Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-09
Roosevelt Authorizes
War Secretary
To Run Plant
Ry the Associated Press.


executive order today commanding
the Army to take over the strike
bound plant of North American
Aviation Co. at Inglewood, Calf,
where fighting broke out this morn
ing.
The order was signed at 10:40 M,
not Icing after the plants had re-
opened at m. 10 am. Washing
ton time. 1t authorized the Secre-
tary of War to take immediate pos
session of the plant and operate it.
Roosevelt Statement.
In statement accompanying the
order, Mr.. Roosevelt said:
Continuous production in the
Los Angeles plant of North
American Aviation, Inc, is essen
tial to national defense. 1t is
engaged in the production of air.
planes vital to our defense and
much of the property in the plant
is owned, directly or indirectly,
by the United States Production
in this plant has ceased because
of a labor dispute.
Cancellation was resorted to
ana efforts at Cancellation failed.
The dispute was then certified by
the Secretary of Labor to the
National Defense Mediation
Board.
The course of mediation has
now been interrupted in violation
of an agreement entered into by
the bargaining representatives Of
the workers TO continue produce
ton during the course of the
mediation. Full stoppage of pro-
duction has resulted. This has
created situation seriously det-
rimental to the defense of the
United States.
Because of this situation. as
President and commander in
chief of the armed forces of the
United States, have determined
that this plant must be reopened
at once. I have therefore di-
rected that the Secretary of War
shall Immediately take charge of
the plant and remain in charge
and operate the plant until nor
NAL production shall be resumed.
Our country is in danger and
the men and women who are
now making airplanes play an
indispensable part in its de-
Tense. I call upon the workers
to return to their jobs, with full
confidence in the desire and
ability of this administration to
, protect their persons and their
interests.
Il have an abiding confidence
in the loyalty and patriotism of
the American workers and am
sure that they will seize this OPP
portunity to cooperate in the
national interest. Their funda-
mental rights as free citizens will
be protected by the Government
and negotiations will be con-
Quoted through the process Of
collective bargaining to reach a
settlement fair and reasonable to
the workers and to the company.
The company already has stated
that any such settlement will be
retroactive to May l.
The Army has been directed to
afford protection to all workers
entering or leaving the plant, and
in their own homes"
Action Declared Essential.
The executive order stipulated
that possession and operation By
the Army shall be terminated by the
President, las soon as he determine!
that the plant will be privately op'
Grated in q manner consistent witt
the needs of the national defense.
The order said that the ability o.
the United States to obtain essentia
aircraft for the national defense wa!
seriously impaired by cessation o.
production and that the Ubjective'
of the Presidents proclamation o.
an unlimited national emergency
were jeopardlzed.
Consequently, the order said, it 1!
essential that the plant oe operated
by the United States in order thai
its operations be assured and safe
guarded"
The Secretary Of War is to handl,
the question of compensation for tn,
company and the problem of neces'
sary adjustments which must b,
made. He is authorized TO employ
or authorize the employment o
workmen including competent
civiila nadviser on industrial rela'
lions.
The order was transmitted to the
Army officer in command of troops
at the plant by Undersecretary OF
War Robert P. Patterson. He spoke
over long-distance telephone from
the Chief Executives study.
The President himself had talked
to the commander, 1t. Col. Charles
E. Branshaw, the White House said
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