Owned and Published by and for Lansing Labor Phone 4-9612 OFFICE: 109 E. South St. VOL. 1, NO. 12 Lansing Labor News Official Weekly Newspaper of CIO Labor in Lansing 15,000 Paid Subscriptions For City War Workers 5c per COPY MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. 4 $1.50 Per Year by Mail LANSING, MICHIGAN — MAY 31, 1945 ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY WHAT TO DO IF A LAYOFF HITS YOU Senator VandenbergChallenged on Jobs Issue WASHINGTON NEWS NOTES By TRAVIS K. HEDRICK For Federated Press and Lansing Labor News FDR’s Foreign Policies Reversed Before its too late, all of us might well stop and consider where we are headed with the present foreign policy of the United States. The policy currently pursued by our state department is not the policy laid down and so ably directed by the late Pres. Roosevelt. It could even be said that it is almost precisely the opposite of the Roosevelt policy. We have reached a point now, where if the U. S. carries on as it has since V-E Day, it would take only a tory victory in Eng­ land to swing us into the most undemocratic and reactionary orbit. Roosevelt never conceived it to be our function as a great nation and the hope of the democratic world to act as an appendage of Britain. Rather, he operated as a mediating force, using the power of the U. S. to iron difficulties between the British and the Soviets. Since V-E Day, however, American policy has swung to­ ward Britain and allowed the Soviet Union to regard us as part of an Anglo-American bloc operating against them. Won’t Elect Even A Dogcatcher Wisps of smoke around De­ mocratic headquarters hint of a fire being zealously fanned? Which brings us to speculate on what’s going on in the or­ ganizational mind of Demo­ cratic Chairman Robert E. Hannegan, the new postmaster general. Hannegan was definitely an­ noyed by the active role labor played in the last election. As a party man he didn’t like the subordinate, part regular or­ ganizational workers had to play in our industrial centers. Because of these things, Han­ negan is moving toward strengthening the Democratic party itself for the 1946 cam­ paign ... in the hope that he will have less need to give the spotlight to people and organi­ zations outside the formal party group. Undoubtedly the Democratic party machine sorely needs re­ vitalizing. But all the shake­ ups in the bag won’t help that machine if it decides to cut loose from the Roosevelt pro­ gram, both foreign policy and domestic program. Unless the Roosevelt pro­ gram — the fight for the eco­ nomic bill of rights and full employment, for a real world security organization and free flow of international trade — is carried out by the Democratic party, it won’t elect a dog­ catcher in the big industrial areas in 1946. Rumor UAW-CIO Convention Will Be in February DETROIT (FP) — Latest rumor on the United Auto Auto Workers (CIO) conven­ tion is that it will be held next February in Grand Rapids, Mich. Frankensteen Asks Halt to Controversy Richard T. Frankensteen, Vice-President of the UAW- CIO and Director of its Legis­ lative Department, today issu­ ed the following open letter to Senator Arthur H. Vanden­ berg : “Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg United States Delegate to The World Security Conference Fairmont Hotel San Francisco, Cal. Dear Senator Vandenberg: In the press of May 21 and May 22 you are described as opposing at San Francisco the inclusion of “full employment” or “the right to work” in the charter of the new Internation­ al Organization. The basis of your opposition, apparently, is that this is a controversial is­ sue in the United States. This may be controversial to you. But to the vast majority of the American people and to the people of Michigan this is not a controversial issue. You may have helped make it con­ troversial by your vigorous op­ position to the Truman-Murray- Kilgore bill in the 78th session of Congress and your public and private remarks since then. Today workers in Detroit and other cities in Michigan are beginning to feel the pinch of shorter hours and layoffs. There is no controversy about hunger, Senator. None of us want it. Apparently the great concern you have expressed for “jus­ tice” does not extend to justice for the American workers. You now have an opportun­ ity to help establish “ the right to a job” as an accepted prin­ ciple in the new International Organization. As a member of the United States Senate you also have an opportunity to take this question out of the controversial field in the United States. Will you? Respectfully yours, Richard T. Frankensteen, Vice-President Director, Legislative Dept. UAW-CIO” Secretary of Labor Was New-Deal Man Lewis B. Schwellenbach, 50- year-old former Senator from Washington, is the new Secre­ tary of Labor. Schwellenbach’s Congressional record was New Deal, and consistently pro-labor. As an attorney he frequently represented trade unions. In the Senate he supported all major legislation backed by organized labor. (LPA) Runs for Mayor Vice Pres. Richard T. Frankensteen, U A W-C I 0, is the candidate for mayor of Detroit in a community­ wide drive, led by the CIO, to oust Mayor Edward J. Jeffries. Frankensteen has also been endorsed by sev­ eral AFL unions, the De­ troit Free Press and many community leaders. Merry, Merry Month of May At Oldsmobile 94-95-903-904-547 is not a so­ cial Security number but it is a good number for sociability. About 80 boys and girls in Oldsmobile departments 94, 95, 903, 904, and 547, had a grand lunch period over in building 28 Auxiliary lunch room Satur­ day night, May 28th, and be­ lieve it or not there was no Black Market food. The ladies brought potato salad, escalloped potatoes, bak­ ed beans, cabbage salad, fruit salad, relishes of all kind, and the men furnished a variety of sandwiches and coffee from the cafeteria ... all of which goes to show that Saturday night is not the loneliest night in the week, song writers to the contrary notwithstanding. Even though the lunch was “pointless” to the OPA, the Jam Session awarded four $25 bonds to Lucky Luncheoneers, which will no doubt be music to the Treasury Department. . . and the winners. The boys winning bonds were: M. E. Whiteside, inspec­ tion supervisor; K. Preston, A. Vincent and C. Thompson, tool room supervisor. Condolences go to H. Fogel­ son, who won two dollars in war stamps.