The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-24

Ioiedo, O., April 24-UP)-The automobile industry today met la- borss einsistent demand for union fcedHnition and the closed shop with an equally determined re- fusaI to yield. The issue led to closing of the Chevrolet Motor company plant.
 The strike that left 2,3O0 work . era idle at a wage loss of $15,000 a day brought the closed shop fight to showdown. The entire indus try; was nervous. The American federation of Labor declared the Chevrolet workers had mo alter native' but to strike,
 Open shop Stands
 Alfred F. Sloan, Jr, president Of the huge General Motors corpora : tion, firmly announced there would be no yielding on the open shop now maintained He said the issue was whether the corporation would sign an agreement for a closed shop, which would mean recogni- ton of the local union as exclu- sive representative of all employees of the Chevrolet plant.
 From Detroit came threats of a general strike in the industry. Francis J. Dillon, A. F. of l.. or ranizer, said a fair agreement be- tween the Chevrolet company and the workers was necessary if peace prevails in the industry.
 Arbitration Opens
 Arbitration efforts were initiated last night. M. E. Coyle, president of Chevrolet, and W. E. Knudsen, executive vice president of General Motors, came here to further nego- tiations.
 In Washington, William Green, president of the A. F. of L., an nounced the Federation would of- fer all it's facilities to effect ar amicable settlement.
 Union workers held mass meet ing last night to discuss the strike, They were addressed by A. F. of L. leaders.
 The local plant was adequately guarded today, but there was nc disorder.
 Aside from the demand for q Closed shop, minor points in the controversy was labor's request for a minimum wage of 70 cents an hour, a 5 per cent general increase, seniority rights, abolition of the .'speed-up" system during peak production, and no discrimination against union members.
 Chevrolet Trouble
 Detroit, April 24-(UP)-Con- troyersy over the Wolman auto mobile labor board and its collec' tive bargaining principles, which resulted in organization of the American Federation of Labor for a general automobile strike, was brought directly into the Toleda Chevrolet company strike today.
 The action was construed here AS a step by the American Fedora = ton of Labor to hook up the To- leAo walkout more directly with the possibility of a walkout In all automobile plants.
 A. F. of I. offices here revealed q telegram sent to Secretary of La bor Perkins by George Adde's financial secretary of the United Automobile Workers local striking at Toledo. It read:
 Wolman Board Blamed
 S "The inconsistent and contradic' Dry formula enunciated by Vol Aan board in elections for collec' i've bargaining purposes largely responsible for strike by 2.30O em- rloyes Chevrolet Motor company, roledo, O. Managementn using Tolman board as subterfuse for refused to negotiate directly with duly accredited representatives of American Federation of Labor. Substitution of a board capable of interpreting needs and rights ot these workers under the law would contribute substantially to satls- factory settlement.
 Previously. hours and wages