars are annually
wasted by management, but this is Ig-
nored by advisors of labor, who call on
the workers to “produce more," while
large percentages of this production is
wasted
In “Waste in'Industry, ” a report by
the Hoover committee, is listed wastes
that border on the criminal and that
shouldsting the public conscience.
The report is signed by a committee
of 15 engineers, appointed by Secretary
of Commerce Hoover. These engineers
present waste in industry under four ma-
jor heads:
“Low production caused by faulty
management of material, plant, equip-
ment and men.
“Interrupted production, caused by
idle men, idle materials, idle plants, idle
equipment.
“Restricted production intentionally
caused by owners, management or labor.
“Lost production caused by ill health,
physical defects and industrial acci-
dents. ”
Dr. M. L. Graves, noted specialist,
whose practice comes from all parts of
Texas and adjoining states, and one of
the leading professors of the University
of Texas Medical Department at Gal-
veston.
Mr. Fred Hartel, roofing contractor
and County Commissioner of Galveston
for many years, and qne whose judg-
ment and opinion is held in high esteem.
Mr. R. W. Humphreys, Collector of
Customs at the Port of Galveston, and
formerly a prominent attorney of Lib-
erty, Texas.
Messrs. D. W. Kempner, I. H. Kemp-
ner and R. Lee Kempner, of the firm of
H. Kempner, and large stockholders in
the Merchants and Planters Compress
& Warehouse Company and Sugarland
Industries, and prominent m many civic
enterprises in Galveston.
Mr. F. Ohlendorf, retired merchant
and capitalist, with wide acquaintance
and marked popularity.
Mr. Thos. H. Phillips, of the firm of
Wm. Parr & Company, steamship agepts
and representing prominent privately
owned steamship lines.
Mr. J. H. W. Steele, president of the
J. H. W. Steele Steamship Company, a
man of long, large and varied experi-
ence, than whom no one is better and
more favorably known to the shipping
public of Texas and the Southwest.
Mr. J. W. Butler, ex-Secretary, also
ex-President of the Texas Bankers As-
sociation, who has probably the largest
acquaintance, and more friends than any
banker in the State of Texas.
H. Lutcher Brown of Orange. He is
president of the Orange National Bank,
and director of the Orange Paper Mill.
He is just competing the plant of the
Brown Paper Company at Monroe, La.,
representing an investment of five mil-
lion dollars.
The selection of the new name, United
States National Bank, was a happy
thought and appropriate, since the bank
receives business from forty-three states,
as well as Mexico, the West Indies and
Central America. There are six others
of this title that are west of the Rockies,
one in Pennsylvania, and this in Galves-
ton, eight in all. It is unique and de-
scriptive.
The development and growth of the
bank has been satisfactory in the highest
degree. It is doubtful, in fact, if even
the clear vision of the founder foresaw
an institution of such magnitude as an
outgrowth of its modest beginning. The
Texas Bank & Trust Company on Jan-
uary 1, 1904, had a capital of $200,000.00
and a surplus of $200,000.00. This was
increased April 1st, 1920, to $400,000.00,
while through earnings the surplus had
increased gradually until it reached
$600,000.00, and on January 1, 1924,
when the new name was adopted, the
capital was placed at One Million Dol-
lars, the largest of the incorporated
banks in Galveston. The development
of the bank has been of a steady nature,
rather than phenomenal, keeping step
with the growth of Galveston and its
importance as a port. The application
of the preconceived policy of its organ-
izer, in serving its clientele liberally,
though at all times within the bounds of
sound banking, has surrounded the Unit-
ed Slates National Bank with a host of
friends and sincere admirers.
Washington, D. C.—The $100,000 con-
gressional oil prosecution fund has been
exhausted and the special prosecutors—
Owen J. Roberts and former Senator
Pomerene of Ohio and their assistants—
have hot been paid for their services.
Another appropriation is necessary.
The $100,000 was intended to defray
expenses of legal work in connection
with prosecutions growing out of the
senate oil lease investigation. Objectors
to the senate probe insisted that the mat-
ter is one for judicial determination.
The president appointed the two prose-
cutors and congress voted $100,000.
--0—•-------
EXPOSE CONVICT GOODS.
San Francisco, Cal.—The coolie crew
on the steamship President Lincoln re-
ceived additional notoriety when that
vessel was threatened with destruction
by fire. The steamship is owned by the
United States Shipping Board and is
operated by the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company.
The ability and trustworthiness of
coolie sailors is shown by this meaning-
ful news item printed on the first page,
of the San Francisco Daily News, repro-
duced herewith for the enlightenment of
American citizens who are, after all, the
owners of the gallant steamship:
“Coolie Crew in Panic as Flames Rage
—U. S. Battleship Periled When
Blaze Breaks Out on Passenger Ves-
sel.
