Owned and Published By and For Labor Lansing Labor News Official Weekly Newspaper of CIO Labor in Lansing MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. For A Better America -60,000,000 Jobs VOL. 1, NO. 25 LANSING, MICHIGAN — SEPTEMBER 6, 194 $1.50 PER YEAR — PER COPY, 5c 50,000 People View Labor Day Parade A Few of the Many Entries in the Big Parade TOP LEFT—The Reo Local float which won first prize. TOP RIGHT—The Shetland pony given away at the festi­ val and won by a Stockbridge man. CENTER LEFT—The most admired horse in the pro­ More pictures of the parade and festivities, unfinished in time for this issue, will be published in the Labor News next week. CIVIL LIBERTIES TABLOID STARTS CHICAGO (FP) — The first issue of Civil Liberties News, a weekly printed subtabloid pub­ lished by the Chicago Civil Lib­ erties Committee, appeared Aug. 17, edited by Director Ira Latimer of the committee. A column is devoted to labor is­ sues, edited by Horace B. Davis, Negroes Hard Hit KANSAS CITY, Mo. (FP) — Negro workers have been hard hit by the layoffs sweeping this war boom area. Of the 12,000 Negroes employed in war plants here, about 10,000 have been laid off. labor secretary of the commit­ tee. Ghost of Closed Nash Plants Returns to Haunt the Parade The folly and tragedy of an industry and government without, effective plans for peace was cleverly satirized by this float carried in the parade by members of Nash Local 13. Officials and members of the local of the plant which is com­ pletely closed are shown posing for the photographer before beginning their long march in the parade. The two local Nash-Kelvinator plants once employed as many seven or eight thousand workers. Only a few maintenance workers roam through the empty buildings now, where machines sit silently like accusing ghosts. The coffin motif was extremely appropriate for the Nash float. gram, a beautiful golden tan equine valued at a dollar a pound, from the Ingham Coun­ ty Stock Horse Club, which staged the rodeo at the festival. CENTER RIGHT—The impres­ sive float from Fisher Local. Though but few are working at Fisher now, theirs was one of the largest floats. BOTTOM LEFT—The beautiful float built by Olds Local, one of sev­ eral which gave judges a diffi­ cult time selecting the winner. BOTTOM RIGHT — Smallest pony ever to pull anything in a Lansing parade. This midget from the Ingham County Stock Horse Club attracted no end of attention. Stockbridge Man Wins the Pony Walter Gidner, Stockbridge farmer, won the pony given away at the Labor Day festival at the Armory. Another Stockbridge man, Howard Herrid, drew the $100 bond. The $50 bond went to James Work, 2008 Rundle, and $25 bonds were given to Charles Strong, prominent AFL leader, and Roy McQuisteo, both of Lansing. A prize earned by hard work was awarded Percy F. Morgan of Mason, a member of Local 93 and an insurance agent. He won the $25 offered the individual selling the most books (ten tic­ kets each) of Labor Day festi­ val tickets. He sold 52. Win Their Raise CAMDEN, N. J. (FP) — An 8-hour sitdown strike by 5,000 workers at the Campbell Soup Co. here brought quick victory to their demands for a wage in­ crease, which the company had agreed to months before and later backed out on, Write Your Congressman Addes Urges Making his second appear­ ance here in recent weeks, George Addes, international Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW-CIO, told the crowd at the Labor Day festival in the Arm­ ory Monday night that talk of our not being able to reach full employment except through war was nonsense. Not only can America enjoy full employment, but through a proper distribution of their pro­ duction by means of adequate wages workers can enjoy a much higher standard of living, he said. He emphasized that this will not come about of its own ac­ cord, but requires action by the only people really interested in it—the workers. He pointed out that neither congressmen nor any other government leaders are going to do much unless they believe the workers are getting emphatic. Write your congressman and make yourself heard in Wash­ ington, he urged. Addes, popular with Lansing audiences, recently talked to Lansing workers from the capi- tol steps on the Little Steel ral­ ly program. Have you read what our ad­ vertisers have to say? 