The Connecticut labor news., 1923-02-02
OPEN MEETING
 HUGE SUCCESS
Meriden C. L. U. Discusses Legis1a-
 tive Program and Enjoys De- lightful Social Session.

Especial to The Labor News.)
 Meriden, Feb. 1.-The regular fifth Monday open meeting of the C. L. U. was a most unexpected success from all angles. President John Lappert spoke upon the local labor conditions and gave a review of the past success and also spoke upon the action of certain locals withdrawing from the C. L. U. after becoming grown-ups and on the effect being made to have them return to assist in the work He paid special attention to the Build ing Trades and took them to task for their lack of support.
 The legislative program was out lined by Secretary Geis and he also spoke on the inequity of the so-called courts of equity and the abuse of the injunction in labor cases. Brother Barnes spoke upon the printing trades situation and the successful fight of the printing trades as a whole on the 44-hour struggle.
 Brother Murtagh spoke upon the Theatrical Stage Employees situation and was we'll satisfied with'their posi- ton today, conditions being the best they ever have been. Their victory in the struggle with the Community theater before the new management has had very beneficial effect. The new management IS very friendly and doing a fine business with all union men. #...
 Following the business session there was smoker and entertain ment. Brother Bischop broke the ice, Kastleman spread it and then every one kept the ball going. The real fun started to get under way about 10 o'clock. Sam Kelly sang a song that was enjoyed by all and for his age he certainly rendered fine piece it was the surprise of the night. old Sam, provided music, assisted by Fitzgerald, and Ed Bowling danced and sang songs What kind? Come to the next one and find out. The fun kept going until the wee small hours of the next day.
 One part the members enjoyed greatly was speech by an employer who upheld the worker in his efforts to secure proper recognition and shorter work day. The detrimental effect upon the small business man of the low wages and general degrad- ing conditions a certain group were trying to impose upon the workers behooved all workers to get into unions of their respective trades and stick for better conditions for the na- ton, community and themselves. The folly of the non-union man in paying dues as high as $4 day was plainly shown, considering that he was paying dues to tear down his own conditions. Just think of the Chamber of Commerce, more com monly known as secretary, drawing from the dues of the non-union man the paltry salary of $6,ooo per? How the tears of sympathy for the union man would gush forth in cyclones from the dearly beloved B. & M association if the secretary of the State Federation of Labor, to say nothing of a secretary of the C. L. U., received such measly sum.
 After the setback that MT. Phelps at the open forum, the Employers of Meriden has got up Monthly Bulletin containing this: e Furthermore, the right of an em- ployer to hire or dismiss employees should not in any wise, directly or indirectly, be interferred with"
 No, our dear masters should wie1d the whip and the slaves should reason not.
 Apparently the E. A. of M' has its doubts about new industries entering the kingdom of the present, for another passage reads: "If it is true that the best way to make Mer- ! iden grow is by obtaining new indus i tries, all classes should work whole i heartedly toward that end" Now just what do they mean by all classes? And why the if? Hark .ye to this: i The open shop has not for it's pur- pose the reduction of wages, the Iengthening of hours of employment, Or the lowering of the standards of or any other oppression of labor" Do you get that? 1
 According to this noble piece of literature the Connecticut Federation of Labor will have the full support of the employers association of Mer- den for 1t goes on to say that they Ire in favor of "the fullest protection for the working man in his wages, lours, and proper working conditions of health and safety"
 Perhaps the reason a slave must get permission to leave one pen to get into another is for fear he or she night get in a draught and catch cold Il his head and have to sneeze, there oy disturbing his thinking box and alling by the wayside.