davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
BY II. M. WlcKS.
Especial TO The Daily Worker)


DASSAIC, New Jersey-(By Mail. y
4 When the textile senator, Edwards
Of New Jersey, tried to aid the reac-
tionary propaganda against the
strikers here by announcing that he
would have nothing to do with Albert
Weisbord, the organizer, but would
deal only with the strikers from the
mills, he evidently thot he could evade
hearing the strikers side of the story.
But the committee in charge of the
strike selected a small committee Of
four of the actual strikers who have
had experience with senators and
other government officials, including
Davis, the secretary of labor in the
strikebreaking cabinet Of Coolidge, to
call at the home Of Edwards in Jersey
City.
The committee consisted of Mrs.
Anna Bresnak, the mother Of nine
children who visited Washington and
related the story of the miserable
working and living conditions to many
government officials; Nancy Sandow-
sky, called "the Joan of Arc" of the
picket line who has incurred the Bit
ter enmity of the depraved thugs and
bruisers on the Passaic, Clifton and
Garfield police force; Carl ]. Trocola
and John Sabi. All Of the committee
except Sabi were with the delegation
at Washington.
Picket Edwards House.
The delegation went to Jersey City
and direct to Senator Edwards house
on an exclusive residential street and
asked for him. They were told that
he was not at home, but that he was
in Passaic This was evidently a ruse
to get the strikers to go back to Pas
sale without seeing him. If he ever
was in Passaic he made no effort
whatever to see the strikers. Before
leaving Washington the New Jersey
senator had expressed the opinion that
the strike was unjustified, had fought
against the investigation by the com
mittee on manufactures and had an
nounced that he would make an 'in-
vestigation" of his own on the scene
Of the strike, and who slandered the
leadership of the workers instead of
9ndeavoring to learn their side of the
story.
Edwards daughter told the commit
tee that the senator would not be in
until dinner, so they said they would
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

are showing increasing courage and
capacity.
The National Minority Movement
Conference.
In order to deal with the many af-
fairs at present demanding attention
on the industrial field, and to give a
lead in a militant direction, the ma.
tional minority movement held ma
tional conference on Sunday last at
Battersea, London. In every sense
the conference was great success.
The delegates present numbered SS3,
sent by SAT societies or branches of
unions, representing $4,000 members
When it is realized that the bulk OF
the trade union officials are openly
hostile or quietly unfavorable to the
minority movement, this may be
counted not only as a real success
but a most important Indication OF
the temperament of large percentage
of the rank and file, evidencing as 1t
does a determination on their part to
travel much more quickly than the
slow-going officials of the unions are
disposed to travel. At the conference
every phase of the industrial situation
was dealt with.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

New Jersey as a whole, the 4Sth annu-
al report of the state department Of
health of New Jersey for 1925 SHOWS
that infants under one year old in
Passaic have a death rate of 43 per
cent higher than for the entire state.
In the age group, one to five years,
the rate is 81 per cent higher and in
the age group of five to nine years
the rate is also 81 per cent higher.
"By what standards are working
conditions in textile mills in New Jer-
sey measured and given unqualified
approval? The provision of ordinary
sanitation and hygiene can in no sense
be regarded as all that is necessary
to safeguard workers against danger
GUS conditions. Textile centers other
than New Jersey recognizing the haz-
ards of the industry have found It
necessary to formulate at least some
special measures to control the damp
ness and humidity and other occupa-
tional factors that are a menace 70
health and life. According to state
ment from the New Jersey depart
ment of labor to the workers health
bureau, on January IS, 1926, there are
no special regulations in the textile
industry of New Jersey.
In the Dye Mills.
'Tn the dye section of the textile
industry which employees about 1900
workers in Paterson and Lodi alone,
workers are exposed to terrific heat,
excessive moisture and steam and TO
powerfully poisonous chemicals and
dyes that undermine the vitality and
strength Of the workers and call for
immediate and drastic regulation. On
top Of these hazards it should be borne
in mind that workers are compelled
to labor sixty to seventy hours a week
in order to earn from s22 to SIT, an
amount on which no family can main
tain itself. The inevitable result is
not only disease and premature death
but the exploitation of child labor in
order to supplement the meager earn
ings Of the mothers and fathers. To
ulsreBaru the DaSlc connection be-
tween economic conditions and health
is to ignore the very foundation OF
the problem.
Conditions in the textile and tex
tile dyeing industry of this country
call for thorough investigation into
trade hazards, hours, wages and child
labor and demand the formulation or
specific and clearly defined safeguards
which will guarantee health protec-
ton TO the workers. The elimination
of poisons, exhaust ventilation to re-
move dust, fumes, steam, the guard
ing Of all dangerous machinery, the
provision Of all necessary sanitary
facilities and the establishment OF
union standards of wages, hours and
working conditions are Imperative"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