'We Want Work' Is Theme of Day's Program Labor Day was observed in many cities but probably no­ where outside of New York did more people participate than in Lansing, where an estimated 50,000 people lined both sides of more than 20 blocks to see one of the best parades in the city’s history march from the capitol out East Michigan to the arm­ ory. Huge crowds followed the pa­ rade to the Armory grounds, where an afternoon program of speakers, rodeo, stunts and games and dancing furnished entertainment. In the evening, in a program inside the Arm­ ory, there were more speakers, prize drawings, awarding of the free pony, selection of a beauty queen and dancing to the music of Ed Berry’s orchestra. Plainly emphasized on parade placards on the many floats and stressed in the short talks by nationally prominent labor leaders was the insistence of workers upon jobs and upon the building of a better America, and everyone seemed in pretty thorough agreement. Mother Nature gave the nod to the whole affair with just about as fine a day as one could ask. The parade, a mile and a half long, and headed by CIO Coun­ cil President Clyde Perkins, was excellently handled and had just about everything in the way of floats, placards, march­ ers, comedy and seriousness— except that there weren’t enough bands. Music was found to be pretty scarce at this sea­ son, Perkins reported, after having tried every known source. But a surprising number of locals came through with floats, despite shortage of active mem­ bers and finances due to layoffs. Even small locals had impres­ sive floats. A committee of local presi­ dents, acting as judges awarded first prize to the float from Reo Local 650. Last War's Unemployment Tragedy Must Not Be Repeated—Reuther After this war there musts not be a repetition of what hap­ pened after the last war, said Walter C. Reuther, Intl, vice- president of the UAW-CIO, ad­ dressing the afternoon crowd at the Armory on Labor Day. He is shown above (right) be­ ing presented on the truck which served as a speakers’ stand by George Nadar, a Lans­ ing region UAW-CIO intl. repr. who acted as master of cere­ monies. “After our sacrifices on the battlefields of France in the last war, we came home and found instead of jobs— breadlines. We fought the war to extend democracy, we were told, and instead the world raised a bumper crop of dic­ tators." So this time we are not stop­ ping the fight with the signing of peace, he said. Labor is con­ tinuing the battle right on the home front until jobs for every­ one, more take-home pay, a higher standard of living and a permanently prosperous Amer­ ica is won. Labor Will Continue Fight for Peace And if we fight as hard against unemployment as we did against Hitler and To jo he said there would not be the slightest doubt about the out­ come. Technological progress has jumped far ahead to show the way to increased production of more and better things for us all, he said, piting as one ex­ ample a new type of house, completely equipped with more modern conveniences than most people even know exist, which can be manufactured and sold for $3,000—a better home than you can buy in Lansing today for $9,000. He told of a recent conver­ sation with Mrs. Roosevelt. She had talked with a soldier who happened to hail from a sub­ marginal income group in the south. Mrs. Roosevelt Asks Big Question This man, she said, who had never had enough food got the best meals in America in the army. Never having had dental work before, he was given the best dental care money could provide. Always before without decent clothes, he was in his opinion pretty elegantly out­ fitted. Accustomed to working his little tract of ground with makeshift tools-—or none—he found himself using some of the best mechanical equipment in the world. Never before having received much schooling or any training at all, he was now given the best training in the world—in how to die in war. Oldsmobile Girl Is Named Labor Day Beauty Queen Winner of the Labor Day' beauty queen contest is Miss Ann Husak, 19, of 1108 Dakin St., shown in the photo. Miss Husak, who was award­ ed the first prize of $25, is em­ ployed in the project control di­ vision at Oldsmobile, has always lived in Lansing, and said she felt kind of silly about her vic­ tory. Second prize, $15, was award­ ed Miss Dolly Cole, 18, of 1231 George St. She is employed at Beverly’s Millinery store. She said this was the first contest she was ever in and admitted being a bit scared. The $10 third prize went