Le monde ouvrier = The labor world, 1 mars 1948, samedi 6 mars 1948

•Ü -J < Autorisé comme envoi postal de la deuxième classe.Ministère des Postes, Ottawa" #üufief r " 1 ——-— ~ .33e Année — No 6 SAMEDI, 6 MARS 1948 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1948 33rd Year — No.6 Le Congrès des Métiers du Canada réclame un programme national de sécurité sociale Un programme national sur le logement est également réclamé.Le Congrès des Métiers et du Travail du Canada accompagné d'une forte délégation de représentants d’organisations affiliées, soumettait jeudi, le 4 mars dernier, son mémoire législatif annuel au Premier ministre, le très honorable M.King, et aux membres de son cabinet ministériel.Dans son mémoire le Congrès déclare que le Canada a un ''urgent besoin" d'un programme national de sécurité sociale.Il est en faveur d'une loi qui établirait la sécurité sociale sur une base de contribution de tous les citoyens quels que soient leurs revenus.Le programme du gouvernement devrait comprendre, outre l'assurance actuelle contre le chômage, "un système complet et étendu d'assurance sur la santé, de bénéfices pour les cas d'accidents et d'hospitalisation, des pensions aux vieillards, des allocations aux mères et aux veuves." Le mémoire Il y a 65 ans que le Congrès des Métiers et du Travail a commencé à soumettre des mémoires au gouvernement.Aujourd’hui, il réitère son désir d’un contrôle des prix, d’un code national du travail, du renforcement de la loi d’assurance contre le chômage, de pensions convenables pour les vieillards, d’accroissement des exemptions de l’impôt sur les revenus.Il propose aussi un programme national en vue de procurer à la population assez de logements.Félicitations aux ouvriers.L’honorable Humphrey Mitchell, ministre du Travail, a déclaré à la délégation du Congres que la très grande majorité des mesures ouvrières et sociales adoptées au Canada ont trouvé leur inspiration dans des résolutions venant des ouvriers organisés.Cette déclaration a été secondée par le très honorable M.King, qui a ajouté que, si de telles mesures législatives ont été mises en vigueur en ces dernières 25 ou 30 années des Hon.Humphrey Mitchell trois siècles d’histoire du Canada, c’était un indice que les choses ne se sont pas poursuivies au ralenti.Uj, premier ministre a dit qu’il T «a tenté dans la mesure de ses ressources de faire adopter quelques-uns des projets de sécurité sociale suggérés dans le mémoire et qu’il ne pouvait concevoir de mesures plus aptes à bien servir les générations de demain.11 a ajouté qu’un programme de sécurité dans un monde d'insécurité constitue en fait un accomplissement véritable.M.Mitchell a dit que les mouvements ouvriers avaient réalisé d'immenses progrès en cette dernière génération.11 a précisé que le projet de code du travail qui sera soumis au parlement différera peu de celui de l'an dernier.Il s'est dit peu favorable à l’adoption de mesures législatives qui s'avèrent inapplicables.Il s’en est ensuite pris à ceux qui trouvent trop élevés les fonds dont dispose l’assurance-chômage."Je suis heureux que cette somme soit elévéc, a-t-il dit.J’espère qu'elle s'accroîtra parce que, plus son ac-croisement sera grand, plus nous aurons du travail au pays.” Nous reproduirons ci-après le texte intégral du mémoire qui a été présenté au gouvernement fédéral:— Le Très Honorable \Y.!.Mackenzie King, Premier ministre, et Membres du Cabinet du gouvernement du Canada.Honorables Membres du Parlement, Le Congrès des Métiers et du Travail du Canada apprécie l’honneur » 1 «as à «I ire, les experts du gouvernement ont « donné un pauvre avis.Laisser tout aller à la tendre merci de la libre entre prise est ce qui n’aura it pas dû ét rc fait, tant «lu’on n’a lirai i I»as eu l’assurance convenable 9» l’elle ét; ;ùt libre et en- Some men go to work and others wait for work to come to them.Chez "Berthiaume et Godin" et "Benoît et Mathieu" La quatrième séance d'arbitrage dans le cas des employés de la compagnie “Berthiaume et Godin” aura lieu vendredi après-midi au bureau de M.Cypricn Miron, chef provincial du service de conciliation.M.Ic juge Jules Poisson préside les séances du tribuiial et ce sont MM.André Montpctit et Wilfrid Bélanger qui représentent la compagnie et les employés.Dans le cas des employés de la compagnie “Benoit & Mathieu".4 ¦éattees de conciliation ont eu lieu -.ans que les deux parties en viennent à une entente.Dans ce dernier cas, il y aura aussi constitution d'un tribunal d'arbitrage.treprenante," a dit le chef ouvrier.Objectif de $20,000 Le syndicat des ouvriers unis di textile d'Amérique (F.A.T.) a an-I nonce le lancement d’une grande campagne* qui aura pour but de prélever une somme «le $20,000 dans le but d’aider la défense de Madeleine Parent et A /élus Beaucage, lesquels ont été récemment condamnés à deux ans d’emprisonnement par un tribunal de St-Jérôme «|iti les a trouvés coupables de conspiration séditieuse à la suite de la mémorable grève d’une filature «le Lachute, l’an dernier.Aujourd’hui, les autorités du syndicat ont émis un communiqué pour annoncer «pie déjà le syndicat canadien des manutcntcurs de poissons de Xouvclle-Fcosse, un autre organisme ouvrier affilié à la F.A.T., a souscrit $3,500; selon le même communique, le syndicat du textile de Yarmouth.X.