The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-05-19
Trade lJniOnistS Are Re-
minded Of the Hatters'
Plight.

Washington, May 19.--In cir
cuiar issued ITO all international
and national unions and their local
unions; to all state and city central
bodies and to all local uniops,' the
executive council of the American
Federation of Labor makes this self
explanatory statement:
"On December Is, 1915, a circu-
lar letter was issued to you asking
you to give the wages of an hour
of your labor on Hatters' day, Jan
uary 27, 1916, to the assistance of
the hatters of Danbury, Ccnn.,
who found themselves In serious
plight as the consequence of their
historic service in the struggle for
industrial freedom.
"On January 28ard several days
succeeding, the newspapers spread
broadcast exaggerated statements
of the amounts that had been CEN
tributed by the members of organ
ICED labor. The result of this mis-
information was to create the i'm
preston that more than enough
money had been contributed to re-
lieve the Danbury hatters from any
loss that they might suffer from
the threefold damages fixed by the
courts and of the litigation.
Whether or not this misinformation
disseminated by the press was in
territorial. 1t was detrimental to the
purpose the organized labor move
meut sought to achieve in designa-
ting January 27 as Hatters' day,
and In asking every union workman
to contribute the value of one
hours pay to the hatters' cause.
"The amount raised through
contributions on that day was
S132, 138.5 55. This leaves about
Sill, 600 yet to be raised.
The purpose of this circular is
to appear to all workers who have
not yet contributed, TO ask them
now to make their contributions to
the hatters' cause.
UNLESS something is done, upon
the Danbury hatters in their old
age must fall great sufferings and
the loss of their homes as a result
of an effort to establish principles
that are of fundamental i'm portance
to all of the workers of this country.
All workers who did not contribute
on January 27, 1916, are earnestly
requested to contribute the wages
of an hours labor on Thursday,
Jnne Is, 1916. No one can calcu-
late the influence of the hatters'
case in establishing the need for
the remedial constr uctive legisla
tien contained in the labor sections
of the Clayton anti trust act.
These sections establish, so far as
the jurisdiction of federal courts Is
concerned, an opportunity for free
dom for all the workers of this
country.
"The principles contained in this
federal law are a precedent that
opens up the way fer the enactment
of state legislation for the same
purpose. Those who have contri-
buted and feel that they would like
to do something more TO prevent |
distress falling upon the Danbury |
Hatters, may have this additional |
TO help in this cause
Let me urge that this matter be
taken up at the next meeting of
your organization and that every |
member of your organization do his
full duty to the cause.
Pay the hours wages to the
secretary of your union, who will
transmit the same to Frank Morri-
son, Secretary, American Fedora
ton of Labor, Ouray building,
Washington, D. c. The officers
and members of the great rank and
file are all urged to promptly give
this appeal their earnest, favorable
and sympathetic consideration and
action"