Montana labor news., 1933-07-27

ing of Commercial Printing En-
ployers and Adopt Anti Union
Code.
Employing printers in the COM
mercial printing industry met in
Chicago, July 1914 for the purpose Of
considering a code in compliance with
the Industrial Recovery Act. The
meeting was called by the United
Typothetae of America but many EN-
ployers who are not members of the
Typothetae attended. The meeting
was completely dominated by anti-un-
ion employers and the proposed code
would not in any manner serve the
purpose of the Recovery Act. Wage
standards would be lowered and the
workweek of 40 hours as proposed
would not relieve the unemployment.
The rate for men workers was fixed
at DO cents an hour and for women 30
cents. An invitation extended by
President Charles P. Howard of the
international Typographical Union to
name a committee to confer with the
representatives Of the printing trades
workers was rejected. Employers
who operate under union contracts
were much displeasei with the result
of the meeting as nothing vas accom-
plished in the way of providing a fair
basis of competition or to prevent the
continuance of cut-throat competitive
methods. In discussing the attitude
of non-union employers, Mr.. Howard
issued the following statement:
Experience of the past four years
should have been sufficient to con-
vince all reasonable persons that a new
deal in industry is imperative. 1t
should be equally apparent that we
cannot continue a policy Of unre-
stricted and unregulated individual
ism which has resulted in wrecking
the business and industry of the ma
ton and through attendant unemploy-
ment made one-third of the wage earn
ers dependent upon public and pri-
vate charity to escape starvation.
There can be no return to prosperity
or normal business while such a con-
dition continues to exist.
However, it is plain that many of
those responsible for the destructive
policies which have brought about this
de~plorable condition have learned
nothing from our disastrous exper-
fence. Employing printers in the COM
mercial branch of the industry have
been engaged in a national confer
ence to propose a code in compliance
with the Industrial Recovery Act.
Representatives from many sections of
the country were in attendance. The
delegates had the plain provisions of
the law in addition to charts, graphs,
reports upon conditions and schedules
showing wage rates and available en-
ployment in the industry. In addition
to this information, which gives a true
picture of the conditions now obtain
ing, these employers have knowledge
of the appeals of President Roosevelt
and the warnings of the Industrial Di-
rector that to avoid dictatorial action
codes for control of the major indus
tries must be worked out by mutual
agreement between representatives of
employers and employees.
"All OF these things were disregard
ed. The employing printers have not
been converted. There is no new deal
so far as they are concerned. The re-
fusal of a certain element to cooper
ate has wrecked the industry in. the
past. They intend to continue that
policy in the future. 1t will require
action by the Federal Government and
the exercise of powers conferred by
the Industrial Recovery Act to change
the attitude of those in control.
"This element seeks to retain all
the advantage of a policy which in
cludes industrial hi-jacking. In no
industry of major Importance has de-
structive cut-throat competition been
practiced with more disastrous re-
suits. Unethical practices and preiu-
dice against organization of the work
ers have induced conflicts which have
resulted in all but bankrupting an in
dustry Of first Importance. And yet
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