to Miss Betty Redman, 19, of 1110 Jerome, a Michigan Bell Tele­ phone company employe. She said she wasn’t even trying, that “I wonder," Reuther re­ ported Mrs. Roosevelt as say­ ing, “if we will do as much to clothe, feed, equip and train our people to live in peace" The answer of labor is an em­ phatic yes, said Reuther. This Labor Day marks the beginning of a new era4 he said, one in which labor takes up in a big way the job of rebuilding the peace. Chess Players Are Invited If you play chess, or are in­ terested in learning, visit the Lansing Chess Club next Tues­ day evening — anytime be­ tween 7 p. rm and 11. It meets every Tuesday evening on the (See CHESS PLAYERS, P. 4) friends pushed her into the thing, and she didn’t want to win. Seventeen were in the contest, which was judged at the eve­ ning program in the Armory. LANSING LABOR NEWS, INC. MAIL ADDRESS: P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. OFFICE: 109 E. South St. — Phone 2-9621 Entered as second-class matter April 13, 1945, at the post office at Lansing, Mich­ igan, under the Act of March 3, 1879. A non-profit newspaper dedicated to the interests of the community and to the interests of labor here and everywhere. Published every Thurs­ day at the Lansing CIO Council headquarters by the following incorporated body, representing locals voting to participate. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT—Ernest Miller (Reo 650). VICE-PRES.—Maurice McNaughton (Fisher 602). SEC.-TREAS.—Kenneth McCreedy (CIO Council). TRUSTEES—George Jake­ way (Fisher 602), William Treanor (Olds 652). MEMBERS—Robert Richardson (Olds 652), Earl Watson, Roy Newton (Nash 13), Charles O’Brien (Reo 650), Maurice MacNaughton (Fisher 602), V. E. Vandenburg (CIO Council), Peter Fagan, Adrian Jensen (Olofsson 728), Arthur Chappell, Woodrow Brennen (Dairy 93), James W. Roberts, Dean Reed (SCMWA 276); Louis Newmark (SCMWA 406); Earl McClure, Melvina Stevens (Hill Diesel 646). ASSOCIATE MEMBERS—Mrs. Robert Atkinson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. Harold Wilson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. William McCurdy (Fisher Aux.), Mrs. J. B. Eno (Fisher Aux.), Mrs. Evelyn Moss, Mrs. Etta Kenyon (Local 93 Aux.). EDITOR — V. E. VANDENBURG SUBSCRIPTIONS — Included in the dues of participating locals. Individ­ ual subscription, $1.50 per year by mail. CONTRIBUTIONS—Should be typed double-spaced on one side of paper and signed with author’s name, phone and address. Name will not be used if requested. Notes on news not written up but containing complete names and all the facts are acceptable too. Mail all contributions to Lansing Labor News, P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. Bigger, Better Labor Days Are Possible, Perkins Says BY CLYDE PERKINS Gen4 Chairman, Labor Day Festival It is a difficult job to name all those who rendered major assistance in making a success of the Labor Day program. It would be much easier to pick out the individuals who should have been very definite contri­ butors, but who weren’t. If dur­ ing the sketch I miss anyone who gave unstintingly of their time and efforts, I shall owe them a personal apology. First let me say that the In­ ternational Representatives, Don Falor, George Nader and Rocky Stone were all pitching hard. Then there is Walter Carter, Dean Reed, Imogene Post, Ches­ ter Cowan, Robert Richardson, Etta Kenyon, Carl Jelsma, Max Kaiser, Bill McCurdy, Eleanor Jenks, Kenneth McCreedy, Floyd Robinson, Ozo Smith. To these particular credit must go for their efforts. To John Osbourn, Percy Mor­ gan, Steve Mazel, Stan Cleeves and several others my hearty thanks in promoting the sale of tickets. To all the Local Union members and officers partici­ pating in the parade and other festivities my appreciation. This was undoubtedly the largest and most successful La­ bor Day celebration ever held in Lansing, but there is no doubt in my mind that even better ones may be had if more and more of our people pitch in and help. Locals that contributed real aid consist mainly of Olds No. 652, Fisher No. 602, Amalga­ mated No. 93, Reo No. 650, and Nash No. 13. All other Locals contributed also to a more or less degree but certainly not enough to be a major factor in the success of the program al­ though every little bit helps. It is my hope that in the fu­ ture all Locals will get in and bat with all their strength to make these programs