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Show rriTF.ATlT V(IY JUN11 flews and Comment By M. I. T. EDUCATE The Majority Rule Much of the ballyhoo by antiunion employers against the labor disputes bill is aimed at the majority rule provision which prescribes that representative chosen at elections by a majority of employes in the appropriate unit shall be exclusive representatives of all employes in that unit for the purpose of collective bargaining with respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment or other conditions of employment. The misleading propaganda against the majority rule principle is riddled in the report of the house committee on labor favoring the bill. The report savs: The underlying purposes of the majority rule principle are simple and just. As has frequently been stated, collective bargaining Is not a end in itself ; it is a means to an end. And that end is the making of collective agreements stabilizing employment relations for a period of time, with results advantageous to both the worker and employer. There cannot be two or more basic agreements applicable to workers in a given unit; this is virtually conceded on all sides. If the employer should fail to give equally advantageous terms to of the labor organization, negotiating the agreements, there would immediately result a marked increase in the membership of that labor organization. On the other hand, if better terms were given to this would give rise to bitterness ry non-membe- rs non-membe- organize COOPERATE Maldmai and strife, and an wholly unworkable arrangement whereby men performing comparable duties were paid according to different scales of wages and hours. Clearly then, there must be one basic scale, and it must apply to all. The argument presented by the labor committee is valid. But to clinch it, the committee adds: (Continued on page 2) DEMAND SPECIAL SESSION Because of the growing demand in all sections of the state for a special session of the legislature to remove the many jokers contained in the present liquor law, the Utah Labor News urges the Governor to call a special session at Che earliest possible date. The Utah Labor News further asks the governor that he call this special session, specifically, to deal with the liquor law, and that when the legislature meets, no other business be presented to the lawmakers until they have disposed of the liquor question properly and satisfac torily. Thousands of law abiding citizens of the state, are at a loss to know how to comply with the present law. It seems the law contains so many jokers and loopholes that no person can interpret it so that It can be enforced. This liquor law was railroaded through in the closing days of the regular session in such a rush that it was impossible for the fair minded members of the legislature to detect and pick out the bac features and jokers contained in the original draft, as well as in the amendments placed there in the senate. On top of this, those legislators who desired to point out the bad features contained in the amendments, were not allowed to do so, because of the gag rule adopted for the closing hours of the legislature. tactics that It is because of the gag rule and other mess. bad a whole find the thing the citizens of Utah In order to straighten out the mess, a special session of the legislature, ig .absolutely, necessary. be can in that laws and in complied with, believe If you justice then it is your duty, as a law abiding and liberty loving citizen of Utah to call upon the Governor and demand that he call a special session to deal with the state liquor law. high-hand- ed Demand Special Session Of State Legislature Representative Holmes Says That The Only Consistent Thing To Do Now Is For Governor To Call Special Session And Pass Liquor Bill That Does Meet The Approval Of The Majority Of The People Of Utah. (From Box Elder Journal) that it is generally known that the legislature in Utah failed to place a ban on drinking alcoholic in beverages anywhere except ' state liquor stores where purchased, what is the next move ? A majority in the house of representatives Wanted a straight d liquor store and no , sale by the drink, not even in clubs, restaurants or hotels. A majority . in the senate wanted state stores .but favored retailing by the drink at clubs, restaurants and hotels. The first conference committee failed to agree and a second confer- ence committee was appointed from each ' house and this committee ", could not agree. A deadlock was-. the result. Finally the senate conceded and why not, since it had already lifted section 126, which ' Now state-owne- 11 Electric Lines Under Rail Act , Eleven electric railways were ordered by the Interstate Commerce commission to show cause why their employes should not enjoy the benefits of the railway labor act. Hearings, which will start on June 11, in Washington, D. C., were ordered after the national mediation board assumed jurisdiction over these roads, holding they were