Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-27
Forbes
Workers Hearts
in Jobs Attitude
Now Is Patriotic
BY b. c. FORBES

lions. almost without exception,
tell me that their workers have
their hearts in their jobs, that
they have sped up their efforts
and output, that their attitude
is admirably patriotic.
They question whether the
latter, when they formulate
fresh demands. truly represent
the majority of union members.
The reasoning of paid labor
officials, It's said, is that, no
matter how satisfied dues
payers may be with their lot, it
is up to them TO keep on agitat-
ing and agitating in order to
convince their followers how
vigilantly they are on the job.
how determined they are 10
wiring from employers greater
and greater concessions.
Almost every vital war in
dustry is smashing all output
records. Executives accord their
work people major credit for
this performance. They CRATE
fully point out that strikes
have spectacularly subsidized.
The Pacific Coast is usually
pictured as the scene of vexa-
tious labor upheavals. While
the record there has been far
from ideal, even since Pearl
Harbor, it is gratifying to learn,
from the San Francisco En-
ployers Council, that, despite
greatly increased number of
controversies, mo strikes have
been called in San Francisco
since last November.
This body handled. during the
first four months of this year,
157 controversies, twice as many
as a year ago. Nevertheless,
"all of these controversies were
negotiated or settled without
interruptions to industry and
commerce.
Now that President Roosevelt
has proclaimed that he Is
opposed to still further boosting
on our highest-paid wage earn
ers-even by voluntary action
of companies wanting to do so,
in order to attract skilled crafts
men from other enterprises-it
may be that the nation will
enjoy a respite from work
stoppages from now on, es-
pecially since the President has
indicated that he favors sympa-
thetic consideration of applica-
tons by poorly paid workmen
for wage advances sufficient, to
meet the increase which has
occurred in the cost of living.
Too. the government hopes to
check further initiation. further
hardship on the many millions
who are finding difficulty in
making ends meet.
Talking of hardships, one or
two leading automobile COM
panies are going to great
lengths to help their dealers and
statesmen to survive despite the
official blitzkrieging of normal
sales of cars, trucks. tires.
Several others, unhappily, are
not exercising farsighted bust
ness craftsmanship. are content
to concentrate solely upon their
admittedly admirable war
efforts.
One concern (Pontiac), by
diligent endeavor. has dug up
nearly 100 different items for
its dealers to sell as sidelines,
ranging from chicken feed to
mausoleums. A few dealers,
thanks to factory guidance, have
been able TO set up schools for
training aircraft mechanics.
II is well for us that the
automotive and other industries
capable of producing essential
war materials have thrown
themselves whole-heartedly into
filling government requirements.
There is this difference, how
ever: Some corporations are.
in addition, looking ahead, are
energetically expanding research
so as to be prepared for the
restoration of peace times, are
conducting timely educational
campaigns, are keeping their
names and their products con-
stantly before the public, while
others aren't.
Sufficient for the day" isn't
the acme of business philosophy.
Tomorrow will come.