Tales from the Morgue

1974: Detente Ends Farah-Union Dispute

February 25, 1974

02/25/1974 The Farah Manufacturing Co., Amalgameted Clothing Workers of America and City officials announce a settlement in the labor dispute between the company and the union. From left to right are Mayor pro tem Ruben Schaeffer; Kenn Carr, Local Farah attorney; Mayor Fred Hervey; Val Wertheimer, ACWA vice president and Antonio Sanchez, chairman of the El Paso ACWA joint board.

 

NEW YORK - Willie Farah, the El Paso pants magnate who once swore he would never allow unions in his plants, breakfasted yesterday morning as a guest of the union which made him break that vow — and almost broke his company in the process.

The breakfast meeting, held in the hotel suite of Murray H. Finley, President of the Amalgamated Clothing

Workers of America (ACWA), was by all reports, cordial, friendly and productive.

IT WAS also a sure sign that detente finally has come to El Paso.

Farah, Finley and ACWA Secretary-Treasurer Jacob Sheinkman then took an elevator 24 stories down to a large ballroom at the New York Hilton and told a crowded press conference that the ACWA has officially ended its 19-month strike and national boycott against the Farah Manufacturing Co.

In return, the company has agreed to recognize the ACWA as sole bargaining agent for all Farah worker's.

FINAL settlement of this often bitter dispute, which had become a major national cause among church groups, Chicano-power organizations

The turning point came, according to both sides, when the ACWA told Farah last week that they could produce union pledge cards from a majority of the Farah workers.

That union card count, conducted last Friday under supervision of El Paso Mayor Fred Hervey, who was chosen by both sides as an impartial observer, showed the union had 67 per cent support among (he approximately 8,-000 Farah workers, including strikers, who were polled.

THAT POINT established, Farah, his profits virtually eliminated by the highly successful ACWA boycott of Farah slacks, had little choice but to agree to bargain with the union.

Union officials said privately that the recent decision of NLRB Law Judge Walter Maloney may be have been a key factor in forcing the company to settle. That ruling held that Farah fired six employes of a San Antonio plant for their union-organizing

activities, the event which sparked the strike by some 2,000 Farah workers in Mav 1972.

"They (Farah) are law abiding and realized this decision would probably go against them, when reviewed by the full NLRB, " a union official speculated.

HOWEVER, spokesmen for both the union and Farah acknowledged that the ACWA boycott struck the killing blow.

"The boycott had a vicious effect," Farah declared yesterday.

While he declined to say precisely how much the boycott had cost his firm, this much is known: Farah had to close four plants and slow production in his remaining El Paso plants, laying off close to 5,000 workers in the process; Farah stock, once selling at more than $30 a share in 1972, fell as low as $3.25 and closed last Friday at $8.

FARAH SAW his profits drop from $6 million in 1971 to a loss of $8.3 million in 1972. Although he claimed much of this loss was due to production problems, he never recovered in 1973.

"The damn boycott is what did it to us," a source close to the Farah management said yesterday.

Farah, Finley and Sheinkman, the bitter boycott behind them, smiling and shaking hands for television cameramen, expressed hope for a bright future and greater-than-ever prosperity for the Farah firm.

"I'M HAPPY the problem is settled so that we can get back to making the best trousers in the country and selling them in a free market place," the youthful-looking Farah said.

When asked whether he expected to have good relations with the ACWA, which at times has painted him as little more than a feudal patrone who surrounds his mostly Mexican-American workers with barbed wire, Farah smiled grimly and said: '"There is only one way to go."

The two union chiefs, both obviously elated by their victory, refused to gloat and declined comment on their earlier charges that Farah has exploited his workers in a repressive "climate of fear an tension.

"WE'RE NOT interested in exacerbating the past," said Finley. "We are looking forward to a healthy relationship with the Farah company, full of trust."

The spirit of goodwill was marred only slightly when a group of boycott supporters trooped into the back of the ballroom and began chanting: "Farah workers broke the ass of Willie Farah and his class."

