Evening star., 1937-01-26
CHRYS[ER POLICY
ON LABOR TOLD
De Soto Manager Tells
Probers Company Willing
to Bargain Collectively.
BY John C. HENRY.


The Chrysler Corp. is willing to bar
gain collectively with any representa-
tive Of its employees, the La Toilette
Civil Liberties Committee was told to-
day by Herman L. Weckler, vice presi-
dent and general manager OF the De
Soto Co., Chrysler subsidiary. Week
Ter said he was responsible for labor
policies of his company.
Does that mean that the company
Is not antagonistic to outside labor
organizations?" Senator La Toilette
asked.
I'VE frequently have met with out
side union representatives, such as the
A. F. of L." Weckler answered.
Asked about the corporations atti-
tude toward organizing efforts, Weckler
said:
I'VE do not allow organization So
1icitation within the plants and during
working hours"
Weckler explained that the prin-
cipal bargaining medium Of Chrysler
employees, however, is an employe rep
resentation plan of the type commonly
known as a company union.
Spy Service Cost $4,000.
Quizzed about the espionage activi-
ties of 78 agents of Corporations Auxil-
larry Co. in % plants of Chrysler-dis-
closed yesterday in evidence that the
automobile company has spent some
$4,000 yearly since 1888 for such serv-
ice-Weckler said the reports all come
to him and admitted they are princi-
pally concerned with union activities
Of workers.
When Weckler testified that the De
Soto plant alone of Chrysler Corp. has
no espionage service, Senator La Fol-
lette said:
Congratulations"
Earlier in the hearing, the commit
tee heard New York employe of the
National Metal Trades Association,
espionage and strike-breaking organi-
zation, telling Of several instances of
working with Government agents in
investigating suspected sabotage in air.
craft manufacturing plants.
Stringham First Witness.
L. A. Stringham, Eastern repre-
sentative of the National Metal Trad
ers' Association, took the stand first
to produce, in response to subpoena,
whatever documents his Office had to
show cooperation with governments
as claimed last week.
The only material submitted were
two lists of telephone numbers and a
stenographer's notebook. Stringham
admitted the material did not contain
anything showing direct connection
with either the Army, Navy or JUS
tice Department, unless possibly some
reference in the notebook.
Senator La Toilette excused him,
however, without questioning.
Joseph Holub, New York employe of
the N. M. T. A., who was charged
in an affidavit last week with repre-
senting himself as Capt. Holman, an
officer of the United States Govern
ment," while engaging Carl Eckhardt
to do espionage work, was the next
witness.
Holub denied the Misrepresentation
and further denied that a signature
Capt. Holman was in his tandwrit-
ing. Senator La Toilette then asked
him to write Capt. Holman" and the
handwriting sample was placed in the
record.
Holub admitted doing two jobs of
labor espionage himself and serving
as a guard for ke-breakers on at
least one occasion. He also admitted
using the name Holman" while en-
gaging Eckhardt but maintained his
denial of the use OF captain"
Says He Had Contacts.
H. J. Bundock, assistant to String
ham, followed Holub to the witness
stand.
Have you had any contacts with
Government agents?" La Toilette
asked.
Il have had contacts with repre-
sentatives of the Army and Naval
Intelligence Service and with agents
of the Bureau of Investigation, De-
partment OF Justice" Bundock an
swered.
The witness told of calling on Frank
Fay of the F. B. I. in connection with
investigating two employees of the
Wright Aeronautical Co. who were sus-
pected of being employed by foreign
governments.
Michael Brophy, immigration officer,
later contacted Bundock in con-
nection with one of these cases and
two others.
F. x. O'Dinnel, F. B. I. officer,
was third Government agent to seek
his aid, Bundock said, with Naval In
telligence Officer Martin being a
fourth and Capt. John Gullet, Army
Air Corps, a fifth.
Smith Is Recalled.
Returning to activities of Corpora
tons Auxiliary Co., the committee re-
called J. H. Smith, president, and La
Toilette ordered him to instruct his
subordinates to make available imme-