davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
Toilers Tricked By Packers;
Pension Plan To Get Them To
Accept Low Wages Abandoned

Chicago, Ill.--Tricked into accept
ing low wages because of the Morris
pension plan, only to lose his pit
tance when the Morris packing plant
merged with Armour, R. H. Kunz
was pitiful figure as he told his
story to Circuit Judge Ryner.
Kunz testified in suit of score
of former Morris employees who are
suing to have their pensions con-
tinued. They told the court that the
pension fund was organized Is years
ago and each employe was compelled
to contribute 3 per cent of their earn
ings to the fund
Kunz told the court that while en-
ployed at the Morris plant he received
offers from other concerns at higher
wages, but in both instances, he said,
Il turned them down after comforting
with the manager of my own COM
pany"
"He told me that the life pension
benefits more than made up the differ
ence in salary and that l owed it to
my family to guarantee them the
comforts of life when l was too old
to work He said the Morris family
was behind the pension program, and
that there were millions to back up
the disbursements"
Other pensioners told heart-break-
ing stories of this double-dealing cor
poration that held workers to their
low-wage tasks on the plea that their
pensions and life of ease in their
old age would make up the difference
Now these old men find that their
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08

pension has disappeared and the Nor
ris Company is absorbed by rival.
The Morris family rendered a gift
of S500,000 to the pension fund, but
several million dollars is needed to
meet the funds obligations. The pen
sioners have been offered the money
they contributed, plus per cent in
terest. A return of their money,
however, does not recompense them
for higher wages many of them were
offered by other concerns, and which
were rejected by the pensioners who
believed the golden promises of the
Morris Company.
The suit is a reminder of trade
union opposition to boss-controlled
benefactions of every sort. Like
every plan that has been designed to
control the worker and stem the
spirit of self action that glows in
every human breast, it has gone
astray," says the Union Leader, pub
lished by the Amalgamated Associa-
tion of Street Car Men.
while the newspapers, college in
dustrialists and sentimentalists were
parading the virtues of the Morris
employees pension plan, hard-headed
trade unionists, who have been
through many an industrial struggle,
proclaimed it nothing but PROMISE"
the Union Leader said. ct was the
hay suspended by the old darkey in
front of the horses head to keep him
going-always in sight but never in
raaob
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08

the great masses of the people every
where who stand for freedom, justice,
democracy and human progress, to
rally in this campaign to the end that
the representative of reaction and
special interests may be defeated and
the faithful friends and servants of
the masses elected.
Cooperation hereby urged is not
a pledge of Identification with an in
dependent party movement or a third
party, nor can it be construed as
support for such a party, group or
movement except as such action ac-
cords with our non-partislan political
policy. We do not accept government
as the solution of the problems of
life. Major problems of life and la
Dor must be dealt with by voluntary
groups and organizations, of which
trade unions are an essential and in
tegral part. Neither can this CO.
operation imply our support, accept
ance or endorsement of policies or
principles advocated by any minority
groups or organizations that may see
fit to support the candidates. of Sen
ator LaFollette and Senator Wheeler
In the campaign to elect men to
congress, regardless of their political
group or party affiliation and deserv-
ing of labors support, there must be
unity of purpose and method, there
fore leadership must lie with the only
organization having the right to speak
for the entire labor movement. In
this the American Federation of La
Dor yields to none but will maintain
steadfast its leadership guidance and
direction.
In the selection and election of men
to public office within the several
states, leadership must lie with our
State Federations of Labor and in
city or county elections this right
must rest with central labor bodies.
Organized labor owes allegiance to
no political party or gfoup. It is par
tisan to principles-the principles of
freedom, of justice, of democracy.
1t is the duty of trade unionists,
their friends and sympathizers, and
all lovers of freedom, justice and
democratic ideals and institutions to
unite in defeating those seeking pub
lie office who are Indifferent or hostile
to the peoples rights and interests.
1t is the duty of all to support
such candidates to public office who
have been fair, just and outspoken
AMERICAN FEDERATION-3 :. -.
in behalf of the welfare of the COM
mon people.
We shall analyze the record and
attitude of every aspirant to public
office and shall give our findings the
widest possible publicity. Labor's
enemies and friends must be clearly
known and be definitely indicated.
In calling upon all affiliated and
recognized national and international
and brotherhood organizations, State
Federations of Labor, central labor
bodies, local unions, labor's friends
and sympathizers, to give united, un-
restricted, loyal and active support
to the non-partisan campaign now set
in motion, we emphasize the impera-
tive need of an intensive educational
campaign to enable all to act with
discrimination and wisdom in this
election, and to stand faithfully by
our friends and lect them and to op-
pose our enemies and to defeat them
SAMUEL GOMPERS,
FRANK MORRISON,
JAMES O'CONlJELL,
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08