Union officials, obviously embarrassed by this demonstration, cut off press questioning and shuttled the three principals out of the room as the shouting began.

CONTRACT TALKS between Farah and the ACWA will begin as soon as the union can select a bargaining team representative of all the Farah plants, including those already closed by the company.

Union officials say this could be done within a week. While both sides claim there was no understanding within the settlement of the

terms to be included in the new union contract, it is assumed that Farah is aware of the type of contract the ACWA uses elsewhere.

"IF THEY don't have more copies of our former contracts with other firms than we do, I'd be very surprised," commented one union official.

Finley said at the press conference yesterday that the ACWA would be seeking improved wages, more holidays, insurance and other fringe benefits and grievance procedures.

Finley also hinted that hit union wants to play ball with Farah. Noting that an ACWA settlement with the Hart, Shafner and Marx clothing firm in Chicago has led to 64 years without' a strike, the ACWA, president declared: "We are looking forward to the same kind of relations with the Farah company with great confidence."

Future looks bright for Farah at fifty

Farah sells for $92.7 million

Farah clothing pioneer dies

Farah Photo Gallery

1927: $1,353 Loss Laid To Pickpockets

09/25/1927

Pickpockets attracted by the Charles Lindbergh crowds are blamed by the police for the loss of $ 1,353 by Pablicto Chavira, 15, messenger boy for Francisco Trejo, 106 Juarez avenue. Juarez money broker, to whom the money belonged. The boy was accompanied by Jose Delgado, 17.

The money was lost or stolen almost at the doors of the first National bank, from which it had just been drawn.

The loss was reported to Captain of Detectives L.T. Robey, who with Sandy Anderson made an investigation.

“Young Chavira told me that he got the money at the bank about noon,” said Capt. Robey last night. “There he went to one of the counters and counted it over, putting it in a wallet in the coat inside pocket, in the wallet was his passport. He kept his hand on the wallet.

“Just as he was going through the door, he says, he tripped and fell. Three Americans were about him at the time. One of them stumbled over him. He got to his feet. A Moment later he missed the money with his passport. It looks as if the three men were pickpockets who had ‘ganged up’ on him, one of them tripping him up.”

The money was in 10 $100 bills, seven $59 bills and three $1 bills. Trejo called at police headquarters later and told Capt. Robey that he had confidence in the boys and believed they had been robbed.

1953: Plaza pool gets two new 'gators'

09/01/1953

Jack and Jill, a pair of alligators who outgrew their backyard diggings, Monday were turned over to the City and joined the alligator family in the plaza pool.

Mrs. Myrtle Price, of 3508 Bisbee St., who bought the alligators a few days after they were hatched seven year ago, finally admitted that her pets were more than she could handle.

Tearfully she called Bryce Lammert, park superintendent, to offer the 40-pound alligators. Jack had jumped out of his pond at feeding time and when Mrs. Price had to call for help to get him back she decided it was time for the pair to go.

“They were great pets and would rear back whenever I brought them their horse meet,” Mrs. Price said, “but they would snap and hiss at strangers. My children have been wanting to get rid of them for some time but I waited until I just couldn’t take care of them any longer.”

PLENTY OF PETS LEFT

She won’t be too lonesome with 44 grown turtles and 22 small ones, all named and she can call off each one; more than 2,000 gold fish (“come and get them free. Just bring a container”); frogs, three dogs and parakeets.

Most of her aquatic livestock is in a pond 15 by 20 feet, 6 feet deep. But the alligators had to be kept separate to protect the others. They outgrew two private pools before getting eviction notices.

Mrs. Price came here from Brownwood, Texas, 17 years ago. In Brownwood she “really” had a private zoo. There was a fox, a wolf, and armadillo, porcupines, “(All very gentle,”) and a possum. (“You won’t believe it, but a possum makes as good a pet as a dog.”)

Her present assortment of pets fills part of the gap left by her seven children who grew up and left home, including a son 50 years old and her “baby” in his 30s.

