davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The union times., 1944-09-16
FDR Endorsement
 Opens Labor Drive
State Political Action Committee Set Up By Connecticut Federation Of Labor = Only One Of 27O
 Delegates Opposed To President

The 59th convention of the Con. necticut Federation of Labor en- dOrsed President Franklin D. Roosevelt for reelection to a fourth term, voted to set up a Conn. A.F.L. Political Action Com. mittee which will follow the Am erican Federation of LabOr's policy of ''rewarding its friends and pun. ishing its enemies." Under the terms of the resolution, President Timothy M. Collins will appoint the Committee, and the executive board was empowered to take whatever action may be necessary to carry out the purpose of the resolution.
 The New Haven and Hartford Central Labor Unions, and Team sters Union, No. 559, all introduced pro-F.D.R. resolutions. The resolu- tlons committee concmred i'll all three resolutions, and reported out the Teamsters', which was passed with only one dissent. The text of this resolution follows:
 Whereas the present period of time presents one of the most criti- cal periods which has confronted the working men since the inception of organized labor in this country and
 Whereas our economic future depends almost in its entirety upon our political efforts because any gains obtained by contractual ne. gOtiations could be wiped out by adverse legislation and labor recOg. nizing the impracticability of at. tempting to divorce the political from the economic realizes its ob. ligatiOn to work for the election of those candidates who by their rec. ord have shown their friendIiness to and their appreciation of the common man and his problems Now therefore be it
 Resolved that the Connecticut State Federation of Labor in regular
The union times., 1944-09-16
Here Is Program Of Conn. AFL On State Legislation
List Is Headed By Call For A State Labor
 Relations Act

Following is the 1945 legislative program of the Connecticut Fedora ton of Labor, as proposed by the executive board, and approved by the 59th annual convention in Bridge port:
 1.Enactment of a State Labor Relations Act; same bill as has been introduced during the past two legislative sessions.
 2. Work1nen's Compensation Act
 a. Increasing from 509o to 66-2/3% the average weekly wage.
 b. Changing from three week period so that person who is incapaci- tated fifteen calendar days shall be entitled to compensation for the first week.
 c. Changing compensation fOH loss of use of thumb for first pha. lanx from 5O@o to 75%o; on the first, second, third and fourth fin. ger, changing the compensation fO1 the loss of first phalanx from 33-17S% to 6O%o; for the second phalanx, changing the cOmpensa. tion law from 33-l/S9o to 4O@o.
 }. Unemployment Compen a ii r Act:
 a. Increasing the benefit period from 18-weeks to 26-weekS.
 b. Increasing present maximum oi $22.00 to $2400
 c. Coverage of all employers en- ploying one or more persons beyond a period of 13-weeks.
 d. Inclusion of State, County and Municipal employees under the Unemployment Compensation Law. after certificatiOn that employees desire to come under the Act.
 4. Enactment of 40 cent Mini mum Wage Law.
 5. Changing the State Labor Laws so as to increase Labor Department $ personnel by an additional 25 safety inspectors over the present law.
 6. Changing the 48-hour limitation law for female employees in mercan- tile establishments to 45-hours.
 /. Changing the 52-hour law for employment of female workers in public restaurants to 48-hours.
The union times., 1944-09-16
AM Officers or
 GEL. Reelected

All officers of the Conn. Fed eratiOn of Labor were reelected at the 59th convention in Bridgeport. The list follows:
 President
 TIMOTHY M. COLLINS Teamsters Waterbury Secretary-Treasurer
 JOHN J. ECAN Machinists Bridgeport
 Vice Presidents HAROLD V. FEINMARK Central Labor Union New Haven WILLIAM MORRIS Electrical Device Hartford
 CLIFTON SCORY Cen. Labor Union Middletown
 w. s. MAYHEM A. A. Street Railway NorwaIk BENJAMIN B. PECK United Hatters Danbury
 EUGENE KENT
 Plumbers-Steamfitters
 New London
 CARL CALASSO Barbers Stamford
 JOHN CASPIC Asbestos Workers Meriden
The union times., 1944-09-16
Landlords Plea Is Rejected By OPAln NewYork
Board Slaps Down Hundred Million Dollar Increase
 In Yearly Rents