-F.a lui aussi souscrit un montant de $200.pour les mêmes fins.Simultanément on a annoncé que le second procès de Madeleine Parent et d’Azélus Beaucage, qui cette fois sont accusés d’assaut et d’intimidation, a été remis en avril prochain, à la demande de Me Roger Ouimet, procureur des accuses.Les origines très lointaines des unions ouvrières aux Etats-Unis A la suite de la guerre de l'Indépendance, leur besoin se fit sentir.— La première grève authentique aux Etats-Unis fut celle des imprimeurs de Philadelphie en 1786.— La question du "collective bargaining" date du commencement du XIXe siècle.Le travail organisé, aux Etats-Unis, remonte aux premiers temps du pays.En effet, antérieurement à la déclaration d'indépendance, il y avait des sociétés d'ouvriers visant à secourir leurs membres dans les cas de maladies, de sinistres ou de décès.A la suite de la guerre d’indépendance, les demandes de produits et de services américains se Lient nombreuses et pressantes.Le marché américain prit de l'extension et l'offre et la demande devinrent, malheureusement, l'unique objet du "merchant capitalist".Les efforts de celui-ci d'acheter à des prix les plus bas possibles, tournèrent contre lui membres d'unions et employeurs.La mésentente entre employeurs qui visaient à produire au plus bas prix possible et en grande quantité, et employés formés qui tenaient à un salaire on conformité de leurs travaux, se produisit.Comme réaction à la baisse des salaires, des groupes de travailleurs tels que charpentiers, cordonniers et typographes, se groupèrent en unions respectives, à Philadelphie, New-York et Boston dès Tannée 1791.Ces Unions primitives lurent plutôt locales et n'englobèrent pas tous les travailleurs de leur localité.Mais ces Unions avaient pour objet le bien-être de leurs membres en combattant pour des salaires élevés et la réduction des heures de travail.Elles combattirent même pour ce qui devait être appelé "closed shop".Vers le.commencement du XIXe siècle, la question du "collective bargaining" était déjà comprise dans les milieux ouvriers e! par les employeurs et donnait souvent lieu à des débats.Lo première réunion connue entre tous les représentants d'employés et employeurs, eut lieu à Philadelphie, en 1799.La discussion se fit entre les deux groupes de cordonniers.Déjà à cette époque, le précurseur de l'union ouvrière, dénommé business agent", lit son apparition au sein du travail organisé et les premiers "tramping committees" enquêtèrent sur les salaires payés par les entreprises commerciales pour' savoir si oui ou non ces salaires étaient en conformité de ceux que préconisaient les Unions.Les grèves, c'est-à-dire les "ligues légales de personnes qui se coalisent pour faire cesser le travail et qui refusent de le reprendre, si Ton ne satisfait pas à leurs réclamations", se développèrent proportionnellement aux Unions ouvrières.On rapporte que dès Tannée 1741, les "New York Bakers" se mirent en grève.Mais la première grève authentique fut celle des imprimeurs de Philadelphie, en 1786, dont l'Union versait des bénéfices à ses membres durant le conflit.Les employés de cordonneries de la même ville se mirent aussi en grève en 1799.En 1805, les cordonniers de New-York constituèrent un tonds de bénéfices en cas de grève et en 1809, ces ouvriers quittèrent le travail : ce qui fut appelé la "première grève générale".Une réaction se produisit de la part des employeurs qui s'unirent pour résister aux demandes d'augentation de salaire laites par leurs employés.Ces employeurs unis tentèrent d'anéantir les unions ouvrières en employant des travailleurs non unionistes et en demandant aux cours civiles de déclarer les unions ouvrières organisations non légales.La lutte se poursuivit dans les Cours de Philadelphie, de New-York et de Pittsburg au cours d'une période allant de 1806 à 1814.La lutte des employeurs s'appuyait sur la vieille "English Common-Law Doctrine" selon laquelle les organisations de travailleurs visant à faire augmenter les salaires constituaient une conspiration contre le public.La reconnaissance de cette "doctrine" fut l'objet de débats qui durèrent très longtemps.Mais les grèves se continuèrent et les cours civiles se bernèrent à considérer la légalité des moyens employés par les travailleurs pour arriver à leurs fins.Et comme la production diminua considérablement à la suite des guerres napoléoniennes, un bon nombre d'unions ouvrières disparurent aux Etats-Unis.Mais, après 1920, les unions de ce genre se développèrent considérablement dans les grandes villes américaines.C'est ce que nous verrons dans des articles qui vont suivre.Bureau français du Common Council lor American Unity.Abonnez-vous pour 50^ par année Le prix d'abonnement au MONDE OUVRIER est de S 1.00 par année peur les membres des unions ouvrières, mais à l'occasion de la renaissance du Monde Ouvrier comme journal hebdomadaire, nous faisons l'offre spéciale suivante DEUX ABONNEMENTS POUR $1.50.Inscrivez votre nom et celui d’un compagnon ou d'une