ARRIVED IN CIGAR BOX

When her four alligators were sent from Louisiana by mail, in 1946, they arrived in a cigar box. Two died before Mrs. Price could learn that you had to force-feed them until they learned how to help themselves – jam food in their mouths and then hold them under water until they swallow.

She’s a little nervous about their new home in the plaza. They’re small, as alligators go, she says and with their pep they could slip out between the posts of the retaining wall. She expects to visit them as often as she can so they won’t feel too neglected before they go into their winter hibernation.

Mrs. Price, a widow, works by day to keep up her creeping, crawling and swimming adopted brood.

E.P. Dedicated first Municipal Airport In 1928

September 11, 1968

It was a memorable day, 40 years ago, when El Paso dedicated its first Mnmcipal Airport.

With one small hangar and no artificial runways, that first airport was primitive compared to the present International Airport. But among the 10,000 El Fasoans assembled for the dedication therewere those who lad envisioned a new age of aviation ahead.

ONE OF THESE was Mayor R. E. Thomason, now a federal judge, who was the main speaker at the dedication on the afternoon of Sept. 8, 1928.

"Today we drive another stake in the progress of El Paso," Mayor Thompson said, speaking at a makeshift podium under a striped tent. "This city today becomes one of the country's future air centers.

To take its first step Into the dawning era of commercial aviation, El Paso chose for its airport the only City land available, a 260-acre tract inside the angle, formed by Fred Wilson road and the
Southern Pacific tracks. Across the tracks to the west was what is now the Ft. Bliss Golf Course. To the east lay the Cavalry and Artillery drill ground that had been established as a military flying field in 1918 because of the depredations of Pancho Villa. This later became Biggs Field.

ONE OF THE PRIME movers in efforts to create a civilian airport was pioneer aviator Stacy Hinkle of El Paso, who recalls that the original-inspiration for the-project came indirectly from Charles A. Lindberg.

Following his historic trans-Atlantic flight, Lindberg made a goodwill tour of various U.S. cities, including El Paso. In August of 1927, planning,a big reception for the famous flier, Mayor Tbomason asked 10 World War I aviators, including Mr. Hinkle, to drive official cars in a motorcade downtown.

These flying men and others met on Sept. I6 1927 to form  an Aero Club. Its main objectives were t0 get a municipal airport, commercial airlines and air mail service for El Paso.

THE CLUB appointed Hinkle and Fred Wilson, also an ex-Army flier, to draw up plans for an airport. Their plans were approved by an airport committee named by Mayor Thomason and headed by Alderman Robert N. Mullin.

They recommended expenditure of $25,000 for clearing and grading, a hangar 60 by 100 feet; boundary lights and a rotating searchlight to guide pilots . Unfortunately, no money was available.

Finally the County agreed to spend $3500 for clearing the land, after Alderman Mullin got a ruling from County Atty. Dave Mulcahy that a municipal airport could be classed as a public highway.

Then the City figured out a. way to issue tax-pledged 'warrants to be redeemed in 1929 by a $32,000
bond issue.

MAYOR THOMASON and the City councilmen, R. E. Sherman,- W.S. Berkshire, R. E. McKee and A. B. Poe. okayed the plans and work proceeded. The Mayor appointed Arthur E. Johnson, formerly
of the 12th Aero Squadron at Ft. Bliss, airport manager.

The new airport got off to a flying start. On the day before the dedication, Rayma L. (Andy) Andrews, a World War I pilot, landed at the field and was greeted by Manager Johnson: "You are  the first  one to land,  Andy. How many gallons of gas do you need?"

Mr. Andrews flew on to Tucson that afternoon to make preparations to receive fliers in a National Air Derby between New York and Los Angeles. Some of the racers landed the next day during
dedication ceremonies.

IN HIS DEDICATION speech, Mayor Thomason paid tribute to three El Paso aviators who gave their lives for their country: Lt. James B. Biggs, for whom Biggs Field was named in 1925; Lt. Bruce
Strothers and Lt. Ben Jenkins, all victims of-air crashes.

