Owned and Published by and for Lansing Labor Phone 4-9612 OFFICE: 109 E. South St. VOL. 1, NO. 8 Lansing Labor News Official Weekly Newspaper of CIO Labor in Lansing MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. LANSING, MICHIGAN — MAY 3, 1945 15,000 Paid Subscriptions For City War Workers 5c PER COPY $1.50 Per Year by Mail ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS INCREASED V-E Day Celebration Planned WASHINGTON NEWS NOTES TRAVIS K. HEDRICK For Federated Press and Lansing Labor News By Civil Service Probe While the U. S. Veterans Administration is taking a general beating in the press and on the air these days, an­ other agency just as lax and just as badly handled, has been getting by scot-free. Watch for a demand soon for a thorough-going probe of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, which is weighted down with hoary rules, limited by ancient prejudices and snarled in offi­ cial red tape. Civil Service has been lousing up the federal pic­ ture too long. FDR Wasn’t Told When Banker Jesse Jones engineered the deal by which the giant monopoly, Alumin­ um Corp. of America by-pass­ ed its sole U.S. competitor Rey­ nolds Metals, by seeing that a $50 billion contract went to its Canadian subsidiary, Alumin­ um Co. of Canada, he did so without full authority. Federated Press has learned that the late Pres. Roosevelt knew nothing of the deal until nearly two years after the con­ tract was signed, and that Jones was on the carpet for it before FDR died. Details of this shady trans­ action have been hidden, but you can watch for some impor­ tant revelations in the near fu­ ture. It is just another of a series of reasons why Jones was ousted. Kilgore Pulls Wires Sen. Harley M. Kilgore (D. W. Va.) is working overtime these nights to win support for his ambition to become the next Secretary of Labor. Kilgore hopes to gain enough labor support to insure him the job when Pres. Truman accepts the resignation of Mrs. Per­ kins. Churchill and Unions A storm is nearing in rela­ tions between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the Bri­ tish labor movement. The rea­ son lies in Churchill’s refusal to meet a demand of the Bri­ tish Trade Union Congress to modify the Trades Union Act of 1927. After juggling the is­ sue throughout the war, Churchill recently committed himself to a final rejection of the labor movement’s plea. Back in 1926 Churchill led the Conservatives in their war on British unions, and if he is named the leader of a new gov­ ernment after the coming elec­ tions, British opinion is that he would resume his struggle against the labor movement. The fight, however, would See WASHINGTON, Page 2 Writes War News on Captured Stationary When labor’s war corres­ pondent, Herbert A. Klein of Federated Press, shown at right, ran out of paper while reporting the war in Germany, he grabbed some Nazi letter­ head stationery from the con­ quered headquarters of Karl Holz, gauleiter of Franconia, and. wrote on the back of it, his stories to be sent by bomber mail (see one in this issue on what our boys told him they want you to write them). In English the letterhead shown above says “National Socialist German Workers Party”. The upside-down stamp in the center was by the censor who passed Klein’s story. HERBERT KLEIN, who writes from Germany for Fed. Press and Lansing La­ bor News. Union Store Program Gets Cooperation The Dairy Workers Unit of Amalgamated Local 93 is grateful to Lansing labor for supporting their “union store” program, officials told the La­ bor News. Two grocery stores recently designated as “Union stores” by the local reported many CIO members stopped in and commended them. One of the stores, Heightchew's Grocery, Local No. 93 Joins Lansing CIO Council Amalgamated Local 93, which includes the Dairy Workers and other units, recently completed affiliation with the Lansing CIO Council, it is anounced. is now advertising in your pa­ per, starting with this issue. The paper urges members to let the store know the adver­ tisement was read. Factory Folk Will March To Capitol By ARCHIE PERRY Chairman, V-E Day Committee The unfounded reports of peace and the killing pace of the Allied Armies told workers last week that VE Day was dawning, so to speak — even if it wasn’t altogether here, as claimed. So the question is, what should we do about it? Labor’s Day The Lansing CIO Council set up a committee to help control spontaneous celebrations and the Mayor did likewise. Since the German campaign is only part of the war, there remains the job of whipping the Japs, but regardless of this and of all the flag waving of large corporations such as Gen­ eral Motors, Nash Kelvinator, Motor Wheel, etc., to the effect that they will operate on VE Day, we of labor feel that in view of the tremendous job al­ ready done we are justified in celebrating this one day in our own way. Don’t Drive Therefore workers are asked that when they leave the plants they leave their cars right in the parking lots and come in a body to the Capitol grounds. Come in an orderly manner, See V-E DAY, Page 3 School Head Fired CHICAGO (FP)—Because he is pro-labor, has opposed interference with academic freedom and has fought a tendency on the part of school authorities to foster racial dis­ crimination, Dr. Edward J. Sparling was removed as president of the Central YMCA College here. A Year Paid Up Dairy Workers Vote to Take The Labor News When the aggressive, organ­ ized dairy workers want to support something, they don’t fool. They shoot the works. At their request, the Labor News editor recently appeared before a meeting of the Dairy Workers unit of the Amalga­ mated Local No. 93 to explain the operation of the new city labor owned paper. They voted unanimously to participate in the paper’s pub­ lishing plan and thereby re­ ceive copies for each member each week. Then instead of sending the paper a check each month for 8c per member, the unit voted to back the paper for a year with the cash for their annual subscriptions for 69 members. Kenneth McCreedy, secre­ tary-treasurer of the paper’s board, received the check this week. Timekeepers’ Union Asks An Election Court Upholds Solicitation In Factories WASHINGTON (FP) — In two major labor deci­ sions, the U. S. Supreme Court recently upheld the right of unions to solicit members on company prop­ erty on the time of the in­ dividual solicitors. Ball Practice Is Announced The Nash Local 13 recreation committee decided this week to put the heat on the weather man — and maybe on the weather. They announced the follow­ ing schedule for baseball and softball practice and invited all interested candidates to turn out for practice. Practice Dates BASEBALL — 6 p. m. Sun­ day, May 6, Sycamore Park. AAA SOFTBALL — 10:30 a. m.