davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
BANKER BLAMES LABOR FOR DELAY
 IN U. s. MAILS
Is Inefficient in All Lines of Busi- ness, Says Hartford
 Man.
BALM FOR BURLESON
Somebody Had to Be Goat" When He Declined
 Tn

Now they're blaming inefficient la bor' for the delay in the U. g. mails When Burleson, P M G., wouldn't pay any attention to administration oppon- ents any more than he did to Labor's appeals, somebody had to be blamed SO up Hartford way they are now putting 1t on labor, as the following paragraph from the Hartford Courant. indicates:
 William B. Bassett, vice-president of the Phoenix National Bank, said 'The trouble is due to inefficient labor in all lines of business. And this inefhciency is due to the fact that there are two jobs for every one man. There Is lowering office, as in every other industry, can not get the men
 Postmaster David A. Wilson, request ed for an explanation of numerous com p1aints made to the postal authorities, said: There Is undoubtedly delay in the mail service between this city and New York. This delay is due to no condition in this office If trains are on time, there should be no delay in delivery. If they are late, delays will necessarily follow"
 Insurance companies, banks, broker age offices and manufacturing companies report frequent delays, slow and slug gish serivce, and apparent inefficiency, although some attribute these conditions to traffic congestion, caused by recent storms; others are inclined to condone the laxity of the postal department on the score of abnormal labor shortages, and consequent inability to procure ade- quate help.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
MISS SHIELDS ILL.
Prominent Worker for Organized
 Labor Victim of Misfortune.

A delegation from the Tobacco Strip pers' union appeared before the New Haven Trades Council at its meeting, Thursday evening, to acquaint the dele gates with the illness of, Miss Helen Shields, a member of that local and for long time it's delegate to the Council. It was stated that she was seriously i'll and the situation is made doubly de- plorable by the fact that her mother has been bedfidden for number of years.
 Miss Shields is one of the best known women i'll the ranks of Organized Labor i'll New Haven and has always been an indefatigable worker for the benefit of the movement often at great self sacrifice. Owing to her illness, it was reported bv the delegation, assistance for herself and her mother is urgently needed
 Several delegates expressed great ap- preciation for the work which Miss Shields has done for the cause and i'm mediate steps toward her relief were advocated with the result that com mittee was appointed to confer with the Tobacco Shippers union in relation to the best plan to be followed. The mat ter will be brought to the attention of all affiliated unions at once.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
PUBLISHERS AGREE TO
 INCREASE FOR PRINTERS
Give Bonus and Men On Daily Papers Resume Old
 Jobs.

The trouble between the printers and the publishers of the New Haven daily papers, which caused their suspension a few weeks ago, is now settled and prac- tically all the printers are back on their jobs. Many of the men who resigned and left town to work have returned and more are returning daily so that the papers are about normal again.
 The trouble was adjusted last Satur- day when the Typographical Union as whole adopted new agreement with the newspapers by which the scale of pay through a bonus of S4 week ald the operation of $1 raise due May l, is brought up to $35 a week and is about average with what is paid in near by cities At this rate 1t IS figured that printers can now be induced to come here and that the wearing overtime" which was in reality the cause of the trouble, will soon be remedied.
 The publishers met with commit tee of the Typographical union on Fri day last and after some discussion agreed to supplement to the existing contract granting the increase and it became effective last Saturday. Mean time the papers had been coming out without any explanation of the trouble. leaving the impression that the union had violated its contract as was boldly stated in flare sheets" the day the papers suspended.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
NEW HAVEN ROAD WORKERS DID NOT
 LAX DURING WAR
Return Road Better Than Ever Before" Says Vice
 President.
MEN ARE SATISFIED
Accept Assurances That Present Working Conditions Will
 
 Continue.

