Evening star., 1937-07-26
PROBER ACCUSED
| BY FORD EMPL0YE
Attempt to Intimidate Work
Laid to Labor Board
Attorney.
BY the Associated Press.

DETROIT, July 2e.-Richard FL
berth, a Ford Motor Co. foreman.
under questioning by John T. Meter.
nan, National Labor Relations Board
attorney, charged today that he, Nc
Ternan, had threatened to make a
jackass' out of an assistant foreman
for the Ford Motor Co. unless the
assistant foreman gave a statement
in support OF NJ L. r. B. charges.
The development came as the N.
l., R. B. entered the fourth week OF
hearings into its charges OF unfair
labor practices against the Ford Mo.
tor Co.
Elberth testified that McTernan had
gone to the home Of Rudolph Prokop
and told him If he didn't give YOU
statement and testify for you that
you woul make a jackass out OF him
on the stand"
You mean me-" demanded Nc.
Ternan.
Counsel Ends Clash.
L mean YOU the witness replied.
The clash between the witness and
McTernan ended when Louis J. Co.
lombo, Ford counsel at the hearing.
asserted he had made no charge of
intimidation against N. L. r. B at
torneys. Examiner John T. Lindsay
ordered McTernan and Elberth TO get
back on the regular track of examina-
ton.
Elberth earlier testified under cross
examination fhat ho hal
employe could be a member OF the
union and yet be loyal to his employer.
Ebert. forman in the cushion de-
partment at the Ford Co.'S River
Rouge plant, testifying about the dis
charge of seven employee The N. L.
r. B., which charged the company
with unfair labor practices. alleged
the seven were dismissed because Of
union activity.
Elberth asserted or the witness
stand today that he discharged the
men because they destroyed property:
not because they belong to a union.
Reason for Dismisaal..
Il fired them because they didn't
do what they were supposed to do"
he said. And will FIRE the rest o,
them in there if they don't do what
they are supposed to do"
Elberths statement that union
membership was not Incompatible
with being loyal Ford worker came
during clash with McTernan
rs 1t necessary for q man TO be a
loyal Ford worker TO stay on the job?"
McTeran asked.
Il think he should BE-" replied
Elberth.
Then you require it'"
Says He Never Preached.
Il have never preached to the men"
rs membership in 3 union ncom-
patible with being loyal Ford
worker?"
I never had any Instructions about
unions"
Answer my question"
Then ask it in way I can an.
swer"
After being cautioned by John T.
Lindsay, trial examiner, Elberth re-
piled:
I think a man can belong to a
union and still be loyal to Ford. I
have men in the department who are
In earlier testimony Elberth char
acterized as stool pigeons" three
men who previously had asserted they
were discharged partly through the
activities Of informers Elberth named
them as George and Ray Onnela,
brothers, and Martin Jensen. He said
they were always running to Prokop.
tRudolph Prokop, an assistant fore
mani. with tales about other work.
ers."
Comment on DISCHARGED Men.
Eberth asserted the discharged men
wanted to get me out OF there. I
haven't had any trouble since they
left. When they joined the union.
they thought they could run my de-
partment."
He said that everything in his de-
partment was free and open and
always will be-"
Several times Elberth told Meter
nan: I'd like to ask you some cues
tions, mister" Examiner Lindsay ad-
monlshed him his duty was TO answer
questions, not ask them.