The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-10-13
The Cherry Tree
Where We Hutchet Out
The Truth
. ANOTHER GUESS
o 100000 AND GROWING
o UNION PROGRESS
. "FISH WEEK"

| Heavy thinkers who write for the
high brow magazines have been en-
joying themselves for months by
prophesying the early decline and
virtual death of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
They have another guess coming.
Their predictions must be revised.
The "decline" and death" must be
set ahead quite bit.
A. F. of l.. is very much alive.
Reports of it's early dissolution are
much exaggerated.
Might be better for the prophets to
fix the date at some indefinite time in
the distant future, after present gen.
erations are gone.
That would be safer, as far as their
regulations for prophecy is concerned.
X X X
Fact of the matter is, the A. F. of
l.. is stronger than ever, in member
ship, power and influence, as was con-
Ivincingly set forth at the Houston
convention.
Membership was reported at five
million and growing. ''.~
A great deal of the gain-762, ,154
to be exact-took place in the year
ending August 81, 1888, which in
cluded months Of the depression.
To increase union membership SUBJ
stantially in hard times has been
thought to be different, if not impos-
sible.
But the A. F. of L. did the "impos-
sible."f
Organization was pushed in many
fields.
"We have organized many thous-
ands Of workers in industries where
no semblance of organization had
ever before existed" the Federation's
Executive Council told the convention,
naming industries and giving details.
X x
This column has commented before
on union progress, made despite un-'
favorable conditions of the last twelve
months.
New contracts, increasing or MAIN
tanning pay, membership gains, new
headquarters buildings and other
marks of progress were cited.
Reports made public at Houston
confirm and amplify the gains.
No organization in comatose con-
dition could have made them.
T. f. of L. is going places, doleful
predictions of it's enemies notwith-
standing.
1t is not perfect by any means. It
has it's faults and shortcomings. 1t is
open to improvement. But it is alive
and kicking and is driving ahead to-
ward better and better America.
r,, 49,. K. X * x 80
United States has many weeks"
celebrating this and that-such as
"Child Health Week." "Fire Preven-
ton Week." etc.
Latest is "Fish Week." celebrated
for the first time this year.
Promoters of the event, the Natl
onal Fisheries Committee, say fishing
was the first American industry. They
point to fishing activities of the first
New England settlers as proof of the
statement.
For decades, fishing was a premier
New England industry.
In late years, it has experienced
difficulties.
Hence "Fish Week." in an endeavor
to boom use of fish.
Fish has food merit and is cheaper
than most meat. Here's hoping the
fish industry and it's workers will be
benefited from the "week."
Incidentally, the day may soon
come when fish bear the union label.
Fish workers Of San Diego, Califor-
MIA, are now labelling fish they
handle.
X X X
Auto drivers who try to butt rail-
road trains off the tracks always fail.
Like the buffaloes which made SIM
liar attempts in the early days of
western railroading, they find a loco
motive is tough critter, able to stand
lot of butting.
Motorists, however, continue to try
conclusions with railroad trains. If
they live, which isn't often, they re-
alize they have shown bad judgment.
They keep right on trying, despite
the odds against them. Why? Ask
something easy.