company persisted in liquidating trade
union sentiment. Company union
committee decisions are purely ad-
visory. In case a grievance is not set
tied by the committee 1t is referred
to a supposedly neutral outsider-the
United States secretary of labor
whose decision Is final. While talking
of zone big family" to its steel work
ers Bethlehem has broken contracts
with It's bituminous miners in West
Virginia and Pennsylvania, showing
again its consistent anti-union policy.
The Way II Works.
In the Lackawanna, N. ", plant-of
Bethlehem the workers recently came
under the plan in spite of rank and
file opposition. When a strike oc-
CURED the company union delegates
were induced TO order the workers
back 10 their Jobs with the promise
mat all would be settled satisfactorily.
On their return they were unable TO
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

get their case heard and those dele
gates who fought for the workers were
replaced by 100 per cent company
union men.
One Lackawanna worker writes:
When a question on a change in the
wage rate is up anyone who has had
experience in the trade union move
ment can see the lack Of power on
the part Of the workers. The manage
ment stops all discussion and refers
the issue to the wages committee,
which meets once month. II may be
one or two months before the ques-
ton can be decided, and then It is
determined solely by what the U. S.
Steel corporation is paying It's men.
Besides, the men are ridden by fear
of losing their jobs IL they oppose the
company"
Rockefeller Pisn.
Colorado Fuel Il Iron (Rockefeller)
plan, the frat important company
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
CONSERVATIVES
IN SENATE WILL
AID BROOKHART
Combination May De.
feat Committee Report

WASHINGTON, April 6-One of the
most unusual political battles in the
history of the senate began today as
the Brookhart-Steck election contest
reached the floor for a decision as
to who will wear Iowa's junior sena-
torial toga.
A swing of administration republi-
cans to the support of Senator Smith
w. Brookhart, after a study of the
records of the case, made it appear
likely the senate will seat the Iowa
insurgent in the face Of ten-to-one
majority report from the elections
committee, endorsing the claim OF
Daniel F. Steck, democrat.
The movement of republicans to
Brookhart's standard was led by out
standing conservatives, who believe
the insurgent is entitled to his seat
on the merits of his case and are re-
ported ready to vote for the minority
report, filed individually by Senator
Stephens CD of Mississippi, which
recommended the seating of Brook.
hart by plurality of 1882 votes. If
these conservatives Join with the un-
broken progressive ranks of both
parties, Brookhart undoubtedly will be
seated.
Debate over the contest got under
way late this afternoon upon the in
PRODUCTION of the two resolutions, one
seating Brookhart and the other seat
ing Steck.
Senator Caraway, democrat, of
Arkansas, opened the fight and de-
Tended all decisions of the committee.
Senator Albert b. Cummins, republl-
can, of Iowa, this afternoon was ex-
cused by the senate at his own re-
quest from voting upon any phase of
the Steck-Brookhart case.
His reason for the request was
based chiefly upon the fact that, If
denied a seat in the senate, Senator
Brookhart, republican, Of Iowa, will
run against Cummins when the lat
ter stands for reelection this fall.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

