The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, May 9, 1930 Page: 1 of 6
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Local Voice of the
AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1930.
VOL. 11, No. 52.
RUMBUNGS OF THE
THE PLAIN PEOPLE
GALVESTON LABOR COUNCIL
1
LABOR NOTES
TEXAS ELECTION
AND PRIMARY LAWS
#
0
/. {‘u ili
ger.
I
activities.
0
I never shall grow weary of
The Guest and Riley folk
That feature ladies made to love
And gentlemen made of oak.
The latter, strong as metal bands,
Know little of the arts;
But when you shake their honest hands,
You can’t be out of sorts
With the good, home-loving fellows—
The brave, hard-working fellows—
The unassuming fellows .
With understanding hearts.
Place Your Money
With The
BUILDERS AGREE ON
NINETY-DAY TRUCE
These folk live on most any street
In every worthy town,
And they will help you to your feet
When hope is going down.
Let misers hoard their useless gold,
And love their fickle marts,
But I would rather join the fold
And share the humble parts
Of the good, home-loving people—•
The brave, hard-working people—
The unassuming people
With understanding hearts.
—Johnny Williams.
TOO MUCH EFFICIENCY
BRINGS BUSINESS DROP
Boston, Mass. — J. T. Fennell, vice
president for New England of the In-
ternational Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, died at his home in this city.
He was 58. •
FORBID 5-DAY WEEK
IN SINGLE CONTRACT
SEAMEN ARE NEEDED
IN MANNING VESSELS
The women that they marry, too,
Are love personified
As they see every trial through
And in God’s faith abide.
They make the family circle shine
And give the children tarts;
And say, if love were ancient wine,
I’d like to present quarts
To the good, home-loving ladies—
The brave, hard-working ladies—
The unassuming ladies
With understanding hearts.
first-class merchant marine.
-----0—----
E,
Che Union Teview
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions eg
Texans will elect a new set of of-
fficials this year. United States Sena-
tor Tom Connally, who was chosen
in 1928 for a six-year term; a few
State Senators and district judges, who
are elected for four-year terms, and
three or four state officials who are
not obliged to run every two, will be
on “easy street” insofar as campaign-
ing for re-election is concerned, but
everyone else, including the 18 con-
gressmen, will be required to stand
for re-election. It will be an “off year”
only for presidential candidates.
The political calendar for the year
follows:
June 2—Last day for candidates for
state offices and district offices, in
districts containing more than one
county, to file requests to have their
names placed on the ballot.
June 9—Meeting of state executive
committee.
June 14—Last day for county and
precinct candidates and district candi-
dates, in districts composed of only
one county, to file requests to have
names placed on ballots.
June 16—County executive commit-
tee meets to determine the order of
names on ballot and estimate expenses
of election.
June 23—Last day for candidates to
pay assessment for their share of ex-
penses incident to holding election.
June 26 to July 1—Candidates must
file their first report of campaign ex-
penses not more than 30 nor less than
25 days prior to date of primary.
June 26 to July 1—Time for voters
who are absent from county to appear
----o—--------
J. T. FENNELL DEAD
Organized seamen insist that sea
power is in men, and that the ships
are but tools. The average ship
owner accepts a contrary policy. He
believes anyone can handle a ship and
that government aid to build these
ships is the one requirement for a
■ Washington. — The need for skilled
seamen was subordinated at the na-
tional conference on the merchant
marine, held in this city under the
auspices of the United States Ship-
ping Board. More than 150 represent-
atives of the American shipping in-
dustry were present.
Many ship owners believe that
skill in officers can be acquired in
training ships, rather than at sea, and
that anyone can fill the position of a
seamen. Private employment agencies
(“crimps”) fill the seaman quota from
the ranks of unemployed. In other
cases, Asiatics are used.
The conference agreed that mer-,
chant ships should be developed with
the thought that they can be used for
war purposes if necessary, but little
attention was paid to the class of men
who man these ships in time of dan-
Jurisdictional Disputes to
Be Set Aside.
Council meeting May 12th, 1930, be-
ginning promptly at 8:00 p m.
H. W. E. RABE, Secretary.
——----0-------
New York. — The American News-
paper Publishers' Association, repre-
senting 500 leading papers in this
country, voted that no member should
sign a five-day-week contract until and
unless a national policy is jointly
agreed upon and recommended by the
association and the international print-
ing trades unions.
The publishers approved a letter by
one of its members to Secretary 'Ran-
dolph of the International Typograph-
ical Union wherein it was stated that
the five-day week is “unsound.”
