davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Needle Union Statement on
Citizens Committee Report

NEW YoRK-rhe Needle Trades
Thursday regarding the investigation and find
the
dustry:
esan the state affairs prevailing the fur industry made by
the o intelIecuaIs
The findings of this committee
of the Associated
officials of the A. F. Of and the Socialist
against
attempted through
the hired IOckOu police persecution and mprn
workers the A. F. of L. and Socialist Union
furr time again and openly
helped the cuts the fur workers 1t helped
the bosses to enforce long hours OF slavery an nhuah dup %
tenn sub contracting unemployment misery and starvation
criminal tactics by the
Federation of Labor
Injunction the alliance with
these fascist meth
DDS employed by the Socialist Party officials covered up with dm
gogic phrases to misead The workers.
under the leadership of the Industrial Union
The workers have organized
powerful struggles have
ceeded maintaining their minimum scales their 4ohour work
workers succeeded ab-
fishing unemployment fund paid by the employers and administered
by the workers.
Thanks the mtancy
policy Industrial thousands of fur work
% co ~ s,o " r tn s tsr s At rressnt .Iso rob,;np
3hour which the bosses accept dna-
words although is part of the Blanket Code
achievements that the fur workers
splendid example
the of and Socialist Par
M That why all the most eactnary against
fur worker
Of the entire American
labor victory
the
of L. bureaucracy aware Of the danger facing AS
defeat Them the end
bureaucratic and criminal clique of
workers their achievements and gains
working Of the United
the policy
agents. in the National Re-
Act The misery exploitation child labor nhumn speed
unemployment ections oppression Of
persecution and deportation of the
must be stopped and will be
militant struggles of the AM
investigation committee Of American in
considerable the unmakng the mieaders
their
Industrial unhesiatngy the
recommendations OF this committee
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08

which the workers have fought
against for many years, has
now been adopted in the trade.
A minimum of $14 week for all
COMMUNICATING employees is pro-
vided in the code. The coat and suit
cuttera' scale is set at SAT a week
and diapers at 500. Minimum
wages for piece workers range from
So cents to $1.30 an hour.
A division is agreed between wage
rates in New York and other cities.
In eastern cities the scale is to be 10
per cent lower, while in western
states it is to be still lower.
The signers of the code are the
Industrial Council of Cloak and Suit
Manufacturers, Inc, representing the
inside manufacturers; the American
Cloak and Suit Manufacturing Asso-
citation, Inc, comprising the contrac-
tors: the Merchants Ladies' Gar
ment Association, consisting Of the
jobbers, and the International Ladies'
Garment Workers Union.
David Dubinsky, president of the
I. L. G. w. u, hailed the agreement
as providing a splendid instrument
for sterilization of the industry and
offering increased earnings for the
workers" The bosses fought for
piece work because it makes it pos
sible for them to beat down the
wages of the workers and further in
crease the speed. No objection is
made by the manufacturers of week
work in small towns where they hire
sweatshop labor at Sc to a maximum
of $40 week. This is considered
by the union officials as increased
earnings for the workers"
The union and manufacturers will
start negotiations on a new agree
ment based on the decisions of the
code. The old agreement expired
June l. If an agreement is not
reached the dispute is to be referred
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Lay Reign of Terror
in Fur Trade to
Unions Enemies

NEW YORK.-The Citizens Com
mittee to Investigate Conditions in
the Fur Industry, which carried on
its investigation from July last until
july 20, submitted the following re-
port on its findings:
Report on the Conflicts in the Fur
Industry in New York City, by the
Citizens Committee to Investigate
Conditions in the Fur Industry
/. The Citizens Committee to In
vestigate Conditions in the Fur
Industry was formed on the initia-
tive of some of its members, whose
attention had been attracted by press
stories of police brutality to fur
workers, gangster and mob-violence,
and looking injunctions. In
formal investigation of these stories
made it clear that a definite public
interest attached at this time to the
situation in the fur industry. 1t was
apparent that struggle was there
going on between the Furriers Joint
Council of New York of the Interna-
tional Fur Workers Union of the
United States and Canada, affiliated
with the American Federation of
Labor, and the Fur Department,
Needle Trades Workers Industrial
Union. 1t was apparent that most of
the men and women employed in the
fur industry were members of the
Needle Trades Workers Industrial
Union. 1t was apparent that the em-
ployers' organization, known as the
Associated Fur Coat and Trimming
Manufacturers, Inc, was cooperating
with the Furrier'S Joint Council
against the union of which more
than four-fifths of their employees
were members. 1t was apparent that
the situation thus created involved
an unusual degree of violence con-
nived at by the police, and that the
purpose of this violence was to set
up condition of duress and fear
which should compel the members of
the Needle Trades Industrial Union
to become members of the Furrier's
Joint Council. 1t was apparent that
this Council by arrangement with the
Manufacturers Association, had for
this purpose applied to the courts
for an injunction which would pro-
hibit the members of the Association
from employing any but members OF
the Joint Council. In every instance
the animus of the conflict seemed
to focus on the fact that the Needle
Trades Workers Industrial Union
professed radical political and eco
nomic doctrines, and that it was COM
monty known as the Left Wing.
Objection to it among manufacturers
seemed confined to this ground only.
This Association seemed to have
called the International Fur Work
ers Union, thereafter known as the
Right Wing, into the field on the
plea that they did not want to deal
with Communists.
2. Inasmuch as the Industrial Re-
covery Bill provided that for the diff
ferent industries codes should be set
up which would inevitably affect the
rights and status of workers in such
industries, it was felt that the issues
in the fur industry must be cleared
up by impartial inquiry before a
proper code for this industry can be
written. Accordingly public-spirited
citizens of different shades of opin-
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08

