The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, June 3, 1927 Page: 1 of 4
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Local Voice of the
PUCE YOUR MONEY WITH THE
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
VOL. 9—No. 3.—Price 5c.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1927.
SUBSCRIPTION, $1.50 PER YEAR
OUT OF IT ALL
their constitution for the calling of
strikes and the maintenance
The American Federa-
George H. Slater, Executive Secre-
tary; C. A. Weber, First -Vice-Presi-
dent; Mrs. Mina Boone, Second Vice-
president; Sam Goodman, Third Vice-
or
in
ex-
own
or
the
Portland, Ore.—Electrical Workers’
Union No. 125 has renewed a contract
with the local electric power company.
Increased wages for apprentices is in-
cluded.
CAN TEACHERS UNION BE
CALLED OUT ON STRIKE
MINE BLAST DEATHS
IGNORED BY PRESS
U. S. DEPT. OF LABOR,
WOMEN’S BUREAU
TI[UIDI[LIDLI•[EUI[LIDLIEUIELIEUI[UIEIIUIELIEUIDUILLILLI[LITLIELIDLIDI[UIELTUFTU/DJrIrU/rUIrL/rUITUIDIIrU/rU/TU/PUIrUrIDIIU/U/TUrUIrIrU/U/I
Out of the years that lagged, or hasted,
Out of the power of the1 griefs that wasted,
Out of the sway of the joys that, half-tasted,
Leave the heart sick, that so soon they can pall—
Out of the drive, the tumult, the brawl,
Out of it—out of it all.
SINLCAIR SENTENCED;
THREE MONTHS in JAIL
ANTI-UNION POLICY
CAUSES HUGE LOSS
Out of it all . . . And the world receding,
Who, or what, is there, whither leading?
Through a space unknown, I unknown, am speeding,
And the fashions that were, away from me fall . . .
What was that word I would fain recall?—
Out of it—out of it all.
riety of standards—some employers
making little or no effort to conform . .
to the best, not even fulfilling the strike fund.
E
Guaranty Building &
Loan Co.
-----------O-----------
SWICK IS ELECTED.
more, 26 per cent of the women
both Georgia and Mississippi being
Washington.—Harry F. Sinclair, oil
operator, under indictment with form-
er Secretary of the Interior Fall for
conspiracy to defraud the government
was sentenced to serve three months
in jail and to pay a fine of $500 on
a charge of contempt of the Senate
committee which investigated the nav-
al oil leases.
The sentences as imposed by Justice
William Hitz of the District of Co-
lumbia Supreme Court. Sinclair was
released on bond pending appeal. His
case has been before the court for
three years.
Ohe ICnion Deview
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor.
---:-------------0-----------------
BONUS PLAN FAILS.
a week of 60 hours
hours or i
women had
I
Binghamton, N. Y.—The Endicott-
Johnson Corporation, shoe manufac-
turers, invites employes who are dis-
satisfied with the bonus system to
resign. These workers are informed
that the bonus is not permanent.
-----------o-----------
RENEW CONTRACT.
----------o----------
CULINARY WORKERS GAIN.
Casper, Wyo.—Restaurant and ho-
tel employers have signed a two-year
agreement with their culinary work-
ers. Waitresses will be paid $3.50 for
an eight-hour day.
te, said committee concurring in the The following officers were in-
recommendation of the Executive , stalled: George A. Wilson, President;
Board that this department should
hereafter be conducted from the head-
tion of Teachers has a non-strike pol-
Layfayette Ind.—Officials of the
Brotherhood of Painters and Deco-
rators officially announce the refer-
endum election of Fifth Vice Presi-
dent Swick as general secretary-treas-
urer. He succeeds the late Charles J.
Lammert.
for transportation of strikebreakers
during the same month was in excess
of $80,000.
“The cost of production, including
transportation, employment of coal
and iron police and the maintenance of
the Pinkerton and other detective
agencies is in excess of $4 a ton.
“These figures show that the com-
pany is suffering more severe losses
at the present time than they have at
any period in their strikebreaking ex-
perience.”
From " Selected Poems of Edith M. Thomas,”
Published by Harper’s.
of a
quarters’ office at Dallas, with Miss
Emily Jordan in charge.