compagne de travail dans l'espace réservé ci-desscus et envoyez-nous la somme de SI.50 par mandat-poste.Percevez S1.00 de votre confrère ou compagne de travail et vous avez votre abonnement pour moitié prix.Nom Adresse Ville Nom Adresse Ville i i i i Zone Zone- Province f PAGE 6 SAMEDI, 6 MARS 1948 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1948 THE LABOR WORLD Are Older Workers Being Left Out?A Thought Provoking Article on a Practice which Could Endanger our Economic Structure By ARTHUR MacNAMARA, C.M.G., LL.D., Deputy Minister of Labor, Ottawa.2.Me is not agile, and thus nut scale for older persons so that they Twelve Rules for A Regular Guy W hen a beautiful dame becomes good in the movies she is referred to as having “it”.On the cover pages of popular magazines the subject is referred to as “photogenic”.In the labor movement, one is simply referred to as a “heel” or a “regular guy”.Of the four descriptions above, only one is SOLID—that’s the regular guy.An “it" girl does not last).Styles and fads change and good looks sometimes take flight overnight.A heel usually remains a heel.To be “regular”, however, means that we must be on the ball the year ’round.In the labour movement the term “regular” is a most valuable asset.The greatest tribute that can be paid is to have someone refer to us as a “regular guy”.If we were not regular throughout the old year, we should become regular throughout the new year.How can we do it?1.\Ye have got to sell ourselves and our program without selling our self-respect in a REGULAR way.2.We must be well versed in the techniques of organization without giving the impression of knowing it all.The know-it-all is never “REGULAR”.3.We must develop the ability to get things done without worrying who gets credit for getting them done—that’s REGULAR.' 4.We must develop the knack of helping others to help themselves and to pitch in with a smile when the breaks are tough— that’s REGULAR.5.We must have the ability to be firm, yet fair and considerate of the other fellow’s opinion—that’s REGULAR.6.We must have the capacity to take a drink or to sing a song with a gang, but never forget CAPACITY nor the dignity attached to the jobs entrusted to us—that’s REGULAR.7.We must develop the ability to co-operate for the good of the movement with those with whom we may frequently and violentely disagree—that’s REGULAR.8.We must have the courage to stand up and be counted in the union hall or on the picket line—that’s REGULAR.We must be able to take it on chin for the organization and not to grunt or moan about it—that’9 REGULAR.10.We must be loyal, first to the International Union and its principles, to our friends and to the labor movement in general— that’s REGULAR.11.We must have that intestinal fortitude to stand up with equal poise in success or adversity—that’s REGULAR.12.We should have the spunk to quit our jobs when we know within ourselves that wc are a failure—that’s REGULAR.ACT REGULAR—BE REGULAR ! back when our industrial employment pattern as we know it today was beginning to take definite shape there were numerous prophets who lamented over the dangerous effects of an increasing substitution of machines for men.“It is bound to bring unemployment if we keep on inventing machines that will do the work of 10-30-or 100 men/’ they moaned.But the stock answer of the day for these worried prognosticators was embodied in the popular quotation attribued to Herbert Hoover.“These problems will be solved in lime/’ the U.S.President had said, “and there is somewhere to be found a plan that will preserve the character of man and will enable us to socially and economically synchronize this gigantic machine built out of applied sciences.” Some years have passed and a wide difference of opinion exists • as to the form this plan should take, but no matter what is eventually adopted—it cannot leave out the older worker.And yet there is evidence which tends to support the contention that in moulding our economic structure as we are today, the older worker is being left out.This is not a new development in the employment picture—but a continuation of the trend which began to appear on a wide scale in the late thirties.As Canada fought to recover from the stagnation of a world despression it was apparent that employers preferred younger workers and thus the employable man or woman over -10 or 45 was not to share in the restoration to normal times.This trend disappeared as a matter of course with the manpower shortages which came with war but now we can see again indications which lead us to believe that workers in middle life are coming off a poor second when they are in competition for jobs with younger persons.A glance at the statistical picture on the following page tells in no uncertain terms of the unequitable rise during recent months in the percentage of older workers in the unemployed group.This rise first occured during a .period when the volume of employment was increasing, which meant that ounger workers were sharing in a larger degree in the rehabilitation of the labour force which came after the war.But what is even more serious is that