Owned and Published By and For Labor VOL. 1, No. 40 Peaceful Picketing Lauded Violence Mentioned In the Injunction Hadn't Occurred Yet While Lansing businessmen, church leaders and other disinterested prominent citizens were acclaiming the Gen­ eral Motors strike in Lansing the best conducted one they’d ever seen or heard of, management representatives and a few office clerks pushed through or went around picket lines Monday to enter the offices as per advance newspaper advertising splurges. When pickets maintained the same orderly attitude that has brought them praise, management rushed to the courts for aid. They asked and received from Judge Charles H. Hayden a temporary restraining order prohibiting violence which had not even occurred and prohibiting pickets from barring people from the plant, although everyone who wanted to go in had done so that morning without illegal interference of any kind, union officers said. ASK PAY FOR DAMAGES The company’s bill of complaint charged damage had been done its properties due to the strike, and asked finan­ cial compensation from union officers. Local officers said there were no complaints of pickets damaging anything, nor Were any listed in the bill of complaints. 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 — DECEMBER 20, 1945 $1.50 PER YEAR — PER COPY, 5c MOORE WANTS MORE Hits Jackpot In 8 Bills Against Labor WASHINGTON (LPA) — Reactionary solons are vying with each other in deluging Congress with anti-labor bills, but Sen. E. H. Moore (R., Okla.) is trying to outdo them all. Here’s Bigger Strike: Factories Hold Up Many Commodities Richardson Is Home From Hospital R. E. “Bob” Richardson, president of Olds Local 652, is resting at his home, following a near escape from pneumonia which hospitalized him for several days. At 2 a.m. Monday he was trying to get out some work at the Olds Local hall, 1118 S. Washington, where he has been almost constantly since the strike started, when mem­ bers found him running a high temperature and showing symptoms of severe illness. He was rushed to St. Lawrence hospital, where it was found 'Hold That Line' Olds Local President R. E. Richardson issued the above request to pickets from his bed in St. Lawr­ ence Hospital this week. He said: “Hold that line and keep up the good picketing. Keep faith with yourself and God bless you.” congestion had started to form in one lung. He was released from the hospital Wednesday, much improved but pretty weak. Roy Hoover, vice-president of the local, will continue as acting president until Rich­ ardson returns. Strike News Another Broadcast Scheduled Latest Lansing information on the General Motors strike here will be given over WJIM in a special broadcast next week by a local reperesenta- tive of labor. The time will be 7 p.m. Wed­ nesday, December 26. Mark it down and don’t miss this chance to hear the last minute facts first hand from an authentic source. Buy Victory Bonds Mayor Crego, Other Prominent Citizens Broadcast on Strike Mayor Ralph Crego and men prominent in Lansing churches and the UAW-CIO in a 9:30 broadcast over WJIM Monday evening urged a quick settlement to the General Motors strike. The broadcast followed a week-end of fruitless effort on the Mayor’s part to get Oldsmobile and Fisher Body man­ agement into a meeting, which union representatives said they would gladly attend any time day or night at the con­ venience of the company and Mayor for the purpose of dis­ cussing local issues, including he question of which employes were to be passed through picket lines for office work. The city administration felt that this democratic pro­ cedure would help prevent possible misunderstandings and violence at the plant gates. But management would not par­ ticipate, thereby maintaining the same attitude locally that has been manifested by officials of the corporation much of the time since the wage demands and other issues were pre­ sented last August. The speakers on the radio program had the following to say: MAYOR RALPH CREGO Urged the utmost restraint upon both parties against possible unlawful acts which might reflect upon the good record of labor relations which this community has enjoyed and which has given Lansing something of a national reputa­ tion. He did not make reference to the difficulty of persuad­ ing local General Motors plant officials to attend a meeting which the union had agreed to attend anytime to help iron out local problems and preserve this record. REV. E. E. HOATS Of Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pres. Lansing Ministerial Ass’n Emphasizing that he was not representing labor, management or the church, but was only speaking as a citizen that the public might have a voice in the sit­ uation, Reverend Hoats urged an early meeting be­ tween management and labor here that everything possible might be done to end the strike at the earliest possible moment. He said that while the strike was on not only manage­ ment and labor are losing, but that the public loses, too. He said the public wants a speedy peaceful settlement and cited Lansing’s years of labor peace. REV. FR. W. J. FLANAGAN St. Mary’s Cathedral Father Flanagan quoted extensively from Catholic writ­ ings about the necessity of adequate wages if a man was to support a family and live a proper Christian life. Saying that he was paying for his own radio time him­ self and did not represent any organization, he emphasized a quotation from a pamphlet, “The Church and the Social Or­ der,” written by the Archbishop and bishops of the admin­ istrative board of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, which said: The first claim of labor — which takes priority over any claim of the owners to profits — respects the right to a living wage. By the term “living wage" we understand a wage sufficient not merely for the decent support of the working man himself but also of his family. A wage so low that it must be supplemented by the wage of wife and mother or by the children of the family be­ fore it can provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, together with the essential spiritual and cultural needs cannot be regarded as a living wage. Furthermore, a living wage means sufficient in­ come to meet not merely the present necessities of life but those of unemployment, sickness, death and old age as well. In other words, a saving wage constitutes an es­ sential part of the definition of a living wage." Moore set the pace last week when he poured eight bills into the hopper in a single day which, if passed, labor spokes­ men said, would “just about wipe out unions and create a paradise for sweatshoppers.” Here’s what Moore’s bills would do: Amend the Wagner Act to bar strikes, forbid col­ lective bargaining on any basis larger than a single plant, and open the way to damage suits against un­ ions; provide penalties of up to $10,000 and 20 years in jail for union leaders or members who “interfere with trade or commerce;" subject labor organiza­ tions and their members to anti-trust law prosecu­ tions; prohibit payment of unemployment benefits to any union members who are idle as a result of a strike, whether they are di­ rectly involved or not; re­ peal the Norris-LaGuardia anti-injunction law; regu­ late the internal affairs of unions; outlaw “union shop" contracts. To top it all, Moore with a perfectly straight face, told Congress he considered that to be a “reasonable labor policy” which would “place industry and labor on equal terms.” Free Dance Again Friday Another big free dance party will be held Friday night at the Lansing CIO Council hall, 109 E. South St. for Gen­ eral Motors pickets and their families and friends. Music will be by the Norman English orchestra that has proved so popular, donated by the Drake Refineries and the Norman English Hawaiian Studios. The party will start at 9:30. MERRY CHRISTMAS Seasons greetings to all of Lansing Labor and their friends and particu­ larly to those GM strikers and pickets who are fight­ ing an outdoor battle in zero weather to give Lan­ sing and community the best Christmas present it ever had— a decent stan­ dard of living for its work­ ers and the local prosperi­ ty which that inevitably brings for everyone. —Lansing Labor News Atomic Power For Everyone Is Discussed “We can now foresee a time when everyone can have an air-conditioned house, heated, lighted and cooled by atomic power. We will some­ day ride in automobiles which never have to be re­ fueled, fly in huge airplanes which will travel many times faster than sound. There is no dream of man which ato­ mic power does not promise a chance to attain,” states a new pamphlet just off the press. Shall we achieve untold benefits for all or develop atomic power just for an­ other war— or turn the se­ crets over to business con­ cerns to use only in ways which will bring them huge profits? These are some of the vital questions posed by this stimulating pamphlet on what is soon to become the most discus­ sed subject of this genera­ tion. Negroes Win HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (LPA) — Fighting for retention of their homes, 50 prominent Negro house­ holders here received forthright backing from the judge who dis­ missed the suits of white owners basing their claim for ouster of the Negroes on a neighborhood restric­ tion. Said the judge: “It is time that members of the Negro race are ac­ Containing 24 pages, the pamphlet may be had for ten cents (less in quantities) from Pamphlet Press, 27 East 67th Street, New York 21, New York. corded without reservation and evasions, the full rights guaranteed them under the 14th Amendment.” 