The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 44, Ed. 1 Friday, February 24, 1939 Page: 1 of 4
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Vol. 19. No. 44.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1939.
Subscription Price $1.50 Per Year
TO THE BADGETT Q.UADROPLETS
they ibe capable of such low thoughts, the President Albert Rothfuchs after
which Mr. Jack Lindbergh, business S
MHHHHHHHHHNHHHHHHHHHSHHSHHHHHHIHHHHBHHBHHEHHGHGHHHAHBBEHHE
/
e
the Bricklayers Union, with one leg, and seconded by W. J. Matthews that
GOV. FITZGERALD'S LABOR
LAW CRITICIZED BY REID
and
the
AFL NEWS WRITERS UNIION
ORGANIZED IN HEMSTEAD
—Mrs. Doris L. Bangeman,
801 39th St., Galveston.
The Baker’s and Confectionery Loc-
al No. 407, held their regular meeting
at the Cook’s and Waiters Hall, 307
Tremont Street, Saturday 18th, 1939 at
4 P. M. which was largely attended.
The meeting was called to order by
the labor vernacular, “shop unions”
“company unions” were considered
same, Mr. Reid said.
By A.FL News Service.
The growing strength of the Amer-
ican Federation of Labor was revealed
in the quarterly report made by Secre-
tary-Treasurer Frank Morrison to the
Executive Council of the A. F. of L.
at its recent winter meeting at Miami,
Florida.
The membership of the Federation,
Mr. Morrison said, shows a substantial
increase in the last quarter an is rapid-
ly approaching the 4,000,000 mark.
“Working men are at the foundation
of society. Show me that product of
human endeavor in the making of
which the working man has had no
share, and I will show you something
that society can well dispense with-
out.”—Samuel Gompers.
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
UNION JOB
BUILDINGTRADES COUNCIL
Official Organ of the
Galveston Labor
Council and Building
Trades
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
BY YE EDITOR LINDBERG
from Cleveland, Ohio, asking to appear
before the Building Trades Council, so
that he might sell some union-made
razor blades. Motion made and second-
ed that he be allowed to address the
delegates of the Building Trades. In
appearing before the Council he stated
he had lost his leg in an accident, and
A. F. OF L. MEMBERSHIP
NEARS FOUR MILLIONS
Politics.
A review of the recent incidents that
■have transpired since the inauguration
of our newly-elected governor, W. Lee
O'Daniel, shows that members of both
the senate and the house of represen-
tatives have spent quite some time
Bakers and Confectioners
Local 407 Hold Meeting
LAUNDRY WORKERS
LETTER
There are gifts from notables like Eddie Cantor,
And accounts and scholarships, too.
Since the arival of four little strangers
We’re having a gala-to-do.
May your lives be as peaceful as the sea birds
that dwell
In havens of rest on the shore;
May health and happiness and friends who are
true
Be ever at your door.
By AFL News Service.
The Executive Council of the Amer-
ican Federation of Labor, at its winter
meeting at Miami, Fla., adopted the
following minutes on the death of
Pope Pius. XI:
“The Executive Council was shocked
and greatly grieved by the sudden pas-
sing of Pope Pius XI. It joins with
all our people—regardless of faith or
of religious affiliations—in expressing
deep sorrow for the' loss of this great
religious and spiritual leader.
“Pope Pius was not alone the leader
of the Catholic world, he was likewise
a great champion for and defender of
the rights, liberties, welfare and well
being of the wage earners of the world
LOCAL VOICE
OF THE
On a beautiful, sun-splashed'Southern isle
Four guests visited today.
The anxious faces of town folk smiled
When the guests decided to stay.
No clothes, no baggage, no bonds or money,
No introduction—not even a name;
But worldly possessions were not necessary
For their destiny was marked with fame.
To each of these strangers a name has been
given:
Jeraldine, Janette, Joan and Joyce.
A welcome to you—four bits from heaven—
You’ve made the whole world rejoice.
With lusty yells and cries that mean hunger
They’re quite unaware of their fame,
But to Mother and Daddy and two older sisters,
Family life will not be the same.
By AFL News Service.
