UTAH LABOR NEWS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MARCH 8, 1935. Auto Maker and Merchant Uphold Labors Position Famous Business Leaders Tell Matthew Woll Increased Pay for Masses of People Is Only Way to Bring Economic Balance and Restore American Prosperity. New York City (ILNS) Out spoken, unequivocal championship of high wages, a cardinal principle of organized labor, is voiced by two leaders of American Ereeminent in letters to Matthew Woll, third vice president of the American Federation of Labor. Both vigorously reiterate previous declarations in advocacy of high wages. Henry Ford, world famous automobile manufacturer, writes that he had not changed his mind in support of high wages and that Unless the worker in American industry is enabled to use and en. the joy the products of industry,mainnatural balance cannot be tained. Henry A. Filene, widely known Boston department store owner, writes that the only road to industrial recovery is through a general, organized compulsory raising of wages. The wage raise must be sufficient, he declares, "to enable the masses to buy and use the products of mass production. Ford predicts that wages will not only continue to go higher but that in the field of skilled employment wage rates will go higher than we have yet seen, with consequent in creases for men in the lower classic fications. lie denies that "production costs are ever really decreased by reducing wages, am asserts that higher wages have usually brought lower costs. Filene says that wage increases must be sufficient to enable the masses to buy and use the products This Is the of mass production. only way, he asserts, we can ever hope to stimulate the capital goods and in fact the only industries sane way we can hope to save the capitalist system. Woll Asks Fords Position The views of both Ford and Fi lene were expressed in response to Woll. letters from Directing Fords attention to the fact that movement of leading industrialists against high wages is under way, the labor leader asked Ford if he would be willing to state his position as to wages at the present time. Coal Miners Safely Measure Passes Utah Lower House The house passed II. B. 156, by Representative G. G. Lindstrom, Democrat of Carbon county, Tuesday morning. There was only one dissenting vote. The measure provides that no one shall be permitted to work in a coal mine unless he has had two in the years' experience or works miner. an of experienced company County boards of examiners would be set up by the measure to examine competency of miners and issue certificates of competency. A Safety Measure Representative Lindstrom said, The bill is not controversial, but was merely a safety measure. It has been agreed to by both oper ators and employees. Representative C. W. Spence, Democrat of Salt Lake county, in support of the bill said that it was an economy measure." He said that a major coal disaster might cost the state $350,000 or more in industrial insurance. Under the bill, the examining board would be named by the commissioners of counties in which the mines are located. Provisions are made that an ap. prentice may learn coal mining by working in company with an experienced miner. Only one apprentice may be assigned to a miner at a given time. EWING RETURNS FROM WASHINGTON VOTE IN U. S. SENATE ON PREVAILING WAGE Hon. Orman W. Ewing, Demo crat National Committeeman from mornUtah, arrived home Sunday and D. C., ing from Washington, other points in the east. Since leaving here over a month ago, Mr. Ewing conferred with liquor control board members of Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, on and Ohio, Vermont, Michigan, their respective liquor control systems. Mr. Ewing says that the Virginia system appears to be the most successful for the private dipensation of beer and light wines up to 14 per cent, and free dom of advertising by licensees. Mr. Ewing also took up the matter of H. R. 5843, pending in congress, which would relieve the states from handling the sale of liquor from payment of Income taxes. He is very much interested in the Utah legislature passing the direct primary law. He says that the only way for better and more progressive government is the direct primary election law, and so the people of the various political parties may have a say as to whom their party candidates shall be. Mr. Ewing also seemed very much interested in the chain store tax bill introduced in the Utah legislature by Representatives Boyle and Marthakis. He says that one of the greatest evils we have in this country is the chain store, and therefore he believes they must be regulated by a law providing a license tax. He did good work in behalf of the Senator McCarran amendment to the relief and public work ad. ministration bill before the U. S, senate. He says the McCarran amendment is just and if passed by congress will prevent wholesale wage cuts in this country. It will serve as the safety