The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-01
By SIDNEY BLOOMFIELD.


tion Of being the second highest paid
legislative lobbyist in the state Of
Massachusetts,.
According to the Massachusetts
lobby act, lobbyists are required by
law to file with the secretary of the
state statement of fees collected by
them for appearing at the state house
on behalf of their clients.
James Valley, the legal pride Of the
Massachusetts, labor takers has filed
his report in which he AYERS that he
had received $1,000 from labor unions
for his lobby work while the legisla-
ture was in session. This amount was
surpassed only by one other lobbyist
who operated for an insurance COM
pany What Valley received in addi-
ton to the officially reported sum is
unknown.
Besides Valley, the labor bureau
Gratis in this state have tied onto the
necks of the unions the dead ballast
of about a dozen "full-time" and more
than full-paid Acknowledgements who
pull down enormous salaries not to
mention expenses and other inciden-
tails that go along with their salaries.
Salary-'n-Expenses.
Lobbyists or acknowledgements are
maintained in the state house corri-
doris, committee rooms, etc, by the
state branch of the A. F. Of L.. Amer
lean Federation of Textile Opera
tives, Boston Street Garments Union,
Railroad Brotherhoods in Mass, etc.
- receiving large "Salary-'n-'x-
pense." Besides these legislative
agents, practically every central la
Dor union or building trades council
or metal trades council, etc, have
sort of experienced" man amongst
them who is at all times willing" to
represent his respective local council.
Oft times this brother happens to be
the business agent for his own local
or group of local unions of kindred
crafts and who always has time to
go to the state house to appear in
behalf or against BILL
$50 A Day.
When these local takers return to
their respective bodies it is not UNI
usual to see them turn in a bill for
"Salary-'n-'xpense" to the tune of
$50 or $40 for a trip to the state
house for day or two, most Of which
time had been spent in having good
time with their brother takers whom
they meet from other cities. When
they report before their respective
bodies, almost invariably the virtues
of a certain democrat politician or
group of politicians are sung instead
of giving an intelligent report of the
proceedings. These reports are ma
turally calculated to gain supporters
for the "friends-of- labor" for the next
election campaign.
Lack Intelligence.
At most hearings on certain bills
affecting labor these so-called legis-
lative agents are conspicuous by their
absence. The irony of it tho. is the
fact that nine out of ten such high
priced legislative agents lack the nee
essGry intelligence or interest in
measures affecting the workingclass.
When questioned or cross-examined
by the clever lawyers representing
the various employers associations,
who come prepared with stacks of
documents, figures, statistics. etc,
whether labor has any alternative
program as happened when the Ark
wright Club made their recent at
tempt to lengthen the hours of toll
for women, these labor representa-
tives replied that they had no pro-
gram but that they were willing to
sit down and discuss the matter at
the table with the employers"
Squander Money.
Countless thousands of dollars, rep
resenting the hard-earned money of
union men and women are thus squan-
dered on these "fat boys" daily by
the labor movement of America. for
what takes place in Massachusetts,
is an example of what takes place in
every state in the union. Not only is
money squandered in this manner, but
the vilest sort of class-collaboration
is bred of just such activities-and
this is a potent factor in opposition to
the building of a labor party in the
United States.
Like the public utility commission
ers who are supposed to protect the
interests of "the public" these agents
soon learn how to make IAN easy dol
lar"
Gets Fat Job.
John Hodgson, was legislative
agent for the street Garments union
until he came out as a paid campaign
or for the defeated Senator William
Morgan Butler, the textile magnate.
Anna Weinstock deserted the labor
movement and was rewarded with a
government job for advancing the in
terests Of the late Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge.
Hopes to Retire.
Campaign jobs, government jobs,