The association declared for arbi-
tration, but its stand on the five-day-
week means that this change must be
applied nationally, and that local and
any especial condition shall not be
considered.
The convention elected Harry
Chandler of the Los Angeles Times
president. Chandler is a leading anti-
unionist on the Pacfiic Coast and his
paper is considered a national spokes-
man for this element.
-----------o-----------
opening of the automobile ferry service
between Galveston and Port Bolivar.
After four years struggle the commis-
sioners are realizing the fruits of their '
efforts. The almost impossible has been
accomplished. Now that seems to be a
good lesson for the unions to take cog-
nizance of.
Galveston has 33 unions outside of the
wharf unions, with a membership rang-
ing between-3000 and 4000. $250.00 a
month will operate the office and they
are only required to put up $200 of that
amount. Now what excuse can they
offer for the drag the proposition is
working under? Now we are going to .
fit in just a little more of the Broach
stuff. This space just fits that part of
his story:
It’s easy to make excuses. That’s why
we are an army of excuse makers. It’s
easy to give advice. That’s why we have
so many advice givers. They are two
kinds of advice--competent and incompe-
tent—good and bad. There are two
kinds of unions—strong and weak. There
are two kinds of men—fit and unfit. Ex-
perienced and inexperienced.
The strong, successful unions rarely
attempt to tell what should be done
They are too busy getting results, build-
ing up and retaining their strength,.
They can’t waste their time in argu-
ment. The weak unions, like untrained,
inexperienced individuals, with few ex-
ceptions, busy themselves trying to tell
others what should or should not be
done, although they have not proved
themselves competent to give any advice
except, on how to be weak, or how to be
a failure.
I know a fellow, belonging to a weak
union, who can tell you all about how
democracy works, how things should be
done, how great dangers are ahead. But
he works in a shipyard, at a very low
wage. HE SHOULD BE IN THE
WHITE HOUSE. I know another, a
business agent of four months experience
with his committee, who feels qualified
to tell the Brotherhood at large what to
do. But his local is one of the weakest,
and has been since its- existence, and he
has been a member only two years and
three months. And so it goes.
I insist that no local union or indi-
vidual should attempt to advise others
until such local or individual has proven
itself or himself fit and competent. They
should first demonstrate ability of fitness
to deal with union problems before tell-
ing other how. They should do some-
thing besides give advice. They are not
fit or qualified to tell a union what to
do about anything. They remind me of
a fellow I worked with as a kid, 23
years, ago in Shreveport, La. He kept
telling me as wired old filthy attics, in
roasting weather: “I hate this hard, dirty
-work and I don’t have to do it. I could
do better.” BUT HE DIDN’T.
1 No suppose we just profit by this bit
' of. advice and do our little part and build
up our unions, rather than find fault
- and give advice. Investigate the Myste-
• rious Five and clear up the mystery.
- Don’t try to save your 4c a week and
: crumb your conditions. Get in harness.
The Massachusetts legislature is con-
sidering a 48-hour bill for textile
workers.
Three thousand agents of the Co-Op-
erative Insurance society of England
recently went on strike.
The international headquarters of
the United Association of Plumbers
and Steamfitters has been moved from
Chicago to Washington.
The first trade unionist to be a mem-
ber of the cabinet of the President of
the United States was William B. Wil-
son, first secretary of labor.
Mass production methods of Amer-
ican industry are here to stay, accord-
ing to a report of a committee appoint-
ed by Governor Roosevelt (New York)
on unemployment.
A bill providing a 44-hour week for
all government workers except those
in the postal service and government
printing office was passed by the sen-
ate. It now goes to the house.
An average increase of 13 per cent
in premium rates for workmen’s com-
pensation insurance was announced
recently by Frank H. Smith, New Jer-
sey commissioner of banking and in-
surance.
With copper having dropped from
18 to 14 cents a pound because of a
light demand, the Anaconda Copper
Mining company posted notices of a
wage reduction of 25 cents a day in
Butte, Anaconda and Great Falls.
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, in a
statement to the senate commerce com-
mittee, estimated that unemployed
workers had lost approximately one
billion dollars during the first three
months of this year.
Although business has been quiet,
the Baldwin Locomotive works has a
good backlog of orders which will be
sufficient for an output of between
$3,000,000 and $4,000,000 a month up
to and including September, George H.
Houston, president, said.
The strike of tramway and bus work-
ers of Tokyo, Japan, was settled when
the strikers surrendered uncondition-
ally after an interview with the mayor.
