Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-05-21
Strike Wave
Blame Fixed
HsKsfies Show May
MONTH Is Cause Of II
News of Labor
Nv JACK CRELLIN
Ds1velt Tinss Labor ESifsr


DsAset Ttnss Labor Esssr
Military authorities here are
pooh-poohing the idea expressed
In some quarters that there is or
was anything subversive about the
wave of strikes in this area dur
ing the past two weeks.
After numerous conferences and
investigations, they are convinced
May is just a bad month for in
daIstrial-labor relations.
And there must be something
10 II.
Last year, Tt. Comdr. Russell
Peters, who keeps a graph in his
office of the number Of strikes in
progress daily. reported that the
graph ran completely off the
paper during May. In Michigan
and northern Ohio he estimated
there were 5000 workers out.
including the Chrysler plants and
the huge rubber plants in Akron.
OUT or PAPER AGAIN
This year
"Well, we've just run out Of
graph paper trying 20 keep up"
Peters said.
Maybe il wasn't planned that
way. but you can't convince the
foremen's union that there wasn't
n good deal of stage setting
when they were hauled down be-
fore the War Labor Board this
past week.
Whether II was done deliber-
netely, the WLB had the executive
board members of the FAA liter
ally hanging on the ropes by the
time they walked out Of the hear
ing room in the department OF
labor building Wednesday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For a matter Of fact, they were
hanging on the ropes when they
went in.
II happened this way:
When first summoned TO Wash
ington. the FAA board inmedi-
ately notified Ronald Haughton.
the young and able disputes direc-
tor Of the regional WLB.
Haughton said he would ar
range priorities and make the
necessary arrangements for the
overnight train 10 Washington.
MIR. Haughton is a Conscientious
young man and far be il from
Robert II. Keys. FAA president.
or any one else TO suspect him,
but they are wondering what hap
pened to- those berths he sand
they could obtain after they got
on the train.
The berths rust weren't avail
able and Keys was the only mem
Der Of the party TO get one-an
upper.
SAT UP ALL NIGHT
The rest of the boys sat up all
night in the day coaches.
Relieved and tired they filed
into the board hearing room 10
be met with the cold stareS Of
board members who had a good
nights sleep
Then as Chairman William II
Davis warmed 70 his task of
ordering the strikers back and
Keys Just as vociferously argued
the unions point, tho rear door Of
the room swung open and a re-
Spectful hush fell over the aud
Aence.
Resplcndent in summer weight
uniform. his generals stars re-
flecting the morning sunlight and
his chest presenting a rainbow OF
campaign ribbons. Gen. II. H. Ar
mold, chief Of the air force, strobe
into the room.
THEY STAND, TOO
Every one in the audience. In
Guiding the foremen who took
their cue from the Washington
wise. stood up and remained
OIL standing until the general was
seated
Then. mincinC no words. he sat
At the end of the table directly
opposite the foremen and told Of
the irreparable damage done 10
vital war production
An attempt TO question him by
Walter Nelson. FAA attorney, was
turned down fatty and the fore
men could only sit and listen.
Then an admiral went through
the same procedure.
At the end Of this verbal tongue
lashing. airman Davis an
nounced ne wasn't feeling any too
yell and therefore, would give the
Mon one hour in which 10 de-
de 10 send its members back.
THOMAS TRIP OFF
Flabbergasted and a little dazed
ne foremen, who had earlier en-
haSized they wanted TO do the
light and patriotic thing. did just
L a n. -.