Arthur M. Lockhart was master of ceremonies. Frank B. Fletcher of the Chamber of Commerce spoke on "Value of a Municiapl Airport on a Transcontinental Airway."

Brig. Gen. George v. Moseley, Ft. Bliss commander, attended the ceremony. at his request the Army sent 21 airplanes from Kelly Field to thrill the large crowd with aerial acrobatics. Three days later Amelia Earhart, who had flown the Atlantic, landed at the new airport.

Over the years El Paso's municipal airport has grown from a $25,000 investment into a $30 million complex, fulfulling the needs of the jet age. It also bears out Mayor Thomason's prediction of 40 years ago that El Paso was to become a great air center.

1939: El Pasoan Discovers Faded Check For $375 Written By His Own Father 57 Years Ago

May 13, 1939 Herald-Post

James L. Marr Finds Bank Document In Gutter

How a 57-year-old check written by James Marr Sr., was found in the gutter on Stanton street by his son, James L. Marr, El Paso real estate dealer, was disclosed today by A. C. Elliott.

In a letter to The Herald-Post and Robert L. Ripley of Believe It Or Not, Mr. Elliott said:

  "I have the honor to list the State National Bank of El Paso for honorable mention if not for a special award in the exhibition of a check dated November 22, 1881. Not that the date is 58 years back, but the circumstances and history of this check. The State National Bank was opened for business in April, 1881, and among its initial depositors was the account of the El Paso Transfer Company. James Marr Sr., was superintendent of this concern and was authorized to draw against the account. On November 22 of that year, he issued a check in favor of A. Allen for the sum of $375, and the paying teller's stamp shows the check was honored the same day. There is nothing unusual about such a business transaction. Where Mr. Ripley might be interested is in the recovery of the check.

“In October, 1938, James L. Marr, son of James Marr Sr., who is engaged in the real estate business, was walking in the 100 block on North Stanton street near the Leavell and Sherman real estate office. His attention was drawn to a piece of paper being blown along the gutter. As it looked like a check, he picked it up and to his surprise he found that it was an old check written by his father in 1881, only a few months after the bank had opened for business.

“The check itself is well preserved, the printing, the writing and the bank stamp are all clearly shown. The check was loaned to me for the purpose of this story and The Herald-Post is hereto granted the privilege of using this most interesting “Believe It Or Not” incident provided no attempt will be made to cash the check.

“Just where this check had been all these 58 years, no one seems to know and when it was thrown into the alley to be picked up by the son of the man who wrote the check is a great a mystery.”

1883: THE FIRE; EL PASO’S FIRST GREAT CONFLAGRATION

April 15, 1883

The City Saved by the Exertions of the Firemen and The Much Abused Stovepipe Water Works

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There is no fire alarm bell in El Paso, and so it happened that the second edition of the TIMES issued at 4:30 a.m. yesterday was the first intimation that most of our citizens had of the destructive fire which left six of our business houses in ruins, and were it not for the much decried stovepipe water works, and the thorough work done by our fire department the entire business portion of the city would have been in ashes. As it is, the loss is heavy enough. The Senate saloon, Williamson’s drug store, Kern & Co.’s jewelry store, Disman Co.’s clothing house, Kaplans extensive bazaar and Dun’s restaurant are but smoldering ruins. It is almost impossible to say how the fire occurred, but it is very evident that it started either in the rear of Kern’s store or of Williamson’s drug store which joined Kerns on the north. In the rear of nearly every business house in the city there is a pile of tinder consisting of empty boxes and barrels, and in most of them the straw and light material still remains. With this condition of things it is to be wondered at that the city has not long since suffered from even a more disastrous conflagration. Only a few weeks ago a fire started in the rear of the State National Bank building from the same cause, but happily it was at an early hour in the evening or the result would have been most fatal.

