davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

land. situated so favorably for many industries
could revive its former good reputation from
an industrial standpoint and bring prosperity
to all of us.
The statement leaves the inescapable I'M
preston that Cumberland labor is MOI per
forming "a fair days work for fair day 5
pay.
Wha, other conclusion can be reached from
the speakers words?
Who Are They?
If such is the case then a very bad situation
exists. We believe Mr.. Somerville should give
some cases to show us exactly where these
miscreants are located.
Surely il cannot be at the largest local
plant, the Celanese Corporation? II would
not be possible for the Celanese to be
boosting its profits to such huge heights
If this condition were obtained there. In
fact, many are Of the opinion that the
Celanese Corporation is milking" the
local labor market and getting too fat
from their workers efforts.
Now. the Kelly plant. Most of the workers
there are complaining day after day at the
back breaking speed up which the manage
ment has imposed. The Goodyear Company
profits are healthier than in many year.
Does the speaker have any evidence that the
Kelly workers are slackers9
Still on the Kelly plant, does the speaker
believe that the management OF the Kelly
desires to sit down with their employees and
adjust their differences in a manly. tolerant,
businesslike healthy and wholesome way for
which he expressed admiration Examine the
cold factual record of the unions successful
NLRB case against the local management in
which it not only refused to adopt such pro-
cedure, but instead. bounded those workers
who asked for it into unemployment.
Amy Gases?
Well was ii the tin mill workers who
wouldn't give fair days work2 The manage
ment itself says that they are very unhappy
at not being able to continue operations to
help local employees. chronological improve.
ments. and not Stacking workers. are supposed
to be the reasons for suspension Of local opera.
tions. Does the speaker have any evidence
to charge otherwise'
As regards B. & o. employees. brewery
workers and other local industrial workers we
do not know 90 much. It is our opinion.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
PULP MILL ASKS
ORGANIZATION

CIO Organizer Robert L. Glenn
this week received requests for Or
ganizational aid from a group Of
workers employed at the West Vir-
ginia Pulp and Paper Mill at Luke,
Maryland
The letter said in part We
want the CiO TO give us a real or
ganization which will make a
proper agreement. We want an
agreement which the Union
writes and the management
signs. Not a paper that is pre-
sented by the company and just
put union signature to-"
our committee will guarantee
TO do its own part and we are
willing to even pay original ex-
penses If you will give us your
backing continues the letter.
The matter will be discussed
and acted on following the o.
SANITATION Committee report at
tonights meeting of the Western
Maryland Industrial Union Coun-
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Brick and Clay
Negotiations

Negotiations for renewal Of
contracts have been commenced
by representatives OF the Brick
and Clay Workers of Mount Saw
age. NJ. and Zihlman, Maryland.
Robert l.. Glenn. CIO organiz-
er is sitting in with the elected
negotiating COMMITTEES OF both
local unions and the manage
ment OF the respective plants.
Both locals are affiliated with
the CIO and are members OF the
Western Maryland Industrial
Union Council.
A full report OF the present
status Of negotiations will be sub
mitted tonight at the Western
Maryland Industrial Union Coun-
Gil meeting.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
The Industrial Future Of Cumberland

plant and the Celanese plant moved in. but
the Chamber receives inquiries from pros
pective newcomers each week, sometimes each
day.
The chamber secretary continued: Another
factor which weighs heavily in the balance is
the attitude of the community towards in
dustry. When one walks around the country
looking for place to sit. he doesn't sit down
on an ant hill or hornets nest. just so in
dustral engineers do not choose as location
for development unstable and hostile COM
muntes.
Which. say we, might mean anything or
nothingl
Some Proposals
We believe the program was well worth
while. It lacked the abuse OF former local
radio programs in which the local labor move
ment has been attacked as outside agitators.
dues hungry organizers. communist trouble
makers 'Iawbreakers" and other labels.
True, it attempted to create differences
and opinions without quoting any specific
facts. But, more and more, the COM
munity is grasping the weakness of the
case of the spokesmen against labor and
the apologists for inept local leadership.
The program, we think. revealed the woetul
shortage OF adequate housing in and around
Cumberland We suggest that it be made
theme for Town Meeting of the Air program.
There still remains a lot OF constructive
discussion on the local labor-industry sltua-
ton. For example it is not too soon to think
about contract renewal at the Celanese plant
and to work out a solution to burdensome
stoppages of work each year.
Celanese Contract
How would it be for representative group
Of the community to set up survey forum
to examine into all the incidents surrounding
the three stoppages of work in recent years at
the plant. The group could examine docu-
ments, listen to representatives OF manage
ment and union and go through the whole
history of company union efforts. real union
efforts and management attitudes with view
to getting factual picture
There is the interesting proposal OF ar
b;trat;on between management and union
an contract differences PRIOR to the
expiry of a contract. II will be recalled
that the Celanese union made such offers
of arbitration on nine occasions prior to
the stoppage of work FIVE months ago.
Perhaps some attention to the future OF
existing industry in Cumberland will bring
enlightenment to many if program OF fact
finding is initiated.
AT least such activity will be preferable to
radio programs of speakers who say in one
breath that they don't know Of what they talk.
but in the next indict whole section of the
community without evidence. ..M.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

