davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The union times., 1945-01-20

The American Federation of Labor charged many months ago that ineffective use of .manpOwer was contributing largely to the shortage of labor in vital war in- dustries. Now, the truth of the charge is being proved by War ManpOwer Commission studies.
 Reporting that WING made more than 5000 manpower utilization sur veys in the past year and half, and is now making about 500 such sur veys a month, WING Chairman Paul V. McNutt named these surveys as one measure which can help relieve critical production problems.
 McNutt said the surveys, by pre- venting manpOwer wastage, have resulted in savings of millions of manhours a month. Present pro- duction problems in many tight labor areas could be solved at least in part by proper use of available labor, he said.
 Better use of labor is accomplished by such steps as reduction of labor turnover and absenteeism, eliminating bottlenecks, improving community conditions use of training to speed up "break-in" and improve skills, trans fer of workers within plants Or to other plants, use of women, prisoners of war and agricultural workers and
The union times., 1945-01-20

of the struggle. For there remains an internal threat to the American ideal a threat, which, now that military victory seems assured, assumes sinis- ter and formidable proportions. It is threat which consists simply of groups and individuals who are un- aware of the fact that an era has died, an era of selhshness and un- fettered greed.
 These people usually belong to economic groups which possess the greatest measure of security and Whlch-up to noW-have had the strongest influence upon American affairs. Blinded by fear of changes they cannot understand or control, they cling tenaciously to their privi- leges and desperately defend their special interests.
 They would have us believe that a desire for economic security is incom- patible with the American way of life. They would have us believe that labor should be a very silent partner, and should never, under any circum- stances, mix politics. They distrust the common people. Distrusting the people, they seek to restrict democ- racy; restricting democracy, they emasculate it; and, if they are al- lowed to continue, they will destroy it completely.
 Obviously, there is no lack of faith in democracy among the
 gasses of people throughout fhe wOrld. They belieUe, and rightly SO. thGt the GnslVer to uny threat Of tnsciSm, is not less democracy but more democracy.
 If you doubt this, read the rec ord of the resistance movements in Europe. Here is chapter of human courage and faith that shall rank with the greatest mili- tarv accomplishments. Here one finds ordinary people who literally with their bare hands wiihstOod the most highly organized forces of brutality the world has ever seen. Here one finds a spiritual strength that refused the very notion of surrender or defeat, be-
 Continued on Page Three)
The union times., 1945-01-20

type of legislation nationally and in a number of states:
 The economic necessity for workers to possess full freedom of bargaining power, equal to that of their em- ployers, has long been accepted by public opinion, and affirmed by legis- latureS and the highest courts. As our modern industrial system has pro- greSSed, employers and employees are more and more becoming dependent upon each other. This common inter est has become matter of vital pub lie concern. In short, it is in the pub lie interest that equality of bargain ing power be established and main tained.
 1t is generally recognized that the refusal of some employers to accept the right of employees to organize, works hardship not only on employees, but also upon other employers, and the public. Such refusal makes for variations and instability in competitive wage rates and working conditions with in and between industries. It lowers the purchasing power of workers. and thus lowers the profits of busi- ness.
 One state declares as a matter of policy that the denial by some em- plOyers of the right of employees freely to organize tends "(a) to produce and aggravate xecurrent business depressiOns, (b) to in- crease the disparity between pro- ductiOn and consumption, Co to create unemployment with its at- tendant dangers to the health, peace and morale of the people, and (d) to increase public and private expenditures for the relief of the needy and the unemployed"
 The New York statute also con- tains this interesting clause: "Experi- ence has proved that protection by law of the right of employers to or ganize and bargain collectively, re- moves certain recognized sources of industrial strife and unrest; encour- ages practices fundamental to the friendly adjustment of industrial dis pulCS dl lSIIlS out LII ulllCl CllCCS dS lO wages, hours or other working con- ditions, and tends to restore equality of bargaining power between and among employers and employees, thereby advancing the interests of employers as well as employees"
 AN EMPHATIC YES!
 Thus stated in legal terms, we have the theory and philosophy which has guided our lawmakers and courts in their approach to this problem. Has this theory proved to be practical? Has this philosophy held up under day-to-day' pressure?
 If we are to accept the exPeri- ence of other states, the answer is an emphatic yes. Here are few
 (Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1945-01-20
Judge Insists On Equal Treatment For Everybody
Philadelphia Jurist Says All Offenders Look Alike
 To Him

