Evening star., 1937-01-02
BY JOHN C.. HENRY,

More work at better wages and
under better conditions" is the pro-
spect envisioned for Americas labor
ers, both organized and unorgan-
lied, by Secretary of Labor Perkins.
In their faith in this prediction lies
the reason for the working men and
women of the Nation looking forward
to 1887 with active anticipation. They
look backward upon 1886, with few
regrets and q sense Of progress
achieved.
Labor has much to review in the
year just passed. participating in a
record which might most easily be
divided into three general classifica-
tions. First in immediate importance
is its participation in increased in
dustrial activity. its finding Of new
jobs. increasing employment. Second,
is the testing of its economic strength
through extended organization and
collective bargaining; growing out Of
this trend was the bitter factional
strife which has split the ranks Of
organized labor. Third Is the con-
scious exercise of political power in
so far as elections are concerned.
Miss Perkins reviews the employ
ment improvement in IL months as
follows:
More than 5000, 900 men and wom-
en- who were jobless In March. 1888,
are working again in private employ
ment and some 100000 others are
engaged in useful work provided or
assisted by Government. Factory pay
rolls alone were $4,000, 900 greater
weekly in the first quarter Of 1896
than In the corresponding period Of
1888.
Durable Goods Industry.
employment In the durable goods
industries Is 1877 per cent higher than
1t was q year ago. Employment In the
non-durable goods industries is 4 per
cent higher than last year and this
group Of manufacturing industries Is
back to the level Of early 1928. Aver
age weekly earnings in the manufac-
turing industries as q whole are 4.8 per
cent higher.
Labor's most notable achievements
in organization endeavors have come
at the cost of harmony within the
movement, resulting finally in the
suspension from the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor OF ten afIiliated un-
ions with total membership of about
100000 or nearly one-third Of the
federation's personnel.
The story began in the Fall Of 1885,
when several strong union leaders
joined in formation of the Committee
for Industrial Organization. Immedi-
ately, they made plans for an organ
izing drive In the steel industry, well
known as the greatest foe Of labor
unions, and in other mass production
industries.
The c. I. O.'s disregard Of craft
jurisdictional lines in its organizing
efforts brought them quickly into con.
flict with federation chiefs and the
rebels" were summoned to trial by
the federation's Executive Council In
August. Refusing to appear, ten Of
tlC ~. j. " du1lldIC WCIC
on September 5, with the action rati-
fed at the federation's convention In
Tampa, in November.
Division Of Forces.
Thus, organized labor's forces di.
vided.
In the field. meanwhile, organizing
progress has been accomplished and
collective bargaining triumphs re-
corded.
| In steel, c. I. o. organizing head
quarters are established in Pittsburgh
and $500 900 has been dedicated II
the task. Whole company union,
already have joined the Amalgamatet
Association Of Iron. Steel and Tir
| Workers.
John L. Lewis says:
approximately 100000 steel work.
ers have already been formally en-.
rolled. Remarkable gains have also
been made in the unionization of auto
mobile. radio. rubber, electrical man
ufacturing and other groups Of EN-
ployes Of mass production industries.
Hostile, particularly. TO the stee
industry, he adds:
Il wish also solemnly to warn thosl
iwho represent the steel industry tina