about a state OF confusion.
The full text OF the letter ad-
dressed to John T. Jones read:
Dear Sir and Brother:
The attention of the Interna-
tic. lal Office has been called to .
bill now pending in the Maryland
legislature which in substance
pro 'idcs for weekly pays in one
mining county in Maryland. You:
District is made up of several
mining counties in Maryland and
scvc al In the state of West V!r-
ginis. The enactment Of such a
measure would certainly brinE
about state OF confusion in your
own District and unquestionably'
would. in a competitive way. favor
some operators as against others.
Furthermore. we believe that this
is a matter that is one Of contract
and should be uniform throughout
the country.
ment provides that Pay shall
mcnt provides that PAY shall
be made semi.monthly and at
least .wice each month. With
out doubt the Policy Committee
will have a demand TO present
to the operators at New York
when 'Ee meet In a joint wage
conference. II We attempt TO
get this piece meal BY state or
county legislation We are liter.
ally taking the bottom from un-
der any demands We might
make OFT this question. Further
more. II may seriously interfere
with the joint wage conference
itself. As a matter Of good
faith We are obligated 10 OBJ.
serve tho terms Of the Appala.
chan Joint Agreement and in
the interest Of uniformity
throughout the mining industry
Of the country and in the best
interests Of our own member.
ship. and 80 as 10 make q con-
tribution for the elimination Of
conditions that bring about dis
parity in wages and conditions
throughout the mining fields. II
Is my judgment that this ques-
tion should be left TO the Joint
Wage Conference, instead Of
having the matter handled To-
eally. as indicated by the iegis-
Iation now pending In the State
Of Maryland.
Il believe that the District Lo'
cal Unions can see the logic and
the reasonableness Of the state
ments contained in this letter.
Very truly yours.
THOMAS KENNEDY.
sscretary-Treasurer. u
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

The industrial future of Cumberland the subject OF
radio address on the local station last Sunday night is sub
ect of interest every individual the community SUCH large
field could adequately covered oryhve minutes rado
program general principles and the repetition OF erroneous
beliefs held by the speakers call for clarifcation
The VOICE OF LABOR undertakes this job because 1t
strips eeneraes down to facts opens its columns to
person group who wishes support take issue with our
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

statement.
The general emphasis of the radio speakers
last Sunday was on the alleged restraint which
organized labor has exercised on existing or
prospective industrial concerns here.
The attitude can fairly be summed up by
the comment of William M. Somervlle. presi-
dent of the Allegany County Bar Association
who said: The New Deals warranted or un-
warranted economic philosophy. preached and
taught to our people. was new to Cumberland
and obviously was brought here BY outside
influences, and whether they are foreign or
part of our national policy may be open to
argument.
It is a strange statement when coldly ex-
amined. The speaker. first. is unable to say
whether the New Deal economic policy is
warranted or unwarranted He ought to have
made decision.
The United States Congress made decision
after two years of patient investigation and
hearings But apparently the speaker had
made secondary decision because he con-
tinued This philosophy seems to teach a
man. regardless of how badly he wanted or
needed work. to Immediately upon obtaining
same, to make him feel that the company
which gave him job is his enemy out to
impose upon him in every way and that he
should assume hostile and discontented at
titude to his employer
MIR. Somerville should know that the
New Deals economic philosophy towards
labor is expressed in the terms of the
Wagner Act. Whether he likes or dis.
likes it, the Wagner Act is the law of the
land. II has successfully faced the OBJ
structionist efforts of the highest priced
lawyers in the country. II substitutes the
conference table for the guns, tear gas
and thuggery of employers, insofar as its
provisions are enforced. The speakers
assertion that whether the policy is "for-
eisn or part of our national policy" shows
lamentable attitude.
We are of the opinion that the Celanese
Corporation is a foreign controlled organiza-
ton. Did the radio speaker condemn them
on this groundp However. let everyone be
assured that the Wagner Act was made and
passed in the United States.
The head of the local bar association then
proceeded to a discussion Of fair days work
for fair days pay and said that If investors
could he assured of fair return. Cnmber-
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