PHILADELPHIA-"In this court you'll not find one law for the high and mighty and another for the humble"
 So declaring, Federal Judge Harry E. Kalodner this week proceeded to Tread the riot act" to officials of the Office of Price Administration for showing favoritism in dealing with rationing and price ceiling violators.
 The judge was angry, and he made no attempt to conceal his feelings. His verbal castigation of the o. P. A. men was provoked when they asked him 10 send to jail the owner of a small eating place who had pleaded guilty to selling 30 food items above ceiling prices.
 Judge Kalodner recalled that re- gently the o. P. A. had hailed before him on similar charges the Bellevue Stratford, the Barclay, Henri's and other swanll hotels and restaurants, and added:
 'In those cases you were satisfied with injunctions, but now you want me to send this man to jail I won't send him to jail when others can go free by signing piece of paper"
 Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1945-01-20

NEW YORK GETS RESULTS
 Because of our traditional policy of not rushing into new and un- tried pastures, Connecticut today has no State Labor Relations Act, despite the fact that our sister state, New York, has been operating under such legislation since 1887. Be that as it may, we are fortunate that in considering the merits of his type of legislation, we can draw upon the experience of a state whose labor relations problems are not dissimiIar from ours.
 The statute proposed by the Con- necticut Federation of Labor is simi- lar to the one New York has been operating under for almost eight years. There is but one chief differ ence: New York has a State Labor Relations Board consisting of three full-time members; the proposed
The union times., 1945-01-20
By The Most Reverend Bishop Bernard J. Shell Senior Ausiliary Archdiocese
 Of Chicago

The true measure of a peoples greatness is its fidelity to its hu- man experience yields more than sufficient evidence. Moreover, in our time it becomes increasingly clear that the ideals of people must be based sOlidly upon truly human values: upon the dignity of men as children of the same God, redeemed by the same Christ {; upon the worth of every soul fashioned in the image of God.
 Such is the Christian, and the American, ideal. It is opposed to any social order which makes man mere ly the subject of an impersonal state or the bewildered pawn of a de- humanized economic system. The American ideal is society, a brotherhood of free men: men free to think, speak, worship; men free from the domination of arbitrary political masters; men free from any economic strangulation which would make freedom the hollow catchword of demagogues. If democracy does not mean these things, then it is a perversion of that word.
 This ideal is not confined only to those who dwell within the borders of this country. For the American ideal contains no mar row isOlationist spirit; it expresses no hint of that type of national seIfishness which denies the basic unity and the universal brother hood of man. America must al- ways remain the symbol of human freedom for all men; it must al- ways remain the answer to the as- pirations and hopes of all free dom-loving peoples, everywhere in the world.
 We who unreservcdly accept this traditional American credo be- lieve that ii offers to men the best opportunity for living life that corresponds most closely to the very nature of man, a life that
The union times., 1945-01-20
Were Those The
 Good Old Days?

Life is by no means ''bed of roses" for union representa- lives now, but it was a lot tougher two or three decades ago. Many an organizer, who ventured into new territory, found himself in the hoosegow or the hospital, shortly after he landed.
 Reminiscing on the ''old days" President Roy Horn of the Blacksmiths disclosed this week that he had been jailed five times by local sheriffs.
 "TwO of the five times | was locked up in railroad towns when came in to organize shopmen of our craft" Horn recalled. ''I would be grabbed on trumped up charges, such as disturbing the peace,' thrown into cell, kept for a couple of days as a lesson to 'stay away.'
 Employers in a lot of towns controlled the sheriffs and other police officials. The word of the bosses was law, and as a result many an organizer became thoroughly familiar with the i'm side of jails in the process of trying to spread the gospel of unionism."
The union times., 1945-01-20

