Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-11
Production Of j. ).
Aircraft Declared
Vital for Britain
Sir Walter Citrine Speaks
At Dinner Attended by
High Federal Officials

A grim war for survival with the
outcome depending more and more
on American production, particu-
larly in the aircraft industry, was
pictured last night by Sir Walter
Citrine, general secretary of the
British Trade Union Congress, at
a dinner attended by high Federal
officials and given by the Amer
lean Federation of Labor.
The visitor said there was a mis-
taken impression in this country
that fighting planes made here are
proving superior under combat con-
ditions to late European models.
He said this not in criticism so
much as to emphasize that about
two and a half to three years are
required between the planning and
completion of modern fighting air
planes.
Planes built here with radial or
air-cooled engines are proving too
slow for first-line pursuit ships, he
said. and more speed and maneu-
variability are being obtained from
q later type Of engine with cylinders
in line. He added that up-to-the-
minute fighting ships cannot be put
into mass production, because of
the constant improvements in de-
sign learned in combat.
Urgent Need Emphasized.
Sir Walter emphasized last night
and on previous occasions, however,
that the airplanes Britain is getting
from this country are urgently need
ed, now and in the future. although
they may not now include the
worlds best pursuit ships.
Addressing banquet in his honor
at the Willard Hotel Sir Walter told
a distinguished audience that the
war issue for the trade unions has
become one of survival or extinction.
He admitted much bomb damage to
England's factories.
The speaker, who arrived two
weeks ago from London, warned
that I'VE awakened too lote, and I
hope against hope that you won't
,Waken 700 laCe!
Sir Walter described the hail of
bombs on England and asked if any
one could maintain that mo British
works have been hit?" He told of
the difficulties of workmen con-
stantly harassed by air raid warn
ings, losing sleep. interrupted at
their tasks, but still determined to
maintain production. He asserted
that Britain must rely more and
more upon American help.
Labor Task Emphasized.
He urged American labor not to
minimize this task, because, if the
wonderful resources of America
are bent to the processes of war"
the days of the dictators will be
numbered. He declared that none
realizes this more fully than Hitler,
hence his haste" to press the war
to an early conclusion.
Sir Walter outlined the English
governments relations with trade
unions before and during the war.
He said the workers themselves
realized the issue, had knowledge
OF what Hitler and Mussolini had
done to unions in their countries,
and were anxious to settle their
disputes without resorting to strikes.
The Government. and the employ.
ers, for their part, realized it was
no use attempting to impose condi-
tons on workers by compulsion."
Disputes were settled by arbitration,
he said, long before the Government
instituted the system of compulsory
This compulsory power, he said,
was obtained with the consent of the
unions themselves and exercised
with discretion and in collaboration
with the appropriate union officials"
Green Repeats Assurances.
Introducing the speaker, William
Green, president of the A. F. of L.,
repeated assurances that no inter-
ruptions of work on defense projects
would be permitted because of labor
disputes, and that labor would par
ticipate in the defense program to
the fullest.
At the same time he asked for
more labor representation in Gov
eminent councils.
The dinner was attended by a
of labor chiefs and high
omcials, including
Secretary Of Commerce Jones, Sec
rotary Of Agriculture Wickard and
Of Labor Perkins, Associate
Justices Black and Reed of the Su-
preme Court, Attorney General
Jackson, . representative Of Secre-
tary Hui and numerous others.