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 LANSING, MICHIGAN — OCTOBER 4, 1945 $1.50 PER YEAR — PER COPY, 5c AN OPENING IN CONGRESS No Wonder Bilbo Puts His Foot in If! CITY COUNCIL ACTION ON TRAILERS WOULD DUMP VETERANS INTO STREET Owned and Published By and For Labor V0L 1, No. 29 Richardson Says: Industry Attempting A "Job" On Unions By R. E. RICHARDSON President Local 652 It is an old game of reaction to catch the workers un­ aware and do a job on them. With corporation profits guaranteed for two years and industry having faced V-J Day without adequate reconver­ sion plans — all of which is no accident — reaction now seeks to turn its super profits to pay for a drive against wages. Coupled with this is an inflationary drive for more profits through the prema­ ture elimination of ration­ ing and ceiling prices. what savings? The disciples of greed have been. ballyhooing the “back- log” of savings which the workers have. They argue that to raise wages the work­ ers would have too much spending power, more than here would be goods to buy. The U. S. Treasury reveals that at the end of August, 20.17 percent of the total E bonds had been cashed in. These redemptions have not been broken down, but it would seem obvious that nost of these were owned by people in the low income groups. BACKLOG NONSENSE The “backlog” is a myth. Further delay of reconver­ sion and the failure to return to the wartime level of the take-home pay, and the fail­ ure to prevent inflation, is to invite disaster. The industrialists seek to divert our attention from the necessity of the 30 percent wage increase. They charge that labor is interfering with reconversion plans. They provoke strikes to bolster their claims. With the piling up of griev­ ances from the “no-strike” pledge period of the war, and the failure on the part of unionists to formulate alter­ natives to strike action to settle their grievances, the workers fall for the provoca­ tions of management and up­ set the strategy of the Intl. UAW-CIO six-man board by striking first and negotiating afterwards. WILDCAT STRIKES Such procedure is the ans­ wer to managements prayers. It is part of their program to defeat the 30 percent wage increase, defeat Richard Frankensteen the labor can­ didate for mayor of Detroit, and re-elect the reactionary Mayor Jeffries who is en­ dorsed by the Hitlerite G. L. K- Smith. Our Congressmen are seiz­ ing upon this labor crisis to stall on President Truman’s legislative program. While we are battling in­ dustrialists for wage in­ creases we are faced with the threat of inflation through See RICHARDSON, Page 4 Chester Cowan Resigns Chester Cowan, president of Fisher Local 602 since March 1944 and formerly fi- ancial secretary for three years, this week resigned as president. The new president is Webb Ewing, who as vice president automatically succeeded him in office. “Chet” Cowan left the em­ ploy of the Fisher Body Com­ pany, for whom he first started working in 1927, to follow his former trade of painting and decorating. He felt that since he would not be working at the plant he should not hold office in the local. Since 1930 he had been a body trimmer at Fisher un­ til the war halted body man­ ufacturing. His resignation met with strong protests, for he is one of the city’s better known labor leaders, having been ac­ tive in labor circles for about 25 years. He had been a committeeman, steward or of­ ficer in the Fisher Local con­ tinuously since 1937. His wife and 14-year-old daughter live at 2426 Forest See CHET COWAN, Page 4 Timekeepers Will Vote October 12 The date upon which Olds­ mobile men and women time­ keepers will vote on whether to have union representation has been announced as Fri­ day, Oct. 12. Voting will be in Building 34, where the main time of­ fice was until last week, when it was moved to build­ ing 36. . Timekeepers will vote on whether to have UAW-CIO representation or no repre­ sentation. Balloting, arranged for the convenience of all shifts, will be from 8 to 8:30 a. m. and | 3:30 to 4:30 p. m. 98 PERCENT SAID "YES" Fisher Employes Vote For Strike, If Needed Members of Fisher Local 502 last Monday voted 98 percent in favor of a strike at Fisher Body Company if ne- cessary to compel considera- tion of 34 demands submitted to the company, including a 30 percent raise in wages. Webb Ewing, who this week became president fol- lowing the resignation of Chester Cowan, said the overwhelming results put the local in a strong position for supporting their own de­ mands and those of the inter­ national, which apply to all G. M. plants. “We are now ready for fur­ ther action on short notice,” he said. VOTING AT OLDS Strike balloting at Olds Lo­ cal 652, from 8 a. m. Wednes­ day to 8 a. m. Thursday, fin­ ished too late for results to