—By Nick Carter. CIO Council Meets June 6 Regular Lansing CIO Coun­ cil meeting will be next Wed­ nesday, June 6. An invitation to attend has been extended to all Officers, Committeemen and Stewards of all affiliated locals in the hopes of attaining a more ac­ tive and coordinated program for our CIO people and and to obtain a better degree of un­ derstanding among the CIO In­ ternational Unions in this area. Here’s How First Cars Will Look DETROIT (FP) — The first 200,000 cars to roll off the as­ sembly lines — the auto indus­ try’s 1945 quota — will be about as different from the last ones made in 1942 as a woman’s hat with ribbons and fruits and vegetables on it slightly push­ ed about in a remodeling. This is the word of Chairman James Moyes of the research committee of the Natl. Skilled Trades Council, United Auto Workers (CIO), though he puts it more gently. “Only enough changes are being made in the first postwar automobiles,” Moyes says, “to make it appear that they are not exactly like the cars that will be turned in. Fenders or front ends are being slightly changed on some. On others only bumpers or interior gad­ gets and trim will be made over.” But, as Lt. Gen. William S. Knudsen, former president of General Motors Corp., said: “It won’t be the first time the pub­ lic got the same car and didn’t know it.” Fake Foremen’s Outfit Awards Wilson Plaque DETROIT (FP) — For al­ leged meritorious achievement in labor relations Pres. C. E. Wilson of General Motors Corp, was awarded a plaque by a phony group calling itself the Natl. Assn, of Foremen. Wilson has taken the lead on the em­ ployer side in fighting the gen­ uine organization of foremen, the Foreman’s Assn, of Amer­ ica, which is recognized by the Natl. Labor Relations Board as a proper collective bargaining agency. The phony outfit has a clause prohibiting collective bargain­ ing in its constitution. The Detroit papers gave un­ usual publicity to the phony plaque. Wilson was shown in the Free Press in a 2-column picture benevolently shaking hands with the director of the fake organization, with pre­ ferred position on the first page of the second section. The FFA, bonafide group, has made such big strides in membership among foremen all over the country that For­ tune Magazine sent a staff to Detroit to get the dope for an article on it. Is Hiller in America! The mad monster Hitler, who viciously destroyed every semblance of democracy where he had power, may be in America — at least in spir­ it. Read on page 2 how things the Nazis started with in Europe are now happening right here in in our country. Nazls-Sfyle Propaganda in America —Federated Pictures Here is and example in America of the way misleading prop­ aganda is being used as it once was used in Germany to help Hitler get started. Reproduced above is a section of the news bulletin of Fight for Free Enterprise, a viciously anti-labor or­ ganization which, with powerful backing, operates chiefly in Texas. Following a familiar pattern, the devices of super-patri­ otism and red-baiting are used to mask reaction and a hatred of union organization. Bob Feller Bringing Famous Tommy Upton For Game Here Tues. In addition to seeing Bob Feller, America’s strikeout king, in action here next Tuesday, June 5, local fans will see Tommy Up­ ton, sensational 18-year-old Kansas City shortstop whom Feller rate as one of the greatest rookies of the baeball year. Upton sparks the infield of the famous Great Lakes Training State Bluejackets, who will play a team of picked Lansing stars at Michigan State College in a game arranged by Nash Local No. 13. Olds Counselors Staging Party Modern and old-time dances will be featured at a CIO party scheduled for the Veterans Me­ morial Hall, 213 S. Washington, Saturday, June. Sponsored by the Counselors of Olds Local, who invites all CIO members and their friends to attend, the party will run from 9 p. m. to 2 a. m., commit­ tee members said. Virg’s Nighthawks will fur­ nish the dance music, with John Hedge, the singing caller, on hand. Tickets are 75c per person and they can be purchased from any Counselor at the Olds, or at the hall. FOR FREE Tickets To the Ball Game Nine free admissions to the big Great Lakes baseball game Tuesday are waiting to be claimed by patrons of the Nash Local 13 dance Saturday night. Holders of the following win­ ning numbers on their ticket stubs should call at the Local 13 office, 1818 S. Cedar, pre­ sent their stubs and receive ball game tickets: 232, 349, 313, 236, 459, 465, 412, 231, 342. Last year at the age of 17, he played stand-out ball for Kansas City. This year he has gained a lot of experience through playing between two such fine infielders as Ken Keltner, former Cleveland 3rd baseman, who presently is play­ ing second base, and “Pinky” Higgins, Detroit Tiger chattel who is holding down the hot corner for the Blue Jackets’ nine. At present young Tommy Upton is leading the team in hitting and fielding. Roy Morris has been handi­ capped by bad weather this spring in getting his Lansing all-star lineup in shape, but the See BASEBALL GAME, Page 4 Unemployment Compensation Advice Given The outstate educational con­ ference of the Michigan CIO Council has prepared a bulletin outlining steps to be taken for unemployment compensation if a layoff hits you. You may be eligible to re­ ceive as much at $28 per week but you may lose your chance for unemployment compensa­ tion if you don’t register in time or don’t present your case correctly, the bulletin warns. If a layoff hits you, the bul­ letin says to do the following things: 1—Notify your union repre­ sentatives immediately. Ask them for help and advice. 2—Register at the United States Employment Service in Lansing, 124 N. Larch street, or at the local office in your home town. 3—Report at the United States Employment Service every week. 4—If you become partially employed ask about Partial compensation benefits. REMEMBER—Contact your union representatives. Employment Offices Are Given Warning The UAW-CIO Unemploy­ ment Compensation Depart­ ment today reiterated its de­ mand for a clean-up of condi­ tions in Michigan Unemploy­ ment Compensation Commis­ sion Local Offices. In a letter to E. T. Dorner, Executive Director of the Com­ mission, Roy MacKillican, head of the Union Department, de­ manded some definite reply from the Commission as to the outcome of an investigation lauched some time ago at his request. A further demand was made for the immediate remov­ al of a Claims Examiner who is accused of brow-beating and humiliating unemployed work­ ers. don’t care whether they fire this man or not,” stated Mac Killican, “but he certainly should not be in any position where he handles claims. Work­ ers are entitled to courteous treatment and reasonable ex­ planations regardless of wheth­ er or not they are ruled to be entitled to benefits. We are not See EMPLOYMENT, Page 4 Hits Riot Drills As Anti-Labor FLINT, Mich. (FP) — The riot drills held in various Michigan cities by state police, local police and other armed units are viewed with deep sus­ picion by Local 599 Headlight, official paper of Buick Local 599, United Auto Workers (CIO). It says: “By the widest stretch of the imagination no one could think these plans are being made to stop an Indian uprising or to keep the colored people down (far from it) — they are going to be used to attempt to break up the expected picket lines of the workers after the war is over. Labor, wake up!” 