The convention voted that hereafter
the annual convention will be held be-
ginning the third Monday in May.
Very interesting addresses were de-
livered by N. S. Hundson on the sub-
ject of vocational education; by Nor-
man Beard dealing .with the subject
of labor banks, and by John North
relative to the colored worker.
The convention voted to donate $100
to the Mississippi River flood suffer-
ers, and $50 to the Texas storm suf-
ferers, same to be forwarded to the
Red Cross.
The following resolutions were
adopted:
Pledging co-operation to the state
and nation in the carrying on of vo-
cational education.
Urging central bodies to admit col-
ored labor unions to the end that they
more. Several thousand
Pittsburg, Pa.—The eviction of Rev.
William G. Nowell, Methodist clergy-
man, from a house owned by the Pitts-
burg Coal Company because he re-
fused to defend a union-smashing pol-
icy, again calls attention to this con-
tract-breaking corporation.
“The company’s anti-union policy
has caused a loss of millions of dol-
lars,’ said John L. Lewis, president
of the United Mine Workers, in an
address to miners in this field. “In the
first three months of this year the
company’s loss was greater than in
the same three months of 1926 or 1925.
The company lost $806,000 during the
last three months. Their labor turn-
over for the month of March was ap-
proximately 260 per cent. This is the
largest labor turnover that has been
recorded in the history of the United
States or any other country in the
world.
“The company employs approxi-
mately 350 coal and iron police. The
maintenance charge for this force dur-
ing March exceeded $75,000. Charges
This question is frequently asked of
the American Federation of Teachers.
It is based upon a misconception of
the relation between the American
Federation of Teachers and the Amer-
ican Federation of Labor. Affiliation
does not mean that the teachers lose
their independence of action. It
should be realized that the American
Federation of Labor grants to the
having absolute control over its
policies and actions. No Local
State Central Labor Body nor
jected to a newspaper propaganda for
a “house cleaning,” and other efforts
were made to weaken the workers’
spirit of loyalty and divide them into
factions for and against their repre-
sentatives.
law, while those with the finest con-
ditions and the best wages and hours,
usually very much exceed the re-
quirements of the law or of accepted
standards. Many employers have rec-
ognized that the conditions in the fac-
tory have a very decided effect upon
the efficiency of the workers, and
through scientific research and by
engineering processes they have elim-
inated much of the waste which nat-
urally follows poor conditions of
work. Others are still backward in
improving conditions.
“It is evident from investigation,”
the bureau points out, “that poor
working conditions generally accom-
pany low wages and long hours.
Where you find one you will usually
find the others. Like excessive hours,
poor working conditions are wasters
of human energy. The employer and
the worker who have realized this
fact are well upon the road to elimi-
nate this waste in their- particular in-
dustry.”
Report Of
Si*
charter of complete autonomy, which
means that its members have control
over their policies and affairs and
retain absolute independence of ac-
tion. The charter of affiliation reads:
“The autonomy of this (the teachers’)
Union is hereby ordained and se-
cured.” All the other unions are like-
wise granted autonomy, but they have
a strike policy, definitely providing in
5% on Amounts under $500.00
6% on Amounts of $500.00
American Federation of’Labor has
the right of the power to call upon
the teachers, under any circumstances,
to strike. Therefore, since the Amer-
ican Federation of Teachers does not
use the strike, the affiliation' with this
organization of local federations of
teachers cannot in any way involve
the teachers in a strike. While it is
a -matter outside the jurisdiction of
the American Federation of Labor,
Out of it all . . . and now I see clearly
How little there was that touched me nearly.
Though I hated (how idly!) and loved (how dearly!)
Though I deemed this great, and judged that small,
Now the bounds I set are a crumbled wall—
Out of it—out of it all.
Charleston, W. Va.—Newspapers of
this state are printing columns of sob
stuff on the heroism of state mine
inspector and officers of the New
England Fuel and Transportation
Company for their rescue of dead
bodies at the mine explosion at Ev-
erettsville, where 97 workers lost their
lives.
The victims and their dependents
are overlooked by the newspapers and
little space is given to the causes of
the catastrophe or to a discussion of
preventive measures.
“A strict observance of the state
mining laws and proper measures
would have prevented this disaster,”
says the West Virginia Federationist.
