The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-20
Textile Workers. On Guard
Against NRA Betrayal

THE MacMahon leadership of the United
Textile Workers Union is exerting all
of its efforts to maintain the fast dwindl-
ing faith of the textile workers in Roose-
welt and the N.R.A. They hope once more
to betray the strike movement through
MIRA arbitration
Two quotations from the printed report of Vice
President Francis German, to the national ccnven-
ton of the United Textile Workers. tell the story
of the betrayal policy of the MacNIahon leadership
German, in charge Of most of the unions work
on the MIRA. boards quotes the decisions of the
NRA. Investigation" of textile wages that, "Under
existing conditions, there is factuaI or statistical
basis for any general increase in Cotton Textile
Code Wage Rates." page So
German says of this decision This decision
wages is disappointing as the hours report"
page -
Germans report is remarkable history of the
betrayal of the textile workers demands through
the N.R.A. 1t shows that German signed the agree
ment' with the NRA. calling off the cotton tex
tile strike, which the workers demanded This
agreement called for investigation" of wages and
hours
Then German gives the results of the NRA's
Investigation the wage rates and hours of
the textile workers should not be changed In other
textile workers were preparing to strike were re-
jected and defeated by the MIRA. investigation"
And what is Germans conclusion: 81 desire to
express cur sincere appreciation to the Research
Department of the A. F. of L. and the Labor Ad-
visory Board of the N.R.A. for the splendid as
sistance rendered to the United Textile Workers of
America and their willingness at all times to CO.
operate in endeavors," page 49,
German did not dare oppose the strike motion
at the convention knowing that the
determined on strike action to win their demands
But Germans report shouiU serve notice on every
textile worker to watch carefully every move of
the MacNdahon leadership With such leadership
which signs away the demands of the textile work
ers to the NRA, and then thanks the very body
which has defeated the workers demands, the tex
tile workers must take direction of their strike into
their own hands.
From the very beginning of the textile CODE the
MacMahon leadership has followed this treacher-
Gus policy of betrayng the demands of the textile
workers before the N.R.A. boards. On June g. 1888
when MacMahon appeared witness at the tex
tile code hearing, MacMahon spoke of the textile
code wage proposed as too low
Deputy N.R.A. administrator Allen then de-
cared: 81 must confess that am somewhat fIab-
bergasted feel that it is only fair and
proper to call attention to the fact that you Mac
Mahon) have acted my advisor Today you are
calling to my attention many points which you
did not take up with me before"
With the MacMahon leaders again in Washing
ton, the textile workers must guard against repe-
ttion of such treachery-of secret deals by Mac
Mahon and German saddng the textile workers
with low wages and stretch out while publicly these
leaders make demagogic speeches for strike Mac
Mahon and German part of the NRA
apparatus Of the employers-sitting as members
on its boards.
The textile workers should at once elect broad
strike committees in every mill. These committees
should tax entire charge of the strike activity in
Guiding negotiations, No settlement should be al
lowed without a vote of all the textile workers
German is now in Washington to confer with
the MIRA authorities.
Not futile negotiations with N.RA boards which
are controlled by the employers But immediate
preparation and organization of the strike which is
less than two weeks away is the only course which
will win the demands of the textile workers