davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

My dear Congressman Smith:
/ On the 18th day Of March. 1910.
the American Federation Of La
Dor issued a document containing.
among others things. the follow
ing statement:
Some OF these Smith amend
mentS are practical and construc-
tive. However. it is the opinion
OF the American Federation Of
Labor that the amendments Of
fered by the Smith committee as
a whole strike in a destructive way
at vital fundamental principles Of
the Labor Relations Act"
In view of the fact that some
misunderstanding has arisen as to
the meaning of this statement.
desire now to clarity the same by
stating specifically the amend
ments to which We referred.
!. We object to the proposed
change suggested in section /.
which declares the fundamental
principles and purposes Of the act.
and firmly believe that this Sec
ton OF the law should remain un-
changed.
.. We believe that the proposed
definition OF section 2 Of the term
collective bargaining" narrows
the meaning of that term to the
extent that 1t presents the danger
Of being so construed as to impair
the fundamental purposes OF the
act. and therefore believe that this
section should remain unchanged.
3. We oppose the so-called Gar
rison amendment to section Q of
the act as not affording protection
against the excuses heretofore in
dulged in by the Board in fixing
the unit Of representation to the
destruction Of bona fide trade
unions and. in substitution there
for. we recommend the adoption
OF the attached amendment to this
section.
4. We believe that the amend
ment to section 10 Co putting a
limitation OF 6 months on back
pay is too restrictive and would
have no objection II the limitation
were extended to / year. as con-
tanned in the proposed amend
ments to the Walsh-Healey Act.
While there are some remain
ing amendments which we can
not endorse, we are firmly con-
WINGED that. taken as a whole,
the amendments proposed by the
Smith committee, II modified as
above suggested. will remedy in
a large measure the excuses
and abuses In the administra-
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

While much of the present talk about the
fifth column" inclines toward hystera. we
nonetheless must take a critical review of the
activities of the Bat'a Shoe Company.
This concern has consistently shown a dis
regard of the laws of the United States. More
over large part of its supervisory personnel
is composed of recently imported individuals
from German conquered territory. Czecho-
Slovakia.
First. there are the peculiar circumstances
surrounding the permission of Hitler for Jan
Bat'a to export machinery and instructors
from German territory. ostensibly to educate
American children in the art Of mass shoe pro-
duction. Informed people claim that native
unemployed shoe workers were available
here for the purpose.
Second. there is the brazen contempt Of
the Bata Shoe Company for the Wages and
Hours Law of the United States.
Third. there is the callous child labor sweat.
ing ofenses Of the Bata Shoe Company which
were last week subjected to injunction by the
United States District Court in Baltimore.
Finally, comes word that the Radio
Cooperation Of America has bean indicted
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
Jobless Claims
Falling of

BALTIMORE. June l7.-Orig-
inal claims for unemployment
benefits fled with the Maryland
Unemployment Compensation
Board In the four-week period
Immediately preceding. This re-
duction, 1t is estimated. should
continue for some time. according
to the day-to-day figures Of the
employment offices which receive
the applications Of those who have
lost their jobs and are covered by
the unemployment compensation
act.
In the first seven weekdays Of
June the benefit payments made
by the Board amounted to $780,
039, "a high rate for the current
year, compared with s2i2.575 for
the first seven weekdays Of May.
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

ent partner to the intrigue"
TEXT OF STATEMENT
Green and the top AFL leader
ship was scored by Lynch in the
following terms:
HAMsTRING LABOR
"All OF the Smith amendments
were designed for one single pur-
pose: to hamstring the legitimate
efforts Of organized labor. They
are so bad they never could have
passed the lower house without
ALL endorsement to serve ss
camouflage for their real inten'
and purpose.
June Z. 1910. Uhe day Green
endorsed the Smith Bill will be
remembered as a dark day in
American labor history. Let the
record show that the Pattern
Makers League was not even a
silent or indifferent partner to the
intrigue
That all Trojan horses do not
carry the colors Of one stable is
evidenced in the 'blitzkrieg pulled
by the top command Of the ALL
by joining forces with recognized
reactionaries to destroy labors
front line defenses established by
the Natl. Labor Relations Act"
The record now shows that
with . few unimportant excep.
tionS, which will cause no chag-
rim TO the SNUG satisfaction Of
Congressman Smith and the
Interests he represents. the AL
top leaders have endorsed the
Smith program cap-a-pie."
However. under another Smith
amendment. endorsed by the AFL,
a violation OF law by employers is
not a violation Of law unless 1t Is
a 'preponderant' violation. Slap
ping around one union man at a
time In an industry employing
5000 would hardly be construed
as preponderant opposition to un-
ionism. The defense here could
be the one entered by the less
than discreet young lady who
pleaded extenuation Of her sin on
the ground that the baby was such
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
Bosses and BalOney

