Owned and Published by and for Lansing Labor Phone 2-9621 OFFICE: 109 E. South St. VOL. 1, NO. 15 Lansing Labor News Official Weekly Newspaper of CIO Labor in Lansing MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. LANSING, MICHIGAN — JUNE 21, 1945 Subscribed by a Majority of City War Workers 5c PER COPY $1.50 Per Year by Mail ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY TAKE-HOME PAY MUST BE MAINTAINED WHO DECIDED NASH 40 HOUR WEEK? Wood Pulls An "Avery" On Union Photographic Evidence Did Standard Oil Associates Misrepresent? Workers Soon To Take Cut On Overtime In Local 600 Athletic Event With little aparent concern for war manpower regulations, government agencies, the em­ ployees’ bargaining—committee or even the simple truth — Campbell Wood, general man­ ager of the Nash - Kelvinator propellor division plant here, climaxed a number of recent questionable statements to the press with an arbitrary an­ nouncement last weekend that the plant would cut to 40 hours per week starting July 1. This was without approval of the governmental agencies and even without notification of the union's elected bar­ gaining committee, Nash Lo­ cal 13 officials said. They said these current tac­ tics of defying the government and labor’s elected representa­ tives strongly resembled the tactics used by Sewell Avery of Montgomery Ward in his at­ tempt to sabotage the unions. Union spokesmen claimed the 40-hour week statement was given to the press last Friday, June 15, on the very day a meet­ ing was being held between management and representa­ tives of the Army Air Forces, War Manpower Commission, See NASH 40-HOUR WEEK, Page4 WASHINGTON NEWS NOTES TRAVIS K. HEDRICK For Federated Press and Lansing Labor News By WASHINGTON (FP) — If Americans really want to see the poll tax abolished as a pre­ requisite to the right to vote it can be done if enough of them wire and write their Senators for quick action. The House did its part as ex­ pected June 12, voting 251 to 104 to pass HR 7, knocking out the undemocratic levy still re­ tained in seven of the southern states, Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Mis- sisippi and Tennessee. Bouse liberals were able to get the measure to the floor on­ ly by taking the bill away from the reactionary rules committee, which has for years deliberate­ ly blocked attempts to put lib­ eral legislation before the con­ gress. The path to liberate the southern voter, white and Ne­ gro, from the unfair poll tax was blazed by House members who supported HR 7 and who signed the discharge petition, 218 strong, to force it out of the hands of the rules committee. When the vote came, the min­ ority was unable to swing any­ thing except its own prejudices. A total of 85 Democrate were See WASHINGTON, Page 4 —Federated Pictures Does this German factory appear destroyed? Standard Oil of New Jersey is suing the U. S. for recovery of 2,500 patents seized from the German chemical trust, I. G. Farbenindustrie, as alien property, which they claim to have bought in 1939. Government attempts to obtain documents of the sale as proof of cartel agreements failed when I. G. Farben claimed bombing destroyed their administrative office buildings where records were kept. Yet here are the I. G. Farben administrative office buildings in Frankfort, Germay, ab­ solutely intact and in use as Gen. Eisenhower’s headquarters. AUXILIARIES AROUSED Worker’s Wives Invade Washington to Support OPA Price Control Bill By MRS. DOROTHY McCURDY President Michigan CIO Women’s Auxiliary Council I hope by now that everyone has read the article in last week’s paper entitled “What the CIO Does in Washington About Stop­ ping Higher Prices.” If you did not read this very interesting and important news, I suggest you find a copy of the paper and do so at once. It tells how CIO delegates went directly from Lansing and other cities to Washington to tell Congress­ men to retain price control. Auxiliaries were represented by Mrs. Audrey Jelley, secre­ tary-treasurer of Mich. CIO Women’s Auxiliary Council; Mrs. Catherine Gelles, Interna­ tional secretary-treasurer of the UAW Auxiliaries; Mrs. Florence Casper, president of the Ford Auxiliary and myself. We attended with delegates from different locals through­ out Michigan, a series of meet­ ings with the Michigan Cong­ ressmen. We were glad to have this opportunity to express the news of women regarding this issue. On June 8th our Auxiliary members met with the follow­ ing Congresswomen: Mrs. Nor­ ton of New Jersey, Mrs. Wood­ house of Conn., Mrs. Helen Douglas of Calif., and Mrs. Bol­ ton of Ohio. The following women’s or­ ganizations were also present at the conference: League of Women Shoppers, National Congress of Parents and Teach­ ers, National Council of Negro Women, National Women’s Trade Union League, United Council of Church Women, American Home Economics As- sociation, National Federation of Settlements, National Coun­ cil of Jewish Women, National Council of Catholic Women. American Assocation of Uni­ versity Women and National Education Association. The first thing you noticed on entering the conference room was two market bas­ kets. On one was a sign “1920 —$1.34." This basket contain- See FIGHT PRICES, Page 4 Both AFL, CIO Now Opposing Peacetime Draft WASHINGTON (FP) — The AFL placed itself squarely alongside the CIO and other lib­ eral groups June 13 in opposing peacetime draft legislation. Legislative Rep. Lewis G. Hines noted that advocates of the peacetime conscription mea­ sure had contended that we must be prepared for the future and said, “Preparedness for what? If we are on the brink of another war should we not have the right to know with whom, when and where?” Hines said that from a mili­ tary standpoint it was more important to provide adequate medical care for children “in order that they may be fit to serve their country upon reach­ ing maturity.” ADVERTISING SALESMAN WANTED This paper needs several part or full time advertising salesmen. Liberal commis­ sions. If interested phone the editor for appointment at 2-9621 or 4-9788. MAKE EVERY PAY DAY WAR BOND DAY STOP SPENDING—SAVE DOLLARS REED SAYS Anti-Russian Propaganda Is Needless Commenting on the wave of false anti-Russian propaganda being started currently in the American press, Dean