OCR Text |
Show vtirx&iiiY of V FEB 1 -- 2 Ait xuko vxdM Ivix'Lrf 7 1937 Review mr Ourreirat Eveir&to ofi ! EDUCATE ORGANIZE COOPERATE VOL VII; NO. SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH. FEBRUL 32. AUTO STRK Political Outlook far-flun- Libby-Owens-Fo- rd ABRAHAM LINCOLN LEGISLATIVE NOTES S. B. 2 by Senate President HerThe best teachers of humanity are the lives of great men. C. H bert B. Maw, the old age pension bill, was passed by the state senFowler. y ate Tuesday following a 17 The was vote with to 5, It isnt so very long ago that fight.absent. The bill was sent to to the horror of the orthodox pol- one lower house for action. iticians a tall, angular backwoods- the bill as passed by the senate The man began talking in the state provides for $30 a month pension house at Springfield, Illinois, upon for persons 05 years or over such subjects as rights of work- in singleMarried couples living toage. ers, woman suffrage and the abolwill to a maxibe entitled ition of slavery topics which by gether mum month. No of $50 pension per common consent all on to assessed liens an up property office holders had long since tabe The of would value act $3000. booed. Who is this Abraham administered the from separately Lincoln? they inquired. And Lincoln as he took his seat replied, remainder of the public assistance I represent the short and simple program. annals of the poor. School Fund Changes Twenty years passed, the most House resolutions Nos. 4 and 5 eventful twenty years this nation by Representative Milton B. Tayhas ever known, and William H. lor of Weber county passed the Compiled From Reports Seward, skilled diplomat and statesman, standing beside the still form of that same backwoodsman at whom the petty politicians had scoffed, looked for the last time into that rough-hew- n face and whispered, Now he belongs to the ages. The story of those twenty years is a chapter in American history yes, more than that, it is an epoch in human progress which all may read, but its significance for us just now is not so much the fact that a million or two human beings were given the right to work out their own destiny, as it is that the humblest of us may with earnestness, courage and faith accomplish the fulfillment of our dreams. For great as was the genius of Lincoln, the sources upon which he drew were the same as those to which all of us have access today. He had no advantage either of birth, or wealth, or educational opportunities which the most unfortunate of us does not now possess but he did develop in himself patience, perseverance, sincerity, humility and an unwavering faith in the justice and wisdom of God, and with these attributes of character and mind there is no height to which we might not reasonably - , house Tuesday. The amendments to the constitution provided for in the resolutions, if adopted by the voter, would establish a new fund to be known as the uniform school fund, and would provide for certain specific diversions of revenue to this fund and leave the way open for legislatures to make additional appropriations to the fund. Right to Picket Without debate the house passed, Tuesdav, H. B. 9 by Representative Victor G. Pett of Juab county. The vote was 50 to 0, 10 absent. The bill was transmitted to the senate for action. The bill repeals the present antipicket laws, and enacts the following provision: It shall be lawful to picket only business premises where a labor strike, lockout or dispute exists or is in progress; and in so doing persons picketing may use pocket literature, handbills, pamphlets and small sandwich signs, provided said picketing, exhibition of sandwich signs and use of said literature is carried on peaceably and without intimidation. Memorial to Congress H. C. M. 1 by Representative (Continued on Page 2) v 5 Cents Per Copy IiTRIKE WON E PEACE PACTS VOTED IN LANDSLIDE OF WORKERS BALLOTS C .-1- V of Observers Liberal Democracy Special to the Utah Labor News. Liberal Democracy is deserving SAN FRANCISCO. (VOF) Sweeping in on a tide of ballots from of congratulations for the great Aberdeen and Seattle, Washington, south to San Pedro, the maritime victories it won, both in thp nation workers of the Pacific Coast voted to accept the tentative agreements and in Utah in the November elec submitted to them by their negotiating committees and return to work tion. on the waterfront and the ships. of Tain, cold, wind and snow, In Utah we electwfl one of the The action brought to an end a days and lonesome, midnight long, most liberal-minde- d legislatures tie-u- p of the marine industry that watches in the coldest winter on in our states history. Each mem had lasted for more than 90 days. record. However, these were no ber of the legislature wants to do Picket shacks were being dison this 1700-mil- e Cherries packthe right thing for the people. The mantled and burned. Sailors were et line. These men were schooled only thing needed now more than planning an early return to cease in the art of trade unionism, anything else is a little more ed work. Longshoremen were look- steeped in solidarity, with knowucation in unity and cooperation so ing forward to an early return to and faith in their organized that the liberal legislators woul( the docks, and the officers and ledge There could be but one strength. work together more harmoniously other workers of the maritime in- answer to such heroism, such sacand tolerate