The Dallas Craftsman (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, July 21, 1944 Page: 1 of 4
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DALLAS, TEXAS, FRIDAY, JULY 21,1944
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $2.00 PER YEAR
THIRTY-THIRD YEAR, No. 28
Vote for Your
Go to the Polls and Vote on July 22nd
Friends and
Against Your Enemies
Only 11 Per Cent
Machinists Protest
Asks Re-election
The Spotlight
AFL Opposition
Aircraft Job Pact
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By“COKE"
Li
It was sponsored, as a rider to the turn, had urged all Kentucky union
don’t know where we
a Mai
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cedure?"
of the wage strikes
beer and liquor sales have been
handled and they are in the
frame of mind to “voter dry.
of
N. Y. Labor Act
Proves Effective
,U I .
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I
- t- -
onm
3
4
Your Poll Tax
Is of No Value
Unless You Use It
A lot of people in Dallas do not
like the manner in which the
Be sure and read these ads. See
what the candidates have to
and his reputation as an
leader in the Legislature,
firsts’ official,
iffeted around
ple are up in
Most
mands
disclosed,
were de-
County at all times during his serv-
ice in the Legislature and a glance
at his record shows him to be friendly
to labor 75 per cent of the time. Mr.
Harry W. Acreman, Texas State Fed-
Buttinskies Barred
From Interference
With Rail Wages
Elmira, N. Y—A national cut in
the production of bombsights has been
determined upon by the Bureau of
Ordnance, U. S. Navy, but most of
outstanding
he has been
Labor, during prohibition was
the first organization to come
out openly for repeal and the
working people have always
maintained this stand.
can
pro-
Four Million Idle
Unless Reconversion
Starts Real Soon
Older Women Make
Best Bond Buyers
State Federation
Report for June
Maritime Board’s
Authority Holds
Workers Praised
At Rock Island
Navy Returns
Coos Bay Fund
Awards Five
Cent Increase
Bombsight Output
Has National Cut
Auxiliary No. 80
Meets July 28
George Payne
For Sheriff of
Dallas County
T-remmomneuwwwrsmusswnooen
Veterans Vote
Against Anti-
Labor Amendment
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peels us to hold our members in line
and keep the lid on strikes. How
we do it in the face of such
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76 ■
5
e J. B. Colpoys Dies;
Was Labor Editor
Vincent Drops Race Dallas Blankenship
Because of Bitter
other men in the Legislature have a
better record for labor thin Blanken-
ship.
As testimony to Blankenship’s pop-
ularity among his fellow legislators
V;" \
1.
Delay in Acting On Of Strike Losses Due
To AFL Workers
labor paper
i
times and
Only few
voted for labor fifteen
against labor five times.
port of organized
“Is it any wonder that workers, con-
fronted by such a flagrant runaround,
sometimes blow up? The board ex-
Recently, a group of workers at the
huge North American plant at Grand
Prairie gave a party at Jay’s Marine
Grill, for George Payne, candidate for
Sheriff of Dallas County. Mr. Payne
has long been the friend and support-
er of organized labor and its princi-
ples. At present he is the popular
Constable Of Precinct No. 1, and has
made an outstanding record in that
office for service, efficiency and econ-
omy. Many of the workers at North
American are members of the grow-
ing “Payne For Sheriff” Club which
they have established in his behalf
there. At the party, George Payne
made a brief, matter-of-fact talk, out-
lining his ambition to serve as Sheriff,
his belief in the fair and impartial
law enforcement in Dallas County,
and his confidence in the judgment of
than exaggerated.
Cutbacks already are being ordered
at the rate of about twenty a week
and the rate is due to climb in the
next few months. Instead of a labor
shortage, surpluses of manpower are
bound to develop, Shishkin said.
Meanwhile, efforts of War Produc-
tion Board Chairman Donald M. Nel-
son to authorize the start of a recon-
version program with labor and mate-
rials not needed for the war effort
are bbing stalmated by the War and
Navy Departments. The short-sight-
ed policy of the military leaders ap-
pears to be to refuse permission for
any preparations for peace until the
last shot in the war is fired.