for Labor bigger and better. Strikers May Publish Own Daily Paper ST. LOUIS (LPA) — This city, which has been without a daily newspaper since August 16, may this week be able to read the St. Louis Daily News, the first union-sponsored, un­ ion-operated daily in a large metropolitan area in this coun­ try. , A daily circulation of 100,000 is expected. A strike of carriers and pressmen, to force the three St. Louis papers to recognize the carriers’ union as ordered by the NLRB, resulted in a lock­ out of about 2,500 newspaper employes on the Star Times and the Post Dispatch, and the Globe Democrat. Standing solidly behind the striking workers, the members of the American Newspaper Guild—CIO and the AFL stero- typers, typographers, and photoengravers first form­ ed a conciliation committee to discuss with the publishers a settlement of the dispute. | Reluctantly, they came to the conclusion that they would have to start another news­ gathering organ in the city. Wholehearted approval of the plan was voiced by the Guild’s int’l executive board meeting in Chicago last week. Present plans are to publish a sixteen page paper. Wire serv­ ice has been obtained, a volun­ teer staff of the two St. Louis papers is in readiness, a print­ ing plant has been found, and the publication of the first is­ sue waits only on an allotment of scarce newsprint from the War Production Board in Wash­ ington. The Guild is guarantee­ ing initial expenses. Where There’s Smoke SAN FRANCISCO (FP)—A hearing on the Food Tobacco & Agricultural Workers (CIO) petition for an industrywide collective bargaining election for 50,000 northern California cannery workers was granted by the NLRB. Unions Urged to Start Radio Stations Government Is Issuing Some Licenses Now By TRAVIS K. HEDRICK "OUT OF THE JUNGLE" WASHINGTON (FP)—Most of us know the guy who just barely missed buying in on a good thing ... he just wasn’t quite ready and the deal passed him. A proposition that sounds like good business is awaiting local unions or central bodies in almost every area of the coun­ try. It won’t wait long. Costs $50,000 This little deal calls for cash or credit of around $50,000. It would be a pretty good invest­ ment by itself, but the best divi­ dends will be paid out in keep­ ing the people informed about the facts and the truth. Briefly, then, the proposition is the financing and operation of an FM (Frequency Modula­ tion) broadcasting station. It will cost about 50 G’s to handle one such station. Present day standard broad­ casting stations (Amplitude modulation or AM) are almost universally in the hands of the big mules. The-radio chains, newspapers and other interests not too thoroughly devoted to the people own most of the sta­ tions. But the picture is changing— fast. The Federal Communica­ tions Commission has just is­ sued a new order applying to FM, which opens up about 50 per cent more stations in most communities. Labor's Chance Applications for permits must go through the FCC, and with the field newly opened, there is a chance for labor to get its voice on the air as a pub­ lic service and also as an in­ vestment in the future of America., FM is new. It is bound to re­ place the standard wave band stations entirely in a few years. There is as much difference in FM reception and the standard kind as there is between an old Model T Ford and a slick new Super-Fortress. Both do a transportation job . . . but there’s a whale of a difference. While getting started with a daily newspaper in most com- munities would involve hun­ dreds of thousands of dollars, FM can do an equally good job at a bare fraction of the cost. Must Act Now The need for haste in getting' people’s radio stations in each community is that the regular stations will try to sew up the FM channels and thus block any progress or competition. These people have an idea that if they “freeze” FM in their hands, their investment in AM will be safe. Their profits in AM broadcasting are at an all time high, according to FCC figures, yet they don’t want to carry their share in developing the year. The heavy increase in traffic recently following the end of gasoline rationing and the increasing popularity of the roadside table caused Commis­ sioner Ziegler to issue his order. FM in the production of new programs particularly suited to the greater fidelity of FM. Kills Static Newcomers to broadcasting, using the improved technique offered