Reed, Lansing PAC director, had the following to say: “Let no American be disturb­ ed by Russia’s great power, for our nation need fear no nation. Fear can create the evil it fears. Roosevelt knew what he was talking about when he said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. “The Russian system has pro­ duced a strong, happy and unit­ ed people, economically indepen­ dent. Russian youth has been trained from infancy to do the thing that is best for the group. This is a lesson we must learn, if we are to have a true democ­ racy. “Rugged individualism must give way to cooperative helpful­ ness.” League Formed For Ex-Marines By LAYTON M. AVES Chief of Staff Ex-marines, are you still in­ terested in the corps? Did you know you can still be an active part of it? Lansing has organized its own league and is now accept­ ing members. If you have ever been a marine or a marine wo­ mans reserve you are eligible to become a part of our organiza­ tion. We need and want men and women who are proud of the corps they served in. Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Thurs­ day of each month, at 200 East Grand River, Legionnaire club. Why not inquire or come to one of our meetings. It will not in­ terfere in your present veteran affiliations. You know when we “Leather­ necks” get together we certainly have a lot in common to> talk about. This isn’t just a social club, it has a purpose. You will find out if you inquire or attend our meeting. Any information can be sup­ plied by Adjutant Jeane Row­ den, phone 23607, 1008 E. Main street. “Once a marine — always a marine.” Dance Saturday At Council Hall The Dairy Workers Auxiliary will hold their first summer dance this Saturday, June 23, at the Lansing CIO Council hall, 109 E. South Street. Recently attractively redecor­ ated, the hall will provide ample space for a good time. Dancing will start at 9 p.m. and last un­ til 1 a.m. Refreshments will be served. Tickets, priced at 50c, will be on sale at the door. All CIO members and their friends are invited. With the current announ­ cement from Nash - Kelvin­ ator of 40-hour weeks to start soon, labor is abruptly re­ minded that workers are fac­ ing a serious slash in pay that soon may affect many more Lansing factories. The Lansing Labor News, believ­ ing immediate basic pay in­ creases one of the most vital needs of labor to offset the impending shorter work weeks which will and should continue after the war, will lend fullest editorial cooper­ ation in the fight to main­ tain the workers' weekly in­ come, maintain his standard of living and maintain purch­ asing power in the commun­ ity. Basic pay rates must be raised. — Editor. By IRVING RICHTER Natl. Legis. Rep., UAW-CIO We have always been sympa­ thetic to the idea of giving more money to members of Congress. A Congressman’s job is an im­ portant and difficult one if a man is conscientious. It is also expensive, if a man is honest. But we hope that if Congress accepts President Truman’s sug­ gestion that they add 15% to their $10,000 salary, this will not be used for a Congressional excuse to keep the workers straddled with the Little Steel formula. The cost of bare living takes all of the wage earner’s income. It doesn’t take all of a $10,000 salary. HERE IS HOW IT CAN BE DONE President Truman and Judge Vinson have repeated their stand against a general wage in­ crease now. It will take pressure on Congress, on state and local officials—including Democratic party and Republican party of­ ficials—and on Truman himself, to get action so that take-home pay can be maintained through an increase in basic wage rates. The result of concerted pres­ sure was demonstrated by the statement released to the press and put into the Congressional Record by the six Democratic representatives from Michigan —after two big CIO representa­ tive delegations had seen them. “For the cut-backs and lay offs now taking place, we recommend emergency unem­ ployment compensation—ex­ panded benefits and expand­ ed coverage. We recommend immediate revision upward of the basic wage scales in or­ der to offset the reduction of overtime. To take up the slack in purchasing power there must be no loss in take- home pay." Maybe he came in last, but 78-year-old Tom Brown got a prize anyway—for being the oldest contestant in the Natl. Amateur Union’s 25 kilometer walk sponsored by Detroit’s UAW-CIO Local 600. He is shown here receiving his trophy from the local’s recreation director, John Gallo. —Federated Pictures 144 Hours Vacation Pay Asked For 5-Year Employees of GM General Motors employes covered by the UAW-CIO will re­ ceive up to 144 hours vacation pay if the the WLB grants a pro­ posed schedule of vacaton pay and other benefits. When Russell White and Alvin Taylor of Olds Local 652 re­ turned from their recent trip to Washington, they brought the Labor News a copy of the un­ ion’s proposal, which they said had been presented to the WLB June 6. An answer is expected inside of a few more weeks and whatever is received will be paid in July or August. It is not known what will be granted, but the proposal inclu­ ded requests for the following: Vacation pay according to minimum seniority July 1 as follows: 6 months.... 24 hours pay 1 year . .. ... ....... 48 hours pay 1 1/2 years ......... 60 hours pay 2 years ............ 72 hours pay 21^ years ...... 84 hours pay 3 years _____ 96 hours pay 3 1/2 years....... 108 hours pay 4 years...... . 120 hours pay 4 1/2 years ......... 132 hours pay 5 years ........ ... 