ton Of electing committee from the
mills, but that the bosses would not
meet with committee and were de-
termined to break their union. When
Edwards suggested that the strikers
go to work during negotiations he was
plainly told that his proposition could
not be accepted as it meant the break
ing of the strike and that it was sim
liar to Secretary of Labor Davis
strikebreaking proposition that was
repudiated at Washington by the dele
cation that visited the national capitol
two weeks ago.
AS soon as the committee came back
to Passaic and reported the results OF
the interview, wherein Edwards was
non-committal, an official statement
was issued from the headquarters OF
the strike:
ain the Interview with Senator
Edwards by committee Of strikers
the point was brot out that It might
be feasible for a committee OF strIk-
ers themselves, local leaders, to at.
~ SCtAtC eitC 81 INC Ills.
suggestion is the same as was brot
out several days ago by the cham
Der of commerce and In relation to
this the United Front OF Textile
Workers wishes to state that Il ls
ready and-has always been ready to
elect committee of strikers to nego-
tiate with the mill owners whenever
the mill owners honestly desire .
settlement of the strike"
Can Strike All Summer.
If the mill owners want to plunge
into an endurance contest they win get
much more than they anticipate, for.
there is a limit to the credits banks
will extend them, while the amount
of relief the strikers can obtain from
the class conscious workers Of the
country will continue to flow into the
strike zone to keep the workers on
the picket lines in fighting trim. With
the coming Of warm weather the strik-
ers state that they can stay out all
summer and they are certain that the
mill owners cannot afford to lose an
other season of manufacturing with
out going bankrupt.
There is no question that the whole
industry will support the Passaic mill
owners, but the growing sentiment for
a strike turnout the industry will
soon keep them busy so they viii not
be in a position to, aid Passaic.
At the beginning of the eleventh
week the lines are holding firmly.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
Clouds Gather Over
All Great Britain as
Labor Unrest Grows
(Continued from page d.

Continued from page u.
about settlement of the non-union
difficulty. fps
Further Negotiations.
Today the engineering employers
and union representatives are meeting
to again consider the claim for 20
shillings a week increase. Should this
be turned down by the bosses, as is
expected, the matter will be referred
to what is known as the central con-
ference, on April 9. The feeling is
prevalent that the claim will still be
turned down by the bosses, and a
strong feeling is developing favoring
all out on the 10th. ss
One thing is sure. The mechanics
and machinists generally are deter
mined to force the position for a sub
stantial increase, and no hedging or
lodging on the part of the bosses will
prevent them forcing the issue.
Replacing of Civilians by Military.
The dispute at the Feltham Army
Repair Works still continues. The
war Office still insists on dispensing
with civilian mechanics in favor of
soldier mechanics. The arguments of
the war department are counted alto
gether too flimsy, and the men are
stoutly resisting the change.
The Miners.
The issue of the coal commission
report which many hoped would indi-
cate way out of the present trouble,
proves to be of no value whatever. 1t
is shrewdly drafted document with
a paragraph here and there showing
sympathy with the men, but as soon
as fundamentals are touched they are
all in favor of the bosses. The mill
tants amongst the miners are already
preparing reply for general circula-
ton. AS yet the Miners Federation
of Great Britain has not, made a def
mite announcement. 1t, may be ex-
pected to in a few days.
Unrest Among the Railwaymen.
The railwaymen, whose case was
supposed to be settled by the accept
ance of the wages board award, are
showing signs OF serious discomfort,
and as they failed nationally to obtain
an increase many districts have now
decided TO initiate claims locally. The
reactionary officials of the N. U. r.
will certainly oppose all such at
tempts, but the rank and file militants
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

it had no other color but red. This
seemed to relieve the senator and he
began long rambling talk in which
he advised the strikers to elect a
committee from the mills to meet with
a committee of the bosses and leave
out Weisbord.
Like all the other enemies of the
strike Edwards wants to deprive the
strikers Of competent spokesman and
therefore objects to their outstand-
ing leader being present.
But in order to call his bluff the
committee informed Edwards that al
ready they had agreed to the PROPOSE
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

of excruciating toll.
John Sabo related conditions Of a
similar nature of the Botany Mills
and described how the workers had
to eat their lunches on the machines
and spend the entire day in dust
filled rooms.
Edwards Sees Red.
This sort of talk was too uncom-
Portable for the apologist of the mill
barons so he tried to change the sub
ject by asking the delegation why
they had their sign they carried in
front Of his house painted red. For
time the pickets did not know
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
SECTION THREE, CHICAGO
WILL HOLD A DANCE At
WINS HALL SATURDAY