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—Ernest Miller (Reo 650). VICE-PRES.—Maurice McNaughton (Fisher 602). SEC.-TREAS.—Kenneth McCreedy (CIO Council). TRUSTEES—George Jake­ way (Fisher 602), William Treanor (Olds 652). MEMBERS—Robert Richardson (Olds 652), 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), Dale Gates, Clyde Perkins (Dairy 93), James W. Roberts, Dean Reed (SCMWA 276). ASSOCIATE MEMBERS—Mrs. Robert Atkinson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. Harold Wilson (Olds Aux.), Mrs. William McCurdy (Fisher Aux.), Mrs. J. B- Eno (Fisher Aux.), Evelyn Moss, Etta Kenyon (Local 93 Aux.), EDITOR —• V. E. VANDENBURG SUBSCRIPTIONS — Included in the dues of participating locals. Individ­ ual subscription, $1.50 per year by mail. CONTRIBUTIONS—Should be typed double-spaced on one side of paper and signed with author’s name, phone and address. Name will not be used if requested. Privilege of rewriting to fit news style of paper is reserved, but facts will not be changed. Interesting news about people in shops or in service is solicited. Notes on news not written up but containing complete names and all the facts are acceptable too. Maili all contributions to Lansing Labor News, P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. Please Pass the GOO! Those of us who look for contributions to the problem of la­ bor relations will not be surprised to lear that the National Association of Manufacturers hace “contributed” two important letters which change the subject from “Labor Relations” to “Labor Re-GU-lations.” We recognize the NAM’s passionate interest in ECONOMY, but is GU an economy? To us who know baloney best it is ‘GOO” three to two. We recall NAM beating paths to legislative halls of the states and the nation year after year and can hear them insistently pleading, “PLEASE PASS THE GOO.” This annual warmed-over regurgitation of the NAM never changes . . . except that it smells worse each year. How could it change? . . . they can’t even swallow it themselves and keep it down. « “Collective Bargaining—Nix”; “Labor Re'GOO’lations— Okey”. “Social Planning—Nix”; “Free Enterprise—Okey”. Incidently, this Free Enterprise idea has a lot of possibilities even for a sick pup like NAMie. From this corner it looks as though the Free Enterprise hounds will be able to exchange our War Bond War Plants for their dog house and we’ll live in the dog house. That, my friends, is the “Free” part of the Free En­ terprise system. The NAM spends millions of dollar to tell us about the wonderful virtues of “Free” enterprise. They should know. It’s a safe bet that when, they get all our wealth re-GU-lated away from us ... if they do . . . they can afford even greater economies in their propaganda campaign. We Suggest that they merely strike out the term ‘enter’ thus saving five more letters and also simplifying their system down to the more honest yet still enticing title of “Free Prize” system. We could, of course, also add parenthetically, that the Germans and Italians called it “Fascism.” The NAM’s “Please Pass the GOO” legislative program is building Fascist fences in American in spite of our people’s de­ sire for democratic controls. The documentary evidence is avail­ able for anyone who wishes to see it. Let’s just “By-Pass the GOO.” —Kenneth McCreedy A recent downtown Lansing display of papers printed at close of World War I included one with this headline: KAISER WILHELM TO BE HANGED. While waiting for trial, the German Kaiser spent his declining years (15 or 20 of them) at a comfortable estate in Holland with his Frau. It seems there were technicalities of law that caused delay until his highness tired of waiting and died. Such technicalties are again bothering certain people in high places. Who writes these laws? Grain alcohol is better for use in synthetic rubber than oil ex­ tracts. But grain alcohol being diverted from Russia will not go into rubber. It will help swell the July distillation of about 50,000,000 gal. of 100 proof blending spirits and straight whis­ kies. Through a spirit of blindness we will get more blinding spirits. BRETTON WOODS What It Is and What It Means to Us The UAW-CIO Research Department has prepared an explanation of the Bretton Woods bill in Congress, which is HR 2211 in the House and S 540 in the Senate. This is being published in several installments. NO. 2. What Does It Mean to Auto Workers? To auto workers, Bretton Woods means at least 150,000 jobs in making autos to sell abroad. In other words, in 1950, we assume that one out of seven auto workers will be employed in producing autos to be exported. How Many Cars Did We Sell Abroad? In 1929, we exported 733,762 cars and trucks ; in 1932 exports dropped to 120,465. This was the result of high tariff barriers, phony manipulations of currency and general resultant drop in world trade. About 62,000 auto workers lost their jobs through this slack in exports. By 1937, export had risen to only 50% of the 1929 peak. The number of auto workers on foreign trade in 1937 was 47,000 compared with 73,000 in 1929. What Did the Depression Do? Bilateral agreements and exchange controls in foreign coun­ tries discriminated against us, and even after the depression we failed to recover the market. Customers couldn’t get the dollars to buy from us. For example, Belgium bought $26 million worth of American cars in 1929, dropped to $7 million in 1932, but came back to $21 million in 1937. Brazil bought $30 million worth of cars from us in 1929, only $1.5 million in 1932, and $14 million in 1937. GERMANY USED THE MOST RIGID EXCHANGE CON­ TROLS AGAINST US, AND PURCHASES OF AMERICAN CARS, MOUNTING TO $19 MILLIONS IN 1929, FELL TO $1 MILLION IN 1932, AND IN 1937, INSTEAD OF RISING AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES, DROPPED TO $385,000. BRETTON WOODS WOULD HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO OBTAIN A STEADY FOREIGN MARKET ALL DURING THE ’30’s. The owners of branch 'plants of American firms in Germany suffered from the Nazi practice of paying them in “blocked marks.” In other words, instead of paying them in regular reichsmarks, Germany paid them in money which could be spent only in Germany. The Bretton Woods agreement would make this kind of blocking of foreign investments