144 hours pay The vacation pay is to be based on the employe’s rate of pay July 1, 1945, including overtime and night shift prem­ iums, and total seniority in all General Motors plants in which he has worked will count in the plant where he now works. Navy Men Visit Local 13 Friends Auto Parts Firm Starts Own Strike CHICAGO (FP) — Automo­ tive and aviation parts manu­ facturers are staging a sitdown strike against OPA, the United Auto Workers (CIO) executive board charged here. Observing that the Automo­ tive & Aviation Parts Man­ ufacturers Inc. has “threatened to withhold civilian output un­ less OPA ceiling prices for auto parts are increased above their 1942 levels in the reconversion period,” a resolution adopted by the board said: “Wage rates have risen by no more than 5% and the cost of raw materials by an even smaller percentage since 1942, when high profit margins prevailed in the indus­ try. Such an unscrupulous sit- down strike would be for price levels to bring profits far in ex­ cess of those prevailing in 1942 and break OPA controls on the prices on all civilian products.” The board called on the Jus­ tice Dept. to investigate the AAPM and also demanded re­ peal of provisions of the “pres­ ent tax law which could be used for the payment of huge profits out of tax funds to corporations whose plants have been deliber­ ately shut down.” FOR SALE—New, modern small home in Williamston. Lot 47x180. City water and gas. Newly decorated. Terms, $500 or more down, balance on contract. See D. V. Palmer, 625 N. Putman St., Williamston. Navy men Louis Seyka and Ed “Blackie” Abraham visited Local 13 friends at the Mt. Hope Nash plant last Friday. They are on a 9-day furlough following boot training at Great Lakes. “Blackie” just missed out on an additional course—for in­ structor of physical training. All hands show evidence of much rowing. In wishing them the best of luck, we hope they will never have to make use of that particular skill. The CIO will start a massive campaign in the field for raising basic wages and winning a gu­ aranteed annual wage. President Truman has his ear to the ground—the political ground. If enough local people—including precinct, county and state Dem­ ocratic party chairmen and Re publican party chairmen—pub­ licly support the demand for in­ creasing basic wage rates, both parties in Congress will jump on the bandwagon, and President See TAKE HOME PAY, Page 4 LANSING LABOR NEWS, INC. MAIL ADDRESS: P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. OFFICE: 109 E. South St. — Phone 2-9621 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), Arthur Chappell (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.), Mrs. Evelyn Moss, Mrs. 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. Notes on news not written up but containing complete names and all the facts are acceptable too. Mail all contributions to Lansing Labor News, P. O. Box 657, Lansing 3, Mich. GUEST EDITORIAL What Will the Boys Think? “Just wait until the boys come home — then see what you’ll get for striking in wartime,” prate certain industrialists through their newspaper mouthpieces. Headlines in the papers give the impression that labor has lost about 50 per cent of its worktime through strikes instead of less than a tenth of one per cent. We believe we are a Chritian nation. We give Almighty God beautiful lip servce and we inscribe our dollars — which we also love—with the high-sounding phrase, “In God we trust.” Perhaps the phrase applied more to our founding fathers. We moderns trust more in our great economic system, whose mainspring is selfishness—directly opposite from the teachings of Christ. We have been taught that elfishness (called individual init­ iative, perhaps) is the only spiritual force strong enough to make men accomplish much. A man capable of looking his dying mother in the face while planning how to get more than his share of her estate is regarded as a hard-headed, practical business man, a worthy model for American youth to follow. Why, then, be shocked if labor, following the example set by capital, attempts to feather its own nest while feathers are handy? When our boys left home to fight the physical foes of de­ mocracy abroad, they left to their fathers and brothers the two­ fold job of supplying them with modern war machinery and guarding the home front against American fascism. Yes, the constanat anti-Russian, anti-negro, anti-Jewish and anti-labor propaganda in America indicates we, ourselves, are in greater danger from fascism than most of us realize. With all due allowances for the unthinking selfishness of many workers, labor’s actual record of achievement and patri­ otic sacrifice compares favorably with that of capital. Fifty or sixty dollars a week is considered too much wages for workers, and capital proposes to reduce it by cutting out overtime; but when Roosevelt proposed to limit personal incomes to $480 a week ($25,000 a year) did capital jump at the chance for soul growth that such a self-sacrifice would afford? The idea wasn’t even considered. Furthermore, it was made clear to Uncle Sam that war con­ tracts would not be interesting unless increased profits were guaranteed. There are still loud squeals for “tax relief” al­ though net profits in 1944 AFTER PAYING ALL TAXES were more than double those of 1939. To sum up: our boys have been drafted to risk their lives for democracy, while labor has had to fight constantly to preserve its constitutional rights. No practical effort has been made to draft capital or limit its profits properly. When the boys come home, will they believe the propaganda they have been fed, or will they listen to their fathers and bro­ thers who worked in the plants or helped the unions fight Am­ erican fascism and maintain wages and working conditions? Just what will they think, anyway? —Ernest Smartweed. Lawmakers Chaplain Assails Lobbyists SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FP) — Faces of big business lob­ byists in the assembly here turned a deep shade of red when they heard their activities denounced by the official chaplain, Torrance Phelps, in his opening prayer at a recent morning ses­ sion of the California lawmakers. The lobbyists, who have killed every effort at liberal legis­ lation this session, sat in embarrassed silence as Phelps prayed for the “moral and spiritual welfare of the people in the gallery and the representatives of the special business and professional men who gather here.” "May they always remember," he said, “that Hitlerism began with the illicit greed of selfish industrialists, and may we have the moral stamina to stand against the pres­ sure that would alter the destiny of California" Soviet Labor Leader Visits U. S. Factory NEW YORK (FP) — Soviet labor leader Mikhail Tarasov got a first-hand look at how an American war plant works in an inspection tour of the Sperry Gyroscope Co. as the guest of labor and management. Stopping here briefly on his way home from the San Fran­ cisco conference, where he was an official delegate, Tarasov