be carried in this issue. Sketch and verse about the rabble-rousing anti-labor senator are the work of a CIO worker, John D. Chaffin, of the Intl. Maritime Union. The opinions expressed are not entirely his own. WASHINGTON SCENE By TRAVIS K. HEDRICK For Federated Press and Lansing Labor News WASHINGTON (FP) — Like a rudderless ship, U. S labor policy is veering with the winds. One of the indica­ tions is seen in the fact that up to Sept. 28, the federal government had not made up its mind whether it will con­ tinue to sponsor the labor-management committees set up by WPB. At the height of the war, there were some 5,000 labor­ management committees operating in the country. Today there are something less than 3,800, although a survey made by WPB recently showed that 60% of them intend to con­ tinue operations into peace time production. Should the committees continue operation, they will do so without the helpful hand of Uncle Sam. Government spon- jorship officially ended at dusk Sept. 28, folding up a staff of 227 in Washington and some 50 field representatives. Neither Sec. of Labor Lewis Schwellenbach nor Sec. of Commerce Henry A. Wallace has indicated whether they will absorb the service—and there are substantial reasons to believe the Labor Department won’t do so. Schwellenbach, a former judge, has an idea he is going to stream-line his department and wants to do so without “unnecessary frills.” He will not object to the continuation of labor-management committees as long as government has no responsibility in their operation. The majority of management is in favor of letting the labor-management committee idea die with the war, although a minority of major employers has found them really beneficial. Both the AFL and CIO have gone on record favoring con­ tinuing the committees in general, but this support is not universal through all of their affiliates or in all local unions. Some unionists insist that the committees make it easier to set up company unions, but despite this the indorsement of the international organizations indicates a majority of all labor cottons to the plan. Just how the committees could operate without the pres­ tige of federal backing is difficult to say. Each one presents a different problem. 2 Officers Elected By Fisher Aux. At the regular September meeting, Mrs. Ruth Strong was elected recording secre­ tary and Mrs. Jessie Pritch­ ard as trustee. Mrs. Dorothy McCurdy was very much surprised to see her brother, S-Sgt. Louis A. Gray, who has been stationed in Trinidad the past few months. After a week’s fur­ lough he will report at Fort Sheridan to receive his dis­ charge. Look at these people! Do they look objectionable? The ambitious young veterans shown in these photos are typical of those liv­ ing with their wives and families in the South Lyons street government trailer camp, which city alder men considered a blight on the community and asked to have removed. No other housing is avail­ able. TOP PHOTO At the right is Werner Johnson, mar­ ried and father of two children, and a veterinary student at MSC. “The college has taken a commendable step in making the camp available to married student veterans," he said. “Un­ til better facilities can be had I would | rather live here than turn in my books and call it quits." He is a former recording secretary of UAW-CIO Local 2491 of Marqette. CENTER PHOTO Ex - paratrooper Gene MacDonald, shown with his wife in center picture, is majoring in hotel adminitration. “We don’t like trailers any better than Alder man Hungerford. But there is no alternative—it's either this or nothing," he said. Since thoughtlessly poking its finger into a hot potato when it passed a resolution requesting action to remove government owned trailer camps from the city, the Lan­ sing city council has been try­ ing to figure out how to with­ draw gracefully before heat permanently disfigures the digit. War veterans occupy the trailers. Aiderman Hungerford ad­ mitted to Labor News report­ ers that he probably hadn’t looked sufficiently into the facts before introducing the resolution, nor apparently had any other aiderman, for it passed unanimously a couple of Mondays ago. The facts were easy to get. This paper had little difficul­ ty in learning that: TRAILERS SOLVE VETERANS9 PROBLEMS 1—One of the government camps, located on Grand Riv­ er across from the sugar beet factory, houses people who used to be war workers. When these leave, their trailers are re-rented only to married war veterans. Some are awaiting veterans now. 2—Another camp is located on South Lyons street near the Nash plant. This has been empty until the past few weeks, when it was taken ov­ er by Michigan State. £ollege for renting exclusively to war veterans taking college work. 3—Enough houses or apart­ ments for these veterans ap­ parently are not available anywhere in Lansing or East Lansing. In fact, individuals hunt for weeks to /ind any­ thing at all for themselves. Rewards are offered every day for tips on rentals. NO HOUSES— WHERE WOULD VETS GO? 4—The council’s action, therefore, amounted to dump­ ing these veterans into the streets, simply because there were some objections, it was claimed, to having those trailers, such as the ones on South Lyons street, in the vi­ cinity of $6,000 to $10,000 homes. Had it not been for our vet­ erans bombs might have re­ duced the value of these homes to a point where trail­ ers would really dress up the neighborhood. The council has been learn­ ing during recent days—days that have become very hot for them despite the cold weather —that very few citizens ac- , tually care to dump veterans L on the street—particularly veterans who are good enough citizens to want to attempt living with their families on See TRAILERS, Page 4 Dance For Halloween Is Planned It‘s time for everyone L begin looking for that old costume. The Fisher Auxili­ ary has completed plans for a Halloween dance to be held October 27 at the CIO Coun­ cil Hall. There will be modern and old time dancing from 9 to 1, with music by the new CIO Dance Band. Prizes will be awarded for the best cos­ tumes. All CIO members and their friends are invited. BOTTOM PHOTO In lower photo are shown Herman John- son and his wife in their trailer home. He served in the signal corps of the famous Red Arrow Division four and a half years, leaving his division in New Guinea Sep- tember 10. An ardent agriculturist, he is taking advantage of the G. I. Bill of Rights to specialize in farm machinery and sales at MSC. i(If it wasn't for this camp I couldn't go to school," he told the Labor News."On $75 a month one cannot live in hotels and eat in restaurants. My wife and I are grateful to have this trailer so we can be here together." Both Mr. and Mrs. Jay Alten are college students. They own their own trailer and hope to move into the Lyons camp to avoid high rents and have better living facilities —if the city council doesn't close it. 66Vets need this camp badly if the edu­ cation promised them is not to become a mockery," said Aten, a business adminis­ tration student and veteran. “These fel­ lows have had a tough enough time al­ ready without having to meet unnecessary obstacles." 1 A faculty member, Duard Laging, tried to move here from the University of Min­ nesota, hunted for weeks for a home for his wife and two children. The college per­ mitted him to occupy one of the trailers until he could locate a house. He expressed satisfaction with the trail­ ers camp as a temporary housing measure. 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, Michigan, under the Act of March 3, 1879. A non-profit newspaper dedicated to the interests of the commun­ ity and to the interests of labor here and everywhere. Published every Thursday at the Lansing CIO Council headquarters by the fol­ lowing incorporated body, representing local voting to participate. . BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT—Ernest Miller (Reo 650). VICE-PRES.—Maurice McNaughton Fisher (602). SEC.-TREAS.—Kenneth McCreedv (CIO Council). TRUSTEES— George Jakeway (Fisher 602). MEMBERS—Robert Richardson (Olds 652), Earl Watson, Charles O’Brien (Reo 650), Maurice Mac Naughton (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. In­ dividual subscription, $1.50 per year by mail. CONTRIBUTIONS—Should be typed double-spaced on one side of paper I 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. Thousand PAC Workers Needed For Precincts tion. All people in the neigh­ borhood who want to help build a decent post-war world, should become members of the precinct committee. Such people may or may not be union members. They may be housewives, shop workers, professional men or women, young or old. Veteran political organiza­ tions have learned that noth­ ing can replace a personal visit by a representative of the party organization, to the home of the voter. There is no substitute for plain door to door visiting, known as canvassing. No PAC member or officer should consider canvassing a job for canvassing only. The best way, without exception, to learn the needs, thoughts and reactions of the people is to canvas your neighborhood. Canvassing is a must duty on the list of every person active in political work. By DEAN REED Lansing PAC Director Last week I gave you an idea of the secret of politi­ cal success and why so much attention is being paid today to an organization of district, ward and precinct political or­ ganizations. I have received letters and phone calls from people, most of them mem­ bers of the CIO but some of them were not, who volun­ teered