The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-03-20

Mr.. Bevin has undertaken to see
that every British man and woman is
assigned to the task in which he or
she can contribute most toward the
production of munitions, equipment
and supplies for the forces and toward
the expert drive by which Britain
hopes to obtain essential foreign ex-
change. In certain respects his pow
ers are almost dictatorial. He may
find it necessary to move groups OF
workers from one part Of the country
to distant factories engaged in essen
tial production; the shortage of
skilled labor may mean that the sup
ply of skilled workers must be "di-
luted" and distributed among many
factories; other skilled men must be
withdrawn as instructors to train
semi-skilled and unskilled labor to
meet the demands of the war indus
tries. The same is true of industry.
Mr.. Bevin and the other members
Of the production triumvirate may
take over any plant they deem essen
tial-liquidate it's business-assign the
employees to other work-including
management and in case of hardship
decide to grant immediate compensa
tion, though in general all claims are
postponed until the end of the war.
In addition, we are advised of the
iron determination of the responsible
executives of over two hundred trade
unions and federations that make up
the British Trades Union Congress,
to press forward in this struggle to
secure a successful prosecution of the
war.
Indeed, we are informed, that when
the prospect Of war became serious
and Britain began to prepare actively
for that eventuality, the question of
assistance which would be rendered
by the Trades Unions became an i'm
portant element in the plans of natl
onal defense Consultations took place
between the government and the Ex-
ecutives of the Trades Union Con-
gress and the assistance of Labor was
pledged to the war effort. There has
been close contact between the gov
ernment and the Trades Union Con-
| gress ever since. This contact has not
been simply a manifestation of sup
port of the workers for general
cause in which they were interested
| but gradually was given real positive
| form in a number of spheres in which
the Trade Union organizations were
peculiarly fitted to render valuable
service.
1t is freely admitted on every hand
| that if the Trade Unions had not beer
in existence, if they had been un-
willing to accept their responsibility
! or if the government had time to solve
| the problem in some other way, an
immense governmental machinery
would have had to be created involv-
| ing great expense of money and
effort, of available man power and OF
considerable delay and dislocation
The system whereby the union ma
chinery is employed proved the most
advantageous solution which can be
imagined and which have the further
advantage of being performed under
known, tried and experienced anc
trusted leadership of the workers owl
union officials, who understand then
mentality, aims Of life, etc. In brief
the Trade Unions have become ir
many instances, as it was, in varying
degree and different purposes sup
plement or compliment Of the gov
| lnr ,f,1 ln,
have to carry out certain jobs o.
vital importance, it is natural tina
they should play their part in th'
planning of those jobs and in de
Gliding the method of their execution
Here, then, we find the working
people of England with all other sec
tions of the country, immovably Sc
in their determination that Hitler ant
his associates shall not conquer no
force them to surrender single incl
of the British Commonwealth, to the
aggression. Here, for the first TIM
in the history of England, ever,
penny, every inch of land, every iten
Of wealth, every factory and work
shop is now at the disposal of tn,
nation Private individuals can b,
compelled to subordinate private in
torest or gain for the commonwealth
The government has taken immediate
action to control factories and pro
ducton. In a word, we are advised
that these ancient liberties of tn,
British people as we'll as their prop
critics and possessions have now beer
dedicated to the service of a grea
cause. But that has been done by
a free people in great act of self
denial in the face of a most severe
and grave crisis.
What is the lesson for America II
all Of this?
1t must be quite clear that the con,
| lict abroad is one Of conquest for the
control of that continent and of such
other areas as may be necessary tc
feed and supply highly industrial.
lied Europe under German domin,
alton. 1t is war while directed
primarily against Gcrmany's neigh.
bors, its ultimate objective is the com,
mand of the sea communications OF
hp world