-Sunday May 6, Comstock Park. AA SOFTBALL—5:30 Tues­ days and Thursdays from now until season starts. The Lansing International office of the UAW-CIO this week petitioned the NLRB for an election at the Oldsmobile to certify the union as bargaining agent for approximately 80 timekeepers. Jack Holt, director of the Int’l office, who recently re­ quested that the company re­ cognize the timekeeper’s selec­ tion of the union, said a reply from the firm this week indi­ cated General Motors appar­ ently did not believe a majority had signed up and wanted the union. He said the NLRB was im­ mediately urged to authorize an election as soon as possible and indicated that GM officials would probably be surprised at the large margin by which the union would win. See TIMEKEEPERS, Page 3 South Lansing Traffic Light Turned Down The Lansing Traffic Com­ mission, after a study with automatic traffic counters at South Washington and South street, refused to recommend a traffic light for the corner. Instead, a policeman was sug­ gested for the busy hours. George Nadar, Int’l Repre­ sentative of UAW-CIO, who had instigated the investiga­ tion on his own initiative, was disapponted. “Of around a dozen corners recommended at that meeting for lights,” he said. “This is by far the busiest.” The commission said it was busy only during certain rush hours. New York Workers' Bureau Handles Child Care and Other Problems Detroit Sunday Papers Lockout Comics to Help Fight Labor Your Lansing Labor News will continue to bring you facts not found in other papers Completely suppressed in the dailies were these reasons who comics did not appear with your Sunday papers.—Ed. DETROIT (FP) —“For reasons beyond our control,” read a mysterious announcement in all three Sunday Detroit papers, “the Detroit Free Press (or News or Times) regrets that this edition is distributed without the usual colored comics and roto sectons. Every effort will be made to distribute the omitted comics at a later date.” It refers to the issue of April 29. Though all three dailies pride themselves on their news­ gathering facilities the hund­ reds of thousands of readers whose chief interest in the Sun­ day papers is the comics were not told by the papers what “the reasons beyond our con­ trol” were. A Labor War quarrel with the Detroit Mail­ ers Union No. 40 of the ITU and the union canceled the work permits of nonmembers, as provided under its laws. This is the mysterious reason “beyond our control” which made it impossible for the Free Press to get out its Sunday roto and comics. The reason—not at all be­ yond the publishers’ control— is the war against the Intl. Typographical Union (AFL) being conducted by the Ameri­ can Newspaper Publishers Assn. The publishers have re­ fused to continue recognizing the regulations (laws) of the ITU in their contracts. The un­ ion men continued to work un­ der the regulations but without a contract. The Free Press picked a Two Lockouts Nothing, however, prevented the News and Times from ap­ pearing as usual, but in a sym­ pathetic lockout to help the Free Press in its war against the union the other two Sun­ day papers omitted their own supplements. The sympathetic lockout was the “reason beyond our control” there. To make everything certain the union Meeting Called For Drivers of Lansing Dairy Lansing Dairy company driv­ ers are invited to a UAW-CIO meeting at 8 p. m. tonight, Thursday, May 3, at 1318 1/2 S. Washington to discuss organ­ izing to obtain certain benefits. Clyde Perkins said benefits would include seniority rights, bargaining on grievances, elimi­ nation of favoritism and lower- scaled commissions on sales and a sensible and fair plan for job promotions. thereupon canceled the work permits of nonmember mail­ ers there, too. Top Raised From $20 to $28 a Week The burden of temporary un­ employment which may face quite a number of auto plant workers after V-E day and which is already affecting thou­ sands in the Detroit area, will be eased a bit more as a result of CIO sponsored amendments to Senate Bill 161, which was passed in the closing days of the state legislature’s session. Sponored by CIO legislators, the amendment provides addi­ tional unemployment compen­ sation benefits of two dollars for each dependent child up to four such dependents, thus in­ creasing the maximum benefits from $20 up to $28 per week. The bill provides that an em­ ployer’s contribution rate for any calendar year shall be five percent of the wages he pays. Previously his share was four percent, based on the so-called “Employers Experience Re­ cord.” Dean Reed, PAC director in Lansing, told the Labor News: "Michigan leads the coun­ try; in no other state does unemployment compensa­ tion grant dependency allow­ ances. But if it had not been for the splendid work of the Michigan PAC and the CIO legislative program, the amendment would not have passed." A provision for two dollars additional for wives of unem­ ployed workers failed to pass. Little or no publicity has ap­ peared in the dailies on the pas­ sage of the bill, which of course was fought by industrial inter­ ests. Drop Forge Employees Want Union Employees at the Lansing Drop Forge have asked the UAW-CIO to represent them, according to Jack Holt, Int’l representative here. He said a meeting with man­ agement was scheduled this week which would determine whether the union would be im­ mediately recognized or have to call for an election. There are over 400 employes at the plant. Your Lansing Labor News Is Growing Your new city paper is growing up fast. With this issue the Lan­ sing Labor News, eight weeks old, goes to a full newspaper size page, with increased news space and larger, more easily read type. Through economical oper­ ation the paper’s board of di­ rectors, elected by partici­ pating locals, have achieved this important improvement without additional cost to the locals. If your local is not provid­ ing you with this paper ask your officers about it or write the editor for informa­ tion. Cooperation of all locals is desired in establishing this city-wide paper for Lansing labor. ATTENTION, MAINTENANCE MEN AT OLDS! Oldsmobile skilled trades maintenance workers should not miss attending the reg­ ular monthly membership meeting of the Olds Local 652 at 7:30 p. m. this Friday eve­ ning, May 4. Contents of the new War Labor Board directive will be revealed, it is