spent several hours inspecting the plant, escorted by R. E. Gil­ more, Sperry’s president, and Business Rep. George Rooney of Local 450, United Electrical Ra­ dio & Machine Workers (CIO). The white-haired labor lead­ er, who is secretary of the All­ Union Central Council of Trade Unions of the USSR, also ad­ dressed a meeting of 100 UE shop stewards at the plant, an­ swering their many questions about how unions work in Rus­ sia. FISHER AUXILIARY No. 202 At the regular monthly meet­ ing, held Tuesday, June 12, at the Fisher hall, Mrs. Dorothy McCurdy gave a report on her trip to Washington, where she lobbied on the Price Control Act and also attended the Board meeting of the Congress of Wo­ men’s Auxiliaries. Everyone present wrote a card to Representative Black- ney urging him to vote for the Price Control Act with no weak­ ening amendments and full ap­ propriations. The Auxiliary is also writing letters on the Lanham Act, as we feel there is a definite need for child care centers and a school lunch program. Following the business meet­ ing bunco was played. Mrs. Alta Steward and Mrs. Minnie Mc­ Curdy won the prizes. Refresh­ ments were also served. There will be a special meet­ ing Tuesday, June 26, at 8 p.m. at the hall. All members are urged to attend. Staff Sgt. Louis Gray (Dor­ othy McCurdy’s brother) has been transferred from the troop carrier command to the air transport command, and is now in Trinidad, South America. Lt. Jack Eno is now stationed at Lincoln, Neb. His wife and baby daughter are visiting him there. DAIRY AUXILIARY The Dairy Workers Women’s Auxiliary met June 14 at the home of Etta Kenyons for its fifth meeting, with a large at­ tendance. We held a raffle to help our treasury, and the winner was Ruth Sherman. The girls also volunteered to help out our union in planning a party or dance, which is going to be held in the near future. We all wrote cards to Rep. Blackney on the Price Control Act. We usually stage some enter­ tainment and a lunch after each meeting, but this time we were all entertained by our husbands, who took us to Round Lake. Pfc. Charles J. Clark of the marines, is now serving over­ seas, helping with the invasion of Okinawa, was the word re­ ceived by his wife, Shirley. Mrs. Marjorie Adcock just be­ came a member. Mrs. Adcock’s husband is serving in Czechoslo­ vakia. Punish Them Now! What About Behind-the-Scenes War Criminals? WHERE ARE THE MASTER MINDS — the unadvertised anti-labor, anti - Germany, anti-Russian and anti-democracy directors of industry and bank­ ing who staked Hitler and his gang to destroy unions and freedom ? Is it to be business as usual with them — or do they get arrested and placed on trial, too ? — Editor. WHAT THE READERS WRITE Letters intended for publication should avoid personal attacks and fac­ tional union politics. Statements in any letter do not necessarily express the views of this paper or of any CIO administration. To the Editor: Dean Reed’s article about de­ fending Negros’ rights reminds me of a true story. It happened before the auto­ mobile did, when a trip to town in the lumber wagon was a real event in the life of many a farm boy and when few Negros lived in Michigan. Young Frank has never seen one, but had often heard folks talk about “niggers” without getting any clear idea of what they meant. One day he rode to town with a neighbor and re­ turned much excited at what he had seen. “Oh, Ma! Ma!" he shout- ted, “A nigger’s a man! A nigger’s a man!" Every white nigger-denounc­ ing jackass in the country needs to have that fact rubbed into him everlastingly. The continu­ ed rapid growth of the CIO with its well known stand on the race question is one of the bright spots in the precent situation. —Stacy Brown Atlanta CIO-AFL Recommends City Improvements ATLANTA, Ga. (FP) — Or- ganized labor and the Chamber of Commerce jointly called on the city of Atlanta and the county commission to take im­ mediate steps on a program of major public improvements. In letters to the mayor and commission chairman, the heads of the local AFL, CIO and met­ ropolitan planning committee of the Atlanta C of C and asked that a committee be formed to plan urgently needed improve­ ments and issue bonds to fi­ nance the program. The group proposed projects in transportation and parking, schools, hospitals, public build­ ings, parks and playgrounds and airports with a maximum use of federal aid. All political bound ary lines must be erased, they said, suggesting that members of the committee be selected from business, civic and labor groups which can enlist the united effort of the community. butter. Canned goods were also short in some lines. Some of the stores lacked canned peaches, 50 per cent canned pears, 72 canned pineapple, but only 2 per cent had no canned milk. AFL Shipyarders Vote to Strike LOS ANGELES (FP) — An overwhelming vote was cast by members of the AFL Metal Trades Council in 10 harbor area shipyards to protest failure to grant them an 11.6 % wage differential for ship repair work. Voting for the strike in bal­ loting conducted by the NRLB under the Smith-Connally act were 2,658 workers, with 196 against. Of 3,873 workers de­ clared eligible to vote, 2,870 cast ballots. Survey Shows Meat Shortage Is Widespread WASHINGTON (FP) — If figures are needed to demon­ strate that there is a shortage of meat, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Dept. of Labor had them available May 2. From a study of independent retailers in 56 large cities, BLS showed that on April 17, 83 per cent of the stores had no veal, 55 per cent no beef, 80 per cent no pork, loins or hams, but only 7 per cent were without franks and bologna. In the fats and oils field, 30 per cent had no shortening and 26 per cent lacked lard, while only 6 per cent couldn’t supply A Reactionary’s Prayer Your Dollar By Consumers Union Phonograph Needles In a preliminary report on phonograph needles the May issue of Consumer Reports rates seven brands of “perman­ ent” needles on the basis of extensive laboratory tests. The report follows a year’s work by the Consumer’s Union technical staff on the develop­ ment of methods of test to de­ termine : 1—Relative wear on the rec­ ords caused by the different needles. 2—Relative merit with res­ pect to tone reproduction. 