in FM, would apply imagination, energy and fresh­ ness of approach that radio so badly needs. FM is in its in­ fancy and is many times better than AM in eliminating all sta­ tic, stopping noises of washing machines and vacuum cleaners, etc. The newest wrinkle is called “pulse time modulation,” which is the radar principle applied to voice and music broadcasts. You won’t hear much about it unless the U. S. radio corpora­ tions are ready to junk their plants and begin all over again. Pulse time modulation is the most perfect instrumentality yet conceived. FIRST LABOR DAY PARADE IN 1882 Although Labor Day was not a legal holiday until the year 1931, it has been practiced many years prior to that time. The original parade in the United States on the first Mon­ day of September was held in New York in 1882. The Knights of Labor instigated a parade on the first Monday of September that year an dit proved so pop­ ular that through the years fol­ lowing, the procedure became fully established and is now of course nationwide. Picnic Tables Highway Commissioner Chas. M. Ziegler has ordered 1,000 additional picnic tables placed along state trunklines to aug­ ment the 1,000 placed earlier in Their Babies Can't Eat Medals LOTS OF JOBS — Starting Next March, Maybe FORECAST OF RECONVERSION UNEMPLOYMENT —Federated Pictures Several thousand workers in New York’s busy fur district gave up their lunch hour to hear merchant seamen, decorated for hero­ ism at sea, describe their fight against wage cuts. Their demands for 55c hourly minimum and overtime pay after 40 hours are before the War Labor Board. One unaffiliated and three CIO maritime unions called the demonstration. DOESN’T MAKE SENSE Around The Shops By George Nader I hope next year—with the experience of this year to work with, with the confidence of the success to encourage us—we will put on a bigger, better La­ bor Day demonstration of la­ bors strength. * * * Brothers Walter Reuther, George Addes, did a grand job of stressing the need for Labor Action, Brother Reuther did a fine job in the afternoon and Brother Addes in the evening. Brother Sdholle had to leave, due to a previous engagement, but his willingness to remain in case Brother Addes didn’t ap­ pear is appreciated. * * * Pappy O’Daniel's Voice Weakening DALLAS, Tex. (FP) — The voice of Sen. W. Lee (Pappy) O’Daniel doesn’t carry as far or as strong as it used to. Despite the senator’s frantic appeals to voters in extensive newspaper ads and through his own paper, the W. Lee O’Daniel News, to vote against a consti­ tution amendment liberalizing the Texas old age pension law from $15 to $20 a month to en­ able acceptance of maximum matching funds from the feder­ al government a majority of voters approved the measure. The amendment also provides more liberal aid to the blind and to needy children. FANCY THIS! INDIANAPOLIS (FP)—Eu­ gene C. Pulliam, publisher of The Indianapolis Star and owner of a chain of smaller newspapers and radio stations, amazed Indiana labor leaders with an invitation to sit down to a Victory Stag Dinner at which Westbrook Pegler, arch labor baiter, will be guest of honor. Congressman Hook must have gotten hooked some place, cause he didn’t show up, and I haven’t heard why. * * * The employment picture is on the upgrade—God willing, there will be jobs. It requires action, action by you and you, control your representatives in Wash­ ington. Get him to get busy. * * * I am quite confident there will be a convention. When and where should be settled at the Executive Board meeting to be held in Flint next week. * * * I had my first experience sit­ ting on the other side of the table—as a member of the ne­ gotiation committee of Local 652. It was a new experience, and I didn’t mind it. * * * The small plants are on the upgrade. They should, and if given a chance would, absorb the man and woman power now without jobs. Convention Dec. 6 - - - or February? DETROIT (FP) — Dec. 6 is now the proposed date of the United Auto Workers (CIO) convention but gossip persists that it will be actually held in February in Grand Rapids, aft­ er locals again have enough money to meet the considerable expense of sending delegations. Green and Lewis WASHINGTON (FP) — At a quiet table in the air-condi­ tioned Colony room of the Stat­ ler hotel here Aug. 31, two men had lunch. They were quite by themselves and chatted inti­ mately, but drew a lot of at­ tention