Section 8, Chicago, of the Work
ers (communist) Party Is. holding
a dance and get-acqualnted party
at the Wins Hall, 3116 S. HaIsted
street on saturday evening, April
10. The admission will be so cents.
Comrades of other sections are in
Vited to participate and aid section
three establish an agitation and pro-
paganda fund.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
BUREAU NAILS LIES OF NJ j. LABOR
COMMISSIONER AND TELLS FACTS
ABOUT JERSEYS UNSANITARY MILLS

NEW YORK CITY, April 6The
rd unqualified denial by Andrew Mcbride,
that unaniay conditions exist in the
letter to Representative commissioner
stating that there better
they relate sanitation
tatye scientific information industry
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

and unnecessary frill so long as the
blacklist, the labor spy, the discharge
for union agitation and other primitive
and pioneer methods can be employed
along with the latest welfare devices.
Bethlehem Steel installed company
unions as early as 1918. In spite OF
the capture Of the company union by
the regular union workers In 1919. the
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

ing Steel Corp, American Rolling Mills
Co, American Cast Iron Pipe Co.,
American Stove Co., Virginia Bridge &
Iron Co., and United Alloy Steel Corp.
Not In U. s. Steel.
u. S. Steel corp, headed by Albert
Gary exponent of "ethics in industry"
has resorted to every other type Of
paternalism but still considers "em-
ploye representation An uncertain
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
Venice. Calf. Flooded.

VENICE, Calf, April Canals in
Venice overfowed today and residents
were marooned by the waters surging
around their homes. The high water
was threatening to inundate a large
section of the city but only slight
damage had been done early today.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

what to answer so they all be-
gan to talk at once so that one Of
them might thing OF an adequate an
swer. Finally the young girl striker,
Nancy Sandowsky, spoke up and said
it was because the man that painted
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

pipes the workers must hang their
garments on while they are at work,
the unspeakable pollution of the
toilets, Mushrooms and the dirty, oily
floors and foul air that the workers
must breathe during their long hours
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

and the conspicuously high rate Of
tuberculosis among textile workers, a
blanket endorsement such as is at
tributed to the Industrial commission
er raises the question as to the basis
for such an endorsement" according
to the Workers Health Bureau of
America, New York City.
tuberculosis in Mills.
Quoting the report of the New Jer-
sey state department of health for
1925, deaths from respiratory diseases
including tuberculosis were almost six
per cent higher $50 in Passaic than
for the rest of New Jersey" the bu-
reau states. "The presence of dust fly
ing about in textile workrooms, the
excessive heat and moisture, the ex-
hausting labor and nerve strain caused
by speeding up in order to exc out
bare existence wage, are unquestion-
ably responsible for. the death rate
from tuberculosis among the workers
in the industry. The Metropolitan
Life Insurance Co. figures on deaths
from tuberculosis among textile work
ers are; % per cent among males and
S5.5 for females as against an aver
age Of 1913 for the general population.
"The, report for 1919 Of the y. S.
department of labor statistics, Pre-
ventable Deaths in the Cotton Manu-
featuring Industry states that deaths
from tuberculosis among textile work
ers are from seven to eight times
greater than those from accidents and
violence combined. Bearing in mind
the fact that the textile industry en-
ploys large numbers of, women who
are mothers, the factor of tuberculo-
sis takes on an even more sinister
meaning.
The Death Rate.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

1.-THE pen is mlghtIer than the
sword" provided you know how to use
II. Come down and learn how In the
worker eorrespondent,s classes.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
ONE FIFTH OF ALL STEEL WORKERS
ARE MEMBERS OF COMPANY UNIONS
BY ROBERT DUNN, Federated Press.

OF all American industry
and works and
establishments
Foundries Erie City Works Wheel
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08
Call Edwards Bluff.

