The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-06-20

ltIcS tOOh no dCIlou uHCii Lie young
man who was kidnapped swore out
warrants for the arrest of the five
men who had captured him, practic-
ally under the eyes of local police
men and the foundry foreman. When
the case came to trial it was impos-
sible to positively identify more than
one of the five kidnapers. The Judge
assumed responsibility of modifying
the charges in the warrant, after
which the Holland Furnace Com
pany's employe pleaded guilty, and
was released upon the payment of a
nominal fine The company's atti-
tude toward the matter being indi-
Gated by his immediate re-employ-
ment in the foundry.
Through the friendly activities of
the Chicago Federation of Labor a
final conference was held, at which
representatives of the Sheet Metal
Workers and the Molders met the
company's representatives A propo-
sition was made by our organization
which, in effect, provided for the re-
employment of the strikers in Cedar
Rapids, the establishing Of an 8-hour
day (Which is universal in the mold
ing trade), the application of one
shop rule (Which is also universal in
this branch of the molding Industry
and leaving the question of wages an
open one to be taken up locally. In
reply the company notified the presi-
dent of the International Molders'
Union that they "would not change
their open shop policy"
The Holland Furnace Company has
a friendly understanding with the
Sheet Metal Workers Union, the
members of this union being those
who, in addition to placing sheet
metal work around the furnace, in
stall the furnace in the home. The
Holland Furnace Company shrewdly
realizes that an effort to erect fur
naces in homes with non-union men
would bring it into conflict with the
building trades throughout the coun-
try, but the Holland Furnace Com
pany also apparently believes that it
can succeed in making its furnaces
in it's foundries with non-union help.
prevent its molders from becoming
members of the International Mold
ers' Union, work them nine and ten
hours a day, and pay them wages in
some instances less than half of that
paid to union molders, provided its
agents continually make the state
ment that the company's policy is
friendly toward organized labor, and
that its furnaces are erected in the
homes by union men.
The efforts of our organization to
affect a settlement have all failed.
The International Molders' Union has
gone more than half way to meet
the company, and has been met with
the insolent and emphatic statement
that it would continue to carry out
its open shop policy in the foundry.
The International Molders' Union
places these facts before you because,
as a part of the American trade
union movement, it is entitled to the
moral support of organized labor
friends.
Furnaces made by members of the
Molders' Union working under friend
ly agreements with foundrymen, are
being produced throughout the coun-
try, and enclosed is list of these
firms. We are asking you to give
us your active, moral support by
acquainting your members with the
reasons which have compelled the In
ternational Molders' Union to reach
the conclusion that the Holland Fur
mace Company is hostile to the Inter
national Molders' Union, and unfair
to us in it's attitude. We are asking
you to assist US by using your inf1u-
ence to see that union made furnaces
only are installed.
Fraternally yours,
VICTOR KLEIBER, Sec'y.
M CEnJTHu