from passers-by. They were AFL Pres. Wil­ liam Green and Pres. John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers (unaffiliated.) Neith­ er had anything for publica­ tion. WIN 3c RAISE DETROIT (FP) — Members of Detroit Typographical Un­ ion No. 18 (AFL) working in job shops won a 3c an hour raise in the new contract effec­ tive with the week ended Sept. 1, Pres. C. C. Sparkman an­ nounces. The new scale, retro­ active to May 16, pays day men a minimum of $1.56 1/2 Night men get 7%c premium. Work­ ers with 1 year seniority get 2 weeks paid vacation in 1946. Those with less than 1 year will get vacation pay of 50c per shift worked. Full Employment Bill Is Only A First Step, Says Richter Support our advertisers. then act on it. It must then be signed by the President. Who Backs It? Who backs it: About 110 members of the House and eight members of the Senate are sponsoring the bill. Republican and Democratic. President Tru­ man and most of his Cabinet (most of them feebly) are back­ ing it. So are many bankers and businessmen, and people from all walks of life. The sponsors of the bill are preparing some strengthening amendments. A revised and strengthened bill is being draft­ ed. Opposition forces will use the strategy of trying to pass crip­ pling amendments to defeat the intent of the bill. You Can Help What can you do? Study the bill. (Ask your congressman for a copy). Write letters to Con­ gress — your own Representa­ tives and Senators. Ask them to become co-sponsor. Write to the Committee Chairmen. Write to your newspaper editor. Ask your local union presi­ dent how you can, help in the local. Get others to write. Help organize rallies, demonstra­ tions, delegations and DE­ MAND THE RIGHT TO A JOB. Congress will act — if there is enough pressure. BUY WAR BONDS By IRVING RICHTER There is a lot of confusion about the Full Employment Bill, also known as the Murray Bill (S. 380). Here are some of the highlights: First, it does NOT guarantee everyone a job. It does say — for the first time in American history — that everyone willing and able to work is entitled to a job. It creates the RIGHT to a job. Second, the government un­ dertakes the responsibility to plan jobs for all. It is, as CIO President Murray said in his testimony, “the declaration of intentions.” It is “enabling leg­ islation”, setting up a machin­ ery. How It Works What is the machinery? A national budget is to be prepar­ ed by the government each year, showing the number of jobs private enterprise expects to give. When there is a prospec­ tive deficiency in the budget, the government is to make up for the deficiency — by govern­ ment employment. The government would not be able to give these jobs with­ out additional legislation. Take the Missouri Valley Authority as an example: This project would create jobs. It would cre­ ate cheap electric power in the Missouri Valley, prevent floods, irrigate the land, etc. Congress would have to first approve the MVA plan and appropriate the funds, even if the Murray bill were passed. Why is the Full Employment bill necessary? Private enter­ prise, alone, has never been able to provide full employment. It has already failed its post-war test. Millions of war veterans and war workers are already out of jobs, or face the prospect of unemployment. Who Fights It? Why is the bill being oppos­ ed ? Because it goes against the idea that labor is a commodity, to be bought and sold under the laws of supply and demand, and at a PROFIT. It goes against the idea first expound­ ed by Samuel Insull, as quoted by President Murray before the Senate Committee: “The surest guarantee of a contented working force is a long line at the employment office window." Where does the bill now stand? Hearings are going on before a sub-committee of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, under the chair­ manship of Senator Wagner. It is expected to get a favorable report. It then goes to the full Committee, and then to the Sen­ ate floor. Hearings will be held in the House Banking and Currency Committee soon (Brent Spence, Chairman). The House must Photo Flashes of the News How the Jobless Feel in New York, Chicago CHESS PLAYERS (Continued from Page One) third floor of the Women’s Club House, 603 S. Washington Ave. After being adjourned for the latter part of the summer, the club had its first fall meet­ ing this week. Included among the more than two dozen