The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-04

Garbed in a chaplain's uniform. Archbishop Spellman, Roman Catholic Chief Vicar of the Armed Forces, is shown above as he rec views American troops in Italy. of violations of the Smith-Connally War Labor Displtes Act.
 The act provides that any person who induces or encourages strikes. slow-downs or other interruption Of plant operations which are under government shall be liable for crinar inal prosecution.
 The city was quiet under a heavy police guard designed to prevent a renewal of the rioting which marked the start of the strike. Only two incidents were reported to police. Frank Howard, l3, Negro, was shot and critically wounded yesterday by three men firing from an automobile passing in front of his home. A policeman fired few shots in the air to disperse a small crowd of Negroes challeng- ing his authority to arrest one Of their number for a minor infrac- ton.
 Decision Rescinded
 That the Army would use other means than persuasion if that means was not quickly successful. was implicit in a situation drasti- cally curtailing vital war produc- ton by keeping workers away from hundreds of plants. Early today, James McMenamin, chairmon Of the committee of 40, had rescinded the strikers decision to return to work at 5 A. m. because the Army in- tended to permit eight Negroes to continue their training as trolley motormen.
 A spokesman for Gen. Hayes call. ed attention to his statement of last night when he took over in the name of the government.
 We intend to operate the trans portation facilities of the company to the fullest extent necessary for the prosecution of the war" he said
 But the Army apparently was giy- ing the men a little more time to return to their jobs voluntarily. Five a. m, the hour set for the re- sumption of operations, came and passed without a wheel of a vast city's vital transport system turn ing, but at all the main barns there were groups of strikers. some num- bering as high as several hundred, and many were in uniform as though they had intended working. The possibility that they would, de- spite the announcement of their committee of 40. held more force- full means of breaking the strike such as ordering troops to operate the trolleys and busses - in abey- ance for the moment.
 AFmy's Position
 "The Army's position is clear" Hayes spokesman said. We ex- pect every employe of the PFC to fulfill his patriotic duties and report for work at his regular starting time"
 The committee of 70 took excep- ton to Hayes statement that the War Department will not partici- pate nor attempt to settl, the labor controversy as that is the function of civilian agencies of the govern ment." He added that under Army operation, working conditions would revert to what they were on Tues- day when the strike started because eight Negroes were in training for operative jobs.
 Last nights mass meeting Of strikers came after President Roose- welt had ordered the system seized and the War Department to operate it. Strike leaders assured the men then that we have won - thereU be no Negro operators" The strik- CTS then voted to return and some raised an American flag over the largest car barn. But later in the night, the men were called back and told the strike was on. The leaders had learned that the Army was not going to take sides in the dispute.
 Hayes had made that clear in a second statement
 Sole Purpose We shall operate the transit lines on the basis of conditions that prevailed before the strike" 1t said. Al. employees will continue in the capacity they held at that time, Our sole purpose is to keep the trolleys, busses, and subway-eleyated lines running so that Philadelphia war workers nay get to work and make their full contribution to the prose- cutiop of the war"
 MeMenamin had said repeatedly that his men would return to work # the company ceased training Negroes for operative jobs,
 The executive order of President Roosevelt was announce at 7;t5 last night. It climaxed day of tenseness. The action had been ex- pected from hour to hour. The strike. had swelled absenteeism in war plants to more than 10 percent, eurtailing production in some as much as 70 percent, More than 100000 were walking or hitch- hiking to work f they went to work ct all
 Hayes. commanding general Of