Evening star., 1937-08-01

laration of Tom Girdler and other in
dustrialists who had cited the numer-
Gus sitdowns and flareups in the auto
mobile industry after the c. I. o.
agreements had been signed as evil
dence of Lewis insincerity and ire
sponsibility.
The automobile industry is the only
spot where such violations of contract
can be pointed out said Mr.. Lewis.
Youth" he said. Youth Is the
answer. The automobile industry en-
ploys only young men.
Years Of Oppression.
Nov, philosophers and sages of the
world, from Biblical times down
through the ages, have been in unani-
nous agreement that the impetuosity
of youth will sometimes cause them to
act in an unusual manner. 1t may
be that the automobile industry is
paying the penalty Of certain policy
wherein man Of 35 is rarely seen.
The present agreement came after
years of struggle by thousands of
workers against oppression. The rec
ord of those years is we'll known. The
companies, using the weapons of their
central card-index system, wherein
every move, every phase of all en-
ployes' lives we're recorded; their tear
gas, their guns and clubs. the auto
mobile chamber of commerce merit
system-all of them weapons to brow
beat the men, weapons designed to
prevent organization
Since 1888 thousands were black
listed. All this eventuated in a great
strike-a tremendous fight of 100000
men for their rights. Over these 300
900 workers were 10000 supervisors
and shop superintendents. Twenty
thousand men trained to hate, trained
to persecute any men who favored
unlonism in any manner.
Human Equation.
"All right. At the same time these
10000 men, supervisors and foremen,
were training the men to hate back.
The signing of contract did not wipe
out the bitterness.
Following the strike, those 10000
believed the company would like them
to go on harrassing the men. Every
one of the shop foremen and super
visors, every man among the workers,
had something he was going to get
even for. There's your human equa-
ton. The results could not have been
different. Some plant stoppages,
termed violation of contract. we're con-
ceived by the company organization.
Others by the men.
1T takes time to train an army to
discipline. The union is not old
enough as yet, but conditions are
bound to improve.
COmmunism-Ridic
In steel, organized without the
heat of conflict. corporation after COR
poration told the Taft Investiga ting
Committee chat the agreement has
been entirely satisfactory. Homer Mar
tin, president of the International Au-
tomobile Workers Union. was elected
to the job without previous experience.
He is new, he needs maturity. He
will make mistakes. But he is fair,
able man and, with experience, will
continue to develop.
The charge cannot be made truth
fully that c. l. o. is not dependable.
The charge is made that c. l. O. is
being run by Communists,
Point out one single communistic
aim of C. I. O.! The C. l. O. is
movement away from communism,
guarantee against it"
The charge has also been made that
C. l. o. is out to build up labor
dictatorship.
Ridiculous on the face of it. Labor
should have a more voluble influence
on government but labor Dictator
ship is absurd"
And, in conclusion, Mr.. Lewis gave
his solemn assurance that he has no
designs whatever on the presidency or
on any other political Office.