10,000 Pickets March in Detroit So well disciplined were the pickets that they didn’t strike back when one aggres­ sive individual pushed one of the pickets around, then struck him a couple of times. Names of dozens of union officers, committeemen and international representatives were listed on the restraining order for serving. The order remains in ef­ fect until the hearing Janu­ ary 9, at which time the un­ ion is ordered to show cause why it should not be made permanent. Officials said that peace­ ful and legal picketing would be continued as it has been since the strike started. White Collar Merger NEW YORK (LPA) — At a joint convention, to be held in Cleveland sometime in February, the Federation of Architects, Engi­ neers, Chemists & Technicians- CIO and the United Office & Pro­ fessional Workers-CIO, will con­ solidate their membership into one union. Planning Entertainment GEORGE NADER International Representative UAW-CIO Even if the 30 percent raise issue is settled nationally that doesn’t settle the strike for Lansing, for there are local issues involving the Oldsmobile, GM Forge and Fisher Body plants that must be settled here, George Nader pointed out, explaining that that was the reason Olds Local 652 and Fisher Local 602 wanted to meet with management. Management has made certain requests here in Lansing, which the union is willing to discuss at a meeting with man­ agement any time, he said. But he added that— “Mr. Skinner, who brags about the splendid record of Oldsmobile as pertaining to labor relations, agreed to meet only if the company's requests were granted in their entirety before the meeting. Certainly Mr. Skinner knows that that is not collective bargaining . . . Mr. Clauson of Fisher Body had a different answer for Local 602, representing Fisher Body workers. He said that “they couldn't negotiate while the strike was in effect." These appear to be deliberate attempts to avoid assuming their obligations to the workers and to the people of Lansing." He challenged both men to cooperate with the mayor in his efforts to arrange a meeting between labor and manage­ ment in order that local issues might be cleared. At right is Bill Ingram of Fisher Local 602, temporary chairman of Lansing’s new CIO entertainment committee, talking with Dick Dixon, manager of the Drake Refineries, which with the Norm English Ha­ waiian Studios donated the music and entertainment for free dance parties at the CIO Council Hall the past two Fridays. Represented at the first meeting of the new committee were Olds Local 652, Reo Local 650,, Fisher Local 602, Nash Local 13 and Amal­ gamated Local 724. Purpose of the committee is to coordinate and ex­ pand an entertainment and social program for all Lansing CIO mem­ bers. Above is a picture taken when an army of 10,000 pickets recently marched before the General Motors building in Detroit. (FP Photo). While a few labor strikes are hitting the headlines, a larger, longer strike involv­ ing factories all over America is keeping millions of dol­ lars worth of needed com­ modities off the markets and out of your hands. This strike is being staged — and won — by managements in nearly every industry. The following is from The Progressive, a national week­ ly published in Madison, Wis.: Every labor strike is automatically news — oft­ en front-page news — but the fact that large seg­ ments of industry are sys­ tematically withholding goods from the market in anticipation of greater profits doesn’t rate a line in your daily paper. When labor withholds its services for higher wages, it’s a strike and news. When in­ dustry withholds its goods for higher profits, it’s good business and not worth re­ cording. Reports last week dis­ closed that warehouses are bulging with manufactur­ ed goods which are not available to the public — mostly because the makers are anxious to profit from depreciation of inventory allowances and because they want to sell and make their profit after Dec. 31 — when the excess profits tax disappears from the stat­ ute books. When the average American talks wistfully of a new car, someone is sure to tell him that strikes have ruined his chances of getting a new number for a long time. But when the same person mentions how badly he needs a refrigerator, a washing machine, a stove, or a radio— fields in which there have been no signifi­ cant strikes— nobody bothers to tell him a man­ agement strike for bigger profits is responsible for continuing scarcity. Admits Firms Conceal Big Profit Takes NEW YORK (FP) — Ad­ mission that big corporations try to conceal their actual pro­ fits for fear they may have to meet union demands for a de­ cent wage came Dec. 12 from Dr. Lewis H. Haney, econom­ ics professor at New York University. Biting a big chunk of the hand that usually feeds him the ultra-conservative profes­ sor told a meeting here that annual reports of corporations to their stockholders have a tendency to conceal good earn­ ings by setting up excessive reserves and by covering up inter-company relations. Haney said, however, that corporations couldn’t help fooling around with their books, explaining: “This tend ency is shortsighted but likely to be prevalent at times such as the present, particularly in view of the way in which gov ernment and the unions are trying to take profits away from superior enterprise. If has always failed, and ha done harm to private enter prise in the past.” Behind the Headlines in Washington with IRVING RICHTER Int. Leg. Rep., UAW-CIO "Most Importani Fight Of Our Time" In a ringing challenge to reactionary Democrats and Republicans Rep. Charles La Follette (R) of Indiana stood up on the House floor on De­ cember 13 and said: “The GM STRIKE OF THE AUTO WORKERS IS THE MOST IMPORT­ ANT FIGHT OF OUR time." The House debate last week on the anti labor bills showed that there are some men in Congress who know what the real issues are, and are ready to fight. History will show that in December, 1945, the United States was going through a crisis which would determine whether we would go forward or take the road to Fascism. Whether history recogniz­ es of doesn’t recognize these speeches, they stand out as clear cut courageous expres­ sions of the basic issues of our day. Said Rep. Cleveland Bai­ ley, (D. W. Va.), speaking in opposition to the viciously anti-labor May-Ahrends Bill, which was supported by some of the Democratic members: “Mr. Speaker, the war may be over in Germany and Japan, but it is plain it is only beginning in the halls of Congress. There is no room in the American poli­ tical picture for two con­ servative parties. . .It might be well to remind my Democratic colleagues at this time that the Dem­ ocrats have never won a national election when they tried to steal the Re- pubicans’ thunder” See RICHTER, Page 2 Don't Miss If! Watch for special announce­ ment from the Norman Eng­ lish Hawaiian studios to all CIO members next week. CHRISTMAS-1945 BUT SOME APPROVE Association of Medics Fights Health Bill WASHINGTON (LPA) — The proposals of the Amer­ ican Medical Ass’n for a vol­ untary national health pro­ gram are “totally inade­ quate,” and President Tru­ man’s proposals for a nation­ al compulsory health insur­ ance program should be pass­ ed by congress, a national body of physicians stated last week. Commenting on the AMA’s plan, Dr. Ernst Boas, chairman of Physi­ cians Forum, said that: “Over 40% of the counties of our country have no satis- factory general hospital, which fact in itself makes it possible for any voluntary health insurance plan to be adequate for the nation. Furthermore, the lower in­ come groups have three times as much sickness as those in the higher brackets but are only able to spend one-third as much on medical care. Since 50% of all the families earn less than $2,000 a year, it is impossible to expect anything approaching the needed medical care under a purely voluntary system where costs are fixed regard­ less of income. “It is therefore obvious that voluntary health insur­ ance, as now proposed by the American Medical Associa­ tion, will never be adequate to supply sufficient medical care to all the people. The Psysicians Forum believes that the proposal made by President Truman for na­ tionwide social security leg­ islation to finance health in­ surance in proporting to the ability to pay is the only ef­ fective method in accord with the American tradition.” Buy Victory Bonds Christmas baskets. The New Year’s party will be held December 29 at the Ukrainian Hall on West Mt. Hope Avenue. There will be dancing and everyone is in­ vited to attend. Nearly every Auxiliary member is working in the kit­ chen at the Fisher Hall. Most Members of 202 in Kitchen At Fisher Hall At the regular meeting of Auxiliary 202 Tuesday, Dec­ ember 11, at the Fisher Hall, 18 members were present. Mrs. Jessie Pritchard had charge of the party, at which Christmas gifts were ex­ changed by the members. Door prizes were won by Ab­ bie MacNaughton, Clara Fa- lor and Dorothy McCurdy. Each member donated mo­ ney to buy gifts for CIO How Many of These Firms Do You Know? RICHTER (Continued from Page 1) Strangely enough, the Congressmen from the auto­ mobile centers remained si­ lent. The issues on foreign poli­ cy are being made clear by some Congressmen. They are beginning to see that our for­ eign policy and our domestic policy are tied together. Rep. Mike Mansfield, (D. Mont.), last week lashed out at our “save Chiang Kai Chek” poli­ cy in China by saying: “The settlement between Chunking and Yenan is a diplomatic problem with which our troops in China should have no concern. Russia and the United States should offer their good diplomatic offices to stop the conflict, but we should not, under any cir­ cumstances, participate in it." THE FACTS ON CHINA Rep. Albert Engle (R. Mich.), gave me a first hand account of what is really go­ ing on in China. He had just returned from a trip there as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Engel believes that if we don’t stop interfering we may find ourselves in a full- scale war, with a million Am­ erican men involved. Engel is trying to get Gen­ eral Joe Stillwell called be­ fore Congress because Still­ well has no a^ to grind and knows China. Stillwell, un­ like Hurley, is not an oil man. He is no politician. He wants a strong China. He doesn’t want to see Ameri­ cans lose their lives there now that we are at peace. Engel found that most of the American arms sent to China were not used against the Japanese; they were sto­ len by war lords or used ag­ ainst other Chinese. And now American boys are there— some are dying there— to see that these war lords get all the Japanese arms to keep their stranglehold on the country— to make China safe for American oil and other imperialist interests. Engel put the problem clearly when he told the Vet­ erans of Foreign Wars last week in Lansing, Michigan: “I don9t believe we can have a strong, unified Chi­ na unless these millions of coolies who are now in ef­ fect slaves are free. The war lords will never free them . . . America, which boasts of being a free country where each citizen is guaranteed the right of ‘life, liberty and the pur­ suit of happiness' cannot consistently support any war lord in China, whether he be Chiang Kai Chek, Lung Ying, or some other who denies to the masses of Chinese people the very right which we enjoy and boast of.99 The same people who wa us to save Chiang Kai Chek also want us to join in shoot­ ing down the Indians, the Ja­ vanese and other Asiatics to make the world safe for Bri­ tish, Dutch and American imperialism. Strangely enough, all the so-called “Isolationists” who yelled their heads off that we should stay out of the war against Fascism are now promoting intervention. That goes for Lindbergh, Wheeler, the Hearst-Patterson press, 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 McCreedy (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 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. Plenty For Labor To Be Proud Of By BEN DOR, LPA Columnist Never before has labor had so much to be proud of. Maybe you don’t go for that statement. Maybe you’d rather say that never before has labor been faced with such terrific problems. I would agree with you on that point. Maybe you’d rather say that not for a long time has labor gotten such a kicking around. I would agree with you on that, too. Maybe you’d rather say that never before has labor had such tremendous responsibilities to live up to. I would agree with you that this statement is as true as the others. And then I would repeat: never before has labor had so much reason to be proud of itself, of the responsibilities we are carrying, and of the contribution that we are mak­ ing to the welfare of this country. REASONS FOR PRIDE And here’s my bill of particulars to prove I’m right. 15 MILLION STRONG Take size. Never before has labor in this country been able to argue about whether it had 14 million members or 15 million. At the peak of World War I, we had about 3 1/2 million members. Now we have about 4 times that many. And these are members who belong to unions because they want to. They have shown over and over again that they are in the unions because of the things that the unions are accomplishing. Even when union contracts are written with “escape clauses,” the «experience shows that union members stick with their unions because the unions are doing what their members want to get done. WORK CONDITIONS There are reasons for pride, too, in what the unions have done for their members. If it just happens that you’re too young to remember what those things are, ask some of the old timers. Ask them what they mean when they say that they won’t go back to the old conditions at Ford’s and the steel mills, or to the pre-union conditions in most of the big plants and industries. Times have changed. Conditions of work as well as hours and wages are different now, because the unions made them different. That’s something else to be proud if. WAGES AND PRICES And take the current wage cases. They’re more than wage cases. Many of them are also price cases, and that helps everybody in the country who buys the things we make. And they’re also employment cases, because only if wages go up and prices are held down can there be any hope of prosperity in this country. By making this fight, we are fighting for every member of this generation and if the next generation as well. LIBERAL LAWS So our strength is being used, not only for our own good, but for the good and welfare of the people as a whole. And the same thing is true not only around collective bargaining tables, but in the halls of the legislatures right from Washington to the city governments. Labor is the spearhead in the push for liberal laws all over the country. Here in Washington, it happens over and over again. A liberal bill is presented to Congress, and immediately the :ry goes up, “Get labor to push this bill!” Take the new health insurance bill, or either of the new housing bills as examples. Of course, every liberal orga- nization is being asked to get into the fight. But the fate of all of these bills will probably depend on what kind of a battle labor can put up for them. LOCAL ASSISTANCE Labor is active, too, on the local level. It’s quite clear, think, that political action will never again die down as ow as it was. That will make a difference in the city and county governments. And the Red Cross, the Community Funds, and the other social service organizations will con- tinue to feel the liberalizing effect of labor s interest in hem. All of these are things for labor to be proud of. FIGHT? OF COURSE! Sure, says the sceptic, but look at the fights we get into. Why, of course each of these things takes a fight. Did anyone ever expect to win anything important without one? We’ve challenged the power of some of the biggest cor- porations that the world has ever seen. We’ve challenged intrenched political and financial interests which have grown fat and powerful on the spoils of decades. We’re challenging greed and selfishness, hate and discrimina- tion, and they’re having to throw everything they’ve got into the fight against us. JUST COMMON PEOPLE And look who’s doing it! We, the men and women from PLAIN TALK From Our Readers Expressions herein will not always reflect the policies or views of this paper or any UAW-CIO local. Mail articles to P. O. Box 657. It seems a shame that more people do not take the opportunity to write news and articles for the Labor News. For the first time in years we now have a chance to ex­ press our views on our pet subjects, but only a handful of people have taken advan­ tage of this. Surely, there are five or six people in each local union who could write a small col­ umn of news each week. By news I mean things that hap­ pen in the shops, union halls, also personal items. It is time we made our newspaper really a Lansing newspaper and not have so many arti­ cles that are taken from oth­ er labor papers. COME ON, FOLKS, LET’S MAKE OUR PAPER SOMETHING INTEREST­ ING TO READ. — Dorothy McCurdy FORMER NASH MEN OPERATING STORE Howard R. Morehouse and Martin C. Harrison, employ­ ed at Nash plant for four years, are now operating the Better Housekeeping Shop at 202 East Michigan Avenue. The store carries items ideal for Christmas gifts; the men say, including major el­ ectrical appliances, furni­ ture, floor coverings, toys and small articles for the home. and their stooges in Con­ gress. THE CORPORATIONS CAN HAVE A MARKET RIGHT HERE IN AMERI­ CA FOR THEIR GOODS AND FOR THEIR CAPI­ TAL INVESTMENTS. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS RAISE WAGES AND CRE­ ATE JOBS. the shops. We, the people from the wrong side of the railroad tracks as well as from the right side. We, the people who have been to college, but also the people who never had a chance to finish the elementary grades. We, the people, are doing this thing. Fight us? Of course they’ll fight us. Tough? Sure, it’s tough. But does anyone have any doubt as to who is going to win? No, not even those who oppose us! So, while you’re buckling down for the fight, and while you’re resting between taking and throwing punches — even when things are really going tough — be proud of labor, for it is labor that is doing these things. Keep punching, brother. But along with everything else, take time for pride. Senate Kills 30% Raise For Federal Work WASHINGTON (LPA) — The desperate hopes of hun­ dreds of thousands of U. S. government workers for a 30 per cent raise evaporated into thin air last week. Despite the 30 per cent demand the best they could hope for at the be­ ginning of the week was 20 per cent which was called for in legislation introduced by Sen. Sheridan Downey (D., Cal.). By Thursday, however, Downey was forced to scale his figure down to 17.3 per cent when a large group of, senators, including Sen. Byrd (D., Va.), so-called “economy” champion, said they could not support the bill. To top it off Byrd wasn’t even satisfied with that reduction and on his own behalf offered a bill granting only a 10 per cent wage hike. BOUGHT THOSE VICTORY BONDS? FORD CAN’T AFFORD Unusual ''Company Security” Offer Rewarded With "No” on Raises DETROIT (LPA) — The Ford Motor Co. last week re­ plied to an unprecedented of­ fer of “company security” by the United Auto Workers-CIO with a flat rejection of the union’s demand for a 30 per cent wage increase. No wage increase of any kind, in fact, is possible at present, according to John S. Bugas, Ford’s Industrial Re­ lations Division director. He contended that even with a 16 per cent increase in productiv­ ity by workers the company would still “lose about $27 on every motor car and truck we make — or a total of about $35,000,000.” Ford’s $35,000,000 loss was attributed by Bugas to OPA ceiling prices and was con­ strued by union officials as one more attempt to coerce the government into permitting new car prices to sail sky- high. The question of “annual wage” or “year-round employ­ ment” was tentatively discus­ sed with no conclusion nor fin­ al definition of the two terms. The UAW’s “security” offer to Ford, proposed by Richard T. Leonard, UAW Ford divi­ sion director, provided that UAW members participating in an unauthorized strike would be docked $3 a day for the first walkout and $5 for the second strike. (Meanwhile, in Windsor, Ontario, Ford turned down a UAW proposal for arbitration of a three- month long strike that has the plant shut tight. Wishing All of Lansing Labor A Merry Christmas And A Very Happy, Prosperous New Year Full Employment Bill Is Killed In House Action WASHINGTON (LPA) — The full employment bill, hope of millions of Americans who may find themselves jobless in the postwar years, was knifed to death last week by the House of Representativ­ es. By a vote of 254 to 126 the House pased a bill that has only a farcical resem­ blance to what President Truman cited as “must” leg­ islation. The original bill proposed by the administration was first watered down by the Senate and then referred by the House to a comittee headed by Rep. Carter Manasco (D. Ala.) which spewed out a legislative monstrosity that had nothing to do with full employment. Rep. George E. Outland (D., Calif.) tried to stem the re­ actionary flood by substitu­ tion of the original House bill which incorporated the Presi­ dent’s and labor’s demands but this was voted down by voice vote. Only remaining hope of sal­ vaging the betrayed legisla­ tion now lies in the possibility that Truman will request the Senate and House conferees to reinstate some of the bill’s or­ iginal strength. That hope was dim, however, even with the possibility of Truman’s inter­ vention. Armed with the two- to-one majority the House conferees are expected to hold out for as complete an emas­ culation as possible of the bill’s original purpose. Women Not Working WASHINGTON (LPA) — About a million women left industrial payrolls, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the three months between June-September 1945. Of twenty industries sur­ veyed, only the food processors still retained approximately the same number of women workers. Proportionately more women than men were affected by cutbacks fol­ lowing V-J Day. New Labor Paper WASHINGTON (LPA) — A new national weekly labor paper, published by the Int’l Ass’n of Ma­ chinists, will come off the presses sometime in February or March, IAM President Harvey Brown dis­ closed here last week. The paper will be called the Machinist, and will be financed in part by a 5c month tax which must be approved by the membership of 750,000 in a referendum scheduled for January. WASHINGTON SCENE WASHINGTON (FP)—Because leaders of industry and of labor met for 26 days in an effort to find areas of accord and concluded their meeting with some measure of agreement on broad, generalized principles and found other, wider areas of conflict, the Natl. Labor Management conference cannot be termed an absolute failure. But the public, and more particularly, the more rabid in­ dividuals in Congress, will profess disappointment for reasons that will vary according to purposes. The layman, who was led to expect too much from the conference will feel let down because it did not produce the advertised magic formula by which discord and strikes will be eliminated. On Capitol Hill, however, the tory bloc of polltaxers and Republicans will use the record of the conference as a spring­ board from which to dive into a whole teeming sea of restric­ tive, anti-labor legislation. Management demonstrated that it still wants to amend the Wagner Labor Relations act, to give “equal standing before the law” to employers. Management wants to put unions under bond for performance of obligations under signed agreements. Management wants to prevent unionization of foremen. Management wants legislation to allow government interference in what it calls jurisdictional disputes not settled imme- diaely to its satisfaction. Those are, briefly, the main areas of disagreement. They were stoutly fought by all the labor delegates, regardless of affiliation. They represent, in part, what management may now seek to have accomplished through its agents in the House and Senate. They all represent a warning to labor. The split in the labor movement is responsible for the failure to get any statement on the need for wage increases, real increases, immediately. Although the original resolution was introduced by CIO Pres. Philip Murray, it was bottled up in the executive com­ mittee until the last day despite Murray’s repeated efforts to force it to a vote. AFL Pres. William Green, when the parliamentary situa­ tion changed in the closing hours by adoption of the unit vot­ ing rule made AFL action necessary, introduced an amend­ ment that differed from the CIO instrument only in tone and in not asking for “substantial increases,” but rather for “general increases.” A united labor movement would have found suitable phrases upon which all elements could have agreed and per­ haps taken along a small part of management in support of a position. Hurt by the maneuvering within the committee which bottled up his resolution, Murray took the floor at the plenary session to denounce its actions and, by implication, the role of AFL Pres. Green. Green, in his turn, had previously said he was for general wage increases, but insisted that no such reso­ lution was necessary at the conference. Murray re­ peatedly shouted that the wage issue was the biggest, most burning one before the country and that the big national conference called by Pres. Truman was pre­ cisely the place for it. When Murray forced action on the floor, Green came up with his amendment and asked: “Can you imagine repre­ sentatives of labor being disinterested in adequate wages? Every la,bor leader is a champion of high wages.” Then, with a pointed slap at Murray, Green said, “There is more than one champion of high wages in America.” For labor, Pres. John L. Lewis of the United Mine Work­ ers (unaffiliated) had the final say. Lewis devoted his ad­ dress to a call for labor to join in the job of unifying its own household. He said labor had learned much at the conference, ncluding the fact that management now is “a more formid­ able adversary.” To labor, he said it had grown greatly, but that its divi­ sions bring it a “weakness and failure to reach its Objectives.” The uniting of labor, he said is “a task which is labor’s. That is not the public’ task, not government’s, and least of all, it is not management’s. I think it is necessary for all of us (of labor) to give attention to putting our own house in order.” Seek Freedom NEW YORK (LPA) — Sixty- two leading clergymen, educators and other prominent professional