American Federation of Labor lead-
ers are throwing their full support
behind Mr. Nelson's program which
now offers the only hope of averting
widespread unemployment should the
war end suddenly.
eration of Labor
Austin, reports
This Week the Columns of The
Dallas Craftsman are full of
advertisements carrying mes-
“This case has been
so much that our
arms.
sages from various candidates, lished this progressive
- - - henceforth.
say. Find out if they are your
friends and then go to the polls
and vote accordingly.
« • •
Louisville, Ky. (AFLWNS)—Anoth-
er anti-labor Congresman bit the dust
here when Rep. Beverly M. Vincent
announced formal withdrawal from
the race for re-election.
Vincent, who voted for the Connal-
ly-Smith Act and other anti-union leg-
islation, declared in a written state-
ment that pressure by the American
Federation of Labor had forced the
State Democratic organization to toss
him overboard. He had served three
terms in the House of Representa-
rials which will absorb most of the
displaced workers, it was announced
here.
The Resident Naval Inspector at the
Navy-operated plant here said that
production of bombsights will end
Oct. 1, although until that date it will
for increased rates. Many
advised the Board that the convention
call would go out with the July report.
The legislative and political out-
look was thoroughly reviewed, and
the Board was unanimous in its rec-
ommendation that all affiliated un-
ions actively interest themselves to
the end that their membership exer-
cise their franchise on election day
and in the traditional practice of
“supporting our friends and oppos-
ing our enemies”; and the vice presi-
dents were urged to be active to this
end in their respective areas.
HARRY W. ACREMAN,
Executive Secretary,
Texas State Federation of Labor.
New York City (AFLWNS).—The
effectiveness of the New York State
Labor • Relations Act in promoting
amicable relations between labor and
industry in this State in the seven
years of its operation was stressed in
a report made public, on the anniver-
sary of the passage of the act, by the
State Labor Relations Board.
According to the report, the board
processed 11,298 labor-dispute cases
since its establishment, affecting 480,-
000 employes in various trades and in-
dustries. Three hundred and three of
these cases were pending on June 30,
1944.
Of the 11,298 cases, in 4,508 or 39
Woman’s Auxiliary 80 to Typo-
graphical 173 will meet at the home
of Mrs. N. F; James, 632 S. Tyler, 10:30
Friday, July 28. After the business
meeting luncheon will be served.
Mrs. J. R. Mattison as co-hostess.
One of the Greatest Surprises
to a lot of people in Dallas was
the fact that Waco went dry
last Saturday, by a close vote.
In Dallas we have an election
of the wet and dry issue to be
voted on August 5. It will be
workers in the second Congressional
district to register in the Democratic
primaries and to vote for Earle C.
Clements, an opponent of Vincent.
“Vincent voted against labor in
Congress and he has opposed us all
down the line," Weyler explained.
close. Do not be misled by that, organized labor and his thousands of
good friends throughout Dallas
County.
Mr. Colpoys acted as one of the first
conciliators of the Department of La-
bor and helped to settle many disputes
during and after the first World
War. He was a personal friend of the
late Samuel Gompers and collaborated
closely with other high AFL officials.
Mr. Colpoys leaves two grandchil-
dren and two daughters—Margaret
Colpoys, with whom he lived, and Mrs.
Willson K. Huntemann.
perience. “Younger women, on the
other hand, often have not yet achiev-
ed the ability to do without and to
sacrifice," she said. They have not
learned, she said, that material things
—new coats, jewelry, and expensive
clothing—provide little security or
inner satisfaction.
DALLAS BLANKENSHIP
Dallas Blankenship, whp is seeking
re-election as Dallas County repre-
sentative, Place 5, in the Legislature,
is a veteran of World War I, having
served with the 90th Division in
France in 1918.
Blankenship has enjoyed the sup-
The American Federation
trying to defeat the will of the
majority. Most of the members
of labor know who these men
are and the thinking members
of labor are not listening to
their pleas to split up labor’s
vote. On July 22, vote the rec-
ommendations of the labor’s
committee straight. Do not be
misled by these last-minute at-
tempts to disrupt your pro-
gram.
of 3,734—the tabulation
be necessary to meet production .
schedules. The staff of the Produc- .
tion Executive Committee in Wash- ,
ington has requested Army ordnance
officials to study the plant to see
if it cannot be used for Army produc-
tion. Current indications are that
most of the 3,600 workers will be used
on work of this type. Any displaced
will be needed at other Elmira war
plants Walter O’Neil, WMC area di-
rector, announced.