valve in protecting workers wage, and would be a great step toward permanent He cooperated with recovery. President William Green of the American Federation of Labor In The amendment Washington. sponsored by Senator McCarran of Nevada providing that wage rates paid to laborers and mechanics employed by the government or by contractors on the projects authorized under the $4,800,000,000 work relief resolution prevailed in the United States senate by a vote of 44 for the amendment to 43 against it. Three senators were paired for the amendment and three against it. The McCarran amendment was a substitute for the amendment urged by the Senate Committee on Appropriations conferring upon President Roosevelt the authority to fix the wage rates for the 3,' 500,000 jobless for whom it is expected the appropriation will pro vide work. The following is the text of the McCarran amendment as adopted by the Senate: Sec. 6. The President is authorized to prescribe, and shall give full publicity to, rules and regula tions necessary to carry out the purpose of this joint resolution: Provided, however, That (a) such rules and regulations shall stipu late that the rates of wages paid to all laborers and mechanics em. ployed by any contractor or subcontractor or by the public officer in charge for the United States or for the District of Columbia, for work done under this joint resolu tion, whether by contract or otherwise, involving the expenditure of any money appropriated by the resolution, need not be uniform FOR WORK RELIEF JOBS throughout the United States but shall not be less than the prevail ing rates of wages paid for work of a similar nature at the time of the approval of this resolution In the city, town, village, or other civil division of the state in which the work is located, or in the District of Columbia; Provided, However, That nothing in this section shall apply to the administration of the Civilian Conservation Corps; (b) rules and prescribbehalf of this important legisla- ed under this regulations section shall not abtion. rogate any existing law. Mr. Ewing intends to return to Washington in about three weeks, TYPOGRAPHICAL AUXILIARY and expects to attend hearings on H. R. 5843. Auxiliary No. 16 to Typographical union No. 115 will hold its regWAGE RESTORATION TOTAL ular business meeting Monday, MOUNTS: It is estimated that March 11, at 2 p. m., at the home the total wage restoration arrang- of Mrs. Walker Caldwell, 447 Wested for the NRA field offices and minster avenue. the newly organized regional comAll members are urged to attend, pliance councils has now reached as there is important business to $3,152,103. Figures were not for- be considered, including nominamally tabulated in the first year of tion of both W. I. A. and local NRA, but the estimate for the restitution in that period is A formal record has been I admire the platonic superiority kept since June 16, 1934, and the of anyone who in judging another number of workers benefited was can forsret that others judgment of 87,922. him. Emil Ludwig. Nevada has a primary system for making nominations for public apparently it meets with approval, for although it has twice been during the past 20 years, yet the following legislation repealed L reeacted guch ct and Jt la now In orce. j am directed to say " that the Governor does not contemplate asking for its repeal." from Willard Mayberry, secretary to the Governor of Kansas: 1) (Continued Page to to is where I was bom and where all of my affections lie, going say t hori tfes s tl11 of iub?ic mos though this plan designing and grasping special interests, Come and take possession believe the that it is regarded favorably by Indiana is not going to substitute gov-- 1 of our nominating machinery. ernment by bosses and special interests for government by the people. Indiana is not going to turn its back on Thomas It. Marshall, John WERE WONDERING W. Kern, and the other great spirits of the past who 20 years ago, after two Democratic State conventions had endorsed the direct primary, succeeded, with the cooperation of Woodrow Wilson, in securing (An Editorial in the Helper Journal) the enactment of the Indiana primary law after Mr. Kern from his desk Yes we're beginning to wonder who they are the Business Men's in the United States Senate had sent to every Democratic member of of Utah, an organization professing to exist for the good of the Indiana Legislature the following message 'business and urging legislation for the goodof business but what Washington, D. C., February 16, 1915. business ? One of the officials of this budding organization stated that Impossible for me to leave here. Hope Democratic legislature the bills before the state legislature were sponsored by interests seekwill enact primary law. Indianas splendid Democratic Governor recing advantage over competitors He ESPECIALLY POINTED OUT ommends it; the greatest Democratic President since Jefferson urges THE BILL