The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-09-19
Facing the Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

tion 400 delegates representing more
than 100000 workers in the motor
transportation industry of the nation.
These men are bound together by
loyalty to their country and to their
union, the largest in the fold of the
American Federation of Labor-the
international Brotherhood of Team
sters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Help
ers of America.
One of the local newspapers de-
scribed the delegates as tough" No
umbrage should be taken at this char
acterization. America and the cause
Of democracy need tough men today,
men who are strong and resolute in
mind, in body and in devotion to the
American way of life.
These men may be tough but they
are not toughs. A visit to the con-
vention hall, owned by the Daughters
Of the American Revolution, convinced
us that these delegates are sturdy,
keen minded Americans, alert but or
derly, powerful but disciplined.
Nor does one have to judge only by
outward appearances. The record of
the Teamsters Union speaks for it.
self. 1t was organized forty years ago
and chartered by the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor with but handful
Of members. Today it's membership
approaches the half million mark.
Startling Success
Even during the past five years
alone, the unions record of accomp-
lishment is startling. In that period
it has gained $4,000 members, it has
cut down the average hours of work
from sixty to forty-eight and it has
increased wages of it's members by
$312 100000 in the past three years.
These gains were not achieved by
magic. 1t took hard work and plenty
of it. And it also took discipline.
In the latter respect, the present
status Of the union speaks eloquently
of the unions efficient leadership. At
this writing, there are fewer than 200
members of the Teamsters Union on
strike, a record of which any union
can be proud.
When one speaks of the leadership
of the Teamsters Union, the stalwart
figure of Daniel J. Tobin Immediately
comes to mind. This vigorous, though
white-haired, labor leader has been
President of the Teamsters Union
since 1905 and he has grown in stature
as his union has grown in strength
In recent years many honors and
heavy responsibilities have been heap
ed on Dan Tobin's shoulders. He has
accepted the honors modestly and dis
charged the duties manfully.
No wonder President Green felt
called upon in his address to the con-
vention to pay tribute to Dan Tobin
for his "great services in the advance
ment of the cause of labor"
A Tribute From F. d. r.
Perhaps Mr.. Tobin's most glorious
achievement is the fact that President
Roosevelt has agreed to address per-
sonally this convention Of the Team
sters Union. This is the first time in
his two administrations that the Pres
ident has appeared before a union
meeting. Therefore, the President is
paying a high compliment to the
Teamsters' Union and to Dan Tobin
personally.
For years there has existed close
friendship between President Roose-
velt and Dan Tobin. The President
has frequently called upon Mr.. Tobin
for help and the head Of the Team
sters Union has never refused his SER
vices.
In 1882 and in 1886 Mr.. Tobin work.
ed arduously to elect Roosevelt. In
those campaigns ne headed the Labor
Division Of the National Democratic
Committee. This year Mr.. Tobin is
again doing business at the same
stand.
To go back for minute, we recall
that in the Spring Of 1889 when Pres
ident Roosevelt urged both the Amer
ican Federation of Labor and the ClO
to reconcile their differences and ne
gotiate settlement, President Green
appointed Mr.. Tobin to the A. F. of
L.. Peace Committee. Mr. Tobin was
recognized as a leading proponent of
labor peace. But it happened that he
was overburdened with the work of
his own union at the time and he
declined the appointment. So import
ant did President Roosevelt regard his
services, that he appealed personally
to Mr.. Tobin to reconsider. Mr.. To-
bin could no longer refuse under such
circumstances and he did serve. 1t is
no reflection upon him that the con-
ferences failed to bring about settle
ment. Mr.. Tobin strove desperately
to prevail upon the CIO group to agree
to reasonable settlement. Along with
other negotiators representing both
the A. F. Of l.. and the CIO, Mr.. To-
bin failed to bulge the obdurate re-
fusal of John L. Lewis to consider any
fair proposal.
A few months ago Mr.. Tobin was
appointed by the President to serve
as his administrative assistant in the
White House to promote labor cooper
alton with the national defense pro-
gram. Mr.. Tobin did this job quickly
and we'll and has now resigned to re.
sumo direction of Democratic political
IL