Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 November 1936 — Page 28

"a ES STUDY CURTAILING SUPREME

wij

HEARS CHARGES OF

Constitutional Amendment

, miles west of Jacksonvill

‘inmates to escape

Negro Turpentine Workers Virtual Slaves, Report of Committee Says.

BY HERBERT LITTLE Times Special Wri

TAMPA, Nov. 27—Charges of virtual peonage in a Florida settlement of Negro turpentine workers, who are allegedly guarded against escape, were before the A. F. of L. today. - A. Philip Randolph, Negro Harvard graduate and chief of the Pullman Porters’ Union, in submitting a report on the community to the

Federation's convention, asked President William Green to seek a formal investigation from Gov. Dave Scholtz and the United States attorney. Peonage is a Federal crime, Mr. Green did not indicate whether he would act. Frank McCallister, white head of the Socialist Party in Florida, wrote the report which Mr. Randolph read. It related incidents and informatioft gained Nov. 15 on a visit to the community—MacClenny, 30 by himself, Dr."C. PF. Duncan, head of the Jacksonville chapter of the Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a Negro insurance man and a Negro newspaper man.

Conditions Are Described

A school teacher told the group that there were 52 children in one room, that a majority of the children came bare-footed, and that attendance fell off in winter because the pupils did not have enough clothes. “The houses (if you can call them that) in which these people live are all owned by Will Knabb, turpentine operator,” the report said. Several turpentine workers talked with the investigators “after much persuasion,” and they are “in consan, fear of reprisals,” the report said. re “They stated categorically that all the Negro people in this community were held in slavery. None is allowed to leave the place; The owner has two stool pigeons who . . . even slip under the shacks at night and listen in on the conversations.

Lives Are Threatened

“Any desire on the part of the is effectively thwarted by the realization of passible consequences. Men may suffer beatings, their very lives may be threatened if they attempt to leave, By a system of camps which surround the community they are

_ able to head off any fleeing slave.

“The turpentine workers are forced to toll from daylight until they can no longer see at night. sor their labor they receive pay ranging from 50 cents per day to $1. A very few receive as much as $1.25 a day. “They are forced to - purchase their supplies at the : co issary owried by Knapp. Prices at this commissary are almost double regular retail prices. When the wages of the turpentine | workers are translated into purchasing power it is easy to see that many of them are working for 25 cents a day. “One man spent $2 outside of the commissary a little while back, and he was told that his pay wouid be held up until he purchased all his goods at the commissary.”

By United Press PITTSBURGH, Nov. 27.~ClaimIng 2000 steel workers have joined daily, leaders of John L. Lewis’ Committee for Industrial Organization today indicated that 22 per cent of the country’s steel workers have entered the movement. The average of 2000 new members daily has been maintain since Nov. 8, when it was announced that 82,315 members had been signed The new claim is the first estimate of the union strength since steel companies announced a 10 per cent wage increase early this month. The United States Steel's

. “cost of living” wage scale, whereby

wages would fluctuate with a 5 per cent increase or decrease inthe cost of living, has been attacked by Lewis leaders. 1

Resolution Is’ Turned’ Down by (Convention. .

By United Press ;

TAMPA, ‘Fla, Nov. 27. — The |

American. Federation of . Labor climaxed a sharp convention floor

posals to limit the powers of- the Supreme Court.

The convention vote turned down | resolutions * calling for a constitu-|

tional amendment or congressional action to curb the court.

The action was designed to de-|

lay a definite stand by the convention pending further developments. C. A. Weaver, Des Moines lawyer and delegate of the musicians’ union, who described himself as “an old-fashioned fellow” in frock coat and gates-ajar collar, defended the court with an hour-long

blast of oratory and quotations]

from American poets.