announced. This affects rates of pay and other matters pertaining to these jobs. A Workers Personal Service Bureau, first of its kind in the coun- try has been opened in Brooklyn, N. Y. to help the 200,000 CIO members and other workers in the area with their personal prob- lems Staffed by trained social service workers, the bureau is a joint enterprise of labor and social agencies. Above, Bureau Di­ rector Alfred A. Katz smoothes out the difficulties of a member of the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers (CIO). The man works on a night shift and when his wife was called out of town they worried about where to leave their son. The Personal Service Bureau arranged a temporary home tor the boy. —Federated Pictures. WLB Official Would Boost U. S. Workers WASHINGTON, (FP) — Chairman George W. Taylor of the Natl. War Labor Board told the Senate civil service committee April 27 that he be­ lieved U.S. government work­ ers were entitled to a general pay increase because they have not received the boosts allow­ ed by the Little Steel formula. Speaking for a bill to increase salaries of federal workers, Taylor said the granting of more money to government em­ ployes “will not result in the starting of any new cycle of wage increases.” WASHINGTON (Continued from Page 1) not be called a war on trade unionism, but rather a war on left-wing trade unionism. New Anti-Labor Bill An innocent - appearing House bill, HR 2788, has been unmasked as another of the long series of anti-labor moves in Congress. Rep. Hugh DeLacy (D. Wash.), a member of the Intl. Assn, of Machinists (AFL), is making a careful search for un­ ion-busting legislation. He found this one had been offer- ered by Rep. John W. Gwynne (R. Ia.). Gwynne’s bill simply calls for an amendment to Title 28 of the U.S. code to lim­ it the filing of civil suits to a period of one year after occuur. What DeLacy found, how­ ever, is that the lumber inter­ ests were active in support of the measure, writing congress­ men that if the bill is not pass­ ed, west-coast lumber unions may be able to collect portal-to- portal pay for several years back under the wages and hour law. Other labor actions in civil cases would be similarly effect­ ed if the Gwynne bill is passed, and unions are working on the question. Bretten Woods WASHINGTON (FP) — Support of the AFL’s seven million members was thrown behind the Bretton Woods legislation pending before Congress by Pres. William Green in a statement to the House banking committee. 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 community and to the interests of labor here and everywhere. Published every Thurs­ day at the Lansing CIO Council headquarters by the following incorporated body, representing locals voting to participate. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT—To be elected. VICE-PRES.—Ernest Miller (Reo 650). SEC.-TREAS. —Kenneth McCreedy (CIO Council). TRUSTEES—George Jakeway (Fisher 602), Wil­ liam 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 MEMBERS—Mrs. Robert Atkinson (Olds Aux,), Mrs. Harold Wilson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. William McCurdy (Fisher Aux.), Mrs. J. B. Eno (Fisher Aux.). EDITOR — V. E. VANDENBURG SUBSCRIPTIONS — Included in the dues of participating locals. Individ­ ual 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 changd. Interesting news about people in shop or in service or their relative is solicited. Notes on news not written up but containing complete names and all th facts are acceptable, too. Mail all contributions to Lansing Labor News, P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. End of an Era? No! “His death marked the end of a political era that had lasted over twelve years.” That comment of one reporter on the late President Roose­ velt’s passing voiced the hopes of some opposition groups, but did not mark any such end at all — it marked 12 years frustration of Republican leaders and others in finance and industry who opposed liberal governmental social policies, particularly to­ ward organized labor. Despite the tremendous pressures that will be brought to bear upon him, we feel that President Truman will sincerely at­ tempt to continue the kind of government that spreads benefits among the many instead of helping hoard economic advantages for the few. Having learned that such government is possible, a majority of people are likely to continue to demand it and continue to elect for its leader a man who, regardless of what party he is running in, will effectively carry it on. And once in office, they will elect him again and again, if no one else is of­ fered whose record indicates he will carry on as successfully with what the peope have learned to want. No, Roosevelt’s death did not mark an end. Instead, it dramatized and emphasized a courageous beginning, pointing the direction for other brilliant careers in this new field of gov­ ernment for more of the people. Thinner "Gravy" Coming Last week William H. Davis, economic stabilizer, warned the War Labor Board that workers had about realized all the “gravy” pay hikes allowable under the Little Steel formula, ac­ cording to a prominent page 2 story in the Detroit Free Press Friday. The gravy part they quoted directly. Somehow we can’t quite associate “gravy” with the piddling raises obtained by workers after long battles by their unions when we contemplate how fast that little additional income was swal­ lowed up by a 40 percent increase in living costs since Pearl Harbor. Somehow we can’t associate it with workers’ salaries. at all, when we read how industrial profits have increased sev­ eral hundred percent during the war. In view of the terrific increase in living costs and the astound­ ing increase in profits, we should think an “economic stabilizer” would be just about the last person to use the word “gravy” on workers. And with cutbacks, 40 hour weeks and layoffs impend­ ing, we should think this would be just about the poorest time for such a silly statement. It doesn’t sound very stabilizing. In any event, as Olds Worker L. E. Mahon points out, Mr. Davis apparently favors thinner “gravy” for workers. To take care of the period immediately following the war, the government has guaranteed industry certain minimum profits for several years. If the operation of the factories is such that they fail to earn all of these profits, the government pays them the difference. This neat plan does not provide for compensat­ ing workers if their post-war earnings are not up to par. Does Mr. Davis have a clever word for