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McCORMICK MESSENGER, McCORMICK, S. C., THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1937 LABOR’S ‘BATTLE OF THE CENTURY’ Clash Between John L. Lewis’ C. I. O. and William Green’s A. F. of L. Broadens on All Fronts; Government May Intervene. openly against John Lewis’ C. I. O. When it began to recognize the C. I. O. threat to its supremacy, the A. F. of L. lost little time in raising its dues from one cent per month per member to two cents; the old rate has usually been enough to make both ends meet but it was not enough to finance the fight against John L. Lewis. Until recently the only funds in the C. I. O. war chest were those which affiliated unions contributed to it when money was needed to press its drives. But now C. I. O. By WILLIAM C. UTLEY I N THIS comer—Bill Green, flashy stepper of the American Federation of Labor and the craft unions. And in this corner —John L. Lewis, two-fisted mauler of the Committee for Indus trial Organization and the vertical unions. The stake—the 4 ‘championship’* of American labor organization. The fight— to a finish. & It was predicted months ago that the battle would be a live and bitter one—and it is. As the weeks roll by it becomes more and more apparent that A. F. of L. and C. I. O. are in vading each other’s fields. C. I. O. has gained steadily in membership, and A. F. of L. has defended its positions by intensifying its own membership drives. Today the A. F. of L. claims a membership of 3,600,000, and the C. I. O. is pressing it closely with a claimed 3,000,000. Bulwarks of me Green organization’s strength are the printing industry, teamsters and truckers, the building trades and metal trades, hotel and restau rant employees, street car workers and entertainers. Lewis finds his power in the basic and mass pro duction industries — coal, steel, men’s and women’s clothing, rub ber, oil, textiles, automobiles, etc. But Lewis has clashed and is clashing with A. F. of L. in places which it has assumed were its own grounds. The latest of these is the maritime front. Meeting with 26 representatives of 23 maritime un ions on both the east and west coasts, he announced that C. I. O. would attempt to gather the scat tered unions into one big organiza tion which will include workers on both coasts, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico and inland water ways. There are said to be 350,000 such workers. A. F. of L. already has two strong unions in the field. A. F. of L. Wins in Philly. The apathy of one organization for the other among maritime workers is demonstrated almost constantly on the east coast. Scarcely a week passes when there is not a strike of workers affiliated with one or the other of the two groups on some ship scheduled to leave port. The two organizations will not work with each other; if a ship owner makes an agreement with one union, the other walks out. The condition is true even when the workers of one group involved are not engaged in the same in dustry as the other group. In Phila delphia not long ago, 25,000 team sters affiliated with the Green or ganization went on strike. They were protesting the fact that C. I. O. unions had made an agreement with bakery employers. A. F. of L. won; it effected a truce providing for elections in the bakery plants, C. I. O. promising to withdraw if it lost the elections. C. I. O. lost and pulled ou$. An interesting clash arose on a Seattle newspaper. The dispute was between the American Newspaper guild and the teamsters’ union about control over the paper’s cir culation department employees. The guild was a member of C. I. O., taking in workers in the circulation, advertising and business offices, as well as editorial departments of newspapers. The pSper was forced to suspend publication pending settlement of the dispute. Teamsters refused to deliver the papers until members of the circulation department were placed elsewhere and their jobs given to A F. of L. members. The guild members then went on strike claiming that the newspaper had struggle is no toy conflict and will probably take a hand in it sooner or later. It hardly seems possible that the administration could overlook a struggle with so many and so broad implications. One solution which is reported to have been suggested by one high in administration circles would attempt to bring the two or ganizations together. The plan is to offer Green a government post, and let him be succeeded by George M. Harrison, president of the Broth erhood of Railroad Clerks. Within the A. F. of L. there would then be formed a new division over the basic industries; this would be headed by John L. Lewis. But one of the main issues of the present battle within the ranks of labor is over who shall dominate A. F. of L. policy—the craft union groups or the basic industries’ un skilled workers. Lewis’ bloc threat ens now to get so powerful that it Opponents in labor’s current fight: William Green (left), president of the American Federation of Labor, and John L. Lewis, chairman of the Committee for Industrial Organization. has started