About 12,000 workers in Tokyo joined
in . the walkout, protesting against a
recent wage cut by the municipality.
Members of the Bridge and Struc-
tural Iron Workers’ Union, No. 1, Chi-
cago, voted to reject a wage agreement
submitted to them by the contractors
and calling for a continuance of the
present scale of $13 a day. The union
- will insist on $14 a day, members said.
Authorities say the first industrial
union in the United States was the
New England Association of Farmers,
Mechancis and Other Workingmen, or-
ganized December, 1831, at Providence,
. R. I. The chief object of the union
was to secure the ten-hour working
day. The organization disappeared in
1834.
The nonunion General Electric com-
pany has been studying the question
of the five-day week of 48 hours and
unemployment insurance for employ-
ees, it was learned recently. Gerald
Swope, president of the company, de-
nied that the company had offered
employees their choice of the two
proposals.
Typographical Union No. 6 (“Big
G”) of New York city voted to ask
the officers of the International Typo-
graphical union for permission to take
a strike vote and rejected the pro-
posal of the newspaper publishers to
arbitrate differences which have arisen
in the negotiation of a new working
agreement.
of the unions that made the most noise
are invisible in the actual work. We
have a few unions that are renigging,
with a membership close to 100 they are
unable to chase up $12 a month. Less
than4 5c a week; yes, less than 4c a
week, when one man alone is putting up
$50 a month. Is there any excuse for
such action?
However, the office is picking up. It
is doing business and getting into the
strength—to strip off their blinders and
rid themselves of mental cobwebs, tears,
spooks, all bunk and junk.
I honestly feel this is positively the
best, the soundest, the most advanced
labor proposition in the field today. But
it can be made much greater. We’re in
our infancy. We’re in the most favored
position of all unions. As Steinmetz
predicted. Our possibilities are enor-
mous. But we have our share of ignor-
amuses, nuts, cranks, and fools. We
must be big enough to admit it. But
generally, I feel the intelligence of our
members is of a high order, otherwise I
would not address them as I do. They
have been greatly confused by self seek-
ers, theorists and diseased minds. But
I have faith in our general membership,
in their level intelligence, to see the
value of certain policies when pointed
out to them.
We have had quite a number of in-
quiries about the Mysterious Five. Of
course, we cannot give a full explana-
tion what it really is because if we did,
there would be no mystery. But we can
tell you some of the things about it that
are not mysterious. Its objects are man-
ifold. Primarily non-partisan political.
Its policies and aims are union. It stands
• for honesty and truthfulness. Its advo-
cates are for 'good government, and it
urges the election of labor’s friends;
stands solidly behind the American Fed-
eration of Labor in its declaration to
elect our friends and defeat our enemies.
And will lend its forces for the up-
building of the community it lives in. If
you stand for these principles, we solicit
your membership. The initiation fee is
$5.00; dues $1 per month.
Luncheons will <be held every other
month or as often as the funds will jus-
tify.
Many men will., believe that they are
fully qualified to become members. They
honestly believe that they have all of the
above requirements. But you see, many
men cannot see their own faults, there-
fore we have a committee to investigate,
and inform us how you stack up. Every
member has been investigated and we
have a record of every one of them.
Two-timers are particularly not desired,
and that is the biggest trouble in the
labor movement today. Trading. Two
timing; that is why we are giving this
the principal attention.
Galveston Labor Council employment
office. That is what we are endeavor-
ing to make out of our down-town of-
fice, and it’s an awful uphill drag. Some
During the World War every coun-
try awoke to the need of having its
own skilled nationals on merchant
ships as a training place for gradu-
ation to mine-placing ships' and other
I am going to have to spread just a
little more of the Broach stuff, and then
I am going to give you some information
how you can be a good scout and do your
part.
I have faith in men when you can get
the facts to them. I’ve never seen a
crowd go the wrong way when once it
fully understands. I've never been turn-
ed down by our people when I could
reach them. But to get the facts to them
—to get them to see at a distance—
that’s the job.
I’m not an apologist. I refuse to flat-
ter. Generally, it’s harmufl. I’m not a
superegoist, I'm not an enthusiastic,
reckless, uppish or independent fool. I
feel I know what I’m saying and doing.
I’ve been doing it a long time. Expe-
ripuce has taught me it's the best way
to get results in this work and to build
—and I love plainness and hate deceit
and pussyfooting.