Adjournment Expected Tonight The convention, seeking to adjourn tonight, voted to elect officers

at 4 p. m, today and choose a con-|

vention city for 1937. Denver and Montreal were possible choices. The convention referred to the executive council for further inquiry a resolution condemning the “attack on union labor” in connection with the arrest of Earl King and Frank J. Comer at San Francisco. A resolution by George C. Kidwell of the California Federation, putting the federation on record opposing legislation against so-called “high seas” sardine processing plants, was approved. The resolution called such proposed legislation ' detrimental to union labor and demanded that scientific study be made before any legislation is ‘passed regarding the plants. As the convention drove toward adjournment, action was temporarily suspended in the bitter fight over John L. Lewis’ Committee for Industrial Organization which has split labor ranks.

Other Decisions Near

The federation leadership demanded today that Congress enact 30-hour week legislation as “the

| price of survival” in the machine

age. The demand, designed to relieve unemployment, ‘was presented to the convention by its committee on the shorter work day, headed by Edward J. Gainor; national president of the letter carriers and a federation vice president. The six-hour day and the fiveday week were set as the paramount objective. ~The executive council was called upon to take every necessary step to have such legislation enacted in the next session of Congress. Two 30-hour week bills already have been introduced in Congress. ed yor An unexpected floor fight developed on the question of a shorter work week. The opposition to a stand in favor of the 30-hour work week was lead by William D. Hutcheson, head of the carpenters.

C. 1. O. Peace Uncertain

The possibility of making peace with the C. 1.70. rebels, led by John L. Lewis, continued uncertain, with the first move expected to come from the executive council which

-{ meets after the convention ad‘journs. The council either will

issue a formal invitation to each of the 10 rebel unions to negotiations regarding its suspension. It also was believed possible: that the council would instruct the standing committee, headed by George Harrison, as to the basis on which it shall attempt to .open peace talks with the C. I. O. leaders. The outcome of Lewis’ campaign to organize 500,000 steel workers was considered the most important factor in reuniting the ranks of labor. If the C. I. O. leader is successful in his paign, he will be in a to go his own way or to return to the A. F. of L. on his own terms, his friends contend. On the other hand, if the campaign fails, federation leaders believe the C. I. O. will quickly dis-

GOOD VALUES ON LONG TIME CREDIT

One of the oldest houses in Indiana is shown in an aquatint-etching by George Jo Mess, Indianapolis

artist.

“Back Yard Romance” is the ‘title of the print which also was accepted for exhibition in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and for the annual

Stokers, Strikers, Derelicts and Detectives Are Pictured.

Stokers, strikérs, derelicts and detectives are to be seen as part of the American panorama, shown in 100 = prints in the All-American graphic art show, which opens in the John Herron Art Institute Dec. 5. . Subjects ranging from hurricanes ‘to traffic contfol have been chosen to represent artists from 18 states

integrate and that the suspended unions will return to the A. F. of L. Green, continuing hopeful that a settlement would be reached shorily, said the ‘door “is wider open than ever” to peace as a result of the convention’s action. In regard to the labor program for the. next year, Green said that federation’ attorneys were at work on

|| recommendations which will be sub-

mitted to Congress on the social security legislation. These recommendations will call for extension of the social ‘benefits to farm workers and employes of small tradesmen, for establishment of the “pool” system or the “Wisconsin Plan” for payment of unemployment henefits, elevation of the minimum $30 old-age pension limit to $50 monthly. The government also will be asked to contribute to the old-age benefit funds while reduction of workers’ contributions will be sought. Green said the federation also would seek Pederal relief grants: to migratory workers not fully - protected . under the Social Security Law.

exhibition of the

Institute as part

in the show, sponsored by the American Artists’ Congress, a group ‘of more than 600 prominent artists. The exhibit, selected on a merit basis, shows the work of many obsecure craftsmen. Prominent figures represented include Wanda Gag, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Max Weber, Miguel Covarrubias, George Biddle and Mabel Dwight. “A contemporary show, the exhibit contents are are to be published under the title, “America Today: A Book of One Hundred Prints,” some time next month. The prints are to be shown simultaneously in. 30 major - cities and towns, the sponsors announced. Remote rural communities such as Marion, Ia.; Hilton Village, Va. and Maplewood, Mo.;-are placed on the art map alongside metropolitan centers .and art colonies. Exhibits in 20 states are contemplated. - . - George: Jo Mess of Indianapolis, whose entry, “Back Yard Romance,” is included in the exhibit, is the ‘only Hoosier representative.

