Evening star., 1938-12-11

When Congress sits down in January
to decide what to do about the w. P. A.,
it will face one big argument against
making any cuts.
That argument is 100000 votes.
1t is personifed in the membership Of
the Workers Alliance of America, one
of the biggest unions in the world, the
union Of workingmen who are on relief. .
At the time of its birth as a national
organization three years ago the al
lance voiced its demands through loud
demonstrations in the streets, noisy
meetings in abandoned halls and violent
clashes with the police, in which heads
were cracked and scores were jailed.
Next week the alliance will make the
most sweeping demand in its history-a
demand for expansion instead of the
proposed reduction in w. P. A. rolls
and it will be done in a quiet meeting
with w. p A. officials in Washington.
The more subdued approach is ex-
planned by the alliance national presi-
dent, David LASER, in these words:
when an organization grows strong
and sure of itself, it natures and
achieves its ends without making so
much noise"
How strong has the alliance grown?
Stable Block of Votes.
Three years ago its membership was
so vague its leaders could only guess at
figures Now the dues books show fol-
lowing of 100000. This is not so much,
considering the 100000 men OF the W.
P. A. and the 100000 more estimated
unemployed But it is sizable block of
votes for the consideration of any Con-
gresham.
That the Roosevelt administration
rates the alliance seriously is indicated
by the fact that w. P. A. heads are will
ing to give three days-December IS, 16
and Ito hearing the unions demands
for more and better-paid w. P. A. jobs.
The preparation for this hearing, at
which so w. P. A. workers from all parts
Of the country will tell why they think
they should have more money, is illus
trative of the alliance methods. It con-
sists chiefly of circulation of petitions
headed II need and want a wage in
crease"
In the left corner of the top of the
petition blank is an American flag. In
the opposite corner is picture of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Between is a quotation
from the President condemning low
wages in general, and another quotation
from Aubrey Williams, deputy w. P. A.
administrator, saying that w. p. A.
wages are IS per cent of the wages In
private industry. Below this is a pledge
that the signers are w. P. A. workers
and that they contribute to help this
fight" Here are a few sample signature
lines from an actual petition in New
York City (name, address, Identification
number and contribution:
August Herrell, sc Housman avenue,
1880, cents; Midele Mercio, 167 Mott
street, 561850. S cents; Angelo Ongone.
Sc Housman avenue, 326s71, 2 cents.
Il contribute 2 cents"
No Pittance Too Small.
There, in one pathetic phrase, lies the
strength of this strange organization.
No pittance is too small for it to accept
as serious contribution to the cause.
No man Is too poor to be taken into
membership, an equal of all the others.
1t is the other way round No one too
prosperous can belong to the alliance.
Membership is given only to those who
are totally unemployed, who are en-
ployed on the w. P. A., or who are en-
ployed part-time in private industry
1T is our feeling" Mr.. LASER explains,
that all others belong in established
unions
The dues of the alliance must, there
fore, be low. They are set, in the un-
ions constitution. ut . minimum Of Is
cents and . maximum Of Il . month.