people have signed a petition ask­ ing that President Truman release the 3,000 conscientious objectors now in federal prisons. Among the signers of the plea initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union were three bishops, several uni­ versity presidents, and many out­ standing authors. MUST WE HAVE A POST-WAR DEPRESSION! IVOR’S PROGRAM IS FULL employment FULL production 1st. children eat less, just cause the war is over? st breadlines be revived, of because all axis dictat- ed are smashed? UAW- says “No.!” We say at “take-home” pay and buying power of the American people must be maintained in peace as in or, if breadlines are not to n again. Production Must Equal America’s Needs ring the war, our coun- produced $1,400 worth war and civilian goods Services annually for of our 140,000 citizens, kind’s wants, man­ y’s needs for goods and services are insatiable. Is any reason why we could return to the pre- production rate of $500 capita? ice V-J day, the bottom been dropping out of e buying power of work- and salaried people throughout the country. the present gloomy out­ lie is that, in 1946, we will able to produce $40 bil- lion more than workers, salaried people and the government will have the home to buy. That brings pack to the economics of e 1920’s when the form- ula of high profits for the ew, frozen wages and counting production ought depression and eco- nomic chaos which, by 1932, nd almost completely shat- tered our social and econom- structure. This Shall Not Happen Again! This shall not happen again, ays labor. The buying pow- er of workers in farms, fac­ ades or mines must be in- creased to equal their pro­ active power. That’s why UAW-CIO’s fight to main- ain “take-home” pay is a fight for every worker in America — a vital part of lie whole program for full employment. Wage cuts and unemploy- ment mean immediate re­ factions in the total food, clothing and vital necessi- ties of life the average man - the working man — can buy. True, the high income groups who made tremend- ous savings during the war nay create a boom in de­ mand for automobiles, re­ frigerators and luxury homes. But 30 million Americans, suffering from wage cuts or out of jobs, will no longer be able to buy food for their children, shoes, medical care and the most vital necessities of life. When these 30 million Ameri­ cans can’t buy, you, Mr. Mer­ chant, and you, Mr. Farmer, and millions of other Americans lose your incomes or lose your jobs. UAW-CIO fights this threat — this beginning of paralyzing de­ flation which can only endin to- al economic collapse and total degression affecting all our People. Can We Live 50% Setter Than Before? As chairman of the Office of Mobilization and Recon­ version, Fred Vinson told us we were in the “pleasant predica­ ment” of having to learn to live 50 percent better than ever be­ fore. Fred Vinson must know— every sane American must Know — that we cannot begin to learn to live 50 percent bet­ ter if the buying power of tens millions of American con­ sumers is cut. Adjustments Must Be Made 1929 and 1930, we were told prosperity was “just around the corner.” You know how empty those words were! The same economic idiocy is shown today by those who shout about full employment and continued Prosperity, but who are com­ pletely silent about raising wages. Wage adjustments must made. We in labor — every American — reject a return to the “normalcy” of idle men and rusting machines. AUTO WORKERS’ "TAKE-HOME" PAY Keeps All Lansing Working UAW-CIO GOLDEN WEDDING NAM Observes 50 Years Of Union Busting NEW YORK (LPA) —The union-busting Nat'l Ass’n of Manufacturers this month celebrated its Golden Anni­ versary, the beginning of its 50th year, and brought forth a renewed anti-labor pro­ gram. Actually the NAM’s new position, expressed by its president, Ira Mosher, was an open-war challenge to organized labor. Discrimination Against Negroes in Army Cited WASHINGTON (LPA) — The Jim Crow practices of the Army and Navy in segregat­ ing Negro and white troops in separate units was branded as a “tragic blunder in the policy of a democratic nation,” last week by Monroe Sweetland, former Nat’l CIO War Relief director and for the last 23 months an American Red Cross field supervisor in the Pacific combat zones. While American Negroes suffered under a Jim Crow program, no discrimination was directed at Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Ko­ reans or Japanese-Americans, Sweetland declared. In Red Cross activities where a policy of non-segregation was the rule, the canteens, hospital libraries and recreational fa­ cilities were shared equally by whites and Negroes and no in­ stance of friction was ever re­ corded, he continued. C. Grace of Bethlehem) and his associates hope to restore the steel industry to the open shop citadel which it was in the 1920s.” At his daily press confer­ ence Murray announced that the policy committee’s deci­ sion to strike on Jan. 14 is be­ ing hailed in telegrams receiv­ ed from steelworkers in all parts of the nation. He revealed that weekly earnings of a steelworker erage from $45 to $46. While the workers’ wages have fall en by 30 per cent since V-J Day, the steel companies saving $3 on a ton of steel due to downgrading of work ers’ jobs and the return to a 40-hour week, Murray declar- ed. Buy Victory Bonds True Story Of the Steel Contract Told PITTSBURGH (FP) — The United Steelworkers (CIO) wage policy committee follow­ ed up its strike vote Dec. 12 by branding as “a legal hoax” ef­ forts of the steel companies to convince the public that a strike would violate their union contracts. The union made public a le­ gal opinion by CIO Counsel Lee Pressman, who declared that the “United Steelworkers, (1) has legitimately exer­ cised its rights to reopen the matter of a general wage increase, (2) has the right to engage in collect­ ive bargaining on the mat­ ter of a general wage in­ crease and since an im­ passe has been reached, to engage in a strike without in any way violating any of the provisions of such agreements." The steel companies base their anti-union propaganda on an agreement which is to terminate on Oct. 16, 1946, as­ serting that if the union en­ gages in a strike over the de­ mand for a $2 daily wage in­ crease, it will violate its out­ standing collective bargaining agreement. Pressman in his letter to Steelworkers Pres. Philip Murray pointed out, however, that the agreement contains “a provision that in the event of a change in the national wage policy the matter of a general wage adjustment can be reopened by either party for collective bargaining.” 1ms change m national wage policy was officially pro­ claimed by Pres. Truman on Aug. 17 and later by the Natl. War Labor Board on Oct. 25, which said: “The issue of a general wage increase when so reopened should be the sub­ ject of collective bargaining between the parties.” In the event the subject is reopened and in the course of collective bargaining the par­ ties cannot agree,” Pressman asserted, “clearly, the union would have a perfect right to strike on this issue. To deny the union the right is to make meaningless the right of the union to reopen the matter of a general wage increase. If the right to reopen means merely the right to discuss the union’s request with the corporation and to hope for a mutual agreement, this right is de­ void of meaning.” Affirming the right of the union to strike against the steel companies, the policy committee charged that “un­ der the cover of pious pro­ nouncements about the sanc­ tity of contracts” the steel companies “now threaten to achieve their long-standing objective of violating their contractural commitments with respect to checkoff and maintenance of membership. This campaign is merely a smokescreen behind which Messrs. Grace (Pres. Eugene WILL STRIKE JAN. 14 Can’t Wait 9 Months for Gov. To Act, Say Steelworkers PITTSBURGH, Pa. (LPA) — Unless the steel industry will go a lot further than it has to meet the demands of the CIO United Steel workers for a $2 basic pay increase, the biggest steel strike in the his­ tory of the country will take place in 1946. And to prove that the work­ ers mean business, the 175- man wage policy committee of the union last week met and set the time. Steel mill own­ ers were placed on notice that the strike is now scheduled for 12:01 a. m., on Monday, Jan. 14. This was the union s answer to President Truman’s request that they stay on the job while he set up a “fact finding” committee to investigate the merits of the case. Govern­ ment agencies already have all the facts they need on the steel industry’s favorable fi­ nancial position, the union as­ serted. Steelworkers President Philip Murray also pointed out that it took the War Labor Board, equipped with a large staff and considerable funds, nine months to issue a direct­ ive in the 1943 steel case. That involved only part of the in­ dustry ; this time, 95 per cent of steel production is involved in the wage demand and the scheduled strike. Meanwhile, workers in the industry were preparing for a showdown battle, with no