Although cutbacks also occurred at
plants at Detroit, Indianapolis, New,
York City, and Springfield, Ohio, the
principal effect upon workers will be
at Elmira the Navy announced.
Officials of the International As-
sociation of Machinists (AFL) urged
their members at the plant to continue
to maintain production schedules.
Any union member who may be laid
off can be placed through the union,
they said.
Washington, D. C. (AFLWNS).—
John Bernard Colpoys, United States
Marshal for the District of Columbia
and former President of the District’s
Central Labor Union, died here after
a sudden illness at age of sixty-eight.
Mr. Colpoys was well-known in po-
litical and labor circles throughout
the nation.
In 1912, Mr. Colpoys purchased the
Trades Unionist and edited and pub-
Washington.—The Navy Department
has announced that it is returning to
the commanding officer of the sea-
plane tender, U. S. S. Coos Bay, the
$412 which gmembers of the ship’s
crew sent to the Associated Press with
the request that it be used to “buy off" j
strikers at the Wright Aeronautical 1
Co. plant at Lockland, Ohio.
“The Navy holds no brief for strikes
in war time.” the Navy Department
said in an official statement. “Its at-
titude toward them needs no reitera-
tion. Neither does the Navy condone
expressions by its personnel of re-
sentment, however sincere, which may
be founded on imperfect knowledge
of the issues, and which are so han-
dled that they can be construed as
publicity-seeking."
Officials of the WLB pointed out
that the Lockland strike, which had
ended by the time the news service
received the letter from the Coos Bay
Crew, was not over a wage issue, as
the seamen stated, but was the action
of a group of the workers who re-
fused to work with Negroes. The un-
ion, the UAW-CIO, denounced the
strike and helped government agen-
cies in ending it
ly is your friend. He is experi-
enced and capable. He will
serve all the people of Dallas
county well.
Washington, D. C. (AFLWNS).—
Railroad workers are now protected
against any administrative tampering
in the future with the processes of
the Railway Labor Act.
That protection is contained in the
bill extending the Price Control Act,
passed by Congress and signed by
President Roosevelt.
The section relating to the Railway
Labor Act adequately safeguards the
government’s wage stabilization pol-
icy; but, at the same time notified all I
non-railroad government agencies
that they must keep their hands off.
That section specifies that disputes
on the rails shall be handled through
the regular machinery of the Railway
Labor: Act.
Agencies, set up under the act, such
as Emergency Boards, must certify
that their findings are in accord with
federal wage stabilization standards.
Once they have done so, unions and
carriers will be free to make signed
agreements putting into effect the
awards of such boards, and other
agencies will be barred from “butting
in” to upset the awards.
This provision is an outgrowth of
the terrible mishandling of the rail
wage controversy last winter.
were protests against adjustments of
time or piece rates which workers felt
would result in lower earnings; other
were strikes over application of over-
time rates, incentive systems, etc.
More than one-fourth of the total
strikes resulted from disputes over
working conditions and company poli-
cies such as seniority, disciplinary
methods, racial questions, supervision
of work loads. About 15.7 per cent—
or 585 strikes—arose from questions
concerning union organization—in-
cluding recognition as bargaining
agent strengthening of bargaining
position, and closed or union shop
recognition. Considerably more than
half of the strikes involving union or-
ganization also concerned wage and
hour issues.
r ____
Saturday, July 22, is Election
day. Nearly every member of
organized labor in Dallas has a
poll tax receipt. This poll tax
receipt is of no value, unless
you use it. On Saturday, take
your family and go to the polls
and vote. You know who are
your friends are and you also
know who your enemies are.
The slogan of organized labor
in all branches, American Fed-
eration of Labor, C. I. O., Rail-
road Brotherhoods and the Al-
lied Printing Trades Council is
“Elect Your Friends and De-
feat Your Enemies.’ Be sure
.and vote. Labor has the re-
ceipts and you have the power
—BE SURE AND USE IT,
SATURDAY, JULY 22.
