Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-30

At least one officer is on duty
in each store "a hours a day.
Maj. Walter Charming, in
charge of the Ward seizure here,
is operational and merchandising
officer for the Sixth Service Com
mand. Before entering the army
he was associated with a local
merchandising firm for several
years.
Company officials. m pl oy S
and army officers treat each other
with the ultimate in courtesy and
all relations thus far have been
friendly, RoSevear said.
But it's a different picture in
Chicago where Seweff Avery, the
70-year-old board chairman, and
Mai. Gen. Joseph w. Byron, who
seized the properties yesterday,
glare at each other in the execu-
tive office on the eighth floor.
The army insisted it was run
ming the 100000, 900 business and
Avery said he was still in charge
Neither Avery nor Gen. Byron
had arrived at their offices in
midmorning but Avery declared
earlier in the morning that:
"My position has not changed
and never will change. I'm go
ing to work now and every day"
PAY DAY IN CHICAGO, TOO
AS in Detroit, it was pay day in
Chicago today and the checks
were signed by Ward official.
Business is going on as usual
and will be carried on as usual
until the courts rule otherwise"
II. L. Pearson, vice president
and treasurer said.
There was an undercurrent OF
apprehension, however, engen-
dered by Avery's decision TO stay
on the job and run Wards bust.
ness from his office unless they
throw me out bodily"
Gharacterizing Avery as per
fectly harmless" Attorney Gen.
eral Biddle in Washington today
said there are no plans 10 force
ably eject Avery from his office.
HEARING SET JAN. 8
"We are still anxious and
hopeful that Avery will come
along" Biddle said at a press
conference. I'VE are permitting
him TO stay in his office and
we are asking for no resigna-
tions," Biddle said.
Biddle. however, despaired of
obtaining Avery's acceptance of
government seizure, asserting that
He's a tough guy and probably
Will stick 10 his guns
In Chicago, Assistant Attorney
General High Cox and Stuart
Ball, representing Wards, APP
pcared before Federal Judge
Philip Sullivan who set Jan. s
for hearing on the governments
petition for a temporary injunc-
ton restraining the company from
interfering with government oper-
alton Of the plants.
Ward officials have refused a
formal request of the army 10
turn over its records in Chicago
but offered to permit officers 10
leek at them
r. w. Rosevear. Detroit general
manager for the firm, reiterated
that he has not been asked for
records or funds and declined 10
state what his position would be
If he were.
READ PRINTED CARD
lie did say, however, that each
store manager read the following
printed card 10 army officers yes
.terday
81 ann advised that YOU have
no legal authority To take pos
session Of this plant. I there
fore demand that YOU leave
these premises.
"All further discussions should
b. held with Mr.. Avery, the
chief officer of the company"
Army officers politely ignored
The warning.
Tho governments strategy, as
limited by Maj. Gen Joseph W
Byron, head OF the special service
team which took over in Chicago
yesterday would be 10 set up its
own bookkeeping system. even its
e"H-eomPany organization