AGAINST THE NATURAL GAS INTERESTS WHICH d American Democrat, advises it; two Demo WILL LEVY A TAX ON GAS COMING INTO THIS STATE He it; Bryan, the cratic State conventions have pledged the honor of the party that it THIS BILL AS A PREJUDICIAL ONE shall be passed. Is it possible that the will of a quarter of a million CLASSED the From present indications, the Business Men's League of Utah Democrats shall be thwarted by a few men? That is the supreme has all of the SALT LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, earmarks the issue, vastly more important than any one piece of legislation. THAT SPONSORED NATURAL GAS INTO THE ORGANIZATION John W. Kern. bill claiming that it would increase the this UTAH. oppose They No, Mr. Speaker, the reports we have heard in Washington that this ton a coal of $1.00 they cite not a single fact to prove. Indiana is going to lead a march of States back into the reactionary . price and other sponsors of the bill, the Carbon To of the county people be led and, camp is a mistake, first, because the States would not because the members of the Indiana Legislature, as I size Pse 18 to put Carbon county coal on a competitive basis with gas in them up, are men of a high order, typical of our best citizenship, real the state. Why should not the coal interest have this protection in lloosiers who revere the history and traditions of our beloved State, their own state where they contribute twenty times more to the states and who would not, I feel sure, place Indiana in the unenviable position taxes than the gas companies WHY SHOULDNT THE GAS COMof being the first State in the Union to repeal that great instrumental PANIES BEAR SOME OF THESE TAXES AS LONG AS THEY ARE TAKING THE BUSINESS AWAY FROM THE COAL COMity of popular government the direct primary. PANIES RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE? Governor of New York For Direct Primary There are more men employed mining coal in Utah than any other Mr. Speaker, the sentiment of America is shown by the letters I have received from the Governors of the States in answer to my ques- single form of mining. These men work when coal is burned. They dont work when gas is used, and which offers negligible employment tionnaire as to their attitude on the direct primary. According to Herbert H. Lehman, Governor of JJew York and to men in comparison to the coal mines. It looks as though the BUSIfriend of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New York law is similar to the NESS MENS LEAGUE OF UTAH IS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT existing Indiana statute, nominations for Senator and State offices TO PUT UTAH LABOR OUT OF EMPLOYMENT. People of Helper and Carbon county should be WARNED AGAINST THE ACTIVITIES being made in State convention and other nominations from Congressman down being made in pirmaries. Governor Lehman is opposed to OF THE BUSINESS MENS LEAGUE OF UTAH really THE BUSINESS MENS LEAGUE OF SALT LAKE CITY. repeal of the primary and in a letter to me says: There is some difference of opinion as to the effectiveness of the We want the Business Mens League to know that the efforts to primary system in New York State. I might add, however, that by and tax gas in Utah are not prejudicial nor an act of jealousy, but as a large there have been, to my knowledge, very few complaints against means of KEEPING UTAH MEN AT WORK and that this bill is one t. I cannot recall any case of newspaper editorial comment advocating m which the PEOPLE OF HELPER AND CARBON COUNTY ARE ts repeal." VITALLY INTERESTED. A. Harry Moore, Governor of New Jersey, the State where Wood-roThe people should beware of sop from The Business Men's League Wilson fought and won the first great battle for the primary, of Utah and not allow such an organization to influence its legislators. advises that the primary system in that State works satisfactorily and in the public interest. OBSERVATIONS MADE IN THE Governor Ritchie Approves Direct Primary Albert C. Ritchie, four times Governor of Maryland, writes as ffwr'nr'CCTAM I llUAAmU gkTV Uil niRFfT PRIMARY FLECTION LAW A office and 4 tu best-love- I pur-second- ly, I I w LEGISLATIVE IIALLS OF UTAH follows: It is true, of course, that the primary system has not worked out :.n all cases in accordance with the expectations of its advocates. How(Continued from pagj 1) ever, I am still one of these, and I believe this system is the best for about 30 municipalities favor the the nomination of public officers with the possible exception of judge." of the important bill. They passage Benjamin B. Moeuer, Governor of Arizona, states that Arizona are anxious to obtain PWA funds las the primary system of making nominations for public offices; that to build the necessary Peterson (D., Summit), would require the board to be composed of one representative from organized agriculture, one from labor, one representing consumers, one from industry and a member