Evening star., 1937-01-10

(COnClnueQ from f1rSC PaSe.D
in FIVE Of our plants leave our prem
iseS.
However. at the last conferences
with the conciliators set of demands
was presented from the union as con-
ditions upon which the strikers would
move out.
ITO have accepted these conditions
would have placed General Motors
in the position OF condoning their
illegal action
KnudSen said the corporation
asked nothing Of the union except
the termination Of the unlawful oc-
cupation of its plants" but that
union officials were unwilling to
start negotiations on this basis and
insisted on further restrictions of the
corporations freedom of action"
The company executive expressed
regret" at the delay in negotiations
and said: I'VE propose to do every
thing consistent with law and good
will toward all Of our men or their
representatives"
Knudsen to See Managers.
Knudsen told newsmen that he
would hold conference Sunday
morning with the managers of several
Of the plants which have been closed
by the strike. He did not state the
purpose of their talks.
John Thomas Smith, vice president
and general counsel of General Mo-
tors, returned to New York today after
consulting Knudsen and other cor
poration executives here. Earlier In
the week Alfred P. Sloan, jr., Gen.
eral Motors president, also visited the
corporation Offices here and returned
to New York.
There is a difference between rec
ognition Of the union and recogni-
ton Of the union as the sole bargain
ing agency for General Motors en-
ployes," Martin told newsmen prior
to the statement by Knudsen.
General Motors must recognize the
union in order to hold conferences
with us. We do not consider that q
negotiable point.
But recognition OF the union as
the sole bargaining agency is a ne
gotiable point and still is one of our
eight demands. We do not, however,
demand that General Motors agree
on that point before negotiations are
opened"
The weekend shutdown found s3,-
849 General Motors employees idle In
Is cities because of strikes, parts short
ages or lack Of markets for products
of the plants employing them.
Despite the seeming impasse, Muir.
ply said late today, II believe both
sides want to work out a settlement.
1t can be and should be done"
Pre-Negotiation Demands.
Afew minutes earlier, the United
Automobile Workers listed their pre-
negotiation demands as union recog-
milton and a written guarantee
that, If "stay-in" strikers are with
drawn from plants they hold, the
corporation will not remove equip
ment or attempt to reopen the plants.
They also demanded immediate cessa-
tion Of anti-strike activity such as
circulation Of petitions, Organization
OF vigilantes" and Threatening or CO.
ercion Of employees
The unions statement given to the
Governor said you have already in
formed us that General Motors will
not subscribe to such q guarantee, 4"
and expressed determination ITO con-
tinue this struggle with all lawful
means at our disposal until genuine
and effective collective bargaining Is
accorded to the employees" Of General
Motors.
Knudsen reiterated in telegram to
Msgr. John A. Ryan Of the National
Catholic Welfare Conference the cor
poration's stand that I'VE cannot per-
NIT occupancy Of our plants contrary
to law"
His telegram was in response to an
offer Of aid toward strike settlement
by Msgr. Ryan and two other clergy
men.
Assurance that General Motors
would not enter any agreement with
any organization interfering with
legitimate jurisdiction" of craft unions
in its factories was given to John p.
Frey. president Of the metal trades
department of the American Fedora
tion of Labor, in q telegram from
H. W. Anderson Of the corporations
labor department.
Craft Unions Not Bound.
Frey telegraphed the Cleveland
Metal Trades Council that its craft
union members were lin no way
bound" by the action of strikers at
the Fisher Body Co. plant there. The
Automobile Workers Union is an
affiliate Of the Committee for Indus
trial Organization, whose leaders were
suspended by the Federation of Labor.
The U. A. w. A. statement late
today, declaring General Motors has
rejected "all reasonable proposals"
said:
1.-THE law of the land requires more
than vague promise to be law abid-
ing. It lays down definite speciflca-
tions as to what are the employers
obligations In the matter Of genuine