“While Chinese coolie .sailors scream-
ed and tumbled agout in wild panic, a
serious fire on the liner President Lin-
coln threatened the destruction of the
steamer and menaced the battleship Ten-
nessee and the dry dock at Hunter’s
Point, at which the two vessels were
lying.
“The fire, of undetermined origin,
spread rapidly as the few white officers
attempted to quiet the panic stricken
Chinese.
“A frantic appeal for help was made
when the vessel was observed to be al-
most obscured by the heavy pall of
smoke and flames could be seen in the
cabins and storerooms.
“City firemen and bluejackets brush-
ed the terrified Chinese aside and extin-
guished the fire.”
------------0------------
FOUL FISH CANNERIES.
banners and sing its songs.
Labor Day is for Labor and Labor is striving to enlarge the
iife of the great masses of our people. Labor Day is for Labor and
Labor fights the fight for all who are heavy laden.
Upward and onward, this Labor Day, for humanity, for the
right, for justice, for freedom and democracy, in the name of La-
bor, through our great Trade Union Movement!_________________
Long Beach, Cal.—Unorganized wo-
men workers are forced to labor in local
canneries under shameful conditions, and
“public sentiment should be aroused,”
declares Editor Jackson of the Labor
News.
“This work is done on the piece work
plan in order, we presume, that the legal-
ity of working the women extra long
hours and on Sunday can not be raised,”
said Editor Jackson.
“W realize that cold storage is essen-
tial in preserving fish, fruit and other
perishable food until it can be marketed,
but we question the morality and health-
fulness of keeping foodstuffs for months
or even years—as is done—in a frozen
condition, or until the greedy manufac-
turer or canner gets his price or holds so
much in store that fishermen are forced
to sell for starvation prices.”
Atlantic City, N. J.—The A. F. of L.
executive council will attend the inaugu-
ration of President Calles of Mexico
next December. The invitation was de-
livered personally by President-elect Cal-
les, who come to this city for the pur-
pose of meeting the executive council.
At a luncheon in honor of the Mexican
president-elect, the visitor . gave assur-
ance that the new Mexican government
would maintain the same interest in the
workers’ cause. In a short address, de-
livered in Spanish, President-elect Cal-
les expressed gratification because of the
unity and fraternity between wage work-
ers of the United States and his country.
“This visit is for me to embrace fra-
ternally Mr. Gompers and to salute his
honorable, collaborators,” he said. “It is
a very happy visit, and it fills me with
satisfaction, and I shall carry within my
soul great ideals because I understand
that with the workers of Mexico and the
workers of the United States united, it
will be very hard for the capitalist forces
of the country or whatever country to
oppress my people.”
Utica, N. Y.—City Judge Buckley ridi-
culed the local citizens’ alliance for its
opposition to an appropriation for coun-
ty memorials while spending $15,000 a
year to maintain a blacklist system
against trade unionists.
The business agent of the union bust-
ers affected a lively interest in the work-
ers, but Judge Buckley showed that the
policy of the citizens’ alliance is in di-
that has issued a call for a La Follette-
Wheeler state confefence in this city,
Saturday, August 30, at the Labor Tem-
ple. The purpose is to select presiden-
tial electors and perfect a state organiza-
tion. All labor and farmers’ organiza-
tions and women’s progressive clubs are
invited.
RETAIL FOOD PRICES UP. VIRGINIA FOR LA FOLLETTE.
Keeping step with progress, the Unit-
ed State National Bank, at the corner of
Market and Twenty-Second, is a new-
old bank, with a background setting of
fifty years development and achievement. 1
On this half century anniversary, the
magnificent marble and granite, twelve-
story building is being completed, a dis-
tinct contribution to the skyline of the
Second Port in America.
Simplicity and strength is the keynote
of the very definite impression which the
new banking home will make upon the
visitor. The ancient Greek temples de-
pended upon this fundamental simplicity
and strength for their beauty. Public
institutions, particularly the banks, have
drawn much inspiration from them in
the design of their own buildings.
In the construction of the new build-
ing, it was specified by the bank that the
contractors must use union labor and
Galveston labor to have the preference.
This friendly atitude to union labor has
been ronsistenly followed.
The United States National Bank of
Galveston (named for the country it
serves), is the continuation, under a pew
name, of the old Texas Bank and Trust
Company, which operated under a spe-
cial charter granted by the legislature of
the State of Texas.m 1874, for a period
of fifty years. At the expiration of this
charter on January 1st, 1924, the institu-
tion entered the'National Banking Sys-
tem, and under the same management
who conducted the Texas Bank and
Trust Company with marked success.
Someone said that every great insti-
tution is the lengthened shadow of some
individual. It was the ..foresight and
business acumen of Mr. H. Kempner,
founder and one of the first presidents of
the Island City Savings Bank, who laid
the foundation broad and well upon
which this large banking business has
been builded. The rugged principles and
straightforward policies which he adopt-
ed have been consistently followed, de-
termining the marked success of the en-
terprise.