carriers under the definition of the act. In three cases involving electric railways, the commission has upheld the mediation boards contention that employes of such lines have a clear right to organize without coercion or intimidation by the management. To facilitate the settlement of disputes, the commission advised the mediation board to assume jurisdiction where it felt the facts to warrant it, and to come back for a decision if its right to do so is contested. Among the eleven roads cited are: The Salt Lake & Utah and o Central. the Utah-Idah- Review of Labor Activities read: Except as expressly provided by this act or regulations, no person shall consume liquor in any place other than a residence? Griffin Offers Joker Several other amendments were accepted by the senate before send ing the bill back to the house. But this particular amendment was offered by Senator Griffin of Logan. (See Senate Journal page 6, March 12). On motion of Senator Griffin the bill was amended as follows: Page 51, strike lines 13, 14 and 15. Those three lines deleted from the bill the very thing a majority in the House wanted in the bill, but since the gag rule was applied in the House every time a member desired to offer an amendment or discuss the merits of the bill, this particular amendment by IEkBien5 Etounsnimf MAINTAIN WA( E AND HOURS By all means, the workers ar ur; ed to cooperate in maintaining standards of wages, and working ioum established through collective bargaining, as well as through th 'cod of fair practices established by the NRA codes. True, the codes were scrappei by the decision of the high court, but this should not deter compliarce of the code provisions providing as if it were still wages and hours and compliance with section 7-- A Better Housing Day to Be Observed June 15 Thirty Model Houses To Be Started In Utah Among The Thousands Throughout The United States Better HousOver A ing Day Is Inaugurated By President Roosevelt Million Dollars In Applications For Loans Filed In Utah Modernization Campaign Continues FHA Headquarters Are Busy. effective. Fair employers, no doubt, will follow the rules established by the NRA codes, and will continue to i ay fair wages and this, without increased hours of work. Fair minded employers, we feel sure, will not interfere with their employes in j ining bona fide labor unions. In the event there are deviations from the code practices and rules, we want employes to feel free to call at the Utah Labor News office and give information regarding their status of employment. We would appreciate it very much if you will report to us any instances about which you know: 1. Where an employer would be violating Section if it were still effective. 2. Where labor threatens to take Uirect action because of such violations. 3. Cases of cutting wages below cod minimum or extending hours beyond code limits. On all of these problems, please call in person, or write or telephone to the Utah Labor News. 7-- A Because the Federal Housing administration is one of the most worthwhile activities of the Roosevelt administration to put men to work, the American Federation of Labor is supporting this branch of the New Deal program. The Utah Labor News is cooperating in every possible way with the Utah offices of the FHA to make better housing a huge sucwhole-hearted- ly cess. President Roosevelt has designated Saturday, June 15, as Better Housing Day. On this day, simultaneously, ground will be broken for thousands of model homes throughout the country. In Utah In Utah, ground will be broken for more than 30 model homes. Seven of these model homes will be in Salt Lake City, five in Ogden, three in Logan, and three ip.Rrovoj . NEW COMMITTEE Assailed By Hill OF NINE MEETS Court Usurpation For over 100 years the federal courts of this country have usurped the legislative power of the congress and no complaint has come from anyone, Congressman Knute Hill (Dem., Wash.), told the house week, .in a stirring, speech. Some people shout Commun ism when it is suggested that the court should be deprived of the power it usurped, Hill declared, and then he proceeded to quote of the from the patron saints Democrats and Republicans. It has Thomas Jefferson said: long been my opinion, and I have never shrunk from its expression, that the germ of dissolution of our federal government is the judiciary, an irresponsible body working like gravity by day and night, gaining a little today, gaining a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step, like a thief, over the field of jurisprudence until all shall be usurped. What Lincoln Said Turning to the Republican side of the House, Hill read this from Abraham Lincoln: The candid must confess that if the policy of the government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decision of the Supreme court, the people will have ceased to be their own rulers having to that extent practicaly resigned their government into the' hands of that Iri-aun- al. ? Then Hill quoted from