Evening star., 1943-05-22
Limited Production
Restored in Some
ChrysIer War Plants
Day Shift Working Force
Estimated at Only 1000
Of Normal 1000 ."
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DETROIT. May 22.-Limited
production was restored in some
OF the six strike AFFECTED war
plants of Chrysler Corp here to-
day, but a corporation spokes-
man estimated the working
force on day shifts was only d
little more than 1000 out of a
normal personnel of $4,000. =,
Orders of the regional War Labor
Board for an immediate resump-
ton of work" by striking members
of the United Automobile Workers
(CIO) brought moves toward COM
pliance from two of three local
unions involved.
At the Dodge main factory, largest
of the closed plants, the corpora ton
spokesman said that stewards of
UAW- -CIO Local 3 stood in front of
the gates, noting the badge numbers
OF all workers who went into the
plant, and that a unionist in a car
equipped with sound amplifler
constantly shouted instructions for
the men to attend meeting Sunday
afternoon to decide whether or not
to return to their Jobs. The spokes-
man said the stewards made no
physical move to prevent workers
from entering the plant.
Truck Factory Still Idle.
Despite vote by the membership
Of Local 946 to resume work at the
De Soto bomber plant, the spokes-
man said. slightly less than half
the day shift reported. At the JEFF
ferson and Kercheval plants, where
the union Walkout first started, the
corporation reported less than one
fifth of normal force at work
Officers of Local 7 at these plants
said they spent the night at tele-
phones doing "a good job of selling
the men on the idea" of returning
to work.
Only a few workers. were re-
ported on the job at the Dodge
Lynch road plant. while the Dodge
truck factory remained idle for lack
of materials, and the same cause
accounted for a shutdown of the
assembly line at the big Chrysler
tank arsenal.
The strikes began Thursday.
Union leaders said they were un-
authorized and corporation spokes-
men characterized them as organ
lied, deliberate stoppages.
Involved in the dispute that led to
the strikes were contentious over
renewal Of a working contract that
expired last November and union
charges, denied by the company.
that collective bargaining had com
pletely broken down.
Split Among Union Chiefs Seen.
After three-hour conference
yesterday with management and
union representatives, Edwin E
Witte, regional WLB director, issued
his baCk-toWork directive and
ordered corporation and union to
observe in good faith" all contract
provisions. He added that his
board was mot at this time passing
any judgment on the causes or per-
sons responslble' for the stoppage.
Meanwhile. over the heads of the
rank and file, there appeared a
breach among top-ranking union
leaders. Leo Lamotte, director. of
the UAW-CIO Chrysler division.
who Joined in the back-to- work call,
charged that "Reuther's boys pulled
these strikes" and in a formal state
ment lashed at individuals within
the union who were ready to sac
rifice the interests Of the workers
and the Nation to advance their
own political aggrandizement."
Walter P. Reuther, UAWCIO in
ternational vice president, replied
that "Lamottes conduct will be
handled and settled through the
regular channels of the interna-
tlonal union