The workers on the New Haven Railroad system from the executives down, not only did not allow the road to run down while 1t was under gov ernment control but returned 1t to its private owners better than ever" ac- cording to a statement made by Vice President E. c. Buckland this week after the roads were returned. There fore A8he cartoon and other jokes show ing the government handing back piles of junk instead of up-to-date railroads, doesn't apply here, any more than 1t applies anywhere else throughout the country for that matter, as those op- posed to the workers plan for govern rnent ownership put forth as propaganda against such policy being adopted. Railroad experts point out that the rail roads are in better shape becauseAof the fact that the government did not hesi- tate to spend money for improvements.
 '"The New Haven road is in better shape than ever before and now will do a bigger business than previously" said Mr. Buckland
 Everything will be resumed and go on as before the government took con- charge. They can say that during fed
 
 up. -E E.- .r
 There Is, however, a scarcity of rails, and we are 15,0O0 to 10000 tons short, and we also are somewhat short of bal ast. ..
 But the motive power is as good as ever except for the last storms, and we are busy repairing the damage. Should the rush of passenger business kep Up %IaoT1 fn rac ger cars"
 The mechanics are satisfied for the present, at least, with the assurances from President Wilson, backed up by statements from the heads of the roads, that wages and hours will remain the same under private as under federal control. The 5000 1aborers on the New Haven will not strike, as they have been assured that their grievances over wages will be adjusted by means of arbitra ton.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
ANOTHER BOYHOOD AMBITION FADES
 THRU' HIGH COSTS
No One Wants to Be a Policeman at Present
 Wages.
CAN'T EAT BUTTONS
And Honor Isn't Filling, 38 Men Tell New Haven
 Board.

The glory of swinging club and be- ing adorned with brass buttons, the am b1tlon of almost every man from boy hood, doesn't appeal any more evidently from the experience of the New Haven police commission this week. That is, it doesn't appeal at the rate of pay a "cop' is getting these days of high costs. Therefore and thereof of the 38 .supernumaries called in by the board to be looked over for appointment as regulars not one could be gotten to take the jobs, although some three or four did say they might look them over later when conditions became normal again.
 While 1t might ordinarily look like a put up job" to boost the wage scale, the facts make it different as each of the men was summoned i'll individually by Chief Smith and the questions put to him by the commissioners. They all liked the honor of being a policeman but to man declared that honor wasn't very good nourishment for themselves and families, and declined to quit jobs they are holding at present where they are getting somewhere near enough to buy somewhere near enough to eat and wear.
 The board was informed by the men that they earn good wages from pri- vate concerns and are filling i'll as police men nights to make a few extra dol lars so that they can support their families. One man seemed to think that $50 a week is hardly sufficient to sup port a family of half dozen.'
 Unable to get list of supernumer- aries for regular appointment the police board has before the civil service board a request for an examination of candi- dates. .-..-.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
EX-SHERIFF VOLLMER,
 GOOD UNION MAN, DEAD
Fairfield County Official Sue cumbs to Sleeping Sickness
 Following Flu.

William Vollmer, former sheriff of Fairfield county and for many years chief of police of Norwall. died at his home in Norwalk this week, of sleep ing sickness" with which he was at tackled week before. He was in per feet health until short time ago when attacked by the flu" with the result that he sank into a coma from which he could not be reused.
 With his passing also passed staunch friend of organized labor no matter in what position he was politically. In his days before becoming police chief, MT. Vollner was a cigarmaker and an ardent union man. When entering pub lie life he did not cast his union aside but all through his career retained his membership in the union and carried his card. In the hat and other troubles that occurred in his. district his friendly attitude went a long ways toward keep ing peace. His death is genuinely re- gretted by labor men all over the state.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
LABOR LAUNCHES POLITICAL FORCES
 IN CONNECTICUT
Federation Officers Lay Plans Before Central Labor
 Unions.
HEARTILY ENDORSED
Torrington and Norwich Bodies Begin Task of Electing
 Friends.