that, too? WHOLEHEARTED BUY WAR BONDS PROUD TO MEET YOU! Around The Shops By George Nader Last week I wrote shop news, this week, I’ll try shop gossip —take your choice and let me know. Olds Local 652 One thing discussed at Forge 1 by the fair sex is the man shortage. Seems they are hir­ ing females and females don’t make good dates for — females . . . Obreyhead isn’t having too much luck convincing certain people that black eyes come from doors! . . . What is the name of the fellow in the gauge crib at the main plant who acts like a professor? Not you, How­ ard . . . Building 34 seems to have a fellow who not only possesses a rabbit’s foot, but gets good out of it ... A. K. Morrison, is it true what I hear about that fish story? Say it isn’t so, Ken. Haven’t heard or seen my old friend and team mate, Hi. ’Nuff said. Reo Local 650 I hear E. L. is getting his shooting iron ready. ’Y Eugene, the hunting season isn’t until October, remember?. . . Some people don’t have to learn. Just born with it. If you doubt me, ask Hazel. Wherever she is around the Cozy are swarms of men ... If you want to know how to make and hold friends ask June D. Follow it and you won’t have any friends . . . I hear good reports on brother Miller. I’ve always felt he would work hard at whatever he tackles. Congratulations, my friend. Fisher Local 602 I have heard comments on Mac’s articles, good comments. Mac is one of the most sincere fellows I know. If anyone can tell the news, Mac can. Keep up the grand work . . . Haven’t seen Silent Bill Ingram lately. What’s the matter, Bill ? It can’t be yu’ve lost your voice? Nash Local 13 Thirteen for thirteen is as good a slogan as any I have heard. The way two rival groups are working together, they have proven that they could fight a little at election then join hands for the good of all. Congratulations to all con­ cerned . . . Who was it who came in to work half asleep then told of having a sick (of all things) grandmother, who kept her up all night. If that was her grandmother I sure wanna see her grandfather . . . What’s happened to G. Nobel? A girl who was so active in the Union just can’t stop now. She has a lot of ability and should be encouraged to get active again ... I heard Paul How­ ard is the “voice” in some of the animal movies that Disney is making. Leave it to Paul, he sure knows how to take care of Paul. Olofsson Local 728 President Bill Watts is hav­ ing his worries — with a fel­ low who quit, joined the army, and now is back, wanting full senority because his draft board says, “You can get it.” Company says he quit. Now he is threatening to take it to Washington . . . The boys and girls have a lot of confidence in Bill. He’s done a grand job. Amalgamated 724 ATLAS . . . L . Morgan has the distinction of being ONE of the ones who has the company wanting to change a job to get a man off, or so he can’t join the Union. Leave it to Leo and Workers of the world’s two most influ­ ential countries today are greeting each other in the rubble and ruins of destroyed Germany, where once proud professional armies — the world’s best, they said — boasted they would conquer the soft de­ mocracies and the simple Russian peasants. It’s as soldiers these Americans and Rus­ sians meet, of course, but they were work­ ers yesterday will be again tomorrow. And from now on they can be just as friendly as they are today. So can their countries — and all countries — if the delegates to the SanFrancisco conference are properly de­ termined that it shall be that way and if they really mean it when they say there need be no more war. he will find a way. Remember, where there is will, there’s hope . . . Wm. Rioux is one fellow you can’t take seriously. If you do, you will go nuts. He never knows when he is serious him­ self, so why worry? . . . L. Ack- wright is one fellow who it can be said has the Union at heart. When a fellow loses over $1,000 bucks by being a Committee- man, and still goes on — I say congratulations Louie, more power to you, fella! KOLD HOLD—If they don’t quit changing superintendents there soon, the president of the company will think he’s in the wrong place some of these days . . . The new committee is do­ ing OK—at least I haven’t had to go down lately. LUNDBERG — I sure was sorry to hear Balmer quit and went back to teaching. He could have gone a long way with labor . . . Sorry that old man O’Brion decided to rest and let others go on the com­ mittee. Bill was a good man and we need such, with no re­ flection on the splendid com­ mittee we now have . . . Harry Norton is one fellow who may not get credit openly but has the confidence of the men, which is good pay. NOVO — Roy Hardgrove is a fellow who can be depended on to help, when needed. No matter how busy he is, he al­ ways finds time . . . Well, I see where a certain young lady is back at Novo and I mean back. Also see where one who either couldn’t or wouldn’t has been there quite a while. CHAARD — With the girls getting their back pay and over 500 girls working there (am I lucky, or am I?) and the article Van put in telling those that didn’t get it to see me—am I busy? . . . P. S. To all ex-Chaard girls: You are supposed to get noti­ fied by the company The Whistle This is it. If you think I bet­ ter stick to Shop News let me know? If not, let me in on the gossip. I promise I will write it up. Who is sick? Who got married? Who is what? And what have you? Secret PAC PARIS (FP) — Secret political work that went on under the eyes and whips of Gestapo men saved the sanity of many labor unionists and political prisoners in the brutal Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany and kept them mentally and morally healthy, FP War Cor­ respondent Herbert A. Klein learned. Anti-Russian Propaganda About Poland Is Charged made no reference to the bank­ rupt Poles in London who still wish to help the Nazis. It is they who manufactured the “Polish Problem.” Eager Beaver By LOUIS CROZIER Nash Local 13 Public references to the Pro­ visional Government of the Po­ lish Republic as being inspired, sponsored and even dictated by Russia are completely false. Practically every news item on the “Polish problem” follows the Nazi propaganda line, set­ ting the stage for a fatal breach in Allied unity and world peace. Barred Russians From Fighting The Fascist Polish govern­ ment in exile in London — and this can be verified through the State Department and old newspaper files — refused to let Soviet-trained Polish troops help drive the Nazi invaders out of Russia and Poland; de­ manded that Russian troops stay out of