each other's opinions dustry were packing seabags and rifice and such unity the answer more readily than they have done generally preparing to bid farewell was VICTORY. in the past. We need a sort o: to the shore. Streamlined collective bargaining among the First of the ships to sail was the Some commentators referred to liberals in order to reach the de President Hoover, which cast off the 95-dtie-u- p as the 1936 sired ends, and thus be of greater her mooring lines Saturday at streamlined strike, perhaps imservice to the people. noon, outward bound for the orient. the willing spirits, the We need never fear going too Tuesdav saw the Monterey off for pressed by of effort, tne smooth far in our educational work. A Australia and the South Seas. functioning committees, the lack of liberal movement of the people can Other ships were planning to load violence and the general excellent succeed only through education anc and sail as soon as possible. Votes discipline which the vast majority enlightenment. The great agencies were being reported at the offices of strikers maintained. Of course of information and propaganda of the Maritime Federation of the to the outsiders this may seem are largely arrayed against lib- Pacific, 24 California street, where amazing, but the strikers who parerals. They do not seek to te:l the Secretary - TVeasurer Fred Kelly ticipated knew that it came from people the truth about the things was being kept busy with teletype hard work and the correct policy the people desire and stand for; reports from up and down the of having all strike activities rather they seek to place progres- Pacific coast. centralized. sive thinking legislators and their The firm and unerring judgment Unequaled of the Coastwise Policy committee, supporters in a false light, to disthe of in history tort and to withhold the truth. theUnparalleled move- composed of members from the enAmerican trade-unio- n These have always been the tactics ment, 40,000 maritime workers tire Pacific Coast, solidified and employed by reactionaries to de- stretched over a 1700-mil- e coast- welded more closely the Rank and feat progress. line faithfully and heroically stood File of all striking unions. Their Recently they overdid it. They monotonous picket watches over decisions met every maneuver and played the game too strong, and empty, silent docks and idle ships; counted attack of the employers. their tactics defeated their own 95 days of endless picket duty; 95 (Continued on page 2) pnrposes.TJie.oncg powecfuljdaily. press, the greatest propaganda agency for the present social and economic order, has largely lost its This influence and its prestige. was borne out by the results of the (Continued on page 2) J ay Strike Subpoena Plan of Secretary Perkins Opposed News and Comment By M. I. T. two-da- vote-seeki- ng Price: 2, 1937. Utah and U. S. AUTO UNION AND G. M. PARLEY SESSIONS REACH AGREEMENT! Special to the Utah Labor News DETROIT (.UNS) Representatives of the United Automobile Workers Union and the General Motors Corporation reached an agreement early Thursday morning. Announcement of terms will be made public later when agreements are signed. John L. Lewis, president of the Committee for Industrial Organization, who has been in the conference here during the 10 days, feels optimistic regarding the situation Roosevelt, the report said, had and believes that a satisfactory urged settlement of the strike. The agreement with the United Auto- President had made no demands of mobile Workers Union as the co- either side, but, maintaining neuwill trality in the dispute, had urged llective bargaining agency an agreement be reached as come out of the present meetings that soon as possible. of the employers and employes Edward F. McGrady, assistant representatives. secretary of labor, and the chief Reaching Agreement for the labor deGovernor Murphy intimated that trouble shooter partment, is keeping in constant not a great deal separates the touch with the Detroit situation opposing sides. He said that both frequent phone conversasides are doing their best and re- through with the strike. in connection tions veal an earnestness in trying to F. Dewey, labor departJames settle the matter. The represenconciliator, who has taken an tatives of labor and the representa- ment active part in conferences with tives of the G. M., were in exce- both sides g the dispute llent spirits, the governor re- since the in strikes became wideported. 40 days ago, was in contact Homer W. Martin, president of spread of G. leaders with the Auto Workers union, said the M. He makesof the union andof the daily reports along parley was proceeding Mr. more definite lines and that the progress of negotiations to McGrady. atmosphere had been considerably Basis For Settlement clarified. X. of recent settlement of the The Frank Martel, president Glass strike at the Detroit Federation of Labor, and a member of the Typographi- Toledo, providing recognition of cal union, met with the conferees the Glass Workers Federation, afthis week. The Detroit labor move- filiated with C. I. 0., for its memment has pledged its support to bership only, was reported to be a the strike of the United Automo- possible basis for an auto strike bile Workers in the G. M. plants. agreement. Roosevelt Asks Settlement In this event, one source close to President Roosevelt has had tel- - the conferees stated, the union on positive