With two specially called Central Labor Union meetings held this week in far separated towns of the state at the request of officers of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, and with in- dividual action by many other central and local bodies, Organized Labor's political campaign got well under way in Connecticut this week. The special meetings were held in Torrington on Sunday, and Norwich on Tuesday, and both were addressed by Secretary Ira M Ornburn of the C. F. of L., who out lined the plans developed by the state executive board and ready for opera tiQn now throughout this jurisdiction. The slogan of 'elect our friends and defeat our enemies" will be followed religiously throughout the campaign
 Both meetings were largely attended and the delegates took enthusiastically to the movement and pledged their hearty cooperation. Similar meetings will be held as rapidly as the state off, cers can get around to them and be- fore the month is out Organized Labor in Connecticut will be presenting a united front in the campaign. While national affairs will naturally this year, occupy large part of the time, state offices will by no means be overlooked but strenuous effort made to increase the number of friends of labor in the State Legislature.
 Incidentally with the political cam paign, general organization work was also taken up and in Torrington plans laid out for drive among all the workers in that section. While the labor movement has been growing steadily in Torrington, its growth discloses that the time Is now ripe for general move ment and 1t will be undertaken.
 At the Norwich meeting Organizer Hugh J. Garland of the Ladies' Gar ment Makers, also addressed the meet ing and made arrangements for organ ization of a branch of that organiza- ton in that section of the state. There are several hundred such workers there, mostly employed in branch of the Warner Corset Works of Bridgeport which has very fair working agree ment with the workers, and therefore no trouble is expected in Norwich.
 Incidentally while the. officers were over in that section of the state they assisted with the organization of new building laborers union at New Lon dens which started off with about 90 members. It will immediately affiliate with the local Central bodies and then with the State Federation.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
HARTFORD (. |. U. TO
 GO ALONE IN POLITICS
Declines to Unite With Labor
 Generally in Non-Partisan Move.

The Hartford Central Labor Union is not only not going to join with all the rest of Organized Labor in Con- necticut and practically throughout the country and play non-partisan hand in politics, but is going to go 1t alone as a third party, according to action by that body on Wednesday night. The Hartford organization has already placed ticket in the field in the coming city election there and voted on Wednesday to answer the communica- ton from the A. F. of L. that it would not take part in the non-partisan plan proposed. Secretary Trommer was in structed to so inform President Com pers.
 The action was expected from Hart ford which is sore at past performances of the big parties in ignoring or bury ing labor men. It decided a year ago to go it. alone and took quite a shot at some unfriendly aldermen and defeated them. This year it decided to put full ticket in the field in the city campaign and has done so.> Timothy Crowley this week filed the list of nominees with the town clerk and registered the party with the secretary of state.
 Whether or not the Hartford body will follow the same course III the gen. eral fall elections or will join with other labor men in defeating their enemies and electing their friends to Congress, national and state officers remains to be seen. To put up fall ticket would be practically to throw so many votes away, labor men in other sections be- lieve and would be playing right into the camps of the political enemies that 1t is hoped to defeat.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
RUSH TO COMBAT LABOR'S POLITICAL
 PLANS THIS YEAR
Enemies Declare A. F. of l.. Most Dangerous Force in
 Politics.
UNITE TO FIGHT IT
'Conference' in St. Louis Quick ly Follows to Save
 Congress"

Organized Labor's entry into the political field in an effort to secure jus t1ce at the hands of Congress and in state matters, hit bulls eye first shot, as hardly had the decision of the Labor Congress to carry on a non-partisan light to elect its friends and defeat it's enemies been announced, than the enc mics got busy and began plans for de- feating those aims. Out in St. Louis this week at a hastily gathered confer ence of representative business men of the Middle West states" the American Federation of Labor was denounced as THE MOST DANGEROUS FORCE IN AMERICAN POLITICS" and plans made to knock 1t out
 The conference" resolved itself into the Commercial Federation of America and organized with the avowed purpose of fighting radicalism':
 Harry M. Haldeman of Los Angeles was chosen permanent chairman of the conference. He announced a meeting would be held in New York shortly to natlonalize the organization.
 Speakers asserted the organization must work i'll the forthcoming political campaign to prevent such organizations as the American Federation of Labor, the Non-Partisan League and the Peoples League, sSom gaining control of the next Congress. s. H. Ha1stead, of Pasadena, i'll an address said:
 ''The American Federation of Labor today is the most dangerous force in American politics and we want this or ganization to become large enough and strong enough to combat the American Federation of Labor by removing the fear of that body from the minds of our politicians and office holders"
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
WORKERS RIGHTS
 ARE RECOGNIZED
 FOR FIRST TIME
Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Takes Big Step for
 Justice.
WILL SOLVE PROBLEM
Admits Labor's Right to Choose Outside Advocate to Act
 for Him.

