The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-28

Cornelius J. Danaher, PreSl' Connecticut Industrial Uniol aid from his organization t MT. Molloy claimed that "as long as I can remember, tobacco ha' brought disgrace to all" and charged that many itinerant workers re- main in the state after harvesting time to become public charges.
 The text of MT. Molloy's letter follows:
 Dear MT. Danaher:
 have read with great interest and approval the reports in the press of the attempts of the De- partment of Labor to improve working conditions on Connecti- cut tobacco plantations and to eliminate the many harmful prac- tices which the growers have ale lowed to exist for years past. I speak for my organization n stating that the CIO in Connecti- cut supports your efforts and will cooperate in all actions to remedy this situation.
 My own interest, and that ot my organization, is based upon 6 tlloruogh knowledge of the facts involved. Two years ago an in- formation union of CIO afhliation stationed an organizer in Hart ford County with the assignment of Investigating working condi- tions on tobacco farms. The de- tails of conditions in the tobacco fields, sheds, and warehouses that he brought to our attenetinn seemed almost unbelievable, but are clearly substantiated by the results of the investigations of your department.
 In our opinion, the refusal of the growers to cooperate with your Department in its endeavors to set up voluntary minimum working and living conditions is an admission of responsibility 10 the community at large. This ar- rogant attitude is certainly a re- suit of the lack of Federal or State legislation putting teeth in- to the recommendations of any governmental agency. In the uame of the long suffering small farmer, large corporate agricul- tural industries have managed to sneak out of compliance with any and all protective labor laws, even including what legislation exists covering child labor.
 Tobacco growers have bitterly { resiOted attempts of the workers { to Improve their own conditions l, through union organization, and in this resistance have been aided by the police forces of the towns in the growing area. Our CIO representative was on one occa- sion prosecuted for entering a workers home, on the workers < invitation, because the house was owned by the tobacco companyl The fact that the worker paid a , considerable rent for his shack meant nothing in the feudal sys- tenn maintained by the company, and supported by, the town au- gthoIity. Promoting race hatredS tn order to divide employees and prevent their organization, at the same time maintain unfair wage differentialS and an overall low wage scale is an old and insidious Istory on the tobacco farms.
 I have lived in Hartford County z Ill my life, and for as long as I :an remember, tobacco has drought disgrace to all, and hard hip to many. For years the com- ,anies have lured labor here from he South for the growing season. liter the season is over, the ma. ority of these transient workers re left without transportation tome. Unable to return to their 2omes, many who have served to- 5 Nacco during the summer at low ,ay, are left either to be absorbed y Connecticut industry, or to be- ome . relief burden on our owns. Several cases of stranded ransietnS came to my attention turing the past winter. At least wo men, unable to find employ nent and denied relief, actually ,roze to death.
 In view of the lack of enforcing legislation, our weapon against ! the abuses of the tobacco growers must be pressure from an en- frightened public that will prevent their continuance. We are fully in sympathy with the needed pub licity you have provided by re- vealing the results of the inveSti- gations of the Department of La- Dor. The pressure of public opin- ion in response to your revelations has already resulted in promise from the growers to cooperate in remedying the existing miserable conditions. I have confidence that you will keep the public in- formed as to developments, in or der to prevent any flushing of the matter on the strength of this promise. .
 Sincerely yours,
 THOMAS R. MOLLOY,
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