Justice Oliver Wendell Hoimes, whom he described as the greatest jurist of all times: I do not think the United States would come to an end if we (the Supreme court) lost our power to declare an act of Congress void. the senate was accepted by the Some people and some newsHouse among the other amend- papers, no doubt, have a great deal ments made by the senate, without of contempt for congress, Hill knowing what it was all about. concluded. I suggest that congress G. 0. P. Fathered Bill take back unto itself this function In connection with this liquor of legislating, independent of the act, it should be remembered that executive and the judiciary. the chairman of the Committee of 49, Attorney E. M. Bagley of Salt Lake City, (who claims authorship MOPPED UP of the bill) is a Republican and he TWO DUMMIES was a loyal booster for the state store plan and was called into the Two more shop craft company judiciary committee of the House to advise the committee with ref- unions were, mopped up recent-- y erence to certain amendments the by the standard unions affiliated straight state store advocates want- with the American Federation of ed. This, in the face of the fact abor railway employes' departthat there were but four Republi- ment. On the Denver & Salt Lake the cans in the House of Representatives. machinists,, boiler makers, blackThe particular amendment offer- smiths, sheet metal workers, eleced by Senator Griffin, however, did trical workers, carmen, firemen not come before the House until and oilers, and shop laborers all after the senate had deleted that voted out "company unions by section. Just who inspired Sena- substantial majorities. On the Denver & Rio Grande tor Griffin to offer the 'arf..dment is not clear. Senator Griffin too, is Western the mechanic employes in a Republican and probably he can the water reserve department deexplain why he desired lines 13, 14 clared for representation by the and 15 out of the bill. standard unions. Disputes on both Holmes Will ines were handled by mediator L. statRepresentative ed on the floor of the house just Smith. E. H. Koehlenburg, of before its final passage, that if the machinists, and John Miller, of House Bill No. 41 ever becomes a the sheet metal workers, represented the bona fide organizations. (Continued on page 4) , - The new' committee of nine met Monday evening at the Hotel Utah, and organized by electing State Senator George Miller of Carbon county as chairman, Representative Stanley N. Child of Salt Lake county wecrretaoj and- Athol'RawliftSr Salt Lake City attorney, as vice chairman. The new committee was created by the last legislature and is empowered to investigate government of the state and all its subdivisions, including school districts and to subpena and examine witnesses and records. It is charged with collecting and analyzing statistical information affecting taxation of property and other types of wealth and income with a view of effecting a more equitable distribution of the tax burden. One important duty of the committee is to study methods of developing Utah's coal industry, finding new uses for coal and new and cheaper mining methods. Other members of the committee include Senator Hugh M. Woodward of Utah county, Senator Ira A. Huggins of Weber county, Representative Heber Bennion, Jr., of Daggett county, Representative Milton Twitchell of Garfield county, Mrs. Joshua Greenwood, of Salt Lake City, and Herbert E. Smith, of Ogden. -- - Pay TeortsTheFirA'UtaTi headquar- ters located in the First National Bank building, Salt Lake City. Surveys which have been made show that many new homes are needed in Utah cities, and if erection of these is started now, it will be the means of putting all the building tradesmen to work. With the cooperation of the government, long term loans can be secured at low rates of interest so that those who take pride in their home town and believe in building homes and providing employment homes in Utah, and it is predicted that during the month these applications will increase and pass the $2,000,000 mark. Cooperate In many instances, the financial institutions of the state are coop- -, erating to provide loans without red tape, but it is reported that in some instances there are bankers who are lukewarm to the proposition, and are not showing the spirit of cooperation that they should. The FHA headquarters have financial contact men, and those bankers who do not understand the financial setup of the Federal Housing Administration, should get all the information regarding financing of new homes and modernization of old homes, and fall in line to cooperate with the administration, labor, agriculture, and business, to the extent that the Federal .Rousipg. program wiU the top 100 per cent in Utah. In modernization campaigns, tnore than $500,000 have been spent for labor and materials in ge-w- er Utah. It is reported from Washington that the increase in building activities shows the first three months of 1935 continued in April and