The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-01-15
Facing The Fdcts
With PHILIP PEARL

ment and is growing stronger every
day.
In this war crisis, united labor
front at home is essential to eff
cheney, to all-out production and to
ultimate victory.
1t is deeply reassuring to the Amer
lean people that organized labor IS
ready to help America by forgetting
it's differences, at least for the dura-
ton OF the struggle.
While America is at war against
the enemies of freedom and democ-
racy, it would be folly for Americans
to continue contending against each
other. This compelling truth was ad-
mirably stated by President Green in
his radio address Jan. when he said:
GAS long as this war lasts, there
cannot and there will not be any
fundamental differences among Amer
leans. Every single one of US is fight
ing for the same cause. Each and
every one of US is fighting against
the same enemy. Until that enemy is
crushed, Americans will stand shoul-
der to shoulder united in patriotic
spirit that transcends all other con-
siderations."
Signs Point to Unity
True, no official, permanent peace
has as yet been established between
the AFL and the CIO. True, no Of
fetal, temporary truce has yet been
formally reached.
But for all that, the signs are
many and convincing that an in
formal, tacit armistice is in effect.
For instance, we find the CIO in
full accord with the AFL in such vital
matters Of Legislative policy as oppo-
sition to the Smith bill, to other anti
labor measures and to wage freezing
schemes.
Also we find the AFL and CIO dele
cations at the recent deliberations of
the War Labor Conference Board in
full accord on a joint program Of war
labor policy which was finally adopted,
even though the industry delegates
may have entertained some mental
reservations.
And now, we find in the newspapers
photographs of President Green and
President Murray Of the CIO in
amicable conference with Secretary of
Labor Perkins and photographs of the
two union leaders shaking hands.
Even more significant, we find such
photographs in CIO publications.
We say that is significant because,
we must admit, there has been some
lingering doubt in our minds as to
just what the CIO, leadership intended
doing and how far it could be expect
ed to go toward burying the hatchet.
We entertained no such doubts as
to the AFL policy because it has been
fortnight and outspoken. At the very
outset of the war, the special meeting
of AFL officers and union executives
called by President Green came out
with hearty renewal of overtures
for resumption Of AFL-CIO peace ne
gotiations.
Wen Take Half Loaf
Frankly, when no response to these
overtures was forthcoming, our hopes
Of unity sank But the other develop
ments of the past few weeks have re-
newed our optimism.
If we can't get the full loaf, we are
ready to take half. If the CIO is shy
about coming right out and saying it
intends to stop its destructive raiding
tactics, we are willing to let its per-
formance speak.
We fully understand the elements
of embarrassment in the situation. We
don't want to augment them. We are
not seeking to force the issue if there
is a chance of success by the more
gradual approach.
Before the outbreak of war, the CiO
was a million miles away from the
AFL. The extent of separation has
now been materially reduced. Each
step closer helps. If the CIO does not
want us to see it take these steps, we
will obligingly look the other way.
But at the same time, we want to
make it clear that we are and always
have been willing to meet it more than
half way. We are not bashful about
it, but in the interests of unity we
won't try to hurt the other fellows
feelings.
There are certain hazards in the
situation which we are not overlook
ing, however. Apparently, the war
has helped to solidify the dissident
elements in the ClO. Apparently, the
lsolationstS, the interventionists and
the Communists now are travelling in
the same path. But strange things
happen during wars. We cannot for
get that Stain and Hitler once were
able to reach an agreement. 1t is still
within the realm of possibility that
such a thing may happen again. We
need not speculate on what the conse-
quences might be, but we will remain
on the alert.