Evening star., 1933-10-09
TEXTILE WORKERS
MARCH IN PROTEST
Red Flame of Hunger March
Heads Parade of Code
Revision Seekers.

tile Union marcneQ on Lne OcPattHucHt
Of Commerce this morning to protest
provisions of the silk code, which have
more than 65,0 900 workers into
strikes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania ana
New York.
With them marched . delegation Of
about 125 strikers belonging to the
American Federation Of Silk Workers,
an A. F. of L. af1liate, which repre-
sents the right wing Of the protesting
movement.
Led by red haired Ann Burlak. "red
flame" Of the last hunger march on
Washington, the N. T. U. delegation
paraded from its encampment on Gov
ernment property in East Potomac
Park, singing the "Internationale" and
shouting Justify at Federal employees in
the office buildings along the way.
Although they had no permit to pa
rade, they were not molested by police,
nor even requested to take down their
banners as they marched.
Police Quell Disturbance.
Park police were called to the Tour-
list Camp shortly before midnight last
night after officials of the camp had
den2n ca that the textile workers pay
in advance for their lodgings, and the
workers had refused
Lieut. H. Helms United States Park
Police. responding to a radio request
for aid. went to the camp and reported
that the marcherS seemed to be under
the impression that some one had
made arrangements for them. but no
such arrangements had been made"
He reported he had found some
excitement but no disorder" Park
police officials suggested to the march
ers that if they could not pay in ad
vance they arrange to have some one
guarantee payment Of the bill for their
nights lodging. Which it was estimated
would be about SIPS.
The marchers, after comforting
among themselves. telephoned Repre-
sentative George N. Seger of New Jer-
sey, who agreed personally to stand for
the bill, and the marchers were per-
mitted to 60 to bed. Park police re-
ported there was no further disorder
during the night.
Two Factions March.
The parade was divided into two
factions. the left wing section, led by
Miss Burlak. and the right wing.
headed by John Elias. The latter divi-
sion proceeded in comparative quiet
and separated from the others to OBJ
tain breakfast before going on to the
textile code hearing at N. r. A. head
quarters.
Chief among the grievances to be laid
before the hearing by the striking work
ers was a protest against inclusion OF
rayon manufacturers under the cotton
code The delegates. who came largely
from Paterson. N. j.. with few rein
forcements from Rhode Island and New
York. also are fighting the wage-scale
provisions of the silk code signed by
President Roosevelt last week.
After they had finished breakfasting
in downtown restaurants, the marchers
resumed their parade to the Commerce
Department where they were ushered
into the main conference hall on the
first floor Presiding at the hearing
was A. D. Whiteside. deputy admin
istrator, supervising the textile codes.
Johnson Speaks.
Following a brief Introductory speech
by Mr.. Whiteside. Gen. Hugh johnson.
recovery administrator addressed the
representatives His speech apparently
was directed principally to the strike
delegates. who were told the N. r. A.
is attempting to find some method to
substitute for violence and trouble IN
adjusting the relations OF owner ana
employe in their industry.
He warned all witnesses before the
session to avoid argument and present
strictly the facts OF the case. and as
sured them no special interest Will De
served"
The conference then heard Donald
Richberg. legal adviser to the N X. A
outline the hearing procedure. He was
followed by George A. Sloan. president
of the Cotton Textile Institute. VINO
presentsd proposed amendments to the
textile code and. incidentally. intro
duced in evidence the statement that
his industry had increased its total en-
ployment from 100000 to 100000 be-
tween March and September: that the
average hourly wage rate had gone up
SIS per cent and that the manufac-
turers On September l were dispensing
sll 900 900 more in pay rolls than in
May. when they began to formulate
their code.
Senator Keene Speaks.
The regular order OF witnesses was
interrupted momentarily to permit Sem
ator Keene of New Jersey to deliver
a brief talk. in which he urged the
N. r. A. to relieve the Paterson situa-
tion (which is costing the city $500
week In lost pay rolls" and to es-
tablish higher wage than Is pro-
vided In the proposed cotton textile
and the accepted silk codes. He was
followed by Representative Segar. from
the Paterson district. who pleaded with
the situation in his native city and
forestall 1.-The doom of a great industry
and great city"
The remarks of Senator Keene and
Representative Segar were loudly ap-
plauded by the strikers.
Speakers from the striking delega-
tionS were to be heard later in the day.
At the close of the session the left
wing contingent. headed by Miss Burlak.
was planning march on the White
House to present to President Roosevelt
protest against the silk code. The
more conservative element was not
scheduled to participate in this move.
however.
The entire group was expected to
leave the city late this afternoon.
Arriving in town late last night in
huge busses and private cars. the two
delegations set up headquarters at the
Potomac Park tourist camp. Although
they Travelled divided into two distinct
units, it was originally planned to Or
them at the code hearing today.
A breakfast conference between
leaders Of the division failed to produce
accord on the number of committee
men to be sent from each group, how
ever. and finally it was decided to pro-
ceed separately.
Organizer Is Here.
The Textile Workers Union will be
heard through its representatives. Miss
Burlak, national secretary of the union;
Herbert Smell. chairman Of the Dye
Workers Strike Committee, and John
Ballam, a national organizer for the
union.
Speakers for the other silk workers
body were to be dispatched from ma
tional headquarters rather than chosen
from the striking members who came
here.
Although they were unable to attain
unity for their manpllVerS tOdaV the