Lansing, Mich.—John Reid, secretary
of the Michigan Federation of Labor,
uncovered a number of serious defects
in the State labor law proposed by Gov-
ernor Fitzgerald in the hearing on the
bill held by labor committees of the
State Legislature.
Although admitting that the bill con-
tained some desirable sections for the
amicable adjustment of labor disputes,
Mr. Reid said a number of its provisions
run counter to the policy contained in
the National Labor Relations Act, whose
constitutionality has been upheld by the
Supreme Court of the United States.
He declared that the recognition given
to “shop unions” as independent organi-
zations was not in accordance with the
principles of bona fide labor unions. In
1
Surely when an organization puts up
$100 reward, they have shown a true
spirit of cooperation and are aiding in
every way possible to help bring such
person or persons responsible for such
crimes, to justice.
The Galveston labor movement sa-
lutes the Carpenters’ Local Union No.
526 for such fine action as it has taken
in trying to inform and enlighten the
public that this act was not committed
by members of organized labor.
Mardi Gras.
Now that the festivities and merri-
ment are over for another year to
come, the Mardi Gras celebration this
year was, indeed, a huge success. The
parade was more colorful and put on
in a more grandeur style than hereto-
fore in years gone by. Too bad that
organized labor could not have had a
float in this parade, but maybe next
year things will be different.
Federal Credit Union Organized
Here.
Ye scribe feels that someone else
should write the following article per-
taining to Federal Credit Unions, ow-
ing to the fact that he is the business
representative of the Brewery Work-
ers’ organization which has just re-
cently installed a Federal Credit Un-
ion Charter. But for the information
that will be contained herein, feels that
he will be excused for writing in re-
gard to his own organization.
The Brewery Workers have been
pondering for quite some time with
the thought concerning organizing a
Federal Credit Union, and finally came
to the conclusion that it would be a
worthwhile accomplishment to install
such an organization for the benefit of
the employees of the Galveston-Hous-
ton Breweries; said Charter for the
Brewery Workers and the employees
for the Galveston-Houston Breweries
having been installed last Sunday, Feb-
ruary 19, 1939, and from all indications
will be an overwhelming success.
The purpose of the Federal Credit
Union is to teach its members the hab-
it of thrift and at the same time, be
able to make loans for hard times,
sickness and financial distress. There
are about 60 Federal Credit Unions
established in Galveston and Harris
Counties, and all of them have proven
a huge success in assisting their mem-
bers by inquiring for further informa-
tion on such an organization.
The Credit Union not only stands
ready to assist financially embarrassed
members, but also pays a dividend to
shareholders at the end of the year.
For illustration, the Southport Oil Re-
finery Federal Credit Union located at
Texas City, paid its shareholders at
the end of this year a 4%% dividend,
and could have, if the Board of Direc-
tors had so desired, paid a 5%% div-
idend.
Ohe Cnion Review
__ Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions «g»
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor
Meeting called to order promptly at
8:00 o’clock, with President Unbeha-
gen presiding.
Roll call of officers found most of-
ficers present, W. A. Duke and Fritz
Groosman being absent.
The president informed the delegates
that the building committee from the
Galveston Labor Council, consisting of
Brothers D. A. Jung, W. P. Sinnott
and Frank Bavoux, for the new Labor
Temple was outside and wanted to ap-
pear before the Building Trades Coun-
cil.
They outlined in detail the work
that would have to be done on the new
Labor Temple, stating that it would re-
quire the services of all the union affil-
iated with the Building Trades Coun-
cil.
They further stated that in order to
make the Labor Temple possible, the
Galveston Labor Council was asking
the Building Trades Council to go on
record of indorsing the following prop-
sition: X
In as much as the money the Gal-
veston Labor Council has in the build-
ing fund at the present time is not suf-
ficient to buy materials and employ
labor, that all building trades unions be
requested to go on record as supplying
all labor free of cost. That the Build-
ing Trades Council indorse this propo-
sition and submit same back to the
unions affiliated.
The committees explained that the
Council would obtain compensation
and liability insurance, to cover all men
working on the job.