Recognizing that Labor has some rights that should and must be con- sidered by the employer and that he should freely be permitted to be advised by an outside advocate or advisor of his own choosing in the negotiations with the employer, the Cleveland, O., Cham Der of Commerce went long way this week when through its committee on labor relations, 1t formulated labor relations policy" said to be the first in the country where definite policy has been planned for community of a group of leaders of industry and labor The plan IS closely along Organized Labor's efforts for years past and IS a virtual recognition of many of Labor most insistent claims.
 The declaration represents the cumu- lative efforts of the committee in re- cent months, following the efforts of President Wilson's round table confer ence to suggest solution of industrial problems. Warren s. Stone, grand chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- g1neers, is a member of the committee
 Representative negotiations is the term used by the committee to replace collective bargaining and as defined pro- vides for negotiations between an en- ployer and committee of his employees aided, if they desire, by competent ad- vocate or adviser to their own choosing. This plan is similar to the method used by the railroad brotherhoods and IS equally applicable to the shop commit tee method.
 Progressive, recommendations of the committee includes advice to employ CTS to take the workers into their con- fdence and to place before their em- ployes financial and other information concerning their enterprises.
 The committee opposes eompulsion by either employer or employe to main tain a union or non-union shop, but recognizes the possibility of mutual agreement, of this character
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
WOMAN ATTACKS BILL
 TO AMEND LABOR LAW
Suffrage Leader Resents Attempt
 to Cut Out Pro tection.

New York, March 5.-Because she be- lieves 1t solely revenge and a reaction ary move Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip, chairman of the New York State League of Women Voters, has attacked the bill introduced by Assemblyrnan Charles H. Betts to amend the labor law so as to remove all restrictive 1egis1a- tlon on women.
 "It is amazing to me-" said Mrs. Van derlip, "that such reactionary 1egis1a- ton to destroy all the safeguards to protect women in industry could be pro- posed. The bill would strike out the provisions that no woman shall be em- ployed in any factory, mercantile estab- lisllment or restaurant more than six days, or 54 hours week, or for nine hours day, or before 6 a. m or after 9 p. m. It was drawn, according to Mr. Betts to give women economic equality, inasmuch as they now have political equality.
 We shall not allow working women to be attacked by reactionary legisls- ton hiding, as does this, under the cloak of an ultra feminist doctrine of equal opportunity"
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
STATE BOARD FAVORS
 TEACHERS PAY RAISE
Recommends Increase of at Least 50 Per Cent. Over
 1916.

The state board of education this week adopted recommendations regard ing increasing salaries of teachers 50 per cent.
 The recommendation follows:
 "An increase of at least 50 per cent. in salaries of teachers in public schools over those obtained in 1o16, ought to be made for the following reasons:
 There has been serious decline i'll the purchasing power of money.
 Many other vacations attractive by reason of wage and nature of occupa- .tion have opened to men and women and have diverted young persons of talent from teaching. With the present wage teaching does not present any hope of financial competence or even modest subsistence,
 Upon teachers depend in large meas ure the welfare of this commonwealth and the existence. and stability of free institutions.
 Therefore, this board heartily ap- proves reasonable efforts to make the salaries in public schools reasonable reward for responsibility and service and to attract and attach to the pro fession the vigorous life of our edu- cated young men and women"
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
ANTI DRY WAVE HITS
 COUNTRY WITH BANG
Even Former Advocates Now Turning Against Law, :.
 Events Show.