to a national arbitrator to be named
by the N. R. A. from among its men,
bers of the Labor Advisory Board.
What the N. r. A. arbitration means
is bitterly felt by the 10000 miners
who are on strike. Behind barred
doors every effort is made to force
the miners back to work under sla-
very conditions. 1t is such agree
ments that. the arbitrator will decide
in the cloak trade, which the work.
ers are asked to accept as final.
j. BoruchoWitch, organizer of the
cloak department of the Needle
Trades Workers Industrial Union,
characterized the agreement of Du-
binsky as "a treachery against the
workers in the cloak industry" There
can be mo guarantee of minimum
wage under a piece-work system"
said Boruchowitch.
Webster Hall was packed last night
with workers from Is shops con-
trolled by the Industrial Council,
which were called to a meeting by
the Action Committee of Local No g..
Every worker who took the floor con-
demned the piece-work agreement
between the I. L. G. w. U. leaders
and the cloak bosses. A resolution
was adopted unanimously to unite
the cloakmakers in a struggle for
week work.
The action committee for week
work of Local 9, I. l.. G. w. u, in a
leaflet addressed to the "Cloakmak-
ers Of the Industrial Council Shops"
calls on "all cloakmakers, irrespective
of where they belong, to become i'm
bued with the spirit that will enable
them to fight against the piece work
system and to stand ready to fight
for week work"
The action committee calls for ''the
unity Of the cloakmakers in the
struggle for week work"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Tobacco Workers End
Conference; to Place
NRA Demands

NEW YORK.-Answering the call
of the Tobacco Workers Industrial
Union more than 200 delegates
elected in the shops and factories
OF the city gathered at the conven-
ton of the tobacco toilers on Aug.
ana 6, at the New Harlem Casino,
and delegates representing the cigar
makers of Philadelphia and nearby
cltieG were also present.
A list of demands to be made to
The government as representing the
present aspirations of the tobacco
workers, in what they consider would
6Iring about some improvement in
&heir present conditions, was also
adopted, and a committee of five
workers was elected to go to Wash
Ington to present and defend these
demands before the Recovery Admin
Istrator. A mass meeting will be
,alled soon to rally the tobacco work.
srs in support of the committee and
he demands.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Commodore Strike
To Continue Despite
Attack by P olice

NEW YORK Twenty-four of the
twenty-seven workers arrested at
the demonstration supporting the
Hotel Commodore strikers Friday
were dismissed yesterday by Judge
Van Ameringe in the East 57th st.
Court The other three workers,
Frank Bond, Robert EsIneja and
Ramon Salavio are being held for
investigation by officials of the alien
department. Their trial comes up
in the same court tomorrow, We'd
nesday, morning.
NEW YORK.-In a statement is
sued by the Food Workers Industrial
Union, the brutal attack of the DO
lice, instigated by the Commodore
management at a demonstration of
strikers on Friday August 4th, was
bitterly condemned as an act meant
to break the strike. AS result of
the attack, 81 strikers were arrested.
Three of them, the most militant,
Frank Boud, Roterto Esmeja, sec
rotary Of the strike committee and
Ramon Salavia, an active worker,
were held for investigation by the
alien authorities. The rest Of the "a
we're held under 500 bail for trial
this Monday morning.
Judge Aringe, in pleading bail on
the strikers, in spite of the strong
protest by the defending attorney.
specifically stated that he placed
bail because they are foreign born
workers.
AS a result of strong protest on
the part of the rest Of the workers,
the attorney for the union was sue
cessful in getting the release of ten
women strikers, on parole under his
custody.
Statements in the capitalist press
on the Demonstration, gave the i'm
preston that this Demonstration was
not around the demands Of the Com
modore strikers but was merely q
group of unemployed food workers
who came there in order to force the
workers of the Commodore out on
strike The New York journal" and
the New York American" in spite Of
of the fact that they received inter-
views with our Union, made these
lying statements.
According to reliable information
which was obtained by the Union,
it was Berell, assistant manager Of
the Commodore Hotel who himself
instigated the attack on the demon
strators. While the attack was being
made on the strikers, strong pro-
test could be heard from the people
massed around the demonstration.
In concluding their statement, the
Food Workers Industrial Union, to-
gether with the strikers Of the Com
modore and other sympathetic or
CARNATIONS, express their determine
ton to continue the struggle in spite
of all the terror of the management
Of the Commodore
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08