illegal. But Will Other Countries Buy? One of the reasons our exports of tars was restricted in the past was because other countries put up high tariffs or other exchange restrictions against buying U.S. cars and we in turn placed heavy tariff on imports of their goods. Under the Bret­ ton Woods agreement conditions would be favorable for world­ wide lowering of tariffs and abolishing of trade restrictions. Under condition in the 1930’s, American exporters selling autos abroad could never be sure whether or not their contracts would be cancelled. For instance, France might agree to buy a certain number of U. S. $1,000 cars, but then find herself short of U. S. dollars to pay for these cars. She would then devaluate the franc, and this would mean that an American car, instead of selling for say 16,000 francs would sell for 30,000 to 40,000 francs. Most French buyers could not afford this price, and the American exporter would lose his customers. Under the Bretton Woods agreement, this kind of currency manipulation would be avoided, because a country finding itself short of American dollars to pay for imports could go to the International Monetary Stabilization Fund and get American dollars in exchange for its own currency. Later on, it would buy back its own currency with American dollars. Thus for­ eign trade would be able to continue without sharp fluctuations caused by currency depreciation. How Much Can The Foreign Market Expand? In 1929, exports of cars and trucks totalled 13.7 per cent of the production of the industry. By 1950, exports can amount to at least 15 percent of the production of the industry, giving employment to at least 150,000 auto workers, on the basis of a greatly expanded industry. In the United States, there are 4 persons per car, compared to 17 in France, 19 in the United Kingdom, 161 in the U. S. S. R., 249 in Brazil, 2,859 in India*and 5,939 people per car in China. In such backward countries as India and China only the very, very rich can afford a car. The International Bank for Reconstruction part of the B. W. agreement would make loans to backward countries for in­ dustrialization. Through industrialization the workers of these countries would have sufficient purchasing power to buy more American cars and other goods. American-made trucks and jeeps have become popular throughout the world during this war. THERE IS NO REASON WHY, ASSURED SUFFICIENT PURCHASING POWER AND A CHEAPER CAR, THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD WILL NOT BE IN A POSITION TO DOUBLE AND TREBLE THEIR PRE-WAR PURCHASES OF AMERICAN AUTOS. Trucks will be particularly needed for postwar reconstruc­ tion of devastated lands. Many foreign countries need to build new roads if they are to buy more cars, and expand their in­ dustry. The International Bank can approve loans for coad building. Henry Morgenthau, secretary of the Treasury, has conservatively estimated that Detroit can export one million cars after the war. THE UAW-CIO believes THAT, WITH THE PASSAGE OF BRETTON WOODS AND DUMBARTON OAKS, ASSUR­ ING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CO­ OPERATION, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPORT A MIL­ LION AND A HALF CARS AND TRUCKS BY 1950. But If We Help Industrialize Others, Won’t They Buy Less From Us? Facts show that the higher the degree of industrialization, the more a country can afford to buy from other countries. It stands to reason hat workers employed in large manufacturing industries get the highest wages, hence can afford to buy our good. Canada and England, the most industrialized countries in the world, are our best customers. Memorial Day 1945 It Can — AND DOES — Happen Here HITLERISM STARTS IN AMERICA Fascism, beaten in Europe, threatens America as numerous small groups menace democracy with anti- racial, anti-religious, anti-union incidents in various communities. That we may not feel too secure against the vile things in Germany that horrified the world, Labor News presents here a few incidents that are happening currently in America TODAY, while our boys give their lives to stamp them out abroad. You may not have seen these items in your daily newspapers. They probably weren’t there. But read them here, in your own newspaper, and read them well. From the indifference that permits them to happen can come a powerful national movement that would set race against race, veterans against labor and foster confusion and hate that would destroy our unions, our democracy and our America. There are no. effective guarantees for a free land except eternal vigilance. — EDITOR. Negro Housing Cite Menaced TRENTON, N. J. (FP) — A blazing 6-foot cross was burned at 10:30 p.m. May 19 on the site of a proposed Negro hous­ ing project here. The cross, constructed of two-by-fours wrapped in kero- sene-soaked burlap bags, was placed on the spot selected for the first of 250 buildings to be built for the housing project. It stood less than 700 feet from the St. Phillip’s Negro Baptist church. More than 150 persons were drawn to the spot by the blazing cross. Officials prom­ ised a complete investigation following protests from out­ raged citizens. James Kearney, publisher of the Trento Times and chairman of the Trenton Committee for Unity, declared: “We expect the local police to prevent any kind of an outrage against the principles for which our fellow citizens are dying on Okinawa. This would appear to be a planned but isolated example of the kind of discrimination which was prevalent a few year ago and which all of us hope will never again become prevalent in America,.” Jewish Church Is Defiled EUGENE, Ore. (FP)—Pol­ ice in Eugen are seeking hood­ lums who desecrated the Jew­ ish synagogue on the campus of the University of Oregon. A reward of $100 has been posted by City Manager Dean Seeger with the authorization of the city council. Police are sure the hoodlums are not childish pranksters. They point to the Nazi insignia scratched on the walls and over the honor roll as proof that the vandals are adults. Ths honor roll lists the names of 14 men and women in the armed forces—members of the Temple Beth Israel con­ gregation. The flag staff was found broken and the eagle at its top was knocked from its place. Altar cloths were torn and the building was defiled in other ways. Eugene resident are indignant over this attack on religious freedom. — Did Manufacturers Approve Writing Race Hatred Tracts? CHICAGO (FP)—-Identified before a state senate committee as the anonymous source of anti-Jewish literature that had been sent to all members of the Illinois general assembly, 64- year-old Ainslee E. Horney ad­ mitted he conferred with an of­ ficial of ’the Illinois Manufac­ turers