The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-22
BACKW Ard UNIONS
OF NO. CAROLINA
SHOW PROGRESS
But Reaction Is Still Very
Strong
BY ADAMS ALLEN.
Especial to The Daily Worker)


IRALEIGH, N. c., Sept. 2O.-Prog-
ress is being made by the workers of
North Carolina, altho the employees
in the huge sweatshops, such as the
Duke tobacco factories in Durham,
the textile mills and various other
plants remain unorganized.
The work of organization so far has
been effected mainly in the small
crafts. The industrial and agricultu-
raj feudalism of the state still holds
the masses in fearful wise.
President Progressive.
G. P. Barringer, president of the
State Federation Of Labor, who was
just reelected to his fourth term in
Salisbury couple Of weeks ago, is
the most badly handicapped by the
backwardness, ignorance and provin-
cialism of the majority of the work
ers. In the Salisbury convention over
his protest a resolution was passed
denouncing the teaching Of evolution
"in unsupported schools" and the
vote in its favor was decisive, few
delegates voicing opposition. His own
reelection was by the narrow margin
of two votes.
Barringer, a progressive with mild
socialistic leanings, supported La
Toilette in 1924-an act of radical
ism" which In the eyes of hard-boiled,
backwoods southern democrats still
fighting the Civil War and the recon
struction wrangle, was frightfully rev
dictionary,
Protestant influence.
Much approval Of the acts of the
Gales government is expressed among
workers in North Carolina unions, due
chiefly to the professionalism of the
state rather than to any clear under
standing of the economic causes of
the Mexican crisis. Barringer him.
self has expressed strong sympathy
with Gales because he heads a semi
labor government.
The talk about farmer-labor party,
which was widespread after the recent
primary in which Senator Overman
defeated Attorney Robert r. Reynolds
of Asheville for the senatorial nomi.
nation on the democratic ticket, con-
tinues internationally. Reynolds had
the almost solid support Of the farm
ers and workers, After he was
beaten third party gossip was prevail
emit. Sooner or later such a party will
be organized. 1t will have the back
ing of a large element Of the popula-
ton. The feeling that party of and
by the workers must be organized is
hgoing ground, altho very slowly.
| Workmen's Compensation Issue.
Workmen's compensation Is a domi-
nant issue among the workers. The
state has no such law and organized
labor will make a determined effort to
secure one statute this winter. Rep
resentative r. o. Everett of Durham,
one of the three Legislators In the
lower house who supported the anti
child labor amendment, is counted on
to take an active part in backing the
compensation bill If he wins a seat
again. He is now the object of bit
ter attack by the combined forces Of
DlB DuSlucSS anu MISREPRESENTATION
Everett is ''modernist" and made a
forceful speech last winter denouncing
the Poole anti-evolution bill-some-
thing which advocates OF "the old
time religion" have never forgotten
nor forgiven.
Child Labor Curse.
Child labor is still the curse OF
North Carolina. There are thousands
OF cases of puny, under-grown chill
dren dragging out their weary days in
factories, while able-bodied men in
the same families loaf about the
houses. The capitalists of the state
savagely resist any effort to anchor
ate the condition. Collective bargain
ing itself is still an unknown quan.
tity in the larger factories and the
very idea is branded "Bolshevism."
Nash Motors Cut Plece Ratea oooL