Bid of New York landlords for a $lOO,OOO,OOO yearly increase in rents was slapped down by the OPA this week. The OPA in a l2. page decision called the request for a lO9o rent increase unjustifiabIe and pointed out that New York landlords are in a rOsier financial position now than at any time in the previous five years.
 The long-awaited ruling was hailed by Chairman Joseph Platzker of the Mayors Committee on Rents as "a victory for the 100000 rent-paying families of the city," Real Estate in- terests, who had already inserted es- calator clauses in their leases in an ticipation of a favorable ruling, an nounced they would carry the case to the emergency court of appeals for review of the OPA decision
 Conceding that "some individual items of expense" had increased, the OPA said that the overall rise ir expenses since 1889 had been less than 59o. "A substantial increase 1T occupancy has more than compen- sated for this rise in expense" OPA pointed out.
 Moreover, one reason for initiat ing rent control was that between March and October, l943, rents ill New York were raised for apprOxi mately l38,OOO dwelling units which is more than equivalent tc an increase for every rental hous ing unit in city the size of Buffalo or New Orleans.'
The union times., 1944-09-16
Geelan Nominated For Congress

Sen. James P. Geelan, vice-presi- dent of the New Haven Central La Dor Council, was unanimously nomi- mated this week as Democratic nomi- nee for Congress from the Third Congressional District. He will op- pose Rep. Ranulf Compton, Repub- lican, who has been sharply criti- cized by the New Haven Central Labor Council, the New Haven h. dustrial Union Council, CLO, the Railroad Brotherhoods, and the Con- necticut Federation of Labor for his anti-labor voting record in Congress.
 Geelan was nominated at the Con- gressional Convention by another member of organized labor, Mayor John w. Murphy, who was president of the New Haven Central Labor Council before being elected mayor.
 He told of Geelan's qualifications in glowing terms, and said that his six years in the Senate had admir- ably fitted him for duties in Con- gress."
The union times., 1944-09-16
N. H. Symphony To Drive For Full House

The New Haven Symphony Or chestra has organized campaign to sell out the house for the season of 1944-1945. An Industrial Committee has been organized under the leader ship of Percy Leete of the N. Y, N. II: x H. Railroad Co. and sub-1eader- ship of Alexander Winnick, Presi- dent of the Musicians Union. Tickets for a series of eight concerts, com mencing with the first concert Octo- Der 23rd, can be bought for as low as $4.OO, or the equivalent of $50 per concert.
 If the house is completely sold out it will follow that the members of the New Haven Musicians Union will be III line for an increase in pay for their services. Those interested are requested to get in touch with Alex ander Winniok, 9O2 Chapel Street, telephone 7-1166.
The union times., 1944-09-16
VICTORY FIRST CONCERN

VICTORY FIRST CONCERN
 The winning of :he war in the quickest possible time was the first concern of the convention, and the delegates applauded Pres. Collins statement that although victory over Hitler's army is in sight, ''Am- erican workers must not permit themselves to slacken the produc- ton of war materials in the slight est degree"
 On the domestic front, the con- ventlon listed as imperative the re- election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the election of Sen. Harry Truman, both of whom, ac- cording to the resolution adopted by the delegates, ''by their records have shown their friendliness to and their appreciation of the common man and his problems.
 To make this resolution effec- tive, the convention unanimously instructed Pres. Collins to appoint a fighting political committee of nine members who will carry on a vigorous and energetic campaign to persuade the labOring people of this state to register and to vote; that will expose the voting records of COngressmen unfriendly to labor and work for their defeat; and that will inform the public regarding candidates that are friends of Ia- bOr and will work for their cleo tiOn."
 (The resolutions endorsing President Roosevelt and establish ing a Conn. A.F.L. Political Action Committee are printed elsewhere in this -EditOr).
 That the Conn. A.F.L. Political Ac- tion Committee will not conhne its activities to the national ticket was indicated by Pres. Collins, who told the delegates:
 "We should also aim for the election of a Governor and State Senators and Representatives who will work sincerely for a State Labor Relations Act and other measures that will facilitate labor organization and promote cOIlec- tive bargaining" The State Labor Relations Act is the No. l measure of the Conn. Federation of LabOr's legislative Program for the l945 session of the General Assembly.
 Other forward-loolcing measures adopted as policy by the convention included a demand for revision of the Little Steef' formula to cover the increased cost of living and a proposal that the U. s. Senate and House of Representatives give full and fair reconsideration" to the prob lerns of reconversion and unernploy- ment after the war. Collins called the defeat of the Murray-Kilgore Bill in the Senate 'the latest slap admins tered to organized labor by the poli- ticians"; and pointed out that both
 Continued on Page Three)
The union times., 1944-09-16