collecting dues of five cents a month per, member of af filiated unions. Of course there are national un ions belonging to one organization or the other which have large treas uries of their own. The bricklay ers* union is said to enjoy a balance of some $7,000,000, while the ladies' garment workers are $2,000,000 in the black. Lewis is said to have spent $1,000,000 in the steel workers’ strikes against independent steel corporations. "What Employers Face. Employers are often faced with truly mortal problems as a result of the Green-Lewis friction. For in stance there is the case of an auto mobile body corporation which was planning some major construction. The company’s employees are dom inated by the United Automobile Workers of America, a C. I. O. un ion. A C. I. O. union demands the work of digging the foundations. The contractor is afraid to begin work on the job for fear the A. F. of L. unions will not work on the super structure. If he gives the founda tion work to A. F. of L. men, he courts reprisals by C. I. O. auto mobile workers in the town. So the construction is not being done and nobody is benefiting from the employment it would provide. Certain aspects of the rise of C. I. O. have reacted definitely to the advantage of the American Federa tion of Labor. Industries which in the past have been none too anxious Scenes like this are hardly uncommon in labor’s current crisis. taken 19 circulation men out of their jobs because they had refused to leave the union of their choice and join the teamsters’ union. Police eventually removed the strike pick ets and publication was resumed. It is said that the order of* the C. I. O. is not to encroach upon in dustrial fields which the A. F. of L. already has “successfully” organ ized, but this order has been vio lated, chiefly by minor organizers who, in their enthusiasm, have sim* ply ignored it. Federation Doubles Dues. The Federation is not so passive in policy.' It regards the C. I. O. as an out-and-out rival and makes no pretense of foregoing the C. I. O. field. It campaigns militantly and to deal with the A. F. of L. are now welcoming it as an alternative to C. I. O., of which they are appar ently afraid. Here’s One Solution. Where local unions join the C. I. O., the A. F. of L. sets out to make up a rival union. This has happened in a number of cases. The A. F. of L. has been known to borrow em ployees from factories where its units are recognized to recruit new members in other factories where C. I. O. appears to hold a majority. As one faction or the other has sought to break picket lines, vio lence has sometimes occurred, with attendant injuries, both serious and minor. Washington realizes that the labor will be able to vote itself into con trol of that policy. If the above plan would be successful, some agreement would have to be reached — and guaranteed — that would allow the two groups to share the power. But it does not appear that either wants to share it, and such a truce would be difficult in deed to effect. Whether or not the C. I. O. is on the way downhill because of its fail ure to obtain written contracts in the strike against the independent steel companies is still widely de bated. The campaign began a year ago, and by February some con tracts had be e n obtained. The United States Steel corporation ca pitulated and signed C. I. O. con tracts for its Carnegie-Illinois sub sidiary’s employees. This lent im petus to the Steel Workers’ Organ izing Committee drive until today it claims 260 contracts involving more than 350,000 steel workers. « Companies Woo Public Opinion. But the independent companies refused to sign contracts and are apparently getting away with it. Be fore the federal mediation board they opened up an attack concen trated upon Lewis, charging that any C. I. O. affiliate was irresponsi ble, threatened to break contracts and did break them. Examples cited included the United Automobile Workers of America, a C. I. O. af filiate, with which General Motors and Chrysler signed agreements, only to be plagued with hundreds of sit-down strikes after the agreement had been made. Companies lost no chances to im press the public with the violence ori the picket lines that were estab lished by C. I. O. unions. When there was resentment of the employ ment of vigilantes by local police and by the companies, the vig ilantes were upheld on the grounds that C. I. O. had regular armies of its own which it continually threat ened to move in upon strike areas. The contention is made that with the failure of C. I. O. in the inde pendent steel strikes, “Big Steel” and the automobile companies will refuse to sign again when their con tracts come up for renewal. Pre dictions are also made that C. I. O. is due for another serious drop in prestige in its attempt to organize the employees of the Ford Motor company. Despite its failure to date in “Lit tle Steel,” the C. I. O.’s leaders are determined that they are here to stay, and are going right ahead in their organization of other indus tries. The U. A. W. A. is airing its com plaints against Ford in a hearing before the national