The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-24

POLICE BRUTALITY FAILS TO SHAKE
COURAGE OF PAPER BOX STRIKERS

NEW YORK-Protests against po, |
lice brutality in the paper box max.
ers' strike will be carried direct to |
Mayor Walker this week by a com
mittee Of prominent citizens, headed !
by Forrest, Bailey, director of the Civ
il Liberties Union.
This is the climax in the eight
weeks strike Of $500 underpaid toit
ers who are resisting police inter
ference in an industrial struggle with
their greedy employers.
Strikers charge. that police not only
club frail girl and other pickets but
also "scab" by assisting drivers OF
wagons who deliver "scab" boxes.
Bailey, in addressing a largely az
tended meeting Of strikers, announc-
ed that the Civil Liberties Union will
cooperate to the limit of the strik-
ers in their demand for police neu-
trality. The Civil Liberties Union,
he said, will also prepare to carry to
the highest court the defense OF
charges Of disorderly conduct arising
out of the strike.
These police beatings, however, do
not put fear into the hearts of the
strikers. On the other hand they act
as a boomerang They give courage
and determination to those on the
firing line.
Line Holds Firm.
For nearly eight weeks these $500
paper boxmakers have stood solid in
their fight to better working condl.
tons.
Few, if any, have broken ranks
Not more than ten have entered into
other lines of work while 100 hav.
returned to shops which have granted
the strikers demands. The others.
without exception, have stood soiio
Day after day, they attend meetings.
take their places on the picket lines
and do other work that is necessary
in an army of workers in battle with
the capitalist enemy.
The struggle is clearcut. 1t is be-
tween two well-organized forces. The
workers army is formed Of members
of the Paper Box Makers Union of
Greater New York This organiza-
tfon is we'll gaa2rzied. its officials
conscientiously representing the rank
and file. They have been selected BY
the workers themselves, and have
their full confidence.
The union is organized along indus. |
trial lines. From the paper cutters |
who take the cardboard and cut ano |
score it, to the drivers who deliver
the finished product to the firms Gus.
toners, these poorly paid wage worn
ers are in one union. The employ. |
ers, as usual, are organized. They |
are determined to win by hook or by /
crook.
Just before the strike they were d.
yided into four groups, namely the
Metropolitan, Independent, Interstate
and United associations.
While the union had an agreement,
with independent members of tire
of these organizations it also had
real agreement with the United To
day the bosses have one organization.
The Greater New York Paper Boa
Makers Association.
Nearly 1879 shops in all were organ
lied in the union. close to 100 OF
them being aflliated with the Uniteo
Association.
Bosses Prepare Lockout.
The agreement with the United e1.
pired on Sept. 80. But the bosses
for a lockout as early as
last May at the beginning of the dull.
season. They pressed for changes in
the agreement at that time.
Finally they issued an ultimatum
that If the union did not come into
a conference then they would declare
a lockout. They did so at the be.