Poland; ordered their land-lord supported troops to fight the Polish un­ derground forces of resistence; and, through their General Bor in Warsaw, started the prema­ ture open revolt in the Polish capitol that turned out so dis- asterously. Fake Atrocity Stories Started Diplomatic relations between this Nazi-supported “govern­ ment” and the government of the USSR were broken in April 1943 after the group in London gave wide circulation to the fake stories of Russian “atro­ cities” and their demands for immediate settlement of the border dispute. On the other hand, the Pro­ visional Government of the Polish Republic that came into being December 31, 1944, is composed of representatives of the four liberal parties, those who stayed on the scene and faced the danger of torture and execution by resisting the Nazi murderers in every way they could. Constitution of 1921 Used These people were formerly called “The Polish Committee for National Liberation”, and they did not presume to act as the provisional government un­ til many representative con­ ventions of the people demand­ ed that they do so. They are operating under their own con­ stitution of 1921. Also, the agreement at Yalta THEY SAID GOD INTENDED IT Men Must Be Content To Work for Less Wages, Said Employers in 1875 TIMEKEEPERS (Continued from Page 1) He assigned to the case R. Lyle Stone, Int’l Representa­ tive experienced in handling cases for General Motors em­ ployees here and elsewhere. Stone said there would be no undue delay in getting an elec­ tion and starting bargaining. Work Planned NEW ORLEANS (FP) — With jobs of 10 per cent of the workers in the New Orleans area at stake, representatives /of labor, industry and government here are getting together to find work to keep the Delta Ship­ yard open when its present contract ends. This article on American labor history was written for Federated Press and Lansing Labor News by an instructor at the Jefferson School of Social Science. By DR. PHILIP FONER In September 1873 the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co. closed its doors. Overnight the entire economic structure in the U.S. began to crumble. Before the year was over, 5,000 com­ mercial failures were reported. For six long, lean years the de­ pression continued and throughout those terrible years there was ever-increasing unemployment. At least one-fifth of the working class was permanently unemployed by 1877; two-fifths worked no more than six to seven months in the year, and less than one-fifth were regularly employed. Few indeed were the unions that weathered the storm of the long depression. It has been estimated that 300,000 workers be­ longed to unions early in 1873. Five years later in 1878 the total union membership was not more than 50,000. In New York City alone union membership decreased from about 45,000 in 1873 to 5,00Q in 1878. Workers were simply afraid to be known as unionists for employers publicly announced that they would refuse to give work to men who woud not leave their unions. A union member, said a contemporary, was “hunted like a dog.” God Didn’t Do That The New York World outlined in 1875 the program of most employers for the crisis. “The American laborer” it declared “must make up his mind henceforth not to be so much better off than the European laborer. Men must be content to work for less wages ... In this way the workingman will be nearer to that station in life to which it has pleased God to call him.” American labor, however, was not convinced that God had decreed that all who work shall starve. That the workingmen were anything but content with their station in life was made evident during the crisis in mass movements for unemployed re­ lief and in bitter strike struggles. At a meeting of union representatives in New York in Nov. 15, 1873, a resolution was adopted calling on the City of New York to request a loan of $10,000,000 from the federal govern­ ment to help out labor and a petition was forwarded to Con­ gress which asserted that “all penniless, homeless and invol­ untary idle people are the wards of the nation and should not be suffered to roam through the streets neglected and uncared for.” Similar demands were raised by workers in Chicago, In­ dianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis and other cities. The Big Railroad Strike Strikes against wage reductions also swept the nation soon after the crisis began. Invariably, however, the workers were starved into submission, union leaders blacklisted and the unions themselves destroyed. By 1877 employers were convinced that no workers would dare to challenge the power of capital and that the labor movement, for all practical purposes, was dead. They were speedily disillusoned. In the summer of 1877 one of the most militant strikes in all of American history broke out —the railroad strike. Railroad workers had had their wages cut 30% between 1873 and 1877 and when in the spring of 1877 the companies announced a further 10% reduction in wages, the workers de­ cided it was time for action. In this determinaton they were supported by their wives, mothers and sisters. “Better to starve outright,” said the women-folk of the railroad workers, “than to die by slow starvation.” On July 19 the strike began on the Baltimore & Ohio. Soon it spread all over the country. Within a week the strike had swept from Maine to Florida and from New York to San Francisco. It was the first nation-wide strike in our history. Labor Learns From Defeat As the strike wave spread, employers called frantically to lo­ cal, state and national government officials to assist in defeat­ ing the workers. When state militiamen refused to fire on the strikers because they were “in perfect sympathy with their op­ pressed fellow workmen,” federal troops were snt in by Prs. Rutherford B. Hayes. Negro and white workers united to meet the overpowering force brought in to break the strike but with inadequate funds they were compelled to capitulate. By Aug. 2 the strike wave subsided and the railroad workers returned to their jobs under the old conditions. Yet the strike had by no means been a failure. Labor learned that militant struggles without effective union support could not cope with the great power of the employers. It also learned that political activity was necessary to prevent government of- fcials from conspiring with employers against the workers. The result of this knowledge was soon to make itself apparent. V-E DAY PLANS (Continued from Page 1) taking over a street on which to march to the downtown area. It will be useless to drive