The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-11-18

advantages in the anthracite.
God Grants No Credit.
There are 26 churches here. II is a
matter of public knowledge that a
miner who does not attend and con-
tribute to one Of the holy 26 has a
hard time getting credit at the stores
when he needs it. These miners who
are bold enough to refrain from pub
lie worship in any Of the forms prac-
iced here are looked upon with sus
bicion and are unwelcome guests even
It the boarding houses.
But numerous as are the brethren
IF Christ, they are outnumbered by
the bootleggers. Almost every other
door in the business section seems
to be a saloon. This does not include
the "speak-easys" whose proprietors
appear to be of a somewhat lower
caste than the owners of the open
saloons.
Study the 6ootIeggers' Caste System.
The reason for this caste distinc.
ton l was not able to discover, but it
probably springs from the fact that
most of the latter are crippled miners
who have taken up this method of
getting a living and are therefore not
OF the legitimate rank of the high
priests of Bacchus.
The distinction between the Ameri-
can elements in the local unions and
the foreign-born is quite clear here.
The foreigners are supposed to pay
their dues and keep their mouths
shut. Their applications for strike re-
lief are given scant consideration.
In common with the prevailing
opinion turnout the United States
among the native-born and more
privileged workers, it is said in Ma
hanoy City that "an these foreigners
have got money"
Strike relief regulations are very
strict--for the foreign-born miners. If
one has victrola, radio or a piano
this is considered as evidence that he
and his family need no relief.
From Buns to "Big Strike Boss"
A committee composed of three
Americans who receive S2.75 per hour
for their labors, conducts investiga.
tons of all requests for relief three
times per week in one of the local
unions. Said one foreign-born miner:
Before strike these committeeman
Just buns, standing round street cor
ner, hanging out in saloon, never
work Nov they big strike boss"
This is the strike relief apnaratus
OF two of the biggest locals in this
section where about 10000 miners are
normally employed.
Foreign Workers Victimized.
The manner in which the financial
affairs of the unions here are handled
is evidence of the general looseness
of the whole organization. It should
be understood that local union meet.
ings, attended by any considerable
number of the rank and file, are few
and far between at any time. The
local, district and national officialdom
make the meetings unpleasant for the
foreign-born miners so that the more
delicate internal matters can be
handled without unpleasant Interrupt.
tions by the membership. BY rea-
son of this state of affairs strange
things occur. The following is one
told me by miner who has worked
here for II years:
Local 1888, having about two thou
sand members, had accumulated in
its treasury a sum in excess Of the
amount local unions are allowed to
keep. Some of the surplus had to be
disposed Of or it would be requisition-
ed by the district officials. Three
trustees were appointed and S22 900
turned over to them
How the Bartender Became Rich.
This was eight years ago. two of
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