“The responsibility rests somewhere,
and it is up to the proper state au-
thorities to place that responsibility
and to take drastic steps to prevent
future accidents. These facts do nor
seem to be considered by the press
or the authorties.”
icy, and has no provision for strikes
in its constitution.
This non-strike policy has been of-
ficially stated and recognized by the
National Convention of the American
Federation of Teachers and by Sam-
uel Gompers, late president of the
American Federation of Labor. On
this subject President Gompers made
the following statement:
“The American Federation of
Teachers is an International Union
That wages to all working women
adequate to cover living expenses and
allow some margin for dependents
and savings, that shorter working-
hours, and that sufficient wages to
men to support families, are necesary
to improve the economic status of
women in shops, mills and factories
and to insure their health and happi-
ness as individuals in the community,
. is emphasized by the -Women’s Bu-
reau of the U. S. Department of Labor
in a pamphlet entitled “Short Talks
About Working Women,” just issued
as bulletin 59 of the bureau’s publica-
tions.
After tracing briefly the progress
of women from breadwinners taken
for granted in the home to paid bread-
winners outside the home, and point-
ing to occupational shifts as evidenc-
ing the desire of women to escape
from the menial jobs to the more
pleasant and better paid work, the
pamphlet then sets forth the standards
for the employment of women ad-
vocated by the Women’s Bureau.
These standards include, besides
clean, well-lighted, well-ventilated
workrooms and service facilities such
as contribute to the health, comfort,
safety, and general well-being of the
workers, an 8-hour day and a 6-day
. week, with Saturday half-holiday; ade-
quate allowance of time for meals;
a rest period of 10 minutes in the mid-
dle of each working period without
thereby increasing the working day;
no employment between midnight and
6 a. m.; and adequate wages fixed on
the basis of occupation not on that
of sex or race, to cover the cost of
living in health and decency, instead
of a bare existence, and to allow for
dependents and not merely for the in-
dividual.
To what extent these standards—
offered by the bureau as suggestions
to employers—are to be found in act-
ual practice has been fairly determined
through studies made in a number of
states. In fourteen states, for exam-
ple, the Women’s Bureau has investi-
gated the earnings received by women
in industrial occupations, and in only
one state, and there in a peak year,
was the median found to be as high
as the minimum wage of $16 a week
fixed by law for women in the State
of California. Even in that State—
Rhode Island—the median, or middle
wage, of all the women investigated
was only $16.85 a week, meaning that
half of the women received less than
this amount and half received as much
or more. Medians in other states
studied ranged from $14.95 in New
Jersey to $8.60 in Mississippi, with the
remaining eleven states ranking as
follows: Ohio, $13.80; Oklahoma, $13;
Georgia, $12.95; Missouri, $12.65;
Kansas, $11.95; Arkansas, $11.60; Ten-
nesee, $11.10; Delaware, $11.05; Ken-
tucky, $10.75; South Carolina, $9.50.
and Alabama $8.80.
Any. discussion of women’s wages
today, the Women’s Bureau points
out further, should include consider-
ation of their home responsibilities.
Their wages still are based on the
old theory that they have no family
responsibilities as wage earners, yet
the bureau found in a study in the
shoe industry in Manchester, N. H.,
that three-fifths of the daughters and
only one-third of the sons contributed
all their earnings to the support of
their families. As the husbands and
President; R. E. Newman, Fourth
Vice-President; R. M. Means, Fifth
Vice-President; Henry Maitre, Read-
ing Clerk; J. L. Hauswald, Sergeant-
at-arms, as well as all the local vice-
presidents.
R. E. Roberts was elected delegate
to the American Federation of Labor.
Retiring President Kachel was giv-
en a rising vote of thanks for his un-
tiring efforts in behalf of the Federa-
tion.
Wichita Falls was enthusiastically
thanked by many speakers for the ex-
cellence of the entertainment offered,
after which the convention adjourned
to meet in San Antonio the third
Monday in May, 1928.
■ Fraternally submitted,
George H. Slater, Executive Sec.
Texas State Federation of Labor
the striking Mine Workers of the
Twenty-first District should be sent
out and that the A. F. of L. be re-
quested to do likewise.
Urging all international unions to
send organizers to the Rio Grande
Valley.
