The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-29
Green Denounces An+i-S+rike Bill:
Says vinson Measure Is Un-Americun

the Vinson Bill with all it's power and
strength.
"The right to strike is fundamental
The thirteenth amendment to our
Constitution prohibited involuntary
servitude in America for all time. The
day when this right is destroyed or
infringed upon, that day will all
American liberties be jeopardized.
"How would businessman like it
if Congress passed a law saying he
would have to remain in business
whether he liked it or not, whether he
could see profit or whether he faced
ruin? No businessman would submit
to such compulsion in a democracy
just as no American worker will sub
nit to forced labor.
"Our government, following an en-
lightened foreign policy, steady op-
poses the principles and practices of
totalitarianism and dictatorship
abroad. How can it then impose a
form of involuntary servitude and
compulsory service on it's own citizens
at home through the enactment of
anti-strike laws?
"The Vinson Bill is not only un-
reasonable, but there is no reason for
| it. All American working men and
women who fully appreciate the value
of the freedom and liberty which a
democratic form of government af-
fords them are ready to make such
sacrifices as the exigencies of the sit
uation demand to preserve that de-
mocracy.
"That is why the American Fedora
tion of Labor voluntarily adopted a
! 'no-strike' policy and that is why we
recommended to the President the
creation of the National Defense Me-
diation Board. This board has now
had an opportunity to demonstrate it's
usefulness and effectiveness to the
country at large. 1t has had an al
most perfect record in settling every
strike and dispute presented for it's
consideration.
"The American Federation of Labor
will cooperate fully with this Board,
with the government and with all
agencies created for the purpose of
promoting industrial peace. We will
supplement this action by repeatedly
appealing to the membership of the
American Federation of Labor to give
constant service; to avoid interruption
of production in defense industries,
and to respond to the needs of the
government and of our country in the
fullest and most complete way. But
as free men who place immeasurable
value upon the priceless benefits of
freedom, liberty and justice, we shall
jealously guard our common hearing
and refuse to swallow anti-labor, anti
strike and compulsory service legis-
lation. We know that liberty and
freedom, once lost through legislation
or otherwise, are not easily regained.
81 can see only danger in expert
menting with compulsory legislation
at this critical time. 1t seems to me
that it is the first duty of all of us to
give the tried and true methods of
collective bargaining and voluntary
mediation full opportunity to achieve
fulflment.
"That opportunity lies before labor
and industry today. in the interests
of all national welfare and security, |
call upon all Of labor and all of man.
agement to make full use Of it. We
must not fail to do so because there is
too much at stake. Let us not imi-
tate the dictators and destroy democ-
racy but let US show the world that
the free processes of democracy are
practical, efficient and far superior to
the forced processes of totalitarian-
ISM"