Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-12-28
Political
Action
BY
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman

end of 1945. This has been a
momentous year. Many far
reaching events have taken
place. While many of these
have signified the beginning
of new and better era, other
events denote much trouble in
the years ahead.
Many gallant soldiers lost
their lives in 1945. Among
those who were killed in ac-
tion was the crusader for
more just and humane govern
ment who had risen to be
President and was the only
man to serve more than two
full terms in that office.
The leadership Of Franklin
D. Roosevelt would be invalu-
able to us in this period of re-
adjustment. We are now de-
MED his personal leadership,
but the social program he be-
lieved in can be carried out il
we have the will and put forth
the effort
Probably the outstanding
single event of 1915 was the
demonstration tn { atomic
power has finally been ac-
complished.
ATOMIC POWER
Atomic energy is the means
which can make possible a
world in which the forces of
nature will be so utilized and
controlled that a thirty-hour
week and a luxurious stand
ard of living will be possible
for the entire world popula-
ton.
1t is however, equally pos
sible, if not more probable,
that atomic energy will be used
as an agent Of destruction, and
its powers for good not prop
eTiy ueNelOpeu.
The development of atomic
energy cannot serve its best
purpose unless it is developed
and controlled by a world or
ganization and utilized for
purposes of shortening hours
and increasing living stand
ards.
This will reqire not only a
world organization to prevent
the use of atomic power for
war, but also a real industrial
democracy to insure that the
people will benefit instead of
the industrialists profits being
increased.
1t has only been nine
months since Roosevelt died,
but his social program is being
bitterly attacked by the re-
dictionaries who feel that now
is the time to liquidate the
labor movement.
SAVING PROGRAM
If this social program Is to
be saved in 1916 two things
are necessary: Cd The public
must wholeheartedly support
the program of the CIO to gain
wage increases to make up for
the loss of overtime, brought
about by the end of the war,
and (2) The public must sup
port the program of the PAC
to obtain passage of legisla-
ton which will guarantee that
big business shall be suffi-
ciently regulated and con-
trolled to assure jobs for all
with adequate social security.
We start the new year in
the midst OF a battle on both
the economic and the political
fronts. On the economic front
is the fight for decent wages.
On the political front is the
Sti hkklt W Jl No'i Nt oAl NNiiA
ocratic rights and so forward
to jobs for all through enact
ment of adequate legislation,
In a sense, the batch Of anti
labor bills now before Con-
gress are repercuSsions of the
economic fight, for the selfish
type OF industrialistS see the
handwriting on the wall and
are trying to destroy the labor
movement while there is still
time.
All OF us must make a New
Years resolution to see that
the people win out in the
struggle for higher wages and
adequate social legislation. If
we do this and put forth a real
effort we shall win; for while
the reactionaries have more
money we certainly have the
most votes.
On behalf of the PAC | ex-
tend best wishes for Happy
New Year to One and All.
Mark Starr sends three
quips which are worth pass
ing on:
The Daughters OF the Amer
ican Revolution are so anxi-
Gus to avoid becoming the
mothers of revolution that
they exercise thought control.
For many years trade union
leaders tried 20 give the
Sweatshop boss stomach ul-
GERS; now through union
health schemes they can look
after their own.
A workers definition OF
collective bargaining: First
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