RECORD MEETING
 Building tradesmen reelected to the State Federation's executive board, the body which makes all important decisions for the Fedora ton between conventions, include John Caspic, Asbestos Workers; :; Eugene Kerft, Plumbers and Steam filters, New London; and Presi- dent Collins, Waterbury Team sters. Through a resolution intro- duced by George A. JOslyn, Meri- den Sheet Metal Workers, the con- ventiOn voted that beginning next year, the number of vice-presidents be increased from eight to nine.
 Most important building trades ac- tivity during the convention, how ever, was the meeting of the State Building Trades & Construction Council held Friday, immediately after the djournment of the first ses- sion of the convention. This meeting, of which the delegates were notified in writing by Sec.-Treas. James O'Kane, attracted the largest num- Der of building tradesmen held in this state in a number of years. With State Building Trades Council Presi- dent Michael Barry presiding, the Council arrived at a number of i'm portant decisions, one of which was to unanimously vote The Union Times as its official publication.
 Here are a few of the resolutions unanimously voted in tht State Fed eration convention which are of Spe- cial interest to the building Trades.
 From the BridgepOrt HOd Car riers Union: Resolution recom- mending that the HOd Carriers Un- ions, and the Teamsters Union ''be included on the same basis with craft unions in all negotiations for wages, hours and conditions on municipal, state, and Federal main tenance, repairs, and construction work"
 FROM LOCAL NO. 115, CAR PRINTERS, Bridgeport: Resolution asking that the State Federation favor and work for legislation so that all mechanics and laborers working for cities and towns be covered by the Social Security Law.
 FROM LOCAL NO. 424, IRON WORKERS, New Haven: Amend ment to WOrkmen's Compensation. Text of resolution follows:
 Whereas, injured workers entitled to compensation under the laws of the State of Connecticut are being unjustly deprived in many instances of a portion of the compensation due them through the methods of some of the adjusters for the Insurance Companies; and
 'Whereas, under the so-called vol untary agreement the Insurance Company stops the payment of com pensation and stalls off for months
 (Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1944-09-16
Tribute Paid To
 George E. Mylen

Touching tribute to the memory of George E. Mylen, deceased business representative of the Bridgeport Electrical Workers, was paid by the 5oth convention of the Conn. Fedora tion of Labor in Bridgeport. The delegates stood for one minute in si- lent tribute to his memory, and g fine resolution, introduced by Dennis P. Byrnes in behalf of the Bridge port Building Trades Council, was voted.
 The resolution described Brother Mylen as true and faithful worker for the Bridgeport Building Trades Council, and the convention voted that his family be acquainted witf the action of the convention by an ap- propriate scroll indicative of his ef- forts "in behalf of the working man.
The union times., 1944-09-16
As We See It
 by THE STAFF

WE URGE our readers to read the text of the various Convention resolutions which are printed in this issue and will be printed in succeeding issues. Don't let the 'whereases" fool yOu-these reso lutiOns contain the heart of the major problems which confront workers - and you are helping yourself and your family by knowing all the facts.
 ORGANIZED LABOR through. out Connecticut, and in New Haven in particular, congratuIates Sen. James P. Ceelan upon his unani. nous nomination as Democratic nominee for Congress from the Third Congressional District. Now it is up to the labor movement to do its share in seeing to it that Ceelan is elected!
 MAYOR John w. Murphy of New Haven attended the C. F. L. convention as a delegate of Local 39, New Haven Cigar Makers, of which he is a former business agent. Mayor Jasper McLevy, also of the A.F.L., welcomed the dele. gates to Bridgeport, and spoke al the fine convention banquet ar ranged by the Bridgeport Central Labor Union.
 MARGARET Connors' surprise speech was the highlight of the State Federation convention ban. quet. Miss COnnors, who is the Democratic party's candidate fol Congress against Rep. Clare Luce attended the banquet as a guest and private citizen. When the dele gates became aware that she was in the banquet hall, a roar of ''Wt Want Connors" went up.
 POSTMASTER JOE CLEARY always quick to recognize the voice of the masses, granted the demand of the delegates, and called ''Ou1 Margaret" to the speakers table
  where she made a graceful anC brief address, congratulating the State Federation OH its endorse ment of President Roosevelt. Sh, won the warm respect of all tn, delegates by refusing to use tn, ovation given her to advance hel own candidacy. We wish we couIt say the same about Rep. Luce anc her ''C. l. Jim'' speech at the Re publican national convention il Chicago.
 TRANSFERS Joint Council No GA and Local l9l were graciou hosts to the delegates thrOughou the Convention. The Teamsters, w find, are experts in the field of eco monies, public relations, gettin, conditions for their members, an, entertainment. For all we kno,
 Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1944-09-16
State Federation Again Condemns Ranulf Compton
27O Delegates Unanimously Repeat Criticism Of Con-
 gressman's Record

