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Show IP1 X X U.S. Circulation That Is Proven Advertising That Gets Results A Paper Dedicated to the Better Interest of Helper and Its Trade Territory VOLUME 15 XXIII--NUMBE- R . Helper, Carbon County, Utah, Friday, September 22, 1933 PRICE FIVE CENTS EIGHT PAGES For Many Years Now This Community Has Jumped at Crack of the Whip in the Hands of Few Taxpayers Now Must Assert Themselves Boycotts Are Reported in Effect from Camps Owing Thousands in Delinquent Taxes For many years now, Helper and Carbon county have been subservient to the whims and wishes of a handful of coal operators whose word seems to have been law. We have seen labor troubles, we have heard charges that miners have been robbed on the tipple, we have heard that men have been forced to live in company houses and trade at company stores or look elsewhere for work, we have heard that miners in violation of the law have been forced to go months without pay, we have heard they are paid in company scrip which is redeemable in cash at a discount of about 20 pet. But to a great extent these stories are in the class of hearsay even should they be true, how many miners would risk losing their jobs in order to make a sworn statement and could they prove it ? ' Threat of loss of pay could be used to intimidate a miner in much "the same manner as the purported boycott now is being held over the heads of Helper merchants in an effort to drive striking miners out of the community. While the three-side- d battle for supremacy in Carbon county has been waged, the operators have sat back and enjoyed a huge laugh everyone knows who has won the battle up to date and it isn't the miners. The two unions have been pitted one against the other until they are almost hopelessly tied up. The members of one union have struck and been literally moved out of the camps; the members of the other union dare not strike unless they make their peace with those already out.This just about leaves the operators in a position whele they can, should they so elect, run their mines as they wish, regardless of the desires of the miners and the miners now will be given an opportunity to see just exactly what this NRA code will do for them " or to them. Helper, because of its desire to be fair to all miners regardless of their union affiliations, has been buffetted and abused from all sides; branded as a nest of wobblies and communists; cursed and abused; every effort has been made to force us to adopt the same tactics as followed by the village down the road. We have been told that either we "clean up our town" or Governor Blood will send in and Colonel What's His Name the troops; that Major didn't like our attitude; that the troops were ready to come to town if we didn't police our fair city. We seem to have lost sight of the fact that it is the money miners spend that makes our towns worth living in and not the few nickels the operators spend. The mines do pay heavy taxes, that is true. But taxes with which to run a county government are of little use unless there is a settlement in the county. In- recent months we have sat back and allowed the struggle for better conditions in the mining camps to be shifted onto the shoulders of Helper business men; we have seen the fight moved out of the hills and into Helper. Not content with this, we now find we are being punished with a business boycott and many miners are reported to have said they no longer can trade in Helper and hold their jobs at the mines. Just how long this community will sit back on its haunches and permit such contemptible tactics to continue now is a matter of question. But there seems to be no end to our patience. We shiver and cringe under official whips and unofficial boycotts and whisper,"Sh-h-h- ; just be quiet and put up with it for a few weeks and the excitement will die down, and then we won't be punished until the next rumpus' occurs," Right now Helper is being boycotted; there appears to be no question or doubt about that; our town is being boycotted with an attendant loss of business which will leave many unable to pay their taxes when due. Apparently no one is greatly concerned as to whether the Helper business men survive this boycott or not. Let's find out just where Helper stands in this whole affair! Shall we continue to permit mine companies whose taxes are delinquent to control the destines of our communities, or shall we stand up on our hind legs and light back ? We don't care what union the men belong to; they all are miners under the skin, and better conditions for the miners means better conditions for the entire county. Carbon county can appropriate $45,000 to prevent striking miners from picketing the camps of coal companies who are thousands of dollars In debt to the county in delinquent taxes. How much can it appropriate now to clothe the children of needy families so they can go to school? Will the county sell $45,000 in tax anticipation warrants to help feed the destitute during the coming winter? Helper and Spring Glen (which have much in common and seem destined to get but little here below) still have one weapon left, and it carries a real wallop the tax boycott refusal to pay our property