Edwards arrived after six hours and
protested that he was weary, near the
point Of exhaustion and that he could
not devote much time to the strikers.
He first ordered the exclusion of
newspaper men and then proceeded to
berate Weisbord and the strike lead
ership, but Nancy Sandowsky spoke
up and told the senator that they did
not come to Jersey City to discuss
Weisbord but they were there to dis
cuss the strike situation and the con-
ditions in the mills.
When the strikers proceeded to re-
late the horribly low wages, the foul
unsanitary conditions and the tyranny
that prevails, Edwards insisted that
they be specific and relate the precise
state of affairs especially as regards
sanitation. Carl Trocola, who had al
ready shown Edwards his card with
his registration and fingerprints on it
that designates him as slave of the
Lodi Dye Works, told the senator
without mincing words the precise
condition of the damp, steam covered
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

wait outside. They came prepared
for any emergency so they raised
banner reading, Senator Edwards!
We are the real strikers from Pas
sale! Will you see us?" ,
The spectacle of workers marching
up and down in front of the residence
Of Edwards was too much for the
bourgeoisie who inhabit the street so
they began sending in frantic calls to
the police station. When the police ar
rived the pickets calmly told them
they were waiting for the senator.
Finally, after several hours picket
ing the vicinity the four strikers were
asked into the Edwards home by the
daughter where they were served cof-
fee and sandwiches ION one of those
baby carriage things" as one of the
boys described it.
A number of reporters were present
and Edwards family seemed intent
upon killing the visitors with kindness
so it would be easier for Edwards
when he arrived. Mrs. Edwards posed
for newspaper photographers with her
arms around the shoulders of the two
women strikers, just as Senator Ed
wards Grapes himself over his visitors
from New Jersey who, meet him in the
cloak room of the senate at Washing
ton. 1t seems to be. "a certain tech
nique cultivated by the Edwards out
AZ
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-04-08

Hazardous and exhausting condi-
tions OF work for women have direct
bearing on the death rate of children.
Comparing Passaic with the state Of
Douglas daily dispatch. [volume] (Douglas, Ariz.) 1903-1961, 1926-03-21
LEGION BOWLERS
INVADE BISBEE
ON WEDNESDAY

Fred Hilburn Post, American le-
gion, of Douglas, will send its cap
able bowling team to Bisbee We'd
nesday night to tangle with the
legion post bowlers Of that city
in the third match between the two
outfits this season.
TO date, Douglas legionaries have
taken every game from the Bisbce
chaps and hope to repeat again this
week r. H. Hoyal, Earl Barnum
william Pollack, c. G.. Hinton, j
A. Weiss will compose the Douglas
outfit which is in good shape fol
the contest.
In the near future, the iegior
posts of the two cities will meet II
a two-game series of burrc pol'
which promises to be a lively sport
The first game will be in Bisbee
and then the mine city players OF
this great game will come TO Doug
las for a return match. For those
who have not been fortunate enough
to see game of burro polo, these
two contests promise ID be a most
unusual treat
Douglas daily dispatch. [volume] (Douglas, Ariz.) 1903-1961, 1926-03-21
SEVEN PERSONS
RULED Off OF
TRACK FOR LIFE
(By Dispatch A. p. Wire)

(By Dispatch A. p. Wire)
LEXINGTON, KY, March 20.-Ken-
tucl1y's turf scandal resulted today
in the ruling off for life OF seven
persons, four jockeys and three own
ers and trainers, by the Kentucky
State Racing Commission.
The four Jockeys "Ruled off the
turf for life and denied all privi-
leges" are Harry Suits, Grover
Noel, James wallace and Bert Har-
vey. The owners and trainers are
p. j. and r. D. Williams, brothers,
and Tom Devereaux.
The commission also refused to ac-
cept the stewards RECOMMENDATION
that Jockey Donald MergIer be re-
stored to good standing.
Mergler is the rider when ques-
toned about his ride on Bumpllin
in race at Latonia last October,
confessed that he was given $1,000
to pull the horse, j. A. Mooney an
other jockey, gave him the money,
he said. The confession was the
starting point of the commission
attempt to clean up racing in Zen
lucky. At a December meeting the
commission ruled Mergler and
Mooney off for life.