Evening star., 1942-04-08
Murray, Green Plead
For Critics Support
AT Joint Labor Rally
1000 Members of RivuI
Factions Exhorted to
Unite for Victory

Unite for victory
BY the Associated Press.
PITTSBURGH, April &C. I. o.
President Philip Murray and A. F. L.
President William Green, rivals in
peacetime, but united in war, SYM
bolized labor's unity last night by
pledging their organized millions to
stand together" to win the war and
exhorting laoor's critics to "join
labor, not stab us in the back"
The labor leaders met on a speak
erS' platform - for the first time
since labor's ranks split in 1886
before a cheering audience of more
than 1000 workers at a joint A. F.. L.
c. I. o. unite for victory" rally here
Green and Murray called on their
followers to produce, produce and
produce" for victory. Then they each
answered the "unthinking people"
they charged with attacking labor.
Both spoke extemporaneously be-
fore voicing pledges of unity and an
swers to labor's critics in Nation
wide radio broadcast. Paul V. Nc
Mutt. Federal Security Administra-
tor, Joined them in the broadcast.
Rivals Are Cordial
Mr.. Green referred to Mr.. Murray
as my dear friend" and as my
friend, my collaboration and fellow
American" in token, he said, of this
spirit of unity and cooperation" be-
tween the two labor organizations.
Mr.. Murray in turn expressed his
pride and personal qualification" to
appear on the platform with Mr..
Green and said their presence to-
gether tells beyond words that we
know this is labor's war"
Il come to you without reServa-
ton" Mr.. Green said. Il am deter
mined and willing to stand with
President Murray and his associ-
ateS."
Reiterating labor's determination
to do its utmost to win the war, Mr..
Murray said we "a. F. L. and c. l.
o. propose to 60 down that long
road hand in hand, working to-
gether toward attainment of our
national objectives." He added:
You c. I. o. men in this hall
collaborate and cooperate with A.
F. L. unions in your community"
Act at Presidents Request.
Both Mr.. Green and Mr.. Murray
said the labor peace was effected at
the request of President Roosevelt,
and Mr.. Green added that they had
assured the President" labor would
relinquiSh the right to strike volun-
tarily for the duration of the war.
But we never will agree that the
right to strike shall be taken from us
by force" he thundered.
Mr.. Murray named Representa-
tives Smith, Democrat. of Virginia
and Cox, Democrat, of Georgia as
assailants of labor in Congress, and
asked them, with others whom he
said fought labor, to have conf
dence in American labor, join labor,
not stab us in the back
Referring to efforts in behalf of
a 48-hour week, Mr.. Murray asserted
that today the steel industry, in full
production, averages only 391a hours
per week for its individual workers.
He declared also that 139, 900 steel
workers were idle today because
rationing and priorities had affected
plant productions.
To Fight Longer Week.
Are they going to impose A.
hour week on an industry not able
to give its men over 80 hours a
week?" Mr. Murray asked. They're
not going to do it if l. with all the
power God has given me, am able
to stop them"
The c. I. o. chieftain said he was
going to support President Roose-
welt in this war and let those who
want to fight him. fight him. He's
the greatest friend labor ever had
and I'm sticking with him"
Mr.. McNutt said while the workers
were loyalty pulling their weight in
the war effort, we are faced today
with a stream of libels in the press
and in Congress. 1t is the kind of
attack that so often proved sue
cessful in weakening other countries
to the advantage of the Axis
powers"