Industry and agriculture joined with labor on the AFL's first radio program of 1945 in opposing the Presidents recommendation for na tional service legislation.
 At the same time representatives of all groups, speaking on the American United'' program on a nationwide NEG network, agreed on the necessity of all-Out vOlun- tary effort on the part of workers, employers and farmers to back up our fighting forces with everything they need for victory.
 Phil Pearl, representing the AFL on the opening forum, disclosed the Federation's program to "lend-lease' workers from non-esSential industries to critical war plants.
 Dr. Emerson P. Schmidt, repre- senting the United States Chamber of Commerce, declared that industry would be glad to cooperate with labor in this program.
 For the farmers, Paul Sifton, repre- senting the National Farmers Union, called for more effective utilization of farm labor and farm machinery, now that the Selective Service System is drafting more and more farm boys into the armed services.
 Discussing the Presidents re- quest to Congress for national service act involving compulsiOn, Pearl said:
 ''The important thing to remem- Der is that no legislation, not even
The union times., 1945-01-20
As We See It
 by THE STAFF

SEN. FRANK MALONEY'S death has brought sadness to many. La bor remembers that the Senator came up from the ranks, having been counterman in a Meriden restaurant before entering upon g journalistic career which brought him to the attention of the people of Meriden, and then of the entire state. Labor may have occasionally disagreed with his votes in the Senate, but always felt that he was approachable, and would listen to the merits of position with which he may have disagreed. We extend deepest sympathy to his family.
 SO YOU can't get your own brand of cigarettes? And smokes from the packs with the strange new names taste awful? According to Consumers Union, tests have demonstrated that even if people walk mile for a certain popular brand, they still can't tell the diff ference between it and any other brand in a blindfold test. Just shut your eyes and pretend it's n -.
 HOW tightly wages have been frozen during the past year was disclosed this week in report put out by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins.
 In that period, wage rates rose by only 3/lOths of l per cent a month, and that small increase was accounted for almost entirely by adjustments given workers in sub- standard pay brackets, she said. For others, wages have remained completely frozen.
 WHEN an AP dispatch from Georgia said some lady had smashed bottle of champagne over the stern of new Liberty Ship, copy readers on the Greens bOrO (N. CD Daily Ne,cs queried the Charlotte bureau: 'sWe noun taineers not nautical experts, but did Mrs. s. smash bottle over ships stern or did reporter get some of champagne?"
 JOHNNY CASPIC, Assistant Secretary of the Connecticut Fed eration of Labor, will address the State Conference of BrickIayers. who meet in Bridgeport Sunday.
 NORWALK C.L.U. holds install lation of officers Thursday night Clan. 18), and GEL. Secretary. Treasurer Harry Feinmark has been invited to do the installing. Feinmark was the speaker at the annual banquet of the New Britain Continued on Page Six)
The union times., 1945-01-20
Industry, Farmers Join With Labor
 Against National Service Scheme

compulsory service, will create more manpOwer. Its purpose is to get more effective use of man. power. If labor felt such law would accomplish this purpose, we would agree to go along. But we emphatically don't think sO.''
 Dr. Schmidt said:
 "We agree with you Our produc- ton under a voluntary method has exceeded that of our enemies or our allies with their compulsory laws. The Government itself has not yet re- duced non-essential work greatly Some businesses are hoarding labor Let us cut out the waste and labor hoarding before we use coercion"
 Sifton also agreed that labor, in- dustry and the farmers can deliver the goods" with better cooperation from the Government and a more clear and consistent picture of the nations production needs. He warned that for all of us on the home front who believe sincerely in voluntary ac- tion as against compulsion, the time has come to "fish or cut bait"
 The program opened with a brief talk by Lieut.. Gen. w. D. Styer, Chief of Staff of the Army Service Forces, who outlined the most critical war production needs of the armed forces. At the con- clusiOn of his talk, the general answered questions from the mem- bers of the panel, who then pro- ceeded with their forum discussion.
The union times., 1945-01-20
A.F.L. Carries Fight
 ToNavyD Department

