The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-08-21
OPEN Up TRIAL
OF e WORKERS
in BELLEvILLE
Labor Stands Firmly
Behind Strikers
BY KARL REEVE
(Staff Writer, Daily Worker)


agreement with the Amalga-
mated Clothing Workers, local
union No. 107.
The strike of the girls who
under open shop conditions
were forced to work for an
average of ten dollars a week
is to be the chief topic of dis
cussion at the Central Trades
and Labor council in the union
hall tonight. The DAILY
WORKER reporter has been
invited to speak.
Boss Broke Agreements.
The strike occurred when the Mey-
ers. factory broke their agreement
with the Amalgamated to extend
wage increase at the end of the pres
ent six months agreement, which ex-
pired some weeks ago. When this
agreement was signed, the eight-hour
day was installed, the union was rec
ognized, and it was agreed to confer
on an increased wage scale at the
end Of six months. Samuel Auerbach,
vice president of the company, how
ever, suddenly switched, refused tc
meet the union officials and declared
he intended to run an open shop. The
girls were Immediately called on
strike, and every employe responded.
Judge George Crow, who last week
granted an Injunction against pick
citing, is well known in Belleville as
a labor hater. He has granted injunc-
lions against labor before, in the Bell
Telephone strike five years ago and
in a more recent strike of road build.
ers. Crow draws his support from
the conservative farmers of St. Claire
county.
Trial VS.. Movies.
The trial has thrown the movie
shows here in eclipse. Not only was
the courtroom crowded today with the
mothers and fathers of the arrested
girls, but with scores of members of
organized labor. The corridors are
filed with workers unable to gain adj
mission to the trial.
Judge Grow is a redfaced, puny lit
tie man with glasses, resembling
Judge Foell, the aide Of the Chicago
garment bosses, except that Crow
snaps out his orders in dictatorial II
will not be denied" fashion. Grow
finally started the trial after postpon-
ing 1t four hours yesterday. He
pleaded he had another case to think
over, but one miner said, "Crow is a
fast liver, and no doubt was out on
a booze party last night. He is prob
ably SOLDERING up"
You're not allowed to crack a
smile In the courtroom" one of the
defendants told me. Grow will put
you right out The trial is a farce.
Every one knows Crow works hand
In glove with the Meyers manage
ment."
Cop Refuses seab Duty.
The testimony developed that Po-
lice Officer Henry Reichling, who was
assigned to strike duty by Chief Of
Police Charles Arbergast, refused to
obey the orders of Sam Auerbach,
and was reprimanded by the chief
Auerbach came running out of his fac
tory, II developed, wildly excited, de-
handing that Reichling escort the
strikebreakers into the factory and
act as general servant to the pants
factory. Reichling, while he said he
was always ready to do his duty, was
not paid by the city to act as a strike
breaker. For this he was cited by
Crow at the instance of the police
chief for contempt Of the anti-picket-
ing injunction.
Those hailed to court for trial be-
fore Crow include AL Teel William
Zinser, William Christopher and other
representatives OF the Belleville
Trades and Labor Assembly.
Negro Is Delegate.
Arthur Renfro, one Of the defend
ants, who is a well-educated colored
lad, has been honored by the Anal
,gamated local union as a delegate to
the Trades Assembly.
other defendants include Lucille
Boyce, president OF Local Union LOT,
Amalgamated Clothing Workers;
Alice Jones, secretary; Mary Hearen,
Katherine Frazier, Louise Whereby,
Anita Reisser, Adele Sointene, Alice
Huber. Lillian Boyce. Lucille Mueller,
Mary Straubinger, Emilia Schwartz,
Florence Conkling, Arthur Renfro,
Anna b. Schwalb, Helen Schwartz,
Anan Fuchs and George Kraus.
Altho most of the strikers are girls.
the few men working in the plant
have come out with the girls, making
the strike 100 per cent effective. Aft
er last weeks sad failure TO import
strikebreakers, Auerbach closed the
doors Of the factory and gave up try
ing to operate.
Distribute bundle Of the DAILY
WORKERS frat special Campaign Edi-