taxes unless the boycott is immediately lifted and business returned to normal. A vicious weapon, it is true, and one which should be used only as a last resort. But it appears now our backs are to the wall and we must fight or go down to utter oblivion. Even if business is returned to normal, the tax boycott might not be a bad idea for a year or two. The United Mine Workers of America may become dissatisfied with working conditions and go on strike when the coal code is definitely diagnosed, and a tax boycott possibly might discourage the county from appropriating $45,000 to whip these miners in their battle. Please be assured this discussion of a tax boycott is no idle prattle, but is being seriously discussed by heads of the county taxpayers, d business men in this portion of Carbon organization and county. It has come to a showdown. Either the fight against Helper will cease or we must fight back with the tax boycott the only weapon we have left. Now, with the mines delinquent in their taxes, the coal code signed up, and many other events of interest in connection with the local mine situation, let's slip thru the news and happenings of the past week: level-heade- The Operators Get New Code Rights Under the new code and in return for their "concessions" to labor, operators are given a number of valuable privileges, outstanding and elimination of "unfair" among them being the right of price-fixin- g competition. Many small operators in the past have been compelled to resort to "business building" tactics in order to meet the competition of mass production by the larger mines. The right alone to fix prices should be of great commercial value to the operators. The matter of hiring, firing, and advancement without regard to union affiliations apparently Is a matter which will be left to the operators until a specific case is brought to court for decision. Local Delinquent Mine Taxes Shown What the Coal Miners Will Receive It has been brought to our attention that the great bulk of the recent labor disturbances in Carbon county has centered around mines which are from one to almost four years delinquent in their taxes. At this writing the coal mines of this county are delinquent in taxes to the extent of $105,553.10; not all of the mines, but a number of them. Also, some of these mines which are so far behind in their payments of taxes and interest are nearing the end of the coal veins which can be workked profitably, according to reports given us. The Journal has received a list of the purported tax delinquencies of certain coal companies in Carbon county, and in this connection it is of interest to note that on November 30 of this year unpaid taxes for the year 1933 will become delinquent. The list of mines with unpaid taxes, according to the list given this office, follows: National: 1931, $8174; 1932, $7936.11. Standard: 1931, $17,131.19; 1932, $16,604.85. Spring Canyon and Rolapp: 1932, $29,186.63. Blue Blaze (Consumers): 1932, $7295.29. U. P. at Scofield: 1932, $11,197.97. Mutual: 1932, $3,523.29. n (Rains) : 1932, $2,427.37. Peerless: 1931, $7,158.94; 1932, $4,585.01. Sweet Coal Co.: 1929, $1,971.29; 1930, $2,335.16; 1931,$2,443.34, 1932 paid. While this list may contain small errors, it is understood it is correct, and that penalties are in addition to the foregoing sums. . Utah-Carbo- Other Corporations Pay Their Taxes In connection with the list of mining companies whose taxes are unpaid, it is refreshing to note that the larger corporations, valuable assets to this county, have paid their taxes in full. These corporations who are paid up are: Utah Fuel company, with properities at Clear Creek, Castle Gate and Sunnyside; United States Fuel Co., with holdings at Hiawatha and Heiner, (also Mohrland, which is in Emery county); Independent Coal and Coke Co. at Kenilworth; Columbia Steel Coporation at Columbia, the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad, and the Utah railway. With the exception of minor disturbances at Castle Gate recently, these companies have been practically free of labor trouble. $45,000 for Armed Guards Is Spent To prevent striking miners from picketing in the Gordon Creek and Spring Canyon districts, Carbon county has just completed the spending of $45,000 (secured thru sale of tax anticipation warrants) to hire sufficient armed guards to" patrol those sections. Had the tax delinquent coal companies but paid their taxes it might not have been necessary for the county to borrow this money. With the disappearance of this $45,000 in a few short weeks, the bulk of armed guards have been released, and only a few special deputies are being retained, according to members of the board of commissioners. The county commissioners will be somewhat hesitant to appropriate another similar sum for the suppression of further labor disturbances, according to information available to The Journal. But should another like amount be appropriated lor a similar campaign against striking or picketing miners, it wouldn't last much longer than did the other money. It is a rather expensive process and could quite easily be developed into a program which would bankrupt the county; and Carbon county is in none to solvent a condition at this . time. The coal code has been approved and many now are wondering just what it all means. Let us analyze it: Skilled labor in Utah mines will receive $5.44 per day, or 68 cents per hour; common labor will get $4.48 per day, or 56 cents per hour. It is our understanding this is the same rate of pay the miners of Utah have been receiving. However, in the past, they have been entitled to work six days a week, with a possible maximum salary per week of $32.64 for skilled labor, and $26.88 for common labor. Under the week, they will apparently be restricted to five days per week, with a possible maximum salary of $27.20 for skilled labor and $22.40 for common labor. This apparently means that skilled mine labor has been reduced $5.44 per week, and common labor cut $4.48 this cut being figured for a full week's work of 40 hours under the code as compared to 48 hours under the old method. The miners pay has been cut. ennant Ballgami Sunday 40-ho- Checkwei ghman and Regular Pay Under the NRA code, miners are entitled to a checkweighman and regular paydays. This has been held out as quite a concession. However, Utah has had these very rights incorporated in its state laws for a number of years, but for some reason they never have been enforced. There now is cause for reasonable doubt as to whether or not these laws will be enforced under the new code. Miners also are not required to live in company houses or trade at company stores under the new code. The value of this clause is apparent to all miners. Local Affairs Are Being Investigated The final game of the Utah state baseball league for this season will be played on the Helper diamond Sunday at 2 p. m. when the Helper Miners and Salt Lake Hotaum Bakers clash for the 193S state baseball pennant. It now Is game and game between the two teams in the series playoff, with the llolsum Bakers winners of the first half of the season and the Miners copping honors for the second half. Both teams are playing fine, baseball and finishing- the season In top condition, and a record attendance la expected to see the final game on the local diamond where it has been brought by cal ball fans. 3U AT HOME. NMU Leaders Monday evening in the roller rink just south of Helper a meeting was held, at which were present Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Owen Woodruff, representing the League for Independent Political Action; Warwick C. Lamoreaux and Hiram C. Pope, state legislators; Mrs. Belle Taub of the International Labor Defense; Murray E. King, writer; Alfred Sorensen of the American Civil Liberties union, and Brigham H. Robert's. Statements were made and testimony taken relative to the manner in which the recent law and order campaign has been con ducted thruout the county. There exists the possibilty that at least At the preliminary hearing in one of these organizations may interest themselves in local affairs. Members of the state highway patrol assisted in directing traffic Price Thursday, Charles (liiyim, Charles Wetherbee and Paul following the meeting, at which about 400 were present. Crouch were bound over to the district court for trial on charges of criminal syndicalism. Guynn and Wetherbee are at liberty unJust what the rights of the working man will be in joining a union der bonds of $10,000 each, with of his own choosing (as granted to him in section 7A of the NRA Crouch in jail awaiting bond. code) were described Monday of this week in a statement by William Green, president of the .American Federation of Labor. Mr. Green After two weeks incarceration stated: "I want to make it clear, as our council's report will make it in the county at Price, Charles clear, that the American Federation of Labor is going to organize Guynn and jail Charles Wetherbee, the unorganized. It is not going to be stopped in its energetic and leaders of the National Miners sweeping campaign to bring workers into unions thruout the nation. union, were freed Tuesday on It is going to be, as it has been for more than half a century, the property bonds in the sum of $10,-00- 0 spokesman for American labor. That means recognized, each. Mrs. Guynn, Mrs. Weththere is no room in the United States for any other labor movement." erbee and Mrs. Crouch werex reIt is quite obvious from this that the workers course, his rights, leased last week. and his pay are to be dictated by Colonel Johnson's NRA code and Bonds for Messrs and the American Federation of Labor. A fair and impartial mind cannot Wetherbee, who were Guynn on arrested conceive anything else from such a statement. charges of criminal syndicalism, were signed by the following residents of Helper and Spring Glen: James Rolando, J3anta Scalzo, At a meeting in the GrilLcafe club rooms Friday evening of last Tony Dupin, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Joe Kochhevan, Dominik week, attended by about 50 men, a motion was introduced voicing Hovat, Mark Patrick, Mr. and support of the Helper city council and Carbon county in their legal Concoa, Mrs. Peter Arlette and Mr. and effort to enforce the law. Two amendments were offered, one spec- Mrs. Nick Belacastro. ifically excluding Mayor West from participating in the benifits of Harry G. Metos, Salt Lake attorthe