May, Compared with a year ago, the value of buildings for which permits were issued shows a gain of over 65 per cent. The value of residential building is more than 120 per cent greater than during for building tradesmen, may make April, 1934. With proper cooperation, the provisions to build homes. There are now more than $1,000,-00- 0 above gains can be greatly inworth of applications for new creased in June and July. ATTORNEY GENERAL CIIEZ URGES RFC LOAN TO REESTABLISH SCOFIELD Joseph Chez, Attorney General of the State of Utah, writes the I read your article on the need of reUtah Labor News as follows: establishing the industry at Scofield. It may be of interest to you that I urged the Reconstruction Finance Corporation at Washington, to grant the loan of $50,000 in order to rehabilitate the Kinney mine, and thus give employment to the men of Scofield. I enclose herewith a copy of my letter, as I wish you to know that I am in entire sympathy with the effort that is being made to reHOLDS DISPUTES establish Scofield and enable the men thereof to have employment. The Letter BILL VALID The letter of Mr. Chez to Hon. Jesse Jones, chairman, RFC, Washington, D. C., reads as follows: Mr. William Monay, residing at 1574 Michigan Avenue, Salt Lake By A. F. of L, News Service. Senator Wagner City, Utah, has applied for a loan of $50,000 through the ReconstrucWashington. of New York is emphatic in the tion Finance Corporation to be used for equipping and developing the belief that the principles of his coal property situated at Scofield, Utah, part of which is known as labor disputes bill are not touched the old Kinney Coal Company mine. Scofield is the oldest mining camp by, the decision of the supreme in Utah, having been served by a narrow gauge railroad from Salt court in the Schechter case, hold- Lake City, built by Brigham Young and his associates, which was subing the National Industrial Recov- sequently taken over by the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad they built into the state. ery Act unconstitutional because it vhen The old Union Pacific mine at Scofield is 60 years old, and the delegated broad legislative power to the President and established Winter Quarters mine is about 50 years old. These two great mines Federal control over what the court which sustained the community throughout their existence, have both claimed is strictly intrastate com- been abandoned because of the high cost of coal through the long d haulage and exhaustion. Even the buildings have been merce. He said it was his purpose to press for the enactment of the dynamited at Winter Quarters to save paying taxes, while those at measure at this session of con- the other mines have Jbeen largely moved away, leaving the town stranded without a sustained industry. gress. Virgin Property The labor disputes bill declares The Kinney Coal company is the only virgin coal property in of collective the encouragement that area which could be worked profitably. The property is controlled bargaining to be the policy of the by the applicant for the loan, William Monay, who has applied to the United States, prohibits certain Reconstruction Finance Corporation for a $50,000 loan. The old mine unfair practices, such as the of the Kinney Coal company were driven with the dip and union and discrim- workings are 4500 feet from the portal of the .mine to the bottom workings, on ination against union members, three and per cent down grade. Due to the used by subversive employers to approximately water which was developed, this mine was also closed down. As a renullify this right, sets up the prin- sult of building of the Scofield dam, the Denver and Rio Grande Wesciple of majority rule in elections tern railroad changed its branch railroad tracks, putting them on higher held by employes to choose collec- ground, which brought the track around close to the Kinney proptive bargaining representatives, erty, so that now by driving an entry into the coal on a level, the and provides a national labor rela- bottom of the old workings may be tapped within 1300 feet of the tions board to administer the act. railroad and allow millions of tons of coal from the Kinney property and government land to be taken out on a perfectly level grade, allowTo his dog every man is Napo- ing the unwatering of the mine and reduce the cost of production to leon: hence the popularity of dogs. about $1 per ton, which is only about fifty per cent of the average Aldous Huxley. cost of coal in Utah, which is about $2. The entire $50,000 applied for would be spent at the property and would open a mine with a proBy buying unfair products, vou duction of about 500 tons per day and employ the people of the town are paying a ransom to the for- of Scofield, and save the community. The construction work, alone, for eigners who are kidnaping your which could start immediately, would amount to 52,701 own prosperity child. (Continued on page 4) under-groun- company- -dominated one-ha- lf man-hou- '? - V rs |