during the period between November, 1946, and March, 1947, when unemployment increased for all ages we find that older workers continued to go into tlie unemployed ranks at a more rapid rate than young workers.In other words, when employment conditions were satisfactory unemployed older workers increased nevertheless, and when wc had only a \ recession and younger workers were \ becoming unemployed, the older \yorkers suffered in an greater proportion.This could mean, then, that not only do older workers fail to share in recovery but also when reductions in employment arc necessary they are laid off at the expense of retaining younger workers.Should this trend continue is it not logical to assume that, with every fluctuation in the volume of employment the proportion of older workers out of work will grow greater?Although this is presenting the problem in its darkest hues we cannot discount the fact that the future of our senior citizens seems to be anything but bright.Effect on National Economy Considered from the point of view of the economist, the matter of employment for older persons has the earmarks of a grave national problem.It must be admitted that to deny employment to a section of the population is to place this group in a position where its members are unable to buy goods, thus reducing the size of our domestic market.At the same time the burden of dependency upon the rest of the population will necessarily increase.The effect of this will surely curtail the level of our national income.Furthermore, we arc already short of labour in certain industries.If we are to attain even higher levels of employment and prosperity, and maintain these levels, employers (especially those planning expansion) can scarcely afford to do without a fair proportion of these older workers.This fact is immediately obvious when it is realized that workers -in or over constitute about 33% of the entire adult labour potential.In view of this it is difficult to see how industry can deny to itself the services of the older worker and will produce sufficient to guarantee circumstances consistent with prosperity.Government Studies The Department of Labour has had this problem under constant research and advisement since early in the war years.Committees are continuing to study the matter both on the level of the community employment offices and on a national scale.I am afraid that as yet no solution has been found other than the frank conclusion that the immediate answer is in the hands of those employers who are in a position to hire an equitable proportion of older workers.T have the findings of two of these committees before me as I write.The first report, dated March 20th, 1045, was submitted to the Labour Department’s Advisory Board in Ontario—a Board which consists of representatives of employers, trade unions and various departments.This report makes several far-reaching recommendations in connection with broad social legislation but it is pointed out that the only immediate solution will be an increase in the efforts on the part of National Employment Service to select and properly place older workers and a willingness on the part of employers to hire older men where practicable.(With regard to Employment Service efforts, I might say that special procedures have been adopted to facilitate placement of older men and women but in the final analysis we must, of course, select the type of person who will be most suitable to the employer’s wishes.) The second report is the work of a Sub-Committee of National Employment Service’s Regional Employment Committee in British Columbia.This Committee too is representative of employers, labour and government and made its findings in February, 1947.The only change in the situation from 1945 as it had been reported then was that it had become worse.Older persons were even more difficult to place, and where lay-offs had occurred it was found that generally speaking the older persons had been released on a heavier scale than workers in the age group below 40.The main recommendations of this committee are as follows : “No other solution than employment is adequate for this older age group.” “The Committee recommends that employers, unions and other groups concerned should be informed that unemployment amongst women over 40 years of age and men over 45 is causing concern; that in any reduction of employment the situation becomes more oppressive; and that it is feared unless some co-operative effort is made to reduce this problem that any general recession in industry and employment will be borne to an unfair degree by this group.” Objections to Older Workers In our investigation of this problem wc have found most employers willing to admit that the older worker has good [joints to recommend him.For example: experience, judgment.steadiness and a few other terms which are synonymous with maturity.But, despite his undisputed claim to these desirable features, there might still be ample justification for an employer to stick a “no hiring over 40” clause in his employment policy.I say “might” but why not judge for yourself after a review of the