Evening star., 1937-05-24

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cause, like the Shutdown" strike
which attained sensational propor-
tions in Michigan, the use of a mo-
nopolistic power of a union organiza-
ton to fix rent prices by coercive ac-
ton Is likewise unprecedented.
The first step by the John Lewis
union in Pontiac was the publication
In the local newspaper of the fol-
lowing advertisement in display type:
Notice to all property owners in
the Pontiac metropolitan area:
"On Monday, May 3, the UNDER
signed committee of the United Au-
tomobile Workers, Pontiac Local
Union, l59, met with the president
of the Pontiac Real Estate Board, the
prosecuting attorney, the president
of the Oakland Bar Association and
Circuit Court commissioner.
THE purpose of this meeting was to
secure voluntary reduction in rents.
Extent of Increase.
ION Tuesday, May a. this commit
tee met again with the president OF
the Real Estate Board and two re-
ceivers for local banks. All major
property owners were invited to this
conference.
mo results have been obtained to
date.
Rents Of members Of our union
have been increased In some cases as
much as $50 per cent over that paid
one wear ago. Average increase Is so
per cent.
The average rent increase is ap-
proximately so per cent higher than
actual increase in earnings.
"The United Automobile Workers is
organized to protect its membership.
1T carries out this purpose If a
general rent reduction is not agreed
upon by the real estate owners. Eff
fective within is days of this date,
the United Automobile Workers, Pom
tiac Local, No. 159, will eXpend the
entire efforts of its vast membership
and resources to right and squalize
the high-rent situation.
Suggested procedures are:
IL. Demand that the assessed valua-
hon OF property be raised so the rent
income represents l per cent per
month OF the assessed valuation.
%. General discontinuance Of all
rent payments as Of June l, 1887. We
want to artbitrate the matter, we're
willing to do so. We must have i'm
mediate action.
"(Signed). Rent Committee United
Automobile Workers Of America, Local
No. 15e.
Charles Barker, chairman;
"Ike Marley,
"Josep Quick,
George Connibear,
"Odin H. Johnson,
general counsel"
Property Owners Notified.
Since the advertisement was pub
lished on May II the union has sent
letters to about 5000 property owners
In Pontiac, implying also if co-opera-
ton is not forthcoming, action along
the lines Of the suggested procedures
may be taken.
It would seem on its face that the
union cannot invoke the Wagner
labor act in defense OF its tactics
and that the threat mentioned above
II actually carried out would come
near being group conspiracy by
one set of citizens to injure the busi-
ness of another group of citizens and
certainly the Michigan statutes would
appear to cover such action and open
the way to damage suits.
II what the John Lewis union is
doing is legal, then taxpayers in all
parts Of the United States may dis
cover a new remedy for their hitherto
futile protests on the matter of taxes.
And II 1t be assumed that the citi-
sens can group together to refuse to
pay taxes or to pay prices asked for
by merchandising establishments,
then a new collective power is avail
able, not only to union labor organi-
nations, but to associations of all
kinds. Obviously the Federal and State
laws were designed to protect indi-