1t is an old story about the accused law
breaker who told the Judge I'm not guilty.
your honor. but if you let me of | won't do it
again.
But we were reminded OF it in reading about
the kaylon. Inc concern of Baltimore who
were last weekend enjoined from further
cheating the employees Of their Baltimore
plant out of wages due under the Wages and
Hours Law.
From the story in our news columns you
will read that the general manager told the
court. 'lnasmuch as this case involves ques-
ton Of the Interpretation of certain regulations
of the Wage and Hour administrators: we
have agreed rather than enter into any long
drawn-out legal controversy. to accept the
Governments Interpretation, without in any
way admitting that we have been in violation
of the Wage and Hours Act AS a matter OF
fact, we have always attempted to abide by
the terms of the Act and any valid regulation
we knew Of and we intend to continue to
comply. The wages we pay have always been
and now are equal to or above those paid
in the local market or those required by law.
So far, so good. Now read further.
it agreed to pay each of its employees
since October "a, 1888, a sum of money
equal to the difference between the
amount of wages actually paid and the
amount that should have been paid had
the employee been compensated for his
employment under provisions of the
Act"
Well. there you are. You pay your money
and takes your choicel The confused employer
says he hasn't stolen and cheated any money
out of his workers pay envelopes. but just to
save long drawn out controversy he is will
ing to put it back! Quite a strange fellow,
what?
To conclude the record it should be report
ed that Kaylon Inc. has refused to negotiate
with the Union Of his employees who have been
on strike since the middle of April.
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

for having installed a wire circuit from
the Bat'a Shoe Company plant at Bel
camp and accepting foreign messages on
this circuit in violation Of United States
law.
The combination of law violations by
the Bat'a Shoe Company and its accom-
Ices call for a pretty thorough analysis.
If the Bat'a Shoe Company is the advance
guard Of Hitlerism in this country il be-
hooves us to be well on guard against
all Vaccinations.
Certain imfo,mi,d ,aas;ess az. as!!;:as !:
Ian Bat'a is the authorized agent of Adolpl
Hitler here?22p
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
JobIeSS Fund

A press report from Baltimore shows that
the Maryland Unemployment Compensation
Fund is top heavy with unexpended reserves.
In fact, the report reveals that more money
is in reserve than has been paid out in the two
and one-half years since benefits became pay
able to qualified unemployed workers.
The figures: Surplus on hand. Sl9 1892, 800.
against the total paid out. Sl6,673. 307.
Those Of US who remember the hard fight
it took to obtain passage OF the unemployment
compensation law will we'll recall how the
reactionaries fought it. The Baltimore Asso-
citation OF Commerce and their cohorts pre-
dicted dire ruin. Their tactics succeeded for
several sessions OF the legislature in having all
forms of unemployment insurance rejected
Their final stand succeeded in having the bene-
fits kept low and the conditions made hard to
most and impossible to many others. such as
seamen. agricultural workers. domestics and
The arguments used. OF course. were that
we should go slow at first and increase the
benefits when the fund was stabilized.
During the Celanese stoppagc Of work last
year. benefits were denied Inc C-!amese WORK
ers on several grounds 1t was stated off the
record in official circles that payment of bene-
fits roughly averaging nifty per cent OF normal
wages to these workers would "endanger the
stability Of the fund Actually it would have
cost the fund less than 100000 per week to
pay 5000 Celanese workers benehtsl The
stoppage lasted FIVE weeks. three weeks OF
which would have been compensate for a
total of 100000. or just drop out of the
bucket of the nineteen million dollars of sur
plus funds.
Now that the fund has been so safely
established we hear suggestions of various
kinds being advanced to turn it to the benefit
Of the employers and take it from the unem-
ployed workers in whose behalf it was created.
We have in the past exposed the political
corruption Of the Maryland Unemployment,
Compensation Board. Little aid to the workers,
supposed to be the benehciaries of the Act.
can be expected from that quarter.
But there is some hope in calling for action
from the advisory councils The Allegany
County Advisory Council will meet again mex,
Tuesday. June 18th to study the matter. We
hope they will give the matter realistic atten-
ton.
We also draw public notice to the Maryland
Unemployment Compensation Boards refusal
to carry out the instructions of the Maryland
General Assembly in naming Local Advisory
Councils in any other section Of the State ex-
cept Allegany County. The local group was
only set up after determined insistence of the
Western Maryland Industrial Union Council
was made upon the gang that has prostituted
the Act to their own personal enrichment.
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