of the systems. Utah State Bar. State Prison Another amendment deleted the S. J. M. No. 4, by Senators Hoi provision making it mandatory for brook and Musser, would empower the governor to impose codes as a the governor to appoint a commit-te- e means of combating unfair trade of five to investigate the re- practices. Under the bill as it now moval of the state prison and to stands, exercise of this power is optional with the chief executive. investigate use of prison labor. This is an important memorial, and the legislature should give it Constitution Repeal serious consideration. The house passed H. J. R. 16, During the administration of Tuesday, by a vote of 51 to 6. The Governor Dem, a thorough investi- resolution was introduced by Repgation was made and plans were resentative Paul Peterson, Demodrawn for an agricultural type of crat of Summit county. state prison. These plans should The purpose of the resolution is be followed up and the state prison to delete the eight-hoday prolocated where it will be in a. more vision from the state constitution favorable position to reclaim those and make the hours of labor on who are victims of circumstances. public works, etc., a matstatutory The present prison is antiquated. ter, as it is in most of the states. If the constitutional provision Is School Bill it will be the duty of the repealed, Monday the Senate passed S. B. legislature to fix the hours of a 92, by Senator Woodward. If this day from time to time to bill becomes a law, it will empower working meet the existing conditions. using surplus sales tax for deficiencies in state district school The Train Limit Bill funds and state school equalization H. B. 63, the train limit bill, is fund. The bill passed the senate with 28 ayes, 0 nays, and 3 absent. on the senate calendar. This bill provides for the safety We hope that the house sifting of railroad employees in train sercommittee will bring this up and vice. It provides for a that the house of representatives faster In addition, service. freight Regardless will take immediate favorable acof the opposition of railroad cortion on this important measure. porations and their highly paid lobbyists, it is a bill of merit and Limits Exemptions substanS. B. 126, by Holbrook, passed should be passed with a senate. in tial the majority the senate Monday. The Nevada legislature has just This bill limits exemptions on a similar bill and Governor passed gasoline brought into the state on Richard Kirman of the neighbora motor vehicle to 20 gallons. It he is going to is a good measure and should be- ing state says that sign the bill and thus give it its come a law. final approval. . inter-connecti- it works satisfactorily and in the public interest and that he would not favor its repeal. Governors East and West Endorse Primary Gifford Pinchot, Governor of Pennsylvania, writes: I am glad to tell you that we have the primary system in Pennsylvania; that it works well far better than the old convention system and that I am unalterably opposed to its repeal. C. Ben Ross, Governor of Idaho, says that Idaho has the primary system, that it is satisfactory, and operates in the interest of the )ublic, and that he would oppose its repeal. The same opinion is expressed by Edwin C. Johnson, Governor of Colorado, in respect to the operation of the primary law in that State. Speaking for Delaware, ,Gov. C. Douglass Buck says that Delaware is satisfied with its primary law, and he would oppose its repeal.) B. M. Hiller, Governor of Alabama, says he is opposed to repeal of he primary in Alabama, because it works satisfactorily and in the public nterest In upholding the primary law of Maine, Gov. Louis J. Brann says: Apparently the present system is satisfactory to the public. Governor of Kentucky Favors Primary Other expressions in letters from governors to me follow: Ruby Laffoon, Governor of Kentucky: In Kentucky the primary system is compulsory so far as all offices are concerned excepting the State officials. The nominating of State officials is left to the discretion of the governing committee, and they decide as to whether a primary or convention will be held. So far, this system has worked quite satisfactorily. F. H. Cooney, Governor of Montana: Montana uses the direct primary system and apparently most of the people feel that it works satisfactorily. I do not believe it will be repealed in Montana. Primary May Be Strengthened in Washington Clarence D. Martin, Governor of Washington: We have the primary system in this State, and it seems to have worked fairly satisfactory. I am quite sure the system will not be repealed in this State, unless it would be followed by a blanket primary ballot. This latter measure is to be considered by the legisature this winter, having been initiated in our State by a very large percentage of our citizens. H. G. Kump, Governor of West Virginia: We have a primary system of making nominations of candidates for public