facts?It wc examine these prejudices against the holder worker, wc see that in the main there are five.Employers tell us that : 1.He is not adaptable to the new techniques demanded in modern industry.likely to keep up with his younger brother in matters of production.3.He is naturally slower and so more prone to accidents.4.He is going to cost more to insure under group insurance.5.He cannot fit in with the company’s pension plan.BUT, are these prejudices based on solid ground ?Certainly what we have learned in industry during the war years about our older men and women is sufficient to refute the argument about their adaptability.The jobs demanded by the war were new to both older worker and younger workers alike, and many employers are prepared to say that the older workers could, and did “catch on” and had little trouble in keeping up with the average plant employee.When we come to production there would seem to be a wealth of evidence to support the statement that employers’ prejudices arc based on “a mistaken idea”.Allow me to recount just two reports.The first concerns the pre-war automotive industry where wages were largely mi a piece-work basis and possibly the industry’s most thorough efficiency plans were in operation.The experts found that the highest earnings were concentrated in the group whose ages ran between 50 and 55.The second was issued as a result of tests in the Harvard fatigue laboratory and the findings state : “The assumption that there is a rapid decline after 40 years of age in the quality and quantity of work is a ‘social myth which, though in some respects not misleading.is in general grossly inconsistent with the evidence’ ”.With regard to accident rate, United States industry has provided overwhelming evidence that the highest incidence of industrial accidents occurs when workers are between the ages 20 and 24.This is attributed, of course, to the youthful worker’s willingness to take chances, as compared with an older person’s conservatism and caution.In connection with group insurance, evidence which I have been able to gather tends to prove that this has been exaggerated as a reason for refusing to hire older persons.r\ he rates quoted by a large Canadian life insurance company are as follow : “The cost of premium for group life insurance of $1.000, age 2d.is $6.27 annually, and age 40 is $7.85 annually, an increase of only $1.58 per $1.000 of insurance per year.” Problem of Pension plans And now, pension plans.This is seemingly the most logical ot the reasons for a preference for younger persons.And, of course, employers’ prejudices differ in accordance with the type of pension plan in force.Possibly the most common plan provides that employers contribute to the retirement fimd on the basis of a certain percentage of the wages paid to employees irrespective of their ages and the pension is computed in accordance with the number of years during which the company and the workers have jointly contributed.Companies with this type of plan are not obliged to make larger contributions in the cases of older persons.In many of these pension plans, however, there is a provision for what are known as “past service pensions” and it is in these instances that employers’ contributions arc higher for older persons.In fact, in some cases, the pensions are purchased entirely by the employer.Therefore, in connection with pension plans T can sec several legitimate reasons why employers are not anxious to take on additional older workers.In the case of the plan where the employer contributes only a certain percentage during the employees’ period with the firm it would mean that newly-hired older workers could not build up much of a contribution to the fund and thus employers would have to let them go at the compulsory retirement age with an inadequate pension.Many are reluctant to do this.In the case of a plan where an employer either buys the pension out- will have a suitable retirement pension, the operational cost of such plan is increased considerably with each older worker covered by the plan.However, it seems logical that the vast majority of middle-aged workers who are faced with the immediate necessity of obtaining a job would be quite willing to forgo a pension, if it was hindering his chances for employment.Most pension plans do not stipulate that these older employees must be covered, and a good many which I have examined allow for the return of contributions upon retirement to any worker who had not been on the payroll long enough to warrant participation in the fund’s benefits.I see no reason, therefore, why many of these older workers could not be hired on the understanding that they cannot qualify to participate in the pension scheme, and from the amount of correspondence and representations which this department has had on the matter, I feel that the vast majority of the older persons seeking employment are concerned mainly with getting a job.There is yet another angle to this pension problem.One of the basic reasons for a company's pension plan is to induce its employees to remain with the firm and thus cut down on labour turn-over.If