The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-20


 the WPA.
 One Day Protest
 Washington, July 20.-CUP)-The Workers Alliance ordered It's rnenl- bers to leave their WPA jobs today in 8 one-day protest against provis- Ions of the 1940 relief bill. Alliance officials estimated that 500000 workers in more than 1000 cities would participate.
 Alliance headquarters said the time of demonstrations in each city was being fixed by local units. Presi- dent David Lasser said a prelimin- ary survey indicated lat least" half @ million workers would protest and support demands for changes in unjust and unworkable" features of the new relief law.
 The alliance called the demon- stration after abandoning participa- ton in WPA strikes against pro- vision of the new act which sub- stituted security wages for the pre- vailing union pay scale for skilled laborers.
 The American Federation of Lab- or and the Congress of Industrial organizations, which supported the walkouts against elimination of the prevailing wage, were invited to join in today's demonstration. 100000 In Strikes
 Approximately 100000 workers have been involved in the strikes and more than 32,000 have been dis missed for violating a WPA rule against staying away from projects for more than five days.
 Lasser said that contrary to press reports based on official WPA fig- ures that the strikes were decreas- ing, "the struggle is gaining new support"
 we have been assured by friends of changes in the law in Congress that they now are ready to move ahead vigorously for the passage of amendments" he said.
 A group of senators led by Sen. James E. Murray, D., Mont, Is sponsoring a measure to restore the prevailing wage. A similar bill has been introduced in the House. Lasser said he had been assured by WPA officials that there are no administrative regulations which prevent WPA workers from partici- pating in the demonstrations. He charged that Chairman Clifton A. Woodrum, D., Va, of the House committee Investigating WPA, was attempting to "intimidate" workers by demanding that the names of demonstrators be turned over to agents of the committee.
 Refers to N. Y.
 Lassey said he referred specifi- cally to New York City, where Col. Brehon B. Somervell, city WPA ad- ministrator, disclosed that he had been requested to furnish the com mittee with names of all workers who took part in a demonstrate involving 10000 WPA teachers yes- terday and today's alliance walk out.
 Attorney General Frank Murphy meanwhile ordered @ grand jury investigation of the WPA work stop page in Minneapolis as leaders of the strike in that city accepted under protest" terms for settlement of the dispute offered by Coy. Har- old E. Strassen and State Adminis- trator Linus c. Glotzbach. The Min neapolis walkout resulted in the death of two men and injuries to a score of others.
 Tn Philadelphia, the AFL-affiliat- ed building trades council postpon- ed a scheduled walkout of workers on all federally- financed projects.
 Not Joining Tn
 Detroit, July 20-(UP) - Wayne County (Detroit) leaders of Workers Alliance today said they would not join in one-day stoppage of WPA work called by the national organi- zation in protest against the new relief bill.
 "A one-day stoppage of work-not a strike-has been called wherever it is advisable under local condi- tions, a spokesman said. We do moi feel it is advisable here."
 Don't Check In
 New York, July 20-(UP)-Thou sands of members of the Workers Alliance failed to check in at WPA projects today and gathered at Col umbus Circle for mass protest against dismissal of all workers em. ployed IS months or more on WPA and other terms of the new relief bill.
 Willis Morgan, chairman of the Workers Alliance of greater New York. said early reports indicated about 10000 would answer the call and that most Of them would report at Columbus circle ot listen tC speeches and burn in effigy two oi the sponsors of the relief bill-Rep Clifton A. Woodrum, D., Va, and Rep. John E. Taber. R.. N. Y.
 Police Commissioner Lewis ]. Val entine sent go police to the meet Ing as precautionary measure. The demonstrations later planned tC march to WPA headquarters for mass picketing.
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