The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-03-13


which he gave to 80 Inemb
The dinner was held In a priv
ate dining room Of Washington's
new Hotel Statler, where, over
chicken lone piece) and mashed
potatoes, Murray and other top
Go leaders had q candid talk
with the Congress men about
labor's cooperation In the war eff
fort.
II didn't invite you congress-
men here TO ask favOrS Of you"
said the CLIO boss. II want you
to TO take down your hair and
tell us What you think Of the
CIO. The franker the better"
: The legislators took Murray at
his word. The get-together last
ed from 8 p. m. to 1890 a. M,
and everyone had something to
say. Most Of the speeches were
friendly to labor, but at least two
representatives turned on the
vitriol. They were: Charles M.
LaFollette, freshman Indiana Re
publican, Ono relation to the sem
ator from wisconsin, and George
q. Sadowski, Michigan Democrat.
CONSTRUCTIVE BLAST
SadowSkis blast was along con-
Structive lines. He charged that
too many union leaders were
playing politics." and that many
leaders wan to ''run for office"
the moment they become promin-
ent in labor. He cited the case
Of a Michigan CLIO official who
grabbed off a big Job for which he
was untitled in an OPA regional
rent control office, and whose
mistakes he said, were giving la
Dor a black eye In the Vicinity.
LaF'ollette tore into the CLIO for
backing New Deal Representative
Ray Keough Of Illinois against
Republican Senator "Curiy"
Brooks In the last senatorial
election. Murray didn't have to
reply. The Holsters speech was
so patiently political and prejudicial
to McKenough, highly popular
House figure, that several con-
gressmen walked out on him.
Representatives Warren Magnu-
son Of Washington, Michael Brad
ley Of Pennsylvania, mike" Kir.
wan of Ohio, John Lesinski of
Michigan and others, struck some
forensic blows for labor's parti-
cipation in the war effort after
listening to a frank talk by Muir
ray, who defended labor against
charges Of "absenteeism".
II want you gentlemen 10
know that CLIO unions are Civ
ing their all In this struggle"
Murray declared. "Whatcver abb
senteeism we are guilty Of Is
involuntary, due 10 Illness, lack
Of transportation or t0her un-
ayoldabIe causes. I've sent down
personal orders 10 the leaders
Of every CLIO union In the cOun.
try 20 stop absenteeism. We're
also doing all In our power 10
prevent strikes. The record
shows that"
Republican Rep. George II. Ben
der Of Ohio, frequent critic OF
New Deal labor policies, almost
caused the other guests to fall
out of their chairs by loudly APP
plauding MurTays speech and de-
claring that "eveFy member Of
Congress should have been here 20
listen 10 H."
WPB ECONOMIES
In the cocktail lounges and
Pullman cars, q story " going
around that q Japanese spy re-
ported 10 the Emperor IT would
be useless TO bomb Washington,
because II one building were dee
gtroyed, two or three others would
remain. Ill ef which are d0inG
the same work.
That tale is much more than q
funny story to WPBs Executive
Vice Chairman. Charles y. WI.
son, because he has found . lot
Of WPB outfits doing the same
work. 50 he has ordered o
drastic streanlining Of that top.
heavy organization.
Wilson has sent q memo 10
WPB executives saying "0oed
management demands We make
the most effective use u eur
present pegsennel and conduct our
operations with msxlmrIn eeens
0my."
Then he listed these economies:
~ Suspension Of ell recruitment"
for new Jobs and no new appoint
ments except BY his specific ap.
proval. WPB already has az
500 employees, plus 2.A0O on requlsl.
ton. Yet the Budget Bureau
has given II q pob ceiling OF a..
600.
l3D Immediate reaueilon IN
travel, which wilson aayss rep.