pension plan participation is waived and a number of older persons arc engaged but not enrolled in the pension plan it would mean that they would not have the same ties with the employer as regular members of the firm and thus there might be a tendency among them to leave their jobs.This is, of course, anothet consideration in turning down applicants who have reached middle life.I have attempted to present the story of our older workers.I think it is safe to say that the problem is one which will demand attention for itself.In the first instance it is problematic as to how long a national economy could stand the drain of keeping a large section of workers off the employment market thus reducing their ability to buy; denying industry the contribution which they could make in services and increasing the burden of relief which falls on the remainder of the population.Moreover, medical science in recent times has been successful in extending the life span.By 1971 it is estimated that more than five million Canadians will be in the age group over 45 years.With this tendency on the part of Canadians to live longer definitely established, it can only mean that this problem will grow more urgent with the passage of time.Even now, 26% of our population have readied middle age, and, as mentioned earlier, this “over 45” group makes up about 33% of our labour force.Hence, if we are to achieve a balanced distribution of manpower, it is reasonable to assume that one out of every three jobs in the country should be for an older worker.It is criminal to speak of asking this group to subsist on a dole so long as they are capable of filling productive jobs.Surely the only answer for them is employment ! The Author Arthur MacNamara, who has contributed the foregoing article to this issue of Industrial Canada, has had a long career in the public service.His first post was Chief Inspector of the Manitoba Bureau of Labour, which he assumed in 1916 after three years service in the R.A.F.In 1924 he became Deputy Eire Commissioner for Manitoba and in 1029 Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Works for that province.In 1936 he was appointed to the dual position of Deputy Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Public Works.In 1040 he was called to Ottawa to act as Chairman of the Dependents’ Allowance Board of the Department of National Defence and while he went on loan for six months •only, he has remained there ever since.Promotion came to him rapidly.He was soon Associate Deputy RAILWAY WAGE DISPUTE Next Step Is Selection Of a Chairman for The Board Ottawa, Feb.11.—The Canadian railways have nominated Marshall M.Porter, Calgary lawyer, to be their representative on the conciliation board which has been established to deal with the wage increase demand of all the Standard Railway Labor Organizations except t h e Engineers.A week ago, the unions nominated Maurice W.Wright, Ottawa lawyer, to present them on the board.Wright and Porter will shortly confer with a view to selecting a board chairman.If they cannot agree.Labor Minister Humphrey Mitchell will name the third member of the board.When a chairman is chosen, the three board members will hold their preliminary meeting to hear both sides.The likelihood is that the first sitting may be held in either Montreal or Ottawa, although final decision will have to await selection of a chairman.A 35 cents per hour wage hike on all Canadian railways is requested.The joint application of the Standard Railway Labor Organizations asks that the pay boost be effective from December 20, last.Items of Interest Storm Lake, Iowa—The president of Local Union No.191 advises that Kingan & Co.has employed 225 additional employees who have signed up with the union.Toledo.Ohio—Our general organizer , working in the Toledo area, informs us that Local No.626 was successful in negotiating their first agreement with the Bazlev & Junc-dale Markets Co.in which they reduced the work week from 54 to 48 hours per week; time and one-half for all work in excess of 48 hours and vacation of one week for one year and two weeks for three years’ service, and the union shop.Both companies are paying the going rate in the area.Minister of Labour and in 1941 Acting Chief Commissioner of the Uncmploment Insurance Commission.The next year he was selected for the post of Director of National Selective Service.In 1943 he became a member of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board and the same year was elevated to his present post of Deputy Minister of Labour.Strikes, Lock-outs and Strike Sanctions Columbus, Ohio — The employees of the Schmidt Packing Co.and Beef Company are still on strike.The company obtained an injunction against our Local Union No.246 in which Judge Reynolds restrained the local union from picketing meat markets who are handling products of this company.This strike has been in progress for 4p5 months.There are, approximately, 35 members involved.San Antonio, Texas — The membership of our Local Union No.171, whose membership are employed by the Apache Packing Co.are on strike.Efforts have been made by ottr International