The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-02-26

Crawford appeared in opposi-
ton to a proposal offered Tues
day by Oliver Holden. executive
director of American Press So
ciety. who suggested an amend
ment to the national labor rela-
tons act banning closed shops
among newspaper and magazine
editorial employees.
Crawford is Washington cor
respondent for The New York
Post: Holden is on the editorial
staff of The New York Times.
Crawford said the term CLOSED
shop" was a misnomer. and that
the Guild sought a Gould shop"
in which the publisher hired who
ever he wanted TO write news and
editorials.
He Gives Reasons
But we ask" Crawford con-
tinued. that after an employee
has been with the paper for 80
TO 90 days he must become
member Of the Guild In order to
hold his Job.
The reason for this Is obvious.
II is the same reason that ac-
counts for the desire OF most
unions to get closed shops or union
shops. II assures dues collections
and requires everyone enjoying the
benefits Of organization to contri-
butte his share toward the main
tenance of the organization"
What would you do" asked
Rep. Robert Ramspeck, D., Ca,
"if officials of the Congress of
Industrial Organizations with |
which the Guild Is affiliated).
asked you to color the news
against the American Federation
Of Labor"
He Makes Reply
Wed tell them to go to hell"
Crawford replied. But 1t just
wouldn't happen. The officials of
the Clio wouldn't give us any such
order. but, even IL they did, we
couldn't get 1t in our newspapers
anyway"
Crawford said the Guild had
about so CLOSED shop" contracts.
Il defy anyone to find a bona
fide instance Of their use to color
the news or to discriminate against
any newspaper man because of his
opinions" he said.
Il don't know of a case where
man has been denied employ
ment in closed shop because we
have refused him a card, but I
cannot say definitely that it has
not happened"
Telegram Read
Before Crawford began his tes-
timony Ramspeck read a telegram
from Thomas d. Yutzy, executive
secretary of American Press So
ciety, which said Crawford would |
appear in opposition to the views
on closed shops in news rooms"
as expressed by Holden. The tele-
gram added:
Il am asking for the liberty of
reemphasizing one particular
point. Mr.. Holden was speaking
only for editorial workers, men
and women who gather, edit. and
interpret the news and present it
to the public in daily newspapers.
''Mr. Crawford represents a
union affiliated with the CLIO.
which has as members boys who
run proof presses, copy boys, bust
ness office clerks, any man or
woman porter or elevator oper-
ator.
All Are Eligible
Anyone who draws salary
from a newspaper publisher is
eligible for a membership in the
Newspaper Guild. Mr.. Crawford
will not be speaking for news
workers alone. He has an indus
trial union. Thank you for the
courteous hearing granted Mr..
Holden"
Crawford commented that Yutzy
was correct.
Being an industrial union.
Crawford said, I'VE invite all un-
organized newspaper workers to
join"
Rep. Ramspeck asked Crawford
to give the committee information
as to conditions among newspaper
news and editorial employees before
Guild organization. He asked
whether they were not the poor
est paid employees of newspapers,
-