BY international Labor News Service
Atlantic City. Senator Robert
Marion LaFollette will be supported
by American labor for the presidency
as result of the endorsement of his
candidacy and that of Senator Wheel
er, by the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor here.
The endorsement is clear-cut, sup.
porting LaFollette and Wheeler as
Independent candidates. The report
shows the great superiority of the in
dependent platform, taking it ur
point by point 1t condemns the re-
publican and democratic platforms
without reserve, pouring hot shot
into both documents for their repudia-
tion of the interest of the people.
The councils report steers clear OF
third party proposals or possibilities
and makes it clear that it will not
be involved in such ideas and pro-
grams as may be advanced by minor
ity groups, such as the socialists
that may see fit to support the indie
pendent ticket. 1t likewise asserts
American Federation of Labor leader
ship in the congressional campaign
The labor movement goes into the
congressional campaign. The labor
movement goes into the campaign fo1
LaFollette because LaF'ollette is
right and because his platform offers
the people the greatest hope of pro-
gress in this present campaign. The
report in full follows:
Labor's Non-Partisan Political Cam.
paign-Conclusions and Recon-
mendatiOns
The executive committee of the
American Federation of Labor nation.
al non-partisan political campaign
committee presented labor's proposals
to the republican convention.
The republican convention gave la.
boris representatives brief and curt
hearing. The republican platform ig-
nores entirely the injunction issue. II
fails to deal with labor's right te
organize or the right of the workers
even in self defense, collectively te
cease work. That platform sustains
the railroad labor board, with all that
| it means in the direction of govern.
mental coercion of wage earners. Il
fails to recommend the ratification by
the states of the child labor consti
tutional amendment.
The republican convention nominal
ed candidates unacceptable to labor
It's candidate for vice-president i:
one of the most out-spoken enemies Of
labor, and is the founder of an organ
ization dedicated to the task of writ
/, ing into all political platforms planks
I calling for the anti-union shop-al
organization which also encouraged
and supported the Daugherty injunc
tion against the railroad shopmen.
Labor's representatives submitted
to the democratic convention identica
proposals to those submitted to the
republican convention. At this con
vention an extended hearing wa.
granted. The democratic platform
pledges that party to legislation tt
regulate hours and conditions Of al
labor, proposal against which th'
American Federation has struggled
throughout its whole history. 1t il
silent as to the injunction. 1t doe.
not meet the railroad labor boart
issue. On that point it is SO equivoca
that the enemies of labor may wei
feel that their desires will be met
It, too, fails to recommend the ratifi
cation by the states Of the child labol
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
WARD BAKING co. PRosPERs

New York.-For the first six
months of the present year the Ward
Baking Company reports a net profit
of $1,906,341. This is at the rate of
nearly $3,000,000 annually. In the
first six months last year the COM
pany made a net profit of 81 ,433 ,409.
The Ward concern is attempting to
operate on the anti-union basis and is
opposing the Bakery Workers
Union.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
American Federation of Labor Executive
Council Endorses LaFoIIette and Wheeler
Labor Goes Into Campaign Free From Party
Ties For Great Non-P Partisan Victory