guarantees ephone- conversations with' Gover- would-insis- t nor Murphy, John L. Lewis, and that General Motors would show no William S. Knudsen, executive vice partiality to a bargaining agency (Continued on page 3) president of General Motors. I The Auto Strike A revief of the legal and illegal terror in the auto strike: The strikes in the General Mo- tors Flint plant date back to November 18, 1936, when four union members were fired for wearing union buttons. Then came the Kansas City firing of an active union member for the violation of a minor plant rule which was habitually broken dozens of times a day. By December 16 it was evident that General Motors had determined to fight the upsurge of organization in its plants. It rebuffed the unions effort to get together with the General Motors management for a national conference for collective bargaining. The strikes spread rapidly until over 100,000 General Motors workers were affected. Other plants followed in quick succession. A determined effortby General Motors to break the strike characterized the events that "fallowed. On January 8, 1937, a sweeping injunction was issued by Judge E. Dr Black against the strikers at Fish er Body No. 1 and 2 plants. It was subsequently discovered that Judge Black was the owned of $219,000 worth of General Motors stock, thus violating a state law which prohibits a judge to sit in on a case in which he is financially interested. On January 7, the Flint Alii ance was formed. This organiza tion, supposed to represent loyal workers, business men, professional men, and even school children, but really a vigilante group of thugs and General Motors stooges, is headed by a former paymaster of the General Motors Corporation. Its vice president is an The Alliance is very similar in structure to the Akron Law and Order League vigilante group, organized during the Goodyear rubber strike. On January 8 the following or-- ( Continued cn page 4) . ct. Green Says New Power Sought by Legislative Proposal Contains Germs of Compulsory Arbi tion. By A. F. of L. News Service. WASHINGTON, D. C. Disapproval by the American Federation of Labor of the proposal made by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins that congress enact legisla tion conferring power upon the secretary of labor to subpoena paties in labor disputes was by William Green, president of the A. F. of L. The function of the Department of Labor in industrial controversies, Mr. Green said, is to act as a mediator, not as a trial court. In compulsory attendance at hearings le visioned the compulsory acof ceptance departmental decisions, which was not far removed Irom compulsory arbitration, traditionally opposed by the organized abor movement. The text of Mr. Greens statement follows: The American Federation of abor is opposed to the suggestion that congress quickly pass a law conferring upon the secretary of administer labor authority to books, oaths, subpoena papers and records, and to compel participants in industrial disputes to come to Washington for examination and subi fission of testimony under ex-jress- ed oath. Fiist of all, legislation fraught consesuch considered be should only quences when economic and industrial conditions; are approximately normal. It is inconceivable that congress would base the enactment of such inciimportant legislation upon indusone out of dents which arise trial controversy. Trial Court Secondly, proceedings initiated under authority of such compulsory legislation would take on the character of a trial in court where charges and counter charges would be made and thus the bitterness of the industrial controversy become more intensified. with far-reachi- ng , Y Such procedure ought to be avoided. The Department of Labor should be a mediation instrumentality of government and not a trial court. It can render most valuable service in the settlement of industrial disputes and in the promotion of industrial peace through the exercise of wise, judicious and careful mediation. It has succeeded during the years of its existence through con- ciliation and mediation in the promotion of settlements in thousands of industrial controversies. It is only a step from compulsory at- tendance at hearings and the compulsory submission of testimony under oath, and the books, papers and records, to the compulsory acof ceptance departmental decisions. Compulsion Opposed That wrould be compulsory arbitration to which the American Federation of Labor is uncompromisingly opposed. There should be one effective mediation and conciliation department of government available for use when industrial controversies arise. No department is better fitted or suited to exercise such a wholesome influence than the Department of Labor. Other boards and commissions, such as the National Labor Relations Board, upon which congress has conferred quasi judicial power, may exercise the power of subpoena and compulsory attendance at hearings, and compulsory evidence under oath, in conformity with the administrative and judicial authority conferred upon them by congress. The public interest, however, will be best served through the maintenance of the labor department as a mediation and conciliation department through which the government may, not by the application of forceful methods, but through persuasion, conciliation and mediation, promote settlements of industrial disputes which arise between employers and |