Evening star., 1945-11-19

AA eitS 1dot 1tT years, ldD0E l6ducIi
not only have been able vastly tt
increase the membership of theil
unions and the strength of theil
finances but to enact legislation put.
ting them in highly favored posi-.
ton. And, they have been able tt
prevent all legislation designed te
restrain or impose responsibility OF
them. They are still in that posi-.
ton.
Strong, rich, politically powerful
they entered this conference with
the advantage of having President
Truman, despite surface imparti-
ality, obviously leaning. as did the
late President, toward their side
and his two secretaries - Henry
Wallace and Lewis Schwellenbach-
open champions Of their cause.
Publicity and Propaganda.
Under the circumstances, that
"underdog" stuff, with which they
were accustomed to appeal, is ridic-
ulous. The truth is that as a re-
suit OF 10 years of governmental
and political subservience, these
labor bosses have acquired so many
advantages that 1t is easy to under
stand why some of them really be-
lieve they can-and should-run
the country. And not the least OF
these advantages is in the field of
publicity and propaganda.
1t is not only that they have de-
.veloped ,keener appreciation OF
the value. OF publicity than the en-
ployers, but they spend a great deal
more money. time and labor in
obtaining 1t.
In the present drive for a fiat so
per cent increase in pay, for ex-
ample, the extended publicity plans
. OF the CIO can best be presented in
the words Of Sidney Hillman's high
powered press section, which says:
"The main feature will be radio
broadcasts over q national hookup
on November IL and 26, at 10 m.
EST. These broadcasts will be pre-
,ceded by newspaper advertisements
in the major industrial cities and
radio spot announcements. Other
activities will include special by
line articles in the Negro, foreign
language and rural press by Philip
Murray and other leading public
and governmental personages.' u
Every CIo Worker" .
Continuing, the PAC declares that
I'VE must rally public opinion be-
hind our program by showing that
'fabor's demands are for the good
of the entire Nation. This is not
job for Mr.. Murray and CIO
leaders alone. 1t is the job of every
CIO worker. He must carry this
message into the homes of friends
and relatives, churches and syna-
gogues, into the newspapers by writ
ing letters to the editors, into gro
cery stores, meat markets and bak-
cries. by placards and signs.
THE labor press has a major re-
sponsihility in this drive. We count
on you to keep the membership in
formed through releases and stories.
To aid in this Job we will supply
you within a few days with full
page advertisements bearing a
special statement from Mr.. Murray.
Releases outlining the economic
facts Of our argument will be sent.
Other one and two column mats
will follow. We are throwing our
entire working force into this
drive"
Now, there is nothing improper
about any Of this. The PAC is en-
tirely within its rights. The point
. here sought to be made Is that the
CIO is in better position Ito present
its case to the American people"
than any other organization in the
country. 1t has the largest, most
effective and expensive publicity
machine in existence-far better
= than any group of employers pos
sesses.
1t has practically unlimited money
and political power which 1t ruth
lessly uses to bring to It's aid as
propagandists many public men in
Congress and in the administration
And its leaders are exceedingly
articulate with views on everything
from taxes to the atomic bomb and
great skill in getting them into
print. ..-.
" - Advocates in Congress.
Consider these facts and it is easy
to understand that If, in the present
tndustrial-labor struggle, any ones
side is going to be underpresented
1t will not be labor's. 1t has really
great publicity advantages.
Nor Is it an answer to say that
most Of the newspapers in the
country are antilabor. In the first
j place, that is not true. In the Sec
= ond place, more space is given by
. the press as a whole to labor's pub
licity than to industry's publicity
For one. member of. Congress who
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