EITHER TYPE .T0 SUIT YOUR. NEEDS

TON « . ® a condoeio®

Western Electric

HEARING AID "FREE Scientifio Audrometric Test at Audiphone 04 Guaranty ‘Bldg.

bone condv

_ OUT-OF-PAWN ~ Diamonds,

Watches ‘and | Jewelry!

What an opportunity! . . . What a chance fo save! .. . these wonderful bargains before you

es + ag t “dosing

without “d i? MICH

TRY A WANT AD IN THE TIMES THEY BRING QUICK RESULTS.

The Indianapolis hospitals are - ‘charity institutiens, serving about 10,000 patients each year from all * | counties in thé state. The new clin- = 8 ical building will be used as a testing laboratory Sof 3 Sepsriments : * | ous state agencies, such as the State

-

e budget calls 3

net oper appropria ‘|ihe state of $2,250,485. Before the

Soclety of American Etchers in

‘New York. Another etching by Mr. Mess, “Abode of a Boat Maker,” is on view in the Chicago Art

of the International Exhibition of

Etching and Engraving.

SECURITY: DIRECTOR 1S 70 SPEAK HERE

Frank Bane, director of the Federal Social Security Board, is to be among speakers. at the forty-fifth annual conference on social work in

the Claypool Hotel starting Sunday. : hia Means of improving tions under application of the new social security laws are to. be discussed. 3 Gov. McNutt :also is to speak at the opening session, according to Miss Laura Greely, assistant secretary, who expects an attendance of 400 social workers from throughout the state, ? Howard ‘Knight, Columbus, general secretary of the Conference on Social Work, is to make plans for the nationgl conference to be held here next May.

egy SANTA CLAUS HAS A FREE SOUVENIR - For Every Child Accompanied by an Adult.

BOLLS

Fire Chief

living condi- |

budget cut in 1932, the allowance was $1.875,000 and sinfe then was $1,490,000. This does not include student fees, "service charges and

endowments.

Bloomington departments and the

$20.50 $49.50 $89.50 A charming om: Tour sme 8

gagement A two smaller dia- around s large Buy Now, Save! 'monds. center gem.

See Our Windows for Many Wonderful Gift Suggestions

[MILLER JEWELRY (O

29 ON THE CIRCLE

A Seautifully simple solitaire en-

,255. . For operating the Indianapolis divisions, the budget provides for medical and nurses’ training schools and Long Hospital, + $250,000; James Whitcomb Riley: Hospital for Children, $75,000; William H. Coleman State Hospital for Women, $100,000;

new clinical building which will “Me for Camels when food comes around!” bie SIMON THERIAULT

OVER-HEAD CRANE OPERATOR. (below) Peter Gillen says: “That saying ‘For digestion’s sake— smoke Camels’ struck

home with me.” Camelsincrease theflow of digestive fluids— alkaline digestive fluids.

2 Doors From Power & Light Co.

ABOARD HIS FISHING SCHOONER. “This isa hard life,” says Captain Simon Theriault, of Gloucester, Mass. “My digestion has al- - ways stood the strain. I give Camels a tidy bit of credit for my good digestion. Camels set me right —don’t get on my nerves.”

‘National |

TOMORROW

We Have the Finest and Largest Assortment of Dolls ..

BE

Wagon

Rubber Tires, Full

We Have Ever Offered DIONNE QUINTUPLET 98. "DOLLS SHIRLEY TEMPLE DOLLS’. =. $9.89 JANE WITHERS DOLLS YITHIERS $4 89 DY.DEE