ton of the act, of which we
have heretofore complained. We
therefore urge your support of
the amendments TO the Smith
bill. rs outlined above; and II
such amendments are adopted.
we further ask you TO support
and vote for the bill as a whole.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM GREEN.
President,
American Federation Of Labor.
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
STATE or MARYLAND
STATE ROADS COMMISSION
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
FEDERAL AID PROJECT


SEALED PROPOSALS for the i'm.
ptovement OF one section Of highway a.
follows:
WASHINGTON COUNTY - CONTRACT
W.iE2.I.6jA; Federal Aid Project No.
Iq7.B(2l. This contract eontemplates
the grading. drainage and suriacing
ri n relocation along the National Pike
between Park Head and Hancock. In.
Guiding the construction OF q bridge
over Great Tonoloway Creek. a disc
lance OF III miles. Concrete Sur'
facing and Bridge.
The employment agency for furnish.
ing labor on the above project 10
MARYLAND State Employment Service,
10 W. franklin St. HageTstown. Md.
The minimum hourly wage to be paid
bv the contractor on the above proieet
shall be for skilled LSber." so.;S.
'Unskilled Labor. s0jS.
The attention Of bidders Is directed to
the Special Provisions covering sub:
letting and assigning OF contract and
to use Of materials.
will be received by the State Roads
Commission at its Offices. Federal Re-
serve Bank Building. Calvert and Lex:
ington SITS. Baltimore. Maryland until
} Z. ~ on the 25th day OF June 1910.
at which time they will be publicly
opened and read QUALIFICATION OF
BIDDERS REQUIRED.
Bids must be made upon the blank
proposal form which. with specifications
and plans will be furnished by the Com.
mission upon application and cash paw.
mrnt II $500. for each separate prof..
Get. as hereafter no charges will be per.
mit.ed.
No bids will be received unless nc:
eompanicd by certified cheek or bid
bond payable TO the State Roads Gem
mission Of MARYLAND. rs required by
Section o. Chapter 76i. Act OF 1859. Of
the amount as set forth in the proposal
form.
The successful bidder will be required
TO give bond and comply with the Acts
OF the General Assembly OF MARYLAND
respecting contracts No REF CND WILL
M MADE FOR RETURN or SPECl.
LEGATIONS AND PLANS.
The commission reserves the right to
reject any and oil bids.
~ ORDER of the State Roads Com.
mission this 18th day OF June. 1910.
EZRA y. WHITMAN. Chairman
l.. ~ STEuART. Secretary
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
Green Sells Out Labor In
Amazing Letter To Smith

the Wagner Act shameful chapters the history
the
others disguised and still others highly uban The action of Benedict Arnold Many
the
and already powerful AFL the
double ro@o Of
may t a the depths which
finally snkw erepuntin the oonous ltein full
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20

a little one"
I'VE have repeatedly said that
opening the MIRA for amend
ments in this Congress would lead
to emasculation OF the rights OF
labor under the Act. We said
this. however. without knowledge
or thought that our own parent
body would become an accessory
before the fact"
The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-06-20
ALL Union Head Flags
Green's DOuble-CrOss
Lynch, of Pattern Makers
Speaks His Mind

As an indication of what Bill Green might expect from some
of the honest leaders of AFL unions the bitter denune'a
ton of George O. Lynch president of the ALL affiliated rat
tern Makers League
Lynch asserted in his statement that June 9TH will be re-
embered dark day in labor history Let the record show
that N. Pattern Makers League was not even silent nder
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
POWERFUL NAX OFFENSIVE
ON MGWOT LINE REPORTED
REPUSD BY FRENCH ARMY
FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN
|Poilus Counterattack With
Desperate Fury As They
Stage Withdrawal
IS ABAND ONED
FRANCE

