The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-30

OWL war is rapidly developing in
- the auto industry between the
giant Ford Motor corporation and
the new colossus, the General
Motors corporation.
During this growing struggle,
which has been foretold for some
time, the hundreds of thousands of
workers massed behind these two
powerful industrial giants can do
either one of two things;
First:-They can remain loyal
and obedient to their respective
capitalist masters and aid them in
their war for control Of the industry,
the Ford army against the General
Motors army, for the victory Of
Ford profits against General Motors
profits.
Second:-They can seize upon
this excellent opportunity that
presents itself to them and, during
this hand to throat struggle be-
tween the profiteers Of the industry,
wiring better conditions for them
selves from their exploiters.
II the million auto workers, en-
ployed in the different branches Of
the industry, do not seize the op-
portunities offered during this inter-
necine struggle on the part Of the
owners Of the industry, then the
triumphant group of profteers will
be in a better position than ever,
when the war is over, to continue
combating the organization of the
workers, to cut wages and lengthen
the workday.
1t is in this crisis that the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, and
especially its metal trades depart
ment, shows very little desire to
even attempt the organization Of the
auto workers.
All the General Motors plants are
running strong at the present time.
The General Motors stockholders
have just pocketed a so per cent
stock dividend and capitalization is
now fixed at $500, 100000. 1t is
on this huge capitalization that the
General Motors labor army is now
toiling at break-neck speed to pro-
duce more profits.
While the Ford system turns out
practically only two cars, the cheap
fiivver, the Ford, and the much
more expensive car, the Lincoln,
the General Motors outfit turns out
a host of cars of all makes and
prices, in addition to trucks, motor
coaches and taxicabs. It's accessory
and parts divisions and companies
fifteen of them-make not only the
things that go into automobiles. but
electric refrigerators, materials for
bicycles, farm lighting and power
plants, washing machines and water
pumps, all of which constitutes a
dovetailing of facilities and
strengthening Of the General
Motors organization.
Thus the General Motors offer
ings include the Chevrolets, that
have been cutting deeply into the
sale of the Ford fiivvers, the Pom.
tiacs, Oaklands, Oldsmobiles, Bucks
and Cadillacs, together with the
Chevrolet and Pontiac commercial
vehicles, Hertz DriYurself cars. yell
low cabs and trucks and GMC
trucks.
The figures show that against the
competition of the General Motors
corporation, the Ford system is not
gaining but losing. 1t is claimed that
the falling off in Ford sales has
forced, more than anything else,
the institution OF the five-day week
in the Ford plants. While in st.
Paul recently. / was told that the
great Ford plant in that city was
not working five days per week, but
only two, three and four days per
week, and on some Of these DAYS
only part time.
Figures for the first half of 1925
show that Ford sales were $4,000.
This fell for the first half of 1926
to $4,000 fiivvers. a loss of over