They then extended an invitation to
the delegates and members of the re-
respective unions affiliated with the
Building Trades Council to come to a
feed sponsored by the Council in the
new building, 214-218 23rd St., Satur-
day, Feb. 25th. This feed will be free
of cost and will consist of barbecue and
gravy, potato salad, bread and beer and
was made possible by our good friend,
Mr. H. S. Autrey.
Bavoux, member of the musicians,
stated that his organization was going
to furnish a brass band for the occa-
sion. Don’t forget, starting time 1:00
p. m., Saturday. It will cost you noth-
ing, so come up and have a good time.
Barbecue and gravy will be prepared
by our good friend, County Commis-
sioner Gus Butterowe.
Motion was made by W. T. Barnes
and seconded by Tom Bolton that the
Building Trades Council go on record
of indorsing the proposition as sub-
mitted by the building cmmittee of the
Galveston Labor Council and lend
them aid and support.
There were nice talks made by other
delegates in regard to the new Labor
Temple.
Presentation of Credentials.
E. C. Lash, member of Painters
Local No. 585.
Geo. P. Beauvais, member of Local
Union No. 1138.
Credentials correct and Brothers
Lash and Beauvais were obligated and
seated.
The secretary then informed the
Council that there was a member of
blasting for and against our new gov-
ernor. One day several representatives
spend a great part of the time con-
demning the attitude and tactics of our
governor, and the next day, one who
desires to get his name in the record,
upholds the acts and desires of the
governor.
Ye scribe is sure there are many, as
well as he, that wishes they would both
settle down to business and stop wast-
ing time and the taxpayers money by
trying to complete the work on the
many resolutions and bills that are now
before them to be enacted into law.
All indications point to the adoption
of a sales tax, but in what form, is still
a question unanswered.
Ye scribe stopped to converse on the
street with one of his acquaintances
here recently, and the converation that
followed was thus: the acquaintance
made the remark that he had just re-
cently returned from Austin, and that
bales of hay were stacked all over the
capital grounds, and ye scribe asked,
wonderingly “Why?” The acquaint-
ance answered that this was done for
the benefit of the many jackasses that
voted for W. Lee O/Daniel.
By AFL News Service.
Hempstead, N. Y.—The Editorial
and News Writers Union of Nassau
and Suffolk Counties, recently organ-
ized here, has been chartered by the
American Federation of Labor, with
jurisdiction over Nassau and Suffolk
Counties.
The officers of the union are James
Blake, Long Beach newspaper man,
president; Phillip Sparacino, vice pres-
ident; John Sullivan, financial secre-
tary; James McCabe, Jr., recording
secretary and treasurer; Jack Keenan,
guard; Miss Helen McNally, conduc-
tor; Val Duncan, Karl Anton and
Jack Keenan, trustees.
The officers were inducted by Wil-
liam C. De Koning, head of the Hemp-
stead Central Trades and Labor
Council, who complimented the union
on its progress and expressed the be-
lief that it would take an important
part in American Federation of Labor
activities.
We recommend, if you haven’t al-
ready done it, that you adopt some of
the Jim McCloskey spirit, and feel out
the sentiment of your workers. If it is
fairly and honorably in favor of bet-
ter hours and more money, then give
them what they want now. When the
unions finally come around to make
demands, they’ll be quick to see that
you have already taken the initiative in
the right direction. And! your employes
will be much more on your side than
ever before.
We’re no economist, but any laun-
dryowner whose wage and hour scale
is out of gear is going to find out
pretty soon that he is backing the
wrong pony. He’s going to have to
face a committee on the thing sooner
or later, and unions have a way of
judging employers on the basis of acts
rather than on the basis of intentions.
But the merits or demerits of the
union case are not especially relevant.
You yourself ought to know whether
your employes, in their own eyes, are
getting the break they feel they de-
serve. If they feel that they aren’t,
then it’s part of your job to investigate
it and find out why.
And if you’re in the wrong, then it’s
also part of your job to put things !
right!”
Ge,
%,
the financial secretary, in issuing cards
to the delegates, give them a bill for
the total amount of the cards they use.