stantial gains on every point raised
in the unions demands.
Enthusiastic applause broke thru
the heat and smoke of the damned
hall time and again as Sam Burt
made the report for the delegation.
The employers were forced to
sign an agreement calling for:
IA 40-hour week during busy
season IS hours for the rest of the
year.
"A maximum Of hours over
time at the rate of time and a
quarter payment.
81 IL cents an hour for unskilled
workers.
Minimum wage of $32 or 80
cents an hour for skilled workers
5.-Full payment for legal holi-
days, two and quarter time pay
ment in case of work.
6.-Three per cent of payroll to
be paid into Unemployment Insur-
ance Fund by the employers.
Equal division of work, no
favoritism.
6.-For chauffeurs-a wage in
crease of 10 and Is per cent, ten
legal holidays, one weeks paid va
cation.
Five members of the Conference
Committee representing Negro
Spanish, italian and American work
ers in the industry spoke in their
various languages. On the platform
for the first time in their lives,
these men spoke with a fervor, reso-
luton and grasp of the situation
that again had the crowd on its
feet cheering.
For thirteen years I waited for
this union" Dimir, the Spaniard,
said Now I have it, and there is
not an outfit that can stop U.s."
Ben Gold, secretary of the Nee
die Trades Workers Industrial IN
ion, summed up pointing out the
necessity of continuing the strug-
gle for recognition of the Fur Dy-
ers Councils demands in the other
shops where 600 are still out.
"Both the A. F. of L. and the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Union have declared the fur dyers
to be unorganizable,' he said, "This
is our answer"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08

Baldwin, impartial chairman, under
the agreement between the Fur
Trimming Manufacturers Associ-
alton and the Needle Trade Work
ers' Industrial Union.
Rabbi Benjamin Golstein.
Mr.. Irving Potash, Secretary for
the Industrial Union.
Mr.. jacques Buittenkant, Attorney
for the Industrial Union.
Mr.. Louis Boudin, Attorney for the
Industrial Union.
In addition, the following members
of the Industrial Union, who were in
the audience, volunteered testimony:
Clerks, Irving Bloom and LANCER.
All had formerly been members of
the Fur Workers Joint Council.
Clerks had been Secretary Of the
Executive Committee. Each declared
that he had left the Joint Council
for the Industrial Union for no other
reason than that the latter was the
stronger and more efficient organi-
zation and more successful in en-
forcing agreements, maintaining
union standards and conditions and
protecting its members in their
rights.
After taking evidence and study
ing the various af1davits, briefs, re-
ports and other documents submitted
to it, the committee met to determine
what conclusions might correctly be
drawn from the data under consider
alton. 1t laid especial stress on the
evidence of Mr.. Emil K. Ellis and
MIR. Roger Baldwin who are not par
ties to the conflict but have def
mite interest in the maintenance OF
peace and effective organization in
the Fur Industry.
The committee finds the following:
u That the great majority of the
workers in the fur industry of
New York City, are members OF
the Fur Department, Needle
Trades Workers Industrial Union.
q That this union is a strong, eff
fective organization, willing and
ready to keep its agreements by
enforcing discipline among its
members and meeting all other
obligations involved in collective
bargaining, while the Joint Coun-
Gil has proved in these respects
unsatisfactory.
80 That although this union is Gus
tomarily called THE Left Wing,
its members belong to all kinds
of political parties, and that
membership in the union does
not impose political faith or any
political affiliation whatsoever.
A. That the charge Of "Commun-
ism" is being used only to dis
credit the Union in the public
mind, end to provide fictitious
excuse for vitiating authority of
its officers, breaking its organi-
zaticn and driving its members,
by threats and intimidations.
81 That the present disorder in the
Fur Industry is due to COL
lusive activity toward this end
by the Manufacturers Associa-
ton and the Joint Council.
g. That, to further this end, the
Manufacturers Association and
the Joint Council entered into
a collusive arrangement where
by an injunction was obtained
by the Joint Council restrain
ing the Manufacturers Asso-
citation from employing any per-
sons or other than members Of
the Joint Council, inasmuch as
the application for injunction
was granted also for the same
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
MARINE UNION
HELPS WIN SHIPS
CREWS DEMANDS

