The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-05-10

qomery Ward ana Company re-
leased from government control
last niaht. was asked by the union
&c lay in a telegram to the War La
Dor BOARD. The appeal to the
WLB TO extend the expired con-
tract pending negotiation Of pew
agreement followed yesterdays cor
Iective bargaining election won by
tn union, whose controversy with
TIE company led to federal seizure
Of the plant last April 20.
Chicago. May 1o-AP- Federal
judge William n. Holly today drop
ped injunction litigation stemming
from government seizure OF Mon.-
aomery ward and Company chies.
40 properties without ruling on
legality OF the federal action IN
taking possession. The court told
company and government counsel
that he considered the case dis
missed" but would rule Friday on
where il should be recorded as
dismissed with or without preJu-
dice.
Chicago, May 10-AP-Sewell l..
Avery resumed control of Montgom-
cry Ward and Company today, 10
days after two soldiers carried
him from his office OF board chair
man of the huge mail order house
which the government had seized.
Ayery's return to his office from
which he had been barred by gov
eminent order followed a ruling
by Secretary of Commerce Jesse
Jones last night, ending federal po-
session of the Chicago properties,
the seizure of which climaxed
long standing labor dispute.
Jones' order came at the end OF
a collective bargaining election
which was won by the CIO union
whose controversy with the com
pany led to government control of
the plant on April &c. The results
showed the clio union represent
ed a majority cf the emplcyes.
which was fundamental issue in
the dispute over extension OF a
LulOH-COup dHy COulIdCl.
The Commerce secretarys an
nouncement OF the governments
termination OF possession also
came on the eve of a scheduled
federal court decision on the legal.
ity of the seizure by federal Off
Gals on order of President Roose.
welt.
END The Case"
The relinquishing of federal con.
troll followed President Roosevelts
earlier comment that the election
outcome would END the case"
Jones said the purpose Of seiziug
the plant had been accomplished
and the election had been complet-
ed.
Avery, however. asserted the
President had made "misstate.
ment," and added that ward Off.
Gals would bargain with any union
chosen by the employees but would
oppose any contract providing for
any form of CLOSED shop" He
also declared that "the government
has given no satisfactory reason
for its action for the abrupt re-
turn of the Montgomery Ward
property % its rightful owners"
Announcing his plans to return
to his office from which he had
been barred since his forcible ejec-
ton April q, Avery attributed the
governments returning the plant
to the indignation of the public
which has risen like a balloon and
has made it too hot for the Ad-
ministration.
Commenting on his return. the
90 year old chairman OF the conn.
try's second largest mail order
firm said:
I think it would be better #
Jesse CJones). who is a very strong
man. would be here to carry me
BACK from where he took me"
Cause Speculation
The sudden developments caused
speculation concerning the govern.
ments petition for a temporary in.
Junction TO restrain company of.
hcials from interfering with fed.
eral operation. Federal Judge
William II. Holly. who would NOT
comment on the governments &C
ton, was ,cheduled to give his de
cision On the injunctional proceed
lngs today Legal observers. how.
ever expressed belief that the gov.
eminent might move for dismissal
OF its petition, thus barring a rul.
ing on the question of legality of
the governments seizure.
Win Election
The CIO union at Wards the
United mail order, warehouse and
retail employees. won the collective
bargaining election by vote of ..
40 to 1888 and union officials an.
nounced they had asked the War
Labor Board to order the company
10 extend the contract which ex.
pred last Dec. pending a new
The company's refusal to comply
with a WLB order 10 extend the
contract with the union precipitat.
ed the federal seizure and Avery.
In a statement last night. reas.
serted that Wards has never con
sented TO a contract which pro.
vtdes for maintenance of member.
ship or any other form OF a clos ID
shop. The expired contract con
tanned a maintenance OF member.