Evening journal., 1921-09-03
KRAMER GIVES
LABOR VIEW
Says Employment is Great
est Need of Workers
Today
URGES BUILDING
PROGRAM NOW

the Central Labor Union. in his an
nual Labor Day address issued this
week. furnishes some interesting
facts concerning labor's activities
during the past year. Mr.. Kramer
says:
In addressing the people OF Will
mington on this occasion OF Labor
Day, 1921, It is my feeling that we
have all passed through a very dis
1eartening period, with severe unem-
ployment that has caused a general
industrial and mercantile stagnancy.
II is my hope that we are through
the worst, for nothing would ap-
peal to the labor movement and ev-
cry citizen OF Wilmington more than
to see our workers back at work at
a time when winter Is steadinly ap-
preaching and the community needs
steady and regular employment for
its workers II Wilmington Is to go
forward.
That the community decided to go
ahead with the plans for our harbor
development is one thing most grati-
flying to the trade union movement
OF Wilmington We have stood for a
harbor for years, and when the ag-
itation recently started TO postpone
the carrying out Of the plans for Will
mington's harbor. organized labor
again stepped to the front and spoke
its views on the needs OF the harbor.
which It Is hoped will guarantee
employment to several hundred.
workers.
The labor movement wants public
improvements carried forth at times
like these, so we are pleased 10 see
the way tina. the buiidiu, 4 the nav
Public Library is being expedited. |.
the Street and Sewer Dera rtmert IL
carrying on its street. paving pro-
program and private interests are
now starting building. What Will
mington needs most is steady en-
ployment for its workers-now Is
the time to build.
The organized labor movement.
just like any other large group OF
citizens, has suffered in the past year
from the terrific reconstruction pro-
gram, which 70 some means moth
ing more or less than reducing
wages and then reducing wages
some more. II is gratifying to me
however, that in many cases in the
Wilmington district. an adjustment
was reached by the employers and
The workers getting together through
their organizations and making ar
amicable settlement. each side Civ.
ing the other full consideration oi
both viewpoints. Wilmington trades
unions present a solid front. They
are connected on a business basi,
and are in business to serve the in
terests OF the members and friendl,
employers. together with the public
We realize that nothing is gained
through the following Of unsoun'
and untried doctrines. and our or
ganizations are at all times pre-
pared to meet and discuss the situa
tion with the other side.
During the year, Miss Rachel
Castelow. a member Of the Unite'
Leather Workers Union. who is alsi
member OF the national executive
council OF that organization. wa
elected to serve I'm Delaware as
voluntary organizer for women
work. on behalf Of the America
Federation OF Labor. Our woma
organizer has already entered int
the duties OF her Office and has mad
accomplishments that will no douh
tend to further build up the strengt
of the labor movement.
Wilmington organized labor no.
has a home Of its own. our Labo
Temple being at Tenth and Tatna
streets When the fact is considere
that the money already put into IN
Temple was raised in a very shoi
space of time. we will realize tina
the Labor Temple. as It now stand
Is credit to the movement. Durin
the year TO come. there is no douf
but that we will enlarge the Tempt
and be better able TO accommodate
all labor organizations desiring
use the Temple as their head
quarters.
While many or our organization
have suffered somewhat through ur
employment of their members, It
my firm belief that every organize
tion will make up whatever loss
sustained. because the working pee
pie Of Wilmington thoroughly ar
preciate the fact that "in unio
there is strength" and that whe
organizations are conducted on n
thoroughly alive basis they are COZ
Quoted in the Wilmington distric
they will go ahead and progress eac
year.
Some OF Labor's Accomplishments.
Il is generally recognized through
out the United States that the dipl'
matte handling Of the grievances
the Pullman workers in Wilmingto
who are associated with Pullma
System Federation. No. 122, Railw;
Employees Department Of the Amer
can Federation of Labor. a settl
ment was effected Of the whole nj
tional situation. which stands as
shining achievement for the Centr
Labor Union which arranged q
whole program and carried
through so successfully.
Our Central Labor Union has a
ways been reaey to aid every o
ganization requiring assistance fro
It's officers and committees. We ha
been of service to the shipya
Unions. the Railroad Labor UnioI
Trolleymen's Union. the Unit
,r Leather Workers. the Bottle Seali
Operatives. most OF the Buildi
Trades Unions and the movement
general. It is the duty OF eve
oonafide labor union in the wilmin
ton district to display a hearty /
= lerest in the activities of the Cent?
Labor Union. so II is gratifying
Us that the movement here is MAXI
5teady progress each year. with I