The full quota was raised with
in two weeks OF starting the ap-
peal to workers at the Celanese
plant.
Assistance in the drive was re-
ceived from Mr.. Walter Reichen-
bach. national representative OF
the British American Ambulance
Corps. which commenced opera
tions early in January.
Reichenbach expressed h is
thanks to James A. DundOn and
said "The truly remarkable re-
sponse Of the Celanese workers
and the energetic efforts of Lo-
cal 1874 Textile Workers Union
OF America In providing this
ambulance as their own con-
tribution marks the group aS
fine organization responsive TO
the call for aid to the defend
ers Of democracy.
THE British American AM
bulance Corps expresses thanks
on behalf Of the sufferers who
will be the beneficiaries Of your
action"
Two More
The Celanese Corporation o
America has also donated one am
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Miners Active
Against Bills

Representatives OF District l6.
United Mine Workers Of America
will appear today in Annapolis
to oppose the present form of
the Explosives Bill. II. B. III
and the Miners Competency Bill.
Senate Bill No. 60.
The organization will seek to
work out an alternative to the
requirement OF all coal miners
to obtain licenses 10 obtain ex-
plosives by proposing that the
coal operators themselves OBJ
tain the license and supply the
necessary explosives to the min
ers.
II is indicated that this propos-
al will be acceptable 10 all con-
cerned. The measure is one of
the National Defense proposals.
Certificates
On the Miners competency
Certificate Bill the United Mine
Workers is seeking that the
Examining Board contain a ma
jority of practical miners.
The Bill. as at present drafted
and presented. gives the privilege
of issuing competency certiii-
Gates to the Examining Board Of
the Bureau OF Mines. Only one
mine worker, Stephen Cesnick.
is OH the board and certificates
can be issued by signatures of
two members by the present bill.
The measure. as now drawn,
was introduced by Senator Rob-
ert B. Kimble of Allegany coun-
ty.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

Meyers, president-elect IS now
ending his second term as record
ing secretary.
Run OnS
Local 1874 Bylaws require can
didateS for Office 10 obtain a ma
jority Of votes cast. Consequent
ly the following high men in the
recent election we're named on th"
run off ballots:
Vice President
Sclton A. Garner is running OH
against William Boyd Coleman fer
the vice presidency.
Clyde d. Lucas. incumbent bu
mess manager is in final run-c2
with John G. Jack" Thomas ali.
Harold Magruder is Coutestm'
William E. Meagher for Recordn.
Secretary.
Already elected to the Exccu
tive Board are A. A. Albright J0ha
Fatkin. ST.. and James Stcwa;.
For the two remaining BoatI
places the following are opposec.
Lewis Red CLANCY, william G.
ORourkc. Arthur Schusterman
and Charles II. "Smitty" Smith.
Craze Warden
Roy Craze was elected Ward
en- and the three auditors are
Richard Hart, John Ours and
James McGregOr.
The five trustees elected are
Charles L. Buck Jones, George
Layman, Edward Van Meter,
Joseph Leasure and Joe Cal.
veto.
THE VOICE OF LABOR re.
grets that through q typo.
graphical error the name Of
Arthur Schusterman and Will
liam O'ROurke were omitted
from our columns last issue as
candidates for the Executive
Board.
Pictures Of all new officers in
our next issue.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Meyers Wins; Final
Vote Returns Due
Next Thursday