There being no further business, the
meeting stood adjourned, until next
regular meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
B. A .GRITTA.
agent for the Brewery Workers Local
gave a lengthly but interesting talk on
union matters. Mr. Schornstein of the
Schornstein’s Clothing Store also was
present and made a talk; pointing out
the facts that we were not the only in-
dustry suffering at the hands of our
out of town competitors. Both speech-
es were well applauded. We sincerely
appreciate their co-operation and hope
to have them with us again in the near
future.
Brother A. R. Weber gave in his re-
signation as recording secretary and
committeeman to the Labor Council,
as he is now connected with the Weber
Bakery located at 30th & Broadway.
We regretted to see Brother Weber
leave our midst, and will miss his loyal
and concientious assistance to our local.
May he be met with success in his new
enterprise. The following members
were elected to fill vacated office.
Brother J. H. Caulking as Correspond-
ing and Recording Secretary, Brother
Henry Cook as committeeman to the
Labor Council and Brother Henry
Autry as Trustee.
After meeting adjourned Brother
Frank Vento, our Secretary and Trea-
surer was greeted with a nice pink
ticket on his car for over-parking. Poor
Frank, but such is life.
J. H. CAULKING
Recording & 'Corresponding Secretary.
*3
%
DEATH OF POPE PIUS XI MOURNED
BY AMERICA FEDERATION OF LABOR
Executive Council Says He was "Great Champion For and a
Defender of the Rights, Liberties, Welfare and Well Being
of the Wage Earners" Throughout the World.
over. His life’s work for humanity,
for peace, for democracy, for relief to
the suffering and oppressed will long
be remembered by all classes and by
none more than by the working people.
His death is a great loss and is re-
ceived by labor in America in terms of
deepest sympathy.”
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, added
his own statement, as follows:
“Pope Pius Xi’s interest in social
economic and labor problems was re-
flected in a most impressive way in his
encyclical on labor. We regarded it as
measuring up to the labor encyclical
issued by Pope Leo XIII.”
The following article is taken from
the National Laundry Jouinal, and is
republished in The Union Review at
the request of Laundry Drivers’ Local
Union No. 940:
Using the Old Bean.
An Editorial by Mike Haggerty
‘Not long ago the newspapers re-
ported the action of a laundryowner
who had several union organizers
thrown bodily from his plant. The
laundryowner probably sat back and
chuckled over it.
But he didn’t chuckle long. The un-
ion drew a head on him so fast it made
his head swim. And ever since then his
laundry has been in the spotlight. He
has had the biggest dose of trouble a
laundryowner could ever dream of hav-
ing, and it isn’t over yet. Right now he
wishes he had given a little thought to
arbitration.
Elsewhere in this issue, Jim Mc-
Closkey, the two-fisted maestro of the
Linen Supply Association, takes up the
subject of arbitration and says a few
pertinent things about it.
Jim’s article, which is taken from a
speech he made at the recent conclave
in Boston, sums up with the advice
that giving your men a square deal is
the best insurance against trouble yet
devised.
Well, this subject of arbitration that
Jim brings up so ably is something of
a headache to alot of men in all in-
dustries, for it represents unionism
rearing its allegedly ugly head.
Any reader of the newspapers senses
that unionization is growing rather
swiftly. Maybe now would be a good
time for laundryowners to take a peep
through the spyglasses and see just
what may be happening to them short-
ly. Perhaps by lifting wages now, they
will avoid the friction that is otherwise
bound to occur later on. Perhaps by
taking a squint into the needs of em-
ployes now, they may sidestep the ne-
cessity of being ordered to do so to-
morrow.
The laundry industry has no reason
to fear fair and equitable demands.
When the NRA was invalidated, many
laundries, independently and in groups,
voted voluntarily to abide by the let-
ter and spirit of the act. The laundry
industry is by nature public-spirited.
But there is no doubt that in some
plants, hours are long and wages low.
It’s only a matter of time before the
union will present demands. Are you
going to meet them grudgingly and
show a spirit of fight, or are you going
to anticipate what the unions ask and
raise wages and shorten hours now?
The smart laundry-powers know the
answer.
We mean this as no big blast in
favor of unions. Nor do we intend it as
a criticism of unions. We’re interested
in the laundryowner and in the laun-
dry-owner’s welfare.