In Our Race for the State Leg-
islature. Place No. 3, it looks
like we are a sure winner. Our
opponent has campaigned very
little and his only two public
appearances so militated
against him, that he made the
statement, so we are informed,
“that he would not make
another speech whether he was
elected or not.” Well, we be-
lieve he is defeated and we
think he knows it. There are
too many people and large
groups working in our behali
for us not to win. Just remem-
ber the name, Wallace C. Reilly,
candidate for the State Legis-
lature, Place No. 3. Incidental-
ly, everyone in Dallas county
tax receipt can vote in the Leg-
who is in possession of a pol
islative races. Wallace C. Reil
"Now, we
stand,” said
Washington.—The Maritime Emer-
gency Board has reaffirmed its au-
thority and jurisdiction to adjust war
risk bonuses for merchant seamen in
accordance with the changes in war
risk.
The statement followed a meeting
at which objections of martime unions
which challenged the authority of the
board to revise bonus schedules were
heard.
J he Craftsman is the Official Organ of the Farm Labor Union of Dallas County and Is Subscribed for by the Dallas Central Labor Council and Affiliated Unions in a Body and Is Fighting for the Rights of Organised Laovr
tives.,
Another Kentucky Congressman
Andrew J. May, chairman of the
House Military Affairs Committee, is
reported to be considering withdrawal
of his candidacy because of labor’s
solid opposition. May, who has
served seven terms, was active in
drafting the final version of the Con-
nally-Smith Act and pushed labor
conscription legislation.
In letters to Ed H. Weyler, secre-
tary of the Kentucky State Federa-
tion of Labor, AFL President William
Greet! urged an all-out effort to de-
feat both Vincent and May, in ac-
cordance with the non-partisan policy
of the Federation.
Weyler disclosed here that he, in
A George P. Jones, Who Lists
his office as 703-4 Rio Grande
Building, has sent out a plea to
elect all of the present legisla-
tors, because they voted for the
Manford Bill—H. B. No. 100—
attempting to put members of
organized labor and their un-
ions out of business. May we
say, in I all kindness to Mr.
Jones, who we have never met,
that that is just the reason that
those men you recommended
are going to be defeated. The
workers are tired of being
kicked around and they have
the poll tax receipts. We pre-
dict, Mr. Jones, that those
present members of the legisla-
tors, who you ask the people to
vote for are going to be left at
home after July 22.
• • •
Again, As Usual, in Most Po-
litical campaigns, we find one
or two /members of labor out
Washington, D. C. (AFLWNS).—
Unless a more intelligent, and effective
program is developed to dovetail re-
conversion with production cutbacks,
America will have an army of four
million unemployed on its hands at
the end of this year, even if the war
against Germany and Japan is still
going on.
This is the omnious prediction of
Boris Shishkin, AFL economist, based
upon “known factors” in the produc-
tion program. He declared the esti-
mates were “conservative" rather
Washington, D. C. (AFLWNS).—A
glaring example of interminable de-
lays by the National War Labor
Board, which drives workers in war
plants to desperation, was cited by the
International Association of Machin-
ists.
Eighteen months ago aircraft
lodges of the union signed agreements
with the Curtiss-Wright Corp. stream-
lining job classification at three
plants—in Buffalo. Louisville and St.
Louis. After all this time, the WLB
has failed to prove or disapprove
the pact.
Under the agreement, “simple” and
“intermediate” classifications were to
be eliminated, so that workers could
progress within a fixed period from
the minimum to the maximum wage
rates for their grades without stops
on the way.
Both the union and the company
looked upon the plan as fair and said
it would raise the morale and effi-
ciency of the workers.
In a joint application, the I. A. M.
and the management asked the Na-
tional War Labor Board to approve
the plan. Back in January, 1943, rep-
resentatives of both sides explained
the mechanics of the streamlined pro-
gram, to a WLB panel.
The application crept through the
slow-moving machinery of the board
while Curtiss-Wright workers became
more and more restless. Finally, two
months ago the WLB gave its "okay."
Then the application went to “Eco-
nomic Stabilizer” Fred M. Vinson.
His approval was necessary before the
plan could be put into effect.
