The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-08-22
Observations
Labor Prepares
to Present New
Demands

one OF labors prime postwar
goals will be 10 obtain social Sc
curity or welfare funds financed
by employers. When contracts are
reopened or new ones negotiated,
in the future, this proposition will
rank high among labor's demands.
The big clio United Automobile
Workers Union already has form.
ulated welfare or insurance
scheme calling for employer con-
tributions totaling three per cent
OF the insured workers average
earnings.
New York's recent three week
newspaper deliverymen's strike
stemmed largely from such a vel.
fare fund demand.
John L. Lewis OF the United Mine
Workers who dropped his coal roy
atty demand 10 sign a new wage
contract a few months ago, now
advises local unions that the Issue
is not dead.
There Ia q genuine feeling IN
Washington that unemployment
won't be as bad as some experts
predict nor will the process Of re-
converting 70 peace-time production
bog down and bring Industrial
chaos.
Materials for reconversion are
plentiful. says WPB chief julius
Krug. In fact, he predicts. they will
be running out OF our ears" Full
speed ahead for industry on a
peace-tlme basis will mean most OF
the unemployed will be quickly re-
absorbed, leaving the normal"
two 10 two and a half million un-
employed.
Congress Is expected 10 take
harShly realistic view toward pro-
tecting the nation against wide
spread unemployment, and the gov
eminent is planning to keep con-
trolls over prices, rent and produc-
ton.
Emperor Hinohito OF Japan Is the
focal point OF an official American
tug-of.war, with one faction pulling
for his eventual arrest and trial as
a war criminal and the other :or his
use as a rallying point for the
new" Japan.
Those who want TO spare his life
contend that only the military in
Japan should be blamed for start
ing the Pacific conflict The en-
peror, these people say. actually
had no control over his war-lords
once they decided on world con-
quest
Russia's belated entrance into
the Jap war may complicate that
debate because the Soviet Union
may decide on its own hook that
Hirohito Is a war criminal. In fact.
II is believed that Russia may look
farorably upon lettish elements in
Japan who undoubtedly are plan
ming TO set up their own govern
ment when they get a chance.
The wPB, busy with . thousand
and one weighty reconyersion prob
lens. took time out the other day
70 help Mr and Mrs. America but
ton up their war-produced CLOTH
ing.
II announced "prioritiss assist
ance" for manufacturers OF tape
for zippers, buttons, buttonholes.
hook and eyes. and snap fasteners.
Not TO be outdone, the OPA came
out with the announcement that 1t
was postponing its proposed new
price schedule for popcorn.
There is a strong belief in Wash
ington that 1t. Gen. Jonathan VAIN
wright who was forced TO surren-
wright, the commander-hero OF Cor
regidor, may be assigned TO aid
Gen. Douglas Macarthur IN the oc-
cupation OF Japan.
But this depends on the condition
OF Wainwright who was forced TO
surrender in the dark, early days
OF the war and has been prisoner
OF the japanese ever since.
Il Wainwright has been recently
treated and fairly well sed. and
still m ain tains his health, It is like
" he will go to Japan after rest
al home in the states. II the japan
csc have abused wainwright. there
IA little doubt but that It will go
harder with them than II they have
accorded him decent treatment