your cars because the streets' in the entire downtown area will be barred to all auto traffic ex­ cept fire equipment, police cars and ambulances. This is for your own protection. Capitol Program A public address system will be set up on the Capitol steps and there will be a program and bands with plenty of music. The object of the program is to let us pat ourselves on the back a little bit — for no one will do it for us. There are many people who have contri­ buted much to the war effort whom you have never met, but you will meet some of them on this day. But remember: Let’s be a credit to ourselves and our union. REWORK BY ROY NEWTON NASH LOCAL 13 Odds and Ends SUSPENSION. Had a new experience the other day when supervision slapped a 24-hour suspension on me for refusing to work on Magnaflux. The Lo­ cal 13 boys and I don’t believe VA-1 men should be put on Magnaflux, and I’m betting the day’s wages we are right. If we lose the grievance, I’ll be out the $10 in wages plus $3.30 for a fifth of rum I wouldn’t have bought if I had been at work. LAYOFFS. Everyone is na­ turally relieved that there will not be a 1,000 man layoff this week, as Nash had apparently planned it. However let’s not get up any false hopes about the duration of our jobs. The Army can close any war plant, anywhere, any time, with no advance notice at all. ORVILLE RAY. Orville, the old-time carnival and show man says the chief topic of conversation on the first shift are these: When will Herr Hit­ ler get his mustache clipped? How long is N-K going to run? What will we all be doing this time next year? Is Detroit go­ ing to win the pennant this year? BOND RAFFLES. Lots of excitement every week nowa­ days over war bond raffles. Some little raffles confined to selling one $18.75 bond in one department; others involving one or more $100 bonds. And some talk of a thousand-dollar bond at $5 a throw. All good clean fun, and in a very good cause. READING MATTER. Be sure to read the lead article in the Collier’s magazine dated May 5. By John L. Lewis, en­ titled “There is no Labor Movement.” Lewis says of labor, “ . . . There is no unity.” According to him, there are 40 million wage earners yet unorganized, as compared with 15 million who are organized into unions. The anti-labor, anti-union Reader’s Digest says a good word for war workers in the May issue, on page 95. But the Digest still manages to aver­ age about one anti-labor article per month. The most beautiful and moving articles on the death of President Roosevelt are to be found in the issue of Time Newsmagazine dated April 23. NEWS ITEMS. The Lansing Labor News needs more per­ sonal news items. We have run practically everything that has been submitted so far, but we want more news about people in the Lansing shops. Union Gets Public Help At Macy’s NEW YORK (FP)—Workers at R. H. Macy & Co., world’s largest department store, have gone to the customers for sup­ port in their drive for wage in­ creases and working conditions from a sweatshop-minded man­ agement. Pledging that they will not be provoked into striking, mem­ bers of Local 1-S, United Re­ tail, Wholesale & Dept. Store Employes (CIO), are manning the store’s 18 entrances morn­ ing, noon and night to take their case to the buying public. Using their lunch hours and their days off, workers are managing to make every cus­ tomer entering Macy’s familiar with the fact that management, asked for wage increases per­ mitted under the wage stabil­ ization act, had actually come back with proposals to reduce wage scales for hundreds of Macy workers. Ask Customers to Contact the Manager Thousands who came to shop, after reading the CIO leaflet, remained to sign post­ cards of protest urging Macy’s to negotiate in good faith. Many customers reported they had visited the general manag­ er’s office, as suggested in the leaflet, to insist that manage­ ment start negotiating in earn­ est. The union has been negotiat­ ing with the huge store for three months for wage increas­ es permissible under the Little Steel formula, payment from the first day of illness, arbitra­ tion of demotions and layoffs out of seniority, and the right of the union to arbitrate dis­ charge of all employees after 60 days’ employment. Manage­ ment balked on all four counts. Kelly Names 5 Board Members To State Fair Governor Kelly, working on future State Fair activities, has appointed the following five new members of the Board of Managers of State Fairs. They are: Sherman Reid, Richland farmer and horse breeder to replace Henry C. Glasner of Charlotte; Delmar Chapman, Rockwood sheep breeder to succeed Glenn T. Ells, Saline, (deceased); Clar­ ence W. Avery, Detroit manu­ facturer and bank director, to replace Gustave De Ronne of Detroit; Don Mitchell, indus­ trialist from Owosso, to replace Michael Carland of Owosso; and Clarence E. Puffenberger, Eaton Rapids farmer and hog raiser, to replace Fred Luet- zinger of Detroit. The arrangements for state fairs and the conducting of these fairs are under the im­ mediate charge of the Board of Managers, which consists of 20 members serving staggered terms of 4 years each. The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as Chairman. Compensation of $10 per day and expenses is provided by the law and confirmation by the Senate is required. Steel Workers in Los Angeles Getting Raise LOS ANGELES (FP) —The War Labor Board has given approval to a joint labor-man­ agement petition to allow a 14 1/2 c hourly increase to boiler tenders at Columbia Steel Co., members of Local 1414, United Steelworkers (CIO). Photo Flashes of the News Bails Wallace Co. President lauds labor School Rep. Harold Knutson (above). House minority leader of ways and means committee and one of men who let Nazi Agent Viereck use his congressional frank, has turned hearings on the Trade Agreements Act into a battle of irrelevant insult. The act would let the government lower tariffs. Chief target of his sarcasm is Henry Wallace, who maintains the bill is necessary to the 60 millions jobs program. It’s big news when President Basil Harris of the U. S. Lines and Danny Boana, teacher in the National Maritime Union (CIO) leadership school, talk things over. Also news is the school, where men delegated from their crew-members are paid by the union to study the meaning of unionism, racial tolerance and labor-management cooperation so that they, in turn, can teach others. Finger Put on Another Brutal Nazi Prison Camp Guard Still wearing his slave laborer’s stripes, a Russian liberated from the Nazi’s Buchenwald horror-camp dramatically accuses