The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-04-18
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Hornets Nest in East
Labor GrumbIes Over
Surrender Of Rights"
D. Raj TUCKER
WASHINGTON - Sensational
shsrres Of sabotage and "tres-
son" against vessels carrying
arms To Russia from two Ameri-
can ports have been lodged with
the Truman committee At pre-
hminary executive sessions. The
indictment was voiced by Off
eials Of the National Maritime
union. a Go organization pass
ionsteiy devoted To the Soviet
cause.
Naming eight ships, represen-
fstives Of the sesmen who man
the freightsrs asserted they had
been torpedoed. foundered en-
route or forced to put back to
harbor because Of breakdowns
at sea. Except for sinkings by
subs, they alleged that the most
frequent cause of delay was inn
proper losdGg. which they de-
pcribsd ~ only slightly less per-
flous than q fire OF explosion.
They furnished instances which.
IN their opinion. proved that poor
packing designed TO smash car
goes and stanchions had been de-
liberets. II 10 comparatively
safe and easy. witnesses de-
elsred. 10 indulge in this form
Of retarded destruction.
The group making the COM
plants has long been at odds
with the longshoremen. who are
affiliated with the ALL. But
their evident sincerity. ~ well ~
the fact that their own lives
have been endangered, created a
deep impression on some Tru-
NANTES. who have promised to
press the inquiry. President
Rooseveit's demand that Moscow
he reinforced TO the utmost in
anticipation OF Hitler's spring
drive also lies behind the inves-
tieators' decision to sift all the
fscta.
The CIO-AFL rank and file
are still grumblinR over their
leaders abandonment Of over
time pay for Sunday work and
the agreement to sheathe the
strike weapon for the duration.
This spirit Of restlessness sc-
counts for FDR's tentative se-
quiescence in q profit limitation
law and his order for periodic
investigation of corporate earn
ines on government contracts.
When William Green and
Philip Murray promised the
president TO waive extra COM
pensstion for Sabbath perform
ance which fell within the 40
hour week. their followers staged
. nationwide revolt. The United
Automobile Workers rebelled
most violently. and delegates Of
the locals were summoned to q
harmony conference at Detroit.
The meeting rioted for several
hours.
Referring TO the Green-Mur-
ray policies. there were cries of:
Reduce their salaries to $4,000
and spend the savings for de-
Tense bonds" and: Let's sd-
journ while we still have our
shirts" The white house pro-
gram was accepted only after
one speaker asked. Are you go
ing to tell your president to 20
10 hell7"
The boys on capitol hill came
hack after their Easter recess in
a frenzied state Of jitters about
the awful things the voters may
do to them at the polls next fall.
They discovered that a primary
opponent turks at almost every
crossroad and that mortality
among the Tins" may exceed any
death rate maximum in history.
Their hysteris WAS illustrated
strikingly In the handling Of the
measure providing extra clerk
hire for every senator. three
additional for the New Workers.
and two new ones for statesmen
from the populous states Of
Pennsy yania, Ohio. Illinois.
Michigan, Texas and California.
For years the upper chamber
has schemed to obtain more
help around the offices. and
some members really need II.
Senator Tydings diligently dug
up statistics on the vast in
crease In mail SINCE the battle
If Pearl Harbor. and almost
wept as ne described the burdens
and worries which drive public
men to an early grave. The
senate appropriations commit
tee responded with unanimous
recommendation Of the clerical
personnel bill mentioned above.
But on the first day of their
return the proposal was removed
from the Legislative calendar
without a dissenting voice and