While the agreement was awaiting
Vinson’s signature, the WLB, out of
a clear sky, notified the union that
the case was being reconsidered. A
public hearing, the board said, would
be held July 5. A few days later the
board postponed the hearing without
fixing a date.
coming convention on September 25th affected are ongnged in
are well under way, and the secretary Itheapanus.arrecteduare.engaged.n
— - producing other important war mate-
Green Hails Result
Washington, D. C.—AFL President
William Grene hailed the withdrawal
of Rep. B. M, Vincent from the Ken-
tucky Primaries as signal victory
for the Federation's campaign to eli-
minate members of Congress whose
records have been hostile to the In-
terests of organized labor.
Mr. Green predicted that as the
campaign progresses, a large per-
centage of anti-labor Congressmen
will be forced to withdraw or face cer-
tain defeat at the polls.
The AFL chief emphasized that the
Federation’s activities in this cam-
paign are wholly in accord with its
traditional non-partisan political pol-
icy, which is to reward labor’s friends
and defeat its enemies. This policy
is being pursued regardless of the po-
litical affiliation of the candidates, he
said.
Price Control Act, by Rep. Robert
Crosses, of Ohio, and Sen. Robert F.
Wagner, of New York, and was adopt-
ed by both Houses without a single
dissenting cote. Following the sign-
ing of the law by the President, Rep.
Crosser said:
"The Railway Labor Act, which has
been applauded throughout the na-
lion as a model law for dealing with
labor relations, is now re-established
with all its original authority.
"It should never have been inter-
fered with, but in any event Congress
has now unanimously declared it
should not be tampered with in the
future.
“Lest there be any doubt about the
matter, it should be made clear that
the amendment to the Price Control
Act preserves fully the voluntary
character of the Railway Labor Act
machinery.
"The rights that organizer labor
possessed under the act before are
maintained and strengthened. There
is no compulsion anywhere along the
line. As heretofore, rail workers are
in no way obligated to accept awards
of Emergency Boards if they believe
them unfair.
"Railroad labor, as a basic principle,
has always opposed compulsory arbi-
tration in any way, shape or form.
That principle still prevails as em-
phatically as ever.”
|
Hh
muuII meoee
Washington.—Civilian employes of
the Rock Island Arsenal, many of
whom are members of the Interna-
tional Association of Machinists
(AFL) were commended recently by
the Marine Corps for outstanding
work, the War Department reports.
It all came about this way. A radio
message was received by the Ord-
nancei Department, Army Services
Forces, in Washington, D. C., at 9
o’clock in the morning of April 15
stating that certain weapons and
equipment for an impending action
would be needed at a Marine base in
the Pacific within three days.
Rock Island Arsenal was assigned
the job of selecting, packaging and
addressing the shipment which total-
ed 26,000 pounds. Army planes
whisked it away within a few hours,
and the supplies arrived on schedule
at the point named by the Marines.
This brought a letter from the Ma-
rine Corps to Brigadier General Julian
S. Hatcher, Chief of Ordnance Field
Service, saying the action “merits the
highest commendation.”
The commendation brought out the
little-known fact that the Army Ord-
nance Department supplies the Ma-
rines with weapons and ordnance sup-
plies, although the Marine Corps is
a part of the Navy.
Washington.—A poll of war bond
issuing agents in various parts of the
country reveals that women between
35 and 64 purchase more bonds and
bonds of higher denomination than
women of the other age groups. Dr.
Harriet Elliot, director of the Wom-
en’s Division of War Finance, reports.
The survey showed that the youngest
group of. wage earners, for the most
part without dependents, buys the
least number of bonds.
Dr. Elliott called attention to a
statement made in the Month Labor
Review of the U. S. Department of
Labor, that more than half the 3,000,-
000 women now working who do not
normally work are between the ages
of 36 and 64.
The next largest group of "extra”
workers, the Review stated, are be-
tween 14 and 19, girls who ordinarily
would still be in school but who have
been drawn into the labor market by
good salaries, and patriotic impulses.
Women between 35 and 64, Dr. El-
liott said, have the consciousness of
responsibility which comes with ex-
Washington.— Approximately 2,000
drivers, dockmen and checkers em-
ployed by 303 firms represented by
the Greater Detroit Cartage Associa-
tion, Detroit, Mich., were awarded *
wage increase of five cents an hour
to bring their wages up to the min-
imum sound and tested going rates
for the area in a unanimous decision
announced by the Trucking Commis-
sion of the WLB. The employes are
represented by the AFL Teamsters
Union.