3—The number of records each needle can play. Wear on records was consid­ ered the most important factor in the ratings. Of the seven brands tested, top rating was given to the FI- DELITONE, which sells for 50c and to the FIDELITONE De LUXE, selling for $1. Both of these could be used satisfact­ orily for about a thousand play­ ings with the average phono­ graph pick-up arm. The Pfanstiehl needle ($1.50) was found in the tests to cause more record wear than the FI­ DELITONE needle though it was satisfactory in other res­ pects. Two needles out of the seven rated in the preliminary report were considered by CU technicians to be “not accept­ able” because they caused ex­ cessive record wear in the tests. These were the Walco Genu­ ine Sapphire ($1) and the Rec- oton Sapphire ($5). Six needles of each brand ra­ ted were (tested. Sadowski Is on Committee for Employment WASHINGTON (FP) — For­ mation of an executive commit­ tee composed of congressmen from among the 72 co-sponsors of the full employment bill (HR 2202) was announced June 12 by Rep. Wright Patman (D., Tex.) original sponsor of the measure. Rep. George E. Outland (D., Cal.) is chairman of the commit­ tee, composed of Reps. Andrew Biemiller (D., Wis.), Walter Brehm (R., O.), John Fogarty (D., R. I.), W. K. Granger (D., Utah), Estes Kefauver (D., Tenn.), M. M. Neely (D., W. Va.), Mary T. Norton (D., N. J.), Luther Patrick (D., Ala.), G. G. SADOWSKI (D., Mich.), and Charles R. Savage (D., Wash.) Patman is ex-officio chairman. Outland said the committee will work to enlist additional support for the bill in and out of congress and set up subcommit­ tees to aid its work. "The idea that we can have full employment in peace as in war and with rising standards of living and freedom has cap­ tured the imagination of the American people,” Outland said. “Because we are- now the world’s greatest industrial power, full employment here at home is the very foundation of world pros­ perity, fair dealing and lasting peace.” It’s a Date ...YOUR DOLLAR is a regular fea­ ture. The facts and opinions are based on Consumer Reports, the monthly magazine of Consumers Union, 17 Un­ ion Sq., New York 3, N. Y., a non­ profit organization whose main ob­ ject is to safeguard buyers by testing and reporting on consumer goods. Montgomery Ward Fooled by Avery Washington (LPA) — Sewell Avery, the nation’s number one labor-hater, “disguised and hid” from Montgomery Ward stock­ holders the real issues in the War Labor Beard dispute, it was charged here last week by the Nat’l Committee to Protect Labor Rights of Montgomery Ward Workers. Avery’s contention that “Ward’s bargains in good faith with any union which represents a majority of its employes” was challenged in the Committee’s reply that “of about 25 units for 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 AUXILIARY 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. REO 650—Meets second and fourth Fridays of month, 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 Thurs­ day of month, 5 p. m., corner Porter and High St. DAIRY UNIT 93—Meet 7:30 p.m., second Friday of month, 109 E. South St., at CIO Council Hall. which unions . . . have certified as representing a majority of the employes, not a single con­ tract has been signed.” able contributor, readers will recognize that accidents can happen and will look forward to seeing George back with us next week. Douglas Cutback LOS ANGELES (FP)—Put­ ting a No. 1 priority on post­ war planning, Asst. CIO Re­ search Director Sanford Gold- ner revealed here that Douglas Aircraft Corp. has eliminated its third shift and has warned the union that employment will be cut in half. Buy War Stamps Around The Shops By George Nader EDITOR’S NOTE — George Nader’s popular column, un­ doubtedly due to circumstances beyond his control, was unable to meet the printer’s deadline and couldn’t be included in this issue. Since Nader has been the paper’s most prompt and depend­ ORGANIZED LABOR: A GROWING FACTOR IN U. S. LIFE BUY WAR BONDS THEY ARE ORGANIZED National Manufacturers Spent Nearly Two Million To Lobby and Fight Unions By BETTY GOLDSTEIN NEY YORK (FP) — The Natl. Association of Manufacturers spent close to $2 million in 1944 on its postwar campaign to destroy unions, get rid of government controls and insure for the big monopolies and unchecked race for profits and world domination. THEY FURNISHED THESE FACTS Details of the propaganda, lobbying and organizational ac­ tivities big business has been carrying on to sell its program to the public and arm its members against labor and the gov­ ernment were revealed in the NAM’s yearly statement of income and disbursements, “HOW YOUR NAM DOLLAR WAS SPENT IN 1944.” Last year the NAM took in from its members $1,890,038.96. It spent $538,581.95 on broad propaganda activities, excluding union-fighting. Disguised in the statement as “services on behalf of industry,” this included the NAM’s high-powered manipu­ lation of newspapers, radio, movies, school, church, women’s clubs and farm groups to get across its “free enterprise” pro­ gram and “the soundness of management’s position on current issues and management’s good faith and good motives.” TAX RELIEF FOR THE GREEDY The statement gives the NAM credit for “providing the ma­ chinery for development and promotion of a sound federal fiscal policy,” a reference to the 1944 tax bill, passed over labor’s pro­ test and condemned by Pres. Roosevelt as “providing relief not for the needy but for the greedy.” The NAM also boasts that its work put over the social security tax freeze in Congress, preventing the building up of the funds needed to tide workers over the reconversion period. It spent $67,994.41 on these two legislative aims a- lone. Another $98,747.28 was spent on working up sentiment for “relaxation or removal of wartime controls.” “sound procedures in terminating war contracts” and “marshalling business sup­ port responsible for the many developments in the Price Con­ trol Act and its administration.” SABOTAGE OPA PRICE CONTROL This last confirms NAM backing of the intensive lobbying throughout the past year to sabotage OPA and the price control law, which labor has warned would cut deeply into workers’ wages by forcing sky-high prices during reconversion. NAM’s foreign trade