Evening star., 1941-10-29
Truman Urges
HiI|mdn Do
Job Or Quit
Hits Failure to Protect
Interests of U. s.. in
Currier Dispute

BY the Associated Press.
Chairman Truman of the Senate
Defense Investigating COMMITTEES
told the Senate today that If Sidney
Hillman, associate o. P. M. director.
can't or won't protect the interests
o1 the United States. I am in favor
Of replacing him with some one who
can and will"
Senator Truman made the asser-
ton when he took the floor to re-
view his committees inquiry into
the failure of the Federal Works
Administration TO award a Wayne
County Mich Defense housing
project contract to the P. J. Currier
Lumber Co. of Detroit, the low
bidder.
The Missourian took exception to
Mr.. Hillman's position that the con-
tract should not be granted TO the
Currier Co., which employs C. I. o.
Workmen, because of possible labor
trouble from A. F. L. elements.
Il can't condemn Mr.. Hillmans
position too strongly" Senator Tru-
man said. First. the United States
does not fear trouble from any
sources. and if trouble is threatened.
the United States can protect itself
A. F. L. Not Irresponsible
Second. the American Federation
Of Labor is not irresponsible. Its
members are decent. abiding,
patriotic citizens, and I am person
ally acquainted with many of its
leaders and know them to be fine,
conscientious citizens. They are not
going TO take illegal action. II some
irresponsible element does any il
legal act, the United States is not
going to stand for it
Senator Truman said that while
the Currier case involved an effort
by the A F. L. ito get closed shop
in the building trades" the same
principle applies to John L. Lewis
attempt to get a closed shop in the
captive coal mines
i am very glad that the Presi-
dent has taken strong stand on
that point" the Senator declared.
II am sure that the country will
support him
Senator Truman told the Senate
he was convinced Currier could
carry out the Wayne contract unless
his employees were "forcihly and lie
gally prevented from working
Doubts ANY Illegal Action.
y don't think that the A, F, L, +
going TO permit any illegal action"
he added If it does. the responsible
heads of the international A. F. L.
unions will be subpoenaed by the
committee and asked point-blank
whether their signed agreements
are worth the paper they are writ
ten on and whether they propose to
discipline the locals guilty of what
the A. F. L. admits would be illegal
action"
Senator Truman also said he
would ASK the Attorney General
to keep closely informed as to de-
velopments in this matter. and I
know that he will perform his duty
ing any laws of the United States
will be apprehended and tried"
AS his committee yesterday COM
pleted its hearings in the Currier
case, Senator Truman advised
Federal Works official to award a
contract for the project on the basis
of his own information. disregard
ing recommendations by Mr.. Hill
man.
Senator Truman was speaking to
Col. Lawrence Westbrook, special
assistant to the Federal Works ad-
ministrator. who had testified earlier
in the hearing.
Col. Westbrook testified he had
recommended rejection of all bids
on the project because the o. P NJ.
had contended that an award to Mr..
Currier would adversely affect the
defense program as whole
Hillman Feared Labor War.
Mr.. Hillman had previously testi-
fed that he recommended against an
award to Mr.. Currier, an employer
of C..I. o. labor, because he feared
opposition by A F. L. unions would
lead to labor warfare in the Detroit
area.
The committee is of the opinion"
Senator Truman told Col West
brook. that when bids are taken in
good faith and the low bidder can
qualify that his bid ought TO be
accepted unless there is a specific
reason for rejecting it"
He added that Col. Westbrook
ought to decide the matter on his
own and not on what Mr.. Hillman
or anybody else tells him."
Col. Westbrook testified that he
never had any serious question as to
the ability of the Currier Co. to do
this job" but that he had followed
the o. P. M. recommendation be-
cause that agency was charged with
overall responsibility for defenso
policies.