A battle for wage increases for a half million workers in navy yards and other naval establishments along the Atlantic Coast will be carried to the Navy Department next week by A. F. of L. unions.
 Pay adjustments to enable the em- ployes to catch up with the increased cost of living are demanded by the unions. At the request of the Fed eration's Metal Trades Department, the Navy has agreed to hearing on the demands January IS.
 Representatives of Metal Trades councils at all major East Coast naval establishments will appear at the hearing, to give first hand evid- ence on how soaring living costs have eaten into the pay envelopes of the workers.
The union times., 1945-01-20
Believe Draft Of Labor Will Not PassCongress
A.F.L. Plan To Help Man War Plants Making
 Fine Progress

With opposition crystallizing from many sources, President ROOsevelt's recommendation for immediate enactment of compul- sorry national service legislation ap- pears doomed to defeat by Con- gress.
 AFL President William Green led the attack on the proposal, de- claring results have proved that free labor, operating under the American voluntary system, can and will OutprOduce the enemy's slave labor methods.
 MT. Green insisted that every effort be made to improve utilization of available manpower by cooperation between management and labor before compulsion is exerted by the Govern ment.
 Spokesmen for industry and agri- culture agreed wholeheartedly with labor's position. In the first AFL radio program of the year, America United" representatives of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Farmers Union demanded that hoarding and wastage of labor be eliminated before recourse is taken to extreme methods.
 In the face of this united opposition to compulsory service, members of Congress were dubious that the law recommended by the President could be passed and they were inclined to go ahead with other portions of his man power program before tackling na- tional service legislation. Thus the prospects appeared to be that action would be delayed and the measure
 (Continued on Page Four(
The union times., 1945-01-20
Better Use Of Available Manpower
 Will Help Relieve Labor Shortage

in some cases rescheduling of produc- ton.
 WING studies have reduced labor requirements in some plants through identification of specific causes of ab- senteeism and quits, McNutt said. In one plant, utilization specialists were able to reduce labor requirements by l5,000 without impairing production, at saving of 3,l12,000 manhours a month.
 Reporting the results of one survey made in a shipyard, Me- Mutt said the yard, which had greatly expanded its employment, found it had recruited many work CTS not adaptable to the work. Large-scale absences, idling and quits resulted. After the survey. 5000 workers were released for other war work. Nevertheless, the firm increased its monthly rate of launching new ships.
The union times., 1945-01-20
Bill Presented By
 TUo AFL Members

Harold V. Feinmark, legisla- tive agent of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, chose two members of the American Fed eration of La bor to introduce into the Legislature the Fedora tion's State Labor Relations Act.
 The bill, which was the first to be presented to the General Assembly, and marked No. l, was introduced into the Senate by Sen. William A. Scott, presi- dent of the Hartford Central Labor Union. It was introduced into the House by Rep. AlfiO Urbannati, who is recording secretary of the Norwich Central Labor Union.
 The bill is appropriately listed as No. l by the Legisla- ture, since it is the No. l meas ure in the State FederatiOn's legislative program.
The union times., 1945-01-20


