Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06

ana social cOndutOnS IN D1r1OuS
parts OF the United States Mr..
Barnes, author of this article, is
member OF the editorial staff of
the Detroit Nevs.
DETROIT.-More things than auto
mobiles, breakfast foods, furniture and
minerals have originated in Michigan
during recent years. The region has also
given America the national bank holi-
day, the most sensational shutdown
strikes. the Black Legion and anti-labor
vigilantes.
1t is not just happenstance that this
land OF Michigan, trimmed by four of the
Great Lakes, one of the oldest commune
ties of the Western World frequently
signalizes what the American people are
thinking and what is going to happen
next nationally.
Modern industrial civilization has
probably been pushed farther in the
Michigan region than elsewhere in the
world. Michigan economic social and
political life functions under the shadow
of the great manufacturing plants which
for size, efficiency and completely are
marvels of the world. The best and
worst in the system of fnance-capital-
ism f1ourishes in Michigan in most spec
tacular exuberance.
Moreover, the terrain, which rises from
the rich agricultural lands of the Mis-
sissippi Valley to the wild forests of the
North Country, yields heavy supplies of
iron. copper, OIL salt fruit. lumber, sugar
and general food products. Any word
of business upturn or depression is heard
Immediately in Michigan.
What, then, does Michigan think of
the future? What hopes and fears are
running through the minds of the VOL
verines? What hints does Michigan
offer as to the pattern of American life
that is in the making?
People in Peaceful Mood.
If you toured the two peninsulas these
days, from the Indiana and Ohio borders
to the wooded shores of Lake Superior
you would find Michigan people in a
comparatively optimistic and peaceful
mood. Their state Of mind is similar to
that Of convalescent patient, who, the
violence of his fever and battle for life
behind him, is quietly gaining strength,
hopeful he will soon again be leading
an active, profitable existence.
This mood which now dominates Mich
igan is not based purely on hope. 1t is
fed by mounting production figures in
automobile plants in Detroit. Pontiac,
Flint, Lansing, Saginaw and Bay City
Grand Rapids reports increased demand
for furniture, Kalamazoo and Monroe for
paper, and Battle Greek for processed
food products. Public utilities and man
ufacturing industries have been invest
ing heavily in new construction. Resi-
dental building is active.
Generally speaking, Michigan business
Is now as good or better than it was this
time last year, and the trend appears to
be upward.
1t must not be gathered. however.
that boom is on in Michigan. Basical
iy, the situation at this point is simply
one of improving business and growth
Of confidence.
The unemployment load, while falling,
Is still heavy. Local and State govern
ments are generally running deficits try
ing to relieve distress. The majority of
people are still in bad way financially.
But, as was said before rightly or
wrongly, the feeling in Michigan is that
fundamental business conditions are i'm
proving.
Not the least important contribution
to the better state of mind in Michigan
Is the clearing of the labor picture. AL
most as suddenly as the storm broke, the
thunder and lightning have passed.
Many persons do not recognize yet that
the Michigan labor climate has changed,
but 1t has, definitely. There should be
few. II any, surprises from now on.
State Generally Unionized.
Michigan, formerly one of the great
strongholds of the open shop is now gen.
orally unionized. Many people still hope
that the unions will collapse, but there is
little evidence to support the desire. The
new unions, generally led by inexperi-
enced, If not incompetent officials, have
withstood the strains of the depression
and internal fighting, testifying to the
vitality Of the movement
With the exception of Henry Ford,
most manufacturers are now bargaining
collectively with their workers. and the
attitude of the Ford organization seems
less bellicose. 1t is impossible to say
whether the quietness on the Ford labor
front is due to temporary abandonment
by the u A. w. of its organization cam
paign, or whether the Ford attitude has
softened. Both parties have been silent.
Other manufacturers, including Cen
eral Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp,
are apparently striving sincerely to make
collective bargaining success.
The manufacturers had opportunity
10 launch a counterattack against the
unions during the months of low produc-
ton and union dissention, but most
manufacturers refrained They minded
their own businesses and left the unions
to their own affairs.
This present cooperation between
manufacturers and unions does not re-
suit from any love of the unions by in
dustry. Having to work with unions has
increased the problems of the automotive
industry, which already was one of the
most tricky and complex in the manu-
featuring world.
Neither have the types of men the
unions have advanced as their repre-
sentatives made the job easier. The
automobile executives have slight respect
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