Reward Offered By Carpenters’
Local No. 526.
According to an article which ap-
peared in our daily newspapers recent-
ly Brother Tom Dodson, business
agent of the Carpenters’ Union No. 526,
stated that the Carpenters’ Union has
offered $100 reward for the person or
persons that committed the acts of
vandalism on the two homes which
were recently damaged and which are
being built by non-union labor. The
carpenters are to be commended on
this action. They have, indeed, stepped
into the lead of this controversy by
putting up the necessary cash that will
help bring the culprits, that committed
this crime to justice. It has been in-
ferred that this act was committed by
members of organized labor.
Ye scribe has had the opportunity to
converse with people from all walks of
life on this particular subject, and be-
lieves that the public in our city knows
now that members of organized labor
did not commit such crime, or would
through the sale of these razor blades
he is endeavoring to buy himself a new
artificial leg.
Business was then dispensed with to
allow delegates to purchase blades.
The brother then thanked all the dele-
gates and took his leave.
Minutes Approved.
Reading of the minutes of the pre-
vious meeting was approved as read.
In regard to the proposition made by
the committee of the Galveston Labor
Council, the delegates of Sheet Metal
Workers, Electricians, and Plumbers
locals, stated their organizations were
100 per cent for it and would furnish
labor free of cost.
Bulletin from the Home Security
Survey Co., being sponsored by L. C.
Evans as manager, was given the en-
dorsement of the Building Trades
Council on motion made by W. T.
Barnes, seconded by Tom Bolton.
Reports of Local Unions.
Delegates Criss from the Plumbers,
reported in regard to the proposition
submitted to the Building Trades by
the Plumbers Union at the last meet-
in was still waiting for an answer.
V. C. Sucich, delegate from Elec-
trical Workers, was requested by the
executive board of the Electricians to
come before the Building Trades Coun-
cil in regard to Plumbers working on
jobs where non-union men were em-
ployed. He stated the reason his execu-
tive board requested him to appear be-
fore the Building Trades was because
an electrical contractor had requested
the same privileges as the plumbing
contractors. He stated that the busi-
ness agent of the Electrical Workers
Union informed this contractor that
their organization was 100 per cent
with the Building Trades Council and
any adjustment made would have to be
made by the Building Trades.
Motion made by Tom Bolton and
seconded by S. R Peebles that the ex-
ecutive board of the Building Trades
Council, Carpenters and Plumbers hold
a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28th, at 8:00
o’clock for the purpose of discussing
the possibility of placing men to work
for the real estate agents.
Motion made by Geo. DeHarde and
seconded by Geo. Beauvais that the
unions affiliated with the Building
Trades Council work on jobs the negro
contractors are working.
Delegate Gritta from Sheet Metal
Workers protested plumbers doing
sheet metal work and requested some
relief from the Plumbers Union.
Delegate Criss from Plumbers stated
that he would take the matter up with
the master plumbers and was sure
there would be some adjustment made.
At the request of the Common La-
borers, the secretary was instructed to
write a letter to the Building Trades
Department protesting wages paid to
Common Laborers on Mote job. They
further requested the executive 'board
of the Building Trades Council to come
before their meeting and explain the
workings of the Building Trades.
Delegate Adams from Iron Workers
reported his organization was 100 per
cent with the Building Trades Council.
There was some discussion about the
method used in charging local unions
for the .Building Trades Cards they
use. Motion made by W. T. Barnes
♦ * ♦ *
Watch for next week’s issue for a re-
publication on the subject “What Is
Arbitration” by Mr. Jim McCloskey,
head of the Linen Supply Association.
It will be interesting owing to the fact
that Mr. McCloskey is direct and to
the point and he doesn’t pull any pun-
ches on this topic. So, make it your
business to read next week’s issue of
The Union Review carrying this article.
In this column The Union Review will
set forth short items of mutual inter-
est to the labor movement, including
such observations as may present
themselves to the editor in passing.
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 44, Ed. 1 Friday, February 24, 1939, newspaper, February 24, 1939; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1438372/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rosenberg Library.