The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-10
SLAVE WAGE
UNDER FIRE At
LABOR FARLEY
Resolution Presented to
Federation LaudS State
Road Boards Action.
PROPOSE 50-CENT SCALE
Union Men Are Urged TO
Take Active Part in
Fall Elections.

The state highway commission
was praised for its stand against
highway labor exploitation in a
resolution submitted today at the
opening of the three-day annual
convention of the Indiana State
Federation of Labor, in the Clay
pool.
The resolution presented by the
Central Labor Union of Bicknell,
was referred to the committee on
legislation.
It deplored the hiring of highway
laborers at 20 cents an hour. Facts
that called for the resolution and
resulted in threats of the highway
commission to black list contractors
paying peonage wages were brought
to the commissions notice by The
Times.
Resolution Is Advanced
The gist of the resolution follows:
Resolved, That the Central La
Dor Union of Bicknell, Indiana,
commend officers of the Indiana
State Federation of Labor, state
highway commission and other
public officials who took a stand
agains attempts of certain contrac-
tors, taking advantage of the I'M
employment situation, to force hun
CRY and suffering human beings to
work for wages inadequate to main
tain a family. They can not be too
highly commended.
"The Central Labor Union of
Bicknell wishes to extend to all
these officers it's most sincere ap-
probation for their firm stand in
respect to future wages of these
laborers.
Considering the time laborers
lose each year, would it not be
justifable to fix the minimum wage
at so cents an hour instead of 25
cents and also make provisions
whereby contractors on public work
must employ residents of the state
on all street, road and highway
work? Why should contractors
bring in outside labor to do such
work when thousands of Indiana
men are idle22
Take Typographical Action
Following addresses of welcome by
Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan and
Governor Harry G. Leslie, the fed
Grafton, at the behest of Indianap-
oils Typographical Union, sent a
telegram to the international con-
vention of typographical unions in
Houston, Tex, urging that national
headquarters of the union be kept
in Indianapolis.
The union has had headquarters
in this city since 1889, but agitation
was begun recently to move it's
offices.
Sounding the clarion for fedora
ton members to participate in fall
elections, Thomas Taylor. Terre
Haute, president, in his opening ad-
dress said:
ITO get legislation for unionism,
we must have friendly legislators.
When we go home we mustn't for
get the words spoken here for legis-
lation."
Free Labor Suggested
Other resolutions submitted to the
convention were for a state legisla-
tive bill requiring all construction
work in state correctional institu-
tons to be done by free labor; con-
domination of the Empire Oil Com
pany for its attitude toward or
ganized labor; use of the exhaust
system Or suction method near
polishing and grinding machinery
to safeguard workers; better OBJ
servance of Labor day in Indian
apolis; urging observance of Wash
ington'S birthday, and to promote
kindergarten education in schools.
Approximately 375 delegates are
attending the convention, which
ends Friday.
Charles w. Kern, Indianapolis,
was reelected president of the In
diana Building Trades Council at
its closing session on Tuesday in the
Claypool.
The council has five delegates
representing it in the federation.
Other officers reelected by the
council were: Henry Gabler, Ham
mond, secretary; John Mears, Ham
mond, first vice-president; Louis ].
Hart, Lafayette, second vice-presi-
dent; Marshall Pigg, Terre Haute,
third vice-president; R. M. Tum-
elson, Muncie, fourth president,
and Jacob Thiel. Evansville. fifth