Pledging support to the Internation-
al Jewelry Workers’ Union.
Directing that every effort should
be put forth to re-establish the 8-
hour day on public work in Texas.
Urging the state health department
to bring about a condition that would
banish the common drinking cup and
substitute therefor sanitary drinking
cups.
Urging legislation that would pro-
tect workmen who work on swinging
Urging legislation prohibiting the
use of the spraying machine.
Urging that the newly created pri-
son board of nine members, with the
approval of the Governor, to be given
plenary powers to reoganize the
Texas prison system.
Endorsing the Federal Vocational
Rehabilitation Act.
Urging that the present maximum
allowed under the Compensation Law
be changed from $20.00 and $7.00 to
$25.00 and $10.00 respectively. ‘
Urging the enactment of a law pro-
hibiting women from working more
than 48 hours per week.
Urging the workers of Texas to
vote for the constitutional amendment
abolishing the fee system in Texas,
said election to be held in 1928.
Three resolutions were adopted urg-
ing congress to pass certain bills af-
fecting government employes.
The legislative representative was
directed to make an investigation
respecting the feasibility and advisi-
bility of having enacted legislation
regarding food handlers and mechan-
ics’ lien law.
Dallas, Texas, June 1, 1927
To All Affiliated Local Unions—
Greetings:
The thirtieth convention of the
1 exas State Federation of Labor was
officially called to order by V. W.
Thomas, president of the Wichita
Falls Trades and Labor Council, in
the Labor Temple at Wichita Falls.
The opening ceremonies were like
unto many that have gone before, the
invoction being followed by addresses
of welcome by the Mayor, the man-
ager of the Chamber of Commerce,
Lieutenant Governor Miller and Pres-
ident Thomas, the response on behalf
of the Federation being made by
President Kachel,
Telegraphic greeting were received
from Governor Moody, the reading of
same being enthusiastically applauded.
The governor wired:
To the Texas State Federation of
Labor convention assembled in Wich-
ita Falls greetings: It is with gen-
uine regret that I am unable to be
with you on the thirtieth convention
of the 7 exas State Federation of
wives, fathers and mothers, practi-
cally all cases contributed all their
earnings, a greater proportion of
working men definitely assumed ex-
tensive responsibilities. In propor-
tion to their ability, moreover, the
daughters assumed a much more com-
plete responsibility, for they earned
less than did the sons yet their contri-
tributions were practically the same.
The sons, then, by retaining some-
thing for their own use, were assur-
ing themselves of a degree of inde-
pendence, and an opportunity to strike
out for themselves, both practically
denied the daughters, whose obliga-
tions, in many cases, were not of their
own choosing.
Turning to hour standards, inves-
tigations by the bureau in 18 states
have revealed that while somewhat,
over one-third of the women surveyed
had a weekly schedule of 48 hours or '
less, only 7 per cent worked not more
than 44 hours, and more than one-1
fifth were scheduled for a week of 54
Labor. Imperative legislative matters
now before the special session of the
legislature make it necessary that I
remain at my post of duty. As a mem-
ber of a trades union it is natural that
I have an understanding of your
righteous aims and a sympathy with
them. Organized labor in its right-
ful pursuit of the improvement of
conditions for the wage earner may
always depend on my earnest support.
It is in this spirit that I send you
greetings and good wishes for the
most successful convention in the his-
tory of your organization.”
During convention week fraternal
greetings were extended to 'the as-
sembled delegates by the following
speakers: J. Rex Anderson, secre-
Carpenters; John Malone, vice-presi-
dent of the Amalgamated Meat Cut-
ters and Butcher Workmen; Wm. J.
Moran, representing the Texas State
Conference of Bricklayers; George A.
Wilson, president of the Allied Print-
ing Trades Council of Texas; Ole Ol-
sen, general organizer of the Carpen-
ters; John W. Hays, president of the
Union Label Trades Department of
the American Federation of Labor;
Ben Pitts, general organizer of the
Structural Iron Workers; R. E.
James, representing the Axton-Fisher
Tobacco Company; Arthur Thorpe,
representing the International Lath-
ers; Joe Amstead, representing, the
International Cigarmakers; W. H.