Assn, before sending out his race hate tracts. Horney, a Chicagoan who calls hims.elf the “Hoosier Pa­ triot,” admitted writing the tracts attacking proposed fair employment legislation as “a Jewish conspiracy to force em­ ployers to employ only Jews and Jew refugees.” During the hearing six or­ ganizations and a score of indi­ viduals were suggested to the committee engaged in unAmer­ ican activities. In addition to Horney’s Hoosier Press and the Citizens U. S. A. Committee, they were the Constitutionl A- mericans, headed by George T. Foster; We, the Mothers, head­ ed by Mrs. Lyrl Van Hyning; various organizations headed by America Firster Gerald L. K. Smith; and the Gentile Co­ operative Assn., headed by Eu­ gene R. Flitcraft. These groups were charged by various witnesses with hav­ ing fomented racial strife, dis­ tributed inflammatory litera­ ture and engaged in other un- American activities. Some were identified as anti-Jewish, oth­ ers as anti-Negro and all were said to have engaged in prop­ aganda against American allies in the war efort. Chicago was described as the center of a large group of unAmerican or­ ganizations which conduct widespread propaganda cam­ paigns against various racial groups. Representatives of the American Legion, the Mayor’s Committee on Race Relations and labor and civic groups tes­ tified. Republicans Kill FEPC in Illinois SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (FP) — Republican members of the Ill­ inois senate judiciary commit­ tee killed a senate bill provid­ ing for a state FEPC by voting 10 to 8 to refer it to a subcom­ mittee. The bill would prohibit job discrimination for race, color, creed or national origin. Only one Democrat voted ag­ ainst it. A similar bill, now pending before the house judiciary com­ mittee, is still alive and has a “fighting chance,” State CIO Vice Fres. Robert Travis, legis­ lative representative, told Fed­ erated Press. It may be sent to the floor of the house with a favorable vote or with no rec­ ommendation, or it may be re­ ferred to a subcommittee. Hitler Methods Are Used On Ohio Merchant UHRICHSVILLE, O. (FP) — Here is a story that has been suppressed in the daily press. On V-E Day, in one of the most disgraceful demonstrations ev­ er staged in Ohio, a mob of this town’s citizens shattered the windows of the store of Sam Goodman, a Jewish merchant, filched his merchandise, paint­ ed his automobile yellow and _ See HITLER METHODS, Ease 2. NASH LOCAL 13 SPORTS SCHEDULE Game Place Sycamore Opponent UAW-AFL No. 182 Date June 4 Baseball June 4 AAA Softball Elm Street Moose June 4 AA Softball Ranney June 5 Baseball June 6 A Softball June 7 AAA Softball Ranney June 7 AA Softball June 8 Baseball June 8 A Softball Time 6:30 8:30 8:30 6.00 MSC Field Great Lakes E. Comstock Main St. Methodists 7:00 8:30 7:15 6:30 7:00 Kings Elm Street Hill Diesel Engine Olds Local No. 652 Sycamore E. Quentin Lansing Stamping Gleason’s Welding Lansing Dairy Manager Hints That Union Is Not Needed There are loyal and disloyal^ employees working in the Lan­ sing Dairy, says the company in a publication put out for em­ ployees, infering that the dis­ loyal ones are those who want to form a union. “With free speech and free press, it sure behooves even the janitor in the front office to walk the straight and narrow path,” Manager Hansen is quoted as saying. “Talking about free speech, there has been considerable of that of late around here, and I am glad to learn that we still have an over­ whelming majority of loyal em­ ployees who are satisfied with our management and opera­ tions. I want to assure our employees that I will at all times see to it that justice and fair play shall prevail and that we always appreciate construc­ tive criticism that is for the best interests of all concerned.” The organizing committee ad­ mits these are fine principles and regrets they are not always practiced. “Just how does Mr. Hansen propose to determine justice and fair play?" they ask. “All by himself, we presume — just like he determines who are loy­ al and disloyal employees and decides whether submitted criticisms are good (for him); and like he decides how to make out our pay checks and like he decides that the janitor in the front office shall walk the straight and narrow." All these decisions are based entirely upon management’s opinion of what is good for the employees without the employ­ ees having anything to say about the matter, said the com­ mittee, pointing out that the union minded workers want the application of representative government principles which give all the people a voice and a vote. CLASSIFIED ADS I WANT TO BUY a bottled gas outfit, including stove or plate and tanks and regulator. See J. M. Fer­ guson Bldg., 32 Tool Room, or phone 50087. FURNACES—New. Also repair parts for all makes. Eavestroughing. Phone 43038. Louis Brethauer. Invest in victory—Buy War Bonds and Stamps. REWORK BY ROY NEWTON NASH LOCAL 13 PARTY. The Nash-sponsor- ed party at Veteran’s Hall last Saturday night was attended by a large crowd of merry mak­ ers. The music was pretty good, and the crowd on the dance floor well-behaved as far as I could see. One young man on the basement floor, however, became slightly confused and got all tangled up in a row of folding chairs. A few bottles and glasses were broken. It sounded worse than it was. BUMPING. Lots of confu­ sion and personnel shifting at Nash as boys and girls are be­ ing laid off in their classifica­ tion and then exercising their plant-wide seniority to bump other jobs. The Employment office men are tearing out their hair. In Final Inspection an augmented force of VA-1 men are kept busy instructing the new arrivals, only to have them bumped out the next day, and the instructing procedure be­ gins all over again. CONFUSION. People were coming and going so fast Tues­ day that you couldn’t tell who belonged in the department and who didn’t. A guy got partly broken in on cam inspec­ tion when it was discovered he had just stepped into the de­ partment to get a drink of water. PEOPLE. Hard for people to settle down to serious work. The German war is over. We have quite an edge over the Japs. War work is being rapid­ ly cut back. Thousands laid off. Total victory is in sight. People are upset and disturbed, but not in an unhappy way; they are restless, wanting to get back into theswing of civilian life. People are trying to de­ cide which way to jump, the younger men weighing cauti­ ously the probabilities of being drafted at the eleventh hour a- gainst the probabilities of los­ ing out on a good job if it isn’t grasped on the moment. Older men are thinking of the compe­ tition with ten million young ex-service men if they wait too long to