holds barred. Union leaders pointed out that the steel in­ dustry is trying to reinstitute the union wrecking plan of the 1920’s, which killed the steel workers’ union in those years. The union is fully prepared for a struggle even more bit­ ter than the bloody “Little Steel” strikes of 1937. This time, a powerful union that is expected to call out 700,000 workers replaces the then new- ly-born Steel Workers Organ­ izing Committee that was just getting on its feet. Stassen For Labor NEW YORK (LPA) — Harold E. Stassen, former governor of Minnesota, told the Nat’l Ass’n of Manufacturers they should not put legislative shackles on labor’s right to strike. “If you pull down the house of labor you will pull down the house of America,” he said in a talk at a session which elected Robert R. Wason to succeed NAM president Ira Mosher. CARD OF THANKS I wish to thank Olds Local No. 652 for the lovely basket of fruit that was sent to me during my recent illness. VIVIAN E. ROSS Buy Victory Bonds EXECUTIVE ACTION ARCHBISHOP SAYS Labor Should Be on Boards Of Directors WASHINGTON (LPA) — Another influential Catholic prelate has added his voice to other spokesmen of his church who have proposed that labor should have representation in industrial management. Archbishop John T: Mc- Nicholas told a rally of the Holy Name Society in Cincin­ nati that: “Labor should have a voice and a vote in the meetings of the board of directors." “Moreover", declared the Archbishop, “A certain substantial portion of the stock of a company should belong to labor— not, in­ deed, to individuals, but to the whole group which constitutes labor. This ar­ rangement will allow suc­ ceeding members of labor to share in the profits of a corporation as their pre­ decessors did. “Every man is entitled to live according to the dignity of a human being,” he con­ tinued. “He is entitled — by fullfilling his part of the con­ tract with management — to the means to live in keeping with human dignity. He is en­ titled — by fulfilling his part of the contract — to security, to a family wage which will enable him to found a home and maintain a normal fam­ ily.” Bought Those Victory Bonds? Mosher dragged out some of the oldest anti-labor epi­ thets and smear-words to em­ phasize his organization’s an­ ti-union stand. Demanding anti-labor legislation, Mosh­ er declared that “the position of labor today is that it has been legally established in the driver’s seat and it is un­ willing to give up any of the special privileges ...” The NAM head did not ev­ en like President Truman’s proposel for fact-finding boards which has been de­ nounced by both AFL and CIO. He wanted to make it tougher, more restrictive. Thinking, undoubtedly, of the demand by the United Auto Workers (CIO) that General Motors expose their books to public scrutiny, Mosher insisted on five pre­ requisites for any fact-find­ ing legislation. The fact find­ ers would not be permitted to examine the company’s books to ascertain whether or not it could afford to pay raises. Mosher also contended that the fact-finders should have no subpoena power and should not be permitted to “take sides” in their recom­ mendation. Mosher gave lip-service to full employment without en­ dorsing the legislation that is now being ripped to pieces in Congress. In his speech and in a following press confer­ ence he demanded restriction of labor’s “special privele- ges” but refused to define what the priveleges are. An­ other NAM official, W. B. Weisenburger, executive vice president, proposed to busi­ ness that it establish a new lobby, a super-lobby, that would represent not simply one firm but all business in­ terests. The NAM delegates, repre­ senting 4,500 corporations, applauded the Mosher rec­ ommendations, but had little handclapping for speeches by Commerce Secretary Hen­ ry Wallace or Van A. Bitt­ ner, of the United Steelwork­ ers (CIO). The manufacturers were given a jolt when Commerce Sec’y Henry Wallace urged that a high level of consum­ er spending be promoted by the NAM. In a speech which ran very close to the lines of labor’s case for higher wages and lower prices, Wallace said: “A high level of consum­ er spending would mean that industry could oper­ ate at a high breakeven point ... If business and industry are doomed to op­ erate at two-thirds of ca­ pacity year in and year out, business men inevit­ ably must set prices so that they can make money at two-thirds of capacity operations. But if we suc­ ceed in reaching a higher operating level, and if the wide swings of the busi­ ness cycle can be minimiz­ ed, the low break-even point is no longer essen­ tial." There was a respectful si­ lence and little else when Bittner told the meeting that wages are tied to purchasing power and prices and that in­ creased wages are necessary to a healthy economy and full employment. Buy Victory Bonds “Don’t worry, Smith. We’ll play and the government'll take care of labor.” LABOR SAYS Atomic Energy Doesn’t Belong To the DuPonts NEW YORK (LPA) — Representatives of labor par­ ties in Great Britian and Canada, and an official of the CIO, last week told the Nation Institute that control of atomic energy must re­ main in the hands of the peo­ ple, and not in the possession of “big business.” M. J. Coldwell, leader of the Cooperative Common­ wealth Federation of Cana­ da, and a member of the Ca­ nadian Parliament, told the sessions, “We cannot allow this revolutionary discovery to be controlled by private industry. Its implications are too vast and too dangerous. We know from bitter experi­ ence that big business in all our countries observes no na­ tional loyalties or human eth­ ics where profits are con­ cerned. “We have seen how this de­ sire for profits by giant mon­ opolies and through interna­ tional cartels has caused sec­ ret agreements, jeopardizing the welfare and security of all the people throughout the world. “Yet, atomic research is largely in the hands of Du­ Pont in the United States, Imperial Chemical Industries in the United Kingdom, and their creature — Canadian Industries, Ltd. in Canada.” Col dwell urged a special body under the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization, made up of scientists, to ad­ minister research on atomic energy. Organized labor, Coldwell added, if conscious of the enormous implica­ tions of atomic energy, could demand that workers em­ ployed on the project should work only in properly gov­ ernment owned and interna­ tionally inspected plants. Harold J. Laski, chairman of the British Labor Party who flew to the U. S. to at­ tend the meetings, made three points about the future development of atomic ener­ gy. Under Ocean Safest Place In Atom War WASHINGTON (LPA) — “The safest place on this tor­ tured planet should an atomic war break out will be deep be­ low the surface of the ocean,” the Senate Atomic Energy Committee was told last week. Dr. Alvin M. Weinberg, chief of the theoretical phys­ ics section of the Clinton Lab­ oratories at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and one of a series of scien­ tists who have been heard by the committee, once again pos­ ed the terrible choice between using atomic energy for war­ fare or devoting its fabulous power to human welfare. Atomic energy, he said, can be used, for example, in treat­ ing 100 persons at a time for certain types of cancer. Indus­ trial development would be possible in vast regions devoid of water power, and settle­ ment of the Arctic would be feasible. Important Changes in Auto Laws “First, there can be no secrecy; if the common people are to decide, the full materials for decision must be made known. Second, there must be no blackmail of the scientist into an enforced silence; those who seek to break the international community of scientists and men of learning prostitute know­ ledge to the service of power. Thirdly, in the explora­ tion of this new realm of awe-inspiring possibility, the claim of private inter­ est to own or control ma­ terials or processes would be to impose new chains of servitude upon mankind." James B. Carey, sec’y- treas. of the CIO, told the conference that the people of the United States—who foot­ ed the bill for the tremend­ ous research program that made the discovery possible —were the rightful posses­ sors of the benefits of atom­ ic energy. Support our advertisers. As a caution to the rural motorist, Automobile Club of Michigan has listed the effect of changes in the state’s motor vehicle acts during the 1945 legislative session. Most important, according to Howard D. Brown, general attorney for Auto Club, is an amendment making it unlaw­ ful to overtake and pass a school bus which has stopped to receive or discharge pas­ sengers without coming to a stop 10 feet to the rear. Brown stresses this act does not apply in incorporated cit­ ies or villages, and that it is applicable only when stop signs are painted on the back and front of the school bus. The motorist does not have to wait, but may proceed with caution after the stop. Several other laws which have been present in some municipal ordinances are now statewide, according