offices in West Virginia. It is reasonably satisfactory, but I believe a system whereby nominations must be made by a majority vote of those participating in a primary election would result in more satisfactory candidates. I would not advocate the repeal of our present plan unless it was supplanted by a plan providing for party nominations to be made by a majority vote. Ole H. Olson, Acting Governor of North Dakota: We have the primary system of making nominations for public office in this State. I will say that I do not advocate its repeal. Repealing it would not improve matters any and will probably make conditions worse, although it would eliminate some expense to the State. Undoubtedly it has a clarifying influence in determining the intent of the voters. Satisfactory in Virginia George C. Peery, Governor of Virginia: The primary generally prevails throughout the State. The primary has worked in a fairly satisfactory manner in this State. John C. B. Ehringhaus, Governor of North Carolina: We have the primary system for making nominations in North Carolina. While there are some imperfections and some complaint, on he whole we believe that the people are satisfied with the primary. Certainly the primary principle meets with rather universal approval. I have no intention of advocating its repeal. Eugene Talmadge, Governor of Georgia: We have the primary system of making nominations for public offices in Georgia, and, in my opinion, it works satisfactorily and in the public interest. I would not advocate its repeal. No Repeal Sentiment in Oregon Julius L. Meier, Governor of Oregon: The State of Oregon has the direct primary system of making nominations for public office. Insofar as I know, there is no active public sentiment in the State for the repeal of the law at this time. John G. Winant, Governor of New Hampshire: We have in New Hampshire the primary system of making nominations for public office, and, in my judgment, its workings are for the public interest and in the main satisfactory. I certainly should not advocate its repeal. J. H. Davis, Jr., secretary to the Governor of Texas: We have a primary system of making nominations for public office in this State; in fact, we have a double primary system, so that it is necessary to receive a majority of all votes cast in the first primary or to have what we term a run-oprimary. Thi system has been in operation in Texas for a number of years, and while there may be some objections to it there does not appear to be any indication at present that the system will be abolished. ' Repealed Twice and Reenacted J. H. White, secretary to the Acting Governor of Nevada: ff 0 M. ng ur Would Continue URA Utility Tax Act H. B. 98, by Representative Child an appeal on the floor Gimaxing and twelve the passed house Wednesday afternoon. The by President Herbert B. Maw, thr-- -. vote was, ayes 44, nays 10, ab- Utah senate Tuesday passed the utility bill, introduced by Senator sent 6. In addition to continuing the Maw, to empower the State Tax commission to take the rate basis present state recovery law for an- into consideration when assessing other two years, the bill proposes utilities. Utah some important changes. Among The measure, S. B. 125, is aimed them are: at forcing utilities to either reduce (1) Declares unfair methods of their rate bases, which, Senator to be unlawful. competition Maw declared, are inflated in the (2) Establishing a board of five members to administer the act in case of two Utah firms, or to pay taxes on that inflated value. place of the present unwieldy In my opinion, Senator Maw board of 24 members. the bill will increase utilisaid, Makes assessments a code (3) but it will place utilities ties taxes, collectible liability. on the same basis as other taxpay. Provides interested that any (4) ers. Utilities heretofore have been person or authorized public offi- in the privileged class. cial could institute suit to enjoin to Senator Maws Responding a code violation. the senate approved the appeal, conProvides that (5) public and send it to the house tracts could be let only to persons measure with 21 aye votes. Senator Bamcomplying with their respective berger cast the lone dissenting codes. while Senator Fennell was vote, (6) Employers would be civilly liable to their employes for the dif- absent and not voting. ference between minimum code wages and the amounts actually PRESIDENT GREEN TO SPEAK OVER RADIO paid if the latter were less than the minimums. William Green, president of the Several amendments to the bill were adopted on the floor of the American Federation ' of Labor, house. One of them, offered by will be the featured speaker at Mr. Child, would increase the ap 10:15 a. m. over KDYL on the to the recovery act ad- - eral Housing Administration proministration from $35,000 to $50,- - gram. He will talk on 000 for the biennium. Another What Home presented by Representative Paul Means to Me. Fed-propriat- j