NEW YORK-When a port organ
izer of the Marine Workers Indus
trial Union recently went aboard the
S. S. Minnequa of the Moore-Mc-
Cormick Line, he found plenty OF
grievances: long hours on deck, etc.
The main grievance was when the
crew joined this coffin ship, they
were told by the bos'n that the wages
would be $133 per day, sea wages on
40 cents per hour straight time. That
would make the scale $500 when
signing on
The company was going to ps9
them off at $208, which the crew
refused to take. Immediately a COM
mittee of nine was elected to repre-
sent the crew, a leaflet was issued
aboard the ship by the union, and
the port delegates stayed aboard all
night to lead the struggle
rs Per Cent More on Substance Pay
The following morning the COM
mittee went to the captain with their
demands. The captain informed the
officials, and they decided to give
the crew 2s cents increase on tha
subsistence allowance. After the conn.,
mittee brought back the report, the
crew decided to accept. The ship
sailed for Copenhagen well organ
lied, and the ships committee ready
to take action.
The first fight on the Moore Nc
Cormick ships took place on the
Sagarporack, against undermining.
Committees were elected and de-
mands won. Similar action was
taken on the City Of Fairbury against
undermining, and the demands were
won.
On the Munson Line, in which the
Marine Workers Industrial Union
have led many struggles in the past
year on II individual ships, the crew
of the S. S. Southern Cross, which
docked here on Thursday, were told
they would be paid off on Friday.
Friday came and there was no pay
up. The crew took action inmedi-
ately, and forced the company to pay
up in spite of knowing that the U.
S. Commissioner was present.
On the S. S. Western world
after returning from a South AM
erican trip, rumors were spread that
the ship would not pay off. After
waiting 46 hours a leaflet was
issued by M.WLU. for the crew to
take action. The crew Immediately
took action and went to the percer
and captain and demanded their pay,
which they received. All these strug-
giles have been led by the MWIU.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Finds Only Industrial
Has Right to Speak
for Fur Workers

reason. That the injunction, II
continued, would by legal duress
compel members of the Indus
trial Union to affiliate them
selves with the Joint Council.
y That workers have, in fact, been
beaten and intimidated into join
ing the Joint Council.
81 That numerous assaults on mem
bers of the Union have been
committed by paid gangsters and
that the gangsters have been
represented in court by attor-
neys for the Joint Council or
the manufacturers or both.
81 That such assaults have been
committed with the knowledge
of the police, and that the police
have made no efforts to prevent
them.
100 That the the Fur Industry in
the City of New York is today
suffering reign of terror which
threatens fundamental rights of
the workers as employees and as
citizens.
ID That the just and equitable ap-
plication Of the National Indus
trial Act makes it necessary and
desirable to establish the pre-
ferred affiliation Of the workers
of the Fur Industry.
12) That under the terms OF the
Act only such preferred Union
has the right to speak for the
workers.
49, That under the terms Of the
Act, affiliation in Union must
be voluntary and mcoerced, the
free choice of the worker.
To the end that peace and good
order may be established in the Fur
Industry in New York City, and that
workers in the Fur Industry may be
safegusded in their right to earn
their living without fear or duress,
the Committee recommends:
y That a poll be taken Of Union
preferences of the workers en-
ployed in the Fur Industry OF
new 1OIh OlJy.
q That an Impartial Tribunal be
set up for this purpose.
81 That in any Board or Commit
tee provided for under code
pursuant to the National Indus
trial Recovery Act, this poll shall
determine the proportional rep
reservations of the respective
Unions-the Joint Council and
the Industrial Union.
A. The Committee further recon-
mends that these findings shall
be laid before the proper officials
of the Police Department Of the
City of New York, the District
Attorney Of New York County,
the Mayor of New York City,
and such persons as may, under
the National Industrial Recovery
Act be charged with the formu-
lation and adoption of the Code
for the Fur Industry.
Horace M. .Kallen, Chairman
Thyra Samter Winslow, Secretary
John Chamberlain
Kyle Crichton
Lucille Copeland
Theodore Dresser
Benjamin Goldstein
John B. Matthews
Jerome Michael -
Respectfully submitted,
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-08
Metal Display Line
Prepares for Strike

NEW YORK Display Fix
ture Workers are to go on strike in
the immediate future against low
wages, long hours and against IN
bearable conditions as they are to-
day existing in the shops.
A committee of seven has been
elected from the ranks at the last
meeting of the union to work out a
program Of action. The code for the
trade is the following:
l. Flate rate SIG for all workers
below $l4.
2. Twenty-Five per cent increase
in wages for all workers above
$14-$25 and IS increase for all work
ers above $25.
3. Forty hours, 5-day week.
4 Wages to be adjusted as prices
of commodities rise.