The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-07-02
Facing The Foc+s
With PHILIP PEARL

Our faith in democracy has just been
revitalized. Even the Navy is respond
ing to the call Of the people
Ever since America got into the war
with both feet, we've been SquawkinS
loudly and bitterly about the Navy's
stupid labor policies We begged and
pleaded for a little cooperation, but the
Navy brass hats still continued bust
ness in the usual autocratic way.
Recently the War Production Boards
labor division and other Federal
agencies sponsored labor press con
ference in New York City which we
attended At this meeting we got up on
our hind legs and complained about the
Navy all over again. but without much
hope of accomplishing anything.
But we were Over-peSSimiStic. For
apparently one of the Government ofii
cials present took our criticisms back
to Washington and saw to it that the
Navy Department was fully informed
And, instead of being cOurt-martial-
ed, we were invited to go down to see
one of the top officials of the Navy De
partment and have heart-to-heart
talk with him. We accepted
The Navy Agrees
Without mincing words, we spoke
our piece We stated In blunt language
that the Navy's brass hats acted like
slave-drivers, that the worst employers
in private industry were Timid Souls
compared with some Navy AdmiralS
We pointed out that labor was only
too anxious to cOllabOrate with the
Navy but that such collaboration could
not be obtained by crack -the-whip
methods We urged that the Navy show
some consideration for the workers and
the trade unions that represent them.
4 more helpful and considerate atti-
tude must be shown by the Navy, we
insisted to get results. And to prove
that cooperation gets results, we cited
the example of the Army's fine rela-
tions with labor and the splendid labor
relations work done by Col. Gins
burgh's office.
Believe IL or not, the high ranking
Navy official to whom we addressed
these sharp remarks did not hit the
ceiling. Instead he agreed with every
thing we said. He expressed keen dis
appointment over the Navy'S poor labor
relations. He said this was due to mis-
understandings, plus the mental kinks
of some Admirals. These would be
promptly ironed out, he promised and
II new policy established.
We then proceeded to discuss ways
and means in II general way.
| Almost Immediately things began to
happen.
The Navy Acts
First came the announcement that
Edwin A. Lahey, columnist for the
Chicago Daily News, had been appoint
ed special assistant to Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy Board Lahey has
put in years rs II labor reporter. He
doesn't know everything there is to
! know about organized labor, but his
heart is In the right place. He has a
keen sympathy for the working staff
and Il keener dislike for pretentiouS
official nutocracy. We have the highest
! possible regard for his honesty and
sincerity and his desire to do II con
Structive job. He accepted the assign
ment at II great personal sacrifice and
he won't be satisfied unless he gets re-
suits. Furthermore, his Judgment is
! respected by the Secretary of the
| Navy, Frank Knox, who In private life
| Is the publisher of the Chicago Daily
News and knows all about Lahey s
! work.
A few days after Lahey's appoint
ment, came the news that the Navy has
set up an Incentives Section, under Ad-
miral Woodward, with the object of
obtaining the greatest possible co0pera-
tion between the Navy and the repre-
scntatives Of organized labor. We don't
know vet how this bureau will shape
up, but its purpose is To operate In II
way similar to that of Col. Ginsburghs 5
office In the Army.
| Now these are highly constructive
developments. II is still too early to
stand up and cheer, but we have no
| hesitation in saying that the Navy Is
moving in the right direction. We are
ready to give them every break in
order to help things along and establish
II basis for friendly collaboration be-
tween the Navy and the trade union