The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-07-28
Columbus Set For
Buy American Week
Mayor Procldirns Week Of
Labor Day As Buy
American" Week

mittee, Myron B. Gessaman, mayor of
the city of Columbus announced last
week that he would officially proclaim
the week of Labor Day, September 3
to 10, as Buy American Week through
out Columbus.
Since it's inception several months
ago, the CFL's boycott committee has
made considerable progress. Support
has been gained by many local mer-
chants and manufacturers. Literature
distributed by the committee has
reached as far as Shanghai, China.
Unions Notified
Last week, in an endeavor to take
advantage of and further the advance
of this work, President John c. Getreu
of the CFL simultaneously contacted
Governor Martin l.. Davey and Mayor
Gessaman concerning the campaign
and the setting aside of a definite
week as Buy American Week, in both
city and state.
At the same time, Mr.. Getreu no
titled the officials and members of
every central labor body and building
trades council affiliated with the
American Federation Of Labor in the
state of Ohio of his action, requesting
that each of them likewise contact the
governor concerning this matter.
At press time no State action. had
been indicated.
Mayors Letter
However, following is Mayor Gessa-
mans answer:
Mr.. John c. Getreu, President,
Columbus Federation of Labor
24712 S. High st.
Columbus, Ohio
Dear John:
Replying to your letter of the 18th,
| beg to advise you that | am only
too willing to proclaim the week Of
September Bird to 10th as "Buy
American Made Goods" week. Such a
movement is entirely in accord with
ideas that | have had for some time.
In veriication of this statement, early
in the Goth assembly G933) intro
duced, and it was adopted by both
Houses, a joint resolution urging the
people of Ohio to buy American-made
goods. There is one thing certain, If
any thing is certain, that is we are not
going to help business reestablish it.
self by the purchase of articles that
are made in foreign countries, when
those same articles can be and are
manufactured in our own country. In
my opinion, one garing mistake that
was made during the early years OF
this depression was that our national
government made it possible for for
eign manufacturers to ship their mer-
chandise into the United States and
here, with lower prices, compete with
American manufacturers and Ameri-
can Labor. The whole scheme is
wrong and while it is awfully late now
to find out, it is high time that we dc
learn to know that it is deprlvlne
American business and American La
Dor Of the right to work and earn 9
livelihood. | am not so sure but thai
the advisable course is to return tc
the protective tariff which will at least
put foreign made goods on the same
basis with American made goods ant
prevent this unfair competition.
| will have proclamation prepared
as outlined at the beginning of this
letter and forward copy Of it to you
Very truly yours,
(Signcd) Myron b. Gessaman, Mayo
City of Columbus, Ohio
Campaign Spreading
With much sympathy found evidcn
in the general public, not only in Co
lumbuS but all over the nation, thCr,
is every possibility that this may b'
the beginning Of a general movemen
all over the United States to hell
American labor and capital by buyn,
American. Reaction locally to tn
CFL boycott committees action ha
been widespread and spontaneous, ant
there is no doubt that such Will b.
true in every locality
The committee, originally formed
out Of sympathy against aiding ant
abetting in foreign warfare and at tn
same time working against America
industry, but whose detectives hav
enlarged greatly, is composed Of W
II. Thompson, Sr., Ross Boggs, J. W
Lewis, Harry n. Montoney, Harry G
Clark, Henry Wilhelm, Nelson Case
Joseph Mansberger, r. f. Boyhar
and Daniel Nerbance. Mr.. Wilhelm
serves as chairman, and Mr. Thomp
son as secretary.
Warning to Union Members
Definite future plans Of the commit
tee have not as yet been announced.
Meanwhile, however, a warning
,in 1nr aI n al