constitutional amendment.
The democratic convention nominal.
ed candidates unacceptable to labor
As to the candidates and platforms
both the republican and democratic
national party conventions faunteC
the desires of labor, the republican
convention in an arrogant manner
the democratic convention by tha
evasiveness which is the customary
mark of insincerity.
There remains the candidacy o1
Robert NJ. LaFollette and Burton K
Wheeler, the first an independent re
publican; the second an independent
democrat, running as such
These candidates have proffered q
platform in which the economic issues
of the day are met in manner more
nearly conforming to labor's propos-
ais than any other platform.
This platform pledges a remedy fol
the injunction evil
1t pledges the right to organize and
collectively to cease work.
It pledges protection of the rights
of free speech, free press and free
assemblage.
1t pledges abolishment of the rail
road labor board
1t pledges a measure to annul the
power of the supreme court to declare
laws permanently unconstitutional.
1t declares for direct election OF
president and vice-president and cleo
ton of federal judges.
1t recommends prompt ratification
by the states of the child labor con
stitutional amendment.
1t pledges subsequent federal legis-
lation to protect child life.
On international issues this plat
form does not conform to labor's pro
posals, but it does more fully thar
any other political platform meet la
boris views in relation to domestic
economic issues.
We cannot do other than point out
this fact, together with the further
and perhaps more important fact that
the candidates, Mr.. LaFollette anc
Mr.. Wheeler, have throughout THEN
whole political careers, stood stead.
| fast in defense Of the rights and IN
terests of the wage earners and the
farmers.
We cannot fail to observe that botf
republican and democratic parties
through manipulated control are in :
condition of moral bankruptcy which
constitutes a menace and peril tt
our country and its institutions
Machine politicians have brought
upon our country moral obliquity anc
unashamed betrayal We are Judging
on the basis of the condition which
exists, and this Judgment will be rt
| versed only when the conditions upor
| which it is based are changed.
Service to the people is a noble
cause which demands conservation anC
the American labor movement de
| mands that there be that consecratiol
in candidates to whom it gives sup
| port.
J Our course is clear. In pointing
to the platform and records of th'
independent candidates, we do s.
with the confidence that no othe1
course can be pursued if we are t.
remain true to our convictions ant
our traditions. Those who are hos
tile to labor and to the people gen
orally and who devoted their energie
to the service of reaction and specia
| interests, must be opposed.
We call upon the wage earners AM
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08

Hudson Bay Company and upheld the
minimum wage law and its interpre-
tation by the department of labor.
The court said that commissions and
bonuses SHOULD apply on the week in
which they are earned and should be
confined to such PERIOD
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
FARMERS OPPOSE JAPS

Springfield, Mo. = Representative
of $500 organized farmers in this
county have unanimously declared
against the establishment of a Japan
ese colony in the Ozark mountain
country. The state legislature will
be asked to make it unlawful for Jap
anese to own land in Missouri.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
BRICK MEN ENJOINED

Peoria, Ill.-The Carter brick yard
management locked out it's employees
to enforce the anti-union shop, and
has now secured an injunction. Last
fall company union" was organized
but the workers joined the trade
union movement.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
HEAVY OIL PROFITS

New York.-A profit of $1,654,866
for the first six months of this year
is reported by the Simms Petroleum
Company. This is two and one-half
times more than profits in the same
period last year.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
PLASTERERS WIN

Denver.-After weeks strike
union plasterers won their demand
for improved conditions. A two-year
contract calls for $12 day, union
recognition, and extra pay for over
time.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
BIASED COURT
Defied By Editor in Long
Contest With Greed

Santa Fe, N. Mex.-The state SUI
preme court has released Editor Carl
C. Magee on $4,000 bond until it
passes on the legality of Judge
Leahy's Jail sentence of Magee for
contempt of court.
Governor Hinkle pardoned the edi-
tor, but the sheriff refused to recog-
nize the pardon on the ground that
the papers were irregularly prepared
The case was then carried to the su-
preme court
Magee asked Judge Leahy to as
sign another judge to try the con-
tempt charge against him, but the
court refused. The editor then pub
lished signed editorial in his paper,
in which he said:
II have the same chance with
Judge Leahy that lamb has with a
butcher. The worst trouble is that ]
can't recognize Leahy's mockery as a
court of justice. Leahy's court isn't
court. It's slaughterhouse.
doubt whether a case, civil or crimi-
nal, has been decided there on it's
merits in 10 years.
when / attack Leahy my enemies
accuse me of attacking the courts
But l am not. Courts are the very
foundation of our liberties. haven't
any respect for Leahy's court and
refuse to pretend that / have. To
do SO is to help perpetuate the awful
conditions that prevail, to bend SER
vile knee and cease to criticise the
gang in this state that has made such
a condition possible"
Editor Magee has waged long
fight against special interests in this
state. His attack has included AL
bert M. Fall, former secretary of the
interior.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
MATTHEW WOLL.