Rep. Ranulf Compton of the Third Congressional District, was unanimously condemned by the 59th convention of the Conn. Fed eratiOn of Labor for his ''anti- labor voting record in Congress-
 Meeting i'll Bridgeport, the 270 dele gates to the convention voted to sus- tain their action of last year, when they first singled out Rp. Compton Tor condemnation.
 ''The action of the convention again answers Rep. Compton's statement that only handful of labor leaders oppose him." Harold V. Feinmark, president of the New Haven Central Labor Council, and vice-president of the Conn. Fed eratiOn of Labor, told The Union Times this week.
 The unanimous vote against Rep. Compton came in acting on a letter sent by him to the State Federation, in which he said:
 ''At no time have I taken any position which has adversely af- fected organized labor in Connec- ticut. It would therefore seem to me the Conn. Federation of Labor should either take a fair position and rescind its former unjustified action or admit that it has no in- tentiOn of according fair treatment to those from whom it expects to obtain support for its program" Upon reading of the letter to the delegates, Feinmark took the floor, and described Rep. Compton's voting record. He said to the delegates: Nothing has happened to change the mind of organized labor in New Haven in regards to Rep. Compton since last years convention. You will remember that the 1o43 convention of the Connecticut Federation of La Dor unanimously described his record as 'antl-labor, anti-common people The resolution adopted by the con- ventlon went on to say: We are forced to the conclusion that Mr. Compton is representing in Congress the privileged groups, and not the working men and women of his dis trict.'
 ''Mr. COmptOn's record speaks for itself. He voted against the roll. back of prices; against the limita. ton of salaries at $62,OOO a year. before taxes; he voted against ap. prOpriatiOn for real enfocement of price control regulations. He fla. vOred the notorious Smith -Connally Bill, and favored the Hobbs Anti Racketeering Bill. He favored li- quidation of the Home Owners Loan Corporation, which helped thousands of workers to save their own homes.
 'Mr. Compton's record shows that he favors the freezing of wages, and is opposed to any limitation on war salaries, be they $25,000 or $50O,OOO a year. He favors restricting labor rights, but fights with all his might to protect those in the upper brackets
 We charge that Mr.. Compton has no respect for the working men and women of his district, and his voting record proves it.'
 Feinmark then followed up his re- marks by reading letter from State Senator Joseph T. Rourke, vice-presi- dent of the New Haven Central La Dor Council, who is serving with the Seabees as a Chief Petty Officer. Rourke wrote the letter from Some
 Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1944-09-16

convention assembled unanimously endorse the candidacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt for President of these United States and of Senator Harry Truman for Vice-President of these United States and be it further
 'Resolved that the Connecticut State Federation of Labor do every. thing within its power to secure the election of Franklin D. ROOse. welt as President and Senator Harry
 (Continued on Page Three)
The union times., 1944-09-16
Seek Protection Of
 Theatre Audiences

Acting upon a resolution introduced by the International Alliance of State Employees and Motion Picture Ma chine Operators, the State Federation convention unanimously voted to in- struct its legislative agent to work for the passage of law i'll the next session of the General. Assembly which will provide that:
 While projecting a picture the op- orator shall devote his entire time and attention to that work, and shall not leave the operating side of the machine. 'Pickups" so called, are prohibited when only one licensed operator is employed in a booth.
 The purpose of this resolution is to properly protect the employees and the general public in the theatres and places of amusement in this state.
 TT-szo Ts~~~oa AI~,o~Assnve
The union times., 1944-09-16
A.F.L. Glassworkers