get peace-time jobs. Women are balancing the ad­ vantages of continued income- producing jobs against the ad­ vantages of a home, marriage, a family. The American civil­ ian population is watching, fig­ uring, wondering, hoping, look­ ing for a secure foothold in the post-war world. auxiliary started, Bro. Ernest Kelford for the part he is playing in advancing the labor movement. Chaard management for be­ ing active i^ getting contracts. Result: a growth from 30 plus to 530 workers, and a growing concern. All locals who hold their meetings at the council hall for the cooperation given the hous­ ing committee, while the hall was being painted. All who will write their rep­ resentatives in Washington to vote to protect all Americans, not the privileged few. Let your elected Representatives know how you feel. Mention their at­ tempt to increase their pay by voting expenses of $10,000.00 for themselves while refusing to recognize the needs of the workers for more pay to meet the rising cost of living, crying that it is inflationary. To me $10,000 ain’t hay. Razzberries to . . . Atlas Management for dis­ charge of employee who was in­ jured. Olds Management for fail­ ure to allow notices on Bulletin Boards that would benefit the workers. Reo Management for at­ tempts and cuts of rates with­ out approval. John Carton for delay on Form No. 10. G. M. Corporation for kick­ ing a fellow when he’s down (George Anderson), especially the fellow they call their law­ yer. Senator Vandenberg, Fergu­ son, Representative Blackney, for their failure to work for the protection of consumer on OPA. All workers who holler a- bout the cost of living — but won’t spend up to 3c to let their elected Representatives know how they feel. This is it. I hope you like it. If you don’t (you’re in a free country) it’s your privil­ ege to holler! Nash Local 13 News Items Louis R. Modzeleski, 2509 Al­ pine Avenue N. W. Grand Rap­ ids, Michigan has accepted a job at the Grand Rapids Plat­ ing Co. after more than three years work in the Cedar Street Plant. The boys wish you good luck in your new venture at Grand Rapids, Louie, and they hope that you will return for a visit now and then. “Larry” Laurence Butler, (564 Hamilton, Lansing) has been a member of Local 13 for three years. He was elected to the Executive Board of the Lo­ cal at the last election in the capacity of Guide. Larry is 29 years of age and the father of two children. He will report for service at Chi­ cagoan, May 31 and has already left the plant for this purpose. Larry states that he is sending his wife and the children to Carson City, where they will live on a farm until his return from the service. ❖ Some one can do a good deed for a War Worker if living in the north part of town and driv­ ing to the Mount Hope plant to work. If there is anyone who would consider giving a lift to a fellow worker, please contact steward Helen Gunn, Dept. 443, 1st shift at the Mount Hope plant. SAFETY PATROLS NEED ASSISTANCE Lansing CIO labor is being requested to help fill the quota for the Lansing School Safety Patrol during the week of June 25-30, 1945. If every worker in the city will give but 50c to this cause they will have been the decid­ ing factor in the success of the drive. CORRECTION Attention all CIO members— Call 2-9621 for information regarding Lansing Dairy driv­ ers instead of the phone num­ ber listed in last week’s paper. And don’t forget— (1) Insist that your Lans­ ing Dairy Milkman carries a CIO Union card. (2) Refuse to continue buy­ ing from him until be becomes a bonafide member. ALL ARCTIC DRIVERS BELONG TO THE CIO. GET YOUR MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM THEM UNTIL YOUR LANSING DAIRY DRIVER BECOMES A MEMBER. THERE IS PLENTY OF MILK NOW — BUY UNION HANDLED MILK. HITLER METHODS (Continued from Page 2) turned it on its back. The chief of police and the mayor stood looking on and let it happen. The trouble began several years ago when Goodman, a father, was deferred by Ms sel­ ective service board. The citi­ zens of the town became openly hostile. When Goodman was fi­ nally inducted, after a petition had been sent to the draft board, the furor died down only to rise again when he re­ ceived a medical discharge six weeks later. On V-E Day the stores of Uh­ richsville closed. Goodman’s store would have been closed too, had not two sales tax of­ ficials appeared that day to audit his accounts. Such an au­ dit was being taken at the mo­ ment that a group of high­ school hoodlums appeared be fore Goodman’s store. They seized upon the open store as final evidence of Goodman’s ‘‘lack of patriotism” and a mob was born. Brickbats and stones shatter­ ed the plate glass windows of the young Jew’s store. The high school students were joined by adults. The mob swirled in the street, venting its fury on Goodman’s property, finally spotting his car at the curb. Someone produced a can of yel­ low paint. Haying painted the car, they turned it over. All the while the police chief stood by. Later the mayor and the county sheriff appeared. When the mob, feeding on its prejudice, threatened personal violence to Goodman, the sher­ iff spirited him away to the senctuary of a jail cell. Good­ man has since left town and his store is being run by his aged father. While the story was suppres­ sed in Ohio newspapers, the Ohio CIO Council reports that it has resulted in a national in­ vestigation. A local minister said that in his opinion the mob had acted on V-E Day exactly as German mobs operated in the early days of Hitler’s rise to power. Game Tickets Admission to the Great Lakes vs. Lansing All-Stars game at Michigan State College next Tuesday, June 5, is $1.20 (60c for servicemen and children).. Tickets may be had at the fol­ lowing places: Olds Local 652, 1122 S. Wash­ ington. Reo Local 650, 13141/2 S. Washington. Motor Wheel Local 182, 914 McKinley St. Merle Sattler, Motor Wheel. Bunny Darcy, Fisher Body. Nash Local 13, 1818 S. Cedar St. Mrs. C. White, Chaard Lab­ oratories. Int’l UAW-CIO office, 109 E. South St. Around The Shops By George Nader BELIEVE ME, OR ? Labor today is facing dan­ gers that have not faced us in so many ways in years. With anticipated lay-offs, there have been attempts by some man­ agements to do as they please, regardless of contract provis­ ions. Most contracts provide for lay-offs, for sick leaves, for in­ jury on the job, for the filling of vacancies, for recalls, etc. Certain firms until the com­ mittees and the International have had a chance to straighten them out peacefully—broke a- greements (or tried) in the fol­ lowing manner: 1—Dicharge of injured employees. 