Evening star., 1944-05-17
Forenlen Union
Leaders Call Off
Detroit Strike
Act After Arnold
Says Stoppoee Might
Delay invasion

Ds tifc hsootlhtEsa fEtSs.
The leadership of the Fore
mans Association of America
today called off a strike at Is
Detroit war plants a short while
after Gen. Henry H. Arnold had
termed the stoppage "one OF the
most serious setbacks the Air
Force has had since its incep-
ton" and declared that, IL con-
tinued, 1t might enable the Ger
man air force to recover Just
when 1t is reeling under our
blows"
The unions Executive Board acted
within an hour and half after
the Army Air Forces chief told the
union its strike may even affect
our invasion operations" and after
WLB Chairman William H. Davis
declared that wartime strike
against the Government cant
win"
Union Leaders Statement.
The foremen's leadership issued
this one-sentence statement:
The National Executive Board of
the Foreman's Association of
America in extraordinary session at
Washington, d. c., unanimously di-
rected officers of the six chapters
of the association now on strike
to at once call meeting. their
members for the purpose i'm
mediate return to work"
Gen. Arnold told the hearing the
strike might require him to change
his timetable for destruction OF criti-
cal industries in Germany and
might cost the lives of bombing
crews through lack of suficient
fighter plane protection.
The board delivered its decision
to Mr.. Davis at the conclusion of
a caucus that interrupted WLB
hearing summoned to determine
why the strike had not been ter
minated.
we of the military forces are not
interested in the relative merits Of
the dispute" Gen. Arnold had de-
1clared, but it is inconceiyable from
our point of view how you can have
strikes which stop war production
on materials which are so essential
they may even stop operations IN
connection with the bombings In
Germany"
Speaking rapidly, the general said
the war production involved was so
essential the strikes might even af-
feet invasion operations.
Gen. Arnold said there were
strikes in Detroit involving the
Packard Motor Car Co. s plant rnak-
ing airplane engines; Briggs, MUIR
ray. Hudson and Gar Wood. an
producing fighter plane or truck
parts.
We have been working for long
time to get maximum efiiciency
in the bombing of Germany he de-
clared, adding that it was necessary
to develop long-range fighting air.
craft to accompany bombers on their
raids in Germany.
Fighter planes determine the suc-
cess or failure of some missions and
how far the bombers can go into
Germany, he said.
These strikes make it impoSsiblo
for me to meet my obligation y Gen.
Arnold declared. How can fur
nish fighters where they are needed
at the time they are needed when
there are strikes. They will require
me to change my plans. ~
Must cut down on the strength
of bombers sent into Germany and
change the timetable for the de-
struction of critical industries in
Germany? Must / tell the bombing
crews that 1 cannot furnish them
fighter protection they must have
with their bombers. Fighters de-
termine the life or death of crews
of bombers"
The Air Force chief said that
since its inception, the strike had
cost the United States Air Force an
estimated $50 Psi fighters.
at is most serious at this par
ticular time because we are going all
out on our air force" he said.
Responsibility Emphasized.
Asserting that he has RESPONSE
bility ito both crew members and
families" he added:
How can explain to the rela-
tives of those killed the lack of
fighter aircraft which I do not have
to send in for protection of bomber
and protection of lives?"
May I ask the general ques-
tion?" asked Walter M Nelson,
counsel for the Foremen's Asso-
citation.
Il am a busy man and do not
have time" Gen Arnold replied.
I'VE are not interested in the merits
of this dispute"
Let the record show that Gen.
Arnold refused to permit a Ques-
tion," the union attorney said, az
the general strode from the room.
Chairman Davis had told officers
of the Foreman's Association earlier
that they cant win" wartime
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