program, which favors cartels and opposes the Bretton Woods plan for international economic cooperation, took another sizable sum. Aids to management in fighting unions, getting around the NLRB and War Labor Board, keeping up company un­ ions and refusing wage demands were scattered over such items as “Law Dept.” and “Industrial Relations Services,” costing $163,492.53. NAM members were given weekly tips on the latest court and WLB decisions providing possible loopholes in collective bargaining procedure. “Member re­ quests for such information reached a new high during the year,” the statement said. CLOSE TO FEDERAL OFFICES Insight into the NAM’s methods for getting big business’ point of view heard in Washington is given in the description of the Washington office and administrative expenses, which ate up close to $500,000. “NAM cooperates closely with federal departments and agencies concerned with prosecution of the war and transition and postwar problems,” the statement said. “NAM offcers and committee chairmen in addition to close contacts with individual government officials and congressmen, participated in literally scores of hearings before, or conferences with, government departments, boards and commissions.” FIGHTING FULL EMPLOYMENT In its last annual convention in December 1944, the NAM resolved to intensify its fight against the NLRB, WLB, OPA FEPC, Securities and Exchange Commission and legislative protection of labor, controls on profits, nonopoly practices and foreign trade. It also declared war on the administration’s full employment program and announced plans to “counter-act” labor’s political action. That’s how the NAM dollar will be spent in 1945. Montgomery Ward Clerks In Kansas Get Raises WASHINGTON (FP)—The Natl. War Labor Board upheld its Denver board May 1 in granting maintenance of mem­ bership, time and a half for overtime, and wage increases of from 3 to 14c an hour for workers in Montgomery Ward & Co.’s store at Pueblo, Colo. The Retail Clerks Intl. Pro­ tective Assn. (AFL) represents the 72 employes. Labor Candidates In Minneapolis Swamp Election MINNEAPOLIS (FP) — Lib­ eral and progessive forces here scored a sweeping victory in electing Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr., as mayor and winning a lib­ eral majority in the city coun­ cil, which had been deadlocked for two years. Labor-indorsed candidates for the school board also carried with a decisive majority. Outstanding was the victory of Mrs. Nellie Stone, Negro can­ didate for the library board, who is the first Negro ever elected to city office in Minneapolis. An elevator operator, Mrs. Stone is vice president of her local of Hotel & Restaurant Employees Intl. Alliance (AFL) and has been active in its educational and political work. Warlime Living By Betty Goldstein for FP THE MEAT SHORTAGE In 1943-44, when hogs swamp­ ed the yards at every packing center, the packers wailed they did not have enough workers to slaughter and process the hogs fast enough. The packers were right but they were wrong too, the union says, because there would have been enough labor had the packers upped wages. Instead they would not budge an inch, so a farmer’s hogs were often held over, losing weight and falling in price. Hog farmers could do noth­ ing but reduce their next pig crop—a 28% cut in the 1944 spring pig crop and a 33% cut in the fall pig crop. Those small crops are now felt in the general meat shortage. And the packers, whose low wage policies in 1944 meant less meat in 1945, are now trying their best to break the price control act in Washington so they can clean up on a rise in meat prices. Their wartime pro­ fits broke all records but they want a guarantee of still higher prices in the year to come. Meanwhile, Price Adminis­ trator Chester A. Bowles warns that you’ll be able to buy only about 60 pounds of meat during 1945 with your ration points and even less if you live in a meat shortage area. SHOES The shoe shortage is getting worse. Only 1 3/4 pairs per per­ son this year, as compared with the prewar supply of 2^ pairs. About one-third of the indus­ try’s materials and manpower is going into military shoes. The industry suffers from leather shortages, labor shortages and lining shortages as well as shortages of brass eyelets, shoe laces and even boxes. Women will also find it more and more difficult to get soles half-soled. CANNED GOODS Go easy on canned goods. The shortage is getting worse. Car­ ryover for next year will be on­ ly 20 million cases of canned fruits, vegetables, juices and catsup, compared to 36 million cases a year ago and 61 million two years ago. With govern­ ment needs higher than ever, canned goods available to civil­ ians will be sharply reduced, es­ pecially vegetables and fruits. BLANKETS Wool blanket supplies for ci­ vilians are dwindling to the low­ est level of the war period. The government’s requirements are so heavy that the industry can meet only half of its needs. Re­ BUT CO. STALLS Army Okays Montgom’ward Pay Boosts CHICAGO (FP) — A court decision upholding government seizure of Montgomery Ward & Co. properties released the brakes on wage increases and other benefits for Ward em­ ployees. Immediately following the court decision, which upset a lower court ruling that the sei­ zure was illegal, the army an­ nounced it would carry out all the terms of the executive order under which it took over opera­ tion of Ward properties. These terms include a Natl. War Labor Board directive or­ dering the company to meet de­ mands of the United Retail Wholesale & Dept. Store Em­ ployees (CIO) for minimum weekly wages, back pay, main­ tenance of membership and dues checkoff. Refusal of the mail order com­ pany to comply with the direc­ tive led to government seizure of Ward properties in seven cities last December. Provisions of the WLB directive were not enforced pending legal outcome of the dispute. Despite the new army an­ nouncement, there were indica­ tions that the WLB directive might again be held up by Ward’s request for a 30-day stay of the court decision. The com­ pany intends to fight the case to the U. S. supreme court and it is believed that the appeal may automatically freeze the present status of the case. tail stores are already very short of blankets and their