The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-05-13


in which the workers of Hamilton are
keenly interested was shown by the
large audience which assembled in
the Jefferson theatre on Tuesday
evening to hear Frank Morrison, Sec
retary Of the American Federation of
Labor, and Matthew Woll, president
of the International Photo Engravers'
Union, discuss this momentous ques-
ton. Both men are members of the
executive council of the American
Federation of Labor, which is holding
its annual session in Cincinnati during
last week and this.
The theatre was crowded with
Hamilton's working men and women.
A pleasing feature of the meeting
was the large number of ladies pres
ent All classes were represented,
non-unionists as we'll as unionists
were there. In the large audience
was noticed business men, merchants,
! manufacturers and professional men.
In fact the employer was well rep
resented.
There was no music nor flowers nor
fancy decorations, the only decora-
tion being large American flag sus-
pended from the ceiling directly over
the stage, symbolic Of the American
ism and loyalty of every true union
man. But it wasn't music and deco
rations that the great turnout came
for. The large number of workers
present came to hear discussed the
questions that are closest to their
hearts these days-the open shop, un-
employment, collective bargaining,
the right to strike when necessary to
defend their rights and liberties, etc.
Nor were they disappointed, as was
shown by the frequent bursts Of ap-
plause that interrupted the speakrs
as some we'll directed shot struck
home.
No more attentive or interested
audience ever listened TO speakers
than that which attended the big
meeting of Tuesday night. The sill
ence at times seemed canny and
creepy, the listeners fairly hanging
on each word of the speakers. All
during the lengthy talks scarcely a
man left the hall, and when the speak
ers quit long burst of applause went
up that fairly shook the building.
Both men made strong pleas for or
ganization, pleading with the workers
to get together so that they can pre-
sent united front to the enemy that
would seek to destroy the ideals and
conditions of the workers today, say
ing where there is no organization Ia
Dor is helpless. The speakers admon-
ished the workers that they must al
ways respect the fairness Of the en-
ployers, that they must ever bear in
mind that they should give fair
days work for days pay, but-that
they should never cringe.
Stanley Ogg Presides
Promptly at eight o'clock the cur
tain arose. Seated on the stage with
the speakers were Stanley Ogg, presi-
dent of Trades and Labor Council, and
many local labor leaders. President
Ogg acted as chairman. In opening
the meeting in few timely remarks,
Mr.. Ogg said that Hamilton is known
in the industrial field as city OF
peace. one where the strike, as a
method of defense of the workers
rights, was seldom used. He said
that during the past three years
scarcely cloud had come to mar
the bright sky Of our industrial field
and that no shadow had overcast our
city industrially until the recent ap-
pearance of the open shop movement
at our gates. Before introducing the
speakers, Mr.. Ogg announced that ow-
ing to matters Of such vital import
ance unexpectedly arising and that
demanded his presence in Cincinnati,
President Samuel Gompers could not
be present. Through Mr.. Ogg, Presi-
dent Gompers sent his earnsst regrets