Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1945-01-01
Army Waits
Ward Moves
Pressure on Avery
From Stockholders

Inc ~. =. army vi OSNupdlloIl
nat Montgomery Ward stores in
Detroit simply occupied offices to-
day but did nothing about oper-
ating the properties, apparently
waiting a court ruling showing
who's the legal boss of the COM
pany.
While clashes between Ward Of
ficials and army officers fared in
Chicago when army representa-
tives were refused permission to
examine records, Ward officials in
Detroit said the military men had
not issued any orders on opera
ton of the business.
No army orders were issued,
they said. at the Gratiot store
where, according TO the United
Retail. Wholesale and Department
Store Employees tCIO), union
members were discharged after
they reported for work at the end
of the strike.
MANAGERS STATEMENT
r. w. Rosevear, general man.
ager of the company in Detroit,
issued the following statement:
"All former employees have
been rehired except those who
would have been laid Off under
normal circumstances due To
the post Christmas reduction In
business.
"Such layoffs are determined
on the basis OF performance,
ability and length of service,
without regard to union affilia-
ton"
Commenting on this statement,
Rosevear said:
THE company has always
maintained this policy and will
keep on doing It,"
Trouble over putting certain
employees OF the Dearborn store
back 10 work repeatedly was
Strengthened out between the
union and company officials.
Whether any Of the army Off
kcers under Mai. Walter Claiming
had issued orders either for the
firing OF unemployment of the
strikers was not revealed.
PRESSURE on AVERY
Employees OF the four Detroit
area stores yesterday received
their weekly paychccks from the
company. The checks. however,
did not contain the accrued re-
troactive wage increases which
the WLB ordered Ward 10 pay
The back pay 10 200 Detroit
employees would amount TO about
$500, 600
Indications today were that
pressure is about TO be brought
on SeWell Avery. chairman of
Wards board Of directors. from
certain groups OF the giant com
pany's stockholders.
In New York, Mrs. Frieda
Blumenthal, describing herself as
company stakeholder. an
nounced the formation of an in
dependent council of stockholders
10 voice resentment against
Avery's refusal to abide by WLB
directives.
HEARING SET JAN. 8
In Chicago federal lawyers ap-
peared before Judge Philip L. Sui
Ivan in federal district court
yesterday asking a temporary in
junction restraining Avery and
other high officials of the COM
pany from interfering with the
arTny's management.
Judge Sullivan set January 3
for hearing but informed Hugh
b. Cox, assistant solicitor gen.
eral. that the hearing would be
advanced II the government found
the company was interfering with
its operation of the firm.
General Byron and his STAFF Of
is officers were housed in an
office in the Ward building within
.la couple of doors Of the office Of
avery.
The 72-year-old board chair
man, whose resistance led 10 his
being carried bodily from his
Office during the arny's brief oc-
cupation several months ago, re-
NAMED away from his desk yes
terday.
Avery had left Thursday night
with the declaration he would re-
turn the next morning but he was
not around the building Yesterday