Evening star., 1937-09-30
MARTIN ANSWERS
CALLERS WITH GUN
U. A. W. Head Puts Weapon
Away When He ReCog-
nizeS Union Group.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
DETROIT. September 30.-Homei
Martin, president of the United Auto
mobile Workers. besieged in his hote
by rank and file members of the
union, poked a revolver out of the
door of his suite today when five OF
the group pounded and kicked against
the door.
He Immediately put the gun away
when he saw the U. A. W. caps and
shop stewards badges displayed by
his visitors.
He explained that II didn't know
who was at the door" and added that
the group had interrupted confer
ence he was having with Ford Motor
Co. representatives.
The rank and file" workers set uI
watch at entrances to the hotel this
morning. apparently to lodge a pro-
test against recent dismissals by Mar
tin of union organizers active in last
Winters strikes.
Four men and a woman, declining
to identify themselves, went to Mar
tins suite after an international ex-
ecutive board member had informed
them Martin had left the hotel.
Promises Interview Later.
After the revolver episode Martin
told them, ''I'll see you at the first
opportunity but can't see you now,
and closed the door on them.
Members of the group said later
they had been hasty in kicking at the
door of the suite.
Martin said of the incident. Il have
been threatened before and when
somebody knocked on the door
thought it might be some one trying
to get me-"
He termed the "siege" of his hote
IAN action by lot of irresponsible
individuals" and said that mo bona
flde delegation of auto workers ever
failed to get an opportunity to see me
and discuss the problems of the Or
ganization
Determined to See Martin.
The besiegers, from Flint, Pontiac
and Detroit, guarded every exit from
the hotel and announced that Martin
would hear their protests before ht
left the building.
Martin appeared in the lobby during
the morning. Some of the members
cornered him but he told them he
would see them later and retired to his
quarters. Later, Richard T. Franken-
steen, assistant president of the U. A
w., went to Martins suite.
One Of the besiegers said that eve
want to talk to Martin about a lot
OF things but We don't think it is q
good idea to make them public"
Avoids Headquarters.
1t was from his hotel suite that Mar
tin announced the sweeping change.
in the international unions genera
staff yesterday He remained away
from the union headquarters in s
nearby Office building
Additions to yesterdays list of ad
ministrative changes, which included
dismissal of 10 organizers and assign.
ment of regional and district directors
were announced today.
Walter N. Wells, union vice presi.
dent, will leave Monday for the West
Coast. to take over the position of di.
rector of all aviation industry locals
He said the industry employs rs, ,00(
persons and that third of them are
U. A. W. members.
Paying Too Many Salaries.
Informed sources said Martin ha
contended that the internationa
union was paying the salaries ant
expenses of too many of the organ
izerS. The same informants sait
many of those dismissed likely woult
find places on the pay rolls of loca
unions.
Those dismissed were Victor Reu
ther, one of the leaders in the Gen
eral Motors strike at Flint, Mich, las
Winter; Robert Kanter, Stanle,
Novak, Melvin Bishop and William
Tonn of Detroit, r. D. Richter O.
Saginaw. Charles Rigby of Ohio
Frank Bartee of South Bend, Ind.
Frank Mcmillan of Kansas City, Eu.
gene Stauder of Anderson, Ind, ane
Frank Schultz of Indiana.
Martin announced he had promoted
Loren Houser to be organizationa
director for Detroit. Elmer Dowel
was made director of all Genera
Motors locals in the Nation. R. j
Thomas, international vice president
already has been appointed director Of
all Chrysler locals, and Richard T
Frankensteen, director of the organ
ization program among Ford Motor
Co, employees,