The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-20
LABOR LEGION
 ENROLLS 85,OOO. IN FIRST YEAR
Organization Is Exponent of Friendly Ties and
 Arbitration
BY ROBERT LA BLONDE United Press Stan Correspondent


 1 United Press Stan Correspondent I Detroit, Sept. 2O--CUP)--A year ago a group of Michigan industrial workers founded a labor organlza- ton which they called the Liberty Legion of America.
 The legion, now celebrating it's first birthday, believe 1t is the a1- swer to the working mans plea and that 1t will set new pace toward friendly labor relations throughout the nation.
 As testimony of the organizations popularity wth labor, the member ship figures revealed by its officials show an increase of 1,500 to S6,000 for the fiscal year. Offlcers describe the Liberty Legion as the only in- corporated labor organization in the United States.
 Ward Culver, chief counsel and spokesman, said the legion was founded on principles which it's leaders believe dier from those os any other labor group In the coun- try. It has no paid organizers, no advertising fund, no promotional workers and no highly paid exec utives. In fact, according to Culver, --a 50 cent increase over the dues charged ct the outset.
 "Use Front Door"
 The legion is not to make money Culver explained, but more than anything else, the legion brides it. self on what 1t describes as ''revo- lutionary methods" in dealing with employers.
 we haven't had any trouble nee gotiAting differences between man. agenaent and worker because we go in the front door," Culver said.
 "As quickly as employees of company ask us for membership and are accepted under our strict admission laws, we 90 to the ofiice of their employer to explain our organization and It's purposes" Gull yer said.
 The legion believes in an employ CTS as well as workers rights, but it does not feel on employers per- mission is necessary to organize his workers. Legion representatives, however, always visit an employer first to seek permission and to ex- plain It's objectives, which briefly are:
 l--Encourage Americanism and supply Q new confidence in Ameri- can ideals.
 2--Combat radicalism, Commun- ism end suhversive activities.
 3.-Encourage legislation and other means toward peaceful arbitration of labor disputes to the end that sit-down strikes and lockouts be prevented, and the continuity of employment be assured to those willing to work, and labor estab- lishcd, understood and protected. %~Encourage mutual under standing between employer and em- ploye.
 6--promote and encourage better economic and social conditions among members. Relies On Arbitration
 Culver said the legion decried the fact that workers many times lose valuable paychecks through unnec- cessary strikes. If workers have grievances, 1t is the legion's aim to carry tho problem to the conference table in c peaceful manner rather than resort to drastic action before arbitration.
 Even if the employer Is unrea- sonable, we prefer to follow peace- ful channels such as are offered by the Wagner act, rather than call Q strike which loses valuable time and money for the worker" Culver ex- plained.
 There have been charges that we were . company union and that we accepted contributions and other assistance from large manufacture CTS" he said.
 We haven't taken money from anyone except the Si yearly dues from members and what's more we don't want contributions. Our or- ganization is geared to operat6 at low cost and we are not interested an making money"
 Requests for charters from a half dozen states now are being investi- gated by the legion. Culver said, The organization has expanded in year from Michigan to Texas and New Jersey.