The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-02-05
Cites F acts, Figures
In Refuting Charges
Have Endeuvored To Help
Government In Every
Way Possible

Washington, D. G. ULNS). - The
VinsOn Committees charge that Amer
lean trade unions have profited from
the national defense program "is ut
terly without foundation or substan-
tiation," President William Green of
the American Federation of Labor de-
clared in formal statement to all
members of Congress refutiHg the
charge with facts and figures.
President Green pointed out that the
Vinson Committee, in reporting an asset
gain of $1O,679,OOO in 18 months by
1T unions deliberately attempted to
misrepresent the purposes and func-
tions of the labor movement by ignOr-
ing the "well known fact that the
primary reason for Changes in union
assets is to be found in the fluctuatiOn
in the amount of benefits paid to the
membership for unemployment, disabil-
ity,sickness, old age and for making
other provision for the security of
union members and their families"
Ignored Facts Cited
Far from seeking to profit from the
defense program, AFL building trades
and metal trades unions, Green said,
have endeavOred to help the govern
ment in every way possible and have
transported at their own expense thou
sands of mechanics and skilled work
ers from their home communities to
the site of defense projects where their
services were urgently needed.
Green punctured the accusations
made in the committee report by citing
the following facts which he said were
available to the committee but delib-
erately ignored by it:
THAT the $1O,679,OOO increase in
the assets of III unions with Il mem
bership of 6,OS5OOO workers over the
1S-mOnth period from Oct. !, 1899 to
March 81, 1911, as reported by the
| VinsOn Committee, represents only 81
per member per month. (The figure
is 1915 cents per member per month
for the AFL unions cOvered.)
Funds Largely For Benefits
-I IIdI tHc great Dulh vi
sets are funds held in reserve for union
members and paid out to them from
time to time under various benefit
systems. including unemployment insur-
ance, death, disability, health, retire
ment and other benefits.
3-That in the 14-year period from
1927 to 1910 inclusive, extending over
the years of depression and recovery,
AFL unions paid to their members a
total of 5O,OOO,OOO in unemployment,
sickness, disability, old age and death
benefits, thus relieving the nation and
its communities of heavy relief bur-
den.
4-That union funds are not used
for profit-making or to engage in any
business enterprise but belong to the
union members and are collected and
expended at their direction and in their
behalf
5-That recent increases in union
assets can be accounted for as follows
(a) Increases in union membership
(the AFL gained 100000 members dur
ing the period covered by the Ninson
Committee).
CD Because of widespread re-em
plOyment, union members previously
jObless were able to renew dues pay
ments and many of them paid up ar
rears in order to re-establish eligibility
for benefits.
(c) Because of the DOstrike policy
of the American Federation of Labor
and It's Affiliated unions there was Il
sharp decrease in the number of strikes
and in the length Of their duration
thus considerably cutting down dis
bursement for strike benefits.
Ending his statement, Green de
clnred:
'The committees conclusion that the
American trade unions have sought to
benefit from the defense program tC
the detriment of the public interest
Is utterly without foundation or sub
sanitation. 1t constitutes II slur on the
record of the American trade uniOI
movement
'"rhe committees failure to examine
and report on organized labor's contri
button to defense and the cost of Sucl
contribution sustained by trade unions
is conclusive proof of the committees
anti-labor bias"