Executive Committee,
American Federation of Labor Ma
tional Non-Partisan Political Cam
paign Committee
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08
UPHOLD WAGE LAW

Salgary, Canada-Justice Simmons
mas swept aside technicalities of the
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1924-08-08

Washington.-Carl C. Magee, New
Mexico editor, who is resisting con-
tempt Of court charges in that state,
gave the senate oil investigating
committee the 'lead" that uncovered
loans of 100000 and $4,000 to Sec
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07

said. more than II half million dol
lar resources to the Elizabeth city
Bank. AZ II matter "f fact the re-
sources ur the United tommcrcinl
ns ur Dee. ~ l92:; were $69SOO.
with drpus!rs of $50, 600.
The present resources of III" Car
olim Bunkimg \ Trust Go. nrcSl.-
:.Wn.OOO aud The taking over "f the
Plymouth Bank will push lis re-
sources cluSr tn the two million
mark. Al the SAME Time, IL ls
pointed out. the consolidation VIII
give Washington County better
p,mking facilities for which there
is II lively demand.
he carolina Banking '% Trust
Go. j. operating branch banks III
Columbia and II-riford, having con
Snlidntrd aud absorbed ih" Tyrrcll
County Bank nmd the Merchants
< Falmrrs Bank ur Columbia, ANA
hnNiu. taken over ih" Farmers
Bank \ Trust Go. of licriiOr
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
HOOD SYSTEM BANK
OPENS FOR BUSINESS
City's Youngest Financial lnstitu'
ton Begins its Business
Career

The business career of the Hood
system IndllStria Bank began yes
tpr,lay when the bank opened FOR
business in its newly finished quar-
trrs ON Main Strct near Water
Street. Graham W. Bell ns cashier
of the new bank has charge of
It's offices.
The Hood System Bank was or
ynnizrd in December. Gurncy l..
Hood. vicr.prcsidcnt Of the 'ar0lliin
Banking X Trust Company was the
organizer. II will handle install
that the commercial banks have
mrnt loans and commercial pnpcr.
and takes care of u class of banking
given little consideration.
The officers Of the hank are w.
T.. Dun. president, Gurhoy l.. Hood
and Ben. l.. Banks, vireprcsidents'
and Graham W. Bell, Cashier. Mr.
Bell resigned from the Carolina
Banking & Trust Company To ne
rcpt the new position. lie was
succeeded us assistant cashier ut
the former hank by Calvin. ii
TwiIdy who was formerly assistant
cashicr of the Savings Bank 4
Trust Company.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
QUESTION PERPLEXING
Committee Has, at Least One Site
In View, and VIII Dicker
Further.

A committee appointed sometime
ago from the Board of Aldermen to
look into the question OF acquiring
a site for u municipal building where
the city offices could Ike housed
and which would do credit to Eliz.
abeth City's dignity. reported to the
Board MOndny night.
The only site considered so far
by the committee Is the j. S. Secley
home site next to the fire engine
house. This site IL about 80 feet
wide and extends back to the city
property on POlndexter creek canal.
The question Of purchasing this site
will bc gone over by the aldermen
In special session In few days.
Many Elizabeth City people would
like to see Elizabeth City ond Pas.
qrotank County erect a courthouse
for the joint use of the city and
county. Such n building would
present many economical features
and would he the pride Of the coun.
ty II Is clnimcd, reflect NJ cr,Iit
to this part Of the state.
The QUESTION Of find'Is site
thai recommends itself sufficiently
10 the board is u preplcXlng one and
las ben worrying some o: the Al.
der men since the city passed I'M
the opportunity Of acquiring the
Grccnlcaf property when II was
sold mt auction sometime ago.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
MANY HOMES
IN PROSPECT
Residential improvements Are
Exrectcd to Cost 100000
Before Fall.