motion, and the other excluding Carbon county. Both amendments were lost, and the motion carried with about ten voting aye and about ney, Is representing the miners. BUY AT HOME nine voting nay; the balance refused to commit themselves. Released on $10,000 Bonds No Room for a New Labor Movement County Special Deputies Patrol Town All Were for the Helper City Council It appears now that our statement last week that the special deputies patrolling Helper were acting orderly was a little .hasty, and that Helper city Night Marshal George Garvaglia had to lock up at least two of them and notify the sheriff's office to come and get them before he got rough. The old law that a man's home is his castle n between and sun-u- p apparently was overlooked, and reports are filtering in of midnight raids on Helper homes in which it is said County Attorney Gease, Mayor West and Bishop Stapley participated. Some wise sage once remarked that two wrongs do not make one sun-dow- right. No New Rights Granted Under NIRA A Good Job for the County Attorney recent weeks, County Attorney Gease has shown much commendable ardor and zeal in seeing that our laws are enforced. It began beer bill, and has continMuch is heard these days of the NRA and the code which gives when he insisted Helper repeal its to working men the right to join a union of their own choosing and ued thru the labor troubles during which time he has rendered a number of legal opinions which have been of much assistance to the indulge in collective bargaining with employers. In view of the many sheriff's office. inon 7A section of the the code, widespread opinions following We hope that when all this unrest is settled that Attorney Gease Industerpretation, which has been sent out by the Utah Associated will find time to investigate some of the complaints and allegations tries in bulletin number 3, is of interest; 1. "Employes can choose made illegal proceedures said to exist by miners about the to one choose or can to desire represent them, represent in some any they they the of camps. 2. themselves. "Employers likewise can make collective bargains with organized employes, or individual agreement with those who choose to act individually; provided, of course, that no such collective or individual agreement, is in violation of any state or federal law. 3. "Neither employers or employes are required by law to agree to any particular contract, whether proposed as an individual or collective agreement. 4. "The function of the administrator and the courts is to apply and interpret the law in Its administration. The rulings of the Supreme Court lay down the law which governs NRA." Inasmuch as General Johnson referred to the rulings of the Supreme Court, their rulings of December 10, 1917, on this point declares as follows: "The same liberty which enables men to form unions, and through the unions to enter into agreement with employers willing to agree, enables other men to remain independent of the union. This is a part of the constitutional rights of personal liberty and private property, not to be taken away even by legislation, unless through some proper exercise of the paramount police power." NO NEW KKiHTN From the above it is clear that there Is nothing in the NRA that gives, or contemplates, any new rights either to employers or e mployes to organize or to remain unorganized, since It does not require them to do either. Their rights remain unchanged. lo- Of How die Hospital Question Stands Many are wondering and asking how the hospital question, now stands whether it goes to Helper, Spring Glen, or Price. For the benefit of Journal readers we will state we arc advised on perfectly good authority that State Senator George Miller has (or still should have) in his pocket a document accepting the Price site as the hospital location, and signed by Commissioners William Reid and C. R. Fahring. All that is lacking is the signature of Dave Parmley, chairman of the commission. Chairman Parmely has advised local interested parties he will inspect the Helper site before making his decision. Public Meeting Law Slightly Raised The bans placed on public by Helper city and Carbon meetings county have been somewhat raised during the past week to permit public dances, baseball games and other forms of amusement, The ban on public mass meetings (more specifically the ban on mass meetings of the miners) still is said to be in effect. AN APOLOGY Because of so many facts now require an honest presentation to the public, the which arrangement of The Journal's front page this week is somewhat out of the usual; we have made this arrange- ment in an effort to economize on space. We have found it necessary to take a square stand be- cause the entire county now, so it seems, has banded to-- gether in an effort to center an unfair fight on the Town of Helper. We of this com- munity can no longer remain silent and bow our heads to the dictates of a few. We can and must demand our fair rights if we would survive; fair treatment for miners regardless of their unions, and a square deal for all. If a battle must be political fought, let's have it out and over with. Let's find out whether the public or a hand- ful of men are going to run Carbon county. |