Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-04-01
Workers Alliance News
Mrs. Peter Stulen, Sandstone

a. m. by Chester Watson, state presi-
dent of the Workers Alliance, who
talked on the Peoples Lobby and its
program. He told of the Workers
Alliance being recognized by Presi-
dent Roosevelt as the bargaining agent
for the unemployed, who recently
granted David LASER. national presi-
dent of the Workers Alliance, an
hours interview.
The afternoon session was opened
by electing VIM. Tauberman of Ona-
mia, as chairman. John Soltis, state
organizer for the w. A. A, was called
upon to address the convention. He
spoke on the present economic condi-
tions and what led up to it, and spoke
on the Presidents Court proposal and
why we should support the Presidents
plan. OF the birth of the w. A. A.
he stated that in April, 1885, organ
lied groups held meeting in Wash
ington, ID. c., where the unemployed
councils led by the Communists, and
the united relief organizations, led by
the Socialists, who are the only true
strugglers for the workers and who
can be depended upon in the struggle
for justice, together with other eco
nomic organizations. formed united
front and assumed the name of the
Workers Alliance of America. They
do not represent any politics, but are
a solid united front for bread.
The Dunn faction of the Federal
Workers. largely of Hennepin county,
stated upon their return from Wash
ington, that they attended only as OBJ
servers, and did not join the united
forces for bread. Their policy is to
split the unity of labor.
The policy of the w. A. A. is that
there shall be no discrimination OF
political belief, race or sex.
The speaker stated that we either
swim or sink together in our fight for
better conditions and better standards
OF living.
Our organization must be kept in
the control of the rank and file to
be democratically controlled. The
Dunn factions policy is to seek to get
control of any organization to rule or
ruin.
Mr.. Soltis stated that the Truck
Drivers Union 544 of which the Fed
eral Workers is a section and for
which the Dunns take credit for or
eaniZing was not organized by them
but that many other organizations
helped.
Mr.. SoltiS concluded his talk by
IL
requesting that all who could should
attend Oh April 4 and at st. Paul.
He said we must work for the pro-
posed SIT ,0O0,0 work relief state APP
preparation, this amount being needed
for work relief the next two years.
This appropriation is opposed by the
reactionaries of Minnesota, their pro-
posal being S2,000,000. In case the
federal government fails to approprl-
ate the S4,O00,00G000 now proposed
by the liberals, w. A. A. and other
unions for work relief for the next
two years, it will mean a starvation
program in the state of Minnesota.
The w. A. A. oppose any program
chasing worker as pauper in order
to obtain a WPA job. Well fight fer
union wages, and oppose the so-called
security wage for honest needy work
ers. Our future program is for all
projects to be useful work, such as
hospitals, housing program, sanitation,
schools and power projects.
A unanimous expression of thanks
was voted Mr.. Soltis for his splendid
address.
Eleven counties were represented,
of which GA delegates from II locals
were present.
Mr.. Gilbertson, district director,
was called and came before the con-
vention talking on the WPA program
ending June 30.
The changes in WPA to become eff
fective April Is are as follows: I'm
skilled workers will work 100 to 40
hours per month with an increase of
four cents per hour. Skilled workers
will have their hours cut so they will
receive only the Security Wage of $44
per month. Foremen and time keep
ers will not be paid on the basis of
number of men on the project as is
now the rule.
An official count will be made on
all jobs April Z. All men are re-
quested to be present. Thirteen hun
dred unemployed are now certified for
work in district 2 with no work to be
had
Eugene Grant of Arthyde, Aitkin
county. was unanimously elected pres
ident for the second WPA district.
Roy Williams of Brainerd. was elected
vice president. OF three nominees for
secretary-treasurer, T. w. Dickson Of
Hinckley, Pine county, received %
votes out of AZ cast.
A resolution of congratulations to
John T. Bernard, Congressman from
the Eighth district for his courageous
stand on the neutrality in the Spanish
situation was unanimously passed.
A resolution was also unanimously
passed supporting President Roosevelt