A thorough inspection of every building in the city should be ordered at once by the proper authorities and a fire marshal vested with sufficient power to compel attention to his instructions should be appointed whose duty it should be to see that these fire traps are at once put out of the way.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chas. L. Pierce, the efficient chief engineer, and Ben. F. Levy the first assistant deserve more than a passing notice for their services. Mr. Pierce speaks in the highest terms of the men comprising the companies in carrying out his commands and it is admitted by all who viewed the ruins yesterday morning and saw the scorched buildings upon the opposite side of the street and the north wall of the Davis block threat a fight had been made, and a victory won, which would reflect credit on many an older fire department.

C.L. PIERCE’S STATEMENT

Mr. Pierce makes the following statements as the events of the fire. He says that he retired after midnight and was awakened at 2:30 a.m. by a pistol shot followed by cries of “murder” and “fire.” On reaching the scene he found men carrying out Kern’s goods. Pushing his way to the rear of the building he discovered that the fire started either in the immediate rear of that building or of Williamson’s store. No. 1 hose was already out, but there was some difficulty in getting it to work. He at once ordered No. 2 house out, and with the assistance of W.A. Irvin it was run out the house, but by this time No. 1 had gotten to work. The fire then reached the shell roofs and the fierce heat which scorched the newspapers in Irvins windows across the street drove the firemen out of El Paso street, but only for an instant. A call was then made for assistance, and the firemen with the help of citizens dragged the hose towards Overland street with the loss of a single length. The wind changed several times and blowing fiercely all the while the Davis block was in great danger, but was saved by taking a line of hose up the rear stairway of Kierski’s building and playing a stream of water directly down into the hear to f the fire.

FIRE NOTES

It is difficult to estimate the total loss at a fire, when the stocks are so varied as in this case, but if the figures are put at $35,000 it is believed that that amount will fully cover the damage.

Irvins building escaped with broken windows and a bad scorching.

The north adobe wall of the Davis block is not made of materials that will stand much drenching, although it does not seem to have been serious injured.

Ben Scuster will have to put in some new windowpanes.

The loss of stocks by water and removal is of course considerable.

Kern’s jewelry cases were carried out by a hundred ready hands and the loss by theft is not thought to amount to much. A small boy with a score of gold watches and chains around his neck was one of the incidents.

City Clerk Kahn distinguished himself and was covered with mud and glory as late as eleven o’clock yesterday morning.

The ladies in the upper rooms of the Davis block were badly frightened, but no one lost their presence of mind.

Chief Pierce says that he wants a steam fire engine and an alarm bell.

The Acme saloon got off with broken windows.

Coffin looked admiringly at the overland Corrall building, during the progress of the fire, and remarked “She lays low, and sits like a duck close to the ground, but she’s a daisy in a fire.”

George Speck lost his wardrobe and $60 in money.

An entire family of Mexican children were tucked away in bed at Captain White’s house during the progress of the fire, all too badly scared to know what was the matter.

The stovepipe water works stock has “riz.”

Albert E. Mackley, of No. 1 Hook and ladder Co., got a severe fall from the roof of the Acme saloon. He was struck by a stream from the hose which carried him off his feet. He fell onto the veranda and thence to the ground hurting himself painfully but not seriously.

Lightbody & James sustained slight damage, which is fully covered by insurance.

Geo. A. Speck claims to have lost $4,000 over and above this insurance.

P.C. Dunn had no insurance on his restaurant stock, and gets off with a loss of about $250.

The prevailing impression is that the fire was the work of an incendiary, and it is said that Louis Strassburger, who is in Geo. A. Speck’s employ, saw several men in the yard about half an hour before the flames burst out. They acted so suspiciously that he called Deputy Marshall Harris’ attention to them. The latter made an investigation, but the men seem to have left before his arrival.

Kern & Co. put their loss at $3,000 above insurance.

The Mexicans in the rear of the burning buildings worked hard and well to prevent the fire from spreading and lent valuable aid to the Fire Department.

“Disfigured but sill in the ring,” was the sign that appeared over the door of Dunn’s restaurant this morning shortly after the fire.