The 18000 pressed and blown glass ware workers of AZ companies are now enjoying a minimum wage of 50 cents an hour, retroactive to Aug. 31, 1943, following a War Labor Board victory by the American Flint Glass workers Union (AFL), which has had a contract with Natl Assn. of Mfrs. of Pressed & Blown Glassware since 1888.
 Workers previously getting between 50 cents and 59 cents inclusive got a two-cent raise and those getting from 60 cents to "A cents inclusive got one cent Piece rates were boosted ac- cordingly.
The union times., 1944-09-16
Federal Action On
 Cartel Agreement

For the second time in a week Atty. Gen. Francis Riddle cracked down on monopolistic practices of U. s. business, charging the Hart Carter Co. of Minneapolis, Minn., with maintaining a cartel agreement with the British firm, Henry Simon, Ltd., ill violation of antitrust laws.
 According to the complaint the HartCarter Co.,, sole manufacturers of grain disc separators in the U. s. "conspired to divide world territory into non-competitive areas" Antitrust action was taken last week against J. P, Morgan & Co.,, Kuhn, Loeb & Co. and 47 western railroads for rate fixing and restraint of trade.
The union times., 1944-09-16
Building Trades Are Recognized
 At Convention! /!
State Council Reorganization Results Clearly Shown Meeting Of Building And Construction Trades Council Attracts Record Number
 Important Resolutions Approved

The building trades of Connecticut already feeling the beneficial effects of the reorganization of the cut State Building Trades and Construction Council o9h convention of the Connecticut Federation of Labor be taken example,
 The convention unanimously passed number of resolutions paramount importance to all building tradesmen all of which part of the State Federaons program In the matter of committee appointments building trades delegates recognition from President Timothy M Collins
The union times., 1944-09-16
Report By Collins Shows Direction
 Trend Is Taking
Winning Of War Comes First Solution Of Problems Dealt With By Convention Will Help Entire
 State As Well As Organized Labor

oParked by hardhitting and progressively liberal report by President Timothy M Collins, the 59 convention ot the Connecticut Federation of Labor held at the Stra held Hotel Bridgeport Friday, Saturday Sunday definitely showed that organized labor in this has em parked on a new era.
 Resolutions which will constitute the policies the Federation during the coming deal definite progressive manner with problems which, solved will help only organized labor but the state as a whole
The union times., 1944-09-16
PIE MEN LOSE

CHICAGO Union pie bakers in Chicago lost an extra piece of pie when the regional War Labor Board mixed a fve-cent boost agreed to by employers.
The union times., 1944-09-16

MO0 GdOdLH5H
 1a JdQO0 9 1HVHHT EJVLS H1LSMEHG SIFvr
The union times., 1944-09-16

Patronize Union Times Advertisers
The union times., 1944-09-16

". We believe that demo- cracy's future shall and must be even greater than its past. And to the future we pledge all we have to give.''
 From A Creed for Americana
 by Stephen Vincent Benet
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-27
Millions Sl0itch To
Mutton Suet Idea
For Chest Cold Aid
Helps Break Up Colds Local congss-
tion-Cheeks Coughing

Many mothers all over America
are switching to this idea of get
ting fast relief for these chest cold
miseries. They are simply follow
ing Grandma. For years she count
ed on mutton suet to help carry her
home medication to do its pain-eas-
ing work on nerve ends in the skin.
No wonder so many more now Wei
come Grandma's idea as improv,
by science-Penetro, with its multi
medicated formula in a base con-
tanning mutton suet--that acts both
as counter-irritant and pain reliev-
er when you spread it on, and as
a soothing aromatic when breathed
in. And so today Penetro hurries
along newer help in the old reliable
way-help that eases painful mis-
cry, lessons coughing, loosens
phlegm, soothes chest rawness-so
that you can rest more comfortably
and give nature a chance to restore
vitality. That's why millions are
switching to Penetro today--why
druggists are recommending il. 25c,
double supply 35c. For all your fam
.ly's chest cold piseries, be sure
you get white, easy-to-nse Penetro.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-27
Indians Still Gypped.
Congress PrO1DeFS Say

WASHINGTON, Dec. PC QNS)
A congressional committee re-
ported today that after $50 years
of government supervision the
American Indian is still not get
ting a square deal from the great
white fathers i'm Washington.
After a 10-month Investigation,
the House Indian affairs commit
tee concluded that Disappointing
progress had been made, largely
because of program designed 10
make the Indian a better Indian
instead of a better American.
The members disclosed that
the American Indian, once termed
now comprises the
most rapidly increasing popula-
ton in the United States" with
401,Sl9 listed on the rolls of the
Indian bureau. approximately