Union to settle this controversy.However, it appears that the attorneys for the company are opposing our efforts.At the start of the strike there were, approximately, 140 involved.This strike is going into its fifth month.The company is operating with, approximately, 23 strike breakers that they imported.Jobless Pay $1.93 a Day Ottawa, Feb.11—Claims for unemployment insurance benefits increased during December, totaling 70,849 compared with 47.372 in November and 59,086 in December 1946.A total of 69,079 persons received benefit payments during December, amounting to $2,544,796.This compares with 45,106 persons paid $1,555,397 in November, and 68,825 persons paid $2,508,116 in December 1946.The average amount paid per day of unemployment was $1.93 in December, $1.91 in November and $1.98 in December 1946.A BIT OF HUMOR Responsibility “Who's the responsible man here?” asked the caller.“It* you mean the fellow that always gets the blame,” answered the oft ice boy, “you’re speaking to him now.” A Good Drunk Story A drunk staggered into an Automat, put two nickels into a slot, and watched in astonishment as out came a piece of cherry pic.He put in two more nickels and out came another piece.He continued to feed in more nickels until be bad almost a dozen pieces of cherry pic, when one of the attendants asked him.“Don't you think you bad better stop now?” “What !” cried the drunk.“Quit now—when I’m still winning !” LE MONDE OUVRIER SAMEDI, 6 MARS 1948 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1948 PAGE 7 CIO President Denies Illegal Spending Washington.—CIO Près.Philip Murray pleaded innocent to charges of illegal political spending, and opened a court fight to kill a section of the Taft-Hartley Act.Murray entered his plea on behalf of himself and the CIO, also charged violating the act's ban on political expenditures by unions.Then his attorneys asked Federal Judge Alexander lloltzhoff to dismiss the indictment.They argued that the ban is unconstitutional.lloltzhoff saiil he will hear arguments on the motion March 5.If the motion is denied, Murray will go on trial March 22.Which ever way lloltzhoff rules, there will he an appeal.Should the indictment he dismissed, Govt, attorneys can go directly to the Supreme Court.Under court procedure, however, defense attorneys can reach the highest court only by going through the U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals.Murray’s formal arraignment re-(|tiircd only a few minutes.He waived reading ot flic indictment.Then a clerk asked “how do you wish to plead?” 'Not guilty," he replied.The judge asked if the plea was for both himself and the CIO.Murray said it was.lloltzhoff ordered Murray to post a new bond for $1,000.The CIO bond, jiosted in Pittsburgh, merely was for his appearance here, the judge said.This enabled 1.B.(Ike) Jones, a professional bondsman, to pick up a quick $50.Jones signed the bond- for the usual 5 percent fee.Then Murray was taken to the Marshall's office to be fingerprinted, a routine procedure.The indictment charges the CIO News, a newspaper financed by union funds, carried an indorsement written by Murray for a Democratic Congressional candidate in Maryland last July.Murray's attorneys, Charles I.Margiolti and Lee Pressman, said there is no dispute about this.Murray did just that, they told reporters.They said in their motion to'dismiss thé indictment that provisions of the Ta ft-Hartley Act under which Murray was indicted do this: “Abridge the freedom of speech and press, as well as the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the Govt, for redress of grievances in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments." They argued that “a prohibition upon thé expenditure of funds requisite to the exercise of civil rights is in effect a prohibition upon the exercise - of civil rights." Living Cost Still Rising Ottawa, Feb.11.— The cost of living in Canada continues to go up.The Dominion Bureau of Statistics reports a further rise of 2.3 index points, from 140 to 148.3, between December 1 and January 2 last.The series of increases between January 1947 and January 1948 totaled 21.3 points.There is more bad news to come when the index for the month of January is computed, because the December figure of 148.3 did not take into account the meat price increases resulting from the higher prices in the new British contracts for Canadian products.From all indications, the January cost-of-living index will be above the all-time high of 150.6 reached in July 1920.Taking No Chances Pancho and an Irishman named Pat were caught rustling cattle over the border, and after a summary trial were sentenced to be hanged.When the boys strung up Pancho, the rope slipped and lie fell into the river below, rapidly swimming around a curve and making his escape.Chagrined, the posse turned to string up Pat, who cautioned them: “Bhoys, be sure yez tie a better knot this time.11*< mesclf that can’t swim a stroke.Preparing the Way When the Dominion government submits to the House of Commons the Bill for a new labor cede, several members of parliament will have before them copies of