Evening star., 1937-01-27
SLOAN REPEATS DENIAL.


SLOAN REPEATS DENIAL.
Says G. M. c. Is Not Responsible
For Peace Breakdown.
NEW YORK, January 27 (P).-Al-
fred P. Sloan, jr., president of Gen.
eral Motors, today denied that the
company is responsible for the break
down of negotiation" with workers
and reiterated the company's refusal
TO negotiate until the plants occupied
by sit-down strikers are evacuated.
In q statement addressed jointly to
the public and to loyal workers" in
General Motors plants Sloan referred
to the sit-down strikers as these tres
paSsers who have seized our plants
and who have taken from you the
privilege of working"
We will negotiate with this group
and will earnestly strive for an honor
able settlement as soon as the illegal
seizure Of our plants is terminated"
While he did not refer specifically
to the rebuke issued yesterday by
President Roosevelt, he did say:
Efforts have been made to make
you believe that General Motors is
responsible for the breakdown of
negotiations; that We refuse to meet
with representatives of our own en-
ployes; that We are Sinking our moral
responsibility; that We have no re-
spect for the public interests.
You know this Is not true, so why
all these charges? Simply because we
refuse to negotiate with a group that
holds our plants for ransom without
regard TO law or justice. thus depriV-
ing over 100000 of Our peaceful and
law-abiding employees Of their in
herent right to work.
That is the reason and the only
reason"
Statement in Full.
The statement in full follows:
"On January I told you the cir
cumstances that had resulted in our
having to close certain of our plants
and curtail the operation Of others
Many things have since been said
In the conflict of statements and
happenings there Is much confusion
And now want to make clear just
what has happened and what the
situation Is today.
Three weeks have passed. During
that time We have earnestly striven
to do everything possible to develop
negotiations with the group that has
attacked us. in the hopes of reaching
q satisfactory solution that will protect
the interests Of all involved and en-
able you to go back to work. That is
what you want. And it is our most
earnest desire.
During these three weeks you have
In many different ways demonstrated
your loyalty and satisfaction. I ap-
preciate your confidence. 1t means
more to me than anything else, for
am deeply concerned with the sit
uation in which We find ourselves.
Over 100000 have signified their de-
sire to return to work.
Il told you before, and you your
selves have always known, that you
are deprived of the right to work by a
small minority who have seized GER
tain plants and are holding them as
ransom to enforce their demands.
THE leader of this group, as you
know, publicly stated that hours. wages
and conditions of employment are
not involved. Now what is involved
1t Is this: That We should turn you
over, body and soul, for exploitation.
This is demonstrated by the demand
that they be given the exclusive privi-
lese Of acting as representatives of all
our workers, regardless of your de-
Sires. This has always been perfectly
clear.
Have No Fear, Workers Told.
Il say to you once more, have no
fear. General Motors will never let
you down.
Now here is where we stand:
81. We propose to demonstrate that
these trespaSsers, who have seized our
plants and who have taken from you
the privilege Of working, have not the
right to do 50.
%. We shall demand that your
rights and our rights be protected.
"3. We will negotiate with this
group and will earnestly strive for an
honorable settlement as soon as the
illegal seizure Of our plants is termi-
mated.
-. We believe in giving every group
an opportunity to be heard. There is
nothing to justify our doing otherwise.
IS. You will not have to pay tribute
for the privilege of working In a
General Motors plant.
Denies Responsibility.
Efforts have been made to make
you believe that General Motors is
responsible for the breakdown Of ne
gotiations; that we refuse to meet
with representatives of our own en-
ployes; that we are shirking our moral
responsibility; that we have no respect
for the public interests.
'You know this Is not true, so why
all these charges? Simply because
we refuse to negotiate with a group
that holds our plants for ransom with
out regard to law or justice. thus de-
priving over 100000 Of ovr peaceful
and law-abidins employees Of their
inherent right 10 work.
THAT Is the reason and the only
reason"