The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-01-16

port OF the A. F. of L. leaders, they
permitted these grafters and racket
GERS to take half Of the total payroll
paid to unemployed workers taken on
the Mellon-C.W.A. job.
Million Dollar Racket
Plasterers, painters, bdcklayers,
GLACIERS and lathers in Pittsburgh
who were suspended from their
union, because they could not pay
dues, at meeting held in Pittsburgh
recently declared that union busi-
ness agents were attempting to build
up million dollar racket in Pitts
burgh at the expense of 10000 unem-
ployed but qualified trades workers. F."
With the knowledge and permission
of C.W.A. officials, union heads in
Pittsburgh devised a graft scheme
that they figured would net them
tens of thousands Of dollars, and
probably millions in tribute.
The scheme worked out in this
way. During the crisis, with around
rs per cent of building trades workers
without jobs, union members could
not pay the heavy, gouging dues re-
quired by the higher ups in the union,
The men were, therefore dropped.
Finally came the big ballyhoo on
C.W.A. construction. Jobs by the mil
lions were promised by President
Roosevelt and Administrator Wallace
Though Wallace still uses his fam
tastic, imaginary figures Of 100000
employed on the projects in Pitts
brgh between 10000 to $4,000 jobs
were allotted. In reality only $4,000
were given these jobs. But most OF
them were politicians who acted as
foremen and held other cushy posi-
lions, getting money that was sup
posed to go for relief"
Melons Cathedral
The Mellon Cathedral OF Learn.
ing" which Andrew Mellon had Of
/ fered to finance to the tune of $I0,-
600 900, stood unfinished since 1929
To show his philanthropy" Mellon
proposed building this institution fol-
the Pittsburgh University. Here the
Mellon family was to erect a monu-
ment to its greatness. From the bill
lions squeezed out Of the toll, sweat
and blood Of the miners, steel work
ers, aluminium workers, Andy Mellon
| offered to finance the construction
Of THIS gigantic building where only
| those ideas would be taught thai
suited the Mellon system Of exploita-
ton.
OF the Is directors Of the univer-
sity, only three were not directors o.
Mellon banks or corporations. Among
the three is the present Gov. Pin
chot, whose henchmen use the C.WA
to build their political machine anC
help grating A. F. Of L. officials.
Huge Structure
The building was to shoot up 5.
stories, $50 feet. But Mellon, who's
profits during the crisis dropped :
few millions, leaving him only ten
of millions yearly, decided to renil
on his financial promises.
'The masonry" writes Harve.
O'Conner, in his book Melons Mil
lions" completed only on the uppe,
stories, ended at the 4th, and tn,
steel work Of the first three stories
stood gaunt and naked. :"
Somehow, instead Of building work
eTs' homes, and schools for the chill.
dren, the C.WA. provided millions
to complete this monument to tn,
Mellon family who were making NOR,
millions through N.R.A. war expendi
lures.
The grating, racketeering Officials
of the A. F. OF L. saw their chanct
for new depredations against tn
workers.
Officials of the Carpenters Distric
Council CA. F. of L., through it
business agent William j. Kelly
worked out a scheme whereby hal
Of the money going to carpenters EN-
ployed on the job would 60 to tn
pockets of the officials.
Building trades workers employee
on the job. who had been dropped
for non-payment of dues, we're toll
they must get permission to work OF
Melons Cathedral" from the union
500 Initiation" Fee
Union officials told them they mus
pay 500 initiation fees before the
could get the job. Then they had t
sign contract promising to "kic
back half Of their pay every week t
the union officials, under the disguis
of back dues"
Starving workers, some who ha
not worked for years, could not rails
the Initiation fees. But the union Of
ficials were accommodating. The
told the men they could pay tn
tribute in irlstallments-$10 at TIM
Many unemployed workers went {
their relatives and borrowed 81
Some pawned their last belonging,
Others begged the money. The
needed work badly. Here was an op
portmity for job. Only the unto
officials graft came first-and tn
C,W.A. officials knew about 1t.
Slave Contract
Before going to work, the men ha,
to sign the following contract:
carpenters District Council Of
Pittsburgh and Vicinity.
Special working card for one
week.
This certifies that Brother
OF Local Union No. 165, is permitted
to work at Cathedral for one week
only from :. to and including
In consideration Of the above, he
must report to the district council
every Saturday and pay one half of
the amount earned. until all dues
in arrears are paid In full.
The above conditions are ac-
eepted by y
The destitute, hungry workers hal
to sign this slave contract before the
were taken on the job. The C.W.A