mem­ bers are players of varying de­ grees of skill — from outright beginners to some pretty clever chessnuts. Editor of this paper is presi­ dent of the club and he may be called at 49788 for further in­ formation, if desired. Labor In ONE WORLD By FEDERATED PRESS —Federated Pictures TOP: Veterans, sitting on the speakers platform, overlook the of the 7,000 CIO members who rallied in Chicago to demand jobs for all at decent pay. Addressing the CIO demonstration, Rep. Emmanuel Celler (D., N.Y.) wished he could bring it to Washing­ ton “and show some of those people down there just how mighty the voice of labor can be.” BELOW: Their banners tell the story for these workers—part of he 7,000 CIO membeers who rallied in Chicago to demand government action for full employment. Following a meeting where they heard Vice Pres. Richard T. Frankensteen of United Auto Workers (CIO) and city officials, the workers marched through Chicago’s streets shouting, “We want jobsl” Plenty of Time for Fishing —Federated Pictures Fishing is fun, decides' Clatie White of Local United Auto Workers (CIO), as she gets a lesson on how to bait her hook from Olga Mader of the union’s recreation department. Clatie was one of 150 women auto workers who spent a happy day at YWCA Camp Talahi, 40 miles from Detroit, by arrangement of UAW. INDIA The war’s end has brought terrific problems of reconver­ sion to India’s workers, too. Allied Labor News reports from Calcutta that the general council of the All-India Trades Union Congress has worked out a program to meet the economic needs of Indian labor. The Indian workers are faced with severe shortages of coal and housing, the council said, demanding that “the govern­ ment should not hesitate to take over coal mines from those own­ ers who, by their obstructive tactics, are hampering national production.” On the national situation, the council unanimously demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all political prison­ ers, removal of the ban on the Natl. Congress and other politi­ cal organizations and the resto­ ration of civil liberties and the holding of elections for provin­ cial and central legislatures. * * * GREECE The Greek minister of labor has set aside as invalid results of a recent union election in Athens for the national union leadership. His reason was that “the Communist workers or­ ganization gained a majority,” his way of describing the vic­ tory won by ERGAS, left wing EAM - Socialist - Communist trade union federation. The minister’s action backs up the charge by EAM, libera­ tion movement, that a national election or plebiscite held un­ der the present Voulgaris gov­ ernment would be a mockery. * * RUSSIA Soviet workers are “indig­ nant” that their union delega­ tion to the U. S. was denied per­ mission by the managements of the Packard and Pontiac com­ panies to visit their Detroit plants, Allied Labor News re­ ports from Moscow. Boris Altshuller, leader of the Soviet Auto Transport Workers Union, said that Soviet drivers of Packard cars object­ ed strenuously that their rep­ resentatives were not allowed to talk to American workers in the Packard plant. The Soviet Packard drivers asked Altshuller to convey to the Packard workers in Detroit the hope that “despite this the friendship between Soviet and American workers will grow stronger as a result of the visit of the Soviet trade union dele­ gation to the U. S.” Support our advertisers. Bilbo Protest —Federated Pictures Horrified by the anti-racial filth of Sen. Theodore G. Bilbo (D., Miss.), Edward Bykowski, a wounded veteran, picketed the Senate office building in Wash­ ington, D. C., with this dramatic sign. Ushered away by Capitol police, he intends to remain in Washington until he sees the poll­ taxer. Forced Out —Federated Pictures Gen. Joseph Stilwell (above) was asked to leave China because he told Generalissimo Chiang Kai- Shek that American arms were to be used against Japan and not Chinese guerillas. That’s what he told a Congressional delegation; on Okinawa, Rep. Ellis E. Patterson (D., Calif.) reports Bosses Won’t Meet; Patternmakers Strike DETROIT (FP) — About 2,000 members of the Pattern­ makers League of America (AFL) in Michigan are on strike because the employers refuse to grant a minimum scale of $2.25 an hour and re­ fused to attend a scheduled meeting to discuss the demand. The strike vote was 482 to 20 at a meeting in Detroit Aug. 28.