2—Lay-offs of seniority employees, while pets remain on the asumption of higher skill, etc. 3—Recall of people out of line claiming skill or failure to find these in line. 4—Putting new people on higher paid or new jobs, claiming past ex­ perience. 5—Cutting jobs claiming employees earn too much, knowing that is no reason at all. 6—Eliminating jobs to eliminate people who plight not be too agree­ able. 7—Asking for authority to do things contrary to the agreement — claiming they are doing it to keep as many people as possible working, making the committee feel they must agree — to protect their own people. Now I realize that some con­ ditions may arise which will require the parties getting to­ gether—I think the Union has proven it is ready and willing to co-operate. I don’t, however, feel that the Union should give all, to help the Company make more prof­ its at the expense of the em­ ployees. I am confident most committees realize this, and are ready. Others should get ready — if and when — it does come up. I hope every worker — that means you and I and everyone who believes that it isn’t what you get per hour, but what buying value it has—will write their representatives in Wash­ ington. Write them to help make OPA work by increasing appropriations so that a job which may not be perfect but which has helped to keep some price control, can be continued and improved. I know that we all have found fault with OPA. I feel that it could have been much better, but I also feel it has been kicked around for a pol­ itical football and has had no money with which to do a job, or a staff large enough to en­ force a program. We can all seee what would have happened if no OPA had existed, judging with what is going on. Today all big time politicians seem to see eye to eye with the meat packers, middle men, and all others whose profits have been held down by OPA, and there are attempts to destroy its effectiveness, and YOU as a consumer will be the goat. So we must act to protect our­ selves from those whose only aim is — big profits. We must contact our so-called repres­ entatives, and make sure they don’t sell us out. It’s your job to help. To fail is to fail your­ self and your family. Act to­ day, spend 3c and save $$$$. Roses to . . . Vandervoort’s, Lansing and East Lansing. Stewards and Chief Stewards at Nash-Kelvinator plant. Fisher Auxiliary 202, for the splendid job they are doing with their get-togethers Local 93, for getting a ladies’ GM Threatens Demotion Of Unionized Foremen If Election Is Won Foremen at Oldsmobile and Fisher plants this week read in a company publication sent exclusively to members of super­ vision that General Motors would continue to fight unionization of foremen and that even if foremen won an election to deter­ mine whether they were to be represented by a union the cor­ poration would not recognize such democracy and would con­ tinue to fight the union. IF THE UNION WINS OUT ITS MEMBERS WILL NOT BE FOREMEN IN GENERAL MOTORS ANYMORE, SAID GM PRESIDENT C. E. WILSON, IN AN INTERVIEW GRANTED NEWSMEN RECENTLY IN DETROIT. Local General Motors foremen interested in organizing told the Labor News that removal from job was the oldest threat against unions. Federal laws now prevent firing anyone for union activity of any kind, they said, and pointed out that maybe GM could demote unionized foremen and maybe they couldn’t — that remained to be seen — but in any event, it con­ sisted a clear cut attempt to evade the spirit of the law. Intimidation will not discourage organization of foremen who believe that collective bargaining through their own elected rep­ resentatives offers more democracy and more gains for both the companies and supervision that the present hit-and-mostly- miss system of individual begging for occasional favors, the foremen said. They resented implications that their elected representatives, chosen from among themselves, would be “outsiders” sent in to talk for them because they could not talk for themselves. The following stenographic report of the interview Wilson gave the newsmen was printed on the front page of the May issue of EXECUTIVE, corporation publication sent to super­ vision : Question—Mr. Wilson, will General Motors resist the union­ ization of the formen as much as they did previously? Mr. Wilson—Yes. Question—What action will they take; appeal to the courts? Mr. Wilson—Well, I think we will first try to run our business so that our foremen won’t want to join the union. Question—Do you contemplate any change in the supervision of General Motors plants? Barred From Being Foreman? Mr. Wilson—Not unless the foremen are unionized. If the foremen in any of our plants got unionized, then in order to carry out our obligations under the Wagner Act, we would have to change their duties, as far as they are concerned in General Motors. Question—Would that mean a new stratum of supervision? Mr. Wilson—Well, I think that it would mean that you would have to reclassify and regroup your foremen. Those who joined this so-called union would have to be sort of straw bosses or group leaders and could not have any authority or function with the workmen. Question—Mr. Wilson, what would you do with those foremen who are not union-minded? I don’t think you quite finished the reply to that last question, did you? Those that were union- minded would have to be sort of straw bosses, and what about the others? They’d Be Outsiders Mr. Wilson—Well, of course the theory of the National Labor Relations Act is that the whole group would be specified as a proper bargaining unit and would have to go along with the majority. If the majority of the foremen say, “We are not competent to look after our own affairs, we want some outside party to handle our relations with higher management,” then the rest of them are going to be bound by it. Question—Then they wouldn’t be foremen any more, you say? Mr. Wilson—They wouldn’t be foremen in General Motors. Question—Will they perform the same jobs? If I am a fore­ man in your plant now, and join the F.F.A., does my job change tomorrow? Mr. Wilson—Not if you joined the Foremen’s Union, but if the union was designated as the bargaining agency for all that particular group of foremen, that is when the change would occur. Would Fight Elections Question—Let Us put it this way: would General Motors con­ test an election ordered by the NLRB among General Motors foremen? Mr. Wilson—We certainly would. I can answer that for you very definitely. Question—I just wondered, Mr. Wilson, if you have 20,000 foremen and are going to supersede them with something, what is that going to run from a cost accounting angle. Mr. Wilson—It isn’t just the question of how many more people you would' have to hire. It is what would happen to the thousands of factory workers, as far