Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-13
President Backs
Unions Fight on
Red Elements
Letter to Tobin Seen
As Part of Plan to
Help in Purge
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

his influence today behind organized
labor which is supporting and CO.
operating with the Nations defense
and foreign policies as contrasted
with actions allegedly dominated by
subversive groups.
The Presidents action was taken
in the form of a statement by White
House Secretary Stephen T. Early
asking all local and national labor
organiza tons to refrain from inter-
union raiding or other tactics calcu-
lated to disrupt responsible unionism
and undermine labor leadership.
Immediate motivation for today's
development was telegram received
by the Chief Executive from Daniel
j. Tobin, president of the Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Transfers CA.
F. L., complaining that AL sub
verSive organizations, all enemies of
Government-Bundists. Trotzkyites
and Stalinists-are working to de-
stroy trade unions supporting the
Government in efforts to preserve
the democracy which is ours"
Local Seeded.
Mr.. Tobin said this strategy Is
being followed by the subversive
groups partly because of Transfers
officials support of President Roose-
velt's foreign policies and defense
program. This support was ex-
pressed openly in letter sent to
the President over the signature of
Mr.. Tobin and the Executive Board
of his union on June 5. and made
public at that time by Mr.. Roosevelt.
The letter Of that date declared
that the union and its members
do solemnly pledge that we will
follow out and put into practice
any procedure outlined by you and
your associates who are handling
this most dangerous world situation
which Is now confronting civiliza-
ton"
Since then, a local of the Team
sters Union in Minneapolis has
seeded from its parent organization
and is reported to be seeking a
charter in the c. I. o.
Held Part Of Government Plan.
Beyond his public appeal to labor
organizations to refrain from dis
ruptive activities, the President also
advised Government departments
and agencies particularly concerned
with defense labor problems Of Mr..
Tobin's assertions.
This step is believed part of a
fully conceived administration plan
to lend its influence to efforts on
the part of both organized labor
and industry to purge the labor
strength of the Nation Of subversive
and un-American elements. Legisla-
tive foundation for exercising Gov
eminent control of strikes. par
ticularly those in defense industries,
already is under consideration on
Capitol Hill
Keynote for such drive already
has been sounded publicly in decla-
rations by two cabinet officers-At-
torney General Jackson and Secre-
tary of Navy Knox. The former re-
ferred to the Communicated avia-
ton strike at the North American
Aviation Co. as instruction, while
the Navy head has promised that
the Government will proceed
against those subversive elements in
our communities as they should be
proceeded against-as enemies of
the country"
Workers Refused Jobs Back.
Rejecting this Government de-
termination, several employees of the
North American plant have been re-
fused the opportunity to return to
their jobs since the War Department
took over operation. Carrying this
tactic further, quiet Government
encouragement is being given to
both the c. I. o. and the A. F.. L., and
TO industry, to turn out workers
shown to be tied up with Commu-
nistic or other Un-American move
ments
Public moves in this direction al
ready are under way In both wings
of organized labor.
1t is further reported that some
consideration has been given to
amendment of the National Labor
Relations Law in such way as to
limit statutory rights of workers
belonging to subversive-led organ
izations.
This same objective may be
reached in another legislative way
by making mandatory the rulings of
the Defense Mediation Board in
cases where voluntary acceptance of
a board formula is not obtained.