a Nazi SS guard of the cruel beating of prisoners. Relations of guards and prisoners were reversed when the camp was liberated by the United States Third Army. (U. S. Signal Corps Photo, via Federated Press.) Powerful New Air Bomb Scourges Our Enemies (United Nations Photo) ONE OF THE NEW 11-TON “VOLCANO” BOMBS, invented and developed by the British, is shown in this picture in an English factory. Above it. for comparison, is a 6-ton “Earthquake”, used by the R.A.F. to sink the German battleship “Tirpitz”. The new 11-ton “Volcanos” are ten times as powerful as the German V-2 rocket bombs and in trials blasted a granite island off the map. The only plane in the world that can carry them is a special type of the British 4-engined Lancaster bomber. The R.A.F. has caused terrific destruction of vital German targets with these new bombs and will no doubt also use them on Jan targets. BLAME THE CAT BOUND TO WIN Pat was moping along on his way to work, looking half asleep. Mike overtook him and slapped him heartily on the back. “What’s wrong wit ye this fine morning?” he cried. “It’s half asleep ye’re looking?” Pat turned a bleary eye on his friend. “And it’s tired I am after feeling,” he said. “Wasn’t I up half the night?” “What was the trouble?” Mike asked anxiously. "It was the cat,” replied Pat. Wasn’t I sitting there till gone two waiting for her to come in so I could put her out for the night?” Army maneuvers in Mississip­ pi were going forward . with great dispatch. An ancient darky, black and wrinkled, sat on a dilapidated fence, drinking it all in. A company of soldiers filed by him, and he broke into a broad toothless grin. “Doggone,” he chuckled, “you all sure am goin’ to get dem Yankees dis time?’ GOOD NIGHT MESSAGE The lady of the house was en­ tertaining her bridge club when the pattering of tiny feet was heard at the head of the stairs. She raised her hand for silence, “Hush,” she said softly, "the children are going to deliver their goodnight message. It al­ ways gives me such a feeling of reverence to hear them. Listen:” There was a moment of com­ plete silence then shyly from the head of the stairs: “Mother, Willie found a bedbug.” HORRIBLE EXAMPLE A bum approached a fellow on the street and asked for half a dollar for something to eat. “Tell you what I’ll do,” said the pros­ perous looking gent, "I'll buy you a drink.” “No, I don’t want a drink,” persisted the down-and-outer, “just give me fifty cents to get something to eat.” “Here have a Corona-Corona,” offered the other. "All I want is something to By HERBERT A. KLEIN By Bomber Mail From Seventh Army Front in Southern Germany for Federated Press and Lan­ sing Labor News. Here are a few simple tips on writing to your union bro­ thers, your friends, family members and loved ones fight­ ing in Germany. No doubt they apply also for writing to American soliders in other war theaters. First and foremost: Write often. Better a barrage of short letters than long stem-winders at long intervals. This is espe­ cially important now that the army units are moving so far so fast. Second: Mention what you have heard via radio or press about the achievements of the outfit your soldier is part of. If you can pass along reports of what his particular battalion and company have done, so much the better. Send along clippings. The GIs are proud and jeal­ ous of their outfit’s reputation. And when some other bunch gets credit in print or radio for taking a town they took or helped take, their complaints are really sulphurous. That’s when the boys really start griping for fair. When a Yank front-liner starts laying about him with the language, Homer and Rabelais could learn new punches. Third: If you can, give speci­ fic homely details about the shop the man was employed in, the job he used to have, the men and women who worked around him. If your union has won better conditions in that shop, no matter how small the improvements, mention them. You can bet that he will turn hungrily from the sight of any standing cathedral or Rhine­ land baronial castle to a letter that describes the new wash­ room or the new wage plan or even the new foreman now op­ erating where he worked be­ fore he went into khaki. And best of all will be any assurance you can give him that, thanks to the union or legislation or conditions, or all three, he is sure to have a job waiting for him when he gets home. Let him know he’s not forgotten and that there’s a place waiting for him. Fourth: If you mention the big state and national issues your union and you are con­ cerned with, lead into them from the little immediate items of information. Don’t write a tract or a deep think-piece. Re­ member you are almost cer­ tainly writing to a tired, hard­ working, homesick guy. How tired and how hard-working you can hardly realize, though you may know about it a dozen times over. Finally: Don’t waste time and paper with a lot of apolo­ gies and alibis for not having written since so long ago. Best way, of course, is to write often enough so you don’t need to feel guilty. I’m going to follow these pre­ cepts myself when I get back from the front. eat,” pleaded the panhandler, “No cigar.” “Look,” offered the guy with the money, “I know some nice girls. I’ll phone and make a date and we can have some fun—” ‘‘Please, mister,” begged the bum, “all I want is something to eat and just a half a dollar’s worth.” “Okay,” the fellow said, “I’ll give you the fifty cents if you’ll come home with me—” "Why should I come home with you?” -asked the moocher. "Because,” was the amazing retort, “I want to show my wife what happens to men who don’t drink, smoke or go out with wo­ men.” Writing Soldiers Is an Art — And Here Is How to Do It Elevator Men Win Raises In Detroit DETROIT (FP)—500 eleva­ tor operators and starters in 39 Detroit hotels won raises in an arbitration award. Operat­ ors will get 70c an hour instead of 60 1/2 c and starters 75c in­ stead of 65c, retroactive one year. They belong to Bldg. Service Employes Local 153 (AFL). Shoes Too Big! Your Feel Will Spread, Army Tells Munsil, Rookie From Nash This letter from LeRoy H. Munsil, of Nash Local 13, former member of the Labor News board of directors and now in the army, amusingly describes his experiences in af­ filiating with Uncle Sam’s serv­ ice. man, Jens Kowalski and Mac Mac Queenat Fort Sheridan. Latter two are down here with me. Food situation 100% so far. Gained four pounds. Pvt. L. H. Munsil, ASN 46015037 Co. E 12th Bn ARTC Fort Knox, Ky. It’s a Date! Plan to attend the member­ ship meetings of your local. Here is when and where they meet. OLDS 652—First Friday of month, 7:30 p.m., 1118 S. Washington. OLDS AUXILIARY 76—First and third Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., 1118 S. Washington. NASH 13—Next meeting Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m., 1818 S. Cedar, pre­ ceded by steward’s meeting at 9 a.m. REO 650—Meets Friday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. 