labor relations board. In Washington the United Federal Workers of America are trying to organize 800,000 federal employees. The drive is on in the maritime field. C. I. O. is seeking national organization of agricultur al, cannery and fruit and vegetable workers. It is broadening out into transportation, textiles, lumber, to bacco and education. It does not regard the “Little Steel” failure (if indeed it can be regarded as such) as an important one. © Western Newspaper Union. GOOD TASTE TODAY by EMILY POST World’* Foremost Authority on Etiquette _ © Emily Post. Must She Wear His “Ex’s” Discarded Ring? EAR Mrs. Post: I am really ^ worried about how I am going to handle a situation which I feel coming on. I mean that I am en gaged to a man who was married, and when he became divorced, his wife gave him back both engage ment and wedding ring. I believe from something he has said to me that he expects to give me this same engagement ring. I don’t be lieve it possible that he would con sider giving me the wedding ring although I don’t know definitely, but we’ll cross that bridge later. The complicating point is the fact that his first wife used to live here and went with the same people I do now, and they would of course rec ognize either or both of these rings. It is beside the question, but I want to make clear that I had nothing to do with the divorce; and marrying him was far from my mind until just recently. But how can I make it plain to him that I must not be ex pected to wear her rings? Answer: I can’t imagine that he would expect you to wear a stone that was hers without having it re set so as to be unrecognizable. If you have reason to suspect that he intends giving you this same ring, tell him frankly—and now—that it would make you very unhappy to wear anything so closely associated with someone else. As to the wed ding ring, he would certainly buy you ^ new one. • • • If Garnish Is Edible, Go Ahead and Eat It EAR Mrs. Post: I am a teacher of home economics and re cently one of my students called attention to the fact that one does not eat the slice of tomato or the radish or whatever may be used to garnish a platter. We would like to have your opinion. Answer: You may help yourself to whatever is your portion of the dish proffered, even to the decora tion, if it is edible. Most people would not consider a trimming made of raw beet or turnip edible, but if you like one of these vege tables, there is no reason in the world why you should not eat even such garnishing if you want to. • • • First-Names for Step-Parents, D EAR Mrs. Post: A friend of mine is to be married to a widower who has a grown son, al most thirty. His mother died sev eral years ago. My friend is won dering whether the son should be asked to call her “Mother” or whether it is a modern custom for children to call step-parents by their first names. She is almost twice his age. Answer: If they are strangers he will probably call her “Mrs.,” at least in the beginning. Later when they know each other, what he calls her will depend upon their affection for each other. In any case I think she must let him decide this for himself. While it is true that many grown sons and daughters call step parents by their first names, this familiarity seems less unsuitable to others when the step-parent is younger than your friend. • • • * Making a “Fourth,” D EAR Mrs. Post: Two years ago I began substituting for a friend in her bridge club, the idea at the time being that I was to take her place just for a few meetings. She has been ill and away but is now ready to come back. They are all insisting that I must stay in the club, too, each one taking turns at sitting out during the games. I would rather discontinue this bridge club altogether, but how can I do this diplomatically without having anyone feel that I am dissatisfied with the arrangement? Answer: Why not tell them that you would be perfectly delighted to be put down as a supernumerary and that you would come any time in anyone’s place? • * • Telling the Newspapers. D EAR Mrs. Post: May I an nounce my engagement in the newspapers, as I have no parents and am not especially attached to any relative whom I would like to have announce it for me? Answer: According to best taste, you should write notes to all your friends, and that is all. At least it is not considered proper that a girl send an announcement to the news papers in her own name. It would be quite proper, however, to have your nearest relative send a notice for you saying the engagement of Miss Mary Smith, daughter of the Jate Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, has been announced. • • • Informal Lace Cover. D EAR Mrs. Post: Is a lace table cover at a six o’clock informal dinner proper table covering? Answer: Yes, entirely so, if it is becoming to your room and to the things with which you set your ta ble. Sheer Wools in Summer Wardrobe By CHERIE NICHOLAS , % T HERE’S no doubt about it, the well-dressed woman of today knows the value of clothes that will go places and do things with the same ease and aplomb as their streamlined wearer." The up-and- about