The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1943-11-05
LABOR POST
WAR POWER

its ability to solve the problems of
war Representing over thirteen mil
lion organized workers, with their
families 81 million strong, it is fitting
that Labor should take it's rightful
place of responsibility in the life OF
the nation.
World War Ii has thrust many new
problems upon Labor, but Labor has
risen to the task and has assumed a
new national responsibility that can
open the door to an era Of industrial
teamwork But the postwar world
will bring with it even greater prob
lens and struggles, and remembering
the bitter experiences of falling mem
bership after World War |, Labor will
be wise to see what counter measures
need to be taken to prevent a similar
landslide.
There are six theaters of operation
where the forces of Labor must keep
on the offensive if we are to hold our
gains and continue to advance in the
post war world:
l. Union Membership-First and
foremost is the need for the consoli-
dation of our millions of members,
new and old, w hose numerical
strength alone gives authority to La
boris voice in the nation. Workers who
are in the union just for what they
can get out of it are only fair-weather
unionists. The Labor NJ ov m n
stands for more than better wages
and conditions 1t is a brotherhood
based on deep personal loyalties be-
tween man and man, whose ultimate
goal is new nation and new world
where human and spiritual values are
the masters and not the slaves of
material things This is the war
every worker should be told he is in
when he joins a union, and it is the
only purpose big enough to avert loss
of interest and sliding membership in
the postwar world.
2. Public Opinion To win the
public Labor should demonstrate
through its leaders, members and
programs its greatest possession-a
passion for justice and deep caring
for all the people in the nation By
consistently holding to this policy in
our homes, unions, plants and COM
munities, we will convince the public
that Labor is mature force for post
war reconstruction. By this moral in
tegrity Labor will swing the public
to its support despite every kind of
anti-labor propaganda.
8. Industry-One Of the greatest
fears that undermines confidence be-
tween labor and management today is
that their shotgun" wedding will
end in divorce when peace comes, and
the hatchets that have been buried
too near the surface will be dug up.
Labor can end that fear now by TAX
ing the lead for permanent teamwork,
with both groups planning honestly
together for the nations security. AS
Frank Buchanan puts it, "Only new
spirit in men can bring a new spirit
in industry. Industry can be the pion-
eer of a new order, where national
service replaces selfshness." This is
the true battle-line where labor and
management can fight shoulder-to-
shoulder against every form Of self
ishness in industry and so insure the
safety of all,
A. Government - Labor's partici-
patton in the various war agencies is
proving beyond doubt that America
needs the knowledge and practical ex-
perience of the men who represent
the nations workers. National leader
ship reflects the thinking and living
Of the people, and every union mem
Der can demand and produce the
statesmen we need by carrying into
effec tin his own life and work the
high standards he wants to see in
the nation. The Governments hardest
task lies ahead in maintaining team
work between the United Nations and
reconciling whole peoples. Out of its
experience in industry, Labor can help
forge Americas new Declaration of
Teamwork for the nations, based on
WHAT'S right and not on WHO'S
right, and so draw the moral chalk
line that will mark the way to dur
able peace and new world
5. The Armed Forces-Labor has
a golden chance to win the millions
of soldiers and sailors to its cause by
its leadership for postwar program
that unites the nation with a new
spirit 'I'll get you after the warI" is
a philosophy in industry that won't
go down with the boys who are bleed
ing to win new world. With a pro
gram of Sound Homes, Teamwork in
Industry and a United Nation, Labor
can show the soldiers the pattern OF