The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
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auto union
Adde's Comments
When questioned about the lay
of Of Negro organizers George F.
Adde's, secretary-treasurer OF the
UAW-CIO, told the Michigan
Chronicle: None OF the layoffs are
any reflection on the work or
ability of any brothers involved"
President r. J. Thomas is out of
the city and could not be reached
for a statement. A spokesman for
the International Union stated that
10 organizers were ordered dis
missed by the Executive Board to
reduce the unions overhead. OF
this number three Negro organizers
have received notices and the num-
Der of whites dismissed has not
been revealed.
Protesting the firing OF the Negro
organizers, several Negro labor
leaders charged that the lnterna-
tional Union does not have suffi-
cient Negro personnel TO carry out
the work that should be done.
They pointed out that of 800 Inter-
national Representatives only Is
are colored.
WALTER HARDIN
The dismissal OF Walter Hardin
who Is generally credited with hav-
ing made the most important con-
.tribution to the success Of the JAW
among Negro workers in Michigan
CANA 80 q shock to Detroiters. Mr.
Hardin who was q member OF Lo-
cal 633 in Pontiac was one Of the
pioneers In the building OF the
auto union and served as chairman
Of the Negro organizing committee
of the Ford local He was a leader
under Homer Martin and joined
with Thomas and Adde's in the
split with Homer Martin several
years ago.
William Bowman OF Local SO in
Saginaw and AL Johnson of Local
900 are both well known TO the
Negro community at large in De-
troit and in the Saginaw valley.
Among the leaders who attended
the meeting Saturday were Shelter
Tapes. recording secretary Fore
Local 800: Horace Sheffield, Jimm,
Odem, Harold Johnson, Will,
Hurst Cleveland Pedi and Jimm,
Anderson, Ford Local 800; A. Jor
dan, Local so; Eddie Tolan. Loca
100; Bill Bowman. Local 668, anc
Alex Luvall and Roy Wilson.
The following letter, a verba
protest against the discharge of tn,
organizers, was sent to r. j. Thorn
as. international president. JAW
Clio. by the Rev. Malcolm G.. Dade
rector Of ISt Cyprian Episcopa
church:
December. 3, 1874
Mr.. r. j. Thomas
International President, UAW-CIC
All Milwaukee
Detroit, Michigan
Dear Mr.. Thomas:
understand that dismissals ar,
contemplated for Walter Hardin
veteran union organizer, as wei
as Horace Sheffield, Mr. johnson
and Rev. Bowman. ! do hope thi
is not true for, in my opinion. thi
would be most fragrant breach o
appreciation for loyalty. trust, ant
answering devotion 10 the ad
vancement Of organized labor
| recall the days Of the Fore
organizing drive. We were sold oil
the value of organized labor 10 III
Negro through the efforts of HaTdil
and Bowman. In those crucial day
these men gave a leadership 10 tn
Union and for the communit.
which did much TO prevent seriou
racial strife as well as develo
| favorable union consciousness i
the community towards organize
| labor. The casting off Of these me
| as no longer needed foreshsdows
| policy that may auger III for IN
future.
II Is because OF my earlier cor
dial association with you that
/ can hope that you will do your vi
most TO see that a place can b
| found somewhere within the unto
structure for such deserving mer
With every best wish, Fraternall
and sincerely yours. Malcolm {
/ nado Ractor