 "A second bill deals with amend ments to the Workmen's Compen- sation Act.
 The statement of explanation declares: "Under the present Workmen's Compensation Act, workers may not receive more than half of their average wages when they are injured. This bill would amend the Act SO that they may receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage.
 ''The Act at present provides that an injured worker receives no compensation for the first seven days of his injury unless he is un- able to work for minimum of 2l days. This bill amends the Act so that an injured worker receives compensation for the first seven days of his injury if he is unable to work for a minimum of IS call endar days.
 'sThis bill also iberalizes pay ments for the loss of thumb or part of a thumb; and the loss of a finger, or part of finger.
 'sThe Act, as it now stands, ap- plies only 10 employers who have not less than five employees. This bill would amend the Act so that it applies to all employers, and would thus cover all employees" :"
 BETTER BENEFITS
 Third: Amendments to the Unem- ployment Compensation Act.
 Under the present Unemployment Compensation Act" the statement de- clares, "the maximum payment to an unemployed worker is $22. This bill would increase the payment to SEA whenever the Unemployment Com pensation Fund is in excess of $75,- 0OO,0O0
 "The present Act also provides that the maximum number of weeks to be paid shall not exceed Is weeks. This bill would increase the maximum number of weeks to 26 when the Fund is in excess of $60,0O0,000.
 "The Unemployment Compensation Act, as it now stands, applies only to employers who have four Or more employees. This bill would amend the Act so that it would apply to em- ployers with one or more employees. State, county and municipal em- ployees are ineligible to receive bene- fits under the present Unemployment Compensation Act This bill pro- vides that they may be included in the Act after certifcation that they desire to come under it."
 MINIMUM WAGE
 Four: Amendment to the Mini mum Wage Act to provide mini mum hourly wage rate of 40 cents an hour for all employees.
 The sponsors of this bill state that when employees ''work at wages insufficient to provide ade- quate maintenance of their health, efficiency and we'll being is inn paired. Moreover, such employ ment creates a serious form of unfair competition against other workers, reduces the purchasing power of workers as whole,
 (Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1945-01-20
"A Bell For Adano"

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt in her syndicated column says that "A Bell for Adano" is something none of us should miss. Since only those in and about New York can see the play based on John Hersey's novel about bringing democracy to lands overrun by fascism, Mrs. Roosevelt feels the book at least should be read by all. When the movie appears, we'll all have a crack at it.
The union times., 1945-01-20
Federation's Bill
 Before Assembly
Baby Wagner" Law Working Successfully In New York olnce 1857, And Will Do The Same In Connecticut
 Helps Workers, Employers, General Public
By Nathan Sherman

(lo Appear in the Current Issue The State ourna
 Connecticut has long been known The Land of Steady Hats and experience in the field of labor relations amply supports this reputation In Connecticut style we have made haste slowly taking the and tested from the od and adding from the best of contemporary exper -f~
 AS typcal Yankee state, have managed avoid extreme cuon D both management and labor and industrial relations today are based on a high level of mutual cooperation
The union times., 1945-01-20
Shoe Repair Cost Cut

The price of shoe mending is to be brought down to the level of March, 1942, by regulations which become effective January 29. In making the announcement, the O. P. A. said safe guards against upgrading of materials will also be adopted.
The union times., 1945-01-20
>.F.L.$Labor Relations Act Is Explained
Feinnark Gives
 Details Of Bills
Legislative Program Of Connecticut Federation Embraces A Number Of Laws Of Value To Labor And
 People Of Entire State-Details Given

Legislation which the Connecticut Federation of Labor seeks enacted this of the General Assembly, bills for which either already have been introduced expected be introduced before the week lined in today by Secretary Treasurer Harold V. Feinmark.
 Heading the state labor edeatons program the State Labor Relations Act details of which given another article on this
The union times., 1945-01-20

holds forth the promise of de- cency, of security and the fulfill ment of human personality.
 To preserve that way of life from the external threat of FasctSm, America has mustered her industrial and military might To destroy Fas- cism, the youth of America-your sons and your brothers-are now giv- ing their lives all over the world. With Gods assistance, victory shall be ours.
 THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
 But victory shall not mark the end
The union times., 1945-01-20
"For Peace... For Democracy, Labor
 Unions Are An Absolute Necessity"

"h that labor the which will of the Se Auxiliary abo's demands for revision of Little Steel Formula
The union times., 1945-01-20
HARDSHIP ON ALI.

Why State Labor Relations Act for Connecticut? is the question inn mediately asked A number of ans wers are available, but in my opinion, the most direct answer though some what legalistic, is the stated policy which guides the operation of this
The union times., 1945-01-20

Connecticut law directs that the three members of the Board respectively shall represent organized labor, in dustry, and the public. Each member of the Board would receive $2 a day when necessary to attend Board meet ings The salary of the New York Board members is $7,000 a year
 Otherwise the statutes are quite simi-
The union times., 1945-01-20

C.. 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 Americans''
 by Stephen Vincent Benef
The union times., 1945-01-20

But victory shall not mark the end