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not
. simply a critic. I’m not a cynic or skep-
tic. • There are too many of those al-
ready. I believe in seeing the pleasant,
positive side. But I want our people to
see things as they are—to get down to
actualities, to quit making excuses and
guessing—to see weakness as well as
A 90-day truce in jurisdiction dis-
putes among trade unions in the build-
ing industry was agreed upon at the
end of two-day conference at Wash-
ington, attended by representatives of
employers and employees. During the
90-day period it is hoped to set up a
permanent tribunal for arbitration of
jurisdictional disputes.
In the conferences an effort was.
made to work out a permanent scheme
for arbitration of jurisdiction disputes.
Failing to do so, the 90-day truce was
agreed upon. Under the agreement no
jurisdictional disputes will be pressed
to the point of a strike during this pe-
riod while further conferences take
place toward the setting up of a
tribunal to deal with controversies of
this character.
Guaranty Building and
Loan Company
5%Jon‘Amounts Under $500.00
Ge, 6%Jon Amounts of $500.00
_*-=
Subscr, %o rice $1.50 Per Year.
If you are a member of the executive
board, line up and get interested. Just
simply giving advice and be a two-timer
at the same time won’t get you any-
where. We could relate some experience
just recently happening and the fellows
are blaming the movement for two-tim-
ing it. Remember that no one has any
use for a traitor, even if he pulls the deal.
The people he did the dirty work for
will go against him.
breaking up the bread line.
“The oil refining industry has ex-
panded at such a rapid rate and be-
come so efficient that it should not
expect to operate at its present ca-
pacity. Consumption is increasing by
leaps and bounds, but it will be sev-
eral years before, the demand meets
the efficient capacity of plants.”
Mr. Reeser said the present balance
between production and consumption
in the oil industry had been reached
because producers applied the “slow
down” policy.
Cleveland, Ohio. — The efficiency
expert was slightly referred to and the
five-day work week was favored by
E. B. Reeser, president American Pe-
troleum Institute, speaking to a gath-
ering of oil producers.
Mr. Reeser refused to bow before
the mass-production idol, and hinted
that our industrial activities have be-
come too efficient. He expressed the
belief that the present depression in
many industries is due to efficiency.
“Machinery and a high degree of
intellectual application make it pos-
sible- to produce normal requirements
in few days than are now consid-
ered a proper working schedule,” he
.said. “Five days a week is all that
any man should be permitted to work.
“A five-day week policy would en-
able all unemployed to be put ,to wo.rk
and become useful citizens. It is a
reasonable and a sensible way of
before a notary public and request
ballot.
July 14—Primary committee meets
to prepare ballot.
July 14 to .18—Candidates must file
second statement of campaign ex-
penses.
July 16 to 23—Time for voters who
intend to be absent from county on
day of election to appear befere clerk
and vote an absentee ballot.
July 22—Four days prior to day of
election all voters living in a city of
10,000 inhabitants or more, who have
moved their residence within the city
or from without the city to the city,
must report to the tax collector.
July 24—Day upon which county
clerk shall send absentee votes to the
presiding judges of the respective
voting precincts.
July 26—'Primary election day; polls
open at 8 a. m. and close at 7 p. m.
Precinct conventions are held to elect
delegates to county convention.
Aug. 2—County executive commit-
tee meets to canvass results. County
conventions are held.
Aug. 5—Last day for candidates to
file third reports of expense.
Aug. 11—State executive committee 1
meets to canvass returns.
Aug. 23—Date of second primary.
District convention meets to canvass
returns for district candidates.
Sept. 1—Meeting of state executive
committee.
Sept. 2—Meeting of state conven-
tion.
Nov. 4—General election.
Nov. 14—Candidates should file re-
ports of expenses with the county
judge.
We have a big job on our hands, not
so much from a monetary standpoint,
but from a standpoint of fairness and
honesty.
limelight. But mostly its work is griev-
ance, and it is being closely watched by
the public and labor both. It’s a trying
situation, but will have to be overcome.
Just a bit of friendly advice. If your
union has trouble, please do not bring it
up to the office and then wonder'how it
got there. Be sure where the matter be-
longs and don’t jump at conclusions, and
then try to back up. If you can’t stand
behind your grievance, don’t bring it up.
If you have not got the authority of the
union, don't bring it up. We must work
on certainties.
In the Shippers Digest of April 23,
1930_ will be found an article on the
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, May 9, 1930, newspaper, May 9, 1930; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1426322/m1/1/: accessed June 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rosenberg Library.