their services in build­ ing such an organization. When this organization is completed we should have at least a thousand or more ac­ tive members. A good foundation in an organization of this kind should start with the precinct captain. A good precinct cap­ tain is eager to help solve the problems of his neighbors. He is able to give advice as to what needs to be done, wheth­ er it is in regard to a land­ lord who over-charges his ten­ ants, or a pavement that needs repairing. A good pre­ cinct captain encourages oth­ ers to take an interest in po­ litical action and take on re­ sponsibilities as neighborhood leaders. By such work the precinct captain and his as­ sistants are able to mobilize the people of their neighbor­ hood when a political cam­ paign is launched. In addition to stewards in the shop, every PAC depends upon precinct captains in the neighborhoods to carry on po­ litical activities. Selecting a capable precinct leader is just as important as selecting a capable shop steward. House­ wives often make excellent captains. Sometimes hus­ bands and their wives can be- come'precint co-captains. The Precinct Committee A precint committee is an organization which helps the precinct captain mobilize the neighborhood for political ac- REEL NEWS NEW YORK (FP) — The Wall Street post of the Amer­ ican Legion awarded Movie Producer Cecil B. DeMille a gold medal for Americanism and provided the new self­ adopted leader of the DeMille Foundation for Political Free­ dom with a nation-wide radio audience, gratis, for his anti­ union propaganda. The cere­ mony was protested by AFL Pres. William Green and labor legionnaires. CHRYSLER TALKS DETROIT (FP)—Chrysler Corp, was the first of the Big Three auto companies to be­ gin negotiating with United Auto Workers (CIO) on its demand of a 30% wage in­ crease. Workers at the Chry­ sler, Ford and General Mot­ ors plants backed the UAW in its petition for strike votes at the three plants. City Council Grants Request In response to an appeal by Clyde Perkins, CIO Coun­ cil president, the City Coun­ cil Monday voted to restore “Owl” bus service for late shift factory workers. Aiderman Harold Hunger­ ford, chairman of the trans­ portation committee, in in­ troducing the resolution for restoration of the service, said: “The new schedule for ‘Odl’ service would be more comprehensive than previous­ ly and the City Council will have a report from the bus company in the near fu­ ture on results of the new schedule. In a statement to the Labor News, Perkins expresed his thanks to the city council and the transportation committee on behalf of Lansing “Owls”. LITTLE LUTHER “Revolution is abroad in the land,” announced Mr. Dilworth importantly. “Look at those headlines! The unions are out to rob the country!” . “Make up your mind, Pop," said Little Luther. “Is it a revolution or a crime wave?" “They’re one and the same thing, son. It’s scandalous, I tell you, the way the unions are holding up the reconver­ sion.” “That reminds me," said Little Luther, “of the crimin­ al who got mad at the man he just murdered because on ac­ count of him he had to go to jail." “Now don’t try to shift the blame to the manufacturers,” warned Mr. Dilworth. “Any­ one can see by just reading the papers that they’re help­ less victims of union greed.” “I notice the papers have more correspondents in De­ troit than they had covering the Battle of the Bulge," Little Luther said. “Well, in its way, son, this battle is just as important. In fact, you might call it. . . ” “I know, the Battle of the Bulge. Ar^d with all these typewriter generals weeping over how the unions are forc­ ing Ford and General Motors and the rest of them into bankruptcy, I wonder why they don't start taking up a collection for them." fed it all during the war.” “I sort of had the impres­ sion that Ford was eating pretty well at government expense himself," Little Lu­ ther remarked. “And all the unions want is to make sure that their -members get as much to eat now ~ and I really mean, eat ~ as they did when the war was on." “Nonsense, Luther,” his father protested. “Nobody starves in America. It says so in the papers.” “O.K., Pop, and I bet your solution is that instead of a 30 percent increase in wages, the workers should get a 30 percent increase in news­ print, and let 'em eat that." "Fortunately, Mr. F o r d isn’t exactly destitute yet,” said Dilworth. “But it’s base ingratitude of the union to want to bite the hand that’s FOR SALE Tenessee circulation heater and one oxford grey topcoat, size 38. Phone 5-8364. ON ^EST COAST i SACRAMENTO, Calif, (FP) — The filing of jobless insurance claims, which reached an early peak two weeks after the end of th^ war, has dropped more than 50 percent in California^ Chairman James G. Bryant of the state