TOURS, France, June 14.-CP)-
The main armies Of France fell back
tonight far below abandoned, Ger
m~an-invaded Paris in a fighting re-
treat that may be their last move.
ment of the war.
Other forces far to the east were
declared to have thrown back, with
tremendous losses" a German head
on attack against the Maginot line.
All but broken under the mightiest
assault ever thrown against men,
the Polius who fought the main bat
tie of France counterattacked with
a desperate fury as they retired UNI
Ger the Nazi pressure.
Future Uncertain
They did rot even know whether
their command could continue the
struggle.
Paris, which the government long
since had fled, was gone-occupied
by the Germans and ringed by their
armored units and i%nfantrymen.
Tours, the new emergency seat Of
the ministers from which Premier
Reynaud sent a "last appeal to
President Roosevelt last night for
American aid, was being abandoned
for yet another refuge-presumably
the far southern seaport of Bor.
deauX.
Tonight's communicate said the
withdrawal below Paris had been
carried out conforming to plans"
but was barren of details beyond dis
closing the first French naval &C.
ton against Italy in this war.
Italian Coast Bombed
This was the bo~mbardment last
night by French warships of indus
trial establishments and the railway
line along the italian coast-an OPP
Grafton accompanied by an air raid
in the region of Venice and the drop
ping of pamphlets on Rome.
But word from the fronts was lit
tie and bare of comfort Tor the
French, aside from the French sue
cess reported at the Maginot line.
west of the Saar.
German advances carried on the
east as, far as Romilly. IS miles
southeast of Paris, and to st Dlzlers
nearly $50 miles east Of Paris.
The German west flank also adj
vanced. olive words were censored
in the reference to this movement;
Continued on Page Three, Col. -
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
GLOOM HITS BRITAIN
Nation .Renews Assertion
That Whatever Happens
Britain Will Fight On
WANTS AMERICAN AID
BRITAIN

LONDON, June 15-(Saturday)-
RHThis 'fblackest week in histo-
ry'' for Britain and France drew
from official circles today the dog
ged assertion that whatever
happens Britain will fight on
against Nazi Germany, while press
and radio turned eager, specula-
tive eyes on 1.-The prospects OF
American intervention"
Confronted with the fall OF Paris
hard in the wake of Italy's entry
into the war as a foe of the Allies,
the British flung open their war
chest to make immediate pur-
chases of everything needed to
prosecute the conflict.
Commentators Quotations
The intervention and BLACK
est week. quotations both came
from ar official British radio COM
mentator, who said the prospect
of the former more than counter
balanced the latter.
The London News Chronicle as
serted:
"a declaration of war by Ameri-
ca now would inject an impulse OF
bounding hope into every French
mans heart. -.
1.-THE effect on the Nazi would
be correspondingly depressing.
'Now, in this momentous crisis
America may have it in her power
to tide civilization over its dark
est hour by a strong dramatic
act.
The newspapers commentator,
Vernon Bart1ess, said he believed
$50 German divisions (about 1885,
600 mem had been identified in
the present battle of France and
that many more" remained in
reserve.
Faces Great Odds
''Faced with such Odds he de-
clared, "it is doubtful whether any
CONTINUED on Page Three, Col. -
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
AIR TRAINING PUSHED
Nations Leader Says Hit
ler's Remarks Bring
Up Recollections'

WASHINGTON, June 14-R0
President Roosevelt today openly
scoffed at any Hitler pledge to
refrain from invading the west
ern hemisphere, while his aides
announced plans for training H.
600 men annually for the n g e
air force of the future.
At a press conference, Mr'
Roosevelt was informed of a news
dispatch (By Karl Won Wlegano'
chief foreign correspondent OF the
Hearst newspapers) stating tn
Hitler had called any idea OF a
western hemisphere invasion
"grotesque."
Direct Quotation
Ching to the unusual length O.
authorizing direct quotation Mr
Roosevelt said in a tone OF pointed
sarcasm that Hitler's remarks
bring up recollections." In
few words he thought sufficient tt
the subject, saying they could Dc
enlarged with dates and the name.
If countries going back over
period of years. 49,
He did not elaborate on this
but his obvious meaning was ina
on specific dates, Hitler had as
sured particular countries ina
thew were safe from German at
Continued on page Three, Col y
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
Army Marches Into Paris,
Claims French Collapsing
On The Northern Front
|REAR ATTACK PUSHED
Authorities Deny Report
u. S. Envoy Bullitt In
Protective Custody