stocks will probably be sold out by fall. FISH Meat and egg shortages have created the greatest demand in history for fish. Fresh fish will be more plentiful this year than in 1944 but canned fish will be scarce. Heavier buying by the armed forces will leave only a fifth of the 1945 salmon, sar­ dine, sea herring and mackeral packs for civilians. PHONES Restrictions on the production of telephones have been lifted by WPB. This means telephone companies may begin to fill some of the backlog of applica­ tions for phones. But service will still be hampered by the scarcity of switchboards and other facilities. Our Job Is to Save Dollars Buy War Bonds Every Pay Day Rollon Eggs Served Patients —Federated Pictures This truckload of rotten eggs, hastily buried when investiga­ tion was ordered, is only one evidence of the bad conditions ex­ isting at Millegeville (Ga.) State Hospital. Yet, when the CIO regional office exposed the sordid story in the public interest, state investigators, despite photographic evidence, signed affi­ davits of doctors and hospital employes and the evidence of their own eyes, whitewashed the vermin-ridden hospital and turned their report into an attack on labor unions. IT WON’T LAST Parade Today Opens (and Closes) City’s Newest Taxi Service Lansing’s newest, slowest and most uncomfortable taxi ser­ vice will make its first trips today (Thursday), after which it is expected the drivers will immediately quit — even before peo­ ple have a chance to line up and refuse rides. The rolling stock in the new firm consists of five late model (or fairly late) wheelbarrows, which shows how devastating the effects of war can be. Yet so great is the demand for transportation from several passengers that they have been on the waiting list for days or maybe weeks and are practical­ ly drooling in anticipation of their first rides in these deluxe jobs. This intriguing venture — or adventure— had its origin in a wager between union and com­ pany officials at the Cedar Street Nash-Kelvinator plant and union and company offi­ cials at the Mt. Hope Nash plant. Each group bet the other a wheelbarrow ride their own plant would sell the most war bonds in the current drive. The Mt. Hope gang lost—by a rather wide margin, ’tis said —and the winners are people who definitely, this time, can be pushed around. Consequently a victory par­ ade has been scheduled to leave the Mt. Hope plant at 3:35 this p.m. (Thursday) and procede to the Cedar St. plant, with the following among those sched­ uled to “drive” and to ride in the lowly taxis: Emil Rohrbach, Mt. Hope plant manager, will push John Miller, Cedar street plant manager; John Haru- ska, Mt. Hope union commit­ teeman, will push Ray Swart, Cedar St. committeeman; Howard “Tiny” Veitch of the Mt. Hope division will shove Ed Radtke of Cedar St. And there will be others in the event — whether they know it or not. The parade will be a colorful event, headed by Ernest Kellar, Nash plant manager, and Paul Gardner, Local 13 president. Next will be flag bearers, then the wheelbarrows, a truck with a full band, Local 13 girls car­ rying placards appropriately advertising the affair and then other members of the union. The parade will disband at the Cedar plant—the ceremony will finish and the taxi oper­ ators will hastily disolve their firm. TAKE-HOME PAY (Continued from Page 1) Truman will see the wisdom of changing his policy. He himself has recognized that unless purchasing power is maintained, there will not be full employment. Purchasing power is not being maintained, with prices going up, with heavy cutbacks setting in and pay en­ velopes getting thinner with the loss of overtime pay. Our wage fight has become the fight to maintain employ­ ment and prevent depression. It is the concern of the entire com­ munity. It is the responsibility of the CIO, the best organized group in the community, to bring the issue squarely before every section of every commun­ ity. This issue will be the num­ ber one job for every member and every officer of every CIO organization in the country. WASHINGTON (Continued from Page 1) joined by 19 Republicans against the bill, with most House Re­ publicans joining with liberal Democrats for the measure. Leading opponents were, of course, the same anti-labor bloc that figures in every fight on peoples’ issues. Standing up for the retention of the poll tax were Rep. Howard W. Smith (D., Va.), Eugene Cox (D., Ga.), John Rankin (D., Miss.), Jesse Sumner (R., Ill.), Robert Rich (R., Pa.), Hatton Sumners (D., Texas) and Clare Hoffman (R., Mich.). One liberal southern congress­ man, Rep. Luther Patrick (D., Ala.) took the floor to challenge those who claimed the bill was an attack on the south by Yankees. Patrick, representing Birmingham, told his colleagues that “less than half of the chil­ dren in the schools of the south have parents who can vote. Out of 14 million people old enough to vote, only 3 million voted in the last presidential election. A great majority of the disfran­ chised citizens are white,” he said. Replying to charges by Rep. Rankin that the bill was “com­ munist inspired,” Patrick asked of the House believed the 224 members who voted to bring the bill up to a vote “were inspired by communist ideas.” He said, “There is a new south rising. The average southerner today is far more progressive than the south­ ern office holders.” AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE DEMON­ STRATED TO THE ANGUISH OF THESE SOUTHERN OF­ FICE HOLDERS ONCE THE POLL TAX IS ABOLISHED. NASH 40-HOUR WEEK (Continued from Page 1) War Production Board and Lo­ cals. 13 and 149—supposedly to discuss what to do in case of another cutback. Wood evidently believes democratic discussion should be preceded by dictatorial action. At the meeting management denied there would be any im­ mediate cutback or any reduc­ tion in the work week, said bar­ gaining committee members. That was Friday. Saturday the local daily car­ ried the announcement by Wood about the 40-hour work week, and Sunday the story appeared about the new. cutbacks which management had denied at the meeting Friday. This was a bit too much for union Local 13 officials to pass off lightly. A telegram was dispatched to Richard T. Frankensteen requesting an in­ vestigation of the