employment sta^ bilization commission an| nounced that 15,293 claiml were filed the first week ol September compared wit}} 33,845 claims the previous week. UNIONISTS BARRED WICHITA, Kans. (FP) - Last meeting of the Ku Klux Klan here passed a resolution demanding that all KKK em­ ployers “refuse to hire any­ one who possesses a union card.” Buy War Stamps Unemployment Compensation Commission Charged With Not Keeping Promises Around The Shops must be carried in peace, un­ til industry is able to fulfill their Obligations. Support our advertisers. BUY WAR BONDS G. I.’s aren’t too happy about the G. I. Bill of Rights on schooling. The opportunity is Swell, but $75 a month, from which you pay out rent, etc., with perhaps 2 or 3 chil­ dren doesn’t make things very smooth. How about those government trailers ? Why can’t they be rent free ? What is behind the Council’s at­ tempt to move them ? Cer­ tainly they, who gave so much, are entitled to a better deal. It’s up to us, who ap­ preciate what they have done to help them get it. You and I as members of a labor organization are facing our greatest test. How we fight for our rights will not only determine our future, but the course of generations to come. It’s our fight—are you in it? By George Nader One thing which is of great interest to Lansing workers and workers everywhere, is the compensation cases which have been in process. It’s im­ portant because it will en­ courage those who have cases to know that the majority have been won. Here are a few. George Anderson: case won. In hearing before De­ partment of Labor commis­ sioner, company appealed and lost, offered to make cheap settlement, failed, appealed to supreme court. Their only hope was to get employees to accept cheap settlement be­ cause they knew that after being out of work for nearly two years he needed money badly. Baker: case won. Dahar: case won. The record has been good, which goes to prove that if an employee who has such a case will get the right start and make no commitments which can be misconstrued against him, he can win. Beware of sugar coated desires by man­ agement representatives. A certain management, where very little work is done at present, had better change their plans (they read this, so here’s advice to them) if they intend to lay off or dis­ charge former employes, be­ cause now they can choose. I promise them a hell of a fight, if they try, a fight they can’t win. The contract is still in effect. The employment picture isn’t too bright — they talk about reconversion and full employment, but very little is being done to put that talk in action. I’m sure you will agree that we‘can’t eat talk, or buy necessities with it. Government must assume its responsibility to put programs into being. The part they played in making jobs in war SO SORRY this book, told delightfully, succinctly, humorously. And the things your own G. I. didn’t tell you, the events he won’t talk about, are all told here incisively with deep hu­ man understanding. When you read this book look for belly laughs in Bern­ stein’s chapter, "Inhale, Out- hale”. Look for thrill and ex­ citement in the chapters on the Italian Front battles. Look for brilliant writing that digs deep into the heart of the soldiers so that you may better understand them. In fact look for an evening of the most entertainment and illuminating reading you have had in a long time. You’ll love it. The Lansing Labor Library in the Olds Union Hall, 1118 S. Washington, offers this and many other of the latest best sellers in fiction and non fiction for your pleasure. Come in and look them over BUY WAR BONDS An Exciting G.I. Book In Library Typical G. I. is "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN”, Wal­ ter Bernstein’s new best sell­ er. What your husband or sweetheart tells you about sore feet, guard house, and gin mills near camp is all in cept the responsibility of peo­ ple standing in the rain as well as in fair weather,” claimed the UAW spokesman. OTHER COMPLAINTS Other complaints of the un­ ion related to continued inac­ tion by the Commission on the matter of simplifying claims procedure, failure of local offices to follow instruc­ tions on dating of claims, failure to give complete and proper advice to claimants, and similar matters. "In spite of our repeated protests,”, charged MacKilli­ can, "the Commission has still done nothing about the vocational retraining pro- gram. This is of vital import­ ance and in view of the re­ fusal to budge, our organiza­ tion will probably be forced to seek other means of com­ pelling the Commission to discharge its responsibilities under the law.” The Michigan Unemploy­ ment Compensation Commis­ sion is accused by Roy Mac- Killican, Director of the UAW’s Unemployment Com­ pensation Department, of failing