South Yorkshire Times, November 13th 1933
Back From The States
Mr. Joe Hall Glad To Be Home
Good Old England
“Have a cigar,” said Mr. Hall. He had brought them from America and wanted to give us a souvenir. Mr. Joseph Hall, financial secretary of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association and a member of the Wombwell Urban Council, returned from the United States last weekend. Hs has been there as a delegate of the British Trade Union Congress to the International Federation of Labour Convention at Washington. With him as co-delegate was Mr. J. Rowan, General Secretary of the Electrical Trade Union, a brother of Mr. John T. Rowan, a member of the staff of this paper. While in America, Mr. Hall sent us a number of interesting messages. He reached Liverpool last Saturday after a pleasant voyage, enlivened by a passenger who was coming over to draw his winnings in the Irish Sweep. Mr. Hall has come home with mixed impressions of the desperate efforts now being made toward national recovery in the States, but one conviction he holds very strongly. “England.” he told our representative with a significant smile, “is a good place to live in, after all. Thank God I was born here. I would not like to live in the States permanently, though they gave me a very warm welcome. There may a greater display of national wealth in the States but we can beat them for happiness, comfort, and security.
American Hospitality
The way in which he was greeted, the absence of snobbishness and the frank eagerness to make the mission enjoyable. Mr. Hall was exceedingly well received. He showed me a handsome gold and platinum watch set with jewels, bearing the inscription: ‘Presented to J. A. Hall, J.P. by the American Federation of Labour, Washington, 1933,” a silver watch presented to him by the Socialist movement of New York State, and a gold delegacy badge awarded him by President Green of the American Federation of Labour. “They could not do too much for us,” said Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall was in America six weeks and travelled in many States. A great part of his time was taken up by addressing Labour gatherings. “People who have never been out of our own little country could never understand the amazing spaciousness of that country. I addressed meetings in 26 centres and it was nothing to travel 400 miles by car to the next meeting. Everywhere they received me well. The police of Washington were very good. They even delegated two detectives to watch my safety.”
At The Cross Roads
Mr. Hall considers that the American financial and economic systems are at the cross roads. In New York alone 300 banks went smash in ten months. The financial collapse has rendered many middle-class people homeless. “In the last two weeks of my stay” he said I noticed a decline in enthusiasm for the N.R.A. The United States is at the verge of either Fascism or State Socialism. It would be a very easy task to introduce State Socialism in America if the Socialist movement in America was as strong and active as in England. The issue is between Fascism and Socialism and the battle is such as has never before been experienced in the States. A great difficulty in the way of effective administration in the States is the cosmopolitan character of the population. To please these various sections and win their support politicians use such methods as would never be tolerated here. Even before she realises it. America may have drifted into Fascism.” Mr. Hall talked about America’s big plans for afforestation, and said the country had enormous resources not yet tapped. He passed through miles of territory not yet touched by a plough.
Prospects Of N.R.A.
Referring to the national recovery operations Mr. Hall said steadily there is improvement and unemployment figures are being reduced. The industries where unemployment has been most heavy are building, railroad, factories and mines. Seventy-five per cent in building had lost their jobs, 44 per cent in factories, 45 per cent in railroads and 44 per cent in mines. While much of the unemployment is due to depression there is no question that a large proportion is as a result of technical improvements n industry.
Problem Of Relief
The N.R.A. has attacked this problem of unemployment by reducing hours, and is still working hard in all industries regulating hours of work. With such a vast army of unemployed to face the winter, it remains a very serious problem. How are they to be fed, clothed, and sheltered. How can idle time be turned to the production of wealth? The national relief bill is 1,000,000,000 dollars a year: 70 per cent. from the Federal Government, 10 per cent. from the States. and 20 per cent. from local government exclusive of relief from charitable funds. So taxed are the latter that very soon the Federal Government will be the sole distributors. Although the agents of Federal Government ‘relief are instructed to raise standards, the amounts given are seriously inadequate in many cases. Relief per family averages 16.85 dollars per month, but in Mississippi the average is four dollars, in New York State 30. In Philadelphia and New York 44 per cent. of persons on relief are children under sixteen. Relief furnished by publics funds is supplemented by disbursing surplus agricultural products, handed over to the Red Cross Society. Nothing now can prevent another hard winter for the poor, no matter what success is achieved by N.R.A. In one mining district I found a vicious strike in progress. Riots and dynamiting were prevalent, and there seemed little hope of settlement. In the coal trade similar poverty conditions exist, and I see no hope of improvement. Mr. Hall mentioned that he had been invited to return to America next May to address meetings at Boston and New York. He had some wonderful meetings, although they were marked by liveliness
Welcome Home
Mr. Hall was accorded a warm welcome when he returned to the Wombwell Council last Tuesday. In the course of the interview Mr. Hall wished he wished to thank the “South Yorkshire Times” for publishing his American experiences and impressions. To your paper and staff,” he said, “I extend best thanks and good wishes.”