The anti-prohibition wave seems now to have struck the country like blast, not this time through the force of the hard workers, but in Congress, society, business and all walks of life which are beginning to wake up to the fact that they do not like the way the thing was put over on the country. In Congress Thursday while bill calling for the re- peal of the law was voted down prompt 1y notice was served that whenever and wherever appropriation bills for the en- forcement of the law came up, they would be sadd1ed with riders as was the War Food Bill which first made pro- hlbltlon possible.
 Up York State way where the 1egisla- ture is proceeding to investigate the methods and doings of the Anti-Saloon league, prohibitions most active advo- cate except possibly w. Jennings Bryan, even clergymen, former mem bers of the league, are coming forward and offering to assist in the probe, one at least declaring himself disgusted and that prohibition is being used to cloak other ulterior' ends.
 In our own state the duties hereto fore resting with Collector Walsh in en- forcing prohibition were this week turn ed over to Julius Stremlau, former president of the C. F, of L. Simu1tane- ous almost was announced the return of Emil L. c. H. Hohenthal from, as the Hartford Courant styles it. "A dry trip" through New York state. According to the Courant he waited on Enforcement Officer Shevlin in New York and in formed him the prohibition advocates i'll this state would be right behind him Frank Fitzpatrick of Waterbury, who was assigned to this district for en- forcement has been transferred to New York in the narcotic department.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
TROLLEYMEN NOT TO
 BREAK AGREEMENT
Discuss Wage Increases Expected When Contract Ends
 in June.

Hartford, March 5-"No demands there isn't the single possibility that the trol1eymen will break the agreement with the company, which does not ex- pire until next June" Frank O'Meara, business agent of the local branch of the Ama1gamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees said at the close of a gathering of Connecticut Company employees on the Hartford division. The meeting for the night men in the Machinists' hall ill the after noon and that of day men in the even ing drew large attendances. .t--
 MT. O'Meara said that an increased wage scale to take effect on expiration of the agreement was discussed and that the men hope the company will make substantial concessions.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
(. F. OF L. CONVENTION
 TO BE IN K. OF (. HALL
Waterbury C.. L. U. and State Board Arrange Meeting
 Details.

At meeting with the officers and committe of the Waterbury Central Labor Union this week, Secretary Orn- burn and the executive board of the Connecticut Federation of Labor made the preliminary arrangements for the state convention to be held in Waterbury on June and 10, this year. The con vention will be held in K. of C. hall at 13O Grand street, Waterbury.
 The executive board of the C. F. of L. will meet in headquarters at New Haven a week from tomorrow to furth- CT discuss plans for the convention and the general political work. A number of other important matters are also due for discussion at the meeting
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
R. R. UNION LEADERS
 TO WAIT ON OFFICERS
Delay Naming Their Delegates to Wage Confer
 ence.

Washington, March 5.-Railroad brotherhood leaders, who are still in Washington, may meet informally with officials of the roads preliminary to the actual beginning of wage. negotiations. As result of a suggestion to this eff feet, the union leaders took no action toward naming their representatives on the bipartisan board provided for in the transportation and which they were urged to do by President Wilson.
 Director General Hines had not been advised of the selections of the asso- citation of railway executives, to which the President sent note but no long delay was anticipated.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
WATCHMEN RAISE WAGES.

New York, March 5.-After three weeks negotiation Port Watchmen's Protective union No. 17,121, affiliated with the A. F. of L., has reduced the work day from F to eight hours and increased the>weekly minimum wage of $1o and $22 to $28. All port watchpen in Greater New York are benefited. This union was organized last October and now numbers several hundred. Within the next few months, 1t is declared, the membership will be 5000.
The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06
TAILoRS WANT RAISE.

Stamford, March 5.-Journeymen Tailors' Union, Local 126 this week pre- sented demands for an increase in wages so as to bring the weekly scale to a minimum of $50. No trouble is antici- pated as many of the men now receive that wage. A proportionate increase is asked for those nor getting what will he the new r11inirIsA