The order becomes effectively only
upon determination by the OPA that
the increase will not require any
change in price ceilings or upon ap-
proval of the Director of Economic
Stabilization,
Earl N. Cannon, industry represen-
tative on the commission, explained
that he concurred in the decision be-
cause the parties originally had
eached a voluntary agreement which
was submitted to the commission for
approval and that later a portion of
the employers sought to nullify their
agreement.
“Proper labor relations between
employer and employe can only be
built on the basis of mutual confi-
dence,” the statement said. “To void
the agreement at this time and un-
der the conditions stated would de-
stroy labor’s confidence in the integ-
rity of employer groups.”
Austin, Texas, July 3, 1944.
To All Affiliated Organizations,
Greeting:
The month of June has been a very
busy one for the Federation. Your
Executive Secretary visited Houston,
also addressed a mass meeting in
Beaumont, and visited with the War
Labor Board in Dallas, and attended
a meeting of the War Manpower Com-
mission, called by the Director. We
also addressed the Southwest District
organization of the Cement. Lime and
Gypsum Workers at their Dallas Con-
vention.
There has been an exceedngly
heavy mail during the month, by rea-
son of the interest in political candi-
dates, and inquiries with reference to
their records.
Our Field Representative, Brother
Walker, has been active throughout
the month, and covered the far west-
ern part of the state, as well as some
of the northwestern communities.
Both your secretary and the field rep-
resentative participated in the Infan-
try Day program at Camp Hood,
Texas.
Los Angeles (AFLWNS).—The Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars in their annual
encampment here passed a resolution
flatly opposing the "right-to-work"
amendment sponsorel by the anti-
labor Merchants & Manufacturers
Association.
The VFW branded the measure,
which would wreck all existing union
shop contracts, as a potential incite-
ment to industrial warfare, if enacted.
THE DALLAS CRAFTSMAN
Co-operation Between the Employer and Employe for Their Mutual Benefit and Progress and Development of Dallas
labor in Dallas
per cent, employers were charged
with unfair labor practices. The re-
maining 6,790 were petitions filed by
unions and employers requesting in-
vestigation and certification of col-
lective bargaining representatves.
Almost 9 out of every 10 cases be-
fore the board were adjusted through
friendly settlement, withdrawal or dis-
missal without the necessity of formal
hearing. An additional 3 per cent
was adjusted amicably by the parties
after the board had authorized formal
hearfng. In only 279 of the unfair
labor practice cases did the board find
it necesary to issue cease and desist
orders.
The report stressed ‘the healthful
trend reflected by the continued in-
crease in the number of petitions for
elections to test employes’ choice of
bargaining representatives number of
charges of unfair labor practice
against employers.” The proportion
of election petitions to all cases filed
with the board has risen from 52 per
cent in 1938 and 63 per cent in 1942 to
76 per cent in 1943.
prominently mentioned as a possible
choice for speaker of the House at the
next session.
Blankenship was Dallas County
manager for James V. Allred in his
race for United States Senator two
years ago against W. Lee O’Daniel.
He was commended for his inde-
pendent stand against special inter-
ests and selfish groups. He was one
of the “Immortal 56" members of the
House of Representatives who blocked
the O'Daniel sales tax when• an at-
tempt was made to place that burden
on the wage-earners of Texas.
Heads Important Committee
The Dallas County representative
has been chairman of numerous 1m-
portan t committees, an dis now chair-
man of the powerful Constitutional
Amendments Committee.
He was among the first to pledge
support of the state in the present
World War, and legislation creating
the State Defense Guard was sponsor-
ed by him. He sponsored legislation
to increase allotments to old-age pen-
sioners and supported every move-
ment in their behalf; was co-spon-
sorer of legislation for the benefit
of the blind and for dependent chil-
dren.
Agreeing with the idea' that the war
veterans of the state should' not be
neglected, Mr. Blankenship co-spon-
sored legislation requiring state de-
partments to give preference of jobs
to World War veterans.