Gallagher, representing the Brother-
hood of Engineers; O. L. Kinsley, rep-
resenting the Brotherhood of Fire-
men; E. H. Hanke, representing the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen;
Charles McHenry, Commissioner of
Labor; James H. Sheehe, general or-
ganizer of the Plumbers and Steam-
fitters’ Association.
The convention adopted the report
of the Label and Shop Card Commit-
pected to work a week as long as this.
Again Rhode Island has the best rec-
ord, with something over two-thirds
of its women scheduled for 48 hours
or less, while Illinois and New Jersey
follow with 62 and 55 per cent, re-
spectively, of their women on such
schedules.
In regard to the short working day,
the records showed that only one in
five of all the women surveyed had
an 8-hour day or one shorter, and
more than one-half had a daily sched-
ule of 9 hours or more. One-sixth of
the women had a day of at least 10
hours, and nearly 2,000 were expect-
ed to work 11 hours, or even longer,
each day.:. In Iowa, . Illinois . and
Maryland one.-third of the women
were on a daily schedule of 8 hours
or less while in South Carolina 84
per cent of the women surveyed, in
Georgia 64 per cent, and in Missis-
sippi 57 per cent, were expected to
work 10 hours or more each day.
The same situation has been found
in regard to working conditions as
obtains in wages and hours, the bulle-
tin states; that is, a tremendous va-
may have the advice and counsel of
the general labor movement.
Endorsing the entry of organized
labor into the field of banking.
Calling attention to the movement
on foot to bring about free and un-
restricted immigration, especially in
respect to Mexico, and resolving that
the Federation congratulate the Hon-
orable James J. Davis, Secretary of
Labor, for his courageous stand in
respect to this matter.
Declaring for an education cam-
paign against the menace of low
wages.
Declaring for the five-day week.
Directing that the Federation should
pioneer a movement to have a day
set apart to be known as “Samuel
Gompers Day.’
Protesting against any reduction in
the appropriation for the Labor De-
partment.
Protesting against the passage of a
law prohibiting the posting on public
black boards cotton future quotations.
Directing that an appeal for aid for
the non-strike policy of the Ameri-
can Federation of Teachers meets
with our approval.”
The American Federation of Teach-
ers has two basic beliefs:
1. That the teacher is the greatest
conserver of the public interest.
2. That the teachers’ grievances
must not, and can not, be remedied
by any method that inflicts injury up-
omtne cmaren on wru Ere—Furufe
of the nation rests.
No local of the American Federa-
tion of Teachers has ever used the
strike. Far from being a strike pro-
ducer, organization of teachers with
the American Federation of Labor is
the great strike preventive. Teachers
believe in sane, conservative leader-
ship. Through organization the pol-
icy of the organized teaching body is
guided by the most enlightened mem-
bers. Besides, teachers’ grievances
are listened to with respect when pre-
sented through a union, and can be
conveniently and justly settled in
frank conferences between representa-
tives of the school authorities, and of-
ficers of the teachers’ unions.
Unaffiliated teachers, helpless and
desperate in their isolation, have used
the strike. Before they affiliated with
the American Federation of Teachers
the teachers of Memphis, Tenn., em-
ployed the strike in securing the
promise of a 10 per cent salary in-
crease. Teachers in the vicinity of
Bellwood, Pa., won a salary increase
through the strike. So also did the
teachers of Grainwood, Ill. Among
other places may be quoted, Duquoin
Ill., and Victoria, B. C. The unor-
ganized teachers have no recourse but
to strike. The organized teachers de-
pend for results upon the power of
organized numbers, upon the support
of organized labor, upon political ac
tion, and upon an aroused and edu-
cated public opinion. Therefore,
teachers’ unions have no need to
strike.
CARPENTERS’ UNITY
DEFEATS PROPAGANDA
Cleveland, Ohio.—More than 9,000
carpenters have secured a union-shop
wage agreement with contractors after
nearly three months’ negotiations.
•Rates are advanced 12%c an hour.
The contractors waived their demand
for the anti-union Chicago agreement.
While these gains are substantial, the
outstanding feature of this movement
is the solidarity and discipline of the
carpenters. Their officials were sub-
W. June, 1927
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, June 3, 1927, newspaper, June 3, 1927; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1481721/m1/1/: accessed July 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rosenberg Library.