The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-10-31
Facing The Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

We are not going to inspect airplane
factories or army camps or naval bases
or any Of the other usual stopping off
places. That's not in our line. We
couldn't tell live bomb from dud
and we're willing to admit it. But we
think that one phase of our national
defense program about which we do
know something has been overlooked
so we're going to give it a careful in
spection.
We mean. of course, the labor stu
ation--which we consider the most
vital factor in our national defense.
In this respect, we are convinced
that the American Federation of La
Dor is showing the way to the entire
country. No other comparable organ
ization in America has been so wide
awake to the dangers from any and
all forms Of totalitarianism. No other
organization has matched the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor in it's whole
hearted patriotism, in it's readiness to
face the facts and render whatever
sacrifices are necessary to strengthen
the defenses of America and make our
democracy invulnerable to attack.
Let's look at the record. There has
not been single strike by an Ameri-
can Federation of Labor union which
has embarrassed or delayed the natl
onal defense program. Every affiliate
of the Federation has been willing and
eager to compromise it's differences
with management and pitch into the
job of making America stronger. Rep
resentatives of the American Feder-
alton of Labor, serving on various
Government agencies, have been alert
to avoid industrial strife. Unions
have supplied skilled men wherever
needed so that there can be no COM
plants Of labor shortages. All of this
IS tribute to the discipline and
patriotism Of the five million members
of the American Federation of Labor.
Furthermore, there has not been a
single instance of any American Fed
Grafton of Labor union in a key posi-
tion in the defense program seeking
to take selfish and unfair advantage
of its strategic strength. Our unions
have organized by their own efforts,
not by putting pressure on the Gov
ernment in it's time of need. Our
unions have sought to improve the
condition Of their members by peace
full collective bargaining, not by wild
cat strikes.
In foreign policy and in domestic
policy, the American Federation of La
Dor has given the Government strong
helping hand. The Federation opposed
the conscription bill in principle while
it was pending in Congress. But the
moment this bill became law, Presi-
dent Green announced it would have
the full support of the A. F. of L..
And the Executive Council, in like
fashion, decided to exempt members Of
directly affiliated unions who are
drafted from payment of dues while
they are in the military service. That's
what we call cooperation.
But, as we travel further and in
spect the situation in the dual labor
movement, an entirely different pic
ture meets our eyes. We see the Com
munist Party's policy in full control
of the policy of the CIO. We see John
l.. Lewis doing everything possible to
embarrass the defense program and
the Government of the United States.
We see the CIO itself split into war
ring factions because of Lewis un-
patriotic stand.
There is a ring within the CIO that
is persistently trying to stir up dis
sension among Americas workers.
Lewis is their leader. Harry Bridges,
the alien CIO West Coast chief, ap-
pears to be second in command. Joseph
Curran, of the Communist dominated
CIO Maritime Union, is the spokesman
in New York, aided and abetted by
Michael j. Quill, of the Transport
Workers. In Washington, Lee Press
man, the CIO "brain trust,' seems to
be pulling the strings to which Lewis
responds in marionette fashion.
This group is trying to make capital
of the nations emergency. 1t is CIV
ing the Communist Party one hundred
per cent support and is receiving equal
support from the Reds. They cry
that the Government of the United
States is trying to drag US into war
That is the propaganda slogan of the
Communist Party.
1t is our opinion that the above
named individuals have failed to gauge
public sentiment in America. The peo-
pie of our country are in no mood to
tolerate trouble-makers. They are
united in feeling that totalitarianism
menaces the United States. They are
united in the conviction that it would
be fatal for US to appease the dicta-
tors of Europe. They are unanimous
in the determination that everything
possible must be done to make the
national defense program complete
success. Anyone who flaunts the will
of the American people on this issue
will know he has been in fight.