Fraternity-Testvériség, 1952 (30. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1952-03-01 / 3. szám
testvériség 11 achieve even pitiful results. Though the very- hazardous nature of mining was recognized as early as 1865, when a bill was introduced in Congress to set up a federal mining bureau, this was not accomplished until 1910 and then, too, only after a series of explosions in four years had resulted in 2500 deaths. Congress enacted a loose federal inspection act only in 1941, and it took another terrible disaster (at Centralia, 111. in 1947, when 100 lives were lost) to make these regulations more strict. Even so, in one single year, 59% of the federal inspectors’ recommendations were ignored by the companies. No wonder that surveying the disgusting spectacle when the National Coal Association and the Southern Coal Producers Association flatly reject any proposal toward federal safety measure enforcement, — the fiery leader of the Union miners, John L. Lewis raises his voice in rightful indignation. This is the issue: is state regulation enough or is there an imperative need for much more strict and conscientious federal inspection? The miners demand the latter, while the states, in harmony with the companies, are harping on their “rights”. The quarrel is going on, and meanwhile the Demon of the Mines grinningly prepares the horrible death os more and more miners. THE UNITED MINE WORKERS’ Welfare and Retirement Fund announced a new kind of disaster aid to families of miners killed in mine accidents. If there is acute need in the family, extra money is to be paid besides the regular $1,000.00 death benefit, $30.00 a month maintenance and $10.00 monthly for each minor child. No amounts were fixed for these special payments but aid of this type given to families at Carpentertown averaged $265.00. The Union is to be congratulated for this humane decision. THE BB GUN, this toy of doubtful reputation is something we never expected to write about in these colums. People regard the BB gun and its companion piece, the air pistol, as toys. Not until their own child, or some child they know, has had an eye shot out by BB peliets do they begin to treat these “toys” as the dangerous weapons they really are. In Washington, D. C. the Society for Prevention of Blindness is going to try to have laws passed which would forbid the sale of these guns to anyone under 18 and to require parents to be financially responsible for any damage done through them. Why are we mentioning this here and now? Simply because it sounds like sense and because our Federation just paid the amount guaranteed in the 25 cent Juvenile certificate to the parents of a 4 year old boy whose left eye was shot out by one of these “toys”. THE ASSURED WAGE is the ultimate dream of the American worker. There is already at least one industrial concern that put this plan into effect: the Revere Sugar Co. in Boston, Mass. In fighting for this result the United Packinghouse Workers (CIO) stood in the forefront, demanding a guaranteed annual wage for workers. The result is that employees of this firm, who work continually for one year, are assured of 1900 hours’ work between Oct. 1, 1951 and Oct. 1, 1952. Paid vacation time and holidays are included in this 1900 hour minimum, so the company is actually guaranteeing only about 1700 hours of work. The workers of this firm actually average about 1900 hours a year, so no great increase in costs is anticipated. The CIO has already begun playing up this interesting and promising plan, although it is not considered perfect. It will be improved upon over the years says the CIO, but as a basis it is something to build on. A FABLE, attributed to Winston Churchill, illustrates the modern trend in international disarmament as follows: A conference of the beasts once discussed the question of disarmament. The lion spoke first and looking at the eagle suggested the abolition of wings. The eagle turning to the bull asked for the suppression of horns. The bull in his turn regarded the tiger and demanded the elimination of claws. It remained for the bear to speak and he proposed total abolition of every means of attack and defense so that he might take them all into his loving embrace. WAR AND AUTOS. The first American soldier killed in war fell in the battle of Lexington, in 1775. The first person who was killed by and automobile in America died in 1900, in New York. It is curious to know that the one millionth American war casualty and the one millionth American killed by an automobile both died in Dec., 1951. In other words: autos did in 51 years what it took war 176 years to do. Or in still other words: our wars have killed 5682 persons a year, while our autos killed 20,000 persons a year. About one hundred is the daily average now for autos. Let us preach and practice sanity in driving!
