The Semi-weekly leader., 1920-01-21
BILBO PREDICTS
LABOR TROUBLES
Urges Department of Labor
Says BOgalusa Incident May
be Repeated.

threatened with labor trouble in
the shipyards at Pasgagoula that may
result in repetition of the Bogalu-
sa incident, Governor Bilbo appeared
in person before the House this morn
ing and read farewell message urg-
ing the immediate passage of laws
creating a Department of Labor.
The Governor stated that he has
had an investigation of this therat-
ened trouble under way for some
time and has made his successor,
Governor-elect Russell, thoroughly
conversant with the situation. He
predicted that when the railroads are
turned back to their owners the state
is likely to have lockouts and strikes
galore, and ought to prepare for
these troubles by forming a depart
ment of labor.
The Governors Final Message
Gentlemen of the Mississippi Legis-
lature:
There could be no more fitting
and proper conclusion of my official
services as the Chief Executive of
Mississippi than to let my last and
final effort be in behalf of organized
and unorganized labor of our state.
No class of our citizenship deserves
more consideration at the hands of
your honorable body than the toilers
of the commonwealth. The rich and
Ighty- are abundantly able u hire
the best talent to plead their ~ause
in the press, the legislative halls and
the courts of our country, but not
SO with the toiler and for this reason
let me beg of you to give then a lis
tening ear when they come with their
causes of complaint and their plead
ings for recognition of their rights
and just compensation for the tolls
Of their labor. Therefore, let me urge
you in a farewell message to organ
ize, properly equip and adequately
support Bureau of Labor-a clear
ing house for the benefit of the en-
ployer and employed, bringing them
together, which should greatly as
sist in bringing about better harmo-
ny as between the two and promote
the material and industrial develop
ment Of oru state.
This department could well be
combined with the present depart
ment of Factory Inspector, making
tigate and report to the proper au-
thorities all labor and industrial dis
putes, and, at the same time, see to
it that all laws and regulations for
the protection and welfare of the la
borers OF the state are properly en-
forced. am sure that the imperative
need of this suggested legislation
will appeal to you gentlemen when
you remeber that Mississippi and the
nation are now entering upon the
greatest industrial period in the his
tory of the world.
The rights of labor, organized
and unorganized must not only be
known and recognized, but protect
ed by the powers that be. Let me
express the hope that you gentle
men will give these suggestions the
consideration that they deserve. 1
max this last and final plea for the
sake of the millions who fight our
battles in time of war and bear the
burden of the world in time of peace.
"One other question / desire to
present for your thoughtful consid-
GRAFTON: Not all automobile garages
and repair shops are unjust to their
customers, but l am sure that I will
strike a resonsive chord when I sug-
gest to you that you pass a lew es-
tablishing a Mechanical Examiners
Board before which mechanics must
take an examination before they are
permitted to repair and work upon
the trucks and automobiles of the
state, charging one dollar to one dol
lar and half per hour for their SER
vices.
Il do not begrudge wages earned
by any man who tolls, but / do con-
tend that when a mechanic charges
a dollar to dollar and a han per
hour for his labor upon any piece
of machinery, he should be qualified
to deliver good and efficient services.
l am reliably informed that a great
many repair shops and garages of the
state employ absolutely inexperienc-
ed men and boys to do this class of
work, paying them a small salary or
wage and then charging their custo-
mers an abnormal price per hour for
the time practically wasted upon the
customers machine. In a great many
cases expensive cars are practically
ruined as result of the inexperience
of these amateurs. This is not right
and I believe that the people should
be protected in this respect.
Il make this observation and re-
commendation for your consideration.
Theodore G. BilDo,
Governor"
Labor Trouble Experienced.
Shortly before adjournment Of the
House, Mr.. Johnson, of Jackson OBJ
tanned recognition and stated that he
desired to make a statement andsfile
an exhibit in reference to Governor
Bilbo's message regarding pending
labor troubles at Pascagoula.
Mr.. John placed on the clerks
desk a photograph of 80 delegates,
19 negroes and 13 whites, who at
tended the convention of the Timber
Workers Union of Mississippi, Ala
bama and Louisiana, held at Meridi-
an on October 9Th last.
In the middle Of the group appears
H. c. Franck, the labor agitator who
was recently ordered to leave Pas
cagoula, because of the troubles he
had stirred up in the shipyards at
that place.
Mr.. Johnson was followed by Mr..
Cain, OF Jackson, citizen of Pasca-
goula, and member of the Boiler Max
er's Union. Mr.. Cain made brief
statement in explanation Of the labor
troubles, and declared his belief that
Franck is member of the I. w. W.,
but in spite of this, he was elected
vice-president of the Mississippi Fed
Grafton of Labor at the recent con-
vention in this city.
"He ought to be kicked out of the
state, and the people of Pascagoula
were right in ordering him to leave
that place." declared Mr.. Cain.