The bank has a remarkable record of
continuos service, unbroken and unre-
strained. The financial crises of 1893,
1907 and 1920 made no serious impres-
sion on its progress, the bank being
abundatly able to meet all requirements
and furnish satisfactory accommodations
and service to its patrons, because of its
firm position, conservative management,
and strong connections.
The success of every organization lies
in the vision, the courage, and the ability
o’f its directing heads. Let a word be
said, therefore, of the men who are di-
recting and guiding its destiny today.
The Board of Directors of.the United
States National Bank are men of the
highest type, representative of a variety
of industries and professions. These men,
in directing the affairs of this bank
bring ripe experience and intimate
knowledge from their respective lines of
endeavor, and each thereby makes a val-
uable contribution.
Mr. Jules Bliock, of J. Block & Com-
pany, scrap iron and metals.
Mr. Walter E. Eggers, Secretary-
Treasurer of the firm of Wiley-Nicholls
Company who are the oldest hauling con-
tractors and warehousemen in Galves-
ton.
Dr. William Gammon, well known and
prominent physiciana, president of the
Security Trust Company, as well as
owner of the Tremont Hotel.
c,, ASCRIPTION, $1.50 PER YEAR
----
--;----- ‘*9598---------------
Preventable IVaste Costs L‘ jns; Workers
Urged To “Produce More”
--
The thirty-third annual celebration of Labor Day will be held
at the Crystal Palace, Monday, September 1, 1924.
An invitation is extended to the public, and the members of
Organized Labor and their friends to attend, and the 'Galveston La-
bor Council assures that nothing short of a very pleasant evening
will be spent, for you’ll have two orchestras to dance by and two
floors to dance on. We know you’ll have a good time, so lay aside
your trouble and come.
The following delegates to the Council compose the Labor Day
Committee, and who have had the entire entertainment in charge:
General Committee: Martin Ohnstein, chairman; Albert Ev-
ers, W. J. Sullivan, A. M. Burgess, H. N. Denton, P. Horan, J. P.
Reitze, R. E. Norris, John Fitzpatrick, P. R. Heinrich, H. Green-
berg.
Reception Committee: Louis Bunde, chairman; M. H. Snow,
Miss Gussie Ford, Mrs. Minnie Thomas, M. E. Shay, N. P. Blake-
more, James P. Walsh, A. Pucciarello, Frank Mellina.
Floor Committee: Mrs. M. E. Clawson, chairman; J. O. Sat-
terwhite, J. T. Mearse, Ben Baehr, J. P. Reitze, P. R. Heinrich, FL
N. Denton, A. M. Burgess, W. J. Sullivan, H. S. Conklin, H. W. E.
Rale, James P. Walsh, M. E. Shay, E. W. Bock, Arthur Parr.
'Galveston Labor Council wishes to thank its friends in advance
for all the courtesies shown them, toward making the thirty-third
annual celebration a success.
------—o--------
As an indication of management's
slip-shod methods, the report states that
few building contractors keep accurate
records that they may know the unit of
cost from day to day. "In the recent
hearing,” says the report, “a claim was
made by a contractor that a bricklayer
laid 1500 brick before the war and was
laying 500 in 1921. This was answered
very properly by representatives of the
workmen that without more knowledge,
variations in the kinds of walls made
comparisons like this absurd.” It was
estimated that 12,000,000 days a year
could be saved in the building industry
by the application of safety methods.
In the metal industry it was found in
all cases an adequate cost system is need-
ed—employers are guessing as to the cost
of production. The labor turnover in
this industry averages 160 per cent. In
some shops the turnover amounted to
300 per cent. This means an actual
waste of $100,000,000 because of the cost
of “breaking in” new labor.
'Millions of persons are annually sick
through preventable disease. “Of the
500,000 workers who die each year,” the
report states, “it is probable that the
death of at least one-half is postponable,
by proper medical supervision, periodic
medical examination, health education
and community hygiene.”
“It has been estimated that he econo-
“It has been estimated that the econo-
death is $1,800,000,000 among those class-
ed as gainfully employed—or over $700,-
000,000 among industrial workers in the
more limited meaning of the term. ”
The report is a reproach to the boasted
efficiency of American industry. It is a
challenge to those who urge workers to
“produce more”, while ignoring condi-
tions that shorten the lives of workers
and cause wastes that annually total vast
sums.
5 % on Amounts under $500.00
6% on Amounts of $500.00
Seattle, Wash.—In resisting a living
wage movement by organized taxi cab
drivers, two concerns are importing
strike breakers from Chicago.
• Six of these gangsters, who were
armed with loaded sections of rubber
hose, were arrested.
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 15, Ed. 1 Friday, August 22, 1924, newspaper, August 22, 1924; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1481720/m1/1/: accessed July 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rosenberg Library.