George A. Meyers, r., Lonaconng and employe of the
Spinning Department elected the presidency of Local
1874 Textile Workers Union of America the incumbent
James A. Dundon, the union Election Board.
Run off elections for Vice President, Business Manager
Recording Secretary additional members Of the Execu
tive Board proceeding The counting will
Wednesday morning and full results expected to be
nounced on Thursday, February 20.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Store Chain
Signs First
Agreement

New York. Feb. Making a
quick comeback from Labor
Board election defeat. Local 1873
OF the CIO United Retail l.
Wholesale Employees has signed
contract covering clerks and
delivery men employed in the 96
metropolitan stores of the Shelf
field Farm Co.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
POTPOURRI by vox pop

There is an interesting news
release in our columns this week.
It came from the Maryland I'm
employment Compensation Board.
II referred to a Jail sentence given
TO chiselcr who obtained bene-
FITS By fraud and commented that
the case gave a real warning to
those who may think it an easy
thing to rob the State Of Mary
land"
We could have fallen over when
we read further that The IN
employment Compensation Board
is making a drive to round UP all
thieves who have been trying 20
make the unemployment com
pensation system more than a
good thing.
Well. never mind those who
have been trying to do such a
reprehensible thing. Why not let
the Board member examine their
own consciences about taking sal
ary for full time services"
We think that the Board has a
tremendous nerve to ever issue q
release mentioning thieves" and
"robbing" the State Of Maryland
until they set their own house ii
order.
Cclanese Furl0ughs
II is strange that whenever en-
ployment picks up the local news
agencies broadcast the matter in
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

headlines.
But nary a word appears when
furloughs come along. There Is a
large number Of workers who
found themselves laid off from the
Celanese plant in the past few
weeks. But you never hear
word OF II in the local papers.
Conversion?
Has the Cumberland News been
converted? We ask on account OF
Continued on page three
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

bulance and Cumberland resi-
dents are approaching the goal
for provision Of a third vehicle.
President Dundon expresses his
thanks to all the workers who
donated and to the hard working
committee collectors charged with
solicitation and collections.
The name OF Local 1874 will be
inscribed OH the ambulance which
is pictured above this story.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Ready For Poll

Los Angeles, Feb. 5 - Encour.
aged by q Labor Board order suS.
tanning their argument that news.
boys are employees of the publish
ers, the Los Angeles Newsboys
Union, CIO Local rs, Is making
plans to win an NLRB election
on four Of the cits's papsrs.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
CIO Union
Aids Housing
Surrey

New kcnSington. Pa. Feb. 8 -
Officials of Local .. Aluminium
Workers OF America. took a hand
today in a community campaign
to end this city's critical housing
situation.
The union will mobilize $50 ac-
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

though that it these workers do not produce
MORE than a fair days work they will soon
find themselves among the list of the unem-
ployed. Any evidence of their being slackers
will receive our notice.
AS the brethren Of the legal profession say,
we rest our this phase Of the subject.
Conference Table
The second speaker was Gordon l.. Bowie
He expressed the view that collective bargain
ing fine thing.
He said: When capital and labor learn to
sit around a table in spirit of friendness and
cooperation-with the radical element Of both
removed-and can work for the good OF ALL
then we will have harmony and progress. Until
then. stagnation and discomfort.
The general idea. of course, is embodied
in the Wagner Act. We hope Mr. Bowie will
now endorse the efforts of organized labor to
have the Maryland General Assembly enact
a State Wagner Act which will require local
employers engaged in intra-state commerce to
sit around table and bargain with their EN-
ployes' representatives.
We are not quite sure of the meaning of the
statement with the radical element OF both
removed" AS far as organized labor is con-
cerned it is represented at the conference table
by those whom its membership has elected to
the job. We imagine too. that the employers
are represented by those who have been placed
in responsible posts.
Mr.. Bowie was incorrect when he stated
that the tannery was lost to Cumberland owing
to strike. The leather company has very
laE. .taNal otLa :, n ofafa ,ada
through its officials and printed in the press.
His further statement that Cumberland
has been listed as one Of the greatest hotbeds
Of labor organizations in the country" stands
in need Of elaboration. Naturally. organized
labor is proud of its achievements here.
II has meant better life for celanese
workers, rubber workers, railroaders,
miners, brewery workers and increased
business and livelihoods for the mer-
chants who have prospered.
It is the aim of organized labor to ex-
tend these gains to those who are now
sweating for low wages in the service
trades. MIR. Bowie can help in this
respect, as we have said, by coming out
for collective bargaining IN intra state
commerce through passage of State
Wagner Act.
The Chamber
H. w. Smith. secretary of the Cumberland
Chamber of Commerce. was the final speaker.
He developed nothing new, repeated the infer
ences and unsupported assertions that labor
was keeping progress down. but admitted that
entirely different factors kept the Reynold' s
Company from locating at the former tin mill
Smith also told questioner tina, no new
inn,,striea had located here since the kell,
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

