The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1944-09-14

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Following an eloquent trlbut
Green declared that the millions who
make the weapons of war-the army
of production-"ha have played an equal
" powerful role in the victory drive.
Cites Roosevelt Tribute
He cited Americas production rec
ord i'm the war, referred TO President
Roosevet'S Labor Day tribute to the
astonishing achievements of labor oi
the production front and said:
The entire world now realizes that
together Americas fighting army and
her production army constitute an un-
beatable team
President Green went on 10 refer 10
the false charges which have been
brought against labor by its enemies,
said that the critics have been tenn
porarily silenced by the deeds of labor
bur warned there is evidence the foes
of labor are hoping and praying for
an opportunity 10 renew their warfare
against the union movement.
Sees Danger In Raids
Fright here in the state of Florida,
for Instance" the AFL head continued,
there is "A move on now To abolish the
union shop by amendment 10 the State
Constitution. \ referendum will soon
be held TO decide the fate Of this anti
labor move. Similar attacks against
labor's basic freedoms are being
launched in California and Arkansas.
If these raids are successful they will
spread into nationwide open war on
the workers Of our country.
THAT is why | appeal now with all
the earnestness at my command to
the people of Florida to nip this dan
gerous movement in the bud by defeat
ing the open-shop amendment. BY so
doing you will not only be protecting
the rights of the common people In
this state hut you will be striking
decisive blow against the development
of faScism in America.
"'rhe supreme court of this state has
held in memorable decision that the
union shop is constitutional, that II Is
in the public interest, that il Is helpful
10 production rather than restrictive
and that il does not deny 10 any man
on woman the right 10 work.
Defends Union Shop
"'rhe union shop is falsely termed a
closed shop In order to make II appear
that opportunities for jobs are shut
off to those who seek work. This ls
propaganda of the lowest type.
Actually the union shop is part OF
the American free enterprise system
which has made our country great.
Just as individual investors are per
milied 10 pool their funds 10 form cor
poratonS for large scale production,
50 individual workers are allowed
under our free, democratic govern
nent to pool their economic strength
into trade unions so that they can
bargain collectively and lift their
standards of work and living.
Furthermore. To abolish the union
shop would destroy the freedom of
contract guaranteed by our federal
constitution There is no reason in law,
in ethics or In common decency why
an employer and his employees should
not be- allowed 10 enter into an agree
ment providing. among other things,
that those who seeks jobs In the con
Germ should be required To join the
union in order to qualify.
Makes Tax Comparison
THE citizens of the United States
members of the greatest union In the
world-are required 10 pay taxes to
maintain their government, 10 protect
their freedoms, 10 provide necessary
public services and to help improve
the American standard of living.
In the same way union workers In
a plant believe each worker should be
required to pay dues Ia maintain the
organization formed To protect and Inn
prove their working standards.
The union shop Is So thoroughly
American, ii Is SO completely just and
fair. and IL Is 50 yitally necessary 10
uphold the way of life which all
Americans cherish that IL cannot be
destroyed without throwing our nation
back hundred years into the dark
days Of economic oppression and wage
slavery"
Asks RecOnyersiOn Speed
Discussing the postwar period,
President Green emphasized the urgent
necessity OF speed In conversion of war
Industries To peacetime production and
predicted that with the wholehearted
cooperation Of labor management and
government the end of the war will be
the signal for the start of the greatest
period Of prosperity in the nations
history"
Solving of postwar problems, how
ever, il not the greatest task before
the nation the speaker declared and
said In closing:
There is an even more fundamental
and serious job ahead of us-an inter