The Washington times., 1937-02-01
MURPHY SEEKS
PEACEFUL
WAY OUT
Sheriff Promises to
End 'Sit-Down' If
So Ordered
CONTINUED from Page y

the union men promised 10 let Ihe
governor know some time today
what their policy would be regard
ing the evacuation Of the sit
downers in Flint, in view OF G. M. S
new court action.
Another development was a reSo'
LUTON drawn up by Michigan war
veterans, which asks Governor
Murphy to take legal action con-
cerning weapons held by repre-
sentatives of General Motors, ac'
cording to a union announcement
The union said the delegation
of war veterans would call on the
governor today here. The resolu'
fion also assures the governor the
war veterans are behind his EFF
forts to settle the strike by peace.
full methods
Sheriff to Obey
After Sheriff Thomas Wolcott
announced he would "see that the
plants we're cleared if the court
ordered it." reports came that sew
eral thousand union members
would be assigned to the plants as
shock troops, to resist eviction.
Sheriff Wolcott was booed out
of the plants when he tried TO
serve an Injunction against the
sit-downers several weeks ago. The
worst bloodshed in the General
Motors strikes occurred January
IL after the heat was turned off
in Fisher Body No. 2 and sympa-
thizers were barred from bringing
food to the Sit-downers.
New troubles threatened the
reopened Chevrolet plant here be-
fore the Sit-down issue was scheo-
uled to be tested. Union en-
ployes claimed discrimination and
demanded a conference with the
management. The union claimed
several members were fired with
out cause during the two days
last week that the plant, en-
ploying 10000. was in operation
on a part-time basis. Robert
Travis, union leader, today said:
"They will be rehired or else"
He refused to say what methods
would be used.
Powers Hapgood, another organ
izer, laughed at the suggestion
of another sit-down strike or
picketing, ,
Latest announcement by Alfred
P. Sloan, jr., head of General Mo-
tors Company, emphasized the
company's determination to aban'
don conference tables with the U.
A. W., at least until after the court
passes on its injunction petition.
Governor Murphy himself revealed
this determination as we'll as the
adamant position of John L. Lewis,
chief union strategist. He said:
"The situation has changed
since our last Lansing confer
ence. Today both Sloan and
Lewis are more adamant than
ever"
Governor Murphy reiterated he
does not believe force of any kind
should be used in an attempt to
make peace. He believes settle
ment is possible only by voluntary
action. Neither has he faith that
litigation will solve the problem.
He said:
"The court action will settle
the question of the legality of sit
down methods. This question
should be carried to the United
States Supreme Court and be
settled for all time. But it re-
mains to be seen if the courts
can bring about peace in the
motor industry"
The Flint Alliance, organization
of nonStriking GIN. workers, to-
day issued a call for workers from
Detroit, Bay City, Saginaw, Flint
and Pontiac to join a giant pro-
test meeting on capitol grounds
In Lansing. Wednesday. George
Boysen, ex-Flint mayor, and head
of the alliance, said he expected
5000 to 10000 workers to attend
the protest demonstration.
On motion of Richard T.
Frankensteen, U. A. w. organizer
In Detroit. 4,500 Dodge workers
Sunday adopted a moClon asking
for a 75-cent an hour minimum.
FrankenSteen said:
"Chrysler has always boasted
it has paid as much or bet
ter than anyone else in the
auto industry. Now let them
prove it,"
Non union General Motors
workers evacuated Governor
Murphy's reception room in the
Statehouse after sitting down"
several hours.
Six thousand more G. M. work
ers were scheduled to return to
their jobs on a part-time basis TO-
day at the Buick division in Flint.
The plant closed because Of parts
shortages. General Motors has
said 83 per cent Of the workers
affected by strikes have signifed
their opposition to the strike.
WESFYN64NE1NES