action of WPB in notifying management of a cutback prior to the “sim­ ultaneous announcement” sup­ posedly required by WPB reg­ ulations. Dairy Workers Wives Elect Aux. Officers Newly elected officers of the Dairy Workers Women’s Auxil­ iary are as follows: RUTH SHERMAN, President EVELYN MOSS, Vice-Presi­ dent ETTA KENYON, Rec. Secre­ tary WILMA CHAMBERLAIN, Fin. Secretary SHIRLEY CLARK, 1 year Trustee HAZEL PERKINS, 2 year Trustee VIVIAN BRENNAN, 3 year Trustee Delegates to Lansing CIO Council: Chamberlain, Sherman, Moss, Kenyon. Delegates to Lansing Labor News: Moss and Kenyon; alter­ nates, Chamberlain and Bren­ nan. More Alphabet Soup Served Washington (LPA) — Fred Perkins, labor reporter for the 17 Scripps-Howard newspapers, returned to Washington from Detroit with a red-and-white badge in his lapel. To question­ ers he disclosed that he had be­ come a member of a new lodge, the CAIC. The letters indicate the bewilderment in which the auto industry finds itself in the midst of conflicting reconver­ sion plans and government ord­ ers. CAIC, he disclosed, means “Cripes, Am I Confused.” Per­ kins said that his assignment was to organize a Washington chapter among officials of WPB, OPA, WLB, NLRB, and WMC. FIGHT PRICES (Continued From Page 1) ed just five pounds of sugar. On the other basket the sign read “1945 — $1.34” The 1945 basket contained five pounds of sugar, one doz­ en eggs, six oranges, a pound loaf of bread, 2 quarts of milk and a box of Post Toast­ ies. The Congresswomen were very much impressed with this exhibit as it brought out clearly the need for price control. This is a dangerous period because of the many adjust­ ments which must be made. It is the responsibility of every woman to take an active part in the fight to have the Price Control Act extended. We must do this in order to protect our own homes and children. This surely is not the time for prices to increase, as al­ ready many of us have had our incomes decreased. We must also remember that our service­ men’s dependents have a fixed income and that even present prices are too high to allow a decent standard of living for these people. It is our responsibility as housewives to inform our Cong­ ressmen and Senators that we want the Price Control Act ex­ tended for at least one year with no weakening amend­ ments. We cannot help but win this fight, as we are only asking for our economic rights and not pressuring for profit. It takes only a few minutes to write a letter or card to our Congressman but it will save many dollars. Don’t let anyone tell you that your opinion is not necessary, for if our represen­ tatives in Washington receive enough letters they will support the Price Control Act. Watch for Frauds In Surplus Goods Washington (LPA) — A pre­ diction that “attempts at fraud, favoritism, racketeering, eva­ sion of law and similar abuses may be expected when billions of dollars of surplus property are being disposed of” was made by the government last week. The Surplus Property Board said that its policy would be to prevent by periodic surveys all such abuses or to detect them before they assume serious pro­ portions. The surveys will be made of all disposal points in the U. S. and abroad. Complaints and information on irregularities should be sent to the Compliance Division, Sur­ plus Property Board, Washing­ ton 25, D. C. Paramount pur­ pose of surplus property compli­ ance is to assure that orderly, efficient, honest disposition will be made of the huge quantities of war goods which are already being made available to the pub­ lic and private business. Invest in Victory — Buy War Bonds and Stamps. Health is Defense Photo Flashes of the News Clips OPA 1,900,000 He Likes Unions Now —Federated Pictures Sen. Kenneth S. Wherry (R., Neb.) introduced the inflation­ ary amendment to create a cost- plus formula for farm products in the bill which the Senate passed to extend OPA. President Truman had asked that the a- mendment be rejected, but its author, spokesman for farm mon­ opolies, got it through. —Federated Pictures Unemployment will spread to 1,900,000 within three months, WPB Chairman J. A. Krug pre­ dicted in his monthly report on munitions production. The re­ duced requirements of a one- front war will release far more workers than civilian production can absorb at present. Salute to Pop —Federated Pictures No anti-labor propaganda for this vet. When Lt. Al Herwitz went into the Army, there was no union where he was employed. When he was discharged, Local 65, United Retail, Wholesale & Dept, Store Employees, CIO, was there. They went to bat for him after man­ agement refused to rehire him — so he has his job back, a large pay increase and a union card besides. Over the Top —Federated Pictures To celebrate the day we remember Father, the Natl. Father’s day committee selected Charles Drewes, Natl. Maritime Union, CIO, as Maritime Father of the Year and, at a banquet in New York City, awarded him a scroll of valor on behalf of all merchant seamen. Above is shown Drews, center, being congratulated by Lawrence Tibbett while Mrs. Tibbett looks on. Planning For Jobs Pres. R. J. Thomas of the United Auto Workers, CIO (left) and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser confer in Oakland, Calif., on plans for Kaiser to keep his government-built Fontana steel plant and enter automobile after the war. —Federated Pictures Lending a Hand The first in Milwaukee to ring the bell in the 7th War Loan was Local 47, Int. Fur and Leather Workers, CIO. In a joint drive with management, workers purchased $50,000 worth of bonds — 115% of their assigned quota. Member Marie Pellowski chalks it up as labor and management smile. —Federated Pictures Prosecutes War Criminals —Federated Pictures The UAW-CIO drive to end the Budd Mfg. Co. anti-union strong­ hold in Philadelphia got support when Local 234 members of Trans­ port Workers Union, CIO, went out bright and early to hand leaflets to Budd employees. Result: NLRB ordered a collective bargaining election at the plant. Above, Local 234 Recording Sec. A. Gallagher distributes leaflets. Harsh policies in prosecution of war criminals are promised by Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson who is chief of counsel for the U. S. in the war trials. —Federated Pictures