The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-24

In 8 statement made before he was questioned by committee mem- bers, Girdler contended that writ ten contract with the CT O. Ifs not worth the paper 1t is written on.' He denied union charges that Re- public violated the national fire- arms act by maintaining "arsenals" in it's plants.
 Referring to statements by Sen, Joseph Guffey, D.. Pa, and Philip Murray of the steel workers organ izing committee that the sole issue of the strike was that of signed contract, Girdler said:
 MT. Murray is a liar to the best of my knowledge and always has been, and Senator Guffey doesn't know what he's talking about"
 Chairman Kenneth McKellar of the committee interrupted Girdler. asking him to withdraw his refer ence to Guffey as uncalled for.
 T don't think it is disrespectful to say a senator or anyone else doesn't know what he is talking about" Girdler rejoined.
 Wants Unions Responsible
 Girdler demanded that labor unions be made legally responSi- ble" for their actions. He made three specific charges against the C.IO.:
 1. "The C.IO. has denied to free American citizens who refuse to pay tribute to 1t the right to work" 2. "The C.I.O. encourages and promotes violence and disregard of law"
 3. "The CLIO. is associated with communism; many of its leaders and organizers are avowed com- munists."
 Girdler contended that the fun damental issue in the strike "is not one involving wages, hours or work ing conditions in republic plants"
 "This." he said. "is not a strike in the sense that large body of our employees quit work because of grievances against the company. What has happened is that an in- vading army descended on our plants and forced many of our em- ployes from their jobs.
 "There still exist certain funda- mental recognized civil rights, the right to free speech, to free press, to free assembly.
 These are all without substance unless coupled with the right to work, free from coercive influence. This right is the basic issue in the present controversy"
 shop and the check off,"
 Girdler said he had read the complete record of testimony given before the committee previously by Philip Murray, chairman of the steel workers organizing committee which is sponsoring the strike un- der CLIO. auspices. He said he de- sired to brand his (Murray's) statements, with a few exceptions, as entirely unfounded in truth or in fact"
 Girdler said he believed there is much confusion" in the public mind regarding issues in the strike.
 "The statement has been made" he said, that the companies in- volved have declined to put in writ ing an agreement which they have made orally. That is not true. There is no such agreement, oral or otherwise. now in existence.
 That does not mean, however, that the terms of employment now in effect are indefinite or uncer- tain. They have been reduced to writing in the form of notices which are posted or otherwise an- nounced in writing in all the plants to which they apply and are thor oughly understood by our employees.
 "The difficulties in the present dispute arise from the fact that the company will not enter into con- tract, oral or written, with an ir- responsible party and the CI.O., as presently. constituted, is wholly irresponsible. Republic Steel Cor poration and every other. corpora ton, frequently. refuses to enter into contract when the other party is known to be irresponsible.
 We believe that the C.I.O. with its terroristic methods and com munistic technic of picketing con- stitutes the most dangerous threat to the preservation of democracy in the United States"
 Girdler said that the 'real pur- pose" of the C.I.O. in demanding written contract with steel com- panies Is that 1t wants docu- ment which 1t can claim as evi- dence of an endorsement of the or- ganization by the company"
 Having failed to influence em- ployes to join the C.I.O. on a volun- tary basis. 1t is now trying to force the company to drive its employees into the C.I.O."
 Girdier contended that the sign- ing of a union contract would be 'but the first step to the closed shop and the check off,"