to keep promises made to union representatives in August. "E. T. Dormer, Executive Director of the Commission, told us in front of three re­ porters that they would pay 98% of the people on time. To date, the fact is that they have not paid 98% of the peo­ ple at all, much less on time,” charged MacKillican. "We were not convinced then that they could make good on the promise and we certainly re­ sent the making of impossible commitments means of temporarly evading Justified criticism.” • • CHECKS DELAYED "Our phones are constant­ ly ringing because $f^ com­ plaints from individuals and local unions that checks are delayed. In local union meet­ ings we are told by 50 % of those present that while they were unemployed immediate­ ly after V-J day, they have not received checks as yet. "Much of the delay appar ently results from failure to issue determinations. Local offices then tell the workers they are unable to issue checks pending receipt of a determination notice from the state office. RECORDS LOST "Hundreds of workers are being told that their records have been lost. In one in­ stance, a claimant filed on August 18. About September 6 he was told by the local of­ fice there was no record and he had to file a new applica­ tion. "Yesterday, the state of­ fice told us that they had no record at all under his Social Security number. On check­ ing with the local office, we were told that they also have no record. The best the Com­ mission can do for this claim­ ant is to suggest that he goes in today and files a new claim. On the basis of their past performance, it would ordi­ narily be another six or seven weeks before he gets a check, making at least 11 weeks in all.” WAITING IN RAIN MacKillican also charged that the Commission had fail­ ed to make good their prom­ ises to eliminate waiting at the local offices. "Hundreds of individuals are complaining about long waits. The Commission’s alibi has been that while they were swamped with an avalanche of claims immediately follow­ ing V-J day, waiting would be eliminated by proper schedul­ ing of future appointments. " Admitting there has been some improvement, the union claimed that many individuals are still waiting for hours. "This week the Commis­ sion’s luck ran out, and hav­ ing lost control of the Weath­ er Bureau, they must now ac- BUY WAR BONDS Harry Bridges Now Citizen Of America SAN FRANCISCO (FP) — Pres. Harry Bridges of Inti. Longshoremen's and Ware­ housemen’s Union (CIO) be­ came a citizen here Sept. 17, writing finis to the long cam­ paign to have him deported to Australia as an undesirable alien. Federal Examiner Lloyd Garner approved Bridges’ pe- tition for citizenship when the labor leader appeared with a class of 25 applicants. The way was cleared for Bridges’ citizenship after the U. S. supreme court ruled in June that the government had no grounds for deporting him. (HET COWAN (Continued from Page 1) avenue, where “Chet” will now have more opportunity for some well deserved living himself, it is hoped by his many friends. He has a son in the Army Air Corps. Cowan gave the Labor News the following state­ ment : “Actually, for the past sev­ eral months I have been thinking seriously of return­ ing to my old trade of paint­ ing and decorating. I felt that staying in office and not working in the plant would not be conducive to good lead­ ership. “The local is fortunate in having a very capable leader in Webb Ewing. I sincerely hope that the same confi- dence and cooperation will be given Brother Ewing as was accorded me." RICHARDSON (Continued from Page 1) the relaxation or ignoring of price ceilings on the things we buy over the counter. It will do us little good to get a 30 percent wage increase and find that we have a 50 per­ cent increase in the cost of living. NO MORE CUTS We have seen the effect of a cut in the take-home pay. We must not allow our pay veterans, students or non students, are not going to dumped into the street. program is perhaps explained by his apparent lack of in­ terest and failureto avail himself of the easily accessi­ ble facts. Without a doubt more will be heard of this matter at council meetings until it is definitely established that MSC told the Labor News. “Thus, of the 600 student veterans which the college anticipates in its enroll­ ment, 200 family dwellings of at least apartment size will be required in the Col­ lege housing program. The rapid influx of veterans at MSC has been occasioned by the speedy and unfor- seen ending of the war in the Pacific. Even our orig­ inal estimates for 108 dwelling units are now in­ adequate but we are mak­ ing a truly ‘Spartan' effort to help solve the housing problem. It would be grati­ fying to the College admin­ istration to know that the communities of Lansing and East Lansing will