Residential improvements
and new houses contemplated
in Elizabeth City this spring,
will cost $4,000 or more, ac-
cording To ". Zen Goodwin
secretary al the Albcmarlc
Building & Loan Association,
Many loans have been made
already. say, Mr.. Goodwin. Tor
improvements. and several
large houses are i'll prospect.
The tendency toward home owner
shin is greater than last year, a''
,nrtlins tu Mr.. Goodwin. BETTER
huSiur,, conditions ar" r"Sp"nNlhl"
snr this condition umh there Is II
GENERAL aud h"althrul air "i ihrlii
that has hrcn growing since the
urn,lr found themselves M against
tt '' ''
hh'li''- ''"'''''''', '''
STAT" are l'">i'.'"'''' "',.' ",'
Keep prices "' ''''' "P, I'm
rrutrrs AMI either allied trades viii
l'hh ''''r'>, :" Wv , v.,,i,
'"'l'Ih- '''''''''',''> =" ',,'' ~ ...
ah iU'r''N' ~ ''''''' ,,'.Y,.,..
'arI'I''''> "'.' '' ,,u.
rI'!U''''' "'' J'.H INV -" 49,.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
ELIZABETH CITY BANK
HAS EYES ON PLYMOUTH
Carolina I:anl,ing \ Trust 10.
about to Absorb United Com.
ncrcial Bank

The Carolina banking y TruS,
60. or Elizabeth city is about Il"
nj Snrh another hank and extend It's
branch Mnking facilities I" another
county The latest contemplated
addition To the Elizabeth city Bank
is the United Commercial Bank al
plymouth.
The United Commercial of Fly
mouth Is the only mink In riym"n'h
The county seat 0r Washington
County. This bank Is II consolidn-
linn of the Bank Of Plymouth and
The Washington County Hnnk'
which consolidation WAS ciir''rd
about two years aGo.
The taking over "f the United
Commercial Bank will add. II i
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
ANOTHER CANDIDATE
FOR COUNTY SHERIFF
Chas. T.. Eall Of WerkSviii" Nn'
n0unces Himself This
Week.

Another aSpirant for the office "i
Sheriff or laSuuotank County en-
trrS the active list of candidates
this week: he Is thuS. l.. Ball "f
WrckSvillc. lie H. u likely cnndi'
,lutr and one who IL In every way
mlulifird to serve the office with
efficiency amd dignity.
Mr.. Ball j. am unusual fellow.
lie started out in life ns probes
siounl man and was for u number
Of years one of the best rail road
photographers in the country. lie
finally worked up To handling tn"
ASSocintcl Press Service out of
Washington for the Western Union
Trlrgrnph Go. and gained u rcpu-
.tutiou there M one OF the fastest
nud must accurate operators who
ever sent news over the wires. In
1911 his health broke down ana
doctors told him he had L" iind
nurn mir employment. without
Knowing n thing about farming
he came to PasquOtank County AMI
hr.iIm life all over AZ farmer. lie
NOT only rrgninc,l his health hut
has mudc II reputation In progress
Siyc farming that stamps him hS
one Of the agricultural leaders oil
the county. With il all he is II
nrighlDrly. tuctful chap; upStahd'
, ing. fearless and capable of hitting
hard aud straight IL he II ever
called upon to show his manhood
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1924-03-07
REX BEACH TO BUILD
LODGE AT HATTERAS

Rex Beach. noted American
novelist who has been coming to
North Carolina waters tn shoot
wild fowl for many winters, has
bought tract of marsh land near
Cape IIuttrrus nnd will improve the
property at once. according to re-
pnrtS reaching Elizabeth city this
week. Mr.. Beach plans To build II
modest lodge and llattcras may
from now on bc II favOritc winter
resort for many of the novelists =
friends. Rex Beach, Is II sportsman
who has shot aud fishcd all over
the United States and Cnnadn, and
he says the North Carolina coast
country has more to offer the East
rrm Sportsman than any other
place.