The Connecticut labor news., 1924-08-02
BY THE w AY
Comment and Criticism About Things
 Doing in the World.

One by one, the Steel Trust is losing it's "grafts"
 First it was the 12-hour workday, which the Trust fought long and say agely to retain, until pressure of pub lie opinion and a growing organization movement among the steel workers, forced a beginning at eliminating the long day
 Now it is Pittsburgh Plus" that is going. "Pittsburgh Plus" is the scheme whereby the Trust compelled buyers of steel to pay imaginary freight from Pittsburgh, though in many cases the steel was produced much nearer the purchas town or even in his town. The scheme added millions of dollars annually to the cost of steel and IS es- tinated to have cost the faTmers of eleven Western states $3000OO0O.
 After an exhaustive study of Pitts burgh Plus" the Federal Trade Com mission has decided that there is no justification for the "Plus" charge anC has ordered that it be abandoned on the ground that it is unfair competition. 'Nery likely the Trust will fight the Commissions order, but there is little doubt that Pittsburgh Plus" is doomed, along with piracy and other outworn methods of robbing the people.
 Labor will rejoice that. the Steel Trust Is being forced to "clean house." If the good work goes on, in time the steel industry may become a civilized industry, in harmony with twentieth century industrial ideals.
 New York Herald-Tribune reports that although the showdown in indus try since March has brought about fewer wage cuts than was expected, re- auctions in wage scales are becoming more numerous The Herald-Tribune mentions wage cuts in two industries, neither of which have strong labor @- ganizations, as proof that wage cuts are increasing. The strong organized trades are not mentioned and 1t IS sate to say that they are not "enjoying' many wage slashes, for the very good reason that the workers III these trades will not permit any assault on their standard of living.
 Why the Reliance Manufacturing Company, which fattens on the labor of convicts, Is so successful in enrich ing its owners is revealed by syndi- cate of bankers in circular advertising an issue of Reliance common stock The circular says:
 Tt (the Reliance company operates 17 prison factories, getting buildings rent free and also power, heat and light either free or at nominal rates. It gets its labor from state prisons and refor- matories at rates varying from a fifth to half of the cost of free plants.
 ''It started in the shirt business about g years ago with a capital of S20,00O- Net profits for the first eleven months of o122 were $999. .409,44"
 In the face of this record, 1t is easy to see why the Reliance company ani other prison labor contract firms are d II1GlldSC lO IlSS ldDOl Is IL ally "O4i- der that the organized workers are fighting the prison labor contract sys- tenn?
 Idealisml Is expressed in practical form by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners i'll the purchase of large tract of land at Lakeland Fla, for the establishment of a home for aged members,
 For years the carpenters have cher ished plan to provide for aged mem bers, many of whom spent their early years in building up the organization. Now the union IS in a position to put the plan into effect and instead of merely putting flowers on the graves of the pioneers and delivering eulogis- tic addresses at their funerals, they are doing something to make the old mem bers happy while they are still on earth
 The carpenters deserve the highest praise for their demonstration of prac- tical brotherhood. They are setting an example which organizations of all kinds might we'll initiate.
 WISDOM