Evening star., 1941-12-03

City ClSI II, IudACS VIC pdy IOAA,
was on the picket line.
Situation Painful to Labor.
To the labor rank and file the
situation Is painful. There will be
an election next April with tie seats
of two of the seven-man City Coun-
ellis five labor members ut stake.
With the A. F. L. and G. J. o.
working together 1t was not diff
cult for labor to obtain control of
the council in the municipal elec-
ton last April. Then the city man.
ager was asked to resign. and Mr..
Wolfe, charter member of the A.
F. L. Teachers Union, was appoint
ed.
Mr.. Wolfe, stocky, keen-eyed and
handsome, Is married and a father.
He has had varied career-carni-
val manager, Methodist preacher,
lawyer. school teacher ald labor or
ganizer.
On taking office, he found that
IS per cent of the 200-odd employees
directly under his supervision were
organized in the A. F.. l.. State.
County and Municipal Employees
Federation.
One of his first declarations was
that the city government would be
operated efficiently and economically
in such manner that the taxpayer
would get the most for his dollar.
Veterans Dismissed.
1t was not long before two en-
ployes were discharged. They were
not replaced. Then on November "a
six more were dismissed. They had
no more than an hours notice, but
were given a months salary. One
was secretary of the employees
union. Five were veterans, some of
them with as much as % years Of
service.
Mr.. Wolfe said that with one ex-
ception the diSmisSals we're in the
interest of economy. The sixth man
was discharged. he added, because
of lack of cooperation between
his department and the city man
ayers Office.
On November Is the employees
walked out. The City Hail. garage
and warehouse were closed
A citizen could not even obtain
a dog license, could not pay his
taxes, could not have his locally
slaughtered meat inspected, could
not relieve his feelings by complain
ing of a new hole in the pavement
Nf lnol ", tho a l1nU Not
a wheel on the waste collection
trucks turned Shipments of goods
remained untouched at the ware
house. The men and women who
handle those things were on the
picket lines.
His Office Is Picketed.
Mr.. Wolfe had the City Hall TO
himself, save for a policeman who
walked a lonely beat in the flrst-
floor corridor.
mo. I have no qualms about going
through the picket lines" he told an
interviewer. After all, am an ad-
ministrator and have q RESPONSE
bility for the property. Yes, I still
hold a union card. l instructed some
of the employees who did not want
to strike to remain at home, but
10 report each day that they were
willing to work if needed"
The pickets paraded before his
Office with signs such as city Man
aeer Is Unfair to Local IT, and I'VE
Strike for Fair Play.
They demanded Mr.. W0lfeS re-
moval, seniority rights. recognition
of the union as the employees col
lective bargaining agency, reinstate-
ment of discharged employees ana
civil service
Mr.. Wolfe said that he had OBJ
tanned wage increases for those IN
the lower brackets, but said q
blanket 10 per cent raise. recently
requested by all employees. including
police. f1remen and teachers, was
unconscionable. He added that In
! some instances increases were mer-
tied.
"A carpenter declared such
craftsmen on the city pay roll
should get the regular union scale,
Mr.. Wolfe said Il don't think so. A
carpenter in the construction indus
try has to take his chances on the
weather. demand for his services
etc. Our carpenters have guaran-
teed annual salary. There is vast
( difference"
! Union Leaders Back Wolfe.
In a joint statement, the c. I. o
and A. F. L. central labor bodies
expressed confidence in and supper,
of the labor members of the City
Council. Four of the latter there
upon issued a statement declaring
their unqualified Endorsement of Mr.