as their discipline is con­ cerned, their instruction on how to do the job, and what I call necessary factory discipline. Any large group of people that are organized for a purpose have to have management and di­ rection. Without that direction you have chaos, you have an­ archy, you get nowhere with them. So the important thing is the loss of over-all efficiency. There are three parts to it: increased cost of the overhead or super­ vision in a less effective organization; the loss of discipline that would occur; and the loss of worker efficiency In the Dtroit Free Press, Malcolm Bingay, in refering to Nazi treatment of American doughboys said, “They were starved, sometimes beaten, always treated brutally,” but the Nazis “did not destroy GIs wholesale.” The newspaper headed the article: “BINGAY SAYS YANKS ESCAPED BRUTALITY." Photo Flashes of the News Bob Feller, Strikeout King of Baseball—And How He Does It Retroactive Increase Is Given Novo Workers of Novo Plant Pro­ tection received their War La­ bor Board Directive granting a 20c increase back to January 1, 1945, it was announced by George R. Nader, International Representative who negotiated the contract and wage agree­ ment. BASEBALL GAME (Continued from Page 1) boys will have a chance to round in shape before the game if we get a little warm weather between now and game time. This should be one of the best local teams that has been put on the field in Lansing i quite some time. He will be able to call upon some outstanding semi-pro and former minor lea­ gue players who can play a very creditable game of ball. Hailed by sports writers for three straight years as the “17th club of the Major Lea­ gues,” Blue Jacket Baseball teams have recorded an impres­ sive reputation among service clubs. Last year’s team, managed by “Mickey” Coachrane, won 48 games while losing to the Ford Motor Comapny at Dear­ born 2-1 and to the Brooklyn Dodgers 7-4. They counted among their victims 7 Major League clubs which included an 8-4 victory against the Ameri­ can League Champions, the St. Louis Browns. This year's team includes such out-standing stars as: Feller, who at the age of 16 years joined the Cleveland In­ dians, on October 2, 1938, he set a new major league record when he struck out 18 Tigers. Feller also has a no hit game to his credit, in the first game of the year in 1940. He retired 27 White Sox players in a row. That year he won 27 and lost 11. In 1941 he won 25 and lost 13. Walker Cooper, who is the Blue Jackets’ catcher, played last year with World’s Cham­ pions St. Louis Cardinals. Three times he was named All-Star catcher in the National League, and he turned in a batting av­ erage of .444 in his three ap­ pearances in that classic. Denny Galehouse, who dur­ ing the 1944 season helped to pitch the St. Louis Browns to the American League Cham­ pionship, may see some action on the mound here. EMPLOYMENT (Continued from Page 1) going to stand for much more of these gestapo methods, and if the unwarranted humiliation of workers is not discontinued, we will ask the Governor to step into the picture.” MacKillican claimed that for many months a series of com­ plaints had been registered against Commission offices, chiefly directed at the activities of less than half a dozen Claims Examiners. These complaints have rang­ ed from charges of unfair rul­ ings to accusations that the Ex­ aminers attempt to intimidate and insult workers seeking job­ less benefits. “Other Claims Examiner can disqualify people and yet by a reasonable expla­ nation and a courteous attitude send them away feeling that they have been fairly dealt with even though they do not like the determination denying them checks. There is no good rea- son why this should not be true of every state agency.” Buy War Stamps CSp. Bob Feller, in charge of the Great Lakes Bluejackets, who will appear here against the Nash-Kelvinator CIO on June 5, shown above in his famous wind-up before he delivers the ball to the plate. At the right, are two close-ups of the way Feller arranges the ball before he lets go of it. Top right shows him gripping the ball in his glove, and bottom right shows the ball in his hand just before it is catapulted toward the batter. Bqjore he entered the Navy, Feller broke twelve major league pitching records, and joined the exclusive fraternity of pitchers who have pitched no-hit games. Since he has been in the Navy he has served twenty-seven months aboard the USS Alabama as a fire control director, and participated in eight major engage­ ments. Union Man's Son Honored "Juke Box Luke" Hits Jackpot With his proud father, Jake L. Lindsey of Industrial, Union of Marine & Shipbuilding Workers (CIO) in attendance, Tech. Sgt. Jake W. Lindsey received the Medal of Honor from Pres. Tru­ —Federated Pictures man at a Joint sesion of congress recently. He is the 100th in­ fantryman to receive the award Above, Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, shakes the hero’s hand after the ceremony while his happy family looks on. Mercy Flights from Germany For eight years Sam Rabbit of Local 65, United Retail, Whole­ sale & Dept. Store Employees (CIO) jotted down scraps of songs as he went about his job as bottlewasher at the Break­ stone Warehouse in New York —Federated Pictures City. So now his song “Juke Box Luke” won a contest and will be plugged on programs sponsored by his boss, the Natl. Dairy Co. — which is a new high in labor-management coopera­ tion. Mural Decorates Union Hall (United Nations Photo) NUMEROUS FRENCH AND BELGIAN prisoners of war, gathered together, fed and housed by the British forces advancing across northern Germany, have been flown back in streams of R.A.F. “Dakota” planes to Brussels in a quick repatriation move. This picture shows one of the British airmen making sure his passengers are comfortable inside his plane during the trip. The entire history of the Natl. Maritime Union (CIO) is depic­ ted in a photo mural which cov­ ers the walls of their newly ded­ icated Roosevelt Hall in the New —Federated Pictures York headquarters. Above, an interested group inspects the section of the mural which shows NMU action following the bomb­ ing of Pearl Harbor. It’s a Date Plan to attend the membership meetings of your local. Here is when and where they meet. OLDS 652—First Friday of month, 7:30 p. m. 118 S. Washington. OLDS AULILIARY 76—First and third Thursdays, 7:30 p. m., 1118 S. Washington. NASH 13 — Second Sunday in month, 10 a. m., 1818 S. Cedar, pre­ ceded by steward’s meeting at 9 a. m. FISHER 602—Second Sunday of month, 6 p. m., 1111 W. St. Joseph St. REO 65j—Meets second and fourth Fridays of month, 7:30 p. m., 1314V2 S. Washington. FISHER AUXILIARY — Second Tuesday of month.