tive volunteers from its member
ship to participate in a city-spon-
sored house to house survey to de-
termine how much defense home
building is required in the bor-
oughs Of New Kensington and
Arnold,
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

The Annual Election Of Of
ficers of the Western Maryland
Industrial Union Council will
be held on Thursday, February
27, 1941 at 8 P. M. in the
Rubber Workers Hall, Cumber.
land, Md.
JAMES BLACKWELL
Secretary
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
CAT I
Ne v :

We are proud to report that
the Cafe is still taking in new
members Of Local 1874. We wish
10 congratulate Brother George
Meyers, and he can depend upon
100 per cent cooperation from
the Cafe union members. We
also extend our thanks TO Broth
er James A. Dundon for the help
he has given us during his terms
OF once.
Our Thanks
The Cafe girls express their
thanks TO Mr.. Allan for the ro-
tating days of Just received and
everyone is pleased. We hope
the boys will also be given TO-
tating days on, instead OF the
same days all the time.
Powers Again
Daylight shift offered the cat
eye gang o tempting offer II they
would only keep Number One
Boy on cateye. But it was not
tempting enough and cateye
wants Powers kept on daylight.
That big "No Smoking" sign
in the cafe storeroom has no
exemption for Bossworm's yes
man Orlias Jones. but he's the
only one that can get away with
ignoring it on Sundays.
Ambulance
The name Of Local 1874 will
soon be seen in England In
scribed on our local unions
gift ef an ambulance. Thanks
70 an cafe workers who donated
one hundred per cent What
In the secret TO obtain free
meals n the cafe? Oh. no.
mot the lowest paid workers.
bat The ones who are well able
10 pay are the birds who have
the magic password.
Another strange fact is that
STAFF and bosses can come in and
ceatiassd on Page TArss
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
Miners Weel
Bill Unaccepts
AS Local Measure

Thomas Kennedy OF the United Mine
Workers Of America. has notified District President John l.
Jones that pending Bill for weekly OF miners
Aegany County question for the Joint Wage Conference
md that applied to single county will bring
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13
CeIanese Union Gives
Ambulance to Britain

Local 1874 Textile Workers Union of America last week
concluded their fund raising provide ambulance for
use in Great Britain
James A. Dundon local president turned the check
in full payment aker Lowndes and John IT, Mosner ofh-
cials Of the Cumberland committee.
The voice of labor., 1941-02-13

II is strange that whenever EN-
ployment picks up the local news
agencies broadcast the matter in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-04
Sample Census Planned to Find
Growth of D. G.. Area Since 40
Project to Learn Increase in ID Months
Since Regular Count Awaits Final Approval

To meet the demand of defense
and other Government agencies for
authentic figures on the growth of
population in Metropolitan WASH
ington since the decennial count of
April l, 1910, the Census Bureau Is
planning to take a special sample
census of the District and nearby
areas the latter part of June, it was
announced today. In addition to
population, the canvass will cover
housing data and employment status.
Since the Census Bureau has no
funds available for a special project
of this kind, the special census, if
undertaken, will be financed by w.
P. A A week will be required for
its completion, officials said.
In addition to the District, the
area to be covered will embrace
Alexandria, Arlington. and parts of
Fairfax. Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties, including Falls
Church, Vienna. Bethesda, Chevy
Chase, Rockville, Kensington. Silver
Spring, Takoma Park, Hyattsville,
Riverdale, Cottage City, College Park,
Bladensburg, Mount Rainier, Bowie
and Greenbelt.
This area is virtually the same as
the Metropolitan District of Wash
ington. as laid down by the Census
Bureau. On April l, 1910, the
Metropolitan Area had population
of 907,816, of which 663,091 were
credited to the District.