THE CZECHS OF CLEVELAND
Politics.
The Czechs are however not politicians, and do not seek place nor political preferment. They are independent voters; a majority are probably democrats, but they split the ticket or vote independently whenever the character of the issues or the personality of the candidate makes an appeal to them. Thus the 13th ward, typically Czech, in 1917 went democratic for councilman and president, and republican for mayor. This is quite typical, the newspapers also being independent in politics. Cleveland Czechs holding public offices at present are the Hon. John J. Babka, Member of Congress, A. F. Sprosty, Director of Public Safety, and Councilmen Kadlecek of the 13th ward, Zmunt of the 7th, and Soika of the 16th. A. W. Chaloupka is assistant county prosecutor, and Rev. John Prucha has rendered in the City Immigration Bureau services of the greatest value.
There has always been an element of socialism among the Czechs, but it is socialism of the constructive type which is organizing the Czecho-Slovak Republic. There are nine branches of the Bohemian Socialist party in Cleveland at present. Several of these are quite as much social as political in their activities, having musical and dramatic branches. The Czech socialists of Cleveland are to a large extent immigrants of the last ten or fifteen years, the older residents tending toward conservatism.
Occupations.
In occupation the Bohemian of Cleveland is in general the skilled workman. There are many tailors, although not so large a proportion as formerly, many of the women also working in the garment trades. There are many skilled workers in shops and trades of every kind. Two unions of carpenters and one of bakers, and an “Educational Club of Czech Foundrymen” compose the list of labor unions which are distinguished as Czech, but of course the large number belong to unions in which there is no distinction of nationality.
The streets of Czech neighborhoods are lined with good stores where every class of merchandise is handled. Bakeries are numerous, since Czech baked goods are distinctive and too good to be given up. Music stores are also conspicuous, as no people in the city buy more musical instruments than the Czechs.
Manufacturing.
Small manufacturing concerns, employing from ten to twenty men, are characteristic of the Czechs in Cleveland, the only large concern being the Vlchek Tool Company at 10709 Quincy avenue, now moving to a new plant at 8701 Mt. Auburn avenue.
This concern is an exhibition of Czech industry, business sagacity, and ability. Mr. Frank J. Vlchek, the owner, came to this country an immigrant lad of eighteen, equipped only with his trade, that of blacksmith, to which he had added training in surgical instrument making. In 1893 he had a blacksmith shop on Central avenue, small enough to be moved on a wagon when removal became expedient. From that humble beginning he has developed the largest business in the country in tools; eighty-five per cent of the automobiles of the United States are equipped with Vlchek tool-kits. Four hundred men are employed, with improvements planned which will enroll a force of 600 within another year. The new plant, into which the shops will be entirely removed by the end of 1919, represents an investment of $500,000, with a second part of equal
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