Mr. Blankenhip also co-sponsored
legislation extending the scope of
workmen’s compensation laws which
protect wage earners against losses
in industrial accidents; he was co-
author of a bill to permit Dallas
County workers to have a pension
system which is now in force.
Mr. Blankehship has been a prac-
ticing attorney since he left school
and has been active in American Le-
gion, church and civic affairs of Dal-
ias and Austin. He is a member of
the Highland Park Methodist Church,
where he serves as usher. He is mar-
ried and lives at 3800 Aberdeen.
Politics
Our Political Bulletin for the first
primary should now be in the hands
of all affiliated unions. It gives the
records of all candidates for state and
national office, from Texas, where
such records exist. It should be
carefully studied by legislative com-
mittees and by the membership. Ad-
ditional copies are available while our
supply lasts.' It is urged that steps
be taken in each individual union and
central council to see that the mem-
bership goes to the polls and votes
at the first primary, to be held July
22nd, and particular.emphasis should
be placed upon our membership at-
tending the precinct meetings, which
will be held at 7:00 o’clock at the vot-
ing place on the election evening. At
this meeting, precinct chairmen will
be selected and nominations may be
made for county chairmen. Active
participation in these precinct meet-
ings will do a great deal to offset the
recent attempt to seize control of the
political machinery of Texas by inter-
ests antagonistic to the welfare of la-
bor.
War Manpower Program
The War Manpower Commission's
plan of Priorities Referral Program
became effective July 1st. This is no
wise conflicts with the usual proced-
ure of furnishing necessary employes
through the labor unions, as has been
the custom for many years, but does
require that the most essential war
industries be given preference. Our
organizations are urged to co-operate
fully with this program.
Executive Board
On July 2nd, at the call of the pres-
ident, the Executive Board met in
Austin, and many matters of impor-
tance were discussed for the informa-
tion of the Executive Board members.
The labor defense program was dis-
cussed fully, and the present employ-
ment situation, as well as prospects
for the months ahead, were given
thorough consideration. Representa-
tives of the Austin labor movement
reported that preparations for our
representative in
that Blankenship
Washington, D. C. (AFLWNS).—
Members of the American Federation
of Labor have lived up to their no-
strike pledge better than any other
comparable group of workers in the
country, according to an official re-
port just made public by the Depart-
ment of Labor.
This report shows that while the
AFL comprises more than half of the
organized workers in the nation, its
members accounted for only 11 per
cent of the total man-days lost due
to strikes during 1943. Only 20 per
cent of the total number of strikers
were AFL workers.
By contrast, the CIO with a far
smaller membership, had 44 per cent
of the total number of strikers and
they accounted for 16 per cent of the
man-days lost.
But the most significant item in
the report revealed that unions not
affiliated with either AFL or the
CIO were responsible for 71 per cent
of the total idleness from strikes in
1943.
The chief reason for this fact was
the disastrous coal strike conducted
by the United Mine Workers Union,
which constituted the one big blot on
labor’s war record during the year.
Analysis of the figures released by
the Labor Department reveals the ef-
fective work done by leaders of both
AFL and CIO unions in halting strikes
once they started.
Although the number of strikes by
affiliates was proportionately large
the time lost was almost infinitesimal
because through the efforts of union
leaders living up to the no-strike
pledge the men were persuaded to go
back to work in a day or two in most
cases.
The nation did not receive similar
co-operation from leaders of “inde-
pendent," unaffiliated unions who, in
several instances, openly flouted the
no-strike pledge and ordered workers
to remain off the job.
One of the best records in 1943 was
made by the railroad brotherhoods,
most of which are AFL affiliates. They
engaged in only seven strikes and ac-
counted for only one-tenth of the total
workers involved in strikes.
Another interesting feature of the
report shows that jurisdictional
strikes have almost disappeared in
war-time. A few AFL-CIO disputes
cropped up to interfere with produc-
tion, but strikes caused by jurisdic-
tional troubles between two AFL, af-
filiates were virtually non-existent.
Wages were the issue at stake in
more than half the strikes—1,906 out
' ‘ f: I
1 •
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Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Reilly, Wallace. The Dallas Craftsman (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 33, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, July 21, 1944, newspaper, July 21, 1944; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1549590/m1/1/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .