Union Blocks 1,000 Layoffs at Nash Helps Firm Get a New Contract LANSING LABOR NEWS Government Sues A&P Official Weekly Newspaper of CIO Labor in Lansing LANSING, MICHIGAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1945 Ph. 49612 Circulation over 15,000 Vol. 1, No. 7 5₵ PER COPY 4 Quick action Tuesday by Nash Local 13, Army officials and the management of the Nash-Kel- vinator plants blocked layoffs which would have cost 1,000 employees their jobs this week. A new contract was obtained which will assure operation of the plant continuously until November on the present basis, union spokesmen said. It was further stated that within a few days confirmation of a further contract is expected which will keep work going until April, 1946. The firm was faced with lay­ offs due to reductions in B-17 and B-24 Liberator propellors used on bombers made at Wil­ low Run, which is rapidly cur­ tailing production and laying off thousands every week. Rumors running through the Nash plant which hinted wildly of a complete shutdown here were paralyzing bond sales and creating general unrest. Meanwhile Local 13 officials were working rapidly. Govern­ ment, management and the un­ ion finally got together in a meeting Tuesday night and after calls to Wright Field got through a contract for propellors to be used on an American plane now in heavier demand and also to be used on some British planes. Over 150,000 propellors have been made at the Nash plants here. War Vet To Enlarge Paper With Next Issue If the printer can obtain an ample supply of the proper size paper, your Lansing La­ bor News plans to enlarge next week to a full newspap­ er size page, with larger, more easily read type. Though the size will be doubled, there will be the same number of pages as now. The additional space will be used for advertising and more news. Inquiries about advertising should be phoned to 49612. 20c Raise Chaard Lab Union Yields Many Benefits Many of the 82 people who worked at Chaard Laboratories when the union was organized last May 1 may have been skep­ tical of what a union could do for them. Now they know. Here are some of the things accomplished for employees of the firm, which has mushroomed to around 500 employees since last May Day: 1. Increased wage rates 20 cents per hour. Formerly 75 cent top, now 95 cents. 2. Retroactive pay back to the day of organizing—an un­ usual accomplishment. 3. Bonus for those working night shifts. 4. Overtime bonus. By manipulations of working schedules employees were not getting this before. See CHAARD LAB, Page 2 Cites Unfair Price Fixing For Farmers By HUGH REICHARD Criminal suit has been brought against the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company by the U. S. Department of Justice, on charges of hogging supplies to force down prices to farmers and of driving competitors out of business by selling below cost. A&P, 16 of its officers, and 11 of its affiliates, including the Atlantic Commission Company are defendants in the action brought recently by the govern­ ment in Danville, Illinois. The vast corporation is spe­ cifically accused of depriving competitors of access to supplies by buying up entire fruit, veg­ etable and other crops, allowing others to share only after it gets all it wants of the crop. A & P is further charged with fixing the prices paid to farm­ ers and farm marketing cooper­ atives, to the detriment of farm­ ers. See GOV. SUES A&P, Page 4 Timekeepers Are Organized At Oldsmobile HIS LAST GREAT PROJECT World PeaceConference Opens in San Francisco Federated Press Photo Pres. Roosevelt and His U.S. Delegation The meeting of all nations at San Francisco to decide the peace was the last great projct which the late Prsident Roose­ velt engineered, one so vital to union men and women that your Lansing Lansing News is publishing a series of special articles explaining its purposes and progress. Above, seated at his desk, is the Preisdent in one of his latest photos, shown as he conferred with the U.S. delegation several weeks ago. Stand­ ing, left to right: Rep. Sol Bloom of New York, Dean Virginia Gildersleeve of Barnard College, Sen. Tom Connally of Texas, Sec. of State Edward R. Stettinius, Commander Harold Stas­ sen of Minnesota, Sen. Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan, Rep. Charles Eaton of New Jersey. Organization of a large ma­ jority of the 80 timekeepers at Oldsmobile in the UAW-CIO was announced in a letter sent the company Friday by Jack Holt, international representative and sub-regional director of the UAW-CIO. The letter asked recognition of the union as sole bargaining agent for the timekeepers. A re­ See TIMEKEEPERS, Page 4 SAN FRANCISCO (FP)—Hopes of the common people of the world hang in the balance as delegates of more than 40 United Nations meet to decide whether this generation, having waged the world’s greatest war, can do as well in peace. The conference began Wednes­ day, April 25. Every race, every tongue, every color, every creed but fascism is represented as the nations debate the propos­ als of Roosevelt Churchill and Stalin for an interna- See SAN FRANCISCO, Page 4 (United Nations Photo) THIS LITTLE POLISH BOY knows about war at an age when—in peace time—he would have been knowing about fairy tales. He was orphaned during the Warsaw uprising, he was wounded, he doesn’t even know his name. Now he is awaiting the food, clothing, and medicines which UNRRA is preparing to give hm. Any clothing you donate will help these destitute children of barren war lands. Bring your offerings to your factory or your lo­ cal hall. CIO COUNCIL ELECTIONS WEDNESDAY It is important that all del­ egates attend the meeting of the Lansing CIO Council next Wednesday evening, May 2. Officers will be elected for the coming year. Council for 30,000 Speaks Up Lansing Schools Never Invite Labor Speakers, CIO Says The following letter and resolution of protest from the Lansing CIO Council has been sent to the Board of Education by Int’l Repr. George Nadar,, delegate from Local 652, in compliance with a motion at the last meeting of the council: Office of the President Board of Education 222 Townsend St. Lansing, Michigan Dear Sir: The Lansing CIO Council, composed of dele­ gates from all CIO Locals in Lansing, represent­ ing over 30,000 workers and their families, has asked me to write you in regards to a very im­ portant issue. The fathers and mothers of school children in the Lansing area are very much concerned with the lack of recognition given labor by the Lan­ sing school system. On behalf of those parents this resolution was drawn up and passed by the CIO Council. that thousands of CIO members are also fathers and mothers of these school children, and; WHEREAS: The CIO has supported all worth­ while programs and is interested in the edu­ cation of the children in Lansing, and; WHEREAS: The labor movement in Lansing has never had one of its leaders invited to ad­ dress any school group, either assembly or commencement exercises, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That a letter be sent to the Board of Education and to the principals of all Senior and Junior High Schools to impress upon them the desrie of labor for such recognition, inasmuch as over 50 per cent of those in school will be future industrial workers and would be interested in hearing about working conditions and problems, and; The Resolution WHEREAS, The Lansing schools are for all child­ ren regardless of race, color, or creed, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be printed in all labor papers in Lansing and sent to all Local Unions in Lan­ sing. Gibson May Not Go to Washington Doubt was expressed this week by Drew Pearson in his Wash­ ington Merry-Go-Round column that John Gibson, president of the Michigan CIO Council, who was recently appointed Assist- ant Secretary of Labor, would ever get the post. The column Tuesday said the appointment was supposedly “made before Mr. Roosevelt died, but the papers were never sent to the Senate. Gibson does not know whether he will be Assistant Secretary of Labor or not.” An attempt was made to reach Gibson for comment before go­ ing to press but failed. New York City Signs Contract With CIO Annual Wage, Higher Pay Is Provided Watching Over Every Session LANSING LABOR NEWS, INC. MAIL ADDRESS: P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. OFFICE: 109 E. South St. — Phone 4-9612 A non-profit newspaper dedicated to the interests of the com­ munity and to the interests of labor here and everywhere. Pub­ lished every Thursday at the Lansing CIO Council headquarters by the following incorporated body, representing locals voting to participate. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT—To be elected. VICE-PRES.—Ernest Miller (Reo 650). SEC.- TREAS—Kenneth McCreedy (CIO Council). TRUSTEES—George Jakeway (Fisher 602), William Treanor (Olds 652). MEMBERS—Robert Richardson (Olds 652), Odell Z. Lamb, Roy Newton (Nash 13), Charles O’Brien (Reo 650), Maurice MacNaughton (Fisher 602), V. E. Vandenburg (CIO Council), Peter Fagan, Adrian Jensen (Olofsson 728). ASSOCIATE MEM­ BERS—Mrs. Robert Atkinson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. Harold Wilson (Olds Aux.) Mrs. William McCurdy (Fisher Aux.), Mrs. Doris Eno (Fisher Aux.). EDITOR — V. E. VANDENBURG SUBSCRIPTIONS — Included in the dues of participating locals. Individual subscriptions, $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. Privilege of rewriting to fit news style of paper is reserved, but facts will not be changed. Interesting news about people in shop or in service or their relatives is solicited. 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. Not Enough Local News? Some readers have suggested there should be more news from the locals in the Lansing Labor News The editor thoroughly agrees with that criticism. The board of directors thoroughly agrees with it. We have therefore from time to time urged in this paper and by personal requests to local officers that more news be sent in from the locals. To date every bit of written news received about any local or its members in any factory or in the service has been printed. We do not thing enough has been received. To those who say we do not print enough news from lo­ cals, we can only agree and reply—“Send us more and we’ll print it.” Anyone is privileged to send us news. See instructions at top of this column about contributions. Memorials For Roosevelt While the nation pledges solid support to President Truman and labor and liberals hope he will be able and willing to carry on the great work of his predecessor, sentiment turns to fitting memorials for the leader who is gone. A mixture of this sentiment is portrayed in the following Federated Press dispatch received by the Lansing Labor News, from Sacramento, Cal. It was in those first minutes before people could really grasp the fact that Pres. Roosevelt was dead. A Democratic assemblyman in the California legislature mumbled brokenly: “We’ll get his picture and put it up there—we’ll drape it up there—beside Lincoln ...” Another assemblyman, Albert Dekker (D), white-faced, slumped over his desk, stiffened and in a voice rough with feeling said: “A picture—that’s an easy way—an easy gesture! No, by God! Pictures won’t do! Let’s give him a decent mem­ orial, the kind he’d want. Let’s pass decent legislation in this place—laws for the people he. loved and died for! Let’s go into that committee hearing tonight and kill the DeMille anti­ labor bill!” But that night the industrial relations committee passed out to the assembly floor Ccil B. DeMille’s revenge bill pro­ hibiting unions from levying assessments to oppose amend­ ments to the sta,te constitution. The committee ignored the protest of labor spokesmen and of Dekker, movie star elected with labor support. Thy votd 13 to 2 to send it out and even ducked a rollcall vote so there would be no record for the people to act on. Pictures were enough of a memorial for them. Pictures, however, will not be enough for labor, which is thoroughly united on perpetuating and adding to Roosevelt’s social and economic gains as the only truly fitting memorial—and that is the way he would have wanted it. There will be monuments and pictures of course, but let these be only to remind us of the things for which he stood and the things for which we now must work harder than ever, if his memory is to mean much. Speaking of pictures, we have seen none more sym­ bolic nor more eloquent than the simple news photo printed last week in your Labor News, snapped by an un­ identified photographer at the Teheran conference. This dramatic shot showed the Big Three sitting together, Stalin in plain uniform and military cap, representing a mighty dictatorship; Churchill, in miltary cap and medaled unform, representing a mighty monarchy; but more impressive was the man between the two—Roose­ velt, bareheaded and in ordinary business suit, as though representing the common people of America and the world. NEW YORK (FP)—The city of New York has signd the first contract with a labor union in its history, Pres. Abram Flaxer of State, County & Municipal Workers (CIO) announced April 17. The contract provides for a guaranteed annual wage as well as substantial wage increas­ es for city workers and sets a precedent for unions throughout the nation seeking signed agree­ ments with city governments. New York had previously led other cities in refusing to sign union contracts on the ground that such agreements were ban­ ned by law. The SCMWA contract, signed by City Budget Director Thom­ as J. Patterson, covers workers in many classifications includ­ ing auto mechanics, wheel­ wrights, stokers, oilers and wa­ ter tenders. Its extension to cov­ er blacksmiths, sheet metal workers, carriage painters, har­ ness makers, upholsterers and many others is now under dis­ cussion, Flaxer said. OVERTIME PAID AFTER 250 DAYS It provides for a guaranteed annual wage of $2,550 for auto mechanics with an increase of from $8.75 to $10 a day and pay­ ment of overtime for any work performed in excess of 250 days a year. For wheelwrights, the union won an increase from $9 to $10.40 a day, the same guar­ antee of 250 days employment, an annual wage of $2,600, re­ classification to the title of car­ penter with an additional $150 incrase and a cost of living ad­ justment of $110—making the total salary $2,860 a year, an in­ crease of about $600. Salaries of stokers, oilers and water tenders were increasd from $2,190 to $2,400 a year with maintnance of a $240 cost of living adjustment, bringing the total to $2,640. In the past SCMWA has been opposed to accepting an annual wage because it usually meant a wage cut, Flaxer said, assert­ ing that this agreement is in line with national CIO and SCMWA policy because it safe­ guards workers against wage cuts while assuring continuity of employment at higher wages. CHAARD LAB (Continued from Page 1) 5. Air conditioning in the plant. 6. Installation of cafeteria. The Chaard union became a unit of Amalgamated Local 724, UAW-CIO. Bargaining commit­ tee was assisted by George Na­ dar, Int’l Representative, 109 E. South St. Employees or former employees who have not receiv­ ed application forms for the re­ troactive pay increases should contact him immediately. Donate Golf Clubs, Bags for Veterans How about donating your old golf clubs and bags for the veterans at Percy Jones Hospital? There is a campaign to collect these through May 1 to May 12, and Olds Local 652 extends an invitation to leave this equipment at their hall, 1118 S. Washington. Their Future and Ours Is Being Decided Here been worked out by the commit­ tee, with Jack Holt going in when needed. I have sat in on a few and found the committee al­ ways ready to do the job, but some people are a bit quick on the trigger and act before giving the committee a chance. I haven’t found the Reo man­ agement hard to deal with, at least not the top management. The War Labor Board has told the parties concerned to get to­ gether and make adjustments to make the incentive plan work. It has discrepancies, they have caused trouble and will continue to do so if not corrected. You can’t call a rate tempor- ary then, nearly a year later, change it without trouble. Man­ agement found that out. Fisher Local 602 Either the boys on the com­ mittee are doing a swell job or management has changed a lot. I’ll take the first one. At any rare, things are quieter, now that management indicates it will co­ operate on some campaigns. Lansing Paint Chairman McCreedy and the committee are negotiating with management this week on print­ ing the contract, on the 3 per­ cent vacation pay plan, etc. Atlas Drop Forge There will be a hearing on the Atlas wage contract viola­ tions. More wages must be granted if the low paid jobs are going to appeal to workers. Novo Engine The briefs on down time have been submitted and now results are being awaited. The wage case and contract changes have gone in. Plant protection negotiations broke a record at Novo. The whole contract including wages was completed in less than two hours. This column will report some items of interest on the labor front in various shops. We will welcome any news or comment. Nash Local 13 Everything at Nash seems to be under control. The committee had a hearing at the Olds Hotel this week and from what I hear a good job Was done. The Inter­ national Representative on the case was Jack Holt and the case was about equal pay for women. If ability and material mean anything, the fair sex can feel sure a good job was done and that it will get results. Olds Local 652 The boys and girls at Olds are concerned with the smoking is­ sue. As you know, the company did negotiate with the committee one time regarding smoking by machine operators. It worked, production was increased and everybody was happy — every­ body except G. M. officials, who got complaints from other plants. Result: Local 652 lost a privi­ lege they had not misused. Now a directive has granted it again for G. M. plants, but whether it will be on the job, in designated areas or where is for local negotiation. The maintenance question is still a puzzle and all the pieces of it are still awaited. The seniority issue is evidently settled to the satisfaction of all concerned — at least I haven’t heard otherwise. Reo Local 650 Local 650 seems to be getting its share of problems ironed out. There perhaps have been more problems at Reo than at other plants. It wasn’t due to lack of ability on the part of local un­ ion representatives but to grow­ ing pains, in my opinion. Most of the problems have Olofsson Local 728 It isn’t wage trouble but the problems of returning veterans that concerns Local 728. Incidentally, there has been quite a change on the committee. Brother Jensen was doing a swell job as chairman, when he suddenly ups and quits—on ac­ count of leaving the plant. Silly Fisher Rules Hinder War Effort Up to $67 Fine For Smoking It’s a Date! By MAURICE MacNAUGHTON Ed. Director, Local 602 The loss of time at the Fisher Body Lansing Div. of General Motors through disciplinary layoffs has run into thousands of man-hours at a time when production and man power was vital to the welfare of our na­ tion and to our boys on the fighting front. In spite of the needs of our nation Fisher management in­ sisted on enforcing company policy and company made dis­ cipline by giving severe discip­ linary layoffs for minor infrac­ tions of plant rules—rules that were arbitrarily devised by man­ agement without any negotia­ tions with the union, which for example make going to the toi­ let without permission a serious offense. UNIONS HAD NO VOICE IN RULES The contract between the cor­ poration and the union states that the corporation recognizes the union as the exclusive re­ presentative of all employees covered under the contract . . . "for the purpose of collective bargaining with respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, or other condi­ tions of employment.” We contend that plant rules under which we work are con­ ditions of employment and should be negotiated with the union bargaining committee, not arbitrarily set up and en­ forced by management. The layoffs imposed by man­ agement were for the most part from three days to a week, which were excessive considering causes for which they were giv­ en. Think of it—fines of from thirty to sixty-seven dollars for smoking a cigarette or going to the toilet without the fore­ man’s permission. ONE MAN LAID OFF FOR 6 MONTHS Most cases of penalties were usually on union leaders. Here are some instances: a three week layoff, three two week lay offs, one two week layoff and one of four weeks, and there was a six months layoff. These four layoffs were imposed on our workers and amounted to 41 Weeks, which is 1968 man hours and $2,750.38 in pay, exclusive of the night shift premium of five percent. These layoffs were given for failing to agree with the fore­ man or supervisor or or being away from the job without per­ mission of the foreman while going to the toilet or for some other personal reason. It would be impossible to work in Fisher Body for one day without in some manner vio­ lating the plant rules as they are set up. We will leave it up to you workers and to the pub­ lic to decide whether or not this is fair treatment and whether such action taken by manage­ ment is justified. Invest in Victory — Buy War Bonds and Stamps. NOW IN STOCK KENNEDY MACHINISTS TOOL CHESTS ALSO LUFKIN TOOLS South Lansing Hardware 1133 S. WASHINGTON How Will Dumbarton Plan Do Those Things? By FEDERATED PRESS The United Nations in the conference which started Wednesday at San Francisco are discussing a proposed contract. It is called the Dumbarton Oaks plan. The Dumbarton Oaks Plan proposes that the United Nations es­ tablish an international organization whose main bodies will be: 1. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 2. SECURITY COUNCIL. 3. INTL. COURT OF JUSTICE. 4. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY will consist of delegates from all nations, with one vote per nation. The assembly will meet at least once a year and will establish general policy. It will elect six of the 11 members on the excutive committee or Security Coun­ cil. The General Assembly will also have the job of making recom­ mendations for promoting international political, economic and social cooperation. It will have the right to admit and suspend or expel member nations. On major questions, a two-thirds vote will be required. On other matters a majority will carry. THE SECURITY COUNCIL, which will be in continuous session, will consist of members from the U.S., Great Britain, USSR, China and France plus six members chosen by the assembly. It will be the council’s main task to maintain peace. The council will meet with representatives of nations whose dis­ putes it is considering. It will have the power to investigate any situation it thinks endangers international peace or any such sit­ uation referred to it by the assembly, or by a single nation in or out of the international organization. The council will seek solution of disputes by negotiation, con­ ciliation, arbitration, by decision of the Intl. Court. If failure to settle a dispute threatens peace, the council may decide upon mea­ sures to keep peace and may next call on member nations to use diplomatic, economic or other measures to nforce its decisions. The member nations bind themselves to comply. To Have Own Air Force Finally, the council may use its own permanent air force or other armed forces held ready on call in advance by nations asked to do so by the international organization. The council will have a permanent military staff committee to place these forces stra­ tegically around the world and to conduct their operation when called on. As detailed at the Crimea Conference, the Dumbarton Oaks plan will call for a vote of seven out of 11 Security Council mem­ bers, including all of the Big Five, except on matters of disputes between nations. For any action less than military action in such disputes, the nations involved will not vote and even if they be among the Big Five, their affirmative vote is not required. For military action, however, the vote of the entire Big Five and at least two others is necessary. THE INTL. COURT OF JUSTICE will be the old World Court, with some amendments to its regulations, or a new court with its regulations modeled after the old World Court. But in this case, member nations of the international organization must belong to the court. Under the old League of Naions they did not. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL will work under the direction of the assembly and will study and propose means of eliminating the causes of war. It will work with and through the stabilization fund and bank of rehabilitation and reconstruction proposed at the Bretton Woods Conference and with the interna­ tional food organization established by the United Nations. It will also work with and through other such agencies, including an in­ ternational labor organization. Amendments to the charter of the international organization must bee passed by two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and by two-thirds of the member nations. BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS AND STAMPS Cherry Trees, Shrubs, Lilacs, Etc. - - Free! They’re free for nothing. If you want cherry trees, li­ lac bushes, rose bushes or other shrubbery, see H. G. Grubaugh, 4414 S. Logan. All you have to do is dig ’em up. He wants to get rid of the stuff in order to put in a driveway. Nash Inspectors Enjoy a Party Final inspectors of the Nash Cedar Street plant disported themselves last week at a de­ partmental party held in a cot­ tage near Lansing. Festivities were begun by the first shift who went out early in the evening, and the second shift turned out after midnight. The chief diversion was dancing to the music of the juke box, and a few more or less ineffectual games of pool. Arrangemetns were in the hands of Marguerite Robson and Chief Steward Harry Graves. Highlights of the evening were the impromptu floor show by George Van Camp and George Preston and the buffet lunch served in the small hours of the morning. A good time was ap­ parently had by all. Paratrooper Son Of Reo, Fisher Folks Wounded Pfc. Robert L. MacNaughton, son of Reo and Fisher workers and “Paratrooper” in the 101st airborne division, who was wounded the first week in March, is in a general hospital somewhere in France. Robert’s outfit spearheaded the invasion of France, Holland, the bloody battle of Bastogne, and was engaged in other battles along the western front. His brother, Maurice W. Mac­ Naughton, Jr., fireman second class with the United States Na­ vy amphibian forces, is now sta­ tioned at Long Island, New York. Both are sons of Mrs. Abbie MacNaughton, Reo Local 650, and Maurice W. MacNaughton, Fisher Local 602. HEAVY DEW “How kind of you to bring me these lovely flowers,” cooed the sweet young thing. ‘‘They are so beautiful and fresh—and I do believe there is some dew on them yet.” “Yes,” stammered the young man in great embarrassment, “but I’m going to try to pay it off tomorrow.” Plan to attend the mem- bership meetings of your local. Here is when and where they meet. OLDS 652—First Friday month, 7:30 p.m., 1118 S. Wash- ington. OLDS AUXILIARY 76— First and third Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., 1118 S. Washington. NASH 13—Next meeting Sun­ day, May 20, 10 a.m., 1818 S. Cedar, preceded by steward’s meeting at 9 a.m. REO 650—Meets this Friday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., 13141/2 S. Washington. FISHER 602—Second Sunday of month, 6 p.m., 1111 W. St. Joseph St. FISHER AUXILIARY — Sec­ ond Tuesday of month. OLOFSSON 728—First Thurs­ day of month, 5 p.m., corner Porter & High St. Lauds Fisher Veteran For Legion Work An article published recently in the State Journal, praising company representatives A. E. Gilmore and M. M. “Scotty” Taylor for their activities in the Fisher Body Lansing American Legion Post, stated that the ser­ vice officer of that unit had been mostly responsible for the suc­ cess of the Fisher post. But the article neglected to mention the name of the service officer, who is just one of the hourly rated workers of Fisher Body, not a supervisor or mem­ ber of management. He is John Ulrey, a member of Local 602, UAW-CIO, and ser­ vice officer of the Fisher Post throughtout 1944, and deserves credit for his splendid work. He is now chairman of the veter­ ans’ committee of Local 602 and in that capacity will continue to serve the veterans of Fisher Body just as efficiently as he did the Legion Post. Veterans are urged to bring their problems to Brother Ulrey. The union committee is com­ posed of world war I and II veterans, fathers and other rel­ atives interested in the welfare of our boys. However, more help is needed on the committee and if you are interested in carrying on this vital work, contact Brother Ulrey or some officer of the local at once. U - NEEDA LUNCH Home Cooked, Tasty Meals 1114 S. Washington Open Daily Except Sunday 5:30 a. m. to 6 p. m. EVERYTHING FOR THE OFFICE And we mean EVERYTHING Hilding Office Supply 228 S. Capitol Ave. Phone 2-1141 Roosevelt Godfather of Michigan Labor Union Wages Brought State Big Prosperity REWORK BY A public memorial to the late President Roosevelt will be erected in Detroit by the UAW-CIO, a front page story in the Detroit Free Press said Tuesday. It is reported a cam­ paign for funds was started with a $25,000 donation from the union. By CARL HAESSLER By Federated Press The death of Pres. Roosevelt April 12 removed the one fan outside the labor movement it­ self that made the present or­ ganized might of unions in Michigan possible, in the eyes of both AFL and CIO. When he first entered the White House in March 1933 no city and state was down flatter in the Hoover depression than Detroit and Michigan. Today no city and state is more prosper­ ous and better unionized. Poli­ tically and legislatively Roose­ velt symbolizes the difference. ROOSEVELT, MURPHY OP­ POSED SHOOTING STRIKERS Roosevelt and his Michigan protege, Gov. Frank Murphy, now on the U.S. supreme court, set the tone against government armed violence by their atti- tude in the famous sit-down strikes of late 1936 and 1937 which established not only the CIO in the auto plants but re­ vived and expanded the AFL in many other shops throughout the state. Addes (CIO) Speaks “During his 12-year term in office,” declares Sec.-Treas. George F. Addes of the United Auto Workers (CIO), “Pres. Roosevelt sponsored the legis­ lation which made possible the tremendous growth of organ­ ized labor and the achieve­ ment of the high standards of living that we in America now enjoy. No one man fought more diligently in his life­ time for the economic and so­ cial security of his fellow men.” Pres. Martel of AFL Pres. Frank X. Martel of the Detroit and Wayne County Fed­ eration of Labor (AFL) said: “By accepting the AFL philosophy of protecting the worker in his constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly on the industrial front, Pres. Roosevelt led the great up­ surge of labor out of the Hoover depression. The great prosperity of our state is shown by the sales tax re­ venue of $100 million a year, though its advocates never ex­ pected to collect more than half of that sum. “High wages and labor’s purchasing power, brought about by organization and col­ lective bargaining with Roose­ velt’s encouragement, are res­ ponsible.” CIO CONDEMNED IN ’37, GETS COOPERATION NOW granted permission but the act­ ing mayor was glad to associate himself with the observance and a Michigan supreme court jus­ tice agreed to be the principal speaker. CIO Man Senator Ten years ago public officials and the press called for drastic punishment of men who were organizing the auto workers. To­ day a CIO auto worker, Stanley Nowak, is serving his fourth term in the state senate and is the universally respected leader of the Dmocratic minority there. While John L. Lewis and his lieutenants led the Michigan auto workers on the industrial sector it was Roosevelt who pro­ duced the weapons of the na­ tional labor relations act, the wage-hour act, the social secur­ ity act and many others, under cover of which labor blitzed to victory. The Roosevelt relief program enabled the workers to live until the blacklist and dis­ crimination by foremen against union men had been fought down. SUPREME COURT CRUSADE A VICTORY FOR LABOR The much criticized crusade by Roosevelt against the re­ actionary supreme court he had inherited from Hoover and Harding was conducted along typical labor bargaining lines of asking for more than you can hope to get. Without enlarging the court the crusade neverthe­ less pressured the justices to re­ verse themselves and uphold the labor and social legislation they had previously snooted. “No president since Lincoln has served his nation and his people so well,” said UAW Pres. R. J. Thomas. Hoover vs. Roosevelt When the 1937 sitdowns ended in the resounding defeat of the anti-union auto magnates (ex­ cept Ford who was not humbled until 1941) the CIO asked per­ mission for a parade and de­ monstration in Cadillac square. The mayor and council refused. The CIO held it anyhow and there was no interference. Today the CIO initiated the FDR memorial service in Cadil­ lac square and the city not only The new deal in Michigan was ushered in by two unprecedent­ ed demonstrations in the Hoov­ er-Roosevelt campaigns of 1932 in Detroit. When Hoover came to town crowds lined his route from the railroad station and uniformly hooted and booed. When FDR, still governor of New York at the time, pulled in the cheering crowds were great­ er and noisier than had ever been known in the annals of De­ troit. Government Sues A&P For Monopoly Practices (Continued from Page 1) “Strategic buying” is also charged. For example, the chain may advertise berries at 15 cents a box. It will not, however, handle any that week. Next week when the farmers begin marketing berries in quantity, they will be shown the 15 cent ads and persuaded to part with their berries at a price consid­ erably below the “retail” price of 15 cents. The Justice Department as­ serts that “thousands” of food dealers, wholesalers, canners. processors, and manufacturers are being either injured or elim­ inated by A & P tactics. SAN FRANCISCO (Continued from Page 1) tional organization to nip aggression in the bud, to pre­ vent wars and to become a laboratory for the discovery of means to make a world where no one will need or want to fight. Proceedings of the opening sessions are filled with the formalities and with the presentation of the plans proposed and already under worldwide discussion. Little of the meat of the conference is likely to come until objections, amendments, counter-propos­ als, have gone through the mill of committee meetings and come back for adoption or rejection. Along with the committee peace for generations that Pres. Roasevelt sought. meetings and the formal de­ bates here, discussions are go­ ing on in every town and ham­ let in America and in the world. Women’s clubs, business clubs, schools, radio forums, news­ paper, but above all labor un­ ions and their press are bring­ ing the details of this proposed world security organization to the common people, telling them how it is planned not only to stop fighting but to prevent it. Not only to prevent wars, but to prevent their causes by work­ ing to create a better living for the population of the entire world. Standing over the conference is the figure of the late Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, conceded the chief architect of the world peace* plan. But even larger fig­ ures loom above the delegates: the millions of dead—soldiers, civilian workers, children dead of starvation, foes of fascism tortured to death. It is not for the phony “peace in our time” of Munich that San Francisco works. It is for the Dairy Workers The Dairy Workers Auxiliary is getting under way fast, hav­ ing just held its third meeting, which was at the home of Mrs. Chester Newton, who served lunch. Program included a business meeting and cards, with prizes won by Hazel Per­ kins and Grace McGee. Next meeting will be Friday, May 10. TIMEKEEPERS (Continued from Page 1) ply was being awaited before further action, Holt said. Organization of the group was attempted two years ago but when the election was delayed a year the union lost by a vote of 42 to 27. The committee of timekeepers who worked on organizing this time said enthusiasm for the un­ ion was at a far higher pitch than before and that there would be no doubt of a substantial vic­ tory if an election is required. They said any attempts to delay proceedings again until employ­ ees ‘‘cooled off” would be met with prompt action. ROY NEWTON NASH LOCAL 13 The past week or so I have been asking people at Nash, “What are you going to do after the war or after the plant closes?” There were too many answers to set them all down here, but here are some typical ones. JACK KLOOZ: “I’m going to buy me a little one-man gro­ cery store and be my own boss.” WARD HULL: “Well, I don’t rightly know just now. It’s hard to tell how things will be, but I’ve got my eye on a soft-drink business that looks pretty good.” HARRY GRAVES: “Probably in the house-building business or farming. I have several things in mind. There will be lots of opportunities after the war.” GEORGE PRESTON: “I’m NOT going back into chain stores if I can help it. Like to go into business for myself. I’m not worrying about the future; there’ll be plenty of opportuni­ ties for anyone who wants to work.” I didn’t find anyone who was pessimistic about the future. Everyone looked forward to an era of prosperity with lots of jobs. This was an encouraging thing to me. The late great Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing We have to fear about the future is fear itself.” If all Americans look forward to the future with the confidence and faith of the people I talked to, then the future prosperity of the nation is assurd. Wide Variety of Groups Endorse Dumbarton Oaks After the international secur­ ity organization proposed at Dumbarton Oaks is agreed upon by the delegates' at San Fran­ cisco, it will go to the various nations for ratification. Groups in the U. S'. that have already come out for the United Nations organization include: The AFL, CIO, Bro. of Rail­ road Trainmen (unaffiliated), U. S. Chamber of Commerce, American Bankers Assn., Amer­ ican Bar Assn., Natl. Lawyers Guild, American Farm Bureau Federation, Natl. Farmers Union, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Natl. League of Women Voters, American Legion, Vet­ erans of Foreign Wars, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, Natl. Council of Cath­ olic Women, Natl. Council of Negro Women, YMCA, YWCA, World Jewish Congress, Natl. Education Assn., Natl. Citizens Political Action Committee, Americans United and many others. Olds Employees Invited to Dance A dance for Olds em­ ployees and their friends is being given Saturday night, April 28, at M.W.A. hall, Shiawassee at Grand, featur­ ing round and square dances with music by Wayne Chaf­ fee and his Music Makers. Tickets for the party, which will be from 8 to 12 p.m., are $1.50 per couple and may be purchased at the door or from Nick Carter or Bill Davis.