BERLIN, June 14-R-.The con-
quering German army marched in
to Paris today, jubilantly declared
the French to be collapsing on the
whole northern front, and loosed
a frontal assault on Frances Mag
mot line from the region OF the
Saar.
simultaneously, other German
divisions moved from the a r
against that mighty chain OF fort
resses-defended by more than a
million Frenchmen-and appeared
to be slowly turning it.
Capture Montmedy
Montmedy, the lines northern
anchor, fell to them and they also
claimed to have stormed thro.'sh
the southern fringe OF the ArgosMe
forest behind the defenses In that
area.
The Germans were advancing on
Verdun, a key northern fortiflca-
ton in the Maginot system.
In this fiercest of all offenslves,
the old French capital undefended
Paris-was taken without b o M
bardment, and the Nazi High Com
mand announced:
1.-The third phase-pursult OF the
enemy until final destruction-now
has begun"
Hitler declared a three-day holl-
day. Bands played. Crowds cheer
ed hoarsely in Berlin.
From the sea to Sedan, about
Is miles northwest Of Montmedy'
French resistance was declared to
be crumbling.
Deny Bullitt Report
With German troops marching IN
Paris for the first time since 1911,
German authorities denied a repor1
that U. S. Ambassador William =.
Bullitt. who remained there unit
the end, was in the protective u
tody of the invaders.
German authorities said exult
antly that the fall of Paris mean
the beginning of the general col
LAPSE of France" and they des
cribed as "a cry Of despair" tne
second appeal for american alc
made by Premier Paul Reynaue
of France to President Roosevelt
1.-THE complete defeat OF France
is now only only a question O.
time" The authoritative common
tary service Dienst Aus Deutscn
land declared.
with the loss the capital, the
heart of France has been struck
france has been stripped OF the
main part of it's armament IN
dustries.
Communications with England
after the fall of LIE Havre-'h'
capture of this vital channel por
was claimed during the day-ca1
only be maintained scantily.
"Fate Sealed"
"As urgent as was the appeal O
Reynaud to the American Presl
dent, the fate of France can never
theless be regarded as sealed"
The occupation of Paris, mill
(Contiuued on Page Three, Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15

LONDON, June 14-R-Brit-
ain tonight open full wide the
war chest treasured aglnst
the now abandoned conception
of a slong war" and ordered
the immediate wholesale pur-
chase of every tool of battle
available in America.
In the momentous decision
that the tide must be turned
in France within weeks at
most. the British made clear
thew were going "all out" to
obtain post-haste guns and am
munition, even Of world war
vintage, to supply TONNES
streaming back onto the con
tinent on "return tickets from
the disaster of Flanders.
At the expense Of sorely
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
HAS SECONDARY ROLE
Hopes To Keep Enemies
Busy While Nazi Legions
Finish Off France
ITALY

ROME, June 14-(RHItaly's part
in the war became manifest today
as a sniping action to keep the
Allies harassed at many p t
while the Germans try to finish
off the French.
These tactics were outlined n
Italian newspapers, giving Italy 9
role secondary to Germany ane
aimed particularly at keeping
French and British forces in the
Mediterranean and Red seas occu
pied with air raids.
Little Fighting
The only fighting on the French
frontier by Italian troops reported
by the High Command was an &C
ton where Italians drove back g
French attack at Galisia Hill
where there is an Alpine noun
tain pass into Italy.
In it's third communique of the
Continued on Page Three; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-15
RELIEF MEASURE
liked BY SENATE
Two Groups Team Up 10
Place $1OO,O00,Ooo
In Annual Bill

WASHINGTON, June l4-HG
Two powerful senate groups-rousr,
" W. renresenting rural and urban
are as teamed up today yod to pace &c e
an an unbudgeted $500, 600, 600 IN t the
an ~ relief bill by a lop-slded
20 Disregarding economy pleas so OF
Senator Adams O-Colo9, ilGof
leader of the bulky annual rellel
annropriation, the senate maae
n1,ickiy approved the increase IN
'i' Senator Adams reminded tn e
uanohers that congress already
had Voted $s5, 600, 900 for these pur,
ices in the regular farm bill and
nat another $500, 600, 600 would be
Dramatically diverted. fir o m
customs funds.
P,,t senator's interested In both
f.rm and city relief insisted that
war conditions and national pre-
maredness could well be served by
lthe additional fund.