bear with us during this emer­ gency period." Dean Crowe said that trans­ portation ’ for students be­ tween the camp and the Col­ lege was being planned as an additional service. COUNCIL REALIZES IT MADE MISTAKE When the city council met last Monday it was apparent it wanted to do something about its mistake—without admitting it had made one. But there was no action of importance taken. Aiderman Hungerford ex­ pressed his concern for the welfare of student veterans at the Lyons streets camp and told the body that in view of the fact that the camp is oc­ cupied by students and one or two faculty members he did not consider the situation too objectionable. He succeeded in getting a resolution passed instructing the Mayor to open negotia­ tions for removal of the camp to college property. He said the students in it would be better off financially. WIEGANT REVEALS HIS IGNORANCE OF FACTS Third Ward Aiderman Ralph Wiegant entertained the chamber with a bit of sophistry by exclaiming that the College has lots of money for pig pens, fancy horse barns and cow stables, but no money for housing of veter­ ans. His ignorance of the Col­ lege’s efforts on a housing WAINWRIGHT NO APPEASER FOR THE JAPS f - ------- * ■ — ....... TRAILERS (Continued from Page 1) $75 o month from the govern­ ment while going to Michigan State College to school them­ selves for valuable jobs. “BLIGHT ON COMMUNITY" Aiderman Hungerford told our reporter that the Lyons street camp was a “blight on the community” and express­ ed the opinion that its occu­ pancy would place an addi­ tional burden on the neigh­ borhood school 'facilities, which he said “are already overcrowded in the some cases as much as 60%. Investigation revealed, how­ ever, that very few veterans at the camp have children of school age. Also, the camp appears to be quite modern, with eight shower stalls, twelve toilets, sixteen lava­ tories, adequate garbage dis­ posal, sanitation janitor ser­ vice and a fine pebble gravel drive and parking lot, which the Labor News representa­ tives found to be in better condition than the bumpy street which the city provided in front. Inspection revealed very neat cabin interiors and housewives who take as much pride in their little homes as any woman in the city. Just why this camp stood empty for a long period while Lansing suffered an acute housing shortage is possiblq material for another story. MSC MADE HOUSING POSSIBLE FOR VETS Meanwhile, however, Mich­ igan State College is to be commended for renting the whole camp outright a few weeks ago and providing housing for married veterans who want to attend MSC. But more than providing housing, it helps veterans ease the financial strain of trying to get along on thq meager $75 a month they get. When all the fifty trailers are occu­ pied, cost of renting and maintenance, divided among the occupants, will drop to about $15 a month. “One-third of the veteran students at MSC are mar­ ried," Dean S. E. Crowe at Gen. Wainwright A soft peace for the Japanese would be an invitation to new ag­ gression, says Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, who experienced the brutality of Jap war makers after spending over three years in their prison camps. General MacArthur has been favoring a kid-glove pol­ icy toward political and industrial leaders who helped make the war. to be cut further by inflation. We have no assurance as to how long the struggle for the 30 percent increase will be strung out by the industrial­ ists. We are relatively sure of one thing, and that is that the reactionaries will come across only when public opinion, is being turned against them. They would not have started this fight if they did not have some hopes of winning. They have the press and the radio with them pouring out their poi­ son. STOP INFLATION One way to bring the in­ dustrialist in line with labor’s just demands is to prevent in­ flation. That can be done by mobilizing auxiliaries, busi­ ness, fraternal, religious and parent teachers organizations to prevent a sneak attack on the pantry. This must not be allowed to divert our atten­ tion from the struggle for a wage increase. It must be a part of a move to stress that the wage increase being asked for is justifiable and will not result in a price boost. Such a move could be started by organizations in­ viting a speaker from the. OP A to explain the threat of inflation and the necessity for holding retailers to ceil­ ing prices. By working together on the problem of living costs as workers, farmers and con­ sumers we can stop the all- out drive to beat down our standard of living HALF A STEP WASHINGTON (FP) — Recent changes in the Labor Dept. were branded as “half a step in the right direction and no more” by AFL Intl. Rep. Robert J. Watt. Support our advertisers.