to Brown. They include amend­ ments which make it unlawful to drive a vehicle over a fire hose without permission of the fire department, to park in front of any theatre, to block immediate egress from emer­ gency exits of buildings and to block or hamper use of fire escapes from buildings. Another new act abolishes the immunity of government­ al agencies, state, county and municipal. Where in the past, the “king could do no wrong,” they are now liable for dam­ ages in the same manner as privately owned automobiles. Bought Those Victory Bonds? No Surplus Policy WASHINGTON (LPA)—Chanc- es for full employment and speedy reconversion may be vitally harm­ ed unless a sound policy for dis­ posal and use of $14,000,000 worth of government-constructed prop­ erty is agreed on, according to the Civilian Production Agency (peace time successor to WPB). To date, there has been a loss of about 30c on the dollar on the less than 300 plants that have been or are being disposed of; and a greater loss is expected on the rest of the 1,300 wartime constructions because na­ turally they will be less desirable, the longer they remain out of use. Supreme Court Breaks Scheme Against Unions WASHINGTON (LPA) — Employers who cherish the hope that they can break the back of a labor organization by refusing to recognize a cer­ tified union and handing out pay raises instead were given a rude shock .last week by the U. S. Supreme Court which ruled that such attempts con­ stituted an unfair labor prac­ tice. The decision was handed down against the Famous- Barr Co., a St. Louis depart­ ment store, which refused to deal with certified unions but requested permission from the War Labor Board to raise the pay of nearly all of its 4,500 employes $2 a week. The court agreed first off that the com­ pany should have recognized the union and then, in a ma­ jority opinion, asserted that the company’s attempt “inter­ feres with the right of self- organization by emphasizing to the employes that there is no necessity for the collective bargaining agent.” Furthermore, the court rul­ ed, the action “minimizes the influence of collective bargain­ ing. If successful in securing approval for the proposed in­ crease it might well . . . block the bargaining representative in securing further wage ad­ justments.” The court agreed with the Nat’l Labor Relations Board finding that “the man­ ner of presenting and publiciz­ ing the application had the ef­ fect of coercing the employes.” Justice Reed wrote the major­ ity opinion and was supported by Justices Murphy, Black, Burton and Douglas. ONE MONTH: 2,792 INJURED Auto Accidents Are Increasing Rapidly Automobile fatalities are increasing in Michigan at a rate that is fast becoming a state-wide calamity, with high speed driving and lack of caution accountable for the majority of these tragedies, it is asserted in a statement just released by the Automobile Insurers Safety Association. Since V-J Day the toll has been mounting steadily; al­ ready in rural areas the accident rate has practically doubled and in urban centers the percentage likewise is mounting, the association states. Basing their statement on figures compiled by the Michi­ gan State Police, the Safety Association, which is conducting a campaign to reduce this slaughter on the highways, asserts that only slower speeds and more careful driving can cut down the auto casualty rate. It cautions that safety officials may feel obliged to advocate a return of the 35-mile speed limit on rural highways, as that is where most fatalities occur. KILL 105 IN A MONTH The effect of unlimited, fast driving began to reflect it­ self in State Police reports immediately following the lifting of the speed laws, and has continued ever since. An increase of 20 percent in accidents and 33 percent in injuries during August, has accelerated to the point where latest figures showed 105 persons killed in one month, an increase of 54 percent, and 2,792 injured, an increase of 49 percent. The fatality increase occurred in rural areas, where the number of persons injured was 90 percent over the number injured in the same month of 1944. The number injured in urban areas was up by 31 percent. Of 109 drivers involved in fatal accidents during that month, 49 violated a traffic law at the time of the accident, 30 were traveling in excess of 35 miles per hour and 18 were reported as “had been drinking.” The most frequent violation reported was “driving at a speed too fast for condi­ tions.” This was followed by “failure to grant right-of-way,” “disdegarded stop sign or signal,” “driving on wrong side of road” and “improper passing.” It is significant that more than 50 percent of the fatal mishaps occurred on Saturdays and Sundays and over 66 per­ cent during hours of darkness. Drivers under 20 years of age were accountable for nearly 14 percent of the fatalities and in 47 percent of these cases, high speeds were blamed. In this connection, Capt. C. J. Scavarda, of the State Police, asserted: “The hurry, the impulsiveness and failure on the part of young drivers to seriously consider the hazards of driving at excessive speeds are to blame for these accidents. Young drivers must control their desire to exceed careful and prudent speeds, or increas­ ing numbers will be deprived of their driving privileges.” Thomas Asks Aid for Vets WASHINGTON (FP)— A call for the Veterans admi­ nistration, Congress and the various state legislatures to provide unemployment com­ pensation for 50,000 veterans put out of work by the Gen­ eral Motors strike was issued Nov. 29 by Pres. R. J. Thom­ as of the United Auto Work­ ers (CIO). Text of his state­ ment is published in this is­ sue. Buy Victory Bonds The Jews of Europe must not be driven off that conti­ nent into Palestine, British Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin announces. Just as American workers mustn’t be driven off the streets into jobs. Buy Victory Bonds Chinese in Lansing to Study Roads Wen Hua Wang, director of traffic control for Chinese Bureau of National Public roads, and Shu-Yu Chen, as­ sistant director of the bur­ eau, are visiting the Michigan State Highway Department offices in Lansing to study American road and bridge design and construction me­ thods. The information gained here will be used by the Chi­ nese officials in replacing Chinese highways and bridg­ es wrecked during the war and also improvements plan­ ned for the peacetime ad­ vancement of China and its communication system. Wang graduated in. civil engineering from Purdue in 1931 and Chen in the same course at University of Mich­ igan in 1936. Two other Chinese, Hung- Chow Chin and Lih Tsao Nu, both of Chekiang province, China, who were sent to this country under a lend-lease agreement, along with 25 other engineers to study Am­ erican road building methods have been spending several days at work in the Highway department drafting rooms in Lansing, studying Michi­ gan highway design. SAN FRANCISCO (LPA) — Grunt an’ groan men (wrestlers) here have decided to break the hammerlock their agents have on them, and get a better share of gate receipts as well as better working conditions. Led by Ted “King-Kong” Cox, they have or­ ganized a wrestlers’ union, affili­ ated with the AFL. Ohio Workers Collect Toys For Detroit COLUMBUS, O. (FP) — “Toys for Detroit” is the slo­ gan of Ohio CIO members, who are digging into their pockets for new toys for the kids of General Motors strik­ ers and rummaging through the family attic, for old toys strong enough for Santa Claus to deliver on Christmas morn­ ing. Launched by the Ohio CIO Council, the campaign will reach a half-million CIO mem­ bers in Ohio, although the campaign will take a local character in those Ohio cities where there are United Auto Workers members on strike. “Christmas this year will be pretty bleak for thousands of children affected by the GM strike,” Council Pres. Jack Kroll said. “It is fitting that Ohio CIO and those who sym­ pathize with the plight of these kids chip in and see that they get a decent Christmas. Toys will be collected by local CIO councils in Ohio and ship­ ped directly to UAW strike headquarters, Detroit.” ed to enforce the FEPC or­ der ending the discrimination on Capital Transit. Truman admitted, howev­ er, the fact that the order was “temporarily postpon­ ed.” Administration Of Truman Is Hitting Trouble WASHINGTON (LPA) — Revolt within the Truman administration continued last week with the resigna­ tion of Charles H. Houston, member of the Fair Employ­ ment Practices Committee. Houston blasted the failure of the administration to take positive action on the refusal of the Capital Transit Co., Washington’s street car sys­ tem, to hire Negroes as plat­ form men. “The President’s attitude,” said Houston, “reflects a per­ sistent course of conduct on the part of the administra­ tion to give lip service to the matter of eliminating dis­ crimination on account of race, creed, color or national origin since V-J day, while doing nothing substantial to make the policy effective.” “It seems that the Presi­ dent is saying one thing about eliminating discrimi­ nation in employment,” said Houston, “but his advisers are getting him to nullify and counteract any effect his words might otherwise have.” In his resignation letter Houston accused Truman of indifference toward the ne­ cessity of eliminating dis- crimatory hiring on Capital Transit. FEPC unanimously voted a final order directing the company to cease dis­ crimination, but, according to Houston, “Without notice to the committee or a chance to present its views, on Nov. 24 President Truman order­ ed the committee not to issue the decision.” Houston said in his letter to Truman that on Nov. 25 on behalf of the committee “I wrote you asking that you give the committee opportun­ ity to confer with you. To date we have not received even an acknowledgement of the letter.” Truman accepted Hous­ ton’s resignation — conspicu­ ously without regrets — and told the Negro leader that because of apparent contra­ dictions in the law the gov­ ernment could not be expect­ American Enka Corp., Enka, N. C., and plants of North American Rayon Corp. and American Bemberg Corp. both at Elizabethton, Tenn. Buy Victory Bonds BUY VICTORY BONDS Starved Nazi Victims Become Children Again Fighting For GI's Wounded GIs Back Union’s Wage Demands Thirty-three soldiers hospit­ alized at Fort Knox, many of them wounded in combat, this week petitioned the American Legion “to endorse publicly the present demands for sizeable wage increases by the working people and their trade unions.” The petition continued: “High prices, and less work- hours make wage increases es- senital to America’s economy. Hugh war profits can afford it. “Returning servicemen sim­ ply cannot support their fami­ lies at today’s prices on wages of $25 to $30 weekly. We vet­ erans have won with our blood the right to earnings which will permit us a respectable Ameri­ can standard of living. We know that adequate wages for the working people mean adequate wages for returning veterans. “We respectfully urge the coming Legion convention to give all its support to the drive for higher wages.” Requests Probe Of Red Cross NEW YORK (FP)— A prompt investigation by Pres. Truman to make cer­ tain that the Red Cross is fulfilling its “profound obli­ gation to serve the interests of all the American people” was asked by the National Social Service Committee of United Office & Professional Workers (CIO). The committee, which numbers many Red Cross workers among its members, pointed out that although the Red Cross took on a some­ what progressive character during the war, “certain un­ democratic practices persist­ ed.” Among these the commit­ tee named the segregation of Negro blood banks, the set­ ting up of Jimcrow overseas clubs and the barring of ser­ vicemen from other United Nations from its club pro­ grams. It also charged that Red Cross officials openly oppos­ ed the collective bargaining rights of its employes and re­ fused to improve its person- Demanding that all ships be troopships to bring eligible GI’s home now, these members of the Natl. Maritime Union (CIO), and five other maritime unions in New York called a one-day work stoppage and put on this demonstration. Stoppage, which affected all east and west coast ports, did not include troop and relief ships. (FP Photo). Industry Dared to Disprove Charge of Hoarding Goods NEW YORK (FP) — The United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers (CIO) challenged manufacturers of radios, washing machines, refrigerators and other electrical appli­ ances to open their warehouses for government inspection to prove who is responsible for current shortages. The US demand came the day after it met with Sec. of Commerce Henry A. Wallace to present him with the details of the industry’s sitdown strike and as 200,000 employes of General Electric Co., West­ inghouse Electric Co. and Gen­ eral Motors in plants from coast to coast took part in a UE strike vote Dec. 13. Presenting a list of GE and Westinghouse warehouses, the union stated that “a congres­ sional investigation into these warehouses would be a good place to start.” The union told Wallace that the electrical industry is not only “holding up production” but is also storing electrical appliances until next year when taxes will be lower and OPA restrictions may be weakened, rather than release them for the Christmas trade. nel practices, although these were so bad that staff turn­ over seriously endangered the efficient operation of Red Cross services. “The American people have a right to know how the money they gave to the Red Cross is being used,” the committee told Truman. The Red Cross is a government- chartered agency. Girls Jailed In Strike at Lucky Strike TRENTON, N. J. (FP) — Five woman pickets at the Henry Clay-Bock plant of American Tobacco Co. were thrown into jail here and four others were bruised when some 35 scabs rammed a 150- strong picket line in the com­ pany’s first real attempt to smash the strike. The clash occurred when a full squad of cops manhandled the strikers and aided the 15 scabs who managed to break through while — one striker said bitterly — “the bosses were hanging out the window” encouraging them. Local 56 is striking with American Tobacco locals in Philadelphia and Charleston, S. C., for a company-wide union contract, a 65c floor on wages and a no discrimination clause. The union has called on all workers to boycott Lucky Strike and Pall Mall cigarets. Strike Votes WASHINGTON, (FP)—Pe­ titions for strike votes in three large plants with 8,500 employes were filed by the United Textile Workers (A.F. L.). The petitions covered Poetic Picket Neatest picket sign in many a day was the slogan car­ ried by long distance operators during the Chicago tele­ phone strike. It read: “The voice with a smile will be gone for a while.” Their Plan In place of national health insurance, the medical cartel is proposing voluntary health plans in the 48 states. In­ stead of doing nothing nationally, they want to do nothing in 48 different ways. Six thousand refugees car­ ed for by UNRRA after res­ cue from the German horror camps of Dachau and Buch­ enwald relived their infancy, childhood and youth while recovering from acute starv­ ation. When they first came to the camp at Feldafing in Germany, the starved and beaten victims were too weak to do anything but eat, cry and sleep, UNRRA workers there report. Helpless and in­ capable of any memories of the past, they were like very young infants. As rest, care and a special diet gradually restored their powers, the patients under­ went a series of changes that repeated their whole life cy­ cle in ten weeks. From a state like infancy they advanced to querulous small child atti­ tudes, then to boisterous and clumsy pre-adolescence. Fin­ ally, the patients regained adult stature and once more reacted as responsible human beings. Then they began to recapture their former high­ ly developed skills. Scientists could again tackle complex problems; musicians could play; artists were able to use their creative powers in painting and writing. At each stage of the cure the victims exhibited all the characteristics of the age they were passing through. The “childhood” phase caus­ ed most difficulty to the caretakers, with men and wo­ men as difficult to manage as the average growing youngster. As adolescents, the patients had “puppy love” affairs, made violent impetuous attachments, and sent each other mash notes. After their cure, the refu­ gees participated actively in the adult life of the camp, which is known for its self- government, including courts, police force and schools, all run by the occu­ pants themselves. Most of them are stateless Jews with no place to go. Until Allied powers make some plan for their disposition, they are be­ ing cared for in the UNRRA camps. The camp at Felfading is under the direction of Lt. Ir­ ving Smith of South Bend, Ind., who did outstanding work with the refugees while still in the United States ar­ my, before he joined the UN RRA staff. Director of the camp hospital is Muriel Cun­ ningham, a new Zealand nurse, and her assistant is Edel Otto, a Dane, UNRRA employees. The psychological pheno­ menon, reported by these workers in the cure of the starvation-victims has elicit­ ed widespread interest in medical and scientific circles. CONSUMERS FIGHT BACK — OPA’s auction demonstra­ tion of what brings on infla­ tion was part of its Price Con­ trol for Prosperity Week. Throughout the month of November unions, schools, churches, women’s clubs, farm groups, welfare organizations and veterans groups will be taking part in Price Control for Prosperity Weeks in cities and counties all over the na­ tion. During the chosen week each organization will engage in an intensive educational program to get the facts about inflation to its members. Cli­ max of the week will be a mass community rally to de­ monstrate for holding the line on prices in foods, consumer durables, clothes, rents and building materials. Make sure that your union joins the anti-inflation pro­ gram. For details get in touch with the information panel of your local price control board.