recommendations adopted by the directors of the Windsor Chamber cf Commerce, prepared after months of study and observation of the results of United States legislation.Those recommendations have been forwarded to the Press, the National Chambers of Commerce, Beards of Trade, and their affiliates, as well as to all members of parliament and senate.Endorsation of the Windsor recommendations throughout the country have been numerous, and have received much publicity in the daily press cf Canada.They will undoubtedly find many proponents on the floor of the House when provisions of the new labor code are being given consideraticn.The Winnipeg News has, on several occasions since the enactment of the Taft-Hartley Act in the United States, warned organized labor that it would not be long before some attempt was made to inject into Canada's labor lawq some of the features of this vicious, one-sided anti-union law.It has come sooner than we expected.The following summary cf the recommendations of the directors of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce shows how closely the thinking of commerce and industry follows the provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act : 1— The closed shop should be prohibited.2— Foremen and supervisors should net come under collective bargaining legislation.3— Each employee shall have the right to join or not to join the union of the bargaining agent.4— Collective bargaining should be reduced to plant level—each plant should bargain with its own employees independent of all others.5— Unions should become legal entities and liable for suit for damage.6— Before strike can be called, government vote must be taken of all employees.7— -Sympathy strikes and secondary boycotts should be effectively prohibited.8— Interpretation of contracts and enforcement of decisions in hands of court.The above eight items are so very similar to corresponding clauses in the Taft-Hartley Act that they could have been copied.The recommendations betray the thinking of the industrialists.They would have Canadian organized labor disrupted and the country tom asunder by industrial strife.The industrialists are not waiting for the labor code to be presented to the House members, but are preparing the way even as Hitler's fifth columnists prepared the way in a country he was ready to conquer.The insidiousness of the above recommendations bears witness to what would happen in Canada and to organized labor if the Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade were successful in having any one of these recommendations incorporated into the new labor code.It can be taken for granted that such recommendations would receive the hearty endorsation of the Winnipeg Tribune and The Free Press who have demonstrated their antipathy toward unions.Their newspapers are still produced by strikebreakers imported from different sections of Canada.Their former union printers still walk the picket line.Organized labor cannot afford to waste one minute in its efforts to co-ordinate its forces in counteracting the nefarious propaganda to bring slave labor conditions back to Canada.—The Winnipeg News.DISGUISE IT A LITTLE AND WE CAN CALL IT THE CANADIAN LABOR CODE / SHORT-CUTS Would you know one of the reasons Why the world is sick today ?Too many folks look for short-cuts.They want the easy way.Boys want to begin as bosses And get paid for their mistakes, And wives whose cooking was a joy Would rather buy their cakes.Too many slackers wish to reach Success by another's toil.Too many fools playing politics Who ought to be tilling the soil.Too many looking for short-cuts To an island of Unrest.O, Master, help them to understand That the long road is the best ! —NICK KENNY The Strength of Freedom by Ruth Taylor Stand By Your Union We are told all men are equal— That’s how the story goes; All have the right to happiness, Perhaps ’lis so—who knows’ Just ask your kind employer To give you a small raise— You’ll find the right to happiness Is just an idle phrase.And where is the solution ?’Tis easy as A-B-C: Solidify your forces— The union will make you free.We arc told strength lies in numbers ; This maxim is known to he true; There is power in organized labor, Naught can he done by few.The union is our salvation— Can you picture what it would he Were it not for the strength of unions ?We’d live in slavery.Tho you he black or you be while.Stand side by side in labor’s fight ; Let not enthusiasm wane— \Yc have all the world to gain.United wc stand, divided we fa 11— A logical slogan for one and for all; Standing together shoulder to shoulder, Protecting the one is protecting the other.—Marie Cherry Kdclson Bridges Ordered to Oppose Wallace Washington.— The CIO ordered Harry Bridges to oppose Henry Wallace’s bid for President or quit the CIO staff.The move against the West Coast labor leader is the latest in CIO Pres.Philip Murray’s drive to line up the CIO solidly against Wallace and in favor of the Marshall Plan tor Furopean Recovery.Bridges and some other CIO officials, whose unions include about a sixth of the CIO’s claimed 6,000,000 members, have indicated support t