1314 1/2 S. Washington. FISHER 602—Second Sunday of month, 6 p.m,, 1111 W. St. Joseph St. FISHER AUXILIARY — Second Tuesday of month. OLOFSSON 728—First Thursday of month, 5 p.m., corner Porter & High St. 92 California Unions Act to Stop Layoffs OAKLAND, Calif (FP) — The Bay Cities Metal Trades Council (AFL) representing 92 unions, and the California Metal Trades Assn., represent­ ing 250 employers, are jointly appealing to Washington for allocation of civilian contracts here to prevent mass layoffs. Learning that the U.S. navy and maritime commission were planning to restrict Pacific coast yard to ship repair work, both union and employer groups have launched a direct appeal to Pres. Truman, the WPB, WMC, the navy and California senators and con­ gressmen. They ask that the move to eliminate new ship construction here be stopped and urge allocation of civilian contracts. Olds Employee Gun Instructor For the Navy Prominently shown in photo­ graphs in the Miami Daily News was Richard E. Turbin, AOM 3-C, formerly of the Olds shell plant and now instructor in .50 and .30 caliber machine guns at the Navy training schools in Miami and Holly­ wood, Fla. He appears in three pictures in a half page of photos which accompany a feature story on the gunner’s school. He lives in Hollywood, with his wife and two small children. Proud of this publicity are his parents in Lansing, Howard Turbin, of Beaman’s Grocery, and Mrs. Turbin, who is doing her bit for the war by helping out at Campbell’s Drugs in South Lansing, where Dick’s brother Robert also works. Picket Rights Are Upheld by Oregon Court PORTLAND, Ore. (FP) — Right of peaceful picketing for the purpose of unionizing em­ ployees was upheld by Circuit Judge Martin W. Hawkins, dis­ missing a suit against the Cen­ tral Labor Council and the Met­ al Trades Council. The Oregon law known as the “little Norris-LaGuardia act,” the judge said, permits peaceful picketing even where there is no direct dispute between em­ ployer and employe. The injunction suit was brought by the Peters Co. after the metal council began pick­ eting its plant on March 8, 1944, to win a closed shop agreement. Labor People Needed on 5 OPA Panels CIO members have an oppor­ tunity to serve on five OPA pan­ els in Lansing. Requests have been made for CIO representatives to serve on the gasoline panel, shoe panel, food price panel and the con­ sumer goods panel, according to International Rep. George Na­ dar, who urges members of any local to volunteer in order to assure labor of the maximum representation. There are also openings in Charlotte, St. Johns and Mason. Anyone interested should phone Nadar at 41321 for furth­ er information. He writes: We arrived at Fort Sheridan at 2:30 p. m. Monday, April 9, marched about two miles to our barracks and our leader dis­ appeared — so we made our­ selves comfy. Ten minutes lat­ er we were called out, but in the army you never know where you are going until you get there. Always You Walk We marched about one and a half miles—to get sheets and pillow cases. And each time you go after something you stand in line from a half to two and a half hours. Back at our barracks we de­ cided the name “Rookie” had gone out with the last war. Now we are “Needle Bait”. Then to chow — two miles away — and back to bed, and the first day was over. Shoes Too Big SECOND DAY, chow at 5:30 a m., then off to get equip­ ment . . . They gave me size 9 1/2 shoes. I said I took eights and got the reply, “That’s all right. You’re feet’ll spread.” At the end of the line a corporal with a piece of chalk marked our clothes for alterations. Later, at Fort Knox, we were told they would be altered again. THIRD DAY, the one we had been waiting for. Shots in the arm, two at once, with a square needle driven by a P-38 motor, I believe. Sore arm for several days. Blood Donations FOURTH DAY, blood typ­ ing. I was repeatedly jabbed in the finger in what seemed to be a sort of miniature bayonet practice for the medics. Final­ ly one yelled to the Captain that I was out of blood and that all I had left in my veins was serum. FIFTH DAY, fire guard, two hours on, four off, rain all day and night while I walk and walk in what they laughingly call a motorized army. SIXTH and SEVENTH DAYS, sent to classification. Told them I thought I could grind tools, so they said I would make a good tank driver. Made 139 out of possible 150 on I. Q. test. I am eligible for OCS after basic training. Meets Friends At Fort Knox more arm shots, more equipment, ankle deep red clay, no K. P. yet, sev­ en weeks of marching and then tank training. Met Dick Powell, F. Ship­ Why Brush Your Teeth With Hard- Earned Dough? The American people waste at least one hundred million dollars a year on expensive tooth powders, tooth pastes (abra­ sive or non-abrasive) and mouthwashes advertised over the radio and in the daily papers. These things are supposed to give you a sparkling, healthy smile assuring you of success in love and business, and they're supposed to prevent tooth decay. in reality they are unnecessarily expensive, and in any case, cleaning your teeth won't save them from decay. We clean our teeth for the same reason that we wash our faces— because we like to be clean. The following mixture can be prepared at home at almost no cost, and it will do an equally good or a better cleaning job than the advertised preparations: 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 1/4 teaspoon salt Few drops of peppermint, lemon extract, vanilla or what-have-you (just to make it taste good). 1/2glass water But cleanliness does not assure you of sound teeth. Science is frank to say that we don't yet know how to keep teeth from decaying, because we don't know what makes them decay. All we know is that you can reduce decay to a minimum if you keep a well-balanced diet and see a competent dentist twice a year, so that he can catch cavities while they are still small and easily repaired. If you do not have a family dentist, phone the State Dental Society in your district and they will recommend a reputable man. Or consult the UAW-CIO Health Institute, 7930 East Jefferson, Detroit 14, Michigan. —FROM AMMUNITION. UAW-CIO