wardrobe must contain frocks and costumes that will adapt them selves with taste and comfort to any number of changing scenes and temperatures. No matter what the season, there is something about sheer wool that does the trick. Tailored or dress maker in style, a sheer wool cos tume carries with 41 a classic at mosphere which keeps it never too dressy for town or country, travel ing or local activities. There is ever that something about the smart new light woolen ensembles, dresses and coats that bespeak that casual look of good taste that is aristocratically at home at tea or card party or any more or less so cial event of the day. J Wool knits, light as a feather and luxuriously soft to the touch, make charming and supremely correct sports frocks. Whether you are an agile golfer or simply a deck lounger your wool knit costume will give you a joyful feeling of freedom to take your fun as you find it. Both pastel and darker shades are too smart for sports and clever de signs vary from one-piece classic styles to two-piece and jacket cos tumes that may be ensembled with a variety of blouses and acces sories. Zephyr knits, soft wool jer seys and fine featherweight angoras are cool and comfortable, and lacy weaves in lightweight wool are unusually interesting. Fancy shadow weaves, fascinat ing bright prints and embroidery! motifs are cleverly emphasized by simple styling. Sheer monotones and self-plaided weaves vie with 1 hard-twisted worsteds for first place in the tailored scene. The adaptability of sheer wool knits is well illustrated in the slim' short-sleeved frock shown to the left in the picture. The material for this dress is a featherweight an gora knit in pearl gray with distinc tive two-toned bands in brown and maize inserted in bolero effect in! the blouse and edging the sleeves and skirt hem. The smart shirt waist closing below a rounded col-, larless neck is finished with a row, of composition buttons in maize. A' deep inverted pleat in the skirt 1 front gives plenty of action freedom.* As pictured to the right, close knit wool jersey in chic navy blue makes stunning and versatile frock for sports or spectator wear. Cut on flattering princess lines with a full-, length front buttoned closing, it is cool and practical. Sleeves are full and short and neckline is high.! Men’s tie silk in gay red, navy and white tri-color patterning is inter-! esting trimming. Note how attrao-j tively it is employed to outline two large plastron pockets and the round yoke treatment below a trim tailored neck. < A stunning color combination dis tinguishes the beautifully tailored dress and redingote ensemble of sheer wool centered in the group. Tucked treatment in bold chevron patterning accents the high-throated neckline. The dusty rose dress is topped by a full length redingote in a light olive green. Double flap hip pockets and scissor-sharp lapels are nice details. © Western Newspaper Union. IT’S HAND KNIT Bj CHERIE NICHOLAS Just imagine the joy, not to for get the comfort in wearing, any little girl will find in owning such a cute peasant hand knit dress as this. When all other frocks in little missy’s wardrobe fail, being too this or that for a practical day, there just isn’t anything to equal a dress knit of knit-cro-sheen, as is the model pictured. Looks not too dressy but is dressy enough, washes perfectly and is pretty in dark colors or in the charming pastels as you may choose. Doesn’t take long at all to knit the cunning model pictured and the yarn costs very little. Note that it has no belt, the dress falling in a graceful princess line from the shoulders, nrVii/>v> mokoc it v«»rv fitvlish. SHIRTMAKER FROCKS , IN COTTON, LINENS Summer means shirtmaker frocks, and this year’s crop of shirt- makers is smarter and more distin guished than ever. Cotton, linen and silk are used to fashion useful frocks that are good for most occasions in the sum mer scene, especially out-of-town. New and diversified necklines bring novelty to some of the models. Smart is a shirtmaker frock with a collarless neckline marked by tucking. The tucks continue all the way down the button-up-the-front closing. j The classic frock in striped silk is always good, as is the model in pure silk that tubs beautifully. A grand model is in dotted silk and has a fly front with enclosed zipper. Decorative Zippers Now . Used in Variety of Ways New jeweled zippers are now be ing shown in use on women’s wear, for fastening sweaters, bathing suits, gloves, hand bags and many; other purposes. The new zippers are bound on colored tape and spaced at frequent intervals with various colored catalin ornaments resembling novelty buttons. When the zipper is closed the catalin orna ments take the place of buttons. When opened the ornaments assem ble at the base of the zipper with the effect of being in a continuous piece. Variety